The Real Time Show

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George Bamford, crown prince of watch banter, joins his "friendly competition" for a show like few others. George is not only a watchmaker, modder, and renowned car collector, but is now a significant figure in the watch media landscape thanks to his own podcast (GB Talks) and his partnership with Andrew McUtchen (Time & Tide) and Adrian Barker (Bark & Jack/Adrian Barker) with their groundbreaking YouTube show, About Effing Time (now in its second season).

Tune in and enjoy what we hope will be the first of many Bamford appearances.

Time stamps:

3:24 What George enjoys the most
5:56 George's passion for cars
11:49 How does the new Landrover limited edition wear?
15:08 The TAG Heuer Monaco and the bridge to oddball watches
19:59 Taking the regular into the exceptional
28:00 The constraints of long-term planning
30:38 seconde/seconde
34:40 What's wrong with Adrian?
40:55 The Hive in Mayfair, London
48:50 The Limited Edition question
54:20 A happy marriage and "Ask George"

Follow the hosts on Instagram @robnudds and @alonbenjoseph

Thanks to @skillymusic for the theme tune.

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Rob and Alon sift through the mailbag once more, addressing topics such as their favorite materials, their top watches of 2022, and whether or not the Omega × Swatch Moonswatch lived up to the hype.

2:15 Our favorite watch releases of 2022
12:50 Our favorite watch purchases of the year
26:34 Our views on case materials
41:53 The Omega x Swatch MoonSwatch experience...
53:23 Cross-brand collaborations in focus

Follow the hosts on Instagram @robnudds and @alonbenjoseph

Thanks to @skillymusic for the theme tune.

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Everyone's favorite Canadian joins The Real Time Show. Gothenberg-based materials expert James Thompson, otherwise known as the Black Badger, takes some time out of his day finishing Arcanaut Fordite dials to talk to Rob (while slowly bleeding out due to a disc sander disaster).

Listen to what might be his final interview ever...

Time stamps:

1:43 The Badger Den
4:32 I'm James, nice to meet you
11:27 A materials orphanage
14:56 "You can't fake time"
24:12 The New York response to Arcanaut
30:18 Rob's initial reaction to Arcanaut
33:20 Who the heck manufactured this case
40:30 The birth of the Arcanaut ARC-II Fordite
47:35 A vision of the future

Follow the hosts on Instagram @robnudds and @alonbenjoseph

Thanks to @skillymusic for the theme tune.

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For the first time, Rob and Alon welcome a WATCH to the studio for the inaugural product review show.

After discovering the Polo Ralph Lauren Vintage 67 during an impromptu meeting at Geneva Watch Days, Rob requested a loaner from the brand. What began as a passing flirtation quickly blossomed into true love. Listen to the Q&A and hear the analysis today!

Time stamps:

2:22 Gerard asks: Why?
6:59 Yay or nay for Rob?
12:50 What is that case finish all about?
20:02 Why a bund strap for this watch?
22:25 What about the history of the bund?
25:18 The movement itself.
30:33 Do you compare Ralph Lauren to Hermes?
42:47 Exactly how particular is Rob when it comes to his watch collection?
44:59 Why do RL feel the need to cut the numerals in half with the small seconds track?
52:00 Did Mr. Ralph Lauren design these watches himself?
55:13 If the Polo Vintage 67 was an international football team, which one would it be and why?

Follow the hosts on Instagram @robnudds and @alonbenjoseph

And thanks to @skillymusic for the theme tune.

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One of watchmaking's truly philosophical forces, Martin Frei of URWERK renown joins The Real Time Show for a heart-warmingly personal interview that explores the people and the concepts behind the brand like never before. As one of watchmaking's true visionaries, Martin has spent the last quarter century wowing the watch-adoring public with the creations brought to life by him and his partner in crime Felix Baumgartner.

Time stamps:

1:20 Horological heroes
13:27 The history of the URWERK team
18:15 What do you like most about Felix Baumgartner as a person?
25:41 What was your Apollo 13 moment?
31:22 The importance of the Harry Winston Opus 5
34:33 The Nitro watch
40:22 The modern stance on collaboration
52:49 URWERK UR-120
59:56 Ben Hodges from Fratello asks...
1:06:25 The freedom of innovation

Follow the hosts on Instagram @robnudds and @alonbenjoseph

Thanks to @skillymusic for the theme tune.

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Today sees our very first on-location episode, recorded during the launch day of the SubOrbital Express 3, carrying on board as part of its precious cargo, 13 Fortis chronographs that will become some of the first watches to undergo a pre-release flight test beyond the Karman line.

If you have any questions about this topic, please get in touch via Instagram or email and we would be happy to address these points in a future episode.

Follow the hosts on Instagram @robnudds and @alonbenjoseph

Thanks to @skillymusic for the theme tune.

