STANDARD H Podcast

Many of you listening have probably either heard of, or actually bought a watch strap from Strap Habit. I first connected with Nick Lehner, the brand’s one man band through Instagram and finally got some face time at WindUp this past Fall. Since then, we’ve chatted more about business and growth strategy only for me to then cut conversations short for reasons he’s on the show today.Nick’s one of the good ones. Thoughtful, honest, and not least of which supportive, and I can’t thank him enough for his time and his friendship. Like many of these, this conversation takes an unexpected, but wonderful turn, and I’ll leave that for you to soon discover.Please enjoy my conversation with Nick from Strap Habit. Links: STANDARD H https://standard-h.com/ @standardh_ @standardh_podcast Strap Habit https://straphabit.com/ @strap_habit

Wes Wynne and I met through mutual friends back in October in NYC. We share a lot of the same passions including cars, watches and music, so it was only natural that we’d hit it off.With the growing number of watch dealers, I was excited to host Wes, who launched Collectors Corner New York only a few years ago after a career in the music business, which I was unaware of. Today, Wes focuses on the best examples of the pieces he sells, so rest assured if you’re buying from him, he’s done a lot of legwork for you already. His innate sense of research is apparent as you’ll soon hear, and he is one of the most down to earth people in the watch game, so I’m stoked to call him a friend.Per usual, the conversation twists and turns including his collegiate level Squash game. STANDARD H https://standard-h.com/ @standardh_ Collectors Corner NY https://collectorscornerny.com/ @CollectorsCornerNY

Today, Blake Buettner returns to the show to chat watches, F1, and his new business, The Deep Track. I’m excited to share everything he has in store for his new project, the processes for his approach to writing and video, and we even delve into parenthood. Please enjoy my fun catch-up with Blake Buettner. STANDARD H https://standard-h.com/ @standardh_ The Deep Track https://thedeeptrack.com/ @thedeep_track @blake_buettner

Today I welcome Matt Hranek back to the podcast. You’ll know him primarily for his books, A Man and His Watch, A Man and His Car, perhaps you subscribe to his magazine, W M Brown…Chatting with Matt is the epitome of effortless as you’ll soon understand. We jump around, subject to subject, we chat style, travel, his latest book, A Man and His Kitchen, there’s some watch talk, and of course some car conversation as well. I hope you still enjoy it. Links: STANDARD H https://standard-h.com/ @standardh_ Matt Hranek https://www.thewilliambrownproject.com/ @wmbrownproject

Today’s episode is a bit of a special one for me. Not to sound trite, but my “watch journey” has involved a ton of trial and error. I feel like this is true for all of us. When asked about potential regrets, John Mayer famously said “the first 10 to 12 watches when you think you’re amassing a collection…” Though the numbers aren’t the exact same sentiment, buying and experiencing various straps can be a similar path.Well, allow me to do you all a favor and save you the time and money by simply referring you to the European-based watch accessory brand, Molequin - the pronunciation of said brand to be discussed later with today’s guest, Michael Luther. I have referred countless people to Molequin’s site as I believe it to be the absolute best intersection of quality & price. Michael and I have grown our friendship over the years through Instagram, and we’ve also had several Zoom chats. I recently invited Michael to stay at my house on his recent visit to California which was a blast to say the least.He & I sat in my kitchen to talk about the brand’s early days, the ups and downs of business and some of the costs associated, we even go over the correct pronunciation of the brand name. We wrap up discussing GT3 Touring ownership: my personal grail car. If you pay close attention, there’s even a tiny Easter egg in here as well, so stay tuned for that.This was the first podcast I’ve recorded in person for quite some time and it was so much fun. Links: STANDARD H https://standard-h.com/ @standardh_ Molequin https://molequin.com/ @molequin_

Paul Sweetenham and I first met in 2022 in New York City at wind up. We were introduced by former podcast guest Carter Mclean who told me how much of a car guy Paul was, so I was excited to chat. This conversation certainly ping-pongs back-and-forth between automotive talk and of course his watch brand, Farer. I was excited to also get Paul’s take on some Formula 1 news, only confirming Carter was right: Paul was an ideal candidate for this show, so I hope you enjoy it. Links: STANDARD H https://standard-h.com/ @standardh_ Farer Watches https://usd.farer.com/ @fareruniversal

