Hodinkee Interview With Loupe This Eric Ku and Justin Gruenberg

May 22, 2024

It's Wednesday, so we're back with another episode of Hodinkee Radio. In addition to the podcast feed, each episode also has video, so swing by Hodinkee's YouTube channel (or watch below). Only want the audio? It's being published to the same old Hodinkee Radio feed, so check your feeds or subscribe wherever you find your podcasts (might we recommend Apple Podcasts, Stitcher, Spotify, or TuneIn). Today on the podcast I'm thrilled to have two legendary collectors and dealers join me, Eric Ku and Justin Gruenberg.?Of course, Eric is no stranger to Hodinkee, having appeared on the site, Talking Watches, and this podcast. He got his start as a vintage watch dealer, soon founding 10Past10 back in 2005. Most recently, he co-founded the online auction site Loupe This in 2021. He's since become known for his expertise in Rolex, Cartier, and pretty much all things vintage.Eric's Loupe This co-founder is today's other guest, Justin Gruenberg. Justin is a second-generation watch and jewelry dealer from L.A., and since joining the family business he also founded the vintage dealer The Keystone. Justin is widely admired for his wide taste that runs the gamut from vintage to modern, sport to dress, and everything in between.Both of these guys have a keen eye, great taste, and extensive knowledge about watches. We discuss the most recent auctions and the market more broadly, what dealers and auctions can do better, and get into the nitty-gritty with vintage Patek, Rolex, and Cartier. We also have a little fun C?I get both of the guys to tell me what watch they'd love to snag from the other's collection.Thanks as always for listening, and make sure to hit the show notes to follow along with some of the watches we discuss.? Show Notes 00:01: Loupe This3:00: The Keystone4:40: Acquired LVMH podcast8:00: Seven Things I Learned From The Spring Watch Sales And Trying To Make Sense Of The Up-And-Down 'Market'8:40:Patek 1463 at Antiquorum Geneva that sold for CHF 293,75010:10: Christie's Geneva Watch Auction Postponed Until Tuesday Due To Cyberattack; Potential Bidders Encouraged To Contact Christie's11:20: Hands-On With Formula 1 Legend Michael Schumacher's Watches Ahead Of The Christie's Sale12:10:Unique Patek Philippe Steel Sonnerie Minute Repeater Sells For $17.3 Million In Return Of Only Watch 15:50:Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime For Only Watch 2019 Sells For CHF 31 Million, Becoming The Most Expensive Watch In The World23:30:The Patek Philippe Complicated Desk Clock Sells For CHF 9.5 Million At Only Watch 202132:10: AP Chronicles35:20: The "gold albino" Rolex Daytona 6265 that passed at Phillips35:30: A Close Encounter With Just The Third Of Its Kind: Hands-On With The Legendary Albino Daytona41:10: Eric's "PSA" Instagram post about fake Rolex stone dials49:10: Dealers Alessandro "Mr. A" and Peluco on Instagram52:10: Justin's Decagonal Cartier London watch52:50:Eric's Cartier London Tank Cintree56:50: Jay-Z wearing the Rolex "modified" by "Franck Muller", and Franck Muller's Rolex school watch as seen in an old auction catalog1:01:Hermes Acquired podcast