Talking Watches: With Daniel Boulud, World-Renowned Chef And Restaurateur
Chef Daniel Boulud is a legend in the New York – and global – food scene. He operates more than a dozen restaurants worldwide, including in New York City, Miami, Montreal, Singapore, and Dubai. He’s best known for Daniel on the Upper East Side, the restaurant he opened in 1993 that currently holds two Michelin stars.
Restaurant Daniel, on East 65th Street in New York City.
Boulud grew up in Lyon, France, a world-renowned gastronomic destination. After training in France, Boulud soon came to the U.S. to pursue his culinary career. Since then, Boulud and his restaurants have racked up more awards than we can count, and he’s acquired a few watches along the way, too.
Chef Daniel Boulud in the kitchen at Daniel.
We went up to his eponymous restaurant, Daniel, to chat about Boulud’s career and some of his watches, and even catch a few scenes of the restaurant in action. As you’ll see, many of his watches have stories attached to them that trace Boulud’s time as a chef. From spotting a watch on the wrist of Richemont boss Johann Rupert while he dined at Daniel to opening a restaurant in the renovated Tiffany & Co. store in New York City, Boulud’s connection with watches runs deep. While some of the stories are professional, the most moving are more personal – you’ll have to watch the video to see what I mean.
Enjoy our Talking Watches with chef Daniel Boulud at his New York City restaurant, Daniel.
Rolex GMT-Master II ‘Root Beer’
When we showed up at the restaurant Daniel, we found chef Daniel wearing his Rolex GMT-Master II “Root Beer” in steel and Everose gold. It’s legible, durable, but not too big. Released in 2018, it’s a reliable and robust sports watch, everything me, you, or Daniel Boulud would ever ask for from a modern Rolex. The GMT-Master II is perfect for banging around a kitchen, in other words. In the photo, you can even catch some scratches and general grime – clearly, Boulud wears his GMT a lot, which makes us like it all the more.
Rolex ‘Zenith’ Daytona
Next up is Boulud’s white dial Rolex “Zenith” Daytona ref. 16520. Introduced in 1988, it’s the first automatic Daytona, powered by the famous Zenith El Primero caliber that was extensively modified by Rolex. More than the history or the specs though, this is one of the watches that’s been with Boulud the longest, and his first Rolex. It wasn’t something he bought on his own either, but a gift from a dear friend. The story is particularly personal and best told by him in the video.
Rolex GMT-Master II ‘Pepsi’
“I like to wear Rolex, they’re the most comfortable in the kitchen,” Boulud says. In addition to the Root Beer and Zenith Daytona, he has a steel Pepsi, which Rolex first brought back (on a Jubilee bracelet) in 2018. Soon after, it added the option to buy the Pepsi on an Oyster bracelet, which is what Boulud has. In particular, he says this subset of watches has a connection with a friend of his in Toronto who runs a charity to which Boulud is a benefactor.
“They all have a meaningful moment for me,” Boulud says of these watches.
Rolex GMT-Master II ‘Batman’
Clearly, Boulud is a Rolex guy – specifically, a GMT guy. Next up is the blue-and-black bezel GMT-Master II “Batman,” introduced by Rolex in 2013 as the first bi-color ceramic bezel. The Batman on Jubilee (Batgirl to some) seen here was added as an option in 2019. The blue and black color combination had no historical precedent in the GMT-Master line, and some speculated that its appearance had as much to do with difficulties realizing a Pepsi bezel, though that would come a few years later in the first white gold GMT-Master II. Either way, it rounds out Boulud’s collection of GMT-Masters.
Rolex Sky-Dweller
Finally, there’s the Rolex Sky-Dweller in steel. If the GMT-Master is the original traveler’s watch, the Sky-Dweller is its souped-up kid, a well-executed annual calendar with a 24-hour display. With a white dial, it goes nicely with a chef’s whites.
Panerai Radiomir Black Seal
Panerai is known for a number of things, and they’re all on display with Boulud’s ceramic Radiomir Black Seal. More than the watch, the story of how Boulud even discovered Panerai is worth the price of admission. As he tells it, Richemont boss Johann Rupert dined at his restaurant one evening (Richemont owns Panerai).
When Boulud went over to say hello and thank him for dining at his restaurant – ever the watch guy – he had to figure out what was on Rupert’s wrist. Panerai’s case shapes are distinct and instantly recognizable, and it wasn’t long before Boulud picked up his first watch from the Florentine brand.
