Perhaps a nice addition to my previous blog about Diesel watches: a piece from that same period in my life.
I once had an apartment in Barcelona. And honestly? That sounds impressive. Saying “I have an apartment in Barcelona” just sounds different than “by the sea” or “in the Ardennes”. Barcelona — that makes an impression.
Twenty years earlier, I already thought it was a fantastic idea. Even then, I looked up prices, although it was way out of my reach at the time. Later, when I started studying Spanish (partly thanks to my daughter who studied Spanish), I looked at the prices again. And suddenly it was doable. The financing came together, and I bought myself a small 32 m² apartment in Barceloneta, the authentic fishing district right by the beach.
During that period, I was at my sharpest: I ran a lot, often went to the gym, and felt fitter than ever. My interest in designer clothing was also at its peak then — because yes, you wear designer clothes better when you’re slim. Maybe not the most profound motivation, but it made me feel good. My favorite brand? Diesel.
In Barcelona, on the corner of a major shopping street, there was a beautiful Diesel store, a true flagship store. I was a regular customer — mostly to look, sometimes to buy. A T-shirt, a book, occasionally a pair of jeans. Often I found the selection just a bit too extravagant or too expensive, but I greatly enjoyed the atmosphere.
In that store, I also got acquainted with Diesel watches — something that perfectly ties in with my previous blog post about Diesel.
A little anecdote, by the way: the name “Diesel” was chosen because the word sounds the same and means roughly the same in almost every language. I read that once, and it perfectly matched the international character of the brand.
A small apartment in Barceloneta, a life full of energy, and Diesel as a loyal companion — it remains a warm memory.