The 1916 Company Podcast

Independent Watchmakers: Then vs. Now (Plus Our Favorite Summer Watches)

Independent watchmakers like F.P. Journe, Urwerk, De Bethune, and many others all have a "then vs. now" feeling about their watches. Even if a brand is relatively new, they might have a breaking point in their design or watchmaking that makes the older era feel almost vintage. Tim and Armand explore this idea by taking a look at these brands and discuss the differences. Then, they break down what they think makes a good summer watch (outside of being just a diver) and what some of their favorites are for this season.
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00:00 Introduction
00:45 De Bethune’s Evolution
06:15 F.P. Journe Then vs. Now
11:49 Roger Dubuis and Franck Muller’s Changes
17:37 Greubel Forsey Over the Years
24:50 Urwerk’s Sudden Transformation
28:00 What Sets the Gronefelds Apart
31:10 Ulysse Nardin’s Changing Philosophy
37:05 Watches for Summer (That Aren’t Divers)

Hidden Gems from The 1916 Company Vault: Audemars Piguet, IWC, Vacheron Constantin, and JLC

Brands like AP, Vacheron, IWC, and many others have inventories and histories that create a mountain of little-known watches whose pedigree, watchmaking, and design are just as standout as their more well-known counterparts. In this episode, Armand and special guest CQ pull from The 1916 Company vault to find these hidden gem examples. From discontinued models like the Audemars Piguet Millenary to off-the-beaten-path examples of well known lines like the IWC Ingenieur and Vacheron Constantin Overseas, you'll want to see what the guys pulled for this one!
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0:00 Introduction
1:18 Audemars Piguet: Current Collection and the Millenary
7:32 Royal Oak Offshore
10:56 The Commercialization vs. Craft of Watchmaking
15:11 Vacheron Constantin Skeleton Patrimony
18:30 The Challenges of Servicing Watch Movements
24:47 JLC Master Compressor World Time
28:16 IWC Big Pilot "Muhammad Ali"
31:40 IWC Ingenieur Chronograph
33:40 Vacheron Constantin Overseas
35:30 The Making of a Standout Sports Watch
39:25 Closing Thoughts

Why You Should Still Buy New Watches

Tim and Armand are obviously incredibly involved with the pre-owned watch world, but that's not to say there's not still reasons to buy a new watch. In this episode, they take a look at all the reasons a watch collector might consider new over pre-owned. They dig into the case for buying new: no DPO (Dreaded Previous Owner) to worry about, no over-polishing surprises, and the chance to build a real relationship with an authorized dealer; so check out the full episode for the entire discussion!
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00:00 Introduction
00:50 Milestone Watch Buys: New or Pre-Owned?
03:21 "DPO": Dreaded Previous Owner
09:46 Watch Polishing, Laser Welding, and When is Too Much
14:49 Building a Relationship with an Authorized Dealer
20:37 New Watches from Independent Watches
26:47 New and Pre-Owned Watch Warranties
33:10 Watch Community Events and Clubs
37:47 The "New Watch Guy"

Beyond the Mainstream: Exploring Unique Watches from Independent Brands

Tim and Armand dive into the world of independent watchmaking and the brands that thrive outside the mainstream spotlight. They explore the distinct appeal of the accessible sophistication of NOMOS and Sinn to the high-concept "mechanical sorcery" found in Hautlence and Reservoir. By highlighting the unique character and technical risks these smaller makers take, they showcase why brands like Fortis and Marco Lang deserve a spot in any serious collector’s conversation. Tune in for a deep dive into the innovation, value, and personality that make the independent scene so vital to the watch world.
Shop brands featured here:
NOMOS: https://www.the1916company.com/watches/nomos-glashutte/
Sinn: https://www.the1916company.com/pre-owned/sinn/
Oris: https://www.the1916company.com/watches/oris/
Zeitwinkel: https://www.the1916company.com/pre-owned/zeitwinkel/
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Buy Watches Here: https://www.the1916company.com
View hands-on luxury watch reviews on The 1916 Company Watch Reviews: https://www.youtube.com/@the1916companywatchreviews/?sub_confirmation=1
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the1916company
0:00 Introduction: Tim vs. Oasis
2:17 NOMOS
9:34 Sinn
14:18 Fortis
23:17 Dan Royter
26:51 Marco Lang
28:14 Hautlence
31:48 Fears
33:41 Reservoir & Automotive-Inspired Watches 
36:49 Oris Aquis Divers
38:18 Mühle Glashütte
40:04 Zeitwinkel 
43:18 Oris Artelier Calibre 113
45:39 App Promo

