Meet the guardian of horological history at one of Switzerland's most storied watchmaking houses. As Head of Heritage for Zenith, Laurence Bodenmann oversees a treasure trove that would make any watch enthusiast weak at the knees—more than 1.3 kilometers of archives and a collection exceeding 5,000 timepieces that document the brand's 160-year journey. Drawing from her background in anthropology, Bodenmann approaches watch history not simply as a catalog of beautiful objects, but as a window...
What happens when a frustrated vintage watch collector stumbles upon a forgotten brand with a fascinating cinematic history? Angus McFadden joins us to share how he breathed new life into Alsta, the Swiss-made American watch brand that adorned Richard Dreyfuss's wrist in Jaws and Johnny Depp's in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas. McFadden's journey began in 2014 when his frustration with authenticating vintage Rolex pieces led to an unexpected discovery – an Alsta dive watch in a part-exchange...
A century-old American watch brand doesn’t just survive on luck; it survives on purpose. We sit down with Joe Wein, the third‑generation CEO of Hampden Watch, to explore how a family business threaded its way from Chicago’s catalog era to today’s Swiss‑powered precision—without losing what matters most: the stories people carry on their wrists. Joe opens the vault on a lineage that includes Clinton, Wolbrook, Douglas, and Benrus, revealing how Chicago’s shipping hub and direct‑mail culture s...
What if your watch could do more than just tell time? What if it could help protect the very places that inspire its design? Trip Henderson's journey from Navy service to tech entrepreneur to disaster relief leader ultimately led him to create Lōcī (pronounced "low-kai"), a watch brand with environmental conservation at its core. His experiences at sea—standing on a ship deck in the middle of the Atlantic, witnessing a night sky untouched by light pollution—sparked a lifelong passion for mea...
What does it take to resurrect legendary watch brands from the past? Tom van Wijlick, the visionary behind CDMLEC, joins us to share his remarkable journey from IT entrepreneur to guardian of horological heritage through his revival of Lebois & Co and Airain watches. Tom reveals how a side hustle trading timepieces evolved into a passion for preserving watchmaking history. His story begins with a Christie's auction discovery that captured his imagination—a vintage Lebois chronograph he p...
What happens when watch enthusiasm meets a passion for service? The Anti-Watch Watch Club (AWWC) is redefining what a watch community can accomplish by focusing on those who protect us every day. Cody Fite, Head of Business Development at AWWC and 20-year Army veteran, takes us inside this unique nonprofit founded by veterans and first responders who initially connected through their shared love of watches. Unlike traditional charities bogged down by bureaucracy, AWWC delivers immediate help...
What happens when two Australian watch enthusiasts decide to challenge the status quo of luxury timepieces? Andrew Herman, co-founder of Panzera Watches, reveals the remarkable journey of building a global watch brand that's sold 300,000 watches across 100 countries without traditional retail channels. Founded in 2009 with partner Roger Cooper, Panzera emerged from a simple frustration: quality watches were too expensive for regular collectors. Their solution? Cut out the middlemen, eliminat...
What transforms a casual watch observer into a passionate enthusiast with a collection of over 35 timepieces? For Anna of Chrono Girl Life, it began with simple curiosity about her partner's hobby and evolved into a rich journey of discovery, creation, and community. In this revealing conversation, Anna shares how her initial skepticism about watches gave way to genuine fascination as she began asking questions about movements and mechanics. Her first mechanical timepiece—an Orient Bambino—o...
Two passionate watch content creators pull back the curtain on what really happens behind the scenes in the watch industry, revealing truths that most enthusiasts never hear about. Blake and Skyler Santana engage in a refreshingly candid conversation about the ethical tightrope walk of working with watch brands while maintaining authenticity. "I'm not worried about growth as much as being authentic," Blake explains, challenging the common misconception that watch YouTubers are rolling in spo...
What happens when your entire life is erased in an instant? At 23, Robert Spencer survived a catastrophic accident that left him with total amnesia - wiping away every memory from birth until that moment. This devastating experience gave him a profoundly unique relationship with time that most of us will never understand. In this riveting conversation, Robert shares how he rebuilt his life without past experiences to guide him, concealing his condition from loved ones for over a decade. He r...
