A Blog To Watch Weekly

This week on aBlogtoWatch Weekly, Ariel Adams returns alongside David and Ripley for a packed episode covering military watch history, controversial design decisions, and one of the most expensive G-Shocks ever made. Ariel shares stories from his recent visit to the Navy SEAL Museum in San Diego, including the history of Tudor Submariners issued to Navy SEALs during the Vietnam War and the mysterious disappearance of watches that were reportedly destroyed after being returned to military storage.

The conversation then turns to Tudor's new Northflag GMT, where the crew debates its design, proportions, and place within the brand's lineup. David takes particular issue with the dial's mismatched details, while Ripley questions whether the new GMT has lost what made the original model special.

The discussion continues with Casio's extraordinary $80,000 sapphire-cased G-Shock, prompting questions about luxury pricing, durability, and whether anyone outside the watch community would believe a G-Shock could cost that much. The crew compares Casio's latest creation with high-end sapphire watches from Hublot and considers the appeal of ultra-expensive versions of otherwise affordable designs. Ariel also raises concerns about algorithm-driven watch recommendations, arguing that human curation remains essential for discovering new brands and expanding one's interests as a collector. Along the way, the trio finds time to debate a Lufthansa-exclusive Sinn, poke fun at the idea of luxury tool watches, and question where the watch industry is headed.

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Key Chapters:

00:00:00 - Introduction and Ariel's return

00:02:38 - Lufthansa's limited-edition Sinn watch

00:04:28 - The history of Navy SEAL Tudor Submariners

00:06:24 - The mystery of the missing Navy SEAL watches

00:14:17 - Rolex connections and military watch history

00:18:45 - Tudor's new Northflag GMT sparks a design debate

00:23:47 - What the original North Flag got right

00:27:03 - Northflag dial details and design criticism

00:31:47 - Casio's $80,000 sapphire G-Shock

00:35:41 - More luxury G-Shocks and sapphire alternatives

00:39:13 - Is an $80,000 G-Shock worth it?

00:43:56 - Human watch curation versus algorithms

00:49:21 - The dangers of algorithm-driven watch recommendations

00:53:44 - Wind Vintage and the sold-out Dreamsicle watch

00:55:35 - The usefulness of flyback chronographs

00:57:21 - Brellum chronographs and affordable Swiss watchmaking

01:00:20 - Watch thickness and movement design

01:03:52 - Closing remarks

This week on aBlogtoWatch Weekly, Ariel is away, which leaves Rick, David, and Ripley to make sense of a watch market where price and positioning seem increasingly difficult to untangle. The crew starts with Zenith and a lengthy debate over pricing, brand identity, and whether a good watch can still be a tough sell at the wrong price. Then things get sweeter with the Donut Watch Company, a new Ming adjacent project that brings familiar design DNA, a Miyota movement, plenty of lume, and an actual donut theme to the roughly $700 price point. The question quickly becomes whether offering a more accessible taste of an expensive brand is clever expansion or simply leaning a little too heavily on the name and design language people already recognize.

From there, Ripley introduces the Timex Atelier Chronograph Quartz M1q, another roughly $700 proposition that flips the entire conversation around: would you rather have an expensive version of a traditionally affordable brand or a cheaper taste of something more luxurious? The debate over an expensive Timex versus a cheap “Ming” gets surprisingly philosophical, with nostalgia, finishing, specifications, and brand equity all entering the equation. Finally, Omega Corner produces an actual mystery as the crew discovers a SPECTRE logo hidden in Omega’s website and starts wondering what secret Bond related Seamaster might be coming next. There is also time for David’s Marvin Bathyscaphe, some catalog cutting, and the usual detours that happen when Ariel leaves everyone unsupervised.

To check out the ABTW Shop, where you can see our products inspired by our love of Horology:

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Key Chapters:

[00:01] Introduction and Ariel Is Missing

[06:01] Zenith Chronomaster Solo Sport and the Pricing Problem

[16:05] Can Zenith Compete With Rolex?

