Time to Move ... to the OT: Substack

Yeah, I know it's been quiet here.

So. It’s been a hot minute (AKA three-and-a-half-years), since I sent out a horological missive, something that occasionally keeps me up at night with angst-ridden guilt. To be fair, most of the hopes and dreams I had for this newsletter have manifested in OT: The Podcast, my aural adventure with Andy Green.

Which brings me neatly to the point of this out-of-the-blue email. OT: is now on Substack. I know it’s a little spammy, but if any of you feel the need for a little more Felix-talks-watches in your life, consider signing up. We’re working out what we’ll do with the substack, but you can expect shownotes, episodes, as well as the occasional extra bits and bobs, like mini reviews, photo reports, behind the scenes looks at the business of watches, and (maybe?) more.

Absolutely no pressure, and I expect this is the last time I’ll email you from this account. But if you’re up for it, come on over, it’ll be fun!

Over and Out, Felix

Miss me?

Long time, no email.

It’s been a hot minute (or month) since I sent an email out, and there are a few reasons for that. First of all, the obvious covid-ennui that I’m sure many of you can relate to. Not going to go on about that – instead I’m going to do a top line about what has been going on in my little Australian corner of watchland. 

Zoom.

First of all, a lot of Zooming. A few nights a week are typically taken up with this new pseudo-anonymous community forum-cum-press conference. And honestly, it’s not too much different from the sort of product presentations I’d sit through at SIHH. The most significant difference is the engagement is a lot more stilted (like a 5PM presentation at SIHH tbh), and you can’t see any actual watches. 

Touch and Feel.

Luckily though, I have had a chance to see some of the brands drip-feed of new releases IRL. Honourable mentions include Bremont, IWC, Cartier and Longines. In the name of brevity, I’ll roll through my highlight from each (or at least the ones that aren’t still embargoed). 

Bremont

fkscholz

Had the chance to check out the updated @bremontwatches MBII today. I was initially uncertain about the update, but I'm into the new dial and even OK with the loss of the day display.

June 15, 2020

The English chaps finally got around to updating their popular pilot, the MBII. I was initially hesitant about the dial design changes (RIP DAY), but after trying it on for size, I think it’s a smart move. Plus the online configurator is nifty. 

IWC

fkscholz

Are we calling the best watch of 2020 yet? Cos the new 40mm Portugieser is high on the list.

June 30, 2020

The Porty 40 is killer. Proper wearable everyday dress watch. Lovely proportions all round and very grown-up. IWC nailed this one. 

Cartier

fkscholz

Large Santos-Dumont, I could easily get used to this hotness.

June 30, 2020

Cartier can do something exceptional with their watches. Make them look so-so in renders, but absolutely stunning on the wrist. The manually wound Santos-Dumont is a case-in-point.

Longines

fkscholz

Checked out some of the new @longines releases today, and this new time-only Spirit is my pick. Lovely, detailed dial in a wearable modern 40mm (or 42mm) package.

June 16, 2020

In a year when everyone else is holding, Longines goes all in. And with the new aviation-inspired Spirit (complete with Howard Hughes and Amelia Earhart tie-ins) the brand is onto a winner. The chrono has some quirks, but the 40mm time-only is perfectly pitched.

OT-aking Over The World

So the other major reason for my silence here is that I’ve been pretty noisy elsewhere. In addition to hustling for work in all sorts of odd places, just like every other freelancer in this *changing media landscape*. But really, the big one is OT: The Podcast, which Andy Green and I have been mulling over for a while. We kicked off in early April, and it’s been bonkers ever since, We’re now 17 episodes in, and have really positive feedback and growth (and lots of learning, obviously). 

If you haven’t listened recently, you’ve missed out on some great stuff. Last week we spoke to Richard Harris, a cave-diving doctor who wears a Bremont and rescues soccer teams from Thai caves.

We also chatted to James Cox, who, until he sold it at Phillips, owned Paul Newman’s Paul Newman Daytona.

We bantered with Masterchef winner Diana Chan, tried to take down the Submariner and chatted to watch pod gods the Grey Nato. 

We’ve also had a Dolly Parton-heavy guest appearance on Tenn & Two, and been covered by the almighty Hodinkee. 

 I thought I’d take this opportunity though to share some behind the scenes highlights. 

• Andy ‘on-air’ swearing for the first time about a Cartier bracelet of all things. 

• Receiving dozens of emails and DMs from people looking for us to find them a watch — and what’s even better is that several people have reported back saying that we were on the money.

• One person discovered a brand from us — and bought a watch! SUF Helsinki in case you’re wondering.

• We’ve had our first sponsor! The wonderful guys at Swiss Typefaces — thanks team! 

• Getting custom Casioaks for the team (of three). First time I’ve ever had a team watch. Lovely feeling (and a super fun watch). 

So there you go, a quick update on OT. If you don’t subscribe, please consider it — and if you feel like reviewing and sharing, that would be wonderful, and it makes a big difference. 

Reading list

OK, so there’s been a lot to read recently. If corporate intrigue is your jam, Ms Tweed has you covered with her series on Richemont. I had some thoughts about the new Chronomat over on Executive Traveller. Honestly, I’m sure there’s heaps of other gold I’ve forgotten about, but I’ve rambled on long enough for now. Until next time.

Time for a new watch-related podcast

See what I did there ...

Little bit of a break in usual programming today (though honestly, what is usual programming), as I’m happy to announce that OT: The Podcast now formally exists on the internet. 

