WatchSmarts

About WatchSmarts

Hi there! This is David Newman, host of WatchSmarts, the podcast for anyone who loves watches and wants to get smarter about what's on their wrist. Whether you're just a beginner (like me!) or a seasoned watch enthusiast, each episode brings you a fun, fly-on-the-wall conversation with collectors, microbrand founders, dealers, your favorite watch podcasters and YouTubers, and other watch-world insiders, sharing stories, lessons, wins, and a few mistakes along the way. We also cover watch events and watches worth paying attention to at every price point. Whether you are brand new on the watch scene or have a vast collection, this is the watch podcast you've been looking for. Your ears and wrist will thank you!

Publisher

David Newman

Category

arts · leisure

Language

en

Explicit

No

First episode

5 May 2026

Latest episode

13 Oct 2026

Latest episodes

28 episodes in the feed.

1. 

   13 Oct 2026

   028: Rock Stars, Radioactive Dials, and the Art of the Watch Bracelet with Hilary Jay

   Get the FREE WatchSmarts Beginner Buyer's Guide Hilary Jay joins David Newman to discuss her wild journey from wearing heirloom diamond watches in college to cofounding Maximal Art, a brand that pioneered the "watch bracelet" and reached 2,000 stores worldwide. Hilary shares how a chance connection with the Thompson Twins in 1980s London turned a hobby of making collages into a global business that adorned stars like Michael Jackson and Janet Jackson. She pulls back the curtain on the "Watch Bracelet" phenomenon, revealing how her designs ended up in prestigious museums like the Louvre and the Philadelphia Museum of Art. The conversation takes a dramatic turn as Hilary recounts the "Great Radium Recall," where OSHA with Geiger counters discovered her vintage dead stock dials were radioactive. From celebrity parties in Paris to navigating high stakes product recalls, Hilary illustrates how a career in design is like a game of "Barrel of Monkeys," where every unique pivot leads to the next adventure. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:00 : Early Connections Hilary remembers wearing Victorian diamond watches from her grandmother as bracelets in college. She explains why it never mattered if those early watches actually worked as long as they were beautiful jewelry. 02:26 : Meeting John Wind How a college friendship built on date nights making collages turned into a global business partnership. The journey from art school in England to finding unique pieces at the Bricklane Flea Market. 03:51 : The Thompson Twins The unexpected phone call from Alana of the Thompson Twins that launched a jewelry company. Delivering handmade pieces to Paris and partying all night with 1980s rock stars. 06:06 : The Jewelry Collage Discovering watch dials in bags of junk and embedding them in resin with pearls and chains. How Maximal Art became known for jewelry collage and produced thousands of unique pieces. 08:45 : The Watch Bracelet Finding a box of non-functional watches from a lawyer with a side gig in watch repair. The birth of the watch bracelet which eventually landed in the collection of the Louvre. 10:25 : Influencer Marketing Using old fashioned PR to get jewelry onto album covers and into the hands of Michael Jackson. Why giving away pieces to celebrities like Janet Jackson and Patti LaBelle was the ultimate growth strategy. 12:51 : The Functionality Shift Transitioning from purely cosmetic pieces to watches that actually served a horological purpose. The challenge of finding manufacturers and the risk of being knocked off by your own factory. 20:28 : The Radium Crisis The terrifying moment OSHA showed up at a retail store with Geiger counters to test her jewelry. Executing a massive recall across Neiman Marcus and Saks after discovering dead stock dials were radioactive. 25:55 : Advice for Makers Hilary shares the reality of the trade show market and the challenge of building a business today. Why finding your bliss is more important than chasing big financial returns in a small enterprise. 30:44 : The Barrel of Monkeys Viewing a multifaceted career as a series of iterations that hook into one another. Why the ability to iterate and use design thinking is the secret to a long and interesting career. A watch does not have to work to be a masterpiece, but it probably should not be radioactive. ========== FREE GUIDE: Buy Your First Great Watch Without Getting Burned Download the WatchSmarts Beginner Buyer's Guide » (https://bonus.watchsmarts.com/beginner-guide/) Know exactly what matters (and what doesn't) before you spend a dollar Avoid the 10 common mistakes that cost beginners thousands Find a great watch that fits your life, your style, and your budget Skip the jargon, the snobbery, and the "collector nonsense" Get a simple decision framework that makes buying easy and obvious

2. 

