Watches and Politics is a limited-series podcast exploring the surprising connections between horology and history. Hosted by political scientist Edi Shipoli, each episode uncovers how watches have shaped war, diplomacy, industrial revolutions, and global power. This is the story of timekeeping as a political force—from Calvinist Geneva to Cold War summits, from luxury diplomacy to digital disruption. Smart, stylish, and historically rich.
Watches and Politics
Claim This Podcastby Edi Shipoli
5.0(14 reviews)
49 episodes
Updated Daily
Accepts GuestsHas Sponsors
Podcast Overview
Watches and Politics is a limited-series podcast exploring the surprising connections between horology and history. Hosted by political scientist Edi Shipoli, each episode uncovers how watches have shaped war, diplomacy, industrial revolutions, and global power. This is the story of timekeeping as a political force—from Calvinist Geneva to Cold War summits, from luxury diplomacy to digital disruption. Smart, stylish, and historically rich.
Language
🇺🇲
Publishing Since
6/24/2025
1 verified contact email on file for Watches and Politics
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Recent Episodes
June 24, 2026
Vacheron Constantin — Time Is Art
<p>What happens when watchmaking stops chasing precision… and starts pursuing <strong>beauty</strong>?</p><p>In this episode of <strong>Watches and Politics — Series 3: Watch Books</strong>, I explore Time Is Art, a book published by <strong>Vacheron Constantin</strong> that examines the relationship between <strong>watchmaking, artistic craftsmanship, and cultural expression</strong>.</p><p>Rather than focusing only on complications or engineering, this book highlights the artistic disciplines that transform watches into miniature works of art — from engraving and enameling to gem-setting and decorative finishing.</p><p>This episode looks at:</p><p>• why Vacheron Constantin positions watchmaking within the world of art• how métiers d’art elevate watches beyond instruments• the relationship between creativity, heritage, and technical mastery• how decoration itself becomes a form of storytelling• why this book reflects a broader philosophy inside the Maison• who should read this book — and who might expect something different</p><p>This episode connects directly to:</p><p>▶ <strong>Series 1</strong> — watches as symbols of culture and power▶ <strong>Series 2</strong> — institutions and the people shaping horology▶ <strong>Series 3</strong> — the books that form the intellectual library of watchmaking</p><p><strong>Series 3</strong> is the library of Watches and Politics — where watches are explored as cultural and artistic artifacts.</p><p>📌 Subscribe for weekly watch book episodes📌 Comment with the métier d’art technique that fascinates you most📌 Share with the friend who believes watches are only about engineering</p><p><br></p><p>#WatchesAndPolitics #WatchBooks #VacheronConstantin #TimeIsArt #Horology</p>
June 17, 2026
The Collectibles — Jaeger-LeCoultre
<p>What makes a watch <strong>collectible</strong>? Age alone is not enough. Rarity alone is not enough.</p><p>In this episode of <strong>Watches and Politics — Series 3: WatchBooks</strong>, I explore The Collectibles, Jaeger-LeCoultre’s remarkable book dedicated to the vintage watches that helped define the identity of the Grande Maison.</p><p>But this is not simply a catalog of old watches. It’s a book about <strong>heritage as strategy</strong>. Through carefully documented historical pieces — from early Reversos to rare mid-century creations — Jaeger-LeCoultre tells the story of how a manufacture’s past becomes part of its present authority.</p><p>In this episode, we discuss:</p><p>• why certain vintage watches become “collectibles” while others fade away• how Jaeger-LeCoultre curates and authenticates its own historical legacy• the role of archival research in modern collecting • what this book reveals about the evolution of design and complications at JLC • how institutional storytelling shapes the vintage market • who should read this book — and who may prefer a purely historical reference</p><p>This episode connects directly to:</p><p>▶ <strong>Series 1</strong> — watches as cultural symbols▶ <strong>Series 2</strong> — collectors and market influence▶ <strong>Series 3</strong> — the books that define horological knowledge</p><p><strong>Series 3</strong> is the library of Watches and Politics — where watches are read as historical narratives, not just objects.</p><p>📌 Subscribe for weekly watch book episodes📌 Comment with your favorite vintage Jaeger-LeCoultre reference📌 Share with the friend who believes vintage collecting is about more than rarity</p><p><br></p><p>#WatchesAndPolitics #WatchBooks #JaegerLeCoultre #TheCollectibles #Horology</p><p><br></p>
June 10, 2026
Watchmakers: The Masters of Art Horology
<p>Behind every extraordinary watch is not just a brand — but a <strong>person</strong>.</p><p>In this episode of <strong>Watches and Politics — Series 3: Watch Books</strong>, I explore Watchmakers: The Masters of Art Horology, a book that shifts the focus of watch history away from companies and toward the <strong>individual craftsmen whose ideas shaped modern horology</strong>.</p><p>This is a book about <strong>people who refused to follow the rules</strong>.</p><p>The watchmakers featured here represent a remarkable generation of independent thinkers who transformed mechanical watchmaking from a declining craft into one of the most creative fields in modern design and engineering.</p><p>In this episode, we discuss:</p><p>• how independent watchmakers reshaped the modern horological landscape• the philosophy behind contemporary haute horlogerie• why small ateliers can sometimes innovate faster than large manufactures • the personalities and ideas behind some of the most influential watches of the last decades• how this book captures a moment when creativity returned to watchmaking• who should read this book — and who might want a more technical reference</p><p>This episode connects directly to:</p><p>▶ <strong>Series 1</strong> — watches as cultural and symbolic objects ▶ <strong>Series 2</strong> — voices from inside the watch industry▶ <strong>Series 3</strong> — the written canon of watch culture</p><p><strong>Series 3</strong> is the library of Watches and Politics — where watches are understood through the people who imagined them.</p><p>📌 Subscribe for weekly watch book episodes📌 Comment with the independent watchmaker you admire most📌 Share with the friend who believes the future of horology belongs to individuals</p><p><br></p><p>#WatchesAndPolitics #WatchBooks #IndependentWatchmakers #Horology #WatchCollectors</p><p><br></p>
49 total episodes available
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Frequently asked questions
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- What is Watches and Politics?
- How often does this podcast release new episodes?
This podcast updates daily.
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This podcast is available on 4 platforms including Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more. You can also use the RSS feed directly.
- Does this podcast accept guests?
Yes, this podcast regularly features guests.
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