Who is Alex Rose? (aka horology_nut)

A creative child due to my dyslexia, I hated school, but I loved to draw and paint. Not being a Picasso or Banksy, when it came time to grow up I decided to take a turn towards photography as a way to express myself.

Earning a BA Honours Degree in Photography, specialising in still life and advertising. It was here I discovered Photoshop and took a turn more towards creative retouching and design.

University finished, and eating cans of cold beans and drying my underwear in the microwave I moved to London, working as a product designer. This is where my life changed. Asked to design a fashion watch, I went out and bought some watch magazines to research ideas. I was blown away by what I found, brands had never heard of like MB&F, URWERK, De Bethune and more. Instantly I fell in love with these time machines. I loved the precision, design and creativity. Here I had my first mid-life crisis!

I caught the horology bug, so I left my cushy design job to go and work on a watch shop floor in a mall in London. Everyone thought I was nuts, but it was my way into the watch industry.

Starting at the Watch Gallery (now Bucherer), selling Rolex, Breitling, and other famous Swiss luxury watch brands. Advancing fast to become Assistant Manager, but I still had a big passion for the mad creative designs of the independent brands.

Which led me to leave and join 'MARCUS' on London's famous Bond Street. During my time at MARCUS, I made a move to become the Digital and social Manager. Swapping the suit and tie for Converse and Chinos and set about re-designing the www.marcuswatches.com website and managing the social media full time.

After five successful years and a leading retailer of social media sales, it was time for a change. I left to join team Haute Time, an excellent experience where I got to work with many more brands and learn more about the industry, and media from a non-retail perspective.

Bored of the London life The United Arab Emirates became my new home. Working in Abu Dhabi for Al Manara International Jewellery (part of the Seddiqi & Sons group.) Here I built on their social media and created unique local content as well as managing their website, engaging with local collectors and helping to organise brand events.

Craving the freedom to work with people and brands I had a real relationship with, I created Alex Rose Media.

With over seven years experience in: management//sales/photography/web design/social media/marketing. I have created my boutique media company. Working with like-minded people driven by passion, which is very important to me. I have said no to suits, desks and time cards. Free and independent just like the brands I love.