Superlative

In this episode of Superlative, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams sits down with Andrew Herman, co-founder of Panzera Watches, to explore what it really means to build a modern watch brand outside the traditional Swiss playbook. Andrew shares the unlikely path from importing affordable European watches into Australia to launching a globally focused direct-to-consumer brand built on value, quality, and accessibility rather than prestige markups. The conversation dives deep into supply-chain inefficiencies, pricing psychology, repeat customers, and why cutting out traditional retail fundamentally changes how watches are designed, marketed, and sold. Andrew also discusses Panzera’s distinctly bold design identity, the challenges and advantages of operating from Australia, the importance of founder-led storytelling, and how military squadron collaborations emerged organically from pilots who were already customers. Along the way, Ariel and Andrew unpack the realities of e-commerce watch sales, showroom-style retail experiences, brand loyalty, and the long-term risks of chasing luxury pricing for its own sake. Listen and join in on their conversation as they offer a candid look at what sustainable watchmaking looks like in today’s enthusiast-driven market.Check out Panzera Watches:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/panzera.watches/ Website - https://panzerawatches.com/ Check out this week’s sponsor - Movado Watches:- https://www.movado.com/ 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 - https://twitter.com/ABLOGTOWATCH- Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!

In this episode of Superlative, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams sits down with professional big wave surfer and TAG Heuer brand ambassador Kai Lenny for an in depth conversation about risk, preparation, and what timing really means when nature is in full control. Growing up in Hawaii with some of the most powerful surf breaks in the world just minutes from his home, Kai explains how learning to read the ocean from land shaped his approach long before he ever paddled into massive waves, and why wave selection is as much a mental calculation as it is physical commitment. The discussion explores the realities of big wave surfing, from the physics of underwater pressure and the danger of impact over drowning, to the evolving role of safety equipment, communication systems, and training that allow surfers to operate at the edge of survivability. Ariel and Kai also unpack why surfing is fundamentally a time based sport, how tides, wave sets, and forecasting dictate every decision, and why a reliable dive watch remains a critical tool even in a world of advanced analytics. Along the way, Kai shares how working closely with TAG Heuer goes far beyond sponsorship, offering insight into testing watches in conditions that cannot be simulated on land, providing real world feedback on durability and ergonomics, and drawing inspiration from Swiss watchmaking craftsmanship to refine his own approach to equipment, performance, and constant improvement. The conversation closes with a thoughtful reflection on parenthood, legacy, and how confronting nature’s power reshapes perspective, revealing why for those who live at the extremes, timepieces are not just accessories but quiet companions that measure moments most people will never experience.Follow Kai and check out TAG Heuer Watches:Kai - https://www.instagram.com/kai_lenny/ TAG Heuer - https://www.tagheuer.com/ 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 - https://twitter.com/ABLOGTOWATCH- Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!

On this episode of Superlative, host Ariel Adams, founder of aBlogtoWatch, is joined by aBlogtoWatch team member David Bredan for a deep, candid breakdown of Dubai Watch Week 2025 and why it has quietly become one of the most important consumer facing watch events in the world. Fresh off the show floor and still navigating jet lag, Ariel and David unpack how Dubai Watch Week has evolved from a modest regional gathering into a fully realized global watch destination, discussing why its consumer first structure, emphasis on storytelling, and uncompromising hospitality set it apart from traditional Swiss trade fairs. The conversation dives into what actually gets worn at Dubai Watch Week, from the overwhelming presence of Audemars Piguet Royal Oaks and independent brands to the surprising scarcity of certain mainstream luxury models, along with a frank discussion about how market forces, scarcity, and resale dynamics have reshaped perceptions around brands like F.P. Journe. Ariel and David also explore the role of the Siddiqui family in shaping the event’s success, explaining how centralized ownership, long term investment, and an obsession with guest experience allow Dubai Watch Week to succeed where many other regional watch events struggle. From booth design and brand education to safety, access, comfort, and the importance of creating environments where watches can actually be worn and appreciated, this episode offers an unfiltered look at what luxury watch events get right, what they consistently get wrong, and what the global watch industry could learn if it were willing to listen.Follow David and check out his work:Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/abtw_david/ His work on ABTW - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/author/david-bredan/ Check out this week’s sponsor - Movado Watches:- https://www.movado.com/ 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 - https://twitter.com/ABLOGTOWATCH- Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!

On this episode of Superlative, host and founder of aBlogtoWatch, Ariel Adams, sits down with Benoît Mintiens, the founder of Ressence, for an in-depth conversation on what it truly means to rethink modern watchmaking. Marking 15 years of Ressence, Benoît reflects on the emotional and strategic weight of watch trade shows like Watches and Wonders, the enduring importance of in-person experiences in a digital world, and how human connection continues to drive enthusiasm for mechanical timepieces. The discussion moves into the realities of running an independent watch brand, from the unexpected “show business” demands placed on founders to the challenges of building a company without becoming its sole personality. Benoît explains Ressence’s core philosophy of applying industrial design thinking to fine watchmaking, detailing how starting from the user experience rather than the movement has led to radical ideas such as oil-filled dials, crown-less cases, and the groundbreaking e-Crown system. Ariel and Benoît explore why most consumers buy watches for the brand rather than the products themselves, how independent brands operate at the edge of the industry’s ecosystem, and why disruption often comes from designers and engineers willing to challenge century-old norms. Listen in on their conversation as the two look at the fragile industrial supply chain behind high-end watchmaking, the cost and complexity of true innovation, and why Ressence’s future-focused approach continues to resonate with a global community of curious, forward-thinking collectors.Stay updated with Benoît and Ressence Watches:- https://ressencewatches.com/ - https://www.instagram.com/ressence_watches/ 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 - https://twitter.com/ABLOGTOWATCH- Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!

In a truly special episode of Superlative, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams sits down with legendary comedian, television host, and renowned car collector Jay Leno for an in-depth conversation that bridges the worlds of horology, engineering, and cultural influence. Recorded inside Jay Leno’s Garage, this episode explores Jay’s lifelong fascination with mechanical objects, from vintage automobiles and Ford Model T’s to precision watchmaking, as he shares how curiosity, craftsmanship, and hands-on involvement have shaped both his collections and his career. Jay reflects on his personal watch journey, from early pocket watches and Seiko to Jaeger-LeCoultre, Rolex, and A. Lange & Söhne, while offering thoughtful perspectives on why mechanical watches continue to matter in a world of modern technology. Along the way, the conversation touches on the parallels between cars and watches, the importance of understanding how things work, the role of collectors in preserving traditional crafts, and why true appreciation often comes from direct experience rather than status alone. With humor, insight, and rare behind-the-scenes stories, this episode stands out as a memorable and meaningful discussion with one of the most recognizable figures in entertainment, making it a must-listen for watch enthusiasts, car lovers, and anyone fascinated by the intersection of passion and precision.Stay updated with Jay and Jay Leno’s Garage:- https://www.lenosgarage.com/ - https://www.instagram.com/nbcjayleno/ - https://www.instagram.com/jaylenosgarage/ - https://www.youtube.com/@jaylenosgarage 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 - https://twitter.com/ABLOGTOWATCH- Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!