
The Strap and Link Podcast (Strap and Link - For Watch Lovers)
Explorez tous les épisodes de The Strap and Link Podcast
Date | Titre | Durée | |
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25 Mar 2024 | #28 Rolex: Historic GMT-Master References | 00:57:47 | |
Today's episode is a format change up where we'll be reviewing iconic Rolex GMT-Master references from the original "Pepsi" in 1954 to the modern "Guinness", and several in between.
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Show Notes: (6:44) - GMT Landscape in the 1950s (9:22) - “Pan-Am Pepsi” 6542 (19:02) - “Coke” 16760 (27:30) - “Batman” 116710 BLNR (37:18) - “Guinness” 126713GRNR
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15 Apr 2024 | #30 Vacheron Constantin: Overseas, Historiques American 1921, Fiftysix Complete Calendar, Fiftysix Self-Winding | 00:52:08 | |
This brand needs no introduction, as part of the "Holy Trinity," Vacheron Constantin are part of a three-headed high-horology beast offering models like the Overseas to compete with Patek Phillipe and Audemars Piguet.
Today we intro the brand's history, and dive into some unique models including their flagship Overseas, and the more attainable Fiftysix collection, in addition to their American 1921 iconic "sideways" model.
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Show Notes: (0:20) - What’s Coming Next (11:30) - History (18:40) - Overseas (25:50) - Historiques American 1921 (34:32) - FiftySix Complete Calendar (37:32) - Fiftysix Self-Winding (45:01) - Lourve Collection
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19 Feb 2024 | #26 OMEGA: James Bond "007" Special | 00:49:07 | |
We're looking at some of Agent 007's most iconic watches over the years. From Sean Connery's Gruen Precision in Dr. No to Pierce Brosnan's GoldenEye Seamaster Professional, and Daniel Craig's No Time To Die SMP, we picked a range of watches from different decades and design languages.
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Show Notes: (5:55) - James Bond's First Watch (Gruen Precision) (6:50) - "From Russia With Love", "Dr. No", "Thunderball" (Rolex Submariner) (8:22) - "On Her Majesty's Secret Service" (Rolex "Pre-Daytona" Chronograph) (9:06) - "License To Kill" (Rolex Submariner - 16610) (9:48) - "GoldenEye" (Seamaster Professional 300 - 2541.80) (15:45) - "Casino Royale" (Seamaster Professional Planet Ocean - 2900.50.91) (19:00) - "Skyfall" & "Quantum of Solace" (Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M (232.30.42.21.01.001) (22:28) - "No Time To Die" (Seamaster Diver 300M “007” Edition) (29:09) - Special Edition Pricing (31:08) - Building Watch Collections (44:23) - The Next Watch
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20 Nov 2023 | #20 Bell & Ross: History, BR 03, BR 03-94 "Blacktrack", BR V2-94 Steel Heritage, BR-X5 | 01:01:00 | |
Founded in 1992, the French brand Bell & Ross was a university project between two students, and the watches were originally produced by the German company Sinn. However, the "Bell & Ross by Sinn" is still a point of debate in the watch world.
Bell & Ross began by tailoring watches to military specifications, enabling them to stand out amongst peers. With innovative watches such as the Space 1 and Hydro Challenger, Bell & Ross have always played in a league of their own.
Today, Bell & Ross largely make sports watches designed to imitate the instruments inside an airplane cockpit, and this is what the brand has become known for. Aside from the BR 03, they also make stylish GMT, Chronographs, and offer an integrated bracelet design on many of their standard models.
Still, Bell & Ross are a contentious brand for using off-the-shelf movements and charging such a premium, especially considering the brand's short history - they were founded in 1992.
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Show Notes: (13:25) - Bell & Ross History (28:58) - BR 03-94 “Blacktrack” (36:28) - BR V2-94 Steel Heritage (44:05) - BR-X5 (50:37) - BR 03
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18 Sep 2023 | #16 Hamilton: History, Khaki Field "Murph", Jazzmaster, 1936/Boulton, Intra-Matic Chrono | 01:14:50 | |
The Hamilton Watch Company was founded in Lancaster, PA, USA in 1892 and started making watches for local railways and operators. As we moved closer to World War II, Hamilton got involved with the US Military and began providing watches to troops, so much so that they even ceased production of civilian models. They continued to innovate, releasing the world's first electronic watch, the Ventura in 1957.
Today, we associate Hamilton watches with a few things: Movies in which they are placed, sometimes becoming a plot point, and field watches, which they execute nearly to perfection. From Hawaii Blue to Men In Black, and most recently Interstellar and Oppenheimer, Hamilton watches continue playing a crucial role in outfitting characters across many genres.
In this episode we cover all this and more, including a vintage mechanical Hamilton 1936, the predecessor to the Boulton/Indiana Jones watch. We also cover several movies like Men In Black, Interstellar, and The Martian, where Hamilton watches are featured.
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Show Notes: 6:40 - History of Hamilton Watches 29:40 - "Lawrence" 1936 / Hamilton Boulton 38:44 - Khaki Field "Murph" 49:07 - Jazzmaster Collection 56:15 - Intra-Matic Chronograph Collection 1:07:10 - Mailbag | |||
08 May 2023 | #7 NWA: Grand Seiko SBGJ259 "Bamboo" | 00:50:48 | |
New watch alert! After dreaming of the SBGA211 for many months, the 9R65 caliber Spring Drive and that pristine white-textured dial meant to recreate freshly fallen yet wind-swept snow, Brett finally pulled the trigger on a new watch. For better or worse, it wasn't the watch he'd hoped for, and decided to instead go with the SBGJ259 "Bamboo." The Bamboo, powered by the 9S86 Hi-Beat movement (36,000 VPH) and dial inspired by a bamboo garden path, is a bold statement watch with its eye-catching green textured dial.
We're talking about new timepieces today, give it a listen and let us know what you think! Be sure to subscribe to the show to get notifications when new episodes just like this bonus episode are released (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all other directories) and follow us on Social Media @strapandlink! | |||
18 Dec 2023 | #22 Longines: History, HydroConquest GMT, Mini Dolce Vita, Master Collection, plus a surprise NWA! | 01:03:51 | |
We're back with another exciting episode