When watchmaking is about more than simply telling time as accurately as possible, it becomes about pushing the boundaries of art and engineering. Inspired by the non-traditional watch faces of Urwerk, Keral Bachand took his engineering expertise to the next level: reverse engineering and building a working Urwerk 202 in his college dorm room. Inspired by his own (re) creation and the reaction from Urwerk themselves, Keral started his own watch company, Barrelhand Watches, using...

In this episode, our most requested topic ever, we invite Mark Almeras from the AverageBros YouTube channel in to talk about modifying Seiko watches. The Seiko is like the LS engine of watches: good bones, reliabile and durable, but not always pretty out of the box, and with some obvious cost cutting in terms of some of the parts, the straps, bezels, etc. Fortunately, Seiko's have a huge aftermarket, not to mention lots of special edition, higher end models from Japan, and a lot of the parts...

In this episode, Matt and Cameron explore co-branding in the watchmaking world. With Co-Branding, a watchmaker will release a special eidition of a watch designed to align with the needs or style of a branding partner or retailer. The COMEX Sea-Dweller and Tiffany Dial Submariner are among the most famous, but we find some rather obscure co-brands, as well as discuss when functionality is integrated into the special edition, and what it takes to make special editions in small volume, from...

In this episode, we are joined in studio by Simon Wolf, CEO of Wolf Watch Winders, the company bearing not only his name, but the last name of 5 generations of Wolfs, back to 1834. Simon tells us the increible story of his company and family history stretching across three nations, and we discuss watch winder development and technology, as well as some of Wolf's newest products.  Learn more at: https://www.wolf1834.com/ This episode is available as a video! Get it...

In this episode, Cameron and Matt look at what makes Audemars Piguet one of the most important watch manufacturers in history. From their early complicated pocket watches to the iconic Royal Oak and the extraordinary Grand Complication, AP has always pushed the limits of watchmaking and provided a lasting iconic style. Cameron has a unique perspective on AP, as he was employed there for several years before starting Weiss Watch Company.  This episode is available as a video! Get it...

  In this episode, Cameron and Matt, joined again by Chef and Rolex expert Carl Ruiz, explore the history and watches of the most valuable and iconic brand in watchmaking history: Rolex. Rolex doesn't make the most technologically advanced watches, or the most complicated watches, and they haven't been around as long as many of the other manufacturers, but they are the most iconic watch brand on the planet, recognizeable the world over for their timeless designs, underwater capabilities, and...

Back from a short hiatus, Matt and Cameron sit down with Chef Carl Ruiz, one of the people that, alongside Cameron and Spike, really helped Matt get into watches. Carl is extremely knowledgeable about not just watches, but also people, and what kind of folks will want what watch. He also points out some things that, once seen, cannot be unseen, ever.  Follow Carl on Instagram! http://www.instagram.com/saborchef This episode is available as a video! Get it at: https://youtu.be/LbWc-JKm4E8 Use...

In this episode, Matt and Cameron depart the Swiss mountains and go global, exploring watches manufactured and designed in other places! We go to Germany, Japan, America, and the UK, plus hit a few other random spots on the way, to create a global image of the watchmaking world. Watches featured include Grand Seiko, NOMOS, Glashutte, A. Lange & Sohne, Roger W. Smith, and more!  This episode is available as a video! Get it at:  Use code CAM150 for $150 off your first watch at Crown &...

In this episode, Cameron and Matt study the short but lively history of the Swatch Corporation. Started in 1978, Swatch was an experiment in response to the quartz crisis, that ended up keeping lots of Manufacture d' Haute Horologie afloat, selling over 200 million watches in its first 40 years.  Shoutout to Ryan and Justin for providing the in-studio SWATCH examples for this episode!  This episode is available as a video! Get it at: https://youtu.be/3x9oB8EozLg Use code CAM150 for $150 off...

Breitling has always been a brand associated wth aviation; pioneering the Pilot's watch far beyond a simple "large dial with clear numbers format. " Anyone who's ever watched an air show, or a Red Bull Air Race event, will have seen Breitling's racing planes taking home wins. Since 1884, Breitling has been obsessed with moving forward the art of precision chronometry, function, and, more recently, safety, with their innovative "Emergency" series of locator beacon-equipped wrist watches....

  In this episode, recorded by popular request, we explore the world of pilots watches! The first mens wrist watches were for pilots, racing drivers, and rail men, and they typically featured large, clear numerals, and oversized dials. We look at watches from IWC, Cartier, Breitling, and more.  This episode is available as a video! Get it at: https://youtu.be/-b2DJNvUCVk Use code CAM150 for $150 off your first purchase at Crown & Caliber!  http://www.crownandcaliber.com Use code CHRONO...

In this episode, joined by Nick Farrell of DC Vintage Watches, we discuss the complete corporate and manufacturing history of Tag Heuer, known simply as Heuer before 1985. From its conception, the brand has focused on innovation in precise time keeping, eschewing pushing the boundaries of complication in favor of the boundaries of precision; at one point producing mechanical stopwatches capable of measuring in 1/1000 second increments. We take a look at some of Heuer's most iconic models, and...