The first two episodes (the one’s where Andy and I are flying by the seats of our pants, making it up) are online, with more to come. Listen to the first episode to get a pretty solid sense of what it’s all about, but, in case you prefer a more formal ‘what-we-submitted-to-Spotify’ style description, it’s your lucky day…

Turns out there’s more to watches than telling the time. OT: The Podcast is all about watches, time, and how to spend it. Join hosts Andy Green and Felix Scholz as they talk through the news and issues, speak to guests, and help listeners find their perfect next watch.

So there you go. Andy (left) and I had a ball making it, and we’ve got some fun stuff coming up — some great interviews and some left-of-centre watch-matchmaking. Give it a listen here — we’re on Spotify and Sticher with Apple et al is coming soon. You can find them via the above link. Also, if you’ve got watch buddies who need some entertainment, hit share and send it their way. 

Finally, if you want to get in touch about our watch matchmaking, or anything else pod-related, email otthepodcast@gmail.com and we’ll get on it. Oh, and follow our Instagram.

Enjoy!

New watches, podcasts and ... Georges Kern on Spotify?

Things are weird all over.

I was going to write an obligatory “wow how crazy is it right now” opener, but you this, I know this. So I don’t feel the need to belabour the point.

What I will say though is, if there are any brands or retailers out there who want to shine a light on how they’ve shifted retail around in these challenging times let me know! Are you taking video calls? Offering some great deals? Launched e-comm? Anything else? Because I reckon if you’ve been on the fence about buying a watch and can manage it. Doing it now would really help local businesses. Plus, I reckon you could get some decent deals. At least give the local guys a chance to match your default anonymous international grey dealer.

So, I know a lot of brand and retailer folk are signed up to this. If you want me to share anything in the next edition, hit reply and LMK. If I get a few, I’ll make it a little break-out.

So, now that’s out of the way. Let’s talk watch releases, Georges Kern’s Spotify and … my upcoming podcast!

The release schedule

Well, even though 2020 looks set to go down as a terrible year to be releasing watches, we’re starting to see the trickle of new releases speed up. Here are a few standouts

Autodromo Safari

Autodromo is one of these niche indie brands that are killing it. The group B is such a strong, distinctive watch that it’s hard to go wrong. And they haven’t yet. The latest is the all-green-everything Safari, which looks as rad as the Porsche’s that inspired it.

Breitling Top Time

FINALLY, Breitling has gotten around to listening to the wants and whines of fans, and re-issued that period funk pleaser, the Top Time. This one looks good and captures the spirit and lower price point, thanks to the non-B01 movement, of the original.

Audemars Piguet [Re]master01

Audemars Piguet is, all things considered, a bit of a weird brand. Low(ish) production, massive visibility and huge profits. Most all of that centred around the RO and its ilk. Last year they tried something new, and it all got a bit nuts (bad behaviour all around and a future lesson in luxury marketing I’m sure). So, kudos to them for not retreating to the RO (‘cos that can’t last forever), and offering one of the slickest heritage reissues in a while. Plus, when the nerds have given you a mauling, it's a good idea to show them just

Rado Captain Cook Bronze

Rado has found a new lease on vintage-sports watch life, something crucial for them in markets like Australia and the US: the Captain Cook. Now, for the first time, the Cap comes in bronze. A first not just for Rado, but the entire Swatch group. Fancy that.

TAG Heuer Connected

The third-gen of TAG Heuer’s smartwatch is their best yet. And it’s got nothing to do with the tech inside (which is industry standard as far as these things go). The real winner is the much more sophisticated, ‘real-watchy’ case.

Keeping calm with Kern.

If there’s one person I look to in a quarantine crisis, it’s Georges Kern, part-time drummer and full-time Breitling CEO. Mr Kern is working through self-isolation in his own way, and part of that involves a series of “BREITLING: BY GK” playlists on Spotify. I spent the other day Listening to the ‘Feel Good’ list, and on the whole (and with the occasional judicious skip) it nailed the brief. And, at 13 hours 11 minutes, there’s plenty of good times to be had. On top of that there’s R&B, Lounge, ‘Top Songs Ever’, Soul & Funk, Best Rock and even ‘Cool and Sexy’ (5 hrs 49). I try not to mix business and pleasure, so I’ve held off on the last one. Interesting to note it has the most followers at 46.

OT!

So, my local watch buddy and partner in crime Andy Green and I have finally gotten around to discovering 2020’s hottest media platform, the podcast. We’ve been pfaffing for a while about it, but finally got some thoughts and gear together and have recorded a few episodes. It’s called OT: The Podcast, and it’s not live yet, but it will be very soon! There’s a holding page (sign up for updates), and an Instagram. You can even listen to a sneaky teaser.

And as to what the pod is about? Well, the official party line is “wristwatches, time and how we spend it”, but really we’re hoping to be a solid local voice about watches, as well as offering up some air time to lesser-known watches and figures in the world. And some matchmaking. But who knows, we’re making it up as we go along. We want to have fun making it and hope people have fun listening.

Finally, I haven’t checked with Andy yet, but I reckon I might give Right On Time readers early access by a few days. So, if you know anyone with time on their hands RN, get them to subscribe using this handy button, and I’ll send something out as soon as the first batch of eps are live.

Reading list

Very proud to have written some words in the latest issue of GQ Australia. It’s out on shelves now, so if you’re looking for some isolation-light-reading, get on it. Patexpert John Reardon talks on Blamo! Ikepod’s latest Kickstarter lives up to its name. The Megapod is HUGE. Jaquet Droz’s latest features some Aussie tree. And Hodinkee is making us all feel better about WFH and Zoom (thanks guys). I wrote about the Top Time on Revo. Watch auctions in the time of Corona Virus.