   6 Oct 2026

   027: From Richemont Luxury to Detroit Soul with Brandon Little

   Get the FREE WatchSmarts Beginner Buyer's Guide Brandon Little joins David Newman to share a legendary 35 year career that began in the vanished flea markets of New York City and reached the absolute heights of Swiss luxury. From designing for Dunhill and Cartier to serving as the Chief Creative Officer for Fossil and Shinola, Brandon has mastered the art of storytelling through mechanical objects. He explores the transition from half million dollar high horology at JLC to the fun, expressive world of fashion watches, eventually leading to the launch of his own modular brand, ARTEFKT. By applying high luxury methodology to a serviceable and rugged design, Brandon is redefining what a modern timepiece can be. Whether discussing the beer garden culture of Baselworld or the technical struggle of manufacturing a perfect leather strap, Brandon reminds us that watches are the ultimate signifiers of our own personal milestones. ⏱️ Timestamps 01:05 : Introducing a Design Legend David introduces Brandon as a guest who uniquely balances experience in big brands, micro-brands, and design. Setting the stage for a professional journey that spans from New York City to the heart of Switzerland. 01:49 : The Flea Market Spark Brandon recalls the amazing weekend flea markets on 7th Avenue that sparked his lifelong love for watches. How a background in metalsmithing and men's clothing led him to purchase his first vintage pocket watch. 02:55 : The Richemont Creative Academy How a guy from southern Louisiana ended up designing for global giants like Cartier, Panerai, and Van Cleef & Arpels. The pivotal move to Milan that shifted Brandon's career fully into the world of luxury watch and jewelry design. 04:36 : The Automotive History of Dunhill Exploring the incredible archive of Dunhill watches and their unique slanted designs for easy viewing while driving. Why many vintage Dunhill mechanical movements are undervalued hidden gems worth searching for on eBay. 06:50 : Living at Jaeger-LeCoultre Brandon describes living in the fields behind the JLC building in the Vallée de Joux while working on the 450th anniversary Reverso. The intensity and dedication required to work alongside the old-world artisans of traditional watchmaking. 08:34 : Bringing Luxury to Fossil Transitioning from high luxury to Fossil and bringing a Michelin star methodology to the world of fashion watches. Managing a massive portfolio of licenses including Burberry, Armani, and the revitalization of Zodiac. 12:25 : The Culture of Fun How Fossil and Swatch changed the industry by making watches expressive, collectible, and playful. Why a watch should bring a smile to your face rather than being a purely serious accessory. 16:35 : The Baselworld Beer Garden Memories of the golden era of Baselworld where collectors of all levels mingled over cheap beer. Why the ability to share stories is more important than the competitive nature of high-end collecting. 18:21 : Rebuilding Detroit with Shinola Moving to Detroit to oversee design for Shinola's watches, clocks, and desktop accessories. The significance of the manufacturing and assembly investment that brought watchmaking back to the United States. 22:00 : The Challenge of the Strap Brandon reveals why manufacturing a watch strap is more technically difficult than most people imagine. The rewarding process of building a factory that takes raw leather from point A to a finished luxury product. 24:39 : Launching ARTEFKT Why Brandon decided to leave the corporate world to design a watch specifically for himself. The mission to create modular, high-tolerance, Grade 5 titanium watches that are built to be easily serviced. 31:36 : Luxury Marketing vs. The Hard Sell Why the best brands provide a space for acquisition and storytelling rather than a forced transaction. The importance of engaging honestly with the global community through watch fairs and local meetups. 43:20 : Parting Advice for Beginners Brandon encourages new collectors to ignore the snobbery and just enjoy the process of discovery. Why cutting your teeth on a vintage Casio or Timex makes you appreciate a future Grail watch even more. A great watch is not just a tool for telling the time; it is a mechanical record of the journey you have taken to get where you are today. ========== FREE GUIDE: Buy Your First Great Watch Without Getting Burned Download the WatchSmarts Beginner Buyer's Guide » (https://bonus.watchsmarts.com/beginner-guide/) Know exactly what matters (and what doesn't) before you spend a dollar Avoid the 10 common mistakes that cost beginners thousands Find a great watch that fits your life, your style, and your budget Skip the jargon, the snobbery, and the "collector nonsense" Get a simple decision framework that makes buying easy and obvious

3. 

