Cosmopolitan India – August 2019

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upfront

At the 2019 edition of the Prix de Diane Longines

in Chantilly, France, Cosmo caught up with The

Mentalist actor and Longines brand ambassador

about his sartorial choices, horology and more.

5 MINUTES

WITH SIMON

BAKER

Cosmo: Longines has been

associated with equestrian

events for a long time now.

Tell us more about it...

Simon Baker: “An equestrian

event is all about performance.

But before the said

performance, there is a lot

of specificity, work, and

data that goes into it—just

like in watch-making. They

both embody tradition,

performance, and elegance.”

C: What’s your earliest

memory of watches?

SB: “I was always obsessed

with watches. As a kid, I would

go to the beach with friends,

but I had to get back home at

a specific time. I must have

been around 16 at the time,

and couldn’t afford a watch. So,

I’d ask my friends for the time

because I wanted to stay in the

water for as long as possible

before heading back. It was

an enjoyable process...to know

how much I could get out of a

moment.”

C: What are your top tips

for being stylish?

SB: “Well, first, you should

know what works for you.

Second, be yourself in

whatever outfit or environment

you’re in. In my case, I feel

equally comfortable in a suit

and a pair of shorts. I don’t

discriminate between the two.”

C: And what about

accessories?

SB: “Umm...I find myself going

back to classical aesthetics.

Take Longines’ latest Record

Collection, for example. It’s a

very traditional, simplistic, and

elegant design—which gives it

a timeless appeal.”

C: How do you use fashion

to shape your personal

image? And how do

Longines’ timepieces fit into

the picture?

SB: “I like to start by

considering the event I’m

dressing for. Today, I knew

I’d be going to a horse race,

so I chose a suit I’m going to

be comfortable in. I like the

colour and I don’t have to fuss

about it. It’s a lot easier with

men in this regard. If you have

a suit that fits, and you feel

good about it and the fabric...

that’s pretty much it. I like

to keep it as simple as that,

and accessorise with a watch

because it’s practical and acts

as a piece of jewellery. When

I wear a suit, I opt for a

dress watch. On the other

hand, if I’m wearing casual

clothes, I’ll wear a more robust,

everyday piece.” Q

Record Collection,

Longines, price on

request

Simon Baker

with his wife

Rebecca Rigg (L)

Longines’ brand

ambassadors Kate

Winslet and Simon Baker