A Blog To Watch Weekly
Watching Watches Watch
0
A weekly podcast featuring news and reviews from around the watch world as reported on aBlogtoWatch.com.
Epizode
-
223. Waitlist Delusions, Cartier Rectangles, And Luxury Pricing Chaos 29.05.2026 1h 6minThis week on aBlogtoWatch Weekly, the team dives into one of the biggest questions in modern watch collecting: Are luxury watches starting to feel too cheap for their MSRP? Ariel, Rick, David, and Ripley debate long waitlists, inflated pricing, and whether brands like Cartier and Universal Genève are asking collectors to pay too much for too little. There is also plenty of entertaining chaos as the crew gets sidetracked into restaurant wait times, French luxury culture, and Ariel’s refusal to stand in line for just about anything.Along the way, the team shares thoughts on Favre Leuba’s latest revival watch, why Bremont may finally be finding its footing again, and which luxury brands are still delivering real innovation versus relying too heavily on marketing. Plus, there is a surprisingly passionate debate about Cartier’s baffling product specifications, the strange appeal of overpriced watches, and whether some brands have simply lost touch with reality.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/- Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/aBlogtoWatch If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!
-
222. Swatch Stampedes, Candy-Colored Ceramics, And Citizen GMT Bargains 22.05.2026 1h 4minThis week on aBlogtoWatch Weekly, Ariel, Rick, Ripley, and David dive headfirst into the chaos surrounding the Swatch x Audemars Piguet “Royal Pop” launch and ask the important question: Was this a clever collaboration or a full-blown PR disaster? From overnight lines and police involvement to flippers and frustrated collectors, the crew breaks down everything that went wrong with the Swatch x AP launch. They also debate who this release was really for and the strange reality of a pocket watch that nobody seems interested in actually using as a pocket watch.The team weighs in on the mint-green Hublot Big Bang Unico and why playful luxury watches deserve more love. They take a closer look at the engineering hiding beneath the ceramic case before discussing Citizen’s new Promaster GMT as a surprisingly compelling, value-packed travel watch. Along the way, our crew debates fun versus practicality, collector psychology, and whether posting wrist shots should be banned forever in your watch-related group chats.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/- Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/aBlogtoWatch If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!
-
221. Royal Oak Keychains, Tourbillon Bargains, And Advertising Wars 16.05.2026 1h 8minThis week on aBlogtoWatch Weekly, the team dives headfirst into the chaos surrounding the rumored AP x Swatch collaboration, including the internet meltdown over plastic Royal Oaks, pendant watches, and whether luxury watch brands are finally taking things too far. Ariel, Rick, Ripley, and David debate who this watch is actually for, how much it could cost, and whether the entire thing feels more like a fashion accessory than a serious watch release. Along the way, they somehow spiral into discussions about sugary drinks, Scottish Iron Brew, restaurant culture, and the strange power of advertising in America.The crew also takes a closer look at Ariel’s recent article about luxury marketing and why so many foreign watch brands struggle to connect with American consumers. Plus there are thoughts on affordable tourbillons from Filippo Loreti, lightweight Norqain experiments, and new Casio G Shock screen technology. The team also dives into Hublot’s latest material experiments and debates whether modern watchmaking is becoming more innovative, more ridiculous, or somehow both at the same time.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/- Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/aBlogtoWatch If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!
-
220. The Great Watch Price Debate, Glow-In-The-Dark IWC, And Windup Weekend Chaos 09.05.2026 1h 8minThis week on aBlogtoWatch Weekly, the team dives headfirst into one of the biggest problems facing the modern watch industry: pricing. From luxury brands continuously pushing prices higher to the growing success of microbrands delivering serious value, Ariel, Rick, Ripley, and David debate whether the industry has officially lost touch with enthusiasts. Along the way, they break down the economics behind Windup Watch Fair, why smaller brands continue gaining momentum, and whether the current luxury watch strategy is sustainable long-term.The crew also reacts to one of Watches and Wonders’ unique releases: IWC’s fully luminous ceramic perpetual calendar, which quickly earns the nickname “the 80K hockey puck.” Naturally, this leads to a discussion about glow-in-the-dark watches, luxury excess, annual versus perpetual calendars, and whether some brands are simply charging more because they can. Plus, Ripley reports back from Windup Weekend in San Francisco, the Brand Wheel of Death claims another victim, and David once again discovers the limits of Bluetooth technology and podcasting.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/- Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/aBlogtoWatch If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!
