Episodes
May 26, 2025
Vartkess Knadjian: A Story of Heritage and the Untold History of British Watchmaking
This week on the SUPERLATIVE Podcast, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams is joined by Vartkess Knadjian, the CEO of Backes & Strauss. Ariel and Vartkess start their conversation by exploring the rich history of British watchmaking, the evolution of the watch industry in Ethiopia, and the dynamics of the diamond market. Vartkess shares his family's journey from the Ottoman Empire to Ethiopia, his father's influence as a master watchmaker, and the impact of political changes on their busine...
May 19, 2025
From Gemstones to Timepieces with Jared Silver of SH Silver & Stephen Silver Fine Jewelry
This week on the SUPERLATIVE Podcast, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams is joined by Jared Silver, the President of SH Silver and Stephen Silver Fine Jewelry. The two start by discussing Jared's journey from a background in gemstones to the watch business, the unique challenges of building relationships with luxury watch brands, and the innovative concept behind The Villa Menlo Park, a community hub for luxury experiences. Their conversation highlights the importance of trust, expectatio...
May 12, 2025
Rolex: A Gateway to Luxury with David Silver of The Vintage Watch Company
This week on the SUPERLATIVE Podcast, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams is joined by David Silver, the owner of The Vintage Watch Company. Ariel and David dive right into the history and allure of Rolex, the evolution of the vintage watch market, and the unique challenges of sourcing and selling vintage timepieces. David shares insights on consumer awareness of Rolex, the impact of celebrity endorsements, and the significance of caring for vintage watches. The conversation also touches o...
May 5, 2025
BRAND STRATEGIES FOR SUCCESS IN HONG KONG WITH ALFRED LUNG
This week on the SUPERLATIVE Podcast, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams is joined by watch publisher and collector of timepieces, Alfred Lung. Ariel and Alfred Lung dive into the current state of the Hong Kong watch market, exploring the factors that have led to its decline, and the cultural interest in watches among Chinese consumers. They talk about the shifting preferences towards simpler, more practical timepieces, especially with the impact of smartwatches on traditional watch colle...
April 28, 2025
DATA TRANSPARENCY IN THE WATCH INDUSTRY WITH HAMZA MASOOD OF WATCH CHARTS
This week on the SUPERLATIVE Podcast, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams is joined by Hamza Masood, the Business Development Manager at Watch Charts. Ariel and Hamza start by discussing the intricacies of the watch market, focusing on the role of WatchCharts in providing data transparency and insights for collectors. They explore the challenges of data collection, the dynamics between the secondary and gray markets, and the impact of social trends on watch collecting. Their conversation a...
April 21, 2025
STORYTELLING IN THE WATCH MEDIA LANDSCAPE WITH SEAN LORENTZEN
This week on the SUPERLATIVE Podcast, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams is joined by ABTW Team Member and Senior Editor, Sean Lorentzen. Throughout their conversation, Ariel and Sean delve into the complexities of the watch media landscape while discussing the challenges and transitions within the industry. They explore the importance of storytelling in connecting consumers with watch brands and the necessity for media outlets to adapt to the evolving business models in luxury media. Ari...
April 14, 2025
SOCIAL DYNAMICS IN WATCH COLLECTING WITH TONY TRAINA OF UNPOLISHED WATCHES
This week on the SUPERLATIVE Podcast, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams is joined by Tony Traina, the Founder of Unpolished Watches. Ariel and Tony dive right into the evolution of podcasting in the watch collecting community and how the watch collecting community has shifted from solo to social interactions. The two talk about the social dynamics that have emerged in the current era of collecting, the ongoing debate between vintage and modern watches, and the treasure hunt aspect of vin...
April 7, 2025
THE JOURNEY OF DISCOVERY IN COLLECTING WITH GEORGE BAMFORD
This week on the SUPERLATIVE Podcast, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams is joined once again by George Bamford, founder and CEO of Bamford London. Ariel and George are here today not just to talk about the complexities of watch collecting, but they are exploring the greater psychological compulsion to collect in general. Throughout their conversation they explore themes of risk aversion in the watch industry, the social dynamics within the watch community, and how collectors are usually ...
