Episodes

Get the FREE WatchSmarts Beginner Buyer's Guide Hilary Jay joins David Newman to discuss her wild journey from wearing heirloom diamond watches in college to cofounding Maximal Art, a brand that pioneered the "watch bracelet" and reached 2,000 stores worldwide. Hilary shares how a chance connection with the Thompson Twins in 1980s London turned a hobby of making collages into a global business that adorned stars like Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson. She pulls back the curtain on the "Watch Br...

Get the FREE WatchSmarts Beginner Buyer's Guide Brandon Little joins David Newman to share a legendary 35 year career that began in the vanished flea markets of New York City and reached the absolute heights of Swiss luxury. From designing for Dunhill and Cartier to serving as the Chief Creative Officer for Fossil and Shinola, Brandon has mastered the art of storytelling through mechanical objects. He explores the transition from half million dollar high horology at JLC to the fun, expressive w...

Get the FREE WatchSmarts Beginner Buyer's Guide David Newman sits down with Geoffrey Parker, the Chairman of the Board for the NAWCC, to explore a life dedicated to mechanical precision. Jeff shares how his childhood fascination with a local watchmaker and a professional background in complex scale modeling led him to salvage a "rectangle lot" of junk watches from eBay to teach himself the trade. From the emotional weight of restoring a Vietnam veteran's cherished Seiko to navigating the diverse...

Get the FREE WatchSmarts Beginner Buyer's Guide David Newman welcomes JD Tyler, the creative force behind the Redhead Horology newsletter, to explore the psychological depths of watch collecting. JD shares his transition from a childhood fascinations with Scooby-Doo and Mickey Mouse to developing a "healthy" way to interact with the hobby through storytelling. He introduces a unique framework for collectors, categorizing them as horological hoarders, hunters, or hitchhikers, while admitting his ...

Get the FREE WatchSmarts Beginner Buyer's Guide David Newman welcomes Nico to discuss a collection that started not with a purchase, but with a total surprise from a deceased neighbor. Mr. Beattie left Nico a jewelry box containing ten vintage timepieces, including a fleet of Hamiltons and a Korean War-era Omega, effectively turning a non-watch wearer into a dedicated enthusiast overnight. Nico shares his journey from that first inherited box to his first intentional purchase of a Seiko Presage ...

Get the FREE WatchSmarts Beginner Buyer's Guide David Newman welcomes Calvin Smith of Lusso Straps to dive into the often overlooked but essential world of watch straps. Calvin shares how his background in the Peace Corps and travels to over 75 countries fueled a passion for high quality leather that eventually led him to the unique cult of Panerai. They discuss why most mass produced straps are essentially the particle board of the horological world and how a simple strap change can completely ...

Get the FREE WatchSmarts Beginner Buyer's Guide David Newman sits down with Steve Cohen, the "Millionaire's Magician," to explore the surprising historical intersection where watchmaking and magic coexist. Steve shares his transition from wearing stone-faced teenage relics to owning a curated dozen of high-end pieces, including Patek Philippe World Times and the legendary A. Lange & Söhne. He pulls back the curtain on the technical mechanics of the watch steal, explaining why your leather band i...

Get the FREE WatchSmarts Beginner Buyer's Guide In part two of this deep dive, Christopher Lochhead joins David to explore the evolution of watch collecting in a world dominated by smart technology. Christopher shares his stance on why "hell will freeze over" before an Apple Watch replaces the mechanical piece on his left wrist and how he uses AI tools like ChatGPT to research his next major acquisitions. They discuss the "new child dilemma" of balancing a nine piece collection and take a detail...

Get the FREE WatchSmarts Beginner Buyer's Guide David Newman welcomes the king of category design, Christopher Lochhead, to discuss why a mechanical watch is the ultimate reminder of what is possible in life. Growing up in a working class environment with a stolen family heirloom, Christopher moved from a "Rolex is for idiots" phase to owning nine high end pieces including his personal grail, the Rolex Deep Sea James Cameron. They explore the visceral feeling of a heavy watch on the wrist, the s...

Get the FREE WatchSmarts Beginner Buyer's Guide Bond Halbert joins David Newman to discuss a horological journey that began with a Japanese TV show and a blind chiropractor's tactile timepiece. Bond explores the emotional weight of a gold Rolex heirloom passed down from his father and his own tactical approach to negotiating in the Los Angeles jewelry district. From the unique hum of vintage Accutron tuning forks to the lore of the Gruen jump hour watch, Bond explains why his collection of seven...

Get the FREE WatchSmarts Beginner Buyer's Guide Hellllooooo… and welcome to Just One More Episode… oh, wait… David’s guest is the man behind the legendary YouTube channel Just One More Watch and the co-founder of Erebus watches, Jody Musgrove. Jody shares his transition from earning a PhD in Modern History and showing people to their seats at the Sydney Opera House to becoming one of the most influential voices in the affordable watch world. He pulls back the curtain on why he sometimes bashes S...

Get the FREE WatchSmarts Beginner Buyer's Guide What does it take to leave the security of global luxury giants like Omega and TAG Heuer to build an independent watch empire from your own kitchen table? In this episode, David sits down with Susan Galvin, the founder of the Galvin Watch Company and a rare female voice in the world of high end watchmaking. Susan shares her journey from the prestigious Finnish School of Watchmaking to the shores of Australia, where she launched a micro-brand that r...