-
219. Identity Crisis Watches, Expensive Plastic, and Marathon Marketing Gone Wrong 02.05.2026 1h 7minThis week on aBlogtoWatch Weekly, the crew dives headfirst into the watch industry’s current identity crisis and asks a simple question: who are luxury watch brands actually selling to right now? From pricing debates and shifting market expectations to the strange gap between branding and real world execution, the conversation gets surprisingly honest about where parts of the industry may have lost the plot. Ariel also shares thoughts from his latest Watches and Wonders recap article, while the team debates how brands are struggling to connect with collectors in a changing market.Along the way, Rick recounts a baffling experience at the London Marathon where official sponsor TAG Heuer seemed nearly invisible despite heavy branding, sparking a larger discussion about missed marketing opportunities and why some watch companies still feel disconnected from their audience. There is also plenty of classic ABTW Weekly chaos, including a surprisingly passionate debate about expensive plastic watches, trade show swag etiquette, Monaco opinions, and Rick’s apparently “invisible” glasses. As always, it is part industry insight, part group therapy, and part watch nerd rabbit hole that somehow makes perfect sense by the end, (kind of). 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/- Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/aBlogtoWatch If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!** YouTube Monetization ID for Copyright Material From PremiumBeat.com: #3826449
-
218. Inside Watches & Wonders 2026: Booth Rankings, Patek Debates, And Rolex Returns 27.04.2026 1h 14minFresh off the floor at Watches & Wonders 2026, the aBlogtoWatch Weekly crew breaks down the watches, booths, and brand decisions that stood out most from this year’s show. From ranking the best displays and swag to debating which brands delivered and which ones missed the mark, Ariel, Rick, David, and Ripley share their firsthand impressions after spending the week in Geneva. There is plenty of discussion around standout presentations, the return of after-hours energy, and why some booths felt more memorable than the watches themselves.The team also dives into the latest releases from brands like Patek Philippe, Rolex, H. Moser & Cie., TAG Heuer, and Ulysse Nardin, with opinions ranging from genuine admiration to total confusion. Along the way, they debate value, wearable sizing trends, booth theatrics, strange collaborations, and whether some luxury brands are finally rethinking how expensive a watch really needs to be. As always, it is equal parts industry insight, strong opinions, and the kind of watch talk that only makes sense after a very long week in Switzerland.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/- Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/aBlogtoWatch If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!________________________________________** YouTube Monetization ID for Copyright Material From PremiumBeat.com: #3826449
-
217. Press Release Apocalypse, A Waterfall of Mediocrity, and Watches & Wonders Expectations 10.04.2026 1h 3minIn this episode of aBlogtoWatch Weekly, the team jumps between Watches and Wonders prep, industry expectations, and the usual mix of tangents that somehow circle back to watches. There is a lot of discussion around what is about to be released, with David breaking down the key things he wants to see this year, from comfort and pricing to originality and long term design value, while everyone else questions how much of that will actually show up. The idea of “new icons” comes up, along with how often brands change things without actually improving them, and why this time of year so often leads to disappointment.Along the way, the conversation drifts into media chaos, busking, and how the watch industry builds hype ahead of major releases. There is also some early speculation on which brands might stand out, which ones might fall short, and what usually separates the watches people remember from the ones that disappear as quickly as they arrive. They also spend time talking through a few of the watches that came up this week on aBlogtoWatch.com, including the Louis Vuitton Tambour Taiko Arty Automata, which leans fully into being mechanical art rather than anything practical, and the NHL themed Norqain chronograph, which brings up the usual discussion around sports partnerships and how well they actually translate into watches. Along the way, they touch on other recent releases and ideas floating around the industry, using them as examples of both creativity and the kind of designs that start to feel repetitive.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/- Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/aBlogtoWatch If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!YouTube Monetization ID for Copyright Material From PremiumBeat.com: #3826449
-
