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5 of 185

185. Watch Giant Blows His Big Launch, Swatch Ad Scandal & Ariel’s Haunted by Oldsmobile Hell
This week’s aBlogtoWatch Weekly podcast illustrates that watch talk is never just about watches. The team opens up with its trademark mix of banter and sharp observations, spotlighting the eccentric world of auctioning watch memorabilia — equal parts fascinating and absurd.The conversation shifts to Frank Müller and Swatch, as the team dissects advertising missteps as cases in point regarding how even established brands stumble when trying to capture attention in today’s market. From there, the convo pivots to tariffs and trade policy, a pressing issue reshaping the pricing of luxury watches in the U.S. and influencing both consumer behavior and brand strategy.Listeners also get a close review of the Formex Essence 41, with its refinements over earlier versions prompting debate about how new models stand out in an increasingly crowded field.On the release front, Roger Dubuis’ Excalibur Spider Flyback Chronograph in pink gold earns admiration for its fearless design, reaffirming the brand’s boundary-pushing identity. In contrast, Loki’s Pacific Coast Highway watch offers a mission-driven, locally inspired approach that brings a refreshing perspective to new launches.
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1:25:14
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1:25:14
184. Bored to Dare: From Sheepish Straps to the Bongo Bang
This week’s episode starts off in familiar aBlogtoWatch fashion — lighthearted banter, a touch of mischief, and just enough side-eye at industry quirks to keep things interesting. The first eyebrow-raiser? Tim Cook’s awkward watch-related gift to Donald Trump, a moment that sparks a wider discussion on the sometimes-clumsy dance between corporations, politics, and tariffs. And those tariffs aren’t just awkward— they’re a genuine threat to the U.S. luxury watch market, nudging brands to rethink their American footprints and pushing watch enthusiasts to consider their buying habits.Then, the conversation shifts to the soul of watch collecting. Generic, personality-free assortments are roasted for their lack of spark, while outlandish collections (think Inspector Gadget wristwear) get a weird nod for their unapologetic individuality. This sets the stage for a string of playful “what-if” designs, from timidly “sheepish” straps to the gloriously bizarre “Bongo Bang” collector’s piece.The episode isn’t ALL hypothetical whimsy. The hosts spotlight three notable models that balance form, function, and market positioning: the retro-cool Glashütte Original 70s X Chronograph, Bulgari’s travel-friendly yet distinct Octo Roma World Timer, and the versatile TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200. These watches hit the sweet spot where practicality meets emotional connection— a recurring theme as the team muses on the evolving tastes of luxury watch buyers.Other trends get airtime, too. Comfort and wearability are emerging as must-haves, solar-powered movements are winning over practical-minded enthusiasts, and defunct brands are enjoying a nostalgia-fueled revival. By episode’s denouement, the tone circles back to humor, leaving listeners with a mix of market insight, design critique, and just enough absurdity to remind us why talking about watches never really gets old, especially when the straps are sheepish and the bongos are ready to bang.
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1:37:15
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1:37:15
183. IWC Get The Clap, Melted Straps, And Chives In The Inbox
This week’s episode of aBlogtoWatch Weekly ranges through a broad spectrum of topics, from geopolitical tariffs to cartoon-inspired timepieces — with plenty of hot takes along the way. The show kicks off with a deep dive into IWC’s marketing strategy, highlighting how the brand skillfully ties its messaging to cultural moments and events. The conversation then pivots to travel and watch spotting, with the team discussing how being on the road reshapes their perspectives on watch culture. That dovetails into the real meat of the episode: the rising profile of German watchmaking, especially in light of new tariffs impacting Swiss watches. Brands like Glashütte Original are gaining traction stateside, and the guys muse about whether newcomers to the Glashütte scene might shift the balance in this traditionally Swiss-dominated industry. In a burst of pop-culture crossover, we explore Fossil’s Marvel collaboration, which is part mass-market appeal and part celebrity endorsement (both real and hypothetical) — how do these influence public perception? The Citizen Promaster Skyhawk is praised for sheer utility, while the Seiko Datsun Limited Edition raises eyebrows over questionable branding decisions. The team riffs on the fine line between homage and gimmick, and Venezianico earns a nod for balancing fashion-forward flair with functional sensibilities. Of course, no aBlogtoWatch Weekly episode would be complete without a visit from Chives the Watch Butler, who once again brings levity and absurd charm. A brief but brilliant detour into cartoon-inspired watches and the bizarrely practical idea of a “watch for car detailers” reminds us that this hobby doesn’t always have to take itself so seriously. Whether you’re in it for the mechanics, the market trends, or the memes, this episode delivers the goodsCheck out this weeks sponsors:Marathon Watch - https://www.marathonwatch.com/ Ace Jewelers - https://www.acejewelers.com/
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1:13:40
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1:13:40
182. Watch Geezers, Nudgers, Clappage, And Being Bund-Averse
In this episode, Rick, David and Ripley fire up the engines and roast the rubber right off the horological racetrack, starting with F1 sponsorships. Richard Mille is, not surprisingly, everywhere — possibly even sponsoring Nico Hülkenberg’s breakfast cereal, though sadly not his wrist. Bremont and Oris get a few pity laps around the F1 circuit, too, mostly to remind us they exist. Then comes the GPHG segment, where Bernie Watch’s entry is dissected with surgical sarcasm, and the entry fee gets more airtime than some indie brands' entire press cycles. Ripley’s debut on Watchonista is both celebrated and roasted — equal parts milestone and meme. His age? Unclear. His relevance? Surprisingly intact. David’s deep dive into watch accuracy sparks a debate about whether a $200 watch should be accurate or just accurate-ish. Casio’s mechanical debut and Seiko’s NH35 go under the loupe, with everyone pretending to be regulation experts. Then it’s time for “Which Watch is Like…”, a wildly off-the-rails analogy fest: Seiko is Golden Road Brewing (too many SKUs), Panerai is ProTech knives (tough but niche), and Hamilton is Crystal Geyser (dependable, often overlooked, possibly better cold). New releases get dunked on and dissected: The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms “Tech” is questioned for lacking actual tech, the Zeitwerk Date in pink gold is labeled “bougie but temperamental,” and the Vario x RZE Trench Watch is the rare affordable winner.Check Out This Week's Sponsor:Ace Jewelers - https://www.acejewelers.com/
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1:23:50
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1:23:50
181. David Has A Migraine, SpongeBob's Secret Society, And The Deloittegraph Has Spoken
This week, Ariel, Rick, David, and Ripley are back with a wrist-worn whirlwind of hilarity, horology, and Hungarian heroes. This week's ceremonial clap-in goes to the Sowind Group for being one of Switzerland's "best managed companies". (We are just as confused as you are). Ariel gets serious with a thought-provoking take on how luxury brands are selling “desirability” while consumers crave substance and value. Is the era of genuine innovation behind us? Hungarian folklore meets watch industry vengeance: Goose Boy vs the world! Which brand is the goose-avenging, underdog legend of horology? And why might it be Vortic? The team also spirals into AI-generated visual horrors involving a well known watch media brand founder hugging Ariel courtside, a watch named "Peripheral Salmon" (yes, really), and taupe being tragically declared “essential.” Some of the crew profess their love for bund straps, David insists on changing the name of a popular weekly segment to “Hit, Miss, Maybe, Kill it with FIRE” (thanks, Spongebob), and so much more on this week’s episode of the aBlogtoWatch Podcast. Check out this week’s sponsors:Marathon Watch - https://www.marathonwatch.com/Ace Jewelers - https://www.acejewelers.com/
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1:19:47
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1:19:47