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Walid Benla

@walid.benla

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A Youthful Perspective On Horology.
Writing about watches: @gq + @britishgq + @fratellowatches + @timetellingmagazine
📍Madrid - Geneva

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A TALK WITH @walid.benla
Meet Walid Benla, journalist and creator. From technical deep dives to watch design, his approach is all about details, heritage and the people behind it all. We asked him to share the references that shaped his journey and inspirations. Here’s what he came up with:

Swipe through to discover Walid’s watch universe. →

1- Patek Philippe Ref. 1463 “Tasti Tondi”
“If you were a watch, which one would you be?”
The Tasti Tondi has become very much synonymous with the “Walid Benla taste in watches”, as per my community.
In June 2025, I wrote a 14-page deep-dive article/essay in my e-magazine Time-Telling about the history and identity of the iconic 1463 reference. I call it my Magnum Opus.

2- Art – Caravaggio
Watchmaking is a detail-oriented field.
I chose these two Caravaggio works, The Cardsharps and The Fortune Teller, from his deception genre, which were intended to both entertain and morally instruct the viewer not to be superficial in their observations.
A reminder of the saying: “the devil is in the details.” A personal Mantra of mine when appreciating watches.

3- The People
A loved one once told me: “Le centre de tout ça, c’est l’humain.”
The centre of all of this is us, humans.
In an era of individualism, I choose to get my inspiration from great individuals.

4- Architecture
The Alhambra, Granada, Spain.
My studies in architecture in Granada, Spain, cannot go unnoticed when it comes to who I am today. I had the privilege of being in daily contact with the Nasrid architecture of the Alhambra.
The ingenuity, geometry, beauty, and, of course, poetry of the palace helped me develop an eye for beauty.

5- Minim X Walid Benla
Full circle moment.
From reviewing to designing. My goal wasn’t to change the core design, but to build on it.
Little details like the green Aventurine dial and the subtle handwritten calligraphy on the side of the case (Each Time Has Its Calling) – as an intimate reminder to be mindful of the different stages of one’s life – allowed the Minim MN01 X Walid Benla collab to be full of life. by @walid.benla

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The MINIM × Walid Benla MN01 Arabian Nights is the result of pure love for watches.

What started as a friendship between MINIM founder, Chloe Chan, and watch journalist and enthusiast, Walid Benla, gradually evolved into a shared ambition to create something deeply personal.

Both represent a new generation of enthusiasts approaching watchmaking from different perspectives, yet united by the same appreciation for thoughtful design, mechanical authenticity, and balanced aesthetics.

At first glance, the dial immediately establishes the personality of Arabian Nights.
Its Green Aventurine surface captures light with a celestial shine, creating an ever-changing landscape that recalls a rich night sky. While visually striking, the material was chosen for reasons that extend beyond aesthetics.

Engraved discreetly into the side of the case is a line of Arabic calligraphy, intentionally positioned so that only its owner can truly appreciate it during daily wear.

“Every Time Has Its Calling”, the message was never intended as an outward statement, but as a private reminder. A reminder that not everything in life unfolds according to our own schedule. That patience often proves more valuable than urgency. That optimism has its place even during periods when life appears unwilling to cooperate. Like many meaningful traditions, its value lies precisely in its discretion.

Its exclusivity, however, is not defined by an individual serial number. Instead, it lies in the very material that gives the watch its identity. Each green aventurine dial possesses its own unique composition and distribution of shimmering inclusions, ensuring that no two watches are ever exactly alike.

To order the watch, please contact @minimwatches or myself, @walid.benla.

With love,
Walid

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#ryanreynolds #watches #luxurywatch #newyork #luxury taken in Geneva, Switzerland by @walid.benla

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Colorful groceries. Full circle moment.

Doing mundane tasks with the Minim X Walid Benla (myself) MN01 “Arabian Nights” collaboration watch, is pretty sweet. Pun intended, of course.

I’m very proud of every little design choice on this piece. From the stitching on the strap, to the dial, to the side-case engraving… it really is a beautiful package.
Can’t wait to see it on the wrists of all of those who purchased the 33 units!

Hey @minimwatches, we cooked. taken in Genève, Switzerland by @walid.benla

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Quick recap of my Lake Como trip with @moserwatches.

What a magical experience. A very George Clooney experience.

Italy has always held a special place in my heart. And getting to see the beautiful Moser watches in this beautiful setting really puts things into perspective.
I like to step out of the mundane life to appreciate how art impacts us as human beings. I say that because it often opens my mind to different ways of expressing and perceiving the finer things in life.

So I hope you enjoy looking at these moments, half as much as I enjoyed living them. And thank you to @moserwatches for this wonderful opportunity.

Slide 1 and 7: @jessy.penelon

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#luxurywatch #lakecomo #italy #luxurylifestyle #menswear taken in Lake Como, Italy by @walid.benla

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