The Chief Executive Officer of MTN Ghana, Stephen Blewett, has offered a rare glimpse into his personal life, revealing a significant passion for luxury timepieces that has resulted in a substantial collection of approximately 30 watches.
During a candid interview on Joy FM’s Personality Profile with Lexis Bill on Thursday, September 25, Mr. Blewett, who heads one of Ghana’s largest corporate entities, confessed that high-end watches are what he primarily spends his money on.
The ‘Watch of the Year’ Centrepiece
When pressed by the host about his favourite piece in the collection, Mr. Blewett highlighted a complex and exclusive model from the renowned Swiss luxury house, Ulysse Nardin, known for its groundbreaking innovation in watchmaking since 1846.
He spoke enthusiastically about the technological marvel of his preferred timepiece: “I’ve got lots of watches…I’ve got lots of Rolexes, but I would say my favourite piece at the moment is… I’ve got a Ulysses.”
Mr. Blewett revealed that this specific watch features an unconventional design that won a major industry accolade.
“It’s the one that won Watch of the Year about two years ago. It’s got no winding [mechanism]. So you wind it on the back. It’s a beautiful watch.”
READ ALSO: MTN Ghana CEO shares two big life lessons on Joy FM’s Personality Profile
This description strongly suggests the piece belongs to Ulysse Nardin’s Freak collection, a line celebrated for its revolutionary flying carousel movement, which eliminates the traditional dial and hands and is often wound via the case back or bezel.
For instance, the Ulysse Nardin Freak ONE, which shares these characteristics, was awarded the prestigious Iconic Watch Prize at the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG) in 2023, with models in this exclusive line commanding prices ranging from tens of thousands of dollars to over $100,000.
The 30-Piece Collection and Local Support
Mr. Blewett estimated his total collection to stand at roughly 30 pieces, featuring a diverse range of high-end brands, including Rolex and IWC (International Watch Company).
While Rolex watches sell from as low as $2400 to as high as half a million dollars, IWC watches also have a price range of $2346 to an upper region of $209,000.
READ ALSO: I was kicked out of Benin and separated from my family for 6 months — MTN Ghana CEO
The CEO’s deep-seated connection to watches appears to be lifelong.
“I don’t know. As long as I can remember, I have always worn a watch. So, I couldn’t bring myself to wear an Apple watch. I just can’t,” he admitted, emphasising his preference for traditional, mechanical artistry over modern smartwatches.
While his global collection is substantial, Mr. Blewett also showed support for local craft, highlighting the inclusion of Ghanaian ingenuity in his luxury safe.
“I got two Caveman watches. Caveman is an amazing brand. I’ve got a Caveman unique MTN one,” he said, referring to the premium Accra-based watchmaking brand, Caveman Watches.
His wife, he joked, has tried to curb his expensive habit, telling him to “Stop buying watches!”
About the Author