From overcrowding a restaurant to hosting 60+ prestigious watch brands across America, Rich Park's journey building Minutes and Hours represents something extraordinary in the world of horology – a genuine commitment to community. The spark ignited in 2019 when what was supposed to be a small gathering of watch enthusiasts literally burst at the seams, drawing the attention of fire marshals. This unexpected response revealed a hunger for more personal, authentic interactions between collecto...
What begins as a chance friendship forged through watch enthusiasm unfolds into one of the most illuminating conversations about why we truly collect timepieces. James Bachici (The Timist) shares his remarkable journey from a 15-year-old boy mesmerized by a Citizen Blue Angels watch to becoming a respected voice in the watch community and creator of the Wandering Watch Project. The conversation takes an unexpectedly emotional turn as James recalls how his grandfather placed $100 down on laya...
What happens when watch passion evolves from personal obsession to global media movement? Rashawn Smith, half of the creative force behind Super Niche Studios and co-host of Wrist Check Pod, reveals the extraordinary journey that transformed casual watch conversations into a multimedia platform reshaping how enthusiasts engage with horology. In this deeply personal conversation, Rashawn shares how his grandfather's military precision about punctuality and his father's pride in wearing a Role...
The watch industry has long been dominated by male voices, but The Wrist Chick is changing that narrative with her refreshing approach to horological enthusiasm. In this captivating conversation, we explore how a Hamilton Khaki Field watch sparked a collecting journey that has transformed into a rapidly growing social media presence in just six months. What makes The Wrist Chick's perspective so valuable is her genuine passion for making watches accessible and fun—particularly for women who ...
What happens when a collector deliberately ventures beyond the comfort zone of familiar luxury brands? Yandretti, known for his eclectic collection of independent and micro-brand watches, takes us deep into the world of horological obscurity where conversation-starting timepieces reign supreme. This fascinating conversation traces Yan's evolution as a collector, beginning with his passion for niche fragrances that naturally led him to appreciate watches that offer something different from th...
Step into the world of intentional watch collecting with Georgia Benjamin, a creative director whose approach to horology blends design thinking with emotional resonance. This conversation delves deep into what makes a watch collection personally meaningful beyond brand names and price tags. Georgia shares her journey from first acquiring an Omega Constellation to developing a carefully curated collection that reflects her bold personality and design sensibilities. With her background in UX ...
Beneath the surface of every iconic watch brand lies a philosophy that defines its approach to design, value, and market positioning. For Doxa, that philosophy remains refreshingly clear: stay true to your origins, deliver exceptional value, and never compromise on functionality. In this candid conversation with Doxa CEO Jan Edöcs, we explore how this historic Swiss brand has navigated its remarkable resurgence since 2019. While many luxury watchmakers chase trends or continually expand into...
Discover the rich tapestry of history, innovation, and family legacy as Andreas Leibundgut from Delma Watches takes us through a century of watchmaking excellence. We unwrap the pivotal 1960s era when Andreas's grandfather ushered Delma into the exhilarating world of sports and dive watches, laying the foundation for the brand's current identity. Andreas shares fascinating insights into his family's unwavering dedication to maintaining Delma's independence and agility, enabling them to pivot ...
Join us for a captivating exploration into the resurgence of traditional alarm clocks with our distinguished guest, Lisen from Båge & Söner. Aiming to transform bedrooms into tech-free sanctuaries, Lisen shares her journey of creating these nostalgic timepieces. Inspired by travel memories and driven by a desire to eliminate digital screens, she embarked on a two-year venture with watch expert Federico Casado, culminating in a product that promises gentle awakenings over jarring smartphon...
Join us on a captivating journey through the world of watchmaking as we sit down with Justin Walters, the innovative mind behind Marin and Alterum. See how Justin's unique experiences have shaped these brands, offering insights into the surprising hurdles of showcasing watches in big cities like New York and the rapid rise of Alterum's limited-edition world timer. With an eye for design and a passion for high-quality timepieces, Justin provides a window into the philosophies that drive his cr...
Margarita Dankova
A very interesting podcast with a passionate host! Highly recommend!