November 27, 2018
International polo player Eduardo Novillo Astrada wears many hats. A ‘family man’ as he calls himself, Astrada lives and breathes polo. A prolific sportsman, he juggles time as the President of Asociación Argentina de Polo (AAP) and brand ambassador of iconic watchmaker Jaeger-LeCoultre (JLC). These associations take him places. This December, Astrada will be in India to kickstart a new venture. AAP has joined hands with La Pegasus Polo, India’s upcoming premier polo establishment. As a part of this partnership, in late December, La Pegasus Polo is hosting a team from Argentina, including him, for a series of polo matches across Jodhpur and Delhi NCR. In an exclusive interaction with Vishawatch.com, Astrada talks about his love for the sport, his favourite watches and upcoming India tour. Here are the edited excerpts.
What is the importance of time-keeping for you?
For me, time is of essence, especially since I have a packed schedule. So for that, I need to be well prepared and organised. As a polo player, it is important to maintain a good diet and to continuously train to adapt to the changing polo scenario. In fact, I always wear a watch while riding horses, as each one of the animals requires a different training and exercise regimen.
With so many roles how do you manage time?
As a polo player, President of Polo Association and family man, I have no option but to manage my time extremely well. I always start my day with breakfast with the children before they go to school, right after that, I train for an hour or so, depending of the game schedule. After that, I go to office, Asociación Argentina de Polo (AAP). Usually, my day ends with riding and practicing for the game.
What would be your advice to a watch collector?
First of all, it (the watch) has to be a piece that you like to wear. For me, it’s a complication of the timepiece. Those are the things I look in a timepiece.
Which is your favourite watch?
My favourite is a Reverso Classic with diamonds. It’s simple, classic and elegant. It was my first Jaeger-LeCoultre watch. While riding, my favourite is a Reverso Squadra with a rubber strap. It is perfect for me to wear and ride every day.
What are your thoughts on the upcoming India tour?
I’m looking forward to a fantastic tournament in India. Looking forward to all the polo events that we are preparing with La Pegasus and, learn from the great Indian culture. I am coming with my family, so It will surely be a great experience and will be a new chapter in the history of Indian polo.