IWC’s Quiet Revolution: From Neo-Vintage Icons to the Eternal Calendar

Tim and Armand take a deep dive into IWC, tracing the brand's heritage, identifying the turning point that defined its modern era, and sharing their all-time favorites from across the catalog. They break down the history of the Ingenieur, reflect on the enduring success of the Pilot's Watch line, and examine how the 2017 Da Vinci reboot shifted the conversation around the brand. The episode closes with a look back at some of IWC's most compelling chapters, including the Porsche Design collaborations and the mega complications of the 1990s.
Shop pre-owned IWC watches: https://www.the1916company.com/pre-owned/iwc-schaffhausen/
Shop new IWC watches: https://www.the1916company.com/watches/iwc-schaffhausen/
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the1916company
00:00 App Promo
01:00 Introduction
01:50 When Did IWC Turnaround Start?
08:40 Favorite 2000-2018 Releases
14:21 How the Da Vinci Changed Releases
17:04 Recent Releases
29:51 Favorites from IWC’s Past
39:44 Porsche Design Watches and Vintage Ingenieur
48:43 Mega Complication Watches
54:59 The Ingenieur Pocket Watch

Reacting to Watches & Wonders 2026: Favorite Releases, Trends, and More

Tim and Armand are reacting to all things Watches & Wonders 2026 as they return to the podcast studio for the first time since the show. They discuss some of their favorites releases, breakdown the trends they’re seeing, and give their thoughts on novelties across brands like Zenith, Tudor, Cartier, and more. Watch the entire episode to hear all of their opinions!
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View hands-on luxury watch reviews on The 1916 Company Watch Reviews: https://www.youtube.com/@the1916companywatchreviews/?sub_confirmation=1
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the1916company
0:00 App Promo
1:00 Introduction
1:30 Patterns and Trends of Watches & Wonders 2026
4:06 Vacheron Overseas Dual-Time Cardinal Points
5:28 Zenith G.F.J.
6:51 The Rise of "Ultra-Watches"
8:38 Patek Philippe
9:57 Tudor
12:13 NOMOS
12:49 Cartier
20:33 Vacheron Overseas 2500V vs. 2000V
23:29 Lange 1 Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar "Lumen"
24:16 Oris & NOMOS Bring Back Green Dials
29:50 Thoughts on IWC Releases
38:59 Chopard
42:51 Hautlence
46:43 Grand Seiko "Ushio" Diver
51:09 H. Moser & Cie.
57:05 Tim and Armand's Best in Show

What It's Actually Like to Work in the Watch Industry

Tim and Armand use their experience in the watch industry to explain to listeners the true ins and outs of working in the luxury watch field. They examine the life of a client advisor, what it takes to be a watchmaker, and the funny stories they've encountered along the way. If you've ever been interested in a career in the industry, this episode has all the details!
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the1916company 

Gold Watches as Daily Drivers: A Collector's Guide to Watch Case Materials

Tim and Armand are tackling the idea of gold watches as fragile items and if using them as daily drivers is advised in this episode of The 1916 Company podcast. That line of thought gives way to a greater discussion of watch case materials. They cover different types of gold techniques, the case for ceramic and sapphire, and the differences between white metal materials such as platinum and palladium. They even touch on some more obscure materials, so watch the full video for all the details!
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the1916company
00:00 App Promo
01:00 Can Precious Metal Watches be a Daily Driver?
04:49 The Importance of Finish
07:14 Types of White Gold Watches
14:43 Use of Gold in Daily Use
16:16 Fragility of Dress Watches
20:44 Unique Types of Gold
24:20 Gold Filled, Rolled, and Capped Watches
27:58 Gold Dress Watches
29:25 Palladium
32:03 Rhodium, Cobalt, and Titanium
35:51 Ceramic Cases
41:04 Other Materials Used in Watches

Watches & Wonders 2026: Our Predictions (and Wishes)

Tim and Armand discuss the upcoming 2026 Watches & Wonders and breakdown what they predict, and hope, to see at this year's event. The increase in jump hour watches, the heritage of Vacheron Constantin, NOMOS prices, and much more are all covered in regards to the event. They then turn their attention to viewer questions about Blancpain vs. Sinn and MB&F alternatives to end the show.
Shop watches from this episode:
NOMOS Glashütte: https://www.the1916company.com/pre-owned/nomos-glashutte/
Vacheron Constantin: https://www.the1916company.com/pre-owned/vacheron-constantin/
Blancpain: https://www.the1916company.com/pre-owned/blancpain/
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View hands-on luxury watch reviews on The 1916 Company Watch Reviews: https://www.youtube.com/@the1916companywatchreviews/?sub_confirmation=1
Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the1916company

Watches We Regret Selling

Tim and Armand are covering three topics in this episode: watches they regret selling, the importance of box and papers, and when is it OK to wear an oversized watch. They discuss Tim parting with his JLC collection, debate on the merits of box and papers, and try to explain the exact right circumstances to wear something too big for your wrist. 
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Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/the1916company