Watches, Music, and the Search for Community: An Evening with James McVey
James in a Christopher Ward - Bel Canto - Photo by Dean Sherwood
The end of August 2024 was a whirlwind. I went on a work trip to several cities in India, which was fun but also tiring. Additionally, I had a 14-hour layover in London on my return to the United States. This is a city I’ve longed to visit, and although I wouldn’t have time to see much of it, I reached out to a friend I met on Instagram to see if he’d like to hang out and chat about watches. So, I took a cab from Heathrow to meet James McVey at a local pub in his part of London.
On my way to the pub, James texted me asking if I wanted to sit inside or outside and what drink I wanted. He mentioned he was having wine, so I replied that I would also have wine. “Let’s share a bottle :-),” he wrote back. It was a friendly exchange while I was in a cab with a driver who didn’t quite know where we were going, in a country where I had no hotel or plans. I had some questions written down that I wanted to ask James, but I was so weary from traveling, especially knowing I had two more flights before finally getting home. So, I decided to enjoy the evening meeting a new friend.
Meet The Vamps - Photo by Dean Sherwood
When I arrived, James was sitting outside at a table in the back, in view of the entrance, in case I needed a wave. As I walked over, he got up, and we shared a big hug. I don’t know if James is a hugger, if he knew I was, or just knew I needed one…but those first moments set the tone for the rest of the evening.
Before I could respond, James asked how my trip to India was and agreed with my sentiment that Indians are among the most genuine and friendly people I’ve ever met. He recalled playing shows in India with The Vamps and how passionate the fans were. I had the opportunity to meet enthusiastic international students similar to those I speak with every day in their home country. Their drive and passion for education felt surreal, and experiencing that with my colleagues was overwhelmingly positive. James understood my sense of camaraderie, and we began to discuss its role in his music and watch collecting.
The Vamps - Photo by Dean Sherwood
“It’s a good feeling knowing that you’re going through something with mates that have the same goals,” he said, referring to The Vamps. We discussed the difficulties of being a creative person trying to function in the world and survive while chasing the things we love. James seems to have found those people in his bandmates, in fellow watch enthusiasts, and in his wife Kirstie, whom he spoke about with so much pride as he told me that she was completing the final project of her second master’s degree while we were sipping wine and talking watches.
He also explained that Kirstie’s father, Steve, introduced him to watches. “It was cold, hard persistence—always being drawn to a shop window or into a boutique during every family outing,” James said. His father-in-law is a true enthusiast, so James felt fortunate to have Steve discuss a wide range of brands, including well-known names like Rolex. Additionally, he introduced James to Seiko, Christopher Ward, and Halios. Therefore, when James began to explore on his own, he was already interested in independent and micro brands.
Chris (top) with Studio Underd0g and James (bottom) with Christopher Ward - Wrist Shot by James McVey
When we met, we were sporting two of our favorite independent UK brands—me in my Studio Underd0g Pink Lem0nade, and James in his Christopher Ward Bel Canto. As we swapped watches, James explained how he collaborated with Christopher Ward to create a Bel Canto colorway that mirrored the color of his 1962 Fender Stratocaster. It’s not every day that a watch enthusiast gets the chance to own a piece unique, especially one on which they had input from a brand making a genuine impact on the community. As a former guitarist, I could understand what it means to have a watch designed after a favorite guitar. The bonus is that it’s also a musical piece in its own right through the hourly sonnerie complication. A chef’s kiss if there ever was one.
Our conversation naturally shifted to music. Although James might not admit it, I sat with a bona fide pop star and was excited to wax lyrical about jamming out and trade war stories. It was heartwarming to discover that we liked many of the same bands, especially when he lit up, enthusiastically declaring Good Charlotte as one of his favorites. This brought back memories from 2000, the peak of pop punk, when I rocked out to “Little Things” in my mom’s minivan. Eventually, James shared some challenges of being in a successful band at a young age, such as the choice between pursuing education or going on tour, being away from family, and the struggles of putting together an album.
“My job is not conventional in any way. I often find it difficult to talk about the hurdles in my career with people without alienating them or coming across as arrogant. The reality is not everything is swings and roundabouts.”
The Brotherhood
Finding comfort in any profession or hobby depends on honing in on your community, developing a sense of camaraderie, and establishing a support system. “I’m extremely fortunate to share a genuine brotherhood with the other guys in The Vamps, which has helped me during tough times over the last decade with the band. While I have a wonderful circle of friends who listen, no one but the Vamps boys can truly relate to what I’m experiencing.” James’ sincerity in discussing this unique brotherhood made me reflect on past memories with my bandmates and the strength of the bonds formed when creating something beautiful together. This feeling is even more special when you travel and experience new things as a group. I am grateful for this reminder.
James’s strong connection with The Vamps and his brotherhood made me curious about how he chooses the watches he brings on stage while doing what he loves with the people he cares about. When asked about his criteria for a stage watch, James confessed that he doesn’t really have criteria. While many might expect performers to wear the latest hype watches, James finds joy in something unexpected: “I find myself moving towards vintage […] I love imagining where my 1969 1803 started life, the journey it has taken, and how it’s now on stage with me in Tokyo.” This perspective on a watch’s legacy is more refreshing than the usual ‘merely looking after it for the next generation’ sales pitch we often hear about luxury watches. James’ view is broader, emphasizing the collective journey we all share rather than a fixation on self-importance or legacy. “We are custodians tasked with the challenge of looking after, then passing the watch.”
Kirstie wearing her Grand Seiko SBGM221
James has truly embraced the romance needed to dive into the watch-collecting hobby, so I asked about his impressions of the #WatchFam community. He shared the concerns many of us have about gatekeeping, especially when you’re new and still learning. Occasionally, you meet people with a “holier-than-thou" attitude, but James feels “very fortunate so far with the community.” He recognizes that many in the #WatchFam are open to discussing watches and other things, knowing that we are grounded in our “collective love for horology.” He also mentioned well-known figures in the space, such as "Andy Green, Nico Leonard, and Andrew Morgan,” which helped him feel at ease, receiving both kindness and guidance.
Nico Leonard from Pride and Pinion helped James’ parents select a 1994 two-tone Rolex Datejust for his 30th birthday. Although his collection is extensive, he noted that this watch is the most sentimental piece. When asked about his feelings towards the watches in his collection, James revealed, "Each watch sings to me differently.” He then mentioned a Grand Seiko SBGM221 he purchased for his wife during their honeymoon in New York, saying, “Every time she wears that, I smile." I have always believed that watches we receive as gifts are often the pieces we cherish the most; however, this was the first time someone pointed out that we can also love the watches we give to others just as profoundly, especially when we see the person wearing them.
James wearing his Rolex Datejust - Photo by Daisy Lola Studio
Throughout the evening, we kept yammering away. At one point, we paused to take wrist shots and selfies, as one does when hanging out with fellow watch nerds. We also took time to discuss the rumors we heard about Studio Underd0g’s collaboration with Moser, which would officially be announced the day after our meeting. By the end of our conversation, I realized just how open James is to connecting with others. Whether through his music, friends, family, or a stranger he meets online, it is clear that James is considerate of others' experiences. These interactions seem to energize him in everything he does; this openness and positive energy stayed with me in carry-on. I felt grateful that we have someone like James in our community.
