Meet the Concierge – Misael Alves

Please tell us your name!

My name is Misael Alves, but you can call me Miz.

And where are you from? What is it like there?

I hail from the tropical paradise that is Cabo Verde, a group of 10 islands off the coast of West Africa, with my home island being Sao Vicente. It’s summer year-round, except for December and January, where the wind blows a couple of degrees cooler. If you’re a fan of beaches where the water is always the right temperature (the beaches of North America make me miss not feeling like a popsicle every time I get in), seafood, and taking it easy (an unofficial motto we have is "Cabo Verde no stress"), this should be on your list of destinations. Cabo Verde is a mixture. On one island, you’ll find volcanic mountains and dry landscapes, on another, you’ll see lush green valleys, and the ocean is close by. There’s a strong blend of influences, with African roots and Portuguese heritage shaping everything from the Creole language to the food. I have both Portuguese and African ancestry, and the specific kind of Kabuverdiano that I speak has French influence. Even though Cape Verde is small, it feels rich in culture, with warmth not just coming from the unyielding sun but also the people. Besides visiting, a wonderful way to discover Cabo Verde is through its music, from traditional Morna to modern Kizomba.

Where do you live now? What is it like there?

At 12 years old, I had to do away with island time and get used to the fast pace of New York. I have the luxury of experiencing the hustle and bustle of Manhattan, but at the end of the day, I retreat to the relative calm of the suburbs. Traffic in the city is one of the most unpredictable things in our universe, so I trust the ever-reliable MTA to get me to where I need to be. New York is a place where anything can happen, ranging from crazy to awesome. Taking it all in is one of my favorite things to do, and that’s why I always plan my commute, so I have time to walk around. What I love most is the diversity - the whole world is packed into one city. It feels inspiring because so many have realized their dreams here. There is always an opportunity to learn or connect. Plus, New Yorkers are nicer than they’d let you believe.

Tell us about your professional background – education, jobs, etc.?

Coming from a family of teachers and professors (I had the slightly traumatic experience of having my mom as a teacher for a year), education wasn’t something to take lightly, and I’ve always been a dedicated student. I got a scholarship to study Health Information Technology in college. At the end of the day, I didn’t find satisfaction in this work. So, I’m grateful to have had an avenue to explore my passion in creative ways - that being Scottish Watches. I started interning for the podcast when I was 15, writing the show notes. Over the years, I started writing articles, reviews, news, covering events, and even co-hosting the podcast. I put together a small team of enthusiastic contributors and now work as the Social Media and Website Manager for Scottish Watches. We are the number one watch podcast in the world, and I’m super proud to be part of the production of something the community enjoys so much!

How and when did you 1st get the ‘watch bug’?

I’m a hardcore nerd, loving anything to do with mechanics and science, I’m a history buff, love art, and have always been into fashion. In the fall of 2019, I discovered watches and found them to be a nexus of all these interests. I found watches to be as beautiful as they are technical, a fashion accessory (used to pick a watch to go with my outfit, now what I wear revolves around the watch I have on), and a carrier of heritage. I delved deep into consuming anything I could on YouTube, with Teddy Baltasar, Tim Mosso, and Bark & Jack being the ones who influenced me the most. I then used the fact that a family friend was getting married to convince my parents to allow me to buy the Orient Bambino with the cream dial and Roman numerals, my first mechanical timepiece.

What attracted you to working for HORAGE?

Having entered the watch industry at a young age and feel privileged to host enthusiasts interested in HORAGE's highly engineered timepieces in such an important location. My work with Scottish Watches provided me with opportunities to delve deeper into HORAGE's story. That is why I look forward to sharing my enthusiasm for the independent brand's achievements and the stories of those who make it happen. In our community, we come for the watches and stay for the people. Andi, Tzu, Dave, and everyone else from the company I’ve interacted with are great people. Kind, highly intelligent, innovative. Those are the kinds of people I want to associate with.

Which is your favourite watch in the HORAGE range and why?

My favourite watch in our collection is the Tourbillon 2 Skeleton, which celebrates 5 years of the K-TOU calibre. Like many, my first encounter with HORAGE was when the Tourbillon 1 made waves in 2020 as the most attainable Swiss-made tourbillon. I really liked that watch! The Tourbillon 2 Skeleton does everything that the watch did right and more. You get a great view of the calibre components from the gears to the actions of the crown stem, the tightening of the 120h barrel spring, and, of course, the silicon escapement in the tourbillon cage. The smoked anthracite sapphire disc acts like a vignette that pulls your attention to these components. The case and bracelet wear wonderful. It was smart to have the case diameter be 39mm, where it touches the wrist, and 41mm at the bezel. It permits someone with a smaller wrist like mine to wear it comfortably while maximizing the view of the movement. The 904L steel version is the handsomest watch in the current collection, while the yellow gold reference is the sexiest watch we’ve made.

Tell us about your local market.

In terms of demographics, like I said before, there appears to be every single kind of person in New York. Many people whom I have hosted are in the finance industry, which makes sense considering the location. These people are looking for value for money, no matter what they spend. This is a strong suit for HORAGE. They are also very educated, not just in the general sense, but since NYC is home to some of the biggest watch clubs in the world, I deal with a lot of people who are enthusiasts who want to go beyond the surface. They want to understand the movement, the engineering, and the story behind it. That’s where HORAGE really resonates because we can offer transparency, technical innovation, and long-term value. The conversations I’ve had with collectors and enthusiasts here show me that New Yorkers appreciate it when a brand respects their knowledge and curiosity.

Do you work 100% for HORAGE, or do you have other jobs/roles? 

I work as the Social Media and Website manager for the Scottish Watches Podcast. I also volunteer to support the Portuguese-speaking community where I live. 

What are your interests/hobbies outside of watchmaking?

I can watch technology, engineering, scientific, and historical/geopolitical documentaries for days. I can talk someone’s ear off about the European Classical Period and the Golden Age of African Kingdoms. I love aviation, and my goal is to get a private pilot's license in the future. I’m fascinated by how movies/series are produced. If you need someone for a Star Wars or Star Trek trivia game, I’m your guy. My favorite class in college was 3D sculpting, and I’ve kept up with that. My main hobby aside from watches is scale model building. My room is decorated with Airfix kits and starships. My current project is recreating Next Generation’s Enterprise D in 1/1000 scale.

Thanks Miz for sharing your fascinating story! We can't wait to introduce the rest of the team