Panerai Grandturismo Ferrari Chronograph
Boulud’s affection for Panerai didn’t stop there. This is the Panerai Granturismo chronograph for Ferrari, with a bright yellow dial indicative of the Scuderia’s classic colors. Unless you knew, you’d never know it’s a Panerai, as only the Ferrari name and galloping horse adorn the dial at 12 o’clock. Panerai and Ferrari have collaborated on a number of watches over the years – it’s an Italian thing – but this collection was released at the Ferrari factory in Maranello in 2006.
When we spoke, Boulud was excited to catch the Formula 1 race in Montreal the following week – a city that’s also home to one of his restaurants.
Panerai Radiomir 8 Days
Boulud is such a fan of Panerai that, for his 50th birthday, the brand gave him a watch. And not just any Panerai, but a solid rose gold, eight-day GMT Radiomir. This is the PAM395, a limited edition of 500 released in 2012; like Boulud’s Root Beer GMT, it’s rose gold with a brown dial.
Inside is the caliber P.2002, particularly notable because the bridges have been cut out to expose the movement’s gears and mainspring.
“Not so much to wear in the kitchen,” Boulud adds.
Cartier Santos 100
As a Frenchman, Boulud says he has a particular affinity for Cartier. As his taste so far has illustrated though, he’s more of a sports watch guy than a dress watch guy. This Cartier Santos 100 has a rose gold bezel and DLC-coated carbon case, all on a black nylon “toile de voile” strap. Like other watches in his collection, the Santos mixes precious metal with what’s typically thought of as a sports watch.
“The first watch I bought when I arrived in America was a small Tank,” Boulud said. He explained that it’s a bit too small and elegant for him to wear nowadays, but this Santos 100 fits the bill perfectly.
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph
Audemars Piguet introduced the Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph in 1993 (coincidentally, the same year Boulud opened his eponymous restaurant), a radical departure from the Genta-designed Royal Oak born two decades prior. At a time when the average men’s watch was 36mm or so, the Beast ushered in an era of big, bold sports watches.
“This is the summer watch,” Boulud says.
Hublot Classic Fusion Chronograph
Boulud says that former Hublot CEO Jean-Claude Biver used to come to his restaurant whenever he was in New York. A friendship developed, and Biver would even send Boulud a big wheel of cheese every year. Boulud confirmed that Biver’s cheese is as delicious as Biver says it is.
Boulud says he used to have a couple more Hublots, but gave them to long-term employees of his restaurants. But this Classic Fusion Chronograph remains.
Tiffany & Co. CT60 Chronograph
In 2023, Boulud opened the Blue Box Cafe in its revamped New York City boutique. But his relationship with the company dates back years before that, as shown by this Tiffany & Co. CT60 Chronograph. In 2015, Tiffany brought watches back to its catalog with the CT60 collection, all taking inspiration from its classic mid-century watches. The CT60 chronograph builds on this heritage with a two-register, blue soleil dial.
“It’s a prelude to a Patek, maybe,” Boulud joked, referencing the retailer’s long-term relationship with the Genevan watchmaker.
Chopard Mille Miglia Chronograph
In addition to being a watch guy, Boulud is very much a car guy.
“I really want to do the Mille Miglia,” Boulud says. For now, he’s got this bold Chopard Mille Miglia chronograph. Every year since beginning its sponsorship in 1988, Chopard has produced a special edition watch for the Mille Miglia. There’s always a reference to the red “1000 Miglia” logo, but this all-red dial is about as bold as it gets.
Van Cleef & Arpels Dress Watch
This Van Cleef & Arpels dress watch represents another professional relationship of Boulud’s that turned into a friendship. He’d been working with the brand for years, so when he was getting married in 2013, the jewelry brand gave Boulud a watch. It’s even engraved on the back to commemorate Boulud’s wedding day.
Torneau Dress Watch
Finally, we have three more watches that were a gift to Boulud, from Queen Noor of Jordan. The Queen was a frequent guest of Daniel, with Boulud happy to serve her at his restaurant, her hotel, or even cater events she’d host.
The first is a simple Torneau dress watch. The trio of watches from the Queen are relatively non-descript but hold a special sentimentality for Boulud – and I’ve certainly never been given a watch from literal royalty.
Longines Crown Watch
Next is this Longines dress watch with the Jordanian crown sitting at 12 o’clock.
“I don’t wear the watches so often, but they’re nostalgic,” Boulud said.
Crown Watch Given To Daniel By Queen Noor Of Jordan
Finally, we have a third watch gifted by Queen Noor, and this one doesn’t even have a brand name anywhere on the dial. Just a big crown sitting at 12 o’clock.
“I was always touched by her generosity,” Boulud said.
Hodinkee
