Superlative

This week on SUPERLATIVE, aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams is joined by Jason Gallop, founder of Roldorf & Co., a unique watch retailer and service center in Vancouver, Canada. Jason shares his journey from growing up in a family of goldsmiths in London to training as a watchmaker, working with Rolex, and eventually building a business that brings watchmaking and retail together under one roof. Unlike traditional watch boutiques, Roldorf & Co. features an open workshop where customers can see watchmakers at work, creating a more transparent and engaging experience that connects collectors directly with the craftsmanship behind their timepieces. Together, Ariel and Jason explore the importance of this hands-on approach, building a community of watch enthusiasts, and creating a retail experience centered around trust, education, and a shared passion for watches.Ariel and Jason also dive into the evolving challenges of watch retail, including relationships between brands and retailers, changing distribution strategies, and the importance of supporting independent businesses. They discuss Roldorf's unique approach to assembling watches for brands like Paulin and anOrdain, the benefits of offering pre-owned watches backed by in-house servicing, and the growing presence of Canadian watch brands such as Marathon and Halios. Throughout the conversation, Jason offers an inside look at the realities of running an independent watch business and how craftsmanship, innovation, and community are helping shape the future of watch retail.Check Out Rodolf & Co.:Website - https://roldorf.co/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/roldorf Listen to Ariel on the Rodorf & Co. Podcast - https://youtu.be/QPIg2tiCmx4?si=FKiR977BBbt89qFs SUPERLATIVE IS NOW ON YOUTUBE! To check out Superlative on Youtube as well as other ABTW content:- YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@ablogtowatch To check out the ABTW Shop where you can see our products inspired by our love of Horology:- Shop ABTW - https://store.ablogtowatch.com/To keep updated with everything Superlative, aBlogtoWatch Weekly, and aBlogtoWatch, check us out on:- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ablogtowatch/- Twitter/X - https://twitter.com/ABLOGTOWATCH- Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!Key Chapters:[00:00] Introduction to Jason Gallop and Roldorf & Co.[02:45] The Many Roles of a Modern Watchmaker[04:44] Jason's Journey Into Watchmaking[09:00] Working With Rolex and Moving to Canada[11:55] Inside Roldorf's Unique Watch Retail Experience[14:40] Building an Independent Watch Business[17:45] The Challenges of Independent Watch Retail[19:20] Watch Brands and Their Relationships With Retailers[29:35] Seiko's Distribution Changes in Canada[37:20] The Impact on Watch Retailers and Customers[43:55] Inventory Risks and the Challenges of Selling Watches[47:30] Assembling Watches for Paulin and anOrdain[53:14] Roldorf's Approach to Pre-Owned Watches[57:00] Supporting Canadian Watch Brands[59:30] Watch Collaborations and Creative Partnerships[01:01:44] Closing Thoughts and Where to Find Roldorf

