Time To Unwind by WatchGecko

Our special guest today is James Grant from Martin and Co: authorised Rolex dealers for Cheltenham (among other brands sold there). Joining him is our regular guest Neil Duckworth, and proving that it is indeed a small world, Neil and James know each other of old, when they worked together in the past. Now James is an authorised dealer and he tells us what it’s reallylike to sell some of the most desirable watches in the world. It’s a fascinating chat.

As usual, we’ve also got another James on the podcast – our resident James – and when we recorded it happened to be his birthday. So that led to another big question: which watch would you get for your birthday? The answers may surprise you.

Christopher Ward Sandhurst: https://www.christopherward.com/military/c65-sandhurst/C65-38A3H2-S00K0-B0.html

Bag yourself an Omega Deville: https://www.chrono24.com/omega/de-ville-tree-hands-gold-dial-quartz-cal1332--id13031592.htm

Rolex GMT Master, James Grant’s birthday watch: https://www.rolex.com/watches/gmt-master-ii.html

Tim wants a Cartier Tank Cintree: https://www.phillips.com/detail/cartier/CH080117/144

Vivienne Westwood Orb swatch: https://www.swatch.com/en_gb/watches/pwz104-orb/

Martin and Co, where James works: https://www.martin-and-co.com

Today we’re talking about our first time… buying a watch! It’s been a long time for all of us since we had our first watch, but we all remember it fondly, though for very different reasons. Anthony’s first experience was on the cheap side, with a watch from a Christmas cracker. Whereas Ben didn’t scrimp and started off with a Tag Heuer. Wherever we started, we’ve all experienced many weird and wonderful watches since then.

So sit back, relax, and listen to four men reminisce about popping their watch-owning cherries.

Shows Notes; 

Tim & Ben’s first day photo

Folio Society James Bond Book

Cartier ABTW article

2004/2005 Timex Expedition.

Ben’s Tag Heuer

Casio Panther watch

Tim’s t watch

Baby Ben with his Grandad’s watch

Anthony’s red Casio

Casio Calculator

Ice Watches

Citizen Chronograph

Swatch mirror

Tartan swatch

Swatch skin

Ben’s Russian Watch

Christopher Ward Sandhurst

Tudor Black Bay 58

Using chloroform, rope, and a Transit van we’ve managed to find a new recruit not only to our podcast but to our whole company. Say hello to James (“hello James”) because you’ll be hearing a lot more from him in future. He’s going to become our resident watch (and Star Trek) nerd and he’s got two cats and a snake at home. Other fascinating things we learned this week was that Tim got a Blue Peter badge when he was younger and that Ben’s middle name is James. Luckily we talk a bit about watches too: particularly some of the straps and other accessories that you can get for them.

Show Notes;

James’s blog (plug, plug): https://www.watchthatsweep.co.uk

Accutron is back! https://www.accutronwatch.com

TAG Heuer Carrera Sport Chronograph: https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/tag-heuer-carrera-sport-chronograph-44mm-calibre-heuer-02-automatic-introducing

The new Montreal: https://www.ablogtowatch.com/tag-heuer-revives-the-montreal-name-for-limited-edition-carrera-chronograph/

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Day Date Desert: https://www.blancpain.com/en/fifty-fathoms/bathyscaphe-day-date-desert-edition-5052-1146-e52a

Devils Hole Pupfish: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Devils_Hole_pupfish

A very Ben choice for watch of the week: https://www.breguet.com/en/timepieces/new-models-classique-complications/5345pt1s7xu

A cool Instagram account to follow: https://instagram.com/horo.my?igshid=geve2xaywyx8

The last wave: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/m000l9rj

Another great Insta to follow: https://www.instagram.com/thespeedyshutter/?igshid=1jwjmxabenub9

How to change a watch strap: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BNucRn0IYa4

Check out some of our straps: https://www.watchgecko.com

Straps for a Sub: https://www.watchgecko.com/strap-showcase-rolex-submariner-straps/

An alternative look. Thoughts? https://www.instagram.com/p/BzySHtJnN1s/?igshid=l5yfjrlld7cw

NATO straps: some history… https://www.gearpatrol.com/watches/a85507/icon-nato-strap/

Louis Vuitton watch case: https://us.louisvuitton.com/eng-us/products/8-watch-case-monogram-canvas-000728

Into watch winders? Fill your boots right here: https://watchwinders.com

This week, we were privileged to welcome a very special guest to Time To Unwind: Adrian Hailwood. Adrian is a well-known writer, speaker, journalist and watch valuer, and we really appreciate him spending some time with us. He’s got some fascinating insight from the world of watches – and also philosophy – as this week we continue the endless debate about form versus function. In other words, do you need a watch to look beautiful or merely functional? We could go on for hours about this, but thankfully for you we limit it to just one hour of fascinating listening. We hope, anyway…

