Episodes

In this episode of Superlative, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams sits down with Pascal Brandt, a longtime journalist and communications executive whose public relations career has spanned some of the most prestigious names in Swiss watchmaking, including Panerai, Vacheron Constantin, BVLGARI, and Parmigiani Fleurier. Pascal shares how the world of watch public relations has transformed from the print-dominated era of the 1990s into today’s fast-paced digital landscape, while emphasizing...

This week on Superlative, host Ariel Adams, founder of aBlogtoWatch.com, welcomes Jean-Christophe Babin, CEO of BVLGARI and the Head of LVMH Watches, for an in-depth and inspiring conversation about the future of luxury watchmaking. Our guest shares how BVLGARI continues to evolve by merging Italian creativity and Swiss precision, bringing emotion and innovation together in collections like the Serpenti and Octo Finissimo. He discusses the brand’s commitment to designing true feminine timepieces...

In this episode of Superlative, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams sits down with Tamas Piros, the creator of WatchAnchor.com, a digital platform that helps collectors manage their watch collections and protect their investments. Tamas shares how his background in IT and his love for timepieces inspired him to create a tool that tracks warranty dates, organizes technical details, and reminds users when it is time for service. Together they discuss how the Swiss watch industry continues to...

In this episode of Superlative, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams sits down and speaks with Maria Bashutkina, lecturer, consultant, and founder of True Luxury Business, about the true meaning of luxury in the modern watch industry. Maria shares her journey from discovering Swiss watchmaking as an outsider to becoming a respected educator teaching across Europe and beyond. Together, they explore how passion, culture, and craftsmanship intersect in watchmaking, revealing why true appreciat...

In this episode of Superlative, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams sits down with Theodore de Turckheim, Chief Marketing Officer of Micromilspec. Together they explore how the Norwegian brand has evolved from creating bespoke timepieces for elite military squadrons to establishing itself as a serious contender in the modern luxury watch landscape. Theodore shares his unique path from the structured corporate culture of IWC Schaffhausen and Richemont to the creative freedom of a small, ind...

In this special episode of Superlative, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams takes listeners inside Intersect Los Angeles 2025, a vibrant, community-driven watch event redefining how enthusiasts connect with brands. Unlike traditional trade shows, Intersect is for the brands, by the brands and it is a collaborative effort led by independent creators like Wes Kwok of Nodus, Peter Cho of Jack Mason, and Marcus Walchli from Formex. Together, they’ve built a space that celebrates passion over p...

On this episode of Superlative, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams sits down with Fred Savage, actor, director, and founder of Timepiece Grading Specialists (TGS), about the evolving culture of watch collecting and the critical role of trust in the secondary market. Fred shares how his own experience as a collector led to the creation of TGS, a company dedicated to impartial authentication, detailed condition grading, and transparent reporting to empower buyers and sellers alike. The conv...

On this episode of Superlative, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams sits down with Giovanni Moro, co-founder of the Milan-based independent brand UNIMATIC. Giovanni shares the story of how two industrial designers transformed a shared passion for collecting into a globally recognized watch company. From the early days of designing the Modello Uno without a business plan, to building a reputation for stripped-down, functional tool watches with strong design integrity, Giovanni explains the ...

On this episode of Superlative, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams is joined by Chris Hall, watch journalist and publisher of “The Fourth Wheel”, to examine the changing landscape of luxury watch media and independent watchmaking. Together, they discuss the challenges of sustaining credibility in an industry where brands often prefer control over narrative, the impact of shifting from print to digital platforms, and the evolving role of independent voices in shaping watch culture as a tru...

In this episode of the Superlative podcast, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams sits down with Julien Tornare, the dynamic CEO of Hublot, to discuss the brand’s bold direction within the luxury watch industry. Tornare shares his journey across LVMH’s leading maisons, from revitalizing Zenith to taking on the challenge of steering Hublot, a brand renowned for its disruptive spirit, innovative use of materials, and unconventional approach to watchmaking. The conversation explores Hublot’s ev...

In this episode of the Superlative podcast, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams sits down with Peter Chong, a veteran collector and founder of Deployant.com. Peter sheds light on why Singapore emerged as a leader in independent watchmaking appreciation, attributing it to factors such as its affluent populace, English proficiency, and long-standing support for horological communities and online forums. Together, Ariel and Peter reflect on the evolution of watch collecting, the role of early...

In this episode of the Superlative Podcast, host Ariel Adams sits down with Adam Tomeček, software developer, watch enthusiast, and creator of WristLog, a digital tool designed for collectors who want to track the accuracy and wear-time of their watches. Adam shares his journey from purchasing his first G-Shock to developing a comprehensive platform that allows enthusiasts to log performance, monitor collections, and even receive AI-driven diagnostics. Together, Ariel and Adam explore the psycho...