216. Tourbillon on a Budget, Beverage Branding Gone Wild, and The Longines Debate. 03.04.2026 1h 2minThis week on aBlogtoWatch Weekly, Rick, Ariel, David, and Ripley kick things off with a tourbillon on a budget that feels equal parts impressive and slightly unhinged, as they try to figure out who exactly this watch is for and how it even came to be. Things only get stranger from there as beverage branding goes completely off the rails, with energy drink inspired watches entering the chat and raising the very real question of whether your wrist and your drink should ever be part of the same product strategy.From there, the debate moves to Longines as a recent release from the brand has ignited significant discussion regarding design inspiration, perceived familiarity in the aesthetic, and the strategic wisdom of adopting a conservative approach in the current watch market. Along the way, there are takes on brand positioning, watch collecting psychology, and the fine line between clever strategy and just copying what already works. As always, expect strong opinions, questionable logic, and the kind of watch talk that somehow makes perfect sense once you are fully locked in, while also not thinking too hard.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/- Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/aBlogtoWatch If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!________________________________________YOUTUBE KEYWORDS:aBlogtoWatch Weekly, watch podcast, tourbillon watch, affordable tourbillon, Longines HydroConquest, watch debate, luxury watches, Swiss watches, watch industry, horology podcast, watch collecting, microbrand watches, Seiko NH35, watch trends, Omega watches discussion, Rolex comparison, watch news, watch design** YouTube Monetization ID for Copyright Material From PremiumBeat.com: #3826449
-
215. Watch Market Noise, Misleading Data, And Ariel Breaks The Rules 29.03.2026 55minThis week on aBlogtoWatch Weekly, Rick, Ariel, David, and Ripley dig into the growing disconnect between perception and reality in the watch industry, unpacking how watch market noise and misleading data can paint a far more dramatic picture than what is actually happening behind the scenes. Ariel pushes back on the obsession with secondary market pricing and investor-driven narratives, arguing that the health of the industry is far more nuanced than a few headline metrics, while the group debates whether enthusiasts should even care about the business side at all or just focus on the watches themselves. Along the way, the conversation drifts into the quirks of modern watch collecting, media-driven hype cycles, and how easily narratives can spiral when the data is incomplete.Of course, it would not be a proper aBlogtoWatch Weekly episode without things going slightly off the rails, as a “simple Seiko pricing discussion” turns into chaos when Ariel completely breaks the rules of the game, derailing one of the show’s favorite segments in real time. From there, the episode moves through new releases, design observations, and the usual mix of strong opinions and tangents that somehow still circle back to the core question of the episode: Are we over-thinking the watch world, or just over-analyzing the wrong things?For sponsorship, you can go here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/jacqui-atkinson-2?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CLFor suggestions of watches to run the London Marathon in email Podcasts@ablogotowatch.comTo 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/- Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/aBlogtoWatch If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!** YouTube Monetization ID for Copyright Material From PremiumBeat.com: #3826449
-
214. Watch Comfort Crisis, F1 Sponsorship Chaos, And Brand Rankings Gone Wrong 21.03.2026 1hThis week on aBlogtoWatch Weekly, Rick, Ripley, and David kick things off with an unexpected deep dive into one of the most overlooked topics in watchmaking: comfort. From clasp design to strap stiffness and why so many high end watches still feel terrible on the wrist, the team breaks down why this basic issue remains unsolved and what brands could be doing better. Along the way, they even propose a very scientific new testing method involving a crushed Red Bull can. (Anybody have a line to Red Bull about podcast sponsorships?)The conversation then shifts into the wider watch world, including Formula 1 sponsorship moves, CEO visibility, and how brand identity is shaped both on and off the track. To wrap things up, the Brand Wheel returns with a new twist, as the crew debates which brands should be kept, changed, or completely eliminated. As always, expect industry insight, strong opinions, and the kind of watch talk that somehow spirals from serious analysis into crushing Red Bull cans for science.For sponsorship, you can go here: https://www.justgiving.com/page/jacqui-atkinson-2?utm_medium=FR&utm_source=CLFor suggestions of watches to run the London Marathon in email Podcasts@ablogotowatch.comTo 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/- Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/aBlogtoWatch If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!