[29:21] The Ming-Backed Donut Watch

[35:00] Is a Cheaper Taste of Ming Worth It?

[40:22] Timex Atelier Chronograph Quartz M1Q

[42:23] Expensive Timex or Cheap Ming?

[47:46] Omega Corner

[48:12] Omega’s Secret James Bond Watch

[51:20] David’s Marvin Bathyscaphe

[52:47] Omega Cuts the Constellation Collection

This week on aBlogtoWatch Weekly, Rick, David, and Ripley are back with an episode full of watches that are cheaper, pricier, and considerably weirder than expected. The guys start with H. Moser & Cie. going digital before turning to the state of watch marketing and why so many brands seem to have forgotten how to keep the conversation going. They also consider whether Cartier could ever truly challenge Rolex and what it would take for the brand to get there.

Then it is time for Rolex to break out the frying pan. The new Perpetual 1908 Padellone brings some real complication to Rolex’s dressier side, along with a price that has the guys questioning just how far upmarket the Crown wants to go. From there, Hublot and Jeff Koons provide plenty to talk about with Balloon Dogs, sapphire, wild pricing, and exactly the kind of watches that guarantee a reaction. Finally, the crew dive into matching watches with NFL teams, debating some of the more questionable pairings, and they start plotting an equally dangerous watch brands versus car brands comparison for next 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/

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If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!

Key Chapters:

[00:07] Intro and This Week’s Opening Chaos

[04:08] H. Moser & Cie. Goes Digital

[18:04] Has the Watch Industry Forgotten How to Treat People?

[21:54] Why Rolex Marketing Works

[31:02] Omega and the Problem With Watch Marketing

[35:28] Could Cartier Challenge Rolex?

[37:06] Rolex Perpetual 1908 Padellone

[38:24] The “Forever Frying Pan”

[47:00] Hublot x Jeff Koons Balloon Dog

[53:00] Hublot MP-14 Goes Full Sapphire

[01:03:51] Matching Watches With NFL Teams

[01:09:48] What You Like: Watch Brands and Car Brands

[01:13:02] What’s on the Desk?

This week on aBlogtoWatch Weekly, Rick, Ariel, David, and Ripley are back to tackle watches that dazzle, watches that feel like furniture, and watches that may be listening to everything you say. The crew starts with a look behind the curtain at Dexel and the manufacturing capabilities that help make Formex such an interesting value proposition, including the cases, bracelets, clasps, and technology that often go unnoticed by consumers. Then things get considerably more colorful with the Bulgari Octo Finissimo Dazzle, a watch that leaves absolutely nowhere for your eyes to rest. From there, Hublot takes titanium in an entirely different direction with the rubber coated Big Bang Original Soft Touch, prompting questions about scratches, lint removal, carpeted watches, and whether anyone really needs a softer Big Bang. The Hublot conversation also leads into the latest Nico Leonard and Christopher Ward drama, the internet’s long history of hating Hublot, and whether the Big Bang should simply be reinvented from scratch.

The conversation then turns to aBlogtoWatch’s upcoming 20th anniversary and Ariel’s plans for brands to create watches inspired by the occasion, including one particularly unusual idea involving 5,000 year old fossilized tree rings. Apple enters the chat with its latest Apple Watch technology, including the ability to continuously listen, transcribe conversations, identify speakers, and generate meeting notes, which naturally makes everyone feel completely comfortable and not at all concerned. The guys also dig into the complicated relationship between watch media, auction houses, and charity auctions before wrapping things up with Louis Vuitton’s latest Tambour Spin Time collection, including an extravagant world timer and opal model. Along the way, expect the usual detours into watch industry drama, questionable materials, smartwatch rivalries, and exactly how much technology you really want listening from your wrist.

