EVERY CITY HAS A FAVORITE FLAVOR—CINCINNATI HAS PETER FREY. LIKE CINCY’S OWN EXTRA SCOOP, HIS STYLE IS DOUBLE-DIPPED IN FRESH KICKS AND GORGEOUS TIMEPIECES, BUT IT’S HIS IRRESISTIBLE ENERGY THAT’S THE REAL CHERRY ON TOP.
Graeter’s, of course. My go-to is chocolate chip, but in the spring it’s strawberry chocolate chip, and in the summer it’s peach. Peach was my dad’s favorite, so I grew to love it too. I can rapid-fire the rest because I know you’re going to ask. Skyline—cheese coney, no mustard, no onion. Ruby’s—it’s the filet with mac and cheese. LaRosa’s Pizza—just cheese. I’m very plain Jane.
Peter, let’s start simple. Are you a true Cincinnatian? Yes, born and raised in Cincinnati. I was born during the blizzard of 1977. My mom was stuck in the hospital for about a week, and my dad couldn’t get there because of the snow. It was just me and her, and they always said I was her favorite because of that extra bonding time. I’m the youngest of nine kids—three sisters and five brothers, six boys, including me. Now
I’ve got 19 nieces and nephews, plus 12 great-nieces and nephews. We have a big family, and it just keeps growing. That’s a big family! What did a childhood in Cincinnati mean for you? My dad was a big sports guy, so we went to Reds games in the summer, and in the wintertime, we were all about Xavier basketball games. Most of my memories are tied to sports— lots of events, including Notre Dame football games. We had season tickets, and I remember thinking it was such a cool experience.
PETER FREY Welcome to tHe club,
That’s surprising, because you’ve got a bit of a reputation for style. What’s your go-to move when pulling a look together? Shoes and a watch. That’s all you need. I have a lot of gym shoes, and I keep them displayed and color-coordinated. I love a good pair of shoes. What’s your favorite shoe splurge? My Nike Fruity Pebbles Dunks. I also love the Nike Sesame Bagels. And I have a lot of special Adidas pairs created by Phil from UNheardof. What was the spark that started your watch journey? My first watch was a TAG, which I bought for myself when I was about 18. I’ve had a few watches since then, but always had my eye on a Breitling. I grew up around Rick and his family, and some of my friends shopped at Richter & Phillips. They were the only ones in town that really carried nice watches, so one day I stopped in and ended up meeting Blake.
And has that passion carried on into your life now?
You might not think I’m a sports guy, but I definitely am. I love sports, and I’m no fair-weather fan. I’m a die-hard Xavier fan, and I love FC Cincinnati. Soccer and basketball are my favorites—they’re fast-paced, and the energy is phenomenal. You really can’t beat “The Bailey” at the FC Cincinnati stadium. I’m not as passionate about football, but everyone should experience a Cincinnati Bengals tailgate at least once. It’s very Cincinnati, and it’s always a great time. Sports are such a big part of the Cincinnati experience. What would your perfect itinerary look like for someone visiting from out of town? It depends on the season, because there’s so much to do here. In the summer, you can’t miss an FC Cincinnati game. Around the holidays, I’d say head downtown to see the Christmas tree at Fountain Square or the Festival of Lights at the zoo—those are big Cincinnati traditions. Any time of year, I’d recommend dinner at Boca, Sotto, or Ruby’s, and of course, you have to end the night with a scoop from Graeter’s.
What is it about watches that feels personal to you? If it’s a good-looking watch, it completes an outfit. It’s a statement piece— it pops, and people notice it. For me, a watch has become a necessary accessory, like shoes or a belt. Some men love bracelets, others are into sunglasses, but for me, a watch just makes the most sense. Why did this particular timepiece earn your wrist? I’ve always been drawn to blue. I own several Swiss pieces, but this Breitling Chronomat is just beautiful. I prefer the stainless steel bracelet over a rubber strap, and I think the size looks great. It makes a statement without trying too hard.
Food is another key to unlocking the magic of Cincinnati. What are your favorite culinary classics, Cincinnati-style?
ON PETER’S WRIST: BREITLING CHRONOMAT B01 42
14 | RICHTER & PHILLIPS JEWELERS MAGAZINE
15 | RICHTER & PHILLIPS JEWELERS MAGAZINE
Powered by FlippingBook