In this episode of Between the Lugs, Mike and Felix go deep on why now is actually the best time ever to be a watch collector. From flippers finally leaving the hobby to brands downsizing their flagship models, it’s clear: watch culture in 2025 is evolving — fast.

They talk everything from Apple Watch fatigue to microbrand love, the end of 48mm flexing, overpriced Rolex boutiques, and the surprising shift toward small vintage-inspired pieces. Whether you’re Gen Z, a seasoned collector, or just got your first Seiko, this one’s for you.

👀 In this episode:

🔹 Cartier Santos Debate: Small vs XL

🔹 Microbrands Are Winning Gen Z Over

🔹 Why Rolex ADs Are the Worst

🔹 Death of the Fashion Watch

🔹 Why No One’s Setting Their Watches Anymore

🔹 The Case Against Hype Models

🔹 Timex Is Doing WHAT for $2K?!

🔹 Why Every Watch Guy Has Beef with Boston

🔹 “I Hate 90% of Your Collection” — Felix Gets Roasted

🔹 What Even Is the Value of a Watch Today?

⚠️ The flippers are gone. The screen fatigue is real. And the future is small (watches).

Timstamps-

00:00 – Felix Hates Mike’s Entire Collection

00:35 – "Half My Watches Aren’t Even Set Right"

01:15 – Big Watch Fatigue Is Real

02:00 – Younger Collectors Want Meaning, Not Hype

03:10 – Cartier Santos: Small Gold vs Large Steel Debate

04:45 – The Fashion Shift Toward Vintage Aesthetics

06:20 – Why Microbrands Are Winning in 2025

08:00 – Apple's Out, Analog’s In – And So Are Flip Phones?!

10:10 – The Culture is Shrinking Watch Sizes

12:00 – What Big Brands Are Doing to Keep Up

14:30 – IWC’s Big Problem: Still Too Big

16:00 – Timex's Giorgio Galli S2 – Seriously Underrated

17:45 – The Problem with Rolex ADs (Especially in Boston)

20:00 – The End of the Luxury-Only Collector

21:30 – The Case for Buying What You Love, Not What You Can Flip

23:00 – Is the Secondary Market Finally Normal Again?

24:30 – Final Thoughts: The Watch World Has Never Been Better

26:15 – Patreon Watch Giveaway Announcement

💬 Comment Prompt

What’s the most overrated watch trend in 2025? Big flex? Microbrands? Tell us your hot take.

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