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One year after launching a balloon carrying 13 chronograph movements into the stratosphere, Fortis has returned to Esrange, home of the Swedish Space Corporation, to take what they learned from 2021's experiment to the next level.

This time around, we'll be launching a rocket into space. The rocket will be carrying 12 scientific experiments, including 13 fully assembled special edition Stratoliner watches 260km above the Earth's surface (so well beyond the Karman line) where they will experience around six minutes of micro-gravity before the rocket falls back down to Earth, its landing cushioned by a two-stage parachute.

Will the watches survive? Tune in for next Tuesday's special Q&A session on location to follow the launch and hear the results of the test. In the meantime, please enjoy this jovial chat with two of the finest men in the watch world.

Time stamps:

00:29 What are we doing here
7:54 Where are we exactly
9:59 How long is the rocket in the air?
14:11 The long-term benefits of this experiment for deep Space exploration
22:07 Fortis's payload coming down hard...
22:29 Vibration testing in Sweden
26:10 The best sapphire crystal in the world
30:43 Testing certificates
32:30 The new Stratoliner and its special dial...
43:11 Amadee Israel Mars Mission
47:00 The future of the Fortis catalog
49:57 Excellence in everything

Follow the hosts on Instagram @robnudds and @alonbenjoseph

Thanks to @skillymusic for the theme tune.

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Before jetting off to the Arctic to meet with Fortis Watches once more, Rob had time to sit down with Alon for another buzz through the bulging mailbag. There aren't so many questions addressed today because the answers run, and run, and run, and...

Time stamps:

1:13 When did the idea to start a podcast together emerge?
8:17 How many times did we discuss the concepts behind The Real Time Show?
12:03 How do you find time to stay informed of watch industry developments
25:57 The best marketing campaigns of all time
43:23 Which watch fad can we not wait to see die
46:02 Which new complications and technical developments do you expect to see in the near future

Follow the hosts on Instagram @robnudds and @alonbenjoseph

Thanks to @skillymusic for the theme tune.

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Antoine Pin of Bvlgari joins the show.

2:44 Highlights from Geneva Watch Days
6:40 A Serpenti for men?
10:36 A return for the Bvlgari Scuba?
13:44 The changing attitudes towards Bvlgari
19:22 The vertical integration of Bvlgari
26:00 The long-term vision of Bvlgari
35:47 A lot but not too much...
39:48 The purpose of gem-setting and the MB&F collaboration
45:11 The future of collaborations
55:41 The highlight of Antoine's career

Follow the hosts on Instagram @robnudds and @alonbenjoseph

And thanks to @skillymusic for the theme tune.

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Rob and Alon mine the mailbag for more questions from the listeners.

1:10 What we would recommend as a first watch purchase
7:40 What is meant by "manufacture caliber"
11:06 Is it important to Rob to have an in-house caliber
12:59 Is Rolex really the best?
22:05 The advantage of Authorized Dealers
24:35 What is a Holy Trinity brand and do they still exist
33:33 Are German watches as good as Swiss?
44:13 Why did JLC lose its mojo
55:33 What do you think of the Apple Watch (and what to watch out for)

Follow the hosts on Instagram @robnudds and @alonbenjoseph

Thanks to @skillymusic for the theme tune.

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Today we welcome Xavier de Roquemaurel of Czapek to the show.

Time stamps:

00:46 We love each other
1:25 How it all began
10:42 How Czapek came back to life
18:22 The modern legacy of Czapek
21:23 The success of the Antarctique Frozen Star
24:24 Increasing production and the long-term benefits
29:11 What should a collector do to get hold of an Antarctique?
32:49 Trendsetting with Grönefeld
37:34 The perfect collaboration
40:19 Collaborating outside the industry
47:10 What would you do if you were approached by a luxury group looking to buy Czapek?

Follow the hosts on Instagram @robnudds and @alonbenjoseph

And thanks to @skillymusic for the theme tune.

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Mining through the mailbag has never been so fun! A not-so-rare appearance from Ranting Robbie sees one of our hosts go for a world record of consecutive watchmaking monologues…but it’s all in the name of fun!

Time Stamps:

3:07 To faux or not to faux, what do we think of Patina?
11:35 A definition of patina and faux patina
21:37 When will the supply chain be able to meet the current demand for luxury watches?
28:23 The advantages and disadvantages of higher and lower operating frequencies
37:42 Why did Rolex lower the VPH of the Zenith El Primero caliber?
46:50 Which countries (after Switzerland) are really “watch countries”?
57:14 Why is Rob so good-looking?

Follow the hosts on Instagram @robnudds and @alonbenjoseph

And thanks to @skillymusic for the theme tune.