-
213. Rick & Ariel Unfiltered: Watches & Wonders Hype And Watch Market Reality Checks 13.03.2026 58minThis week on aBlogtoWatch Weekly, it is just Rick and Ariel back behind the microphones for a wide ranging and occasionally chaotic conversation about the state of the watch industry. With Watches & Wonders approaching, the two dive into how the modern release cycle has changed the excitement around major watch events, why embargo driven coverage has made launches feel predictable, and whether the industry has accidentally replaced discovery with information overload.Their discussion then shifts into a deeper look at the watch market itself, sparked by Ariel’s recent article examining how widely circulated industry reports attempt to measure brand health through used watch pricing. Rick and Ariel unpack why those numbers often tell an incomplete story, why secondary market data can be misleading, and how speculation has influenced the way collectors think about buying watches. Along the way, they also touch on microbrands, new watch releases, and a few standout pieces currently on their radar, including collaborations, high-end independents, and some very unusual horological creations. As always, things wander between industry commentary, watch nerd tangents, and a few well-earned rants, which is usually what happens when Rick and Ariel are left alone to talk about watches.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/- Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/aBlogtoWatch If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!
-
212. Swatch Group Strikes Back, The Smartlet Double Watch Experiment, And Jumping Hour Madness 06.03.2026 1h 14minThis week on aBlogtoWatch Weekly, Ariel Adams is joined by Rick, David, and Ripley for a lively conversation that begins with a painful toe injury and quickly turns into a discussion about the hazards of working with watches, from dropped cases to the finger stabs that come with changing straps and spring bars. The team then dives into one of the biggest industry stories of the week as Swatch Group publicly pushes back against the latest Morgan Stanley and Luxconsult watch industry report, raising questions about transparency, data quality, and how much anyone outside the brands actually knows about watch sales.Later in the episode, the crew looks at one of the stranger new accessories to hit the watch world: the Smartlet bracelet, a modular system designed to let you wear a traditional watch alongside a smartwatch on the same wrist. From there, the conversation moves into the recent surge of jumping hour watches, including a very high-end Louis Vuitton minute repeater and a new take from MeisterSinger. Naturally, the episode also drifts into the usual mix of watch industry commentary and total nonsense, including the increasingly chaotic Brand Wheel of Death, where brands face the ultimate fate of being kept, killed, or erased from existence entirely.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/- Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/aBlogtoWatch If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!
-
211. Brand Echo Chambers, Omega Reality Checks, and a Very Expensive Goal Counter 27.02.2026 1h 11minThis week on aBlogtoWatch Weekly, Rick, David, and Ripley kick things off with affordable watch enthusiasm before diving headfirst into industry introspection. The new VAER G2 Meridian GMT proves that a $399 quartz travel watch can still feel thoughtfully designed, well built, and genuinely useful, while David’s latest “Grinding Gears” article tackles a much bigger issue: have major watch brands retreated into tiny echo chambers? From disappearing marketing ambition to confusing corporate growth expectations, the team connects the dots between brand communication, Morgan Stanley reports, and the shifting realities facing names like Omega and Breitling.Things escalate quickly from there. A nearly $2 million Richard Mille soccer watch attempts to track match periods, scores, and stoppage time in the most mechanically complicated way possible, sparking debate about purpose versus spectacle. The Brand Wheel of Death returns to eliminate Baume & Mercier while sparing Laurent Ferrier for a hypothetical fifty year reset, and Moritz Grossmann lives to spin again. It’s the usual combination of market analysis, horological absurdity, and just enough chaos to keep things interesting.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/- Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/aBlogtoWatch If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!
