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We sit down with Mikey Fridman aka @horologyCritic on Instagram to talk about what got him first interested in watches and how that has led to him working with new brands to help introduce them to the watch scene via Horology Connection. His origin story is actually very close to Mark's as they both start with a 1967 family heirloom. Mikey was also part of the group of collectors with Annette that came together to help design the Maurice Lacroix America 250th birthday watch, the Liberty Aikon. We start the chat with how the Aikon came together before delving into Mikey's horological journey.

Many of us are seasoned watch collectors that have become jaded from negative comment sections or looking at watches one way for too long. That is why we thought having a talk with someone who is somewhat newer to the hobby would help us all gain some perspective. We came across Flavia because she was a listener who mentioned us in a post who had a great article in her Substack about how an early purple Swatch worn to a law internship interview shaped the way she viewed watches. In the past two years she has gone from buying a neo vintage Tag Heuer Formula 1 to having a spreadsheet to help track all the watches that have come in and out of her collection in between visiting Watches and Wonders. Take a listen to her journey, it just might help you rediscover some of your passion.

While Breitling was coming out with some cushion shaped chronographs and we were all filling out a MoonSwatch application the official relaunch of Lorier was announced. With Worn and Wound moving from journalism with a shop to also owning a watch brand came a small retooling of the look of Lorier. Many on the internet shared their opinion and it had us thinking about another event that happened with Hodinkee this week and our experience with internet comment sections both good and bad.

The GPHG contestants have been announced along with some category shuffling this year. We take a look at the biggest watch awards show and see if there is anything we love, hate, or wonder why it was ever even made. There is A LOT of watches to look at so we recommend following along at the GPHG website and take a look at the hundreds of watches competing this year.

Last week Christopher Ward unveiled a limited edition collaboration with The Dial Artist that had us smiling while the new Vacheron 34.5mm Overseas had us questioning what the brand stands for anymore. To wrap it all up François-Henri Bennahmias, the old CEO of AP teases a new brand that he is naming N3W5. A name that is pronounced news that already feels like old news.

It used to be that most watch brands would work with a group of collectors to create a custom club watch. In today's watch world many of the more expensive established brands ignore the enthusiast for the general consumer. That is where newer brands have come in with a focus on building a community. Annette and Mark talk about how some watch brands are willing to do just about anything for the watch community and Annette's recent experience with Maurice LaCroix. A experience where the brand brought together different members of the watch community to help create a watch for the 250th Anniversary of America's independence.

Watch dials make up 90% of the visual elements of a watch yet we hear much more about the movement, case, or bracelet when someone starts to review a watch. Mark and Annette take a moment to talk about their favorite watch dials. From the techniques, materials, and aesthetics that speak to them. Take a listen and explore a little bit about the topic of watch dials and learn about some of the more unusual ones in the world of watches.

If you had to start your watch collection from scratch with a budget of 15k what would you buy? Annette and Mark create a personal three watch collection with this healthy budget. The only rules are one vintage watch and you have to be able to buy thew watch in the US easily. Listen to see what they pick and see who you think did a better job.

Like a couple on TV sitting down in front of a therapist forced to say something nice about the other person, Annette and Mark sit down and say something nice about Rolex. While Rolex dominates the luxury watch industry and has earned millions of fans both inside and outside collecting communities it has also found more than a few detractors. We have traditionally been critical of the crown, but maybe a sit down on the fictional hodological therapy couch can change our opinion.

We have been lucky to see a large number of watches and a few have either surprised us by how much better they were in person or disappointed when put on the wrist. On this episode we list a few from both sides of the expectations game from Nomos, Omega, Moser, Oris, Maurice Lacroix and others.

An errant comment from an anonymous internet troll about the new Christopher Ward Sealander has hit a nerve with Annette. The idea of calling the Sealander an homage to the Rolex Oyster Perpetual launched Annette into rant mode and uses this week's podcast to air her grievances.  Sometimes we all need to yell into the void and we are sure many watch enthusiasts share our opinions on watch design, internet trolls, and a general appreciation for what Christopher Ward and the team over in England has been able to pull off in recent years.

The Royal Pop has been the biggest watch story so far this year. Some are disappointed it isn't a wrist watch but that didn't stop mobs of people from overwhelming stores. We give our own opinion on the Swatch collaborations and some thoughts on how good and bad this latest collaboration of plastic timekeeping.

Coming back from vacation visiting our family we had an appreciation for the impact our watch mania has had on them. Slowly we have seen our family go from rolling their eyes as we talk about the latest releases to watching them get excited about buying a new watch of their own. We talk about how amazing it is to see the growing love of watches in others and how it impacts our appreciation for our own journey.

Watch auctions are often ignored by the average collector for only being geared towards the most well off of customers, and that is a fair take. But, these auctions also represent a chance to learn about rare one of ones, historically important watches, and the never before seen in public pieces. They are full of history and design that you cannot find anywhere else. They offer a chance to learn about the world of watches from the rare and unique. Annette and Mark dive into the Monaco Legends Auction from April 25th and 26th to take a look at some interesting, rare, and museum worthy watches that help show why the world of watch auctions is worth your time and attention.

The biggest watch show of the year has come and gone and left us all feeling a bit underwhelmed. Shifting through the list of watches that didn't excite Annette and Mark find their three favorite watches from the show and talk about who did have a good group of novelties and who did not. Mark also goes on a bit of a rant on watch journalism for clear factual errors on the Rolex reporting, and for once defends Rolex when doing so.