This week on SUPERLATIVE, aBlogtoWatch founder, Ariel Adams, is joined by Vjeko Miloradovic, founder of VELM, a men's jewelry brand bringing the precision, craftsmanship, and engineering of Swiss watchmaking into the world of luxury accessories. Drawing on decades of experience designing watches for brands including Fossil, Burberry, and MVMT, Vjeko shares his journey through the watch industry and explains why he chose to create watch-inspired jewelry rather than launch another watch brand.Ariel and Vjeko explore the challenges of innovation in the watch industry, why established Swiss brands often rely on heritage instead of new designs, and how branding and marketing influence the perceived value of luxury watches. They also dive into the philosophy behind VELM, from ceramic bracelets and titanium accessories to precision-engineered clasps inspired by mechanical watches. Along the way, they discuss the importance of prototyping, the relationship between design and functionality, and how Vjeko is bringing a fresh perspective to men's jewelry by applying the same attention to detail traditionally reserved for fine timepieces.Check Out VELM Jewelry:Website - https://thevelm.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/the.velm/ SUPERLATIVE IS NOW ON YOUTUBE! To check out Superlative on Youtube as well as other ABTW content:- YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@ablogtowatch To check out the ABTW Shop where you can see our products inspired by our love of Horology:- Shop ABTW - https://store.ablogtowatch.com/To keep updated with everything Superlative, aBlogtoWatch Weekly, and aBlogtoWatch, check us out on:- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ablogtowatch/- Twitter/X - https://twitter.com/ABLOGTOWATCH- Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!Key Chapters:00:00 Introduction to Vjeko Miloradovic and VELM01:40 The early days of watch blogging06:00 Working in the Swiss watch industry10:10 Why Swiss watch brands struggle to innovate13:00 Heritage, limited editions, and originality15:00 Challenges of introducing new designs19:15 Vjeko's watch design career22:00 Prototyping and Swiss watchmaking28:00 Watch quality and luxury pricing31:15 The rise of MVMT35:45 Lessons in branding and marketing40:15 The inspiration behind VELM42:45 Rethinking traditional jewelry44:30 Bringing watchmaking precision to jewelry47:15 What makes VELM different49:40 Watch-inspired cufflinks and finishing51:55 Reinventing ceramic bead bracelets54:00 Engineering precision clasp systems59:00 Craftsmanship, pricing, and value01:01:00 The future of VELM01:03:30 Closing remarks

This week on SUPERLATIVE, aBlogtoWatch founder, Ariel Adams, is joined by Hakim El Kadiri, founder of ELKA Watch Co., for a conversation about meaningful watch design, the importance of storytelling, and the future of Swiss watchmaking. Ariel and Hakim explore the creative process behind an upcoming ELKA Watch Co. collaboration celebrating aBlogtoWatch's 20th anniversary, including the inspiration behind its unique tree-ring dial and its connection to Swiss history. They discuss what makes a watch truly special, why emotional connections matter more than brand prestige, and how thoughtful design can create something that resonates with collectors beyond its price tag.The conversation also examines the challenges facing the Swiss watch industry, from rising prices and shifting consumer expectations to the growing influence of independent watchmakers. Hakim shares his perspective on how smaller brands are filling gaps left by major manufacturers, the importance of maintaining the value of Swiss-made watches, and his experiences working within the industry. Ariel and Hakim also discuss the changing landscape of watch retail, the benefits of connecting directly with customers, and why the future of independent watchmaking may require a fresh approach to distribution and the traditional retail model.Check Out ELKA Watch Co.:Website - https://www.elkawatch.ch/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/elkawatchco/ SUPERLATIVE IS NOW ON YOUTUBE! To check out Superlative on Youtube as well as other ABTW content:- YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@ablogtowatch To check out the ABTW Shop where you can see our products inspired by our love of Horology:- Shop ABTW - https://store.ablogtowatch.com/To keep updated with everything Superlative, aBlogtoWatch Weekly, and aBlogtoWatch, check us out on:- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ablogtowatch/- Twitter/X - https://twitter.com/ABLOGTOWATCH- Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!