Get the FREE WatchSmarts Beginner Buyer's Guide David Newman sits down with Chris Serratore, the owner of VirageShop.com and the founder of the Philly Watch Fair, to explore the vibrant world of micro-brands. Chris shares how his background in automotive restoration fueled a passion for mechanical perfection and a desire for "happy transactions" that the insurance-driven car industry lacked. They discuss why independent brands from Australia and Germany are leading the way with daring colors lik...

Get the FREE WatchSmarts Beginner Buyer's Guide. Mike Rayburn, guitar virtuoso and master speaker, joins David to discuss the philosophy of "participating in your own abundance." From his first $18 Casio that refused to break to a high stakes purchase of a Deep Forest Green Breitling Superocean Heritage in Copenhagen, Mike explains how a watch serves as both a tool and a critical success signal for the stage. He shares the unique advice he received from industry legends about dressing for your a...

Get the FREE WatchSmarts Beginner Buyer's Guide. Steve Bollar joins David to discuss how a childhood admiration for his father's professional attire cemented the idea that success is signaled by the watch on your wrist. From a Kmart triathlon watch funded by a paper route to a high-end collection featuring a Tudor Root Beer and the iconic square TAG Heuer Monaco, Steve shares his journey as a "secret watch looker." He reveals his unique strategy for spotting timepieces on airplanes and explains ...

Get the FREE WatchSmarts Beginner Buyer's Guide. Kevin Halbert joins David to dive deep into the world of functional timepieces where a watch is a tool, not a status symbol. Drawing from his background as a rescue diver in the Florida Keys, Kevin explains why he prioritizes readability and reliability over the "bling" of luxury brands. From his early days using G-Shocks in the trenches to his custom-hacked Citizen "Orca," Kevin shares his obsession with watches that actually work underwater. He ...

Get the FREE WatchSmarts Beginner Buyer's Guide. John Cote grew up eye-level with the display cases of New York pawn shops, learning the art of the deal from his mathematician father via pure osmosis. In this episode, he shares how a lifetime of "collecting people" through the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors shaped his philosophy that a true collection must tell a story rather than just be a pile of random objects. John shares his unique "twins" collecting strategy, where he ...

Get the FREE WatchSmarts Beginner Buyer's Guide. What happens when you grow up in a community where wearing a wristwatch is strictly forbidden? In this episode, David sits down with Dave Kauffman, a professional speaker and DISC personality expert, to explore a collection born out of early childhood deprivation. Dave shares the fascinating story of his Mennonite upbringing where watches had to be modified into pocket watches, leading to a lifelong obsession with "loud" timepieces that make a bol...

Get the FREE WatchSmarts Beginner Buyer's Guide. Johnny Francis joins David to discuss a collection built on memories, milestones, and "signals". From $10 Soviet-era relics found in 1990s Moscow flea markets to a 50th-anniversary Rolex Kermit, Johnny explores how timepieces communicate personal style, achievement, and even power plays. He shares the touching story of his father’s gold Rolex Presidential, a milestone trophy that effectively ended his father's search for any other watch, and ex...

Get the FREE WatchSmarts Beginner Buyer's Guide. Thomas Sandrin is building something the watch world quietly needs: a place to learn before you buy. With WatchDNA, he’s removing bias, commissions, and hype and helping people make smarter decisions in a very noisy market. This episode isn’t about choosing watches. It’s about how people choose. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – From hustle to watches Door-to-door sales → Hamilton at Swatch Group Built retail relationships from scratch 02:30 – The...

Get the FREE WatchSmarts Beginner Buyer's Guide. Stephen Shapiro collects watches the way most people choose art: by feel, color, and personality. He matches watches to outfits… and even to different wedding rings. This isn’t about status or specs. It’s about expression, creativity, and actually enjoying what’s on your wrist. If watches have ever felt intimidating, this episode resets the whole game. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – How it started Not a childhood hobby Got pulled in by friends ...

Get the FREE WatchSmarts Beginner Buyer's Guide. What happens when a full-time physician and a serial entrepreneur turn a childhood friendship and a "watch addiction" into a high-stakes trading empire? In this episode, David sits down with Ibrahim Satiner and Talha Kaner of Aslan Watches to pull back the curtain on the secondary market. From the "Frankenstein" movement risks in the Rolex market to finding 40% discounts on underrated brands like Parmigiani and Piaget, this conversation is a maste...

Paul Cipriano went from casual interest… to nearly 200 watches… to hitting the brakes hard. This is the episode most collectors won’t say out loud. The buying rush, the financial creep, the stress, and then the reset. If you’re getting deeper into watches, this one might save you. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Early influence Watching his father shaped his taste Watches = identity from day one 02:50 – First watches Starting with Timex and digital pieces Learning analog the hard way 06:...

Get our FREE Beginner Buyer's Guide. Before watches got so serious… they were fun.In this episode, David sits down with industry titan Tim Hale, the first designer and long-time Executive Design Manager for the Fossil Group. Tim pulls back the curtain on how a small North Texas startup used "retail entertainment" and whimsical design to build a global empire that includes Diesel, Skagen, and Zodiac. And it all started with a beat-up tin from a Texas flea market. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 – Cr...