Best Quartz Media Podcasts (2025)

1
The Industry's Most Important Watches – From the Quartz Crisis to Today 1:00:29

Play Pause

10d ago1:00:29

1:00:29

On this episode of Openwork, we explore the watches that shaped both the watch industry and global culture. Our focus is on the modern era—from the Quartz Crisis to today. Each of us selects three watches that transformed the industry, influenced how we collect, and left their mark far beyond the world of horology. We also each choose the most impo…

1
39% Swiss Tariffs – Implications  for the Watch Industry,  Plus What Happens Next 55:18

26d ago55:18

55:18

On July 31, the United States announced a new reciprocal tariff rate of 39% on imports from Switzerland, starting August 7, 2025. These tariffs have sweeping implications for the Swiss watch industry and the global watch industry more broadly. On this episode of Openwork we discuss those effects, along with what to look for next. How will negotiati…

1
Cars vs. Watches – Wesley Smith (STANDARD H) 1:03:00

1M ago1:03:00

1:03:00

Today, it’s cars vs. watches. In particular, we’re looking at the automotive world, which is often compared to the watch industry—including on this podcast—to see what it might teach us about watches. Our guest is Wesley Smith, the founder of STANDARD H, a California-based apparel and lifestyle brand inspired by his lifelong passions for cars, watc…

1
Certified Pre-owned: Fad or Fixture? – Hamza Masood (WatchCharts) 56:41

2M ago56:41

56:41

Today we’re talking about the rise of certified pre-owned programs – the current state of the CPO universe, the value of those programs, and where it’s all going. And to do that, we have the perfect returning guest, Hamza Masood of WatchCharts – the world's most comprehensive, transparent and trusted source of watch market data. Hamza and WatchChar…

1
Watch Market Update – State of the Industry Mid-year 2025 44:49

2M ago44:49

44:49

We’re half way through 2025, which has turned out to be a very eventful year to say the least, and that very much shows up in the data for the watch market. So today we’re looking at all the data sources we can muster to understand just how the watch industry is faring at the midway point of 2025, and where it might be heading next. We looked at a …

1
What Enthusiasts Have Wrong – Dispelling the Watch Industry's Top Myths 45:13

2M ago45:13

45:13

Having made the transition from watch enthusiasts to industry insiders and retailers in particular, we’ve come to realize that there are often big gaps between what commands attention in watch media and among collectors vs. the commercial realities. Many of the so-called “truths” we hold sacred as enthusiasts aren’t really true after all. So today …

1
Reviving the U.S. Watch Industry – Josh Shapiro (J.N. Shapiro) 59:23

3M ago59:23

59:23

We discuss watchmaking in America – specifically what’s required to bring watchmaking at scale back to the United States. It’s a hot topic these days, particularly as U.S. tariffs, which have been dominating the news, are intended at least in part to bring manufacturing back to the United States. So with that in mind, we thought it would be worth t…

1
Editorial Integrity in Watch Media – Victoria Gomelsky (JCK, New York Times, Robb Report) 1:02:35

3M ago1:02:35

1:02:35

Editorial integrity and independence in the watch world. It’s a hot topic, and one we’ve explored before. But that was before today’s guest penned her open letter to the watch industry published in Robb Report titled: "Watch Execs Need to Learn to Respect Journalistic Boundaries." Victoria Gomelsky is editor-in-chief of JCK, a New York City-based j…

1
Double Whammy of Tariffs and Foreign Exchange Rates – And How the Watch Industry Is Responding 48:22

4M ago48:22

48:22

We’re going inside the industry response to the double whammy of US tariffs and foreign exchange rates. We’re going to address common myths, offer a look behind the scenes at the industry response, and discuss the implications for watchmaking in the US. For detailed show notes, including links to more information, visit collectivehorology.com/blog.…

1
Watch Collectors Become More Discerning – Collective Voice Spring 2025 Listener Survey Results 1:00:05

4M ago1:00:05

1:00:05

We delve into the results of the Spring 2025 Collective Voice Survey, our twice-yearly report on how collectors feel about all things watches. Our Spring 2025 survey offers a fresh look at what’s on the minds of watch enthusiasts—what excites them, what frustrates them, and how those feelings translate (or don’t) into actual buying behavior. Just l…