-
210. Rolex Retail Power Plays, Seiko’s Mount Iwate Moment, and the Brand Wheel Strikes Again 20.02.2026 1h 5minThis week on aBlogtoWatch Weekly, Rick is back in the hosting seat and joined by Ariel, Ripley, and David for a typical wide ranging conversation that moves from Japanese watch culture to retail power plays, with only a mild amount of chaos along the way. Ariel shares highlights from his recent trip to Tokyo, including how Seiko, Grand Seiko, Citizen, and Casio are presented at home, why Seiko currently wins the prettiest display contest, and what it feels like to stand in front of an entire rainbow of Mount Iwate dials. The team then dives into a deep discussion about Rolex and the growing pressure placed on authorized dealers, from costly boutique remodels to brand controlled retail experiences, sparking a lively debate about independence, real estate strategy, and who really benefits when luxury retail gets a facelift.From there, the episode rolls straight into Hit Miss Maybe, covering a new pilot inspired release from Oris, a lightweight Zagato concept from Chopard, and a technical deep dive into a high end Ferdinand Berthoud piece, complete with chain drives, constant force mechanisms, and strong opinions about skeletonization. The Brand Wheel of Death makes its long awaited return, putting Tudor and Tissot back in the spotlight, while Czapek quietly exists. Along the way, the crew debates value, design direction, and whether some brands need a 50 year timeout. The episode wraps with plenty of laughs, sharp industry takes, and just enough Brand Wheel energy to remind everyone that no watch company is ever truly safe.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/- Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/aBlogtoWatch If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!
-
209. Controlled Discounting, Gamified Watch Buying, and Why Retail Pricing Is Not a Trophy 13.02.2026 1h 8minThis week on aBlogtoWatch Weekly, Ariel is once again holding down the host chair while Rick continues his mysterious multi week sabbatical (last we heard he was crossing mountains by donkey, so fingers crossed). Joined by Ripley and David, the team digs into Ariel’s latest essay on why luxury watch brands should embrace controlled discounting, unpacking how pricing psychology, gray market realities, and unrealistic investment narratives have distorted modern collecting. The conversation then shifts to Ariel’s recent trip to Tokyo, now arguably the world’s most exciting city for watch enthusiasts, with deep dives into Japan’s booming pre owned scene, Grand Seiko sightings, tax free deals, and how local retailers are reshaping displays to match global demand. From there, things jump wildly upmarket with a breakdown of the Louis Vuitton and De Bethune collaboration and its four million euro Sympathique clock fantasy, before crashing back to earth with tiny G-Shock ring watches, blind box buying culture, and whether gamified collecting is the future or just Pokémon with timekeeping. The episode wraps with thoughts on Breguet’s latest Type 20 chronograph, vintage inspired design choices, and why watches should probably go back to being worn instead of treated like speculative assets, all delivered with the usual mix of industry insight and playful cynicism, plus one conspicuously empty chair while Rick continues his mysterious travels.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/- Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/aBlogtoWatch If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!
-
208. Superlative Compilation: A Look Back at Classic Conversations With Jay Leno, Fred Savage, And George Bamford 08.02.2026 1h 11minWith the aBlogtoWatch Weekly crew unavailable this week, we’re doing something a little different. In this special crossover episode, we’re revisiting standout conversations from our Superlative podcast to bring you three perspectives on watch collecting, craft, and the culture that surrounds modern horology. You’ll hear from Jay Leno on his personal relationship with mechanical watches and why tangible objects still matter in a digital world, Fred Savage on how watches create connection, identity, and community, and George Bamford with candid insight into collector psychology, industry risk, and what it really means to navigate trust in the watch space. Each segment comes from a longer Superlative conversation, curated here for aBlogtoWatch Weekly as a look back at classic moments that highlight the human side of timepieces and why this hobby continues to resonate across generations.Check out each episode with our featured guests:Jay Leno - https://youtu.be/y6Lhs0h0S-I Fred Savage - https://youtu.be/-vthxT-uSsM George Bamford - https://youtu.be/SOBwXcXXm3A 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/- Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/aBlogtoWatch If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!