This week on the SUPERLATIVE Podcast, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams is joined by Cédric Joos, the Brand Manager of Hautlence, to explore the vision and direction of one of Switzerland’s most innovative independent watch brands. Together they reflect on the company’s founding during the early 2000s renaissance of independent watchmaking, the challenges of producing unconventional movements, and how Hautlence continues to redefine the way time is displayed. Cédric discusses the brand’s...

This week on the SUPERLATIVE Podcast, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams is joined by Barry Cheung, better known on Instagram as @BearWrist, and the Managing Partner of Classic Watch Repair in Hong Kong. Together, they trace Barry’s journey from an inquisitive watch enthusiast in university to his role in launching Hong Kong–based customization brand Undone, discussing the challenges and nuances of building a brand in the niche yet evolving world of watch personalization. Their conversati...

This week on the SUPERLATIVE Podcast, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams sits down with Andrea Maggi, owner and CEO of Squale. Andrea shares his insights into Squale’s journey, its design philosophy, and the delicate balance between honoring tradition and innovating for modern enthusiasts. This includes the sport’s deep ties to Italy’s spearfishing culture and the pioneering challenges of making reliable timepieces in the 1960s. The conversation looks deeper into the evolution of diving w...

This week on the SUPERLATIVE Podcast, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams is joined by Henrik Ekdahl, the Managing Director of Ernst Leitz Werkstätten GmbH. Henrik is now responsible for the Leica watch and accessories business and previously held roles at IWC, BMW, Rolls-Royce, and Cartier. The two discuss Leica’s entry into mechanical watchmaking and how the brand’s optical precision and heritage in engineering provide a natural foundation for horology, and how Leica’s founder, Ernst Lei...

This week on the SUPERLATIVE Podcast, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams is joined by Andreas Wyss, CEO of COSC, the official Swiss chronometry institute responsible for certifying the precision of Swiss-made watches. Andreas pulls back the curtain on COSC’s rigorous testing processes, the evolution of Swiss watch movements, and how COSC plays a critical role in upholding the integrity of the "Swiss Made" label. Ariel has Andreas reflect on nearly five decades of heritage, and elaborate o...

This week on the SUPERLATIVE Podcast, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams is joined by Pierre-Yves Donzé, a professor of business history at Osaka University, and the author of 'The Making of a Status Symbol: A Business History of Rolex.' The two dive right into Rolex’s history and how it has been largely undocumented, why the brand’s secrecy is a deliberate strategy to maintain its allure, and how Rolex's approach to consumer engagement may be evolving today. They also discuss how the bra...

This week on the SUPERLATIVE Podcast, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams is joined by Garrin Fraze, the Program Coordinator for the Watchmaking Program at Paris Junior College in Paris, Texas, as well as the owner of G. Fraze Horology. Garrin and Ariel delve into the complex realm of watchmaking, discussing the present shortage of skilled watchmakers, the significance of formal training, and the hurdles confronting independent watchmakers. Ariel asks Garrin to discuss the Watchmaking prog...

This week on the SUPERLATIVE Podcast, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams is joined by multifaceted watch enthusiast and author of "A Man and His Watch”, Matt Hranek. Ariel and Matt dive right into Matt’s diverse career journey from photography, writing, and media, and why the emotional connection to watches is such a significant aspect of the hobby they both love. They discuss the current landscape paved by curators playing a vital role in filtering information and guiding consumer choice...

This week on the SUPERLATIVE Podcast, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams is sitting down in person with Dario Spallone, the Founder of D1 Milan. Ariel starts the conversation by asking Dario to help define D1 Milan’s character and culture, and how enthusiasts should think differently about the brand in comparison to other watch companies. They talk about the brand’s mentality, how making a good product and celebrating heritage come into play together with timepieces, and what exactly is t...

This week on the SUPERLATIVE Podcast, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams is joined by Stephen Roemer, the Founder of Swiss Watch Company. Ariel and Stephen begin their discussion by dissecting the complexities of watch manufacturing, particularly the differences between Swiss and Chinese production, and Stephen shares his insights on the challenges faced by micro-brands today. They talk about the importance of quality assurance, the evolving landscape of the watch industry, and why the Sw...

This week on the SUPERLATIVE Podcast, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams is joined by Wei Koh, the Founder of Revolution Media and the Rake Magazine. Ariel and Wei dive right into the evolution of watch media since they both started in the industry, and the current challenges that publications today have when it comes to attracting new audiences. They also discuss the impact of alcohol within watch culture, the significance of quality over quantity in journalism, and how genuine passion a...

This week on the SUPERLATIVE Podcast, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams is joined by independent watch designer Max Resnick.The two begin the show talking about the intricacies of watch design, the importance of consumer reactions, and the role of beauty in luxury timepieces. They discuss the challenges of innovation in established brands while addressing the current and future impact of AI on design processes, and how AI is a tool for ideation, not a total replacement for designers. Max...