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Today we welcome our first French-speaking guest, Monsieur Laurent Ferrier, along with Head of Sales Robert Bailey, who acted as translator for our interview.

1:28 A passion for pebbles
3:00 What are you wearing?
4:39 The link between motor racing and watchmaking
7:35 Plans for the next generation
16:39 The design process behind Laurent Ferrier watches
19:18 Independence or conglomeration?
22:03 The thinking behind the integrated bracelet
24:57 The double balance spring and its benefits
30:00 Will we see an LF Minute Repeater?
31:17 Laurent Ferrier's grail watch
34:40 What would Laurent do differently?
37:45 What are LF's views on the Certified Pre-Owned market
39:50 Laurent's advice for the next generation

Follow the hosts on Instagram @robnudds and @alonbenjoseph

And thanks to @skillymusic for the theme tune.

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Rob and Alon walk through the results from the GPHG results announced last week on November 10th and highlight their favorite pieces from the award ceremony.

Time Stamps:

6:30 The Ladies' Category
8:10 The Ladies' Complication Category
10:20 The Men’s Category
12:17 The Men’s Complication Category
13:37 The Iconic Category
15:33 The Tourbillon Category
17:15 The Calendar and Astronomy Category
21:05 The Mechanical Exception Category
23:12 The Chronograph Category
26:30 The Dive Watch Category
30:30 The Jewelry Category
33:24 The Artistic Category
34:22 The Petite Aguille Category
38:18 The Challenge Category
39:58 The Mechanical Clock Category
43:00 Final Thoughts and the Grand Prix Champ

Follow the hosts on Instagram @robnudds and @alonbenjoseph

And thanks to @skillymusic for the theme tune. 

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Episode 4 of The Real Time Show sees the master of mirth Edouard Meylan, Owner & CEO of H. Moser & Cie. enter the booth, to chat through his sky-rocketing brand's current range, the success of the flagship model Streamliner, and what he envisages for the future of the brand regarding brand and cross-industry collaborations.

Time Stamps:

2:30 The importance of authenticity and humor in communication
10:48 Has the success of the Streamliner made a characterful communication strategy easier or harder?
17:08 Edouard personal grail watches
19:35 The impact of the minute repeater without hands
29:48 The design process of the perfect Moser
39:07 The beauty of co-brand and cross-industry collaboration
47:03 The Meylan family and the future of watchmaking

Follow the hosts on Instagram @robnudds and @alonbenjoseph

Thanks to @skillymusic for the theme tune.

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Rob and Alon return to the studio to dissect the remaining eight categories of the upcoming GPHG awards, with a surprise guest joining the show (with his own theme tune to boot) to explain the GPHG voting process from an Academy Member's perspective.

Time stamps:

00:20 The Mechanical Exception Category
14:32 The Dive Watch Category
26:02 The Jewelry Category
35:10 The Artistic Category
40:25 The Petite Aguille Category
45:35 The Challenge Category
53:39 The Mechanical Clock Category
57:42 The Chronograph Category
1:07:34 GPHG Academy Member Balazs Ferenczi joins the shows

Follow the hosts on Instagram @robnudds and @alonbenjoseph

You can find today's special guest also on Instagram @ferenczibazs

And thanks to @skillymusic for the theme tune (and the fan-favorite WASP theme tune used for Balazs's intro). 

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Today, Rob and Alon welcome the legendary force of nature that is Jean-Claude Biver to the show. An industry icon, Biver played a pivotal role in the renaissance of the Swiss watch industry following the tumult of the Quartz Crisis of the 1970s. He reinvigorated Blancpain, tripled the profitability of Omega (and managed to strap one onto James Bond's wrist for the first time, made Hublot a household name, and spearheaded TAG Heuer's increasing global visibility, molding it into the powerhouse brand it is today.

If you've never heard Biver speak before, you're in for a treat...

Time stamps:

00:00 The start of the episode (seriously, it's worth listening to the whole thing...)
13:00 The delicious cheese of Mr. Biver (it really is delicious)

Follow the hosts on Instagram @robnudds and @alonbenjoseph

Thanks to @skillymusic for the theme tune.

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Rob and Alon kick things off with a bang, by addressing a gargantuan question from one listener: Who will (or who should) win at this year’s GPHG awards, soon to be held in Geneva on November 10th. This mammoth topic will span over two episodes, so make sure to tune into the second installment, airing on November 8th.

Time stamps:

2:20 The Ladies' Category
15:21 The Ladies' Complication Category
25:00 The Men’s Category
36:17 The Men’s Complication Category
41:49 The Iconic Category
53:58 The Tourbillon Category
1:03:09 The Calendar and Astronomy Category

Follow the hosts on Instagram @robnudds and @alonbenjoseph

Thanks to @skillymusic for the theme tune.