Burlingame & Park

After a one-week hiatus, the boys are all back under one roof – Zach is back from Copenhagen, Russ is back from jort-skiing Palisades on the second-to-last weekend of the season, and Rob has returned from a journey through Omega's epic new manufactory – y'know, the solar-powered campus designed by renowned Japanese architect Shigeru Ban, wherein a state-of-the-art robot tirelessly sorts over 30,000 boxes containing every watch part imaginable and delivers individual components to watchmakers who are hard at work building the Omega watches we know and love.

In this episode, Rob takes us on a deep dive into historical vintage Seaamsters from the museum, talks about his impressions of the factory, and maybe even sets the record straight on just how special these Calibre 321 Speedmasters really are (spoiler: they're real special). Oh, and is it Biel or Bienne? Answer: Both!

As always, you can reach the boys for questions and comments at [email protected]. As always, thanks for your support, and thanks for listening!

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Follow the boys on Instagram: 

• Russ: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@russcaplan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Rob: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@robcaplan_topper⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Zach: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@zachxryj⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Wrist checks on this week's episode: 

• Rob: Omega Seamaster 200m "Pre-Bond"

• Zach: Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Date

• Russ: Omega Speedmaster CK2998 'Pulsometer'

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Watches discussed on this week's episode:

- 1970s Omega Seamaster 200 "Banana"

- Omega Seamaster 'Baby Ploprof' 166.0250

- Vintage Omega Seamaster Calibre 321 Chronograph

- Omega 70 Years of Seamaster book

- Omega Seamaster Polaris Ana-Digital

- vintage Seamaster Polaris ad campaign with John McEnroe

- Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Only book (3rd Edition)

- A glimpse of the robot at the heart of the Omega Manufactory

Two guests in one show? You better believe it – buckle up for a very special episode of Burlingame & Park, where we rescue our very good friend Joe Kirk from the Topper First Look mob to talk about his role as Brand Curator, and the most complicated dial Grand Seiko has ever made. Then a few short days later, we welcome our pal and Fears Managing Director Nicholas Bowman-Scargill back into Burlingame (this time in the studio) to talk about our latest Fears collab, the Silver Sector Topper Edition, and what it means to 'paint behind the radiator,' as he likes to put it.

Pour yourself a cold beverage and strap in – this one's packed with gems. And remember, you can reach the boys for questions and comments at [email protected]. As always, thanks for your support, and thanks for listening!

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Follow the boys on Instagram: 

• Russ: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@russcaplan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Rob: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@robcaplan_topper⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Zach: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@zachxryj⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

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Wrist checks on this week's episode: 

• Rob: ⁠Fears Redcliff Date (2016)

• Zach: Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Liquid Metal LE

• Russ: Glashütte Original Senator Navigator Panorama Date

• Joe Kirk: Grand Seiko White Birch SLGH005 & Grand Seiko Spring Drive 8 Day SBGD202

• Nicholas: Fears Redcliff Pewter Gray

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Watches discussed on this week's episode:

• Grand Seiko Evolution 9 Caliber 9SA4

• Grand Seiko Caliber 9R 20th Anniversary Limited Edition SBGC275

• Fears Brunswick Silver Sector Topper Edition

You win some, you lose some. And somewhere between splitting the boys between time zones we ran into some technical difficulties in getting all of our Watches & Wonders thoughts transcribed, but fret not — all was not lost, and we are here with a very special episode that was recorded partially in Geneva, and partially back in Burlingame, with the boys sharing their initial reactions, and doling out a series of completely official and totally not made-up awards from another epic year at Watches & Wonders. Apologies for any redundant bits where some of the same thoughts are shared in both Geneva and Burlingame, as the boys did cover some of the same salient points twice.

We're also on the eve of our second annual First Look event, where all the latest novelties from Watches & Wonders will be joining us here in Burlingame — you can learn more about this very special event and RSVP right here.

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Follow the boys on Instagram: 

• Russ: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@russcaplan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Rob: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@robcaplan_topper⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Zach: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@zachxryj⁠⁠⁠⁠

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This week's wrist check: 

• Rob: Seiko Prospex SLA017 62MAS Re-Creation

• Zach: Blancpain x Swatch Scuba "Ocean of Storms

• Russ: Omega Speedmaster CK2998

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Wait, why not? Tap in and let the boys explain. Instead of dusting off the crystal ball, Rob, Russ, and Zach are taking a closer look at a few recent arrivals to the store, including one of the hottest modern Speedmasters ever: the Apollo 8, and the many differences that comprise its recent update, the über-cool Mark II. That's not the only cool new Omega in the store though, so listen on for the full rundown before we cast off for Geneva.

