How did we get here . . ?? That’s a good question! HARD WORK, DEDICATION, & DELUSION. I’ve always wanted to do something great with my life but didn’t know what it would be. Growing up in the inner city, there was no room to dream; there was only survival.
Watches truly changed my life! I’ve traveled many corners of the world, produced a television show, & have met some of my heroes. All thanks to watches.
One being Jean-Claude Biver, a man that raised a brand from nothing nearly half a century ago. He would set a road for me to follow and meet him one day. It’s funny how life works . . Some say it’s predetermined or laid out for you, and all you have to do is live it. But I beg to differ; I made the choice, the streets or something else. When the dream isn’t clear, “something else” is scarier than what’s in “the hood”. What you know is what you know, and it allows comfort, whether that comfort is vices, violence, or stagnation. I say all this to say I was one of the many fortunate, and I hope this segment of the story hits home for my homies in “tha Jects” as the executives and CEOs that I meet for casual conversation.
Meeting JCB had many layers. It meant dreams do come true, and the greats were watching. Flying to Switzerland to meet JCB and Pierre, I was overwhelmed with excitement. It was a coming-to moment, and this one I wouldn’t shy away from. After participating in a short documentary highlighting Biver watches, I gained the recognition of Blancpain. Although long sold to Swatch Group, JCB still impacted the brand as the barometer to what was hot and not.
I’d go on to meet another living legend, Mr. Marc A. Hayek. He took a liking to the projects I had done with others and wanted to do something to shake up the industry. Myself and others put together a campaign for the Blancpain 50 Fathoms Tech. It shook things up and put a lot of critics on the back foot. I was filled with enormous pride as someone looking to shake the industry! Rashawn’s Corner is just that, and this “Corner Journal Entry” is where it all starts. No structure, just the truth and transparency. In today’s media landscape, that is missing. Everyone colors within the lines to stay in favor, but technology will do that for us. Sounding proper will always be questioned as AI and other tools. As we move forward, I ask where are the mistakes and vulnerabilities, where is the bashfulness, or anxiety of being misunderstood? The human element is missing. The “power of a dollar” (50 Cent reference) has corrupted us.
Let me get back to my point… This Blancpain Villeret that I wear daily signifies everything I’ve done to get to this point. Acquiring this piece meant so much to me because it showed that shooting for the stars will land you on the moon.
I want to thank Mr. Hayek, Marie, Leo, Kat, and the rest of the Blancpain team for recognizing my talents and allowing me to live on your platform and be a part of the history of a storied brand I’ve admired for many years.
To the others that got me to this point, there will always be recognition for getting this far together.
This was not what I expected, but it happened this way. The power of being a dreamer is that dreams do come true, and there’s no one that can stop you! I look forward to more “Corner Journal entries,” and they will come about when I’m feeling overwhelmed with joy, pride, happiness, shame, sadness, and any other emotion.
Thank you all for reading. Until next time, remember to wear what matters.
Written by. Rashawn Smith