It’s been a WHILE! Here’s what I’ve been up to, what I have in the works as well as the overall mindset as of late! Hope you enjoy it. Thanks for the time! STANDARD H https://standard-h.com/ @standardh_ @standardh_podcast

If there’s such thing as a player’s coach within the world of watches, it’s Adam Golden. He’s straight-forward, honest, and he can either chop it up with you or get straight to business, which I really appreciate. We chat about everything from his recent pieces bought to sell, his approach to selling them, and he’s very candid about his margins and processes which shouldn’t be taken for granted. This one went quick for me which is usually a tell-tale sign a conversation is engaging so I hope you feel the same. STANDARD H https://standard-h.com/ @standardh_ @standardh_podcast Adam Golden/Menta Watches https://mentawatches.com @mentawatches

Doug DeMuro needs very little introduction if any at all, and I was thrilled to host him on the show.We chat Countach ownership, the early days of his career, starting Cars & Bids, and I ask what his advice would be for collectors, what his favorite Quirks are, as well as a few of his interests not many know about.Please enjoy my conversation with Doug DeMuro. STANDARD H https://standard-h.com/ @standardh_ @standardh_podcast Doug DeMuro @DougDemuro @CarsAndBids

RT Custer started Vortic Watches right around the time I started STANDARD H, and the better part of the last decade has been an adventure for him to say the least. He started a company, was in a 6-year lawsuit with Swatch, had two kids, and then decided to start a second business alongside everything else. He’s been BUSY. Per usual, this conversation wanders and I wouldn’t have it any other way, so I hope you feel the same.

Spencer Reynolds is an artist I met at the US open of surfing in Huntington Beach, California, roughly 10 years ago. His art struck me by way of its trippy, surrealist approach to landscapes and ocean scenes.This conversation certainly took some turns I didn’t expect, including his time working in the wakeboarding industry, as well as some time, spent chatting about his meditation practice, and overall things in conjunction with mental health. I can’t thank Spencer enough for his candor, and without further ado, let’s jump into this episode. STANDARD H https://standard-h.com/ @standardh_ @standardh_podcast Spencer Reynolds https://www.artandsurf.com/ @spencerreynoldsartist

Josh Shapiro and I met through an event with the guys from The Collective this past summer. We’d been exchanging emails about getting together for a while, but hadn’t yet met face to face, so it was a treat to meet him out and about as well as among some watches!Josh has a fascinating background in the educational system - he was a Principal, in fact - so he wasn’t exactly born into the Watch industry. However, as you’ll learn, he was kind of primed for it in his own way. Today, his company, J. N. Shapiro, produces some of the most beautiful watch dials on the planet, and Josh has officially set out to restore watch manufacturing here in the United States.He’s a baseball fan, and talk about a big swing…and he’s certainly kept his eye on the ball, and has seemingly made solid contact. Here’s my conversation with Josh Shapiro. STANDARD H https://standard-h.com/ @standardh_ @standardh_podcast J. N. Shapiro @jnshapiro_watches https://www.jnshapirowatches.com/

Today’s guest has been on my short list for literally years at this point. He’s one of my favorite car journalists living today, and his cool, calm, and collected approach to enthusiasm is really unique in the automotive space. Of course I’m talking about Henry Catchpole.Henry and I have several mutual friends, notably the gentlemen over at The Grey Nato, while we also share a love for cycling and golf. Needless to say, Henry was primed for this podcast!I’m always excited to chat cars on here and who better to do it with than one of the GOATS. I hope you enjoy it. STANDARD H https://standard-h.com/ @standardh_ @standardh_podcast Henry Catchpole @henrycatchpole https://www.evo.co.uk/authors/henry-catchpole

Morgan King probably needs no introduction. He’s a double-wristing watch aficionado, affectionately known as a Magical Man of Mystery, a NY native and an LA resident…he’s also one of my favorite people to hang out with, full stop.I’m thrilled Morgan took the time to come on the show, because his energy is simply unmatched.  STANDARD H https://standard-h.com/ @standardh_ @standardh_podcast Morgan King @morgan0714