1
Special Episode: The Unsung Watches of Watches and Wonders 2025 36:43

5M ago36:43

36:43

After a busy week in Geneva, we recap the most interesting watches we saw that aren't otherwise getting much attention. Visit the Collective blog for show notes with live photos and links: collectivehorology.com/blog. Hosted by Asher Rapkin and Gabe Reilly, co-founders of Collective Horology, Openwork goes inside the watch industry. You can find us…

1
Watches and Wonders 2025 – The Watch Industry Adapts to a New Normal 40:46

5M ago40:46

40:46

Recorded at Watches and Wonders 2025, we look at the current state of the show, some of the most interesting releases from a business standpoint, and even a few personal highlights. Hosted by Asher Rapkin and Gabe Reilly, co-founders of Collective Horology, Openwork goes inside the watch industry. You can find us online at collectivehorology.com. T…

1
The Rise of Independent Watchmaking – Tim Jackson (Independent in Time) 50:50

5M ago50:50

50:50

These days, it seems like independent watchmakers and brands are everywhere – celebrated in watch media, on display at major retailers worldwide, hotly discussed in collector circles, and of course gaining share in an otherwise entrenched industry. But it’s an overnight success decades in the making. And today we have the perfect guest to guide us …

1
The Unspoken Realities of Swiss Production – Praneeth Rajsingh (CEO, MING Watches) 50:06

6M ago50:06

50:06

We’re joined by Praneeth Rajsingh, CEO of Horologer MING, to discuss the realities of watchmaking in Switzerland. While most watch brands are incredibly secretive about production, MING is remarkably transparent. So we invited Praneeth to discuss how exactly watch production in Switzerland works – warts and all. We discuss how the brand has evolved…

1
Inside the Shadowy Auction Industry – Marion Maneker (Puck News) 58:07

6M ago58:07

58:07

Auction houses – they loom large in the world of watch collecting. Their lots, eye-popping results and personalities are followed feverishly by watch media and enthusiasts. But how much do we really know about these seemingly august, vaunted and shadowy institutions? How exactly do auction houses work? And what are the implications for the watch co…

1
Rolex Shutters Carl F. Bucherer Brand – A Sign of Industry Consolidation? 56:31

7M ago56:31

56:31

On February 7, 2025, Swiss media outlet Bilanz reported that Rolex is shutting down the Carl F. Bucherer watch brand, which it acquired in 2023 as part of its purchase of Bucherer – the global watch retailer. The decision to shutter any watch brand, particularly one dating back to 1888 with significant in-house watchmaking is major news. And it’s a…

1
The Business & Ethics of Homage Watches – Marc Frankel (Long Island Watch) 56:49

7M ago56:49

56:49

Homages, replicas and clones, oh my! Today we’re digging into the business and ethics of what’s a perennial and now growing segment of the watch market. This is a complex topic, with important distinctions to be drawn between homages and replicas, clones or dupes. And more broadly, it’s one that sheds important light on technology and production ga…

1
Has Luxury Pricing Gone Too Far? – Katharine K. Zarrella (Fashion Writer, Editor & Critic) 1:11:22

7M ago1:11:22

1:11:22

On this episode of the Openwork podcast, we look at luxury pricing. Of course, we’ve already done a deep dive on how watches are priced. (Check out our episode with Mike Margolis of Czapek and Singer Reimagined for that.) However, in the past, we’ve largely focused on how inputs like cost of labor, materials, inflation and currency exchange impact …

1
2025 Watch Industry Preview – A Comeback Year for Watches? 58:50

8M ago58:50

58:50

It's that time of year: Predictions. On this episode we look at the year ahead, and make three calls each about the future of the watch industry. We discuss brand and retailer consolidation, market performance, business models for watch media, as well as enthusiast sentiment. We also take a look back at our 2024 predictions, and grade ourselves on …