-
207. Vintage Purity Myths, Modern Watch Fatigue, And When Rules Stop Making Sense 30.01.2026 1h 21minThis week on aBlogtoWatch Weekly, Ariel is joined by Ripley and Sean, proving that the show can still stay on the rails even without Rick in the room, before cutting straight to the heart of modern watch collecting, originality, and why taste and intention matter more than rigid rules. The discussion kicks off with Sean’s modified 1960s Omega Seamaster and quickly expands into a thoughtful debate about vintage purity versus lived-in character, the difference between collecting as time travel and collecting as personal expression, and why aftermarket changes are not always the sin the internet makes them out to be. From there, the conversation moves through current releases, including Maurice Lacroix’s heavily skeletonized offerings, and Zenith’s Defy Skyline lineup (why it continues to punch above its weight), and the strange appeal of ultra-luxury skeletonized gold watches that are impossible not to smile while wearing. The team also touches on Marathon’s Arctic Edition diver, the ongoing fixation with faux-aged lume, and the widening gap between functional tool watches and fashion-driven design. The conversation also takes a candid turn toward Tudor’s current identity struggles, questioning whether the brand has lost its experimental edge and what it says when Rolex appears more willing to innovate than its so-called adventurous sibling.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/- Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/aBlogtoWatch If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!
-
206. TAG You're Out, Mickey Mouse Breguet, and A World Timer Quiz 23.01.2026 1h 7minIn this episode of aBlogtoWatch Weekly, the team dives headfirst into the watch media identity crisis sparked by Ariel’s recent essay on who actually pays for honest coverage and why everyone seems to want it without footing the bill. The conversation then shifts into the uncomfortable reality of independence, sponsored content, and where the line gets drawn in a very small industry. From there, things take a sharp turn into horology with a deep discussion of a very serious watch that also happens to look suspiciously like Mickey Mouse. Ariel breaks down Breguet’s high frequency chronograph history, magnetic escapement technology, and why the brand is simultaneously capable of brilliance and baffling aesthetic decisions.The episode then moves through the not quite LVMH Watch Week releases, including Louis Vuitton’s Escale complications explosion, which quickly devolves into an on air world timer geography quiz no one was prepared for. Along the way, TAG Heuer’s latest Seafarer revival sparks a spirited debate about tide complications and dog walking use cases, raising the question of whether modern watches sometimes try a little too hard. The group also touches on TAG’s ongoing CEO turnover, broader brand direction questions, and why some watch companies appear to be having fun while others absolutely are not.As always, tune into their conversation this week to hear a blend of industry insight, watch nerdery, and exactly the kind of chaos that makes aBlogtoWatch Weekly feel less like a roundtable and more like group therapy with bezels.Check out this week’s sponsor - Movado Watches:- https://www.movado.com/ 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/- Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/aBlogtoWatch If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!
-
205. Unstable Watch Websites, Sentencing JJ La Cow, And A Very Stable Genius? 16.01.2026 1h 5minWith Ariel off on a mysterious, possibly horological, possibly diplomatic mission somewhere in Germany, Rick, David, and Ripley take the wheel. They immediately veer into Hungarian folk heroes, goose-based revenge myths, and the comforting knowledge that Disney will eventually monetize all of it. From there, the clappage gives way to Oris’ Year of the Horse watch and the genuinely baffling decision to celebrate an animal by wearing part of it. That choice sparks a long, ethically curious spiral involving cordovan straps, zodiac logic, pet straps, April Fool’s trauma, and whether anyone thought to ask a horse enthusiast first. From there, the episode turns into an unintentional audit of the modern watch internet. SevenFriday, U-Boat, and Swatch demonstrate that search functions are optional, vowels are negotiable, and websites may simply choose not to work. Along the way, the group revisits the watches they “missed” in 2025, including aggressively plastic divers, kindergarten crayon designs, watches that tick loudly enough to inspire resonance experiments, collabs that feel more like t-shirts than timepieces, and diamond-studded bison fantasies that send at least one host mentally relocating to Texas. The chaos culminates in a brutally honest round of the Picker Wheel of Death. Chronoswiss, Tutima, and Jaeger-LeCoultre face resurrection, mercy, or total erasure from the timeline as the debate somehow becomes philosophical, existential, and deeply online. It ultimately proves, once again, that this is, in fact, a watch podcast, even if it refuses to behave like one.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/- Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/aBlogtoWatch If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!
