Javier Pimentel 6/11/26 Javier Pimentel 6/11/26

Una Consolación para despedir a Julieta

Estas fueron las palabras para mi mamita en el día en que la despedimos.

Javier Pimentel 5/31/26 Javier Pimentel 5/31/26

The Spheres in Seattle

The contrast between the many shades of green and the metallic surfaces at the Spheres is quite cool.

Javier Pimentel 5/30/26 Javier Pimentel 5/30/26

Owner’s Review: The JLC Polaris Date with Green Dial

An owner’s review (after more than 100 days of wear) of the JLC Polaris Date with the amazing green dial. Basically: The choice for the watch guy who would prefer his timekeeper to spark conversations that have nothing to do with silly spy fiction.

Javier Pimentel 5/26/26 Javier Pimentel 5/26/26

Gatsbyesque Eclecticism and The Vizcaya Museum and Gardens

Villa Vizcaya is made of the kind of architectural theatricality that old money bought when it was still new money. The Gatsbyesque eclecticism that seems to be the motif of the estate and the blissful color of its gardens are great reasons to visit the Vizcaya Museum and Gardens in Miami.

Javier Pimentel 5/17/26 Javier Pimentel 5/17/26

Sobre Por Favor Oiga esto

Sobre la curaduría musical de Por Favor Oiga esto en Instagram.

Javier Pimentel 5/10/26 Javier Pimentel 5/10/26

Open Finance in the UAE - What’s new since PSD2?

The Open Finance framework of the UAE shows, as usual, that the UAE thinks very big. This piece examines the original policy goals of open banking in PSD2 and how they have evolved as they are adopted in new jurisdictions, identifying the most important innovations introduced in the UAE framework and the potential challenges ahead, drawing from the lessons learned across 9 years of PSD2 implementation in Europe.

Javier Pimentel 5/8/26 Javier Pimentel 5/8/26

New York City across the years

Today I finished processing the pictures of the 2024 trip to New York City. This is a selection of some the best pictures I have taken in the big apple across the years, from 2003 to that last trip now full of nostalgia in 2024.

Javier Pimentel 5/3/26 Javier Pimentel 5/3/26

Owner’s Review: The Nomos Tangente 38 Date Ziegelblau - 175 Years Watchmaking Glashütte

An owner’s review of the Nomos Tangente 38 Date Ziegelblau - 175 Years Watchmaking Glashütte, a watch better suited for those with a preference for small cases.

Javier Pimentel 5/3/26 Javier Pimentel 5/3/26

El Maicol de La Candelaria

El imitador de Michael Jackson en la candelaria es uno de los highlights de los free walking tours en el centro de Bogotá.

Javier Pimentel 5/2/26 Javier Pimentel 5/2/26

Vlady the Script Guy

A travel note about Vlady, the guy who sells movie scripts for about 20 dollars in the middle of Soho, NYC.

Javier Pimentel 4/28/26 Javier Pimentel 4/28/26

Haenyeo: The Sea Women of Jeju Island

A travel note about the Haenyeo, one more living example of the strength of Korean women.

Javier Pimentel 4/26/26 Javier Pimentel 4/26/26

The fine line between Online marketplaces and Payment service providers - UAE Regulation as a case study

Operators of online marketplaces tend to have identity crises in jurisdictions with recently enacted payment services regulation. They have the temptation to wish away the fact that their businesses are ultimately payment services businesses. This brief note examines recent developments in UAE financial regulation that bring further clarity about the distinction between “pure tech plays” and payment services in the UAE and outlines four different courses of action for navigating the gray area.

Javier Pimentel 4/20/26 Javier Pimentel 4/20/26

Sobre la hora de los lobos

Una reseña crítica sobre la hora de los lobos, la nueva novela de Mario Mendoza. Se trata de una adición desconcertantemente mala a la bibliografía de este escritor que se ha convertido en un autor de culto.

Javier Pimentel 4/20/26 Javier Pimentel 4/20/26

Pictures of South Korea

All the pictures of the 2024 trip to South Korea are finally processed. 142 ended up seeing the day of light out of a total of 1041. This is a selection of 35 that are probably my favorite, with some commentary.

Javier Pimentel 4/18/26 Javier Pimentel 4/18/26

Google and the DMA: Balancing deserved advantages and market contestability

On April 16th, the European Commission released for consultation a preliminary decision that would force Google to share its search data with competitors. Here is my quick take on why the debate is so consequential and why it requires striking a fine balance between preserving incentives for innovation, ensuring market contestability and sheer fairness.