1
Market Wrap: The Watch Industry in 2024 – Hamza Masood (WatchCharts) 1:06:12

8M ago1:06:12

1:06:12

On this episode we look back on the business of watches in 2024. In particular, we discuss where the watch market is as we close out the year. Is it growing, stalling, or as some would claim in retreat? To help us break it all down, we’re joined by returning guest Hamza Masood of WatchCharts – the world's most comprehensive, transparent and trusted…

1
How Watch Design Works – Marco Borraccino (Singer Reimagined) 48:06

9M ago48:06

48:06

Today we’re going behind the scenes of watch design with Marco Borraccino the co-founder, CEO and Creative Director of Singer Reimagined. In addition to starting one of the most design-driven watch brands, Marco was previously the Head of Design at Panerai. He’s got a deep educational and career background in design, both within the watch industry …

1
Behind the Zenith DEFY Skyline C.X (Special Episode) – Romain Marietta (Zenith) 29:50

9M ago29:50

29:50

Today we have a bonus episode of our podcast. It’s a discussion with Romain Marietta, the Chief Product Officer at Zenith. We sat down recently in Geneva to discuss not only our latest collaboration – the Zenith DEFY Skyline C.X – but also how he and Zenith approach product development more broadly. Hosted by Asher Rapkin and Gabe Reilly, co-founde…

1
Inside M.A.D.Editions – Maximilian Büsser (MB&F) 49:38

9M ago49:38

49:38

On this episode of Openwork, we explore the business of both MB&F and Max’s most recent horological project: M.A.D.Editions. While both represent wildly creative watches, they have fundamentally different business models, with MB&F producing under 200 pieces a year at prices mostly over $100K USD and M.A.D.Editions producing thousands of watches a …

1
Inside the GPHG – How the "Oscars of Watchmaking" Really Works 41:30

10M ago41:30

41:30

For years, we’ve followed the GPHG – the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève – with great excitement and interest as it’s essentially the Oscars of Watches. And with this year's award ceremony taking place November 13, we figured it would be helpful to lift the veil on what goes on behind the scenes. Who are the people who nominate these watches, and…

1
New York Watch Week? – Plus Building URWERK and Brew with Martin Frei and Jonathan Ferrer 1:01:15

10M ago1:01:15

1:01:15

On this episode, we share an industry perspective on what’s quickly becoming something of a New York Watch Week – comprising the Windup Watch Fair, WatchTime and more. Additionally, we’re going to share a special live podcast recording from the Windup Watch Fair – a joint episode between us and the Worn & Wound Podcast. It’s a conversation with Mar…

1
Watch Production in China – Wesley Kwok (Nodus) 50:10

11M ago50:10

50:10

On this episode, we take a look at a topic that we’ve been curious about for a long time. We have discussed, both with members of the industry and amongst ourselves, the realities of production here in the United States, Japan, Switzerland and to a lesser degree Germany. But to date, we haven’t discussed one of the largest centers of watch manufact…

1
Watches of Switzerland Acquires Hodinkee (Special Episode) 42:42

11M ago42:42

42:42

Today (October 4, 2024) marks a major shift in the watch industry. Hodinkee, the leading voice in modern watch media, has been fully acquired by Watches of Switzerland, a massive UK based retailer with operations around the world including in the US. Only a few months ago, Ben Clymer, founder of Hodinkee – and as of today, a President at Watches of…

1
How to Value Watch Movements – Inside the Movement Industry 53:46

11M ago53:46

53:46

We discuss the current landscape of movement suppliers and how it came to be. We cover how movements are selected by watchmakers, along with the drama that often surrounds the ever-popular “in house” vs “mass produced” discussion. We offer some thoughts on how, why or if movement design, finishing and construction should figure into a purchasing de…

1
Listener Survey Results – What You Told Us about the Current State and Future of the Watch Industry 59:59

12M ago59:59

59:59

Earlier this summer, we asked you – our listeners – to participate in a short survey in order to hear your perspective on the current state and future of the watch industry. The responses poured in, and on today's episode, we delve into what you shared. A massive thanks to those who responded. Your responses were incredibly thoughtful, helpful, and…