As always, thanks for listening – we hugely appreciate your support, and love getting emails with questions or comments – you can reach the boys directly here: [email protected]

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Follow the boys on Instagram: 

• Russ: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@russcaplan⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Rob: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@robcaplan_topper⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Zach: ⁠⁠⁠⁠⁠@zachxryj⁠⁠⁠

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This week's wrist check: 

• Rob: Grand Seiko Kira-Zuri SBGA387

• Zach: Panerai Luminor PAM531

• Russ: Parmigiani Tonda PF Annual Calendar

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Watches discussed in this week's episode:

• Topper's 2024 Watches & Wonders novelty collection page

• Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional White Lacquer

• ⁠Omega Seamaster Diver 300m Paris⁠

• ⁠⁠Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Boutique Exclusive

• Glashütte Original Sixties Chronograph Annual Edition

• the new 39mm DOXA Sub 200T Sea Emerald

• Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8 Mk. II

Burlingame and Park officially turns one year old this week, and for this special birthday episode, the boys are embarking upon a deep dive on the legendary Blancpain Fifty Fathoms to go hands-on with the new, hotly anticipated 42.3mm 5010 Fifty Fathoms, taking all its crucial measurements, sharing on-wrist impressions, and speculating on the future of this mighty dive watch. We also explore the many functions of a good dive watch – many of these features being pioneered by Blancpain itself, with the original Fifty Fathoms of 1953.

As always, thanks for listening – we hugely appreciate your support, and love getting emails with questions or comments: [email protected]

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Follow the boys on Instagram: 

• Russ: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@russcaplan⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Rob: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@robcaplan_topper⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Zach: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@zachxryj⁠⁠

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This week's wrist check: 

• Rob: Omega Seamaster Diver 300m Diver

• Zach: ⁠Blancpain Bathyscaphe Chronograph Titanium⁠

• Russ: Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Automatic 45mm Titanium

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• Explore Topper's new 5010 Fifty Fathoms Ti23 collection

• Betty Fiechter's tenure at Blancpain setting the stage for the Fifty Fathoms

• The birth of the dive watch in 1953, from Jean-Jacques Fiechter

How does a chunk of iron that once hurtled through space over a million years ago end up as a tiny sliver in the dial of a modern Omega Constellation watch?

This week, the boys of Burlingame are taking a deep dive into meteorite dials – where they come from, how they're made, and just what we love about them. However, along the way, we gladly digress with a conversation on subtleties in case design from Grand Seiko, share first impressions of the Fears Redcliff in the metal, and a whole lot more.

As always, thanks for listening – we hugely appreciate your support, and love getting emails with questions or comments: [email protected]

——

Follow the boys on Instagram: 

• Russ: ⁠⁠⁠@russcaplan⁠⁠⁠

• Rob: ⁠⁠⁠@robcaplan_topper⁠⁠⁠

• Zach: ⁠⁠⁠@zachxryj⁠

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This week's wrist check: 

• Russ: Longines Hydroconquest GMT Diver

• Rob: ⁠Seiko Prospex 62MAS Re-Creation SJE093

• Zach: Blancpain Bathyscaphe Chronograph Titanium

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• 2002 Corum Padlock watch

• The first Omega Constellation with an integrated bracelet

• Episode 10 interview with Erik Strickland on the SJE093

• New 38mm titanium Grand Seiko "Sekki" references (SBGH341 Pink & SBGH343 Green)

• Fears Redcliff Date (Pewter Grey)

• Breitling Superocean Automatic 44 Bronze US-Exclusive

• Omega Constellation with colored meteorite dial

Spoiler alert: we have. 

The boys are back in Burlingame, and this week, we partake in a spot of Wikipedia vandalism, and each tell a story that we might once have been too ashamed to share. We also share the origins behind our obsession with the "California dial" – a timely conversation with our Fears Topper Editions, and the Bremont x Bamford collaborative sequel which both just dropped. 

We also debate the merits of "Caller" vs. "Traveler" GMT functionality as we check out the new Ball Engineer III Outlier, which just landed in-store. 