In this episode, joined by Michael Senderovich of the On Time Podcast, we discuss our favorite independent watchmakers! We define an independent as not only a watchmaker outside the typical fold of corporate ownership, but a watchmaker-led business not held down by its own traditions. Independent watchmakers can freely design avant garde pieces in small volume and sell them for extraordinary amounts of money. We explore Roger W. Smith, H. Moser, RGM, MB&F, Vianney Halter, Habring, and...

In this episode, joined by Michael Senderovich of the On Time Podcast, we discuss our favorite independent watchmakers! We define an independent as not only a watchmaker outside the typical fold of corporate ownership, but a watchmaker-led business not held down by its own traditions. Independent watchmakers can freely design avant garde pieces in small volume and sell them for extraordinary amounts of money. We explore Roger W. Smith, H. Moser, RGM, MB&F, Vianney Halter, Habring, and...

  In this episode, tech mogul and entrepreneur Matt Jacobson stops by the studio to talk about the holy grail of vintage watches: perfect patina. Matt was the 8th employee at Facebook in 2005, and, Mark Zuckerberg excepted, is its longest serving employee. He has, unlike other men of means, put a cap on the number of watches he's willing to own at 12, instating a policy of "one in, one out." We discuss patina, how watches get it and why it's good; we then look at Matt's amazing examples of...

In this episode, Cameron and Matt explore the history of Swiss brand Oris. Oris is a maker of tool and fashion watches with the goal of providing accurate, reliable, and good looking mechanical watches at prices that normal people can afford. Oris even offers some highly complicated watches and uniquely functional features such as mechanical depth and altitude gauges, all at a price point below many other Swiss brands.  This episode is available as a video! Get it...

In this episode, Cameron has returned from EPHJ, a Swiss Watchmaking trade show, where watch manufacturers go to see the latest in watchmaking technology. Cameron has brought back photos and videos of some of the coolest tech available to watchmakers, and so we go through his album and talk about the modern world of commercial watchmaking.  This episode is available as a video! Get it at:  https://youtu.be/QASfJ1TbaaA Use code CAM150 for $150 off your first watch purchase at Crown &...

In this episode, Matt and Cameron explore the history of Cartier, a name associated with many things: monarchical crown jewels, massive diamonds, and the classic, rectangular Tank watch, now in production for nearly 100 years. We confuse ourselves with all the little variants of the tank, check out some of Cartier's more modern lineup, and discuss the significance of the company in the history of watchmaking.  We also discuss the book 'The Radium Girls' by Kate Moore and take a look at the...

In this episode, Cameron and Matt explore the somewhat murky history of the Omega Watch Copmany. Because of Omega's earliest roots, they developed in a different way from other companies, and therefore, as we discuss, it can be hard to get straight information. But Cameron and Matt piece it together, and we look at some of the company's most iconic models. We also review some watches from the Miami-based LIV Watches!      Check out LIV Watches at: http://www.livwatches.com Get $150 off your...

In this episode, we are joined in studio by Nick Farrell of DC Vintage Watches, who specializes in vintage Seiko and Heuer watches! We discuss the history of Seiko up to the 1960's and 1970's, the prime decades for today's collectors, and check out some interesting collectible Seiko's as well as what to look for, and what to avoid when buying these watches.  Additionally, we review a series of four watches from the Straton Watch Co., which are clearly inspired by the Seiko and Heuer watches...

In this episode, Cameron and Matt take a deep dive, literally, into the world of dive watches. Both experienced SCUBA divers themselves, Matt and Cameron are both very passionate about this topic. We cover the history of the dive watch forward; we cover the different water resistance ratings and what they mean to you; we cover some of the most iconic and interesting models; and we cover the current state of dive watches and computers. Plus! We cover diving do's and don'ts with valuable or...

The International Watch Company, better known as IWC, celebrates its 150-year anniversary in 2018. In order to honor the occasion, Matt and Cameron take their first individual-brand deep-dive into the history, the technology, the story, and the watches of IWC. Known at first for highly legible tool watches, IWC has developed a reputation for tough, stylish, and in some cases, highly complex watches; watches which wear stealth on the wrist but offer tons of satisfaction to the owner.  This...

In this episode, Matt and Cameron investigate some fake Rolex's, AP's, Omega's and Cartier's, in order to help you watch enthusiasts know what to look for when buying second hand watches. We go through where Identifying marks should be, where fakers go cheap when the real guys go heavy, and how to avoid getting scammed yourself.  We also discuss the new Birdwell Beach Britches Limited-edition Weiss American Issue Field Watch, and review a watch sent in by MTM Special...

In this episode, Matt and Cameron explore the world of bracelets, bands and straps! A new watch band is a great, and often affordable way to change the look of a watch, giving you that "new watch" feeling again. We explore the different types of bands and why you might use each one, how to do a basic strap change, how to care for leather and metal straps, and, potentially most importantly, how long a strap should last, and when to let it go. We also discuss the basic tools you'll need, and...

Chef Sang Yoon is a man of many accomplishments, biggest among them is that he can be credited with creating the first American gastropub, Father's Office, in Los Angeles, 20 years ago. The son of a Korean Newspaper publisher, Chef Sang has created a food empire in Los Angeles, and, like many of us woudl do, he has rewarded himself with quite the watch collection, numbering over 100 pieces, most of which live in a safety deposit box in a bank. Sang stops by the studio to discuss some of his...