Brian: Yes, it’s payback time

When Brian Poe Llamanzares launched his Time Master Watches last week, he surprised his dad, Neil Llamanzares, with a Time Master Poseidon Metal Ore as payback for all the watches that Neil has given him.

“I got my passion for watches from my dad,” Brian, the owner/CEO of The Prime Hourglass Company, manufacturer of the Time Master Watches, told the audience including his mom, Sen. Grace Poe-Llamanzares, his Lola Susan Roces, and his aunt Lovi Poe with boyfriend Chris Johnson, and Brian’s girlfriend Angelica Alita (2016 Bb. Pilipinas first runner-up). “Growing up, I saw Dad wear different kinds of watches and they were mostly heirloom watches, therefore priceless. I told myself, ‘One day, I will be wearing those watches, too.’”

Of course, it didn’t take long before Brian saw his watchful dream come true.

“When I graduated from high school,” recalled Brian, “Dad’s surprise gift to me was a watch. Then he gave me another watch when I graduated from college, and more watches to mark every milestone in my life. I would wear those watches alternately only on special occasions. Otherwise, I keep them in a safe.”

The launch was held at the Prive Luxury Club at the Bonifacio Global City (BGC) in Taguig City.

The Time Master Poseidon Metal Ore that Brian gave his dad is one of those described by Brian as “drive watches.”

“You know who my watches are named after,” Brian said. “Poseidon, King of the Sea.”

Brian revealed that there are only 800 limited edition pieces of the one-of-a-kind watches: Time Master Poseidon Steel Bracelet (waterproof) which was designed to take on any kind of challenge whether it be in the work place or in the middle of the ocean; Time Master Poseidon Leather Strap, which has a rugged and stylish appeal, perfect for outings, parties and weekend trips; and Time Master Poseidon NATO Strap which comes in different color combinations calculated to help the wearer express himself, meant to be fun and stylish while still maintaining the elegance and prestige that comes with its name.

To suit his active lifestyle, Brian wears the Time Master Poseidon Steel Bracelet most of the time.

“It’s waterproof so I dive with it. It’s perfect for surfing, sailing and swimming.”

It’s father-and-son’s night, so other members of the family stayed away from the limelight — in vain. For how could you miss highly familiar faces like them, no?

Quipped Grace, “It’s Brian and Neil’s moment. We are just extras, bit players.”

Still, they didn’t go home empty-handed.

For Grace: Time Master Poseidon Vintage.

For Lola Susan: Time Master Poseidon Metal Ore, too, just like Neil’s.

For Angelica: Time Master Poseidon NATO. 

For his Aunt Lovi: also a Time Master Metal Ore.

But Chris politely refused the gift.

“He said that he wanted to pay for his watch para sumuporta sa akin,” said Brian.

You see, as a way of giving back to society (payback time, yes!), Time Master is partnering with MovEd, his friend Alex Eduque’s foundation that sends less fortunate kids to school and helps jumpstart their future. With every Time Master purchase, buyers are therefore not just models of success, they also share in the success of the needy.

It was Brian himself who designed the Time Master Watches. He secured the mechanism from Japan and looked for the right places to have the watches assembled. It took one year for the whole process to be completed.

“I realized from personal experience that a watch is the most memorable gift you can give anybody,” stressed Brian. “It means a lot and it’s very useful, especially if you are a stickler for time like me. In a city like ours plagued by traffic all day long, being on time is a premium. People now expect guests, interviewees and the bosses to show up late. But when people show up early or on time, it’s a friendly reminder that it is possible to go above and beyond the expectations people set for you.”

Incidentally, besides being time-conscious, Brian at 25 is also a lover of learning who continues to broaden his perspective with more studies in prestigious universities no less, successfully completing Stanford’s Energy Innovation & Emerging Technologies Professional Certification Program, Wharton’s Global Strategic Leadership Program and, recently, getting accepted to Columbia University’s Climate & Society Graduate School Program. Lifestyle Asia magazine featured him as one of the 30 “Game Changers” among today’s “with it” generation.

“By the way,” added Brian, “I can say that the movement of Time Master Watches has Japanese precision,” having been perfected in Japan, “but the design is proudly Filipino.”

(As of now, Time Master Watches are available online: www.timemasterwatches.com. Or check out Washington watches stores in Glorietta, Greenbelt and SM North EDSA.)

(E-mail reactions at [email protected]. For more updates, photos and videos, visit www.philstar.com/funfare or follow me on Instagram @therealrickylo.)