Watch Check: The Timepieces That Caught our Eye at Man at His Best 2025

As part of tradition, Esquire Philippines every year celebrates the country's leading visionaries, luminaries, businessmen, and creatives through the global signature event called Man at his Best. These honorees are fittingly called the Architects of Tomorrow who are responsible for actively shaping society's future through the particular ways they innovate and create via their mastery of their respective crafts.

With each iteration of these events, we also tend to zero in on the timepieces that also tell stories in addition to the times that we live in. It is not just about the glitz and the glamor associated with name brands, but more importantly, we tackle what these timepieces mean to the chic guests in attendance.

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It's no surprise that our Businessman of the Year, Converge ICT Founder Dennis Anthony Uy, wore a Richard Mille RM 67-01, a complex timepiece, for an innovator in the tech space.

Richard Mille watches are a lot like high-speed sports cars with complex movements that would make any onlooker envious.

Interestingly enough, Uy told us that he wasn't really a watch guy and that he got the piece because it was a viable everyday watch.

The uniquely flat design that is rare for an RM piece is a marriage between classic automatic watchmaking and the iconic, esoteric design that comes part and parcel with the Richard Mille experience.

Next up on eye-catching classics is the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak worn by our Man at His Best Chef of the Year, Jorge Mendez.

The brilliant and surging Mendez just exuded class and taste with the AP Royal Oak on his wrist.

Being the mind behind some of the most potent and unique dining concepts in the country, the highly desirable Royal Oak is a match made in heaven for one of the most sought-after chefs.

The AP Royal Oak is the gold standard for what to shoot for when you go for a truly distinguished timepiece, especially for men who stand out in their respective fields.

The Swiss-made, ultra-thin, and self-winding gem of engineering brilliance is a staple that needs no introduction and will be a highly coveted piece for any watch enthusiast.

Blaster Silonga, 1/4th of our Music Artist of the Year IV of Spades, wore a rather interesting vintage TAG Heuer during the awards night.

We kinda knew it was a TAG from a mile away because of the striking and unique bracelet, and it may not be for everyone, but it evokes that vintage and obscure style that the recently reunited IV of Spades is famous for.

The watch comes in a 34 mm form factor, making it a viable unisex timepiece that stays understated despite the storied Swiss watchmaker stamped on the dial.

Next up is Penshoppe VP Brandon Liu, who had also landed on Esquire Philippines's Mavericks cover with his brother Bryan, who unfortunately didn't wear a watch that night.

Brandon wore a beautiful Rolex Datejust with a fluted bezel and a white dial in white gold, which is another staple for the accomplished man.

The 41 mm form factor is the western standard for men and is complemented by the understated white hour indices.

Once you get a Rolex Datejust, most men would be happy having just that for the rest of their lives. An iconic piece that carries heritage and milestones suited for mavericks.

Lastly, we spotted a classic Seiko Captain Willard on motoring columnist Kap Maceda.

The Seiko 6105-8110, for the pedantic horologists out there, was the piece worn by Captain Willard, portrayed by Martin Sheen in the cult-classic Apocalypse Now.

The Captain Willard is one of Seiko's most recognizable dive watches and is a piece that screams culture and taste for those in the know.

The unique silhouette and the funky story behind the watch command respect from any watch lover in the room.

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