Red Dead Restoration: https://www.youtube.com/channel/UCci1MUB7x7yRkwgqIFpD7WA

A moment in time captured in pieces: https://www.nytimes.com/2014/08/14/fashion/a-moment-in-time-captured-in-pieces.html

Rolex Space Dweller, an amazing story from Adrian in GQ: https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/watches/article/rolex-space-dweller

Le Mans film: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Le_Mans_(film)

Lange and Sohne Rattrapante Honey Gold – stunning: https://www.alange-soehne.com/en/timepieces/1815-rattrapante-honeygold-homage-to-fa-lange-425050

Shuck the Oyster Autavia Vintage Chronograph: https://www.shucktheoyster.com/heuer-autavia-2446c-vintage-chronograph-3/

Schwarz Etienne Roma Synergy by Kari Voutilainen. Blue or grey? https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/schwarz-etienne-roma-synergy-by-kari-voutilainen-introducing

Ressence make a very red charity watch: https://www.atimelyperspective.com/ressence-unveils-red-type-3mc-for-art-in-time-charity/

Meet Adrian: https://adrianhailwood.com

The history of wristwatches: https://www.vintagewatchstraps.com/wristwatchinvention.php

Minimalist watches: https://manofmany.com/fashion/watches/best-minimalist-watches-men

Andy Warhol’s Cartier: https://www.gq-magazine.co.uk/fashion/article/andy-warhol-cartier-tank-watch

4m33s. What's your favourite bit? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yoAbXwr3qkg

We’ve all got some nice watches (especially Jon: did you happen to know that he has a Rolex Explorer 1, which apparently he quite likes?) But how can you capture good photos of them? Luckily a few of our presenters at the Time to Unwind podcast have a strong background in photography, and they share a few of their most valuable tips on how to perfectly portray your watch in all its glory. Ben, Tim, and Anthony chat about how to take photos – and more importantly, how not to take photos – as well as what’s been floating their respective boats this week.

Show Notes;

JLC Kingsman Knife Watch (only 4.25mm thick!): https://www.jaeger-lecoultre.com/hk/en/chronicles/new-master-ultra-thin-kingsman-knife.html

Want to know more about Russian watches? https://www.russian-watches.info

Humans of New York: https://www.instagram.com/humansofny/?hl=en

A few tips for watch photography: https://www.fratellowatches.com/10-tips-for-better-watch-photography/#gref

A bit more advice: https://quillandpad.com/2017/10/14/not-photograph-watch/

And a video: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JkHkQZcz_Bk

Amateur photographer (no sniggering at the back): https://www.amateurphotographer.co.uk

One Instagram account you have to follow: https://www.instagram.com/timvaux/?hl=en

And another: https://www.instagram.com/benadams_creative/

Fuji cameras, used by most of us at WatchGecko: https://www.fujifilm.eu/uk/

A Formula 1 photographer with a 1913 camera: https://petapixel.com/2017/05/13/photographer-shoots-f1-1913-graflex-4x5-view-camera/

How to make a camera out of an iceberg: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jWvwt3mCu68

Adrian at Bark and Jack, a happy snapper and great blogger: https://barkandjack.com/author/adrian/

Tim’s Sinn U50 photos: https://www.watchgecko.com/a-week-away-with-the-sinn-u50/

Photography with Vintage Lenses https://www.instagram.com/p/B5vNDv4g-4N/, https://www.instagram.com/p/B5pW0btAe-U/

Finally, check out some of our other photos: https://www.instagram.com/watchgecko/?hl=en

Whatever Rolex announces grabs attention. They could issue a press release about what the chairman had for breakfast, and it would probably make the front page of most watch-related media. We might even make a Swiss-breakfast themed podcast about it (“So tell me Jon, have you ever tasted egg and bacon fondue?”)

Imagine then, the frenzy of excitement that followed the announcement of Rolex’s new watch releases at the beginning of September. Not only do we have new colours for the Oyster Perpetual, but also a paradoxical Submariner that’s bigger but looks smaller: among many other things.

Joining Anthony, Ben, Jon and Tim is regular guest Neil Duckworth as we analyse all the new releases from Rolex – and prepare to move into Tim’s ancestral home in France. One day.