As always, thanks for listening – we hugely appreciate your support, and love getting emails with questions or comments: [email protected]

——

Follow the boys on Instagram: 

• Russ: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@russcaplan⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Rob: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@robcaplan_topper⁠⁠⁠⁠

• Zach: ⁠⁠⁠⁠@zachxryj⁠⁠

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This week's wrist check: 

• Russ: ⁠⁠Fears Brunswick 40 Topper Edition Series II "Whiteout"⁠⁠

• Rob: ⁠⁠Omega Seamaster Diver 300m⁠⁠

• Zach: ⁠⁠Jaeger-Lecoultre Geophysic True Second Rose Gold⁠⁠

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• ⁠⁠The official Wikipedia page for "California Dial"⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠Worn & Wound's Guide to Modern California Dials⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠Interview with Nicholas about the Topper Edition California Dial⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠Zach's ABTW story about wearing his Geophysic while sheltering at home⁠⁠

• ⁠⁠Classic Hunter S. Thompson quote: "...Too weird to live, too rare to die..."⁠

The boys are back, and this week they're split between three towns, led by Russ on the ground in Miami at LVMH Watch Week with Romain Marietta, Chief Product Officer for Zenith. Romain has been with Zenith for 16 years and counting – it's where his career began, so there are few people that know this brand quite like he does. We go over all of the Le Locle maker's newest launches, including the endlessly charming Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar, and the brand new titanium Chronomaster Sport, while trying to get him to spill a secret or two on what we can expect from this high-flying brand in 2024. Will Zach finally get his titanium Pilot this year?

As always, we love hearing from you – shoot us a note at [email protected] and maybe we'll read your question on air!

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Follow the boys on Instagram: 

• Russ: ⁠@russcaplan⁠

• Rob: ⁠@robcaplan_topper⁠

• Zach: ⁠@zachxryj

• Romain: @romain.marietta

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Watches & stories discussed on this week's episode:

• Rob's watch: Zenith Chronomaster C.01 for Collective

• Russ' watch: Zenith Pilot Flyback Big Date

• Zach's watch: Vacheron-Constantin Overseas Dual Time 'Everest'

• Romain's watch: vintage Zenith Triple Calendar prototype

• Our episode exploring the Zenith attic, featuring our own Jay Liu

The boys are back! We're kicking off our inaugural 2024 recording with a very special guest, and an equally special Topper Edition: the launch of our Fears Series II Capsule, codename "Project Shovel" by our good friend Nicholas Bowman-Scargill.

Nicholas will be joining on this episode to take us through the inspiration and development of each of the four watches in the capsule, which pivots around a weeklong trip through some of our favorite places in Northern California.

So settle in, pour yourself a cup of tea and be sure to explore the capsule collection right here before they're gone!

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Follow the boys on Instagram:

• Russ: @russcaplan

• Rob: @robcaplan_topper

• Zach: @zachxryj

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Here are the watches featured in this week's wristcheck: 

• Zach: Panerai Radiomir 1940 ref. PAM655

• Russ: Fears Brunswick 40 Topper Edition - Black

• Rob: Fears Brunswick 40 Topper Edition - White

• Nicholas: Fears Brunswick 40 Topper Edition - Black⁠

And here are other elements discussed on the episode this week:

• Sticker pack produced by John Caplan

• Images from Nicholas from 'Project Shovel'

• Roy Lichtenstein 1963 "WHAAM" painting in the Tate Gallery

• The USGS definition of "Fool's Gold"

Rather than rehash all our favorite watches of 2023 (we recommend Episode 2 for our W&W picks, or Episode 18 for our holiday picks for these highlights), the boys are dusting off the old Topper crystal ball and looking into the future to make predictions and share hopes for what should be another very exciting year in watch releases. We also do a big deep dive into DOXA Watches – the latest brand to join the Topper stable.

As always, thanks for all your incredible support in 2023. This will be our last episode for a few weeks as the boys recharge batteries, line up some new guests, and get prepped for an epic 2024. Of course we're thrilled to have you along for the ride. Questions, comments, or feedback can all be sent to [email protected].

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Here are the watches featured in this week's wristcheck: 

• Zach: Oris Diver's Seventy-Five for Collective

• Russ: Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 5015 Titanium

• Rob: Omega Seamaster Diver 300m w/ Omega mesh bracelet

And here are the other items discussed throughout the episode:

• Our interview with Seiko collector Erik Strickland discussing the new 62MAS re-issue

• The official "Tiffany Blue" Pantone® color is called “1837 Blue,” named after Tiffany’s founding year

• The new DOXA collection at Topper Jewelers

• Our interview with Jason Lim of Halios

• Our Top Ten Watches of 2023