HODINKEE Radio: Why Are Some Watch Brands Underappreciated?

March 13, 2024

It's Wednesday, which means it's 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). This week I'm joined by Ben Clymer and client advisor Rich Fordon. We cover a range of topics, but our main discussion is about underappreciated high-end watch brands. Using Laurent Ferrier as something of a case study, we discuss why an important watchmaker might not be recognized as such by the market, what went wrong, and what can be done to change the perception of a brand.?Before that, we offer quick takes on some of the biggest news of the last week: We talk about Audemars Piguet's slate of releases, including John Mayer's limited edition QP; the Morgan Stanley Luxe Consult report on the Swiss watch industry in 2023; finally, with Oscars season behind us, we pitch Hollywood a few watch-related movies.?Thanks again to Accutron for supporting Hodinkee Radio. For more on the Accutron DNA Casino Collection, visit accutronwatch.com. Show Notes 00:01:Accutronwatch.com1:53:It's Finally Here: Omega Announces A White Dial Speedmaster In Steel C?Oh, And It's a Lacquer Dial2:23: Omega Speedmaster in Canopus Gold4:23: A Week On The Wrist: Omega Speedmaster in Moonshine Gold6:04:Hands-On: The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar John Mayer Limited Edition6:42: What Does Audemars Piguet's Collaboration With Rapper And Mogul Travis Scott Mean For The Watch Industry?7:10: A Glimpse At The Ultra-Rare Handcrafted Tuscan Dials Of Audemars Piguet8:15:Audemars Piguet's New Watches Of 2024: From the Royal Oak To The Code 11.59, The Offshore, And More (Live Pics)9:50: Morgan Stanley and LuxeConsult Swiss Watch Industry Report for 2024 (Revolution)16:48: Vacheron Constantin Cornes de Vache for Hodinkee18:53: Slim D'Herms for Hodinkee21:45: A Week On The Wrist: The TAG Heuer 'Glassbox' 39mm27:18:How The Five Time Zone Shaped Modern Watch Culture28:50:The Wild, (Mostly) Complete Story Of John Lennon's Lost Patek Philippe 249929:10:The Curious Case Of The Patek Philippe Reference 3448 'Senza Luna'31:31:A Visit To, And Detailed Look At, Laurent Ferrier35:40:Talking Watches: William Massena (including his Laurent Ferrier for Only Watch)38:00Ben's "unique" Laurent Ferrier40:31:Laurent Ferrier Galet Traveller Limited Edition for Hodinkee49:15:Brief Thoughts On The A. Lange & Sohne Zeitwerk49:40:Lange Platinum Pour le Merite Tourbillon (for sale at A Collected Man)49:56:A. Lange & Sohne Mixes A Honeygold Case And A Lumen Dial In Latest Zeitwerk Release52:30:In-Depth: The Classic A. Lange & Sohne Datograph