Mike France interviewed about the Christopher Ward Supercompressor: https://usa.watchpro.com/watchpro-originals-christopher-ward-creates-21st-century-super-compressor-watches/

‘Ray’ film trailer: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jVHCQfcugdw

Chateau Vaux – Tim’s ancestral home (he wishes): https://www.chateau-vaux.com

Chronoswiss Skeltec, an unusual release: https://chronoswiss.com/en/intl

A kaleidoscope of colours for the Oyster Perpetual 36: https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/rolex-oyster-perpetual-36-with-new-colorful-dials-introducing

Stella dial from 1970s: https://watchtime.me/life-style/vintage/article/1410/a-brief-history-of-rolex-stella-dial-timepieces

New Submariner versus old Submariner: https://www.horbiter.com/en/new-rolex-submariner-2020-model-reference-guide/

Check out all the colours on the wrist: https://www.ablogtowatch.com/rolex-oyster-perpetual-41-124300-watches-debut-for-2020/

The refinement of perfection (a great line to come up with on your next birthday): https://www.watchgecko.com/introducing-the-new-rolex-watches-for-2020/

Multi-coloured Submariners: https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/rolex-submariner-date-41mm-introducing

The world’s biggest Rolex store: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pme7523HVkg

The ultimate Sub? https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/found-a-vintage-rolex-submariner-with-big-crown-explorer-dia

And a cool Day-Date: https://www.acollectedman.com/products/buy-rolex-1803-day-date-watch?variant=5331625246751

Actually, that’s not true. Nobody’s going on a summer holiday apart from Tim, who has just come back from Cornwall. The rest of us have been stuck at work – but it’s still the perfect excuse to talk about holiday watches, inspired by Tim’s exciting tales of Cornish smuggling and surfing (OK, mostly pubs and restaurants).

So which watch would you take away – and where to? Listen away to find out – as well as all the usual nonsense about what we’ve been up to this week and what’s caught our eye.

Show Notes;

Have a heart: https://www.bbc.co.uk/news/world-europe-53985562

The Repair Shop: https://www.bbc.co.uk/programmes/b08l581p

Citizen Super Titanium Armor: https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/citizen-super-titanium-armor-series-introducing

Longines Heritage Military Marine Nationale: https://www.longines.com/en-us/watch-heritage-l2-833-4-93-2

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph Limited Edition in 18K White Gold: https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/audemars-piguet-royal-oak-chronograph-limited-edition-in-18k-white-gold-introducing

IWC Portugieser, missing in action: https://www.iwc.com/en/watch-collections/portugieser.html

Seiko SKX007: the ultimate holiday watch? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=g8T4bdsrK5w

Tim’s summer holidays with his U50 (a must-read!): https://www.watchgecko.com/a-week-away-with-the-sinn-u50/

Orange swatch, good for dangerous places: https://www.swatch.com/en_gb/watches/?color=7

Breitling Superocean, a subtle (ish) Breitling that can go anywhere: https://www.breitling.com/gb-en/watches/superocean/?search%5Bsorting%5D=default

Hamilton Pilot Pioneer mechanical, the perfect traveller: https://www.hamiltonwatch.com/en-gb/h76419531-khaki-pilot.html

Geckota W-02 Military, another great travelling companion: https://www.geckota.com/w-02-vintage-mechanical-military-chronograph

Tudor Black Bay 58, perfect all-rounder for every occasion: https://www.tudorwatch.com/en/watches/black-bay-fifty-eight/m79030n-0001

Lange 1 Tourbillon: https://www.alange-soehne.com/en/timepieces/lange1-tourbillon-perpetual-calendar

FP Journe Chronometre Bleu, the king of blue watches: https://www.fpjourne.com/en/collection/classique-collection/chronometre-bleu

Mike Horn Panerai: https://www.panerai.com/gb/en/collections/watch-collection/submersible/pam00985-submersible-mike-horn-edition---47mm.html**

Of all motorsport competitors, rally drivers are arguably the ones with the biggest screws loose: firing their cars through forests and gravel tracks at speeds in excess of 100mph, in rain, fog and snow. And we’re delighted to host our very own example this week: Tom Williams, who is sponsored by Geckota and driving on a number of different international rallies this year. At least that was the plan – until Covid-19 came along. But at long last, his season has finally got underway. Tom tells us all about getting back behind the wheel, the enduring link between rallying and watches, and his own unique connection with 2001 World Rally Champion Richard Burns.

Show Notes;

Crossing the Congo: Over Land and Water in a Hard Place: https://www.amazon.co.uk/Crossing-Congo-Over-Water-Place/dp/1849046859

Shuck the Oyster: https://www.shucktheoyster.com

Klas Foerster: https://instagram.com/klasfoerster?igshid=ujhh9ycr0i8g

Hangar 7: https://www.hangar-7.com/en/

M-Sport Ford Fiesta R5 rally car: https://www.m-sport.co.uk/fiesta-r5

Return to Rally Stages: https://www.m-sport.co.uk/single-post/2020/08/24/A-SUCCESSFUL-RETURN-TO-RALLY-STAGES

Richard Burns, Tom’s godfather: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Richard_Burns

Geckota C-01, as worn by Tom: https://www.geckota.com/geckota-c-01-vk64-racing-chronograph-watch

Rally watch strap: https://www.watchgecko.com/vintage-prescott-rally-genuine-leather-watch-strap