To check out the ABTW Shop, where you can see our products inspired by our love of Horology:

- Shop ABTW - https://store.ablogtowatch.com/

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- 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 Chapters:

[00:00:07] Welcome and Opening Banter

[00:07:41] Inside Dexel and How Formex Watches Are Made

[00:18:53] Bulgari Octo Finissimo Dazzle

[00:25:32] Hublot Big Bang Original Soft Touch

[00:31:59] Nico Leonard, Christopher Ward, and Watch Industry Drama

[00:41:25] aBlogtoWatch’s 20th Anniversary Watch Plans

[00:45:34] Apple Watch Ultra 4 Is Listening

[00:47:48] Apple Watch Series 12 and Ceramic

[00:52:06] The Hermès Apple Watch and Its Price

[00:57:29] Watch Auction Houses and Charity Controversy

[01:02:15] What Happened to Only Watch?

[01:05:43] Louis Vuitton Tambour Spin Time

[01:09:46] Garmin vs. Apple Watch

This week on aBlogtoWatch Weekly, Rick, Ariel, David, and Ripley are back together, with Ariel and David freshly returned from Geneva Watch Days and apparently still recovering from the heat. They recap the highs and lows of the event, from impressive watchmaking and questionable hospitality to the latest GPHG selections and the brands that did, or decidedly did not, make the cut. The conversation also turns to what makes Geneva Watch Days worthwhile despite its quirks and why the watch industry continues to descend on Geneva even when the city seems determined to make everyone sweat.

From there, the crew tackles the difference between collecting and investing, leading Ariel to declare collectors “natural born hoarders” and, naturally, a detour into knives, cheese, and the apparent collapse of cheese futures. Then it is back to watches with Chanel’s Blue Ceramic J12, the A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Up/Down, the Tudor Northflag, and plenty more new releases and opinions along the way. As always, expect strong takes, questionable financial advice, and more than a little anxiety over whether a manually wound watch has enough power left to survive the day.

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/

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If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!

Key Chapters:

[00:01] Show Welcome

[01:00] Sweating Through Geneva Watch Days

[09:40] Is Geneva Watch Days Worth It?

[16:31] Favorite Watches From Geneva

[17:19] GPHG Winners, Losers, and Controversy

[24:58] Chronoswiss and the Pulse One GMT

[33:41] Bulgari at Geneva Watch Days

[36:41] Watch Collecting vs. Watch Investing

[41:11] Natural Born Watch Hoarders

[42:13] Knives, Biver, and Cheese

[46:19] Chanel’s Blue Ceramic J12

[54:09] A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Up/Down

[56:30] The A. Lange & Söhne Triple Split

[1:05:00] Tudor Northflag Returns as a GMT

[1:18:19] Closing Thoughts

This week on aBlogtoWatch Weekly, Rick and Ripley are holding down the fort as they work their way through some of the latest releases, industry conversations, and questionable watch buying decisions. They start by exploring whether the watches everyone wants are actually the most satisfying to own, which naturally sends them down a Rolex rabbit hole. From personal connections to popular models to the realities of buying for hype, the conversation eventually becomes a challenge to build the most unfashionable Rolex possible and see just how badly it performs on the secondary market.

The guys also take a spin with the roulette inspired Perrelet Turbine Casino before looking at the latest Formex Essence 39 and why sometimes the smartest upgrade is knowing what not to change. There is also the incredibly shiny Bulova Shelby Racer Chronograph, along with the massive, hand engraved Urwerk UR 1001 Amadeus and its millennium tracker designed to count its way through the next thousand years. Plus, there are plenty of the usual tangents along the way, including what actually makes strangers notice your watch and whether the aBlogtoWatch team really needs a Geneva chateau and its own reality show.

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 Chapters:

[00:07] Rick and Ripley Take Over aBlogtoWatch Weekly

[05:02] Ariel’s Leather Jacket and the Popularity Paradox

[10:26] Are Popular Watches Actually Satisfying to Own?

