Today marks the 50th episode of the Hairspring podcast, for which Erik & Max are extremely honored to be joined by Ben Clymer, founder of Hodinkee. In a very candid and wide-ranging chat, we cover the arc of Hodinkee so far, Ben as a collector today, and his dream unlimited-budget 3 watch collection—amongst much else. This includes thoughts on what’s wrong with influencers, views on condition, and just how handsome Rexhep actually is. This was both a privilege and a real joy to record. 50 episodes ago, we couldn’t have imagined how great a time we’d have both making this and hearing how you all interface with our meandering nonsense. Fifty more absurd debates and Only Wrists coming at you shortly, thank you for the ride and a special thanks to Ben here for taking the time. Enjoy. 

Links Mentioned:

Daytona:

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/the-new-rolex-daytona

‘Blackout’ 14270 Read:

https://www.rolexforums.com/showthread.php?t=926666

2526:

https://hairspring.com/finds/2526-patek-philippe-calatrava-white-gold/

6240:

https://hairspring.com/finds/small-floating-dial-6240-rolex-daytona/

2915 Guide:

https://speedmaster101.com/2915-2/

True Confessions of a Watch Geek:

https://www.newyorker.com/magazine/2017/03/20/confessions-of-a-watch-geek

Simon Brette in Pink Gold:

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/hands-on-simon-brette-chronometre-aristans-rose

Most Complicated VC:

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/video-vacheron-constantin-berkley-grand-comp

Hodinkee MB&F:

https://hairspring.com/exclusives/mbf/lm101-for-hodinkee-steel/

Hodinkee VC CdV:

https://www.phillips.com/detail/vacheron-constantin/NY080118/72

3 Questions:

Googling Recently:

https://hairspring.com/finds/5004a-patek-philippe-perpetual-calendar-split-seconds/

https://www.sothebys.com/en/buy/auction/2024/important-watches/reference-1436-a-rare-pink-gold-split-seconds

https://www.phillips.com/detail/patek-philippe/CH080524/25?fromSearch=3970

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/eric-claptons-patek-philippe-2499

https://watchesbysjx.com/2016/05/a-detailed-look-at-eric-claptons-one-of-a-kind-patek-philippe-ref-5004p.html

Last to Wow:

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/hands-on-simon-brette-chronometre-aristans-rose

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/introducing-rexhep-rexhepi-cc2-ruby

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/the-greubel-forsey-signature-1-2

3 Watch Roll:

Briggs Cunningham 565:

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/the-incredible-watches-and-cars-of-briggs-cunningham

6264 Lemon:

https://hairspring.com/finds/lemon-paul-newman-6264-rolex-daytona-2/

RRCC2:

https://www.acollectedman.com/pages/rexhep-rexhepi-chronometre-contemporain-two

Pour le Mérite Tourbillon:

https://langepedia.com/a-lange-sohne-1815/lange-tourbillon-pour-le-merite/

Only Wrist:

https://hairspring.com/exclusives/patek-philippe/3940p-perpetual-calendar-second-series-platinum/

https://hairspring.com/finds/laurent-ferrier-classic-moon/

https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/patek-philippe-ref-5270j-001-perpetual-calendar-chronograph-introducing