-
204. Seiko Pricing Roulette, Tantalum Tantrums, And One Vacuum To Suck Them All 09.01.2026 1h 1minIn this episode of aBlogtoWatch Weekly, the conversation opens exactly where it should for a new year: questioning whether the word “master” needs to be retired from watch naming altogether, before immediately veering into geopolitical hypotheticals, Swiss invasion logistics, and the undeniable truth that Geneva traffic would stop any army dead in its tracks. Once the dust settles, the group dives headfirst into Seiko’s latest releases, kicking off a familiar round of “guess the price” that once again proves Seiko pricing remains as unpredictable as ever, with King Seiko, Prospex Speedtimers, anniversary models, and Astron pieces all seemingly priced by different departments that may or may not be speaking to one another. From there, the discussion broadens into material choices, marketing language, sustainability footnotes, and the growing frustration with watches that feel overexplained yet under-justified. The episode then shifts gears into a full-fledged Omega marketing rant, unpacking celebrity placements, perceived popularity, and whether the brand has stopped explaining why its watches are actually good, before reluctantly admitting that Omega still makes excellent watches despite the noise. Things spiral further into horological absurdity with a deep dive into ultra-high-end independent watchmaking, including Roger Smith’s painstakingly handcrafted Series 6 and the realities of six-figure handmade perfection. The back half of the show fully embraces chaos with the return of the Brand Death Wheel, debates over which brands deserve resurrection or oblivion, and a surprisingly passionate detour into vacuum cleaners, industrial design, and why some machines, much like watches, are built to last while others are just shiny distractions. As always, the episode wraps with sharp opinions, running jokes, and the lingering sense that no matter how much the industry changes, confusion, contradiction, and spirited debate remain the true constants.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/- Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/aBlogtoWatch If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review![00:00] Intro: Playing the "Guess the Seiko Price" game[00:48] Banter: Should "Master" be removed from watch names?[05:32] Discussion on new two-tone black and gold Seikos[09:50] Guessing the price: King Seiko KS1969[12:32] Critique of the new "movable lug" Seiko strap[13:51] Rant on "Leather Working Group" and sustainability marketing[17:25] Shock at the actual Seiko prices (Astron & Prospex)[20:10] Ariel's rant: Omega's celebrity-obsessed marketing[22:43] "Omega Corner": Trying to find technical positives for the brand[26:40] Review: Hautlence Sphere Series 3 (The "Muppet Strap")[31:23] Game: "Brand Wheel of Death" (Keep, Kill, Resurrect)[32:52] Brand 1: Brew Watches[33:16] Brand 2: Dornblüth & Sohn[33:43] Brand 3: Romain Jerome (Discussion on resurrecting it)[37:22] The Final Verdict: Resurrect RJ, Keep Brew, Kill Dornblüth[38:18] Tangent: The Kirby vs. Dyson vacuum cleaner debate[41:16] Highlights of the handmade Roger Smith Series 6[46:07] Browsing the Roger Smith configurator[48:20] Review: Atelier Wen Tantalum (Integrated bracelet)[54:45] Industry News: The decline of LVMH Watch Week events[56:14] Teaser: Ripley’s upcoming review involving a tiny Hot Wheels car[57:44] Rating the episode's "Watch Content" vs. "Filler"[58:16] Final Debate: Kirby the vacuum vs. Kirby the Nintendo character[01:00:55] Closing remarks