March 31, 2025
THE COMPLEXITY OF WATCHMAKING AND MANUFACTURING WITH ZACH SMITH OF HOUR PRECISION
This week on the SUPERLATIVE Podcast, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams is joined by Zach Smith, the Founder of Hour Precision. Hour Precision is a manufacturer of medical components, semiconductor equipment, and horological assemblies based out of Columbus, Ohio. The conversation delves into Zach's early experiences with machinery at a young age, and the challenges he faced in establishing a watch manufacturing business in Ohio. Ariel and Zach discuss the intricacies of watch repair, th...
March 24, 2025
NAVIGATING THE WATCH MARKET WITH EDOUARD CAUMON OF WATCHFINDER
This week on the SUPERLATIVE Podcast, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams is joined by Edouard Caumon, the country manager at Watchfinder. Throughout their conversation, Ariel and Edouard discuss the evolution of the pre-owned watch market, the importance of trust and customer experience, and the dynamics of sourcing and pricing watches. Edouard shares insights on the company's dual approach of maintaining its own inventory while also facilitating a marketplace for third-party retailers. A...
March 17, 2025
WATCH INDUSTRY REALITY CHECK WITH DAVID BREDAN OF ABTW
This week on the SUPERLATIVE Podcast, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams is joined by aBlogtoWatch team member, David Bredan. Throughout this episode David and Ariel discuss the current state of the watch industry, the intersection of music and watches, and the role of AI in design. The two explore the challenges faced by the industry today, including the disconnect between brands and reality, consumer behavior, and the importance of personal connections in watch design. They also highlig...
March 10, 2025
BUILDING A LEGACY: AN INTRODUCTION TO RZE WATCHES WITH HUIY TANG
This week on the SUPERLATIVE Podcast, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams is joined by Huiy Tang, co-founder of RZE Watches. Ariel and Huiy dive right in and discuss the evolution of RZE from a product-focused brand to one that emphasizes storytelling and brand identity. Huiy shares his insights on the importance of creating a legacy, engaging with first-time customers, and the challenges of balancing product quality with brand perception in today’s market. They also touch on innovative br...
March 3, 2025
THE JOURNEY FROM ENTHUSIAST TO BRAND FOUNDER WITH JOHN LILEY OF MARKWELL WATCHES
This week on the SUPERLATIVE Podcast, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams is joined by John Liley, the Founder of Markwell Watches. Ariel and John dive right into the importance of offline connections in the watch enthusiast community, the challenges brands face in attracting new buyers, and the evolving role of consumers in the watch industry. Ariel asks about marketing strategies, especially with the impact of online shopping, and the need for brands to expand their reach beyond major ci...
Feb. 24, 2025
INDEPENDENT VOICES IN THE WATCH INDUSTRY WITH ALON BEN JOSEPH OF ACE JEWELERS
This week on the SUPERLATIVE Podcast, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams is joined once again by Alon Ben Joseph, the Owner of Ace Jewelers. The two explore the marketing challenges faced by brands in today’s industry, and the rise of micro and independent watchmakers. Ariel and Alon also talked about the creative process behind designing watches and why storytelling is so important in the watch industry. They discuss the evolving landscape of watch media, the importance of independent vo...
Feb. 17, 2025
WATCH ANGELS AND FREDERIQUE CONSTANT WORLDTIMER COLLABORATION WITH GUIDO BENEDINI AND NIELS EGGERDING
This week on the SUPERLATIVE Podcast, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams is joined by Guido Benedini of Watch Angels and Niels Eggerding of Frederique Constant. Guido and Niels are on the show to talk about the new Worldtimer collaboration watch and to showcase how the Worldtimer has been reimagined with a fresh, future-oriented design identity crafted exclusively for the collector community. They discuss the unique approach of Watch Angels involving watch enthusiasts in the design proces...
Feb. 10, 2025
MATTHEW ZINSKI’S DESIGN EVOLUTION FROM ARCHITECTURE TO TYPSIM WATCHES.
This week on the SUPERLATIVE Podcast, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams is joined by Matthew Zinski, the Founder of Typsim watches. Matthew shares his journey from architect to watch designer while emphasizing the emotional and technical challenges of creating timepieces. The conversation delves into the significance of watches as cultural artifacts, the importance of understanding watchmaking, and the persistence required to innovate in a traditional industry. Ariel has Matthew recount ...