This week on SUPERLATIVE, aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams is joined by Guy Allen, Head of Sales at Elliot Brown Watches. Guy reflects on more than four decades in the watch industry, from his early work with LEGO watches to finding his place at Elliot Brown. He shares how the British brand developed its reputation for rugged tool watches, including its work with the UK Tier One Special Forces community and the development of the Holton. Guy and Ariel also discuss what authenticity means for an independent watch brand, why collectors increasingly buy across vastly different price points, and how events and enthusiast communities have transformed the relationship between brands and their customers.The conversation then turns to the changing economics of the watch industry, including Elliot Brown's move toward a direct-to-consumer model and the growing opportunities for independent brands. Guy offers his perspective on escalating Swiss watch prices and questions the value proposition of familiar watches that now cost dramatically more, while Ariel examines why major Swiss brands have increasingly pursued higher prices and lower volumes. They also discuss the growing strength of non-Swiss and independent watchmakers and a developing movement-supply problem that is making popular Japanese movements more expensive and difficult for smaller brands to source.Keep up with Guy and Elliot Brown Watches:Website - https://elliotbrownwatches.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ebwatches/ SUPERLATIVE IS NOW ON YOUTUBE! To check out Superlative on Youtube as well as other ABTW content:- YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@ablogtowatch To check out the ABTW Shop where you can see our products inspired by our love of Horology:- Shop ABTW - https://store.ablogtowatch.com/To keep updated with everything Superlative, aBlogtoWatch Weekly, and aBlogtoWatch, check us out on:- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ablogtowatch/- Twitter/X - https://twitter.com/ABLOGTOWATCH- Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!Key Chapters:00:00 Introduction00:59 Guy Allen’s History With LEGO Watches07:24 Joining Elliot Brown10:17 Creating Watches for Special Forces14:31 How Tough Is the Elliot Brown Holton?17:42 Building an Authentic Independent Watch Brand19:26 Why Elliot Brown Went Direct-to-Consumer24:05 Watch Collecting and the Power of Community28:02 How Watch Shows Changed the Industry36:18 Why In-Person Watch Shows Are Here to Stay39:50 Solving the Watch Resale Problem47:32 Managing the Growing Watch Show Circuit51:08 How Lockdown Transformed the Watch Business53:47 Why the Watch Hobby Is Winning56:49 Why Swiss Watch Prices Have Gone Too Far01:04:47 The Looming Watch Movement Supply Crisis01:08:28 Where to Learn More and Closing Remarks

This week on the SUPERLATIVE Podcast, host and aBlogtoWatch founder, Ariel Adams, is joined by Lilian Thibault, founder of AWAKE Watches. They discuss the evolution of AWAKE and how the brand found its identity by embracing Métiers d’Art, traditional craftsmanship, and a more focused creative direction. Lilian explains why launching a watch brand may be easier than ever, while building one that lasts has become increasingly difficult. He also shares how AWAKE’s handmade dials and use of techniques such as Vietnamese Son Mài lacquer have helped the brand offer collectors something distinctive at a more accessible price point.Ariel and Lilian also explore why watches have become expressions of personality and emotion, the freedom founder-led brands have to take creative risks, and why AWAKE has no ambition to become a high volume watch company. They discuss the growing appeal of independent brands, changing collector attitudes toward resale value, and the importance of creating a more personal relationship between brands and their customers. Lilian also explains how AWAKE searches around the world for talented artisans, why great craftsmanship is not defined by where it comes from, and how the brand plans to bring greater sophistication to its watches while remaining committed to Métiers d’Art and accessible pricing.Keep up with Lilian and AWAKE Watches:Website - https://awakewatches.com/ Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/awake.concept/ SUPERLATIVE IS NOW ON YOUTUBE! To check out Superlative on Youtube as well as other ABTW content:- YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@ablogtowatch To check out the ABTW Shop where you can see our products inspired by our love of Horology:- Shop ABTW - https://store.ablogtowatch.com/To keep updated with everything Superlative, aBlogtoWatch Weekly, and aBlogtoWatch, check us out on:- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ablogtowatch/- Twitter/X - https://twitter.com/ABLOGTOWATCH- Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!Key Chapters:0:36 Lilian Thibault and the Evolution of AWAKE Watches2:32 Why Starting a Watch Brand Is Easier Than Ever4:47 Finding the Idea That Made AWAKE Different7:52 Making Métiers d’Art More Accessible10:47 Defining Métiers d’Art and Preserving Traditional Craftsmanship13:42 Why Presentation Matters as Much as the Watch17:26 Watches, Emotion, and Personal Expression20:00 Reinventing AWAKE and Its Brand Identity25:36 Why Founder Led Brands Can Take More Risks27:54 Why AWAKE Does Not Want to Become a High Volume Brand32:12 Moving Beyond the Investment Watch Era36:18 Why Collectors Are Turning to Independent Brands41:49 Navigating U.S. Tariffs and the Customer Experience46:50 The Challenge of Affordable Artisanal Watch Dials48:15 Why “Talent Has No Passport”53:23 Finding Artisans Around the World58:37 Why Developing New Craft Techniques Takes Years1:00:45 What Comes Next for AWAKE Watches