In this episode of Superlative, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams sits down and speaks with Maria Bashutkina, lecturer, consultant, and founder of True Luxury Business, about the true meaning of luxury in the modern watch industry. Maria shares her journey from discovering Swiss watchmaking as an outsider to becoming a respected educator teaching across Europe and beyond. Together, they explore how passion, culture, and craftsmanship intersect in watchmaking, revealing why true appreciation requires more than quick online knowledge, it demands time, curiosity, and personal experience. Maria and Ariel discuss the challenges of entering the close-knit Swiss watch world, the art behind mechanical design, and the importance of human connection in a field often defined by precision and exclusivity. They also examine how luxury brands must evolve their communication and customer experience strategies in a new era of transparency, emotion, and authenticity. This conversation goes beyond watches and explores how it’s about the soul of craftsmanship, the culture of excellence, and the future of what Maria calls the “true luxury business”.

Keep up with Maria and True Luxury Business:

- Website: https://trueluxury.business/

- Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/trueluxury.business

- LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/mariabashutkina/

Check out this week’s sponsor - Movado:

- https://www.movado.com/

SUPERLATIVE IS NOW ON YOUTUBE!

To check out Superlative on Youtube as well as other ABTW content:

- YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@ablogtowatch

To check out the ABTW Shop where you can see our products inspired by our love of Horology:

- Shop ABTW - https://store.ablogtowatch.com/

To keep updated with everything Superlative and aBlogtoWatch, check us out on:

- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ablogtowatch/

- Twitter - https://twitter.com/ABLOGTOWATCH

- Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/

If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!