1
Geneva Watch Days: Stakes Are High – How the Event and Watch Industry Are Evolving 50:59

12M ago50:59

50:59

Live from Geneva Watch Days, we discuss how the show has evolved from a collector focus to a major industry event, along with the consequences of those changes. And we cover some of the week's high drama, including how and why we were kicked out of the Beau Rivage hotel. Things are getting real here in Geneva – stakes are high. Hosted by Asher Rapk…

1
No Bottom in Sight: State of the Pre-owned Watch Market – Hamza Masood (Watch Charts) 1:01:04

1y ago1:01:04

1:01:04

We take a deep dive into the current state of the secondary (pre-owned) watch market with our friend Hamza Masood of WatchCharts – the world's most comprehensive, transparent and trusted source of watch market data. It’s a service we at Collective subscribe to for its valuable insight not just into the pre-owned watch market but what that data can …

1
Epic Battle: Mono vs. Multi-brand Retail – Current State and Future of Watch Retail 51:28

1y ago51:28

51:28

We look at the shifting landscape of watch retail – specifically the rise of single-brand boutiques, the trade-offs of those changes, and what the future looks like. Hosted by Asher Rapkin and Gabe Reilly, co-founders of Collective Horology, Openwork goes inside the watch industry. You can find us online at collectivehorology.com. To get in touch w…

1
Hodinkee Shutters Retail Business (Special Episode) – What It Means for Hodinkee and the Watch Industry 55:05

1y ago55:05

55:05

On this special episode of Openwork, we discuss Hodinkee’s recent announcement that they’re shutting down their retail business – with the exception of limited editions – to refocus on editorial. This is big news that touched off an immediate and widespread response within the watch community. It also has significant implications for the watch indu…

1
Sleep: The dreamiest new industry 38:39

1y ago38:39

38:39

There’s a lot of money to be made in the business of sleep. Take sunrise alarm clocks, fancy mattresses, REM-tracking wearables, and monthly deliveries of melatonin. But should we really be investing this much in hopes of catching a few more Z’s? In the final episode of season 8, we consult a bonafide sleep doctor on the matter and get a physician’…

1
Strollers: Pushing the limits of childrearing cache 27:54

1y ago27:54

27:54

There are contactless thermometers, the Nose Frieda, co-sleeping. Trends in parenting gear and childrearing practices seem to evolve at faster rates than other sectors, a speed exemplified by a single product: strollers. While we’ve been engineering ways to wheel children around for centuries, stroller manufacturers can’t seem to stop iterating on …

1
Is the Watch Industry Dying? – Tony Traina (Hodinkee) 1:01:58

1y ago1:01:58

1:01:58

Our conversation with Tony Traina of Hodinkee takes a look at the current health of and sentiment toward the watch industry. We look at how brands, retailers and watch media contribute to the current state of the industry, and what they can do to improve things. Links: Rescapement Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry – monthly export data Watches…

1
Airline credit cards: the high-flying loyalty game 35:44

1y ago35:44

35:44

From Dubai to Dublin to Dallas and back, air carriers are cashing in on a big business: credit cards. In fact, analysts note that growth in the sector “significantly outpaces the overall credit card industry.” One carrier alone can profit billions from its cards in a calendar year and, in tandem, build loyalty by tying them up in frequent flier pro…

1
F1: The global race to the future 28:05

1y ago28:05

28:05

As the highest class of international racing for open-wheel, single-seater cars, F1 is worth more than $18B and stands to accelerate even more as a bonafide entertainment business as the Euro-born sport becomes more popular in China, the United States, and other global heavyweights. But F1 also faces its challenges, from new driving tech to adopt t…

1
Navigating the Swiss Watch Industry as an Outsider – Aren Bazerkanian (Founder, Havid Nagan) 51:23

1y ago51:23

51:23

This episode is a very frank and unfiltered conversation with Aren Bazerkanian, founder of Havid Nagan – the upstart independent brand that took the watch world by storm in 2022 with its debut watch the HN00. We recorded this conversation in January of this year at a time when Aren was navigating challenges with Swiss watch production. In particula…

1
EV chargers: The geographic forces driving electric vehicle adoption 16:17

1y ago16:17

16:17

Powering an electric car or truck is designed for people with private garages or who live in a major city with lots of accessible charging stations. Rural and suburban apartment-dwellers can’t just run cords out their three-story windows to juice up their rides through a 140-volt outlet. That would take days. If we want any shot at transitioning to…

