A Blog To Watch Weekly

Watching Watches Watch

A weekly podcast featuring news and reviews from around the watch world as reported on aBlogtoWatch.com

  1. 226 - Rolex Roadblocks, Doxa Overload, and Price On Request

    4d ago

    226 - Rolex Roadblocks, Doxa Overload, and Price On Request

    aBlogtoWatch Weekly is back on the main aBlogtoWatch YouTube channel with new releases every Friday! - https://www.youtube.com/@ablogtowatch This week on aBlogtoWatch Weekly, Rick, Ariel, and David tackle everything from Star Wars themed G-Shocks and the overwhelming number of Doxa dive watches to the return of Vacheron Constantin’s Twin Beat Perpetual Calendar. Along the way, they debate whether luxury watch brands make buying watches unnecessarily difficult, question the growing trend of “price on request,” and wonder how many Doxas one collector actually needs. The conversation also takes a deeper turn as Ariel discusses his recent article examining the relationship between the Swiss watch industry and its most important market: the United States. From Rolex waitlists and retail roadblocks to cultural differences in how luxury is sold and consumed, the team explores why some brands seem determined to make the buying experience more complicated than it needs to be. Plus, the Brand Wheel of Death returns with Nomos, Ferdinand Berthoud, and Voutilainen facing judgment. 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! Key Timestamps: [02:02] The Escapement & Fyre Festival Comparisons [02:58] Philippe Stern & Abu Dhabi Festival [03:09] Ask Ariel Anything [04:28] The Hidden QR Code Idea [05:09] No Wrist Shots Allowed [06:56] The Punk Watch Challenge [09:30] The G-Shock Argument [10:08] The Cheapest Diamond Watch [11:35] Tissot PRX Debate [12:11] Mandalorian & Grogu G-Shocks [14:46] When Co-Branding Is Too Subtle [18:00] G-Shock Pricing & Disney Licensing [19:49] Doxa Sub 200 T-Graph Returns [21:25] Does Doxa Have Too Many Watches? [23:22] Understanding the Doxa Dial [25:18] How to Choose a Doxa [27:31] David on Doxa [28:01] Why Switzerland Fears America [31:36] The Transatlantic Luxury Paradox [33:17] Remembering Philippe Stern [35:08] Boutique Experiences in Europe [36:35] Swiss Dirigism vs Capitalism [38:14] Swiss-American Trust Issues [47:30] Wheel of Death: Chaykin, Berthoud & Nomos [52:14] Vacheron Twin Beat Returns [49:54] How the Twin Beat Works [56:31] The Price-On-Request Rant [57:01] Is a 70-Day Power Reserve Useful? [59:23] Closing & WhatsApp QR Code

    1h 1m
  2. 225 - Bell & Ross Cubism, Monaco Speed, and ART Or Fad?

    Jun 12

    225 - Bell & Ross Cubism, Monaco Speed, and ART Or Fad?

    aBlogtoWatch Weekly is back on the main aBlogtoWatch YouTube channel with new releases every Friday! - https://www.youtube.com/@ablogtowatch This week on aBlogtoWatch Weekly, Rick and Ariel are holding down the fort without David and Ripley, which means the conversation quickly goes off the rails before diving headfirst into the latest watch industry news. The duo discuss the new Raymond Weil ART and ask the big question: is it a genuinely compelling integrated bracelet watch or just another trend follower? They also debate the rise of integrated bracelet sports watches, micro rotors, and why some brands are chasing familiar formulas while others are trying something completely different. Plus, there are thoughts on Bell & Ross leaning into modern art inspired design with its latest cubist inspired release, the new TAG Heuer Monaco Speed and its unusual jumping hour display, and whether square watches deserve more love or just more confusion. Along the way, Rick and Ariel somehow find time to argue about sleeping with watches on, lume at 3AM, AI frustrations, and why Bell & Ross might just need its big Hollywood moment. It is exactly the kind of wonderfully chaotic watch conversation you expect from an aBlogtoWatch Weekly podcast with just Rick and Ariel.  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! Key Timestamps: [04:07] Sleeping With Watches? [07:14] Why Ariel & Rick Go Off Track [11:45] Raymond Weil A.R.T. — Hit or Fad? [17:10] AI Art, QR Codes & Tech Frustrations [21:27] Indie Watch Brands & Retail Challenges [27:29] Bell & Ross Cubism & Micro Rotors [38:47] TAG Heuer Monaco Speed 12 Debate [45:29] Swatch “Royal Pop” Queue Chaos [48:15] Camp Watches & Microbrand Realities [51:19] What Actually Counts As A Square Watch? [54:49] ATI ZDM Enigma & Strange Design Choices [56:49] Forgotten Fashion Watches [59:49] The Return Of Fashion Watches? [1:03:04] A Deep Dive Into Versace Watches [1:05:57] The “Punishment Watch” Game [1:08:00] eBay Authentication Experiment [1:09:20] Wrap Up & Next Week’s Challenge

    1h 10m
  3. 224. Fashion Watches Fight Back, Formex Levels Up, And Watches For Life Beyond Earth

    Jun 5

    224. Fashion Watches Fight Back, Formex Levels Up, And Watches For Life Beyond Earth

    In this episode of aBlogtoWatch Weekly, the gang reunites for another round of semi-organized chaos, fresh off Couture in Las Vegas and ready to unpack what it all means for the watch industry. Rick, Ariel, Ripley, and David dive into the surprising comeback of fashion watch brands like Fossil, Timex, and Movado, and explore how shifting retail strategies and a changing enthusiast market may be creating a whole new lane for affordable watches to thrive again. They also debate whether brands once dismissed as “mall watch” staples are quietly becoming more enthusiast-focused than anyone expected. The conversation then turns to the new Formex Aria and whether the brand’s leap into a much higher price bracket is a natural evolution or a risky stretch. From micro-rotors and movement value to what really justifies a premium price tag, the team does not hold back. Plus, things get wonderfully weird with meteorite dials, over-engineered space watches, and the growing fascination with watches built for life beyond Earth. Throw in some celebrity ambassador chaos and a Ferrari tangent, and you have another delightfully unpredictable episode of aBlogtoWatch Weekly. 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!

    1h 4m
  4. 223. Waitlist Delusions, Cartier Rectangles, And Luxury Pricing Chaos

    May 29

    223. Waitlist Delusions, Cartier Rectangles, And Luxury Pricing Chaos

    This 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!

    1h 6m
  5. 222. Swatch Stampedes, Candy-Colored Ceramics, And Citizen GMT Bargains

    May 22

    222. Swatch Stampedes, Candy-Colored Ceramics, And Citizen GMT Bargains

    This 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!

    1h 5m
  6. 221. Royal Oak Keychains, Tourbillon Bargains, And Advertising Wars

    May 16

    221. Royal Oak Keychains, Tourbillon Bargains, And Advertising Wars

    This 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!

    1h 8m
  7. 220. The Great Watch Price Debate, Glow-In-The-Dark IWC, And Windup Weekend Chaos

    May 9

    220. The Great Watch Price Debate, Glow-In-The-Dark IWC, And Windup Weekend Chaos

    This 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!

    1h 8m
  8. 219. Identity Crisis Watches, Expensive Plastic, and Marathon Marketing Gone Wrong

    May 2

    219. Identity Crisis Watches, Expensive Plastic, and Marathon Marketing Gone Wrong

    This 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

    1h 7m
4.3
out of 5
39 Ratings

About

A weekly podcast featuring news and reviews from around the watch world as reported on aBlogtoWatch.com

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