   29 Sept 2026

   026: From Rectangle Lots to the NAWCC Boardroom with Geoffrey Parker

   Get the FREE WatchSmarts Beginner Buyer's Guide David Newman sits down with Geoffrey Parker, the Chairman of the Board for the NAWCC, to explore a life dedicated to mechanical precision. Jeff shares how his childhood fascination with a local watchmaker and a professional background in complex scale modeling led him to salvage a "rectangle lot" of junk watches from eBay to teach himself the trade. From the emotional weight of restoring a Vietnam veteran's cherished Seiko to navigating the diverse factions of the horological community, Jeff explains why a watch is much more than just a tool. He offers a peek at his own impressive collection, including a 1951 original Omega and award winning custom skeletonized builds, while providing essential advice for beginners looking to find their own hidden treasures at flea markets and local meets. ⏱️ Timestamps 00:04 : Welcome to the Show David introduces Jeff as a watch guru, maker, and industry insider. Jeff reflects on his earliest memories and his lifelong connection to the craft. 00:41 : The Face Against the Glass Jeff recalls being the "Norman Rockwell" boy with his face pressed against a local watchmaker's window. How his background building 1/8 scale car replicas with 4,000 parts prepared him for the precision of horology. 02:46 : The "Rectangle Lot" Experiment Buying a "wreck and tangle" lot of junk watches on eBay to see if he could actually fix them. The card table and simple tools that launched a decades long journey into professional repair. 04:44 : The Emotional Side of Repair Salvaging a late husband's water damaged watch for a grieving coworker. Restoring a Vietnam veteran's faceted Seiko that became one of the most meaningful projects of his career. 06:10 : Ancestral Watchmakers Discovering a hidden family history of watchmaking that dates back over 150 years. Why Jeff feels he was destined to pick up the trade as the only current family member in the craft. 14:31 : Building Award Winning Timepieces The story of the skeletonized Swiss movement build that won first prize at a national craft contest. Why Jeff plans to eventually leave his cybersecurity career to focus on building custom watches full time. 22:52 : Leading the NAWCC Community Navigating the different subgroups of wristwatch, pocket watch, and clock collectors. Why the "MoonSwatch" phenomenon is a vital gateway for bringing younger collectors into the hobby. 28:58 : Innovation at the Museum Highlighting the Bulova exhibit and the fascinating immigration story of Joseph Bulova. Exploring the legacy of Accutron tuning fork technology and its impact on American watchmaking. 32:30 : Show and Tell A look at a garnet colored Baume & Mercier and a completely original 1951 Omega Seamaster. The rare 1963 Zodiac chronograph that required a two year restoration process. 37:44 : Advice for the New Collector Why beginners should look for makers fairs and watch meets to find what truly excites them. Approaching affordable vintage collecting with a "gambling" mindset for better entertainment value. 41:30 : The Lightning Round Jeff explains why he would choose one great masterpiece over a collection of five good ones. Why the value of pre owned watches makes them a smarter choice than buying brand new. A great watch is a perfect storm of engineering, history, and art that reminds you to enjoy every second. ========== FREE GUIDE: Buy Your First Great Watch Without Getting Burned Download the WatchSmarts Beginner Buyer's Guide » (https://bonus.watchsmarts.com/beginner-guide/) Know exactly what matters (and what doesn't) before you spend a dollar Avoid the 10 common mistakes that cost beginners thousands Find a great watch that fits your life, your style, and your budget Skip the jargon, the snobbery, and the "collector nonsense" Get a simple decision framework that makes buying easy and obvious

Reach and audience

Public platform figures. Ratings count people who left a rating, not total listeners.

Apple Podcasts (US)

5.0 / 5

1 ratings