1
How We Make Collaborative Watches – Behind the New Armin Strom Gravity Equal Force P.03 Night Ops Edition 51:14

1y ago51:14

51:14

Probably the question we’re asked most is how we design and develop our collaborative watches – how we identify brands, how the creative process works, and how we make decisions along the way on everything from design to finishing. So on this episode, we’re going behind the scenes on the making of our latest collaboration: The Armin Strom Gravity E…

1
Drug names: The machinations behind the monikers 15:43

1y ago15:43

15:43

Ever heard of Viagra, Rogaine, or Ozempic? The process for turning a chemical compound into a household name is both a science and an art. In fact, naming a prescription drug can take a manufacturer up to four years, as a set of three monikers per medicine must run the gauntlet of several regulatory agencies. It all starts with determining a drug’s…

1
From Enthusiasts to Insiders – Lessons from Going Inside the Watch Industry 52:49

1y ago52:49

52:49

We share our biggest lessons from going inside the watch industry. We both made the transition from watch enthusiasts to industry insiders. We’ve had the opportunity to retail watches, design them, meet many industry luminaries, and even serve as GPHG academy members – and we’ve learned a ton along the way. We often get asked what that journey has …

1
When Founders Leave their Brands – Roman (Host of Independent Thinking) 53:15

1+ y ago53:15

53:15

We discuss what happens when a founder leaves their brand. From Daniel Roth to Speake-Marin, there are examples of this all over the industry, with some interesting – if varied – results. We're joined by one of our oldest friends and an authority on independent watchmaking Roman (@timesromanau), host of the Independent Thinking podcast on Fifth Wri…

1
Starting an Independent Watch Brand – Thomas Fleming (Founder of Fleming Watches) 54:52

1+ y ago54:52

54:52

We're joined by Thomas Fleming (Fleming Watches) to talk about the realities of starting an independent watch brand. Everything from what it means to build the strategy, raise the funding and develop the branding for a company to how it feels to finally put something that you care about so much into the world. Hosted by Asher Rapkin and Gabe Reilly…

1
The algorithm: Letters of recommendation 24:15

1+ y ago24:15

24:15

Bought something you don’t need from an ad? Blame it on the algorithm. Disappointing singles on your dating app? Blame it on the algorithm. Come across a post that hits too close to home? Yep, it’s the algorithm. But what exactly is the algorithm, and when did it start shaping how we live digitally? We track the making of the algorithm — starting w…

1
Selling & Trading Your Watches – Trade-offs, Tips & Tricks 51:41

1+ y ago51:41

51:41

We’re lifting the veil on selling and trading your watches. We cover the options available when you’re ready to move on from a watch, the trade-offs of those options, as well as why there are different cost structures depending on how you sell or trade your watch. In particular, we share how we as dealers look at buying and trading for watches, whi…

1
Video game remakes: Revival of the fittest 27:16

1+ y ago27:16

27:16

Love a game, buy a game. Really love a game, buy a new, improved version of that game. The video game industry knows that you don’t even have to be a die hard gamer to get out your wallet for a chance to recapture the thrill of killing that zombie or discovering that master sword. Plus, there are new technologies to consider — new graphics to enjoy…

1
Watches & Wonders 2024: The Biggest Story No One is Talking About 39:34

1+ y ago39:34

39:34

We're live from the floor of Watches & Wonders 2024 to provide an insider take on this week’s goings on in Geneva – the mood of the fair, industry scuttlebutt, and how we see it all impacting the watch industry and collectors. Hosted by Asher Rapkin and Gabe Reilly, co-founders of Collective Horology, Openwork goes inside the watch industry. You ca…

1
Green steel: Structural change 24:35

1+ y ago24:35

24:35

Think of the world’s dirtiest industries and you’re probably thinking along the lines of oil or meat… but the buildings we live in, the bridges we drive on, the cars we drive in, those all involve something pretty nasty. Steel. Traditional steelmaking is a famously dirty process, but we’re here to tell you that there’s a greener way to make the thi…