In this episode, Ralf and Marton discuss the evolving landscape of watch brands, focusing on Doxa's strategic shift towards dive watches. They explore the implications of brand identity, pricing trends, and the challenges faced by various brands, including Zenith. The conversation also touches on personal experiences with watches, particularly Doxa, and concludes with insights from an interview with Jan Edöcs.

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction to the Episode

01:12 Doxa's Shift to Dive Watches

02:35 Wristwatch Check and New Releases

04:45 Speedmaster Variations and Pricing

08:30 Price Increases and Market Trends

10:48 Comparing Omega and Rolex

12:59 Brand Identity in Watchmaking

15:03 Challenges for Zenith and Other Brands

19:30 Doxa's Unique Position in the Market

21:58 Personal Experiences with Doxa Watches

34:21 Conclusion and Insights from Jan Edöcs’ Interview

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Summary:

In this episode, we discuss the recent Louis Vuitton Watch Week, where we critique the new releases from TAG Heuer, particularly the larger Carrera models, and discuss the implications of size changes in watch design. We also touch on the competitive landscape of luxury watches, highlighting the challenges faced by brands like TAG Heuer and Zenith, and the need for these companies to adapt to market demands and consumer preferences.

As the episode progresses, we delve into the complexities of brand identity and market positioning, particularly for Zenith, which we feel has lost its way. We discuss the importance of understanding consumer perceptions and the need for brands to innovate rather than simply rehashing old designs. 

Timestamps:

00:00 Introduction and Listener Engagement

03:45 Louis Vuitton Watch Week Highlights

04:57 TAG Heuer's New Releases

10:57 The Challenges of Luxury Brands

19:25 The State of Zenith and Brand Identity

40:10 Reflections on the Watch Industry

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In this episode of the Lume Plotters, hosts Ralf and Marton reflect on the evolution of their podcast and delve into the complexities of succession planning in the watch industry. They discuss the importance of brand identity, particularly when a founder retires, and how this impacts the future of luxury watch brands. The episode features an insightful interview with Robert Bailey from Laurent Ferrier, exploring the brand's legacy and future direction. The hosts also share personal anecdotes about their watch collections, highlighting the emotional connection and challenges of being a watch enthusiast.

Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome to the Lume Plotters

14:36 The Challenge of Succession in Watch Brands

19:33 The Evolution of Watch Brands

24:38 Succession Planning in Watchmaking

32:40 Brand Identity and Leadership Changes

39:03 The Future of Laurent Ferrier

42:17 Interview with Robert Bailey

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Summary:

In this episode of Lume Plotters, Ralf and Marton reflect on their watch collections as they welcome the new year. They discuss their feelings about various watches, listener questions about Christopher Ward, and the recent price increases from Rolex. The conversation also touches on their vacation experiences, future collection goals, and predictions for the watch industry in 2026. Throughout the episode, they emphasize the importance of personal preferences in watch collecting and the evolving landscape of the luxury watch market.

Timestamps:

00:00 Welcome to the New Year of Watches

01:30 Reflections on Watch Collections

05:35 Listener Questions and Christopher Ward Watches

12:36 Quality and Value of Christopher Ward

19:51 Rolex Price Increases and Market Trends

27:51 Personal Watch Journeys and Sales

35:39 Rolex Pricing Trends and Preferences

37:15 Shifting Focus: Collections Without Dates

41:11 Future Watch Aspirations and Goals

46:53 Exploring New Brands and Market Dynamics

56:17 Expectations for the Future of Watch Brands

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Are piece uniques all they’re cracked up to be? In this episode we have a brief chat with Moser CEO Edouard Meylan discussing everything from this topic to Formula 1.

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To mark the end of 2025, we have a little chit chat. No scripts, no plans, just talking. Let’s see where we end up! To everyone listening, we hope you have a merry holiday season and we wish you all a happy New Year!

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With the launch of Omega’s newest release, the fourth generation Planet Ocean, we see a surge of positivity coming from all angles of the watch media. However, is this praise warranted, or is watch journalism simply biased? Tune in and find out!

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Today we welcome one of the greatest watchmakers of all time, Kari Voutilainen, onto our little show. We discuss the shift towards eliminating humans in watchmaking and the potential impacts that would have in the long run on horology.

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A couple of new G-Shocks have been released that feature something enthusiasts have been begging for for ages! That’s right, the regular classic square lines finally feature MIP, or memory-in-pixel screens. This is the single largest overhaul to G-Shock squares since they debuted back in 1983! Tune in and hear our thoughts…

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Let’s discuss all the things we saw and did at this year’s Dubai Watch Week! Hint: tons of interviews, parties, new releases, events, and much much more!

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