Feb. 3, 2025
THE INNOVATIVE AND RISK-TAKING HISTORY OF GREUBEL FORSEY WITH MICHAEL CLERIZO
This week on the SUPERLATIVE Podcast, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams is joined by Michael Clerizo. Michael is a London-based American journalist who is noted for his in-depth analysis of bespoke luxury products for Financial Times, Wall Street Journal, and other major publications. He recently authored a new book titled “Greubel Forsey: The Art of Invention”, which releases on Amazon on February 28th. Throughout their engaging conversation, Ariel Adams and Michael Clerizo explore the ...
Jan. 27, 2025
Brutalism and Vintage Aesthetics in Watch Design with Joshua Blank and Emily Rosenberg of Papar Watch Company
This week on the SUPERLATIVE Podcast, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams is joined by Joshua Blank and Emily Rosenberg, founders of Papar Watch Company. The conversation delves into the iterative design process, the challenges of manufacturing partnerships, investment decisions, and the dynamics of running a small family business. They discuss their unique journey into the watch industry, the design and features of their first watch, the Anillo Sector Dial GMT, and the emotional experienc...
Jan. 20, 2025
George Bamford On Missed Opportunities, Elitism, & Collector Psychology.
This week on the SUPERLATIVE Podcast, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams is joined once again by George Bamford, founder and CEO of Bamford London. Ariel and George dive right into the evolving trends in the watch industry, particularly the colorful watch trend and its implications for retailers and consumers. They explore the psychology behind watch choices, the recent controversial launch by Patek Philippe, and the elitism of luxury brands. The conversation also delves into how brands c...
Jan. 13, 2025
EXPLORING THE OAK COLLECTION: LIFE LESSONS FROM WATCH COLLECTING WITH PATRICK GETREIDE
This week on the Superlative Podcast, host and aBlogtoWatch Founder Ariel Adams is joined once again by the creator of the OAK Collection, Patrick Getreide. They begin by diving into Patrick's unique approach to watch collecting, the emotional connections to timepieces, and the evolution of the hobby from solitary to social. Patrick shares insights on the importance of displaying collections and the need for more watch museums that celebrate timepieces. Throughout this engaging conversation, Ari...
Jan. 6, 2025
CREATING VALUE BEYOND THE PRODUCT WITH PETER CHO OF JACK MASON WATCHES
This week on the Superlative Podcast, host and aBlogtoWatch Founder Ariel Adams is joined by Peter Cho, the Co-founder of Jack Mason Watches. They dive right into Jack Mason’s collaboration with Dr. Pepper and how that came to fruition, as well as the design process and community reaction to the collaboration. Ariel and Peter also cover the launch of the Canton collection, the differences between Swiss-made and American assembly, and the impact of politics on the watch industry. Throughout this ...
Dec. 30, 2024
THE ESSENCE OF LUXURY AND INDIVIDUALITY WITH ROBERT TRAN OF UNDONE WATCHES
This week on the Superlative Podcast, host and aBlogtoWatch Founder Ariel Adams is joined by Robert Tran, the Co-Founder of UNDONE Watches. Ariel and Robert dive into the conversation discussing the unique watch culture in Hong Kong, the evolution of watch manufacturing, and the innovative approach Undone takes towards customization and e-commerce. Robert shares his insights into the challenges of consumer behavior in customization and the importance of personality in watch design. Throughout th...
Dec. 23, 2024
THE EXPANSION OF THE INDIAN WATCH MARKET FEATURING MITRAJIT BHATTACHARYA
This week on the Superlative Podcast, host and aBlogtoWatch Founder Ariel Adams is joined by Mitrajit Bhattacharya as they dive into the luxury watch industry in India, focusing on the country’s unique position within it. They discuss the historical context of luxury watches in India dating back to British colonialism, and how cultural appreciation for luxury in India differs significantly from China. Ariel has Mitrajit expand on the current pre-owned watch market in India being in its infancy a...
Dec. 16, 2024
CRAFTSMANSHIP: THE HEART OF DOXA WATCHES WITH JAN EDOCS
This week on the Superlative Podcast, host and aBlogtoWatch Founder Ariel Adams is joined by Jan Edocs, the CEO of Doxa Watches. Jan and Ariel jump right into the rich history of Doxa and its significant history and legacy in the diving watch arena. Jan shares insights on the importance of functionality, and why craftsmanship and controlled distribution are key to maintaining brand integrity in today's market. He also emphasizes the need for brands to understand retailer dynamics and the signifi...