I first met Michael Pearson at a Bremont event in Los Angeles in 2018. Reacquainted in Chicago last year at WindUp, he now serves as the Global Director of Zodiac Watches, and man he’s crushing it. We start off with some sales and management chatter which weaves in and out of the entire conversation, really, and Mike shares the story of a horrific car accident that he was involved in which certainly gave him a new lease on life. We then discuss his time working on cruise ships and we later get into some Landrover Defender talk. Mike is definitely one of my favorite people in the watch industry, which goes for many others as well, and I can’t thank him enough for all of his insights into Zodiac and the watch world at large. Links: STANDARD H https://standard-h.com/ @standardh_ @standardh_podcast

Needless to say my first WindUp was a fruitful trip for this podcast. I feel incredibly fortunate to have met so many wonderful people behind the companies exhibiting that we all love. Wyatt Gilmore is no exception. We had booths adjacent from one another, and though I had no idea our paths would cross, I’m certainly stoked they did. We saw one another again in San Francisco this Spring and I made sure to let him know I was interested in hosting him…thankfully he accepted. Grant Stone is his Michigan-based footwear business bringing great-looking, timeless style that is primarily Direct to Consumer, and given my affinity for shoes and boots, I was excited to chat. There are certainly some additional nuggets that surprised me about Wyatt involving two wheels so stay tuned for that. Links: STANDARD H https://standard-h.com/ @standardh_ @standardh_podcast

Carter McLean is a drummer I have followed for years online. When he walked past my booth at WindUp last year in NYC I had to introduce myself. We quickly started talking drums and watches and he even walked me over to the Farer booth to introduce me to Paul, a fellow car enthusiast. I was thrilled when Carter agreed to come on the podcast, and here we talk more about all of the above as well as drumming technique. Carter shares how John Mayer helped him secure a very special watch, and an incredible story of a letter he wrote himself at a young age. Full disclosure, I geeked out a bit on this one and Carter’s answers to my questions only substantiate why he’s become one of my favorite drummers playing today. I mean, we even talk about the humidity levels in his studio. Even if you’re not into drumming, please give him a follow, because his video content is really wonderful, especially if you appreciate anyone who’s insanely good at what they do. It truly is a pleasure to watch. STANDARD H https://standard-h.com/ @standardh_ @standardh_podcast

Sharing thoughts, ideas, inspiration, travel, cars, watches, and anything else. This is Pit Stop. STANDARD H https://standard-h.com/ @standardh_ @standardh_podcast

Within the world of this podcast, most of you will know Gabe Reilly as co-founder of Collective Horology, the community of watch collectors and purveyors of some of the finest collaborative designs with some of the best watch brands of today. Gabe and I officially met last summer in Chicago at WindUp, and since Asher flew home to California before he and I did, I invited Gabe to dinner with some friends. We had a blast and a friendship was born. Gabe and I often exchange texts about baseball and hat hatchbacks, so I was excited to host him on the show. I’ve always gotten along well with native New Yorkers, and conversations with Gabe always feel too short, so alas, here’s our recent exchange. I hope you enjoy it. Links: STANDARD H https://standard-h.com/ @standardh_ @standardh_podcast Gabe Reilly @fourdigitcharmer Collective Horology https://collectivehorology.com/ @collectivehorology

Rob Caplan is just one of those people with a reputation you aspire to have. It’s one of those, “You know Rob Caplan? Yeah! Love Rob!!” kind of things. He’s great.Perhaps the most notable characteristics Rob possesses are his approachability and his sense of humor. He has a way of keeping things light, not making you feel like you’re an idiot all while dropping some serious knowledge.We met in person just before WindUp San Francisco when I dropped by somewhat as a Cold Call to introduce myself, say hello, and ask if he’d ever be interested in being on the show. As fate would have it, here we are. So without further ado, here’s our conversation. Links: STANDARD H https://standard-h.com/ @standardh_ @standardh_podcast Topper Fine Jewelers https://topperjewelers.com/ @topperjewelers