Episodes

On this episode of Superlative, aBlogtoWatch founder and our host Ariel Adams sits down with Jim Wirth, co-founder and CEO of GiantMouse Knives, for a deep conversation about knives, collecting, and the surprising overlap between blade enthusiasts and watch lovers. Together their discussion explores how design, craftsmanship, and function come together in modern knife making, while also touching on the importance of aesthetics in an increasingly visual collector culture. Ariel and Jim dive into...

In this episode of Superlative, aBlogtoWatch founder and our host Ariel Adams sits down with Cornelius Ye of CIGA Design to explore how a modern watch brand can stand out in a crowded global market. Cornelius explains his role as a “go to market manager”, acting as the bridge between design, production, and sales, while helping bring each watch from concept to launch. He shares how CIGA Design grew from a small team focused on crowdfunding into an internationally recognized brand, driven by a co...

In this episode of Superlative, our host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams sits down with Marine Lemonnier-Brennan, founder and managing director of 289 Consulting, to explore the often unseen forces that drive the watch industry forward. Marine shares how her career evolved from the entertainment world into watchmaking, and how her experience helped shape a more strategic and globally connected approach to PR. Together, they unpack the critical role of relationships in an industry where succ...

In this episode of Superlative, Ariel Adams sits down with Alex Rosenfield, CEO of Urban Jürgensen, to explore the revival of one of watchmaking’s most historic yet often overlooked brands. Alex shares the story behind his family’s acquisition of Urban Jürgensen and the philosophy guiding its modern relaunch, from preserving centuries of design and engineering legacy to working alongside master watchmaker Kari Voutilainen to shape a new generation of timepieces. Alex dives into what it really m...

In this episode of Superlative, aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams speaks with Kuruvilla “Diny” Markose, CEO of Titan Watches, about leading one of the most dominant watch brands in the Indian market and guiding it into a new era of global relevance. Diny shares how Titan built its success through design, manufacturing scale, and quartz innovation, while now shifting focus toward premiumization and mechanical watchmaking. He explains why India’s rapidly evolving consumer market is creating new opp...

This week on Superlative, Ariel Adams sits down with Chris Wiegand, president of LÜM-TEC and founder of Wiegand Custom Watch, to explore the reality behind building watches from the ground up. From hand applying lume to early Omega and Panerai dials to running manufacturing and design for over one hundred brands, Chris shares how a self taught approach and obsession with improvement shaped his path in the industry. He breaks down the science behind lume application, why thickness does not always...

On this episode of Superlative, our host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams is joined by Richard Benc, founder of Studio Underd0g, to discuss the evolution of one of the most recognizable modern microbrands. Richard explains how the brand grew from a small proof of concept release into producing thousands of watches per year, and why focusing on long term decision making has been critical to building a sustainable business in a crowded watch market. The conversation explores how Studio Underd0...

On this episode of Superlative, our host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams is joined by entrepreneur and music industry executive Lex Borrero for a wide ranging conversation about culture, storytelling, and the evolving world of watch collecting. Drawing from his experience building artists and shaping cultural moments in the music industry, Lex explains how similar storytelling principles apply to luxury watches and why brands that connect emotionally with audiences often stand out the most....

On this episode of Superlative, our host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams speaks with Jose and Anita Salas, founders of Santurce Collection, about their journey from passionate collectors in Puerto Rico to launching their own enthusiast driven watch brand. Drawing from years of experience attending boutique events and building community gatherings, they share how hospitality, trust, and belonging became the foundation of their philosophy. Together they dive into why watches are not inventory...

On this episode of Superlative, aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams sits down with watch collector and author Mitch Katz to explore how a lifelong passion for horology turned into a surprising second career as a novelist. Mitch shares the journey from documenting his personal collection to writing Time Eternal, a murder mystery rooted in real watch history, including the fascinating story of an experimental self winding movement that inspired the plot. They discuss Mitch’s creative process, buildin...

In this episode of the Superlative Podcast, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams sits down with Abduljabar Totonji, better known as Jabs, for a wide ranging conversation about what it really means to be a modern watch collector. Jabs shares how he started collecting over a decade ago, how informal meetups turned into thriving local communities, and why seeing watches in person still matters in an internet first industry. Together they explore how collector groups form, why brands increasing...

On this episode of Superlative Podcast, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams sits down with automotive journalist and enthusiast Jonny Lieberman for a wide ranging conversation that connects watches, cars, and emerging technology. From mechanical alarms and G-Shocks to Rivian electric trucks and self-driving systems, Jonny shares firsthand experience living with EVs and explains how autonomy is evolving faster than regulations, including what level three and level four driving actually mean...

