This episode of A Matter of Time centres on the polarising topic of Rolex and whether the brand is overrated, its position in the luxury watch industry, and personal relationships with the iconic brand.

The hosts — Kristian Haagen from Denmark, Eleonor Picciotto from France, and Andrew McUtchen from Australia — share candid reflections on Rolex watches, touching on their technical excellence, mass appeal, emotional connection, and commodification.

Eleonor expresses a nuanced scepticism toward Rolex, shaped by her upbringing in a watch family that favoured independent brands over Rolex’s mass-market dominance. Andrew, who owns and has sold Rolex watches, highlights the brand’s dual nature as both a luxury product and a commodity. Kristian, a long-time Rolex enthusiast, offers insider insights from his visit to Rolex’s production facilities, emphasising the interplay between human craftsmanship and industrial precision.

The discussion explores Rolex’s technical superiority in manufacturing, its brand power, and its cultural symbolism. While Rolex is praised as the best mass-produced luxury watch — known for precision, reliability, and value retention — it is also critiqued for its ubiquity, lack of human emotional warmth, and the speculative market it fosters.

The hosts contrast Rolex with other brands like Tudor and independent watchmakers, which offer more personalised connections and accessibility. They also discuss vintage Rolexes, which carry more character and emotional attachment compared to modern models that feel “dehumanised.”

Throughout the episode, each host shares personal stories involving Rolex, including passing down watches to children as heirlooms and the emotional significance tied to these timepieces. The episode closes with reflections on favourite Rolex models, including gem-set variants and the Oyster Perpetual line, underscoring the diversity within the brand’s offerings. Ultimately, the conversation portrays Rolex as a complex symbol, both celebrated and critiqued for its place in watch culture, luxury, and personal meaning.

What do you think? Is Rolex overrated?

In Episode 02, Eleonor, Kristian, and Andrew discuss affordable watches that they personally recommend for collectors and newcomers alike. The conversation blends humour, personal anecdotes, and expert insights to explore the nuances between bargain and affordable watches. They emphasise that “affordable” is subjective, with watches ranging from under $1,000 to several thousand dollars, highlighting brands and models that balance price, quality, and collector respect. Key watches discussed include micro-indies like the Furlan Marri Mechaquartz, Dennison ALD, Serica, and Toladano & Chan B/1, along with cult-favorite brands like Seiko, Casio, Nomos, and Oris.

The hosts reflect on watch design, craftsmanship, and the evolving microbrand landscape, noting how some smaller brands are disrupting traditional pricing and styles. They also touch on the significance of ornamental stones, rarity, and the emotional connection collectors have with watches. The episode closes with an obligatory round of "The Sickness", showcasing the personalities behind the watches and celebrating the culture surrounding watch collecting via Time+Tide's card game for watch collectors.

The inaugural episode of the A Matter of Time podcast asks the question: What is the best first luxury watch? Eleonor, Kristian, and Andrew recount their first luxury watch experience, reflecting on how these watches sparked a lifelong passion. They also discuss current trends in watch collecting, such as the rise of microbrands, the impact of the pandemic on the industry, and how market speculation contrasts with their own emotional approach to watch ownership.

After sharing their personal first watches, each host then nominates the "best first luxury watch for newcomers." Andrew advocates for the Tudor Black Bay 54 for its value and versatility, Eleanor favours independent brands like Louis Erard for their craftsmanship and exclusivity, and Kristian suggests neo-vintage/vintage models like the Omega Seamaster 300 for their cultural cachet and affordability.

This is just the beginning. Meet the trio behind A Matter of Time - Eleonor Picciotto, Kristian Haagen, and Andrew McUtchen - and get a taste of what’s to come. From collecting tales to insider industry insights, this podcast is for anyone who knows it’s always a good time to talk watches. Three minds. One passion. All the time in the world.