[14:27] Rolex, Hype, and Building the Most Unfashionable Rolex

[17:55] Which Rolex Has the Worst Resale Value?

[22:00] Is Rolex Too Popular to Be Cool?

[24:25] Which Watches Actually Get People’s Attention?

[29:05] Favorite Watches, Knives, and Cars

[34:00] Perrelet Watches and the Turbine Casino

[39:57] Apple Watch Ultra From a Watch Collector’s Perspective

[44:28] Formex Essence 39 Gets a Generational Upgrade

[47:45] Where Formex Fits in the Watch Market

[52:22] Bulova Shelby Racer and the Mirror Finish Debate

[56:14] Urwerk UR-1001 Amadeus and Its 1,000 Year Tracker

[1:00:38] Geneva Watch Days and the aBlogtoWatch Chateau

[1:06:00] Final Thoughts and Closing Chaos

This week on aBlogtoWatch Weekly, Ariel, David, and Ripley are back with a colorful mix of watches, industry talk, and a few reasons why Geneva might be better to visit than to call home. The guys recap the recent Time at Wynn event in Las Vegas and discuss why the watch industry needs more consumer focused events that give enthusiasts a reason to come together. They also get into vintage military watches, the growing hype around F.P. Journe, and what happens when collector enthusiasm starts looking a little too much like following the herd.

Then it is on to Gerald Charles and their Masterlink Perpetual Calendar, where Gerald Genta design DNA and a map of Geneva somehow turn into a debate over whether the city's best feature is how easy it is to leave. Finally, Rolex enters the color mosh pit with the Oyster Perpetual 36 and its colorful Jubilee dial. The trio digs into the surprisingly complicated process behind creating the dial, Rolex's ability to execute it at scale, and whether the brand's increasingly playful approach to color is refreshing or risks becoming too much of a good thing. Plus, David makes the case for the 36mm Oyster Perpetual, Ripley considers just how far Rolex should take the trend, and Ariel imagines a future filled with increasingly chaotic color combinations.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/

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If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!

Key Chapters:

00:04 Welcome & Rick’s Latest Disappearance

02:08 Vintage Longines & Why Military Watches Endure

10:52 Time at Wynn Recap & The State of Watch Events

20:10 F.P. Journe Hype & Collector Sheep Mentality

28:04 Biver Watches, Cheese & Collector Appeal

29:55 GPS Watches, Gnomes & The Breitling Emergency

38:05 Fitness Trackers, Smartwatches & Double Wristing

41:13 Gerald Charles Masterlink Perpetual Calendar

45:01 Escaping Geneva & Navigating By Watch

48:01 Perpetual Calendar Pushers & Complication Design

51:00 Gerald Charles Dark Blast & Genta Design

52:48 Rolex Oyster Perpetual 36 Jubilee Dial

56:25 How Rolex Makes The Color Mosh Pit

59:12 36mm vs. 41mm & How Colorful Should Rolex Get?

1:04:04 Price, Final Thoughts & Geneva Watch Days

This week on aBlogtoWatch Weekly, Ariel, David, and Ripley are live, or at least they think they are, as they attempt to navigate the unfamiliar world of live broadcasting without Rick. They dig into the never ending watch size debate, why case dimensions rarely tell the whole story, and whether the enormous status watches of years past simply lost their natural habitat. From there, things get considerably weirder with the unusually shaped Nectere Eclipse, a potential pair of watch inspired sunglasses, and NOMOS finding a clever way to make the date complication both useful and visually interesting.

