Superlative

This episode is a paid partnership with Citizen. CITIZEN, ECO-DRIVE and PROMASTER are registered trademarks. Super Titanium is a trademark. For Eco-Drive technology, powering varies by light intensity.

In this special sponsored episode of SUPERLATIVE, aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams welcomes Neall Brick, Director of Merchandising at Citizen North America, to celebrate 50 years of Citizen's groundbreaking Eco-Drive technology. From the introduction of the Crystron Solar Cell in 1976 to the sophisticated light-powered watches of today, Ariel and Neall explore how Citizen transformed quartz watchmaking and helped redefine what consumers expect from a reliable timepiece. They discuss the early challenges of solar-powered watches, the evolution of Eco-Drive into a technology capable of harnessing both artificial and natural light, and the remarkable advancements in power reserves, dial manufacturing, and accuracy that have shaped its development over five decades.
The conversation also explores Citizen's latest innovations, including the new Eco-Drive PHOTON, the E365 movement, and the engineering breakthroughs that allow for longer power reserves and more refined watch designs. Ariel and Neall examine Citizen's philosophy of making advanced watchmaking accessible at every price point, the importance of durability and long-term serviceability, and the growing appeal of Eco-Drive among younger generations of watch enthusiasts. They also discuss Japanese and Swiss watchmaking and why the 50th anniversary of Eco-Drive represents not just a celebration of its history, but a look toward the future of light-powered watchmaking.

Check Out Citizen Watches and Celebrate 50 Years of Eco-Drive Innovation:

Citizen - https://www.citizenwatch.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/citizenwatchus/

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Key Chapters:
[00:00] Introduction to Neall Brick and Citizen's 50 Years of Eco-Drive
[00:38] Celebrating 50 Years of Eco-Drive at the Guggenheim
[02:05] The Origins of Solar-Powered Watch Technology
[05:11] Citizen's Early Innovations and the Crystron
[09:16] The Challenges of Early Light-Powered Watches
[11:26] How Citizen Achieved a Six-Month Power Reserve
[13:19] The Technology Behind Citizen's Eco-Drive Dials
[16:40] E365, the PHOTON, and Longer Watch Hands
[20:42] Citizen's Mission to Make Watchmaking Accessible
[21:40] Citizen Eco-Drive: 50 Years of Innovation
[23:38] Exploring Citizen's Watch Complications
[24:33] Satellite Wave, Radio Control, and ATTESA
[26:02] Japanese vs. Swiss Watchmaking Philosophies
[29:18] Precision, Caliber 0100, and Super Titanium
[32:31] Citizen's Digital and Analog Watch Innovations
[34:37] The Navihawk and Multifunction Watches
[38:44] Bringing Eco-Drive to More Consumers
[41:46] Citizen's Retail Presence and Customer Support
[45:41] Miniaturization and Eco-Drive One
[48:53] MIYOTA, TSUYOSA, and Citizen's Mechanical Watches
[52:09] The Future of Citizen and Eco-Drive

This week on SUPERLATIVE, aBlogtoWatch founder, Ariel Adams, welcomes Chase McQueen, grandson of legendary actor and motorsports enthusiast Steve McQueen, for a conversation about the enduring legacy of the "King of Cool." Chase shares personal stories passed down through his family, explores his grandfather's lifelong passion for cars, motorcycles, and mechanical watches, and discusses what made Steve McQueen such an authentic and influential cultural icon. Together, they reflect on his most memorable films, his remarkable collection of vehicles, and the McQueen family's efforts to introduce his legacy to a new generation.

The conversation also dives into Steve McQueen's fascinating history with watches, from the iconic TAG Heuer Monaco featured in Le Mans to his lesser-known passion for Hanhart chronographs. Chase reveals the story behind the family's new collaboration with Hanhart, the mystery surrounding his grandfather's missing original watch, and why the partnership represents much more than another celebrity-branded timepiece. Along the way, Ariel and Chase explore the importance of authenticity, the connection between watchmaking and motorsports, and how the McQueen family continues to preserve the spirit of one of Hollywood's most unforgettable legends.

Check out the links below to learn more about Chase McQueen, Steve McQueen’s legacy, and the latest Hanhart collaboration:

Renaissance Licensing: https://renaissancelicensing.com/

Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/chasemcqueen/

Hanhart Steve McQueen Limited Edition Watch: https://www.hanhart.com/en/product/steve-mcqueen-limited-edition-no-1/

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 Chase McQueen and Steve McQueen's Legacy
[03:28] What Made Steve McQueen the King of Cool?
[06:02] Family Stories and Memories of Steve McQueen
[07:17] Steve McQueen's Most Memorable Films
[08:49] The Boys Republic and Steve McQueen's Early Life
[09:37] Steve McQueen's Personal Car and Motorcycle Collection
[11:19] A Shared Passion for Machines and Engineering
[13:06] Steve McQueen's Businesses and Inventions
[17:32] Ariel Adams' Journey Into the Watch Industry
[21:49] Preserving Steve McQueen's Legacy for Future Generations
[25:42] Bringing Steve McQueen's Films Back to Audiences
[28:56] The Discovery of Lost Le Mans Film Footage
[30:07] Steve McQueen and the Iconic TAG Heuer Monaco
[32:14] The History Behind Steve McQueen's Hanhart Watch
[35:30] The New Hanhart Steve McQueen Limited Edition
[36:01] The Mystery of Steve McQueen's Missing Hanhart
[38:36] Why Steve McQueen Chose Functional Tool Watches
[41:58] The History Behind Hanhart's Red Pusher
[47:09] How the Hanhart Collaboration Came Together
[51:57] AI and the Future of Steve McQueen's Image
[55:24] Who Is the New Steve McQueen Watch For?
[57:00] The Future of the McQueen Family Legacy
[01:00:08] Where to Discover More About Steve McQueen

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 VELM
01:40 The early days of watch blogging
06:00 Working in the Swiss watch industry
10:10 Why Swiss watch brands struggle to innovate
13:00 Heritage, limited editions, and originality
15:00 Challenges of introducing new designs
19:15 Vjeko's watch design career
22:00 Prototyping and Swiss watchmaking
28:00 Watch quality and luxury pricing
31:15 The rise of MVMT
35:45 Lessons in branding and marketing
40:15 The inspiration behind VELM
42:45 Rethinking traditional jewelry
44:30 Bringing watchmaking precision to jewelry
47:15 What makes VELM different
49:40 Watch-inspired cufflinks and finishing
51:55 Reinventing ceramic bead bracelets
54:00 Engineering precision clasp systems
59:00 Craftsmanship, pricing, and value
01:01:00 The future of VELM
01:03:30 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!