Peking to Paris Rally: https://www.endurorally.com/events/the-7th-peking-to-paris-motor-challenge/

Craven Motor Club: https://www.craven-motor-club.co.uk

Heuer Rally Master: http://www.tagheuer-timing.com/en/stopwatches-hl880-heuer-rally-master

More rally clocks: https://www.retro-uk.com/page002.htm

In the car with Tom! https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=vpCKKZWG3tg

Rally Finland: https://www.nesterallyfinland.fi/en/

Rallye Monte-Carlo: https://acm.mc/en/edition/rallye-monte-carlo-edition-2021/

Want to get into rally driving? https://www.forestrally.co.uk

Rolex Daytona: https://www.rolex.com/watches/cosmograph-daytona.html

So…just how did we get to where we are now? One of the most common questions we’re asked is how to get into this crazy world of watches. We attempt to come up with a few answers that make sense, which was obviously always going to be a challenge. However, Jon tells us how WatchGecko got started, Ben explains how he summons his creative muse to create new watches, and Anthony talks nonsense about watches, cars, and other stuff. Situation normal. In the middle of all that, we also chat about what’s inspired us recently, and pass on a few bits of advice about how to work in the watch industry.

Show Notes;

Why did the Lexus LFA fail? https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=JnwLM-zJfVc&list=LLi3mJBFWlfhsbNqcL-QN5ew&index=537

Gordon Murray T.50: https://www.topgear.com/car-news/first-look/it-gordon-murrays-astonishing-ps236m-t50

The business of drugs: https://www.netflix.com/be-en/title/80199963

How to create a watch brand: https://timeandtidewatches.com/how-to-start-your-own-minimalist-watch-brand/

Some more tips: https://bizfluent.com/how-5366461-start-watch-company.html

The Geckota story: https://www.geckota.com/about-us

How to start selling on eBay (which is how Jon started selling watch straps): https://www.ebay.com/help/selling/selling/start-selling-ebay?id=4081

Jaeger Le Coultre Reverso, one of Ben’s earliest watch memories: https://www.jaeger-lecoultre.com/eu/en/watches/reverso.html

Richard Mille, a good example of a new(ish) luxury brand: https://www.richardmille.com

Gerald Genta, an inspirational watch designer: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Gérald_Genta

Audemars-Piguet Royal Oak, one of his most famous creations: https://www.audemarspiguet.com/en/watch-collection/royal-oak/

Polerouter, another Genta design: https://wornandwound.com/a-brief-history-of-the-universal-geneve-polerouter/

Kickstarter, one way to make your dreams come true: https://www.kickstarter.com/about

Strapcode, an early inspiration for Jon: https://www.strapcode.com

Christopher Ward, another good example: https://www.christopherward.com

Steinhart watches: https://www.steinhartwatches.de

Just occasionally, you get a seismic shift in an industry: as is the case right now with electric cars set to take over from the venerable internal combustion engine. But there’s nothing new under the sun that hasn’t been seen before in the world of watches. In 1969, Seiko rocked the industry by introducing the very first quartz watch. With the help of Chris, our very own in-house electric car evangelist, we take a look at how the watch industry changed - and how the automotive world is about to do the same. As is normal on this podcast, not everyone agrees...

Show Notes;

Man turns cheap Porsche into an F1 car: https://uk.motor1.com/news/439002/porsche-boxster-turned-f1-car/

Salzburger Nockerl: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Salzburger_Nockerl

German nudist has his laptop stolen: https://www.theguardian.com/world/2020/aug/07/german-nudist-chases-wild-boar-that-stole-laptop-berlin-teufelssee?CMP=Share_iOSApp_Other

History of quartz watches: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Quartz_crisis

Seiko Astron: https://www.ablogtowatch.com/seiko-astron-worlds-first-quartz-watch-turns-40/

Beta 21: https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/the-beta-21

Rolex Oysterquartz for sale: https://www.chrono24.co.uk/rolex/rolex-oysterquartz-datejust---steel--18ct-gold---17013---nos--id15174628.htm?SETLANG=en_GB&SETCURR=GBP

Tesla Model S: https://www.tesla.com/en_gb/models

Tesla Model 3: https://www.tesla.com/en_gb?redirect=no

Nissan electric van: https://www.nissan.co.uk/vehicles/new-vehicles/e-nv200.html

Grand Seiko quartz: https://www.grand-seiko.com/uk-en/about/movement/quartz

Porsche Taycan: https://www.porsche.com/uk/models/taycan/taycan-models/?gclid=EAIaIQobChMI4qTQiY-s6wIVmpntCh3t5g2fEAAYASAAEgJ9YfD_BwE&gclsrc=aw.ds

TAG Heuer Aqua Racer: https://www.tagheuer.com/gb/en/collection-aquaracer/collection-aquaracer.html