Then, a roughly $600 CIGA Design sparks a much bigger conversation about Chinese watchmaking, perceived value, and what happens when an affordable watch can look considerably more expensive than it actually is. The guys consider whether Swiss luxury brands should even care about the growing competition before turning their attention to Tudor and the exceptionally dark Black Bay Ceramic on a full ceramic bracelet. Is it worth the premium, does that butterfly clasp deserve the engineering effort, and has Tudor finally achieved peak Black Bay? Plus, “vintage” officially means nothing, the Wheel of Death may be living on borrowed time, and the Rolex way somehow finds its way back into the conversation.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:

[00:07] Are We Live? & Island Audiences

[03:38] Upcoming Watch Shows & New Releases

[07:22] Does Watch Size Actually Matter?

[17:43] Is It Time To Kill The Wheel Of Death?

[19:40] Nectere Eclipse & The Rise Of “Melted” Watches

[29:05] NOMOS Tangente Neomatik 38 & The Date Problem

[36:31] CIGA Design & $600 Richard Mille Vibes

[40:06] Should Swiss Brands Be Worried About China?

[46:49] Tudor’s Blackest Black Bay Yet

[56:22] Final Thoughts & Live Show Sign-Off

This week on aBlogtoWatch Weekly, Rick, Ariel, Ripley, and David tackle another wonderfully strange week in watches. There are questionable industry accolades, tactical watch identity crises, Italian marketing, and enough oil to make airport security nervous. The guys debate whether watch certifications and awards still mean anything and why accuracy should still matter as luxury watch prices continue to climb.

Things only get stranger with the massive, oil-filled U-Boat U-65 and its mysterious caseback. The crew considers what happens if it leaks and whether wearing one through airport security might raise a few questions. Ripley checks out the colorful ProTek Series 4000, which sparks a tangent about tactical watches and questionable military credentials, while Rick questions whether Unimatic has mastered the art of looking strangely familiar without actually copying anything. Finally, the CronusArt Spring Daydream Central Tourbillon combines erotic imagery, donuts, and unrestricted watch design to make something that has to be seen to be understood.

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 Chapters:

[00:07] Intro & Scotland’s Knife Problem

[06:50] Stallone’s Questionable Rambo Panerai

[10:06] Watch Awards, Certifications & Accuracy

[19:13] U-Boat U-65 & Oil-Filled Watch Madness

[28:51] ProTek Series 4000 & Tactical Watches

[37:21] Unimatic’s Swimming Pool Summer Watch

[44:13] The Brand Wheel of Death

[55:28] CronusArt & The Erotic Donut Tourbillon

[1:07:37] Upcoming Events & Final Thoughts

On this week's episode of aBlogtoWatch Weekly, Rick, Ariel, and David ask a simple question with a surprisingly complicated answer: Can luxury electronic watches really make a comeback? Using the new Accutron Spaceview 314 as the jumping off point, they debate whether tuning fork technology, premium battery powered movements, and electronic innovation deserve a place alongside today's mechanical heavyweights. The team also takes a closer look at the innovative Barrelhand Monolith, discussing its space-inspired design, advanced materials, and whether it offers a glimpse into the future of watchmaking.

Of course, it wouldn't be aBlogtoWatch Weekly without a few entertaining detours. Along the way, the hosts weigh in on the latest watch industry news, poke fun at questionable marketing, and share a few thoughts on embargoes that might sound familiar to longtime listeners. Between the laughs, the debates, and a few bold predictions about the future of watchmaking, this week's episode has a little bit of everything. (The rest just happened.) 

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:

[0:01] Intro, Chat Returns & Hagley West

[3:44] Embargoes, NDAs & The Color Blue

[5:22] Accutron Spaceview 314 & The $6K Tuning Fork

[15:12] The Return of Luxury Electronic Watches

[19:48] Could Rolex Bring Back Quartz?

[21:07] Barrelhand Monolith & Watches for Space

[30:56] Picker Wheel of Death: Moser, Alpina & Montblanc

[38:11] Seiko Marinemaster Review

[44:40] Glashütte Original CQ Northern Tide

[49:07] Glashütte Original Seventies Chronograph

[53:05] Prototype vs Production Watches

[55:40] WhatsApp Group, Wrist Shots & Closing Banter