In this episode of Superlative, Ariel Adams sits down with Sébastien Chaulmontet, founder and owner of Albishorn Watches and Director of Innovation and Marketing at Sellita, for a wide ranging and candid discussion on the realities of modern watchmaking. Drawing on decades of experience across design, movement development, and independent brands, Sébastien shares insights into chronograph history, the intent behind his book Chronograph for Collectors, and why true mastery in watchmaking requires...

In this episode of Superlative, host Ariel Adams speaks with Pascal Ravessoud, Vice President and President of the Cultural Council at the Fondation Haute Horlogerie, about why education and cultural understanding have become central to the future of mechanical watchmaking. Pascal explains the original mission of the FHH, its evolution alongside SIHH, and the decision to separate from Watches and Wonders in order to refocus on independent cultural education rather than commercial exhibition. The...

In this episode of the Superlative Podcast, host Ariel Adams speaks with John Isaac, founder, CEO, and creative director of Artisans de Genève, about what it truly means to personalize a watch at the highest level. John traces his journey from early restoration work in Paris to building one of the world’s most respected bespoke watch ateliers in Geneva, shaped by his grandfather’s philosophy of dedicating one’s life to serving individual clients. The conversation explores why Artisans de Genève ...

In this episode of Superlative, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams sits down with Andrew Herman, co-founder of Panzera Watches, to explore what it really means to build a modern watch brand outside the traditional Swiss playbook. Andrew shares the unlikely path from importing affordable European watches into Australia to launching a globally focused direct-to-consumer brand built on value, quality, and accessibility rather than prestige markups. The conversation dives deep into supply-cha...

In this episode of Superlative, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams sits down with professional big wave surfer and TAG Heuer brand ambassador Kai Lenny for an in depth conversation about risk, preparation, and what timing really means when nature is in full control. Growing up in Hawaii with some of the most powerful surf breaks in the world just minutes from his home, Kai explains how learning to read the ocean from land shaped his approach long before he ever paddled into massive waves,...

On this episode of Superlative, host Ariel Adams, founder of aBlogtoWatch, is joined by aBlogtoWatch team member David Bredan for a deep, candid breakdown of Dubai Watch Week 2025 and why it has quietly become one of the most important consumer facing watch events in the world. Fresh off the show floor and still navigating jet lag, Ariel and David unpack how Dubai Watch Week has evolved from a modest regional gathering into a fully realized global watch destination, discussing why its consumer f...

On this episode of Superlative, host and founder of aBlogtoWatch, Ariel Adams, sits down with Benoît Mintiens, the founder of Ressence, for an in-depth conversation on what it truly means to rethink modern watchmaking. Marking 15 years of Ressence, Benoît reflects on the emotional and strategic weight of watch trade shows like Watches and Wonders, the enduring importance of in-person experiences in a digital world, and how human connection continues to drive enthusiasm for mechanical timepieces....

In a truly special episode of Superlative, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams sits down with legendary comedian, television host, and renowned car collector Jay Leno for an in-depth conversation that bridges the worlds of horology, engineering, and cultural influence. Recorded inside Jay Leno’s Garage, this episode explores Jay’s lifelong fascination with mechanical objects, from vintage automobiles and Ford Model T’s to precision watchmaking, as he shares how curiosity, craftsmanship, an...

In this episode of Superlative, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams sits down with Efraim Grinberg, CEO of Movado Group, and Margot Grinberg, President of the Movado brand, for a thoughtful conversation about design heritage, modern consumer expectations, and the ongoing evolution of one of the most recognizable names in the watch industry. Together, they reflect on the enduring cultural impact of the Museum Dial and the Bauhaus principles that shaped it, while also exploring the importanc...

In this episode of Superlative, host Ariel Adams, Founder of aBlogtoWatch, sits down with Felix Wallner, CEO of Hanhart, for a wide-ranging conversation that explores the deep heritage, technical ingenuity, and modern evolution of one of Germany’s most storied watch manufacturers. Felix discusses Hanhart’s origins in the Black Forest and its longstanding ties to Swiss horology, the company’s early breakthroughs in accessible mechanical stopwatches, and the military specification chronographs tha...

In this episode of Superlative, host Ariel Adams, founder of aBlogtoWatch.com, speaks with Marc Michel-Amadry, the Managing Director of Girard-Perregaux, for a deep and thoughtful conversation on the legacy, innovation, and future direction of one of Switzerland’s most historically significant manufactures. Marc shares the importance of being rooted in true watchmaking culture as he literally joins the interview from a workspace alongside Girard-Perregaux’s master watchmaker and expands on why t...

On this episode of Superlative, host Ariel Adams sits down with Josh Shapiro, the founder and CEO of J.N. Shapiro Watches, for a deep look into how one of the most impressive independent American watchmaking operations has taken shape in Southern California. Josh shares the evolution of his brand from a garage guilloche hobby into a fully verticalized manufacturing facility producing movements, cases, and dials with a focus on rare craft techniques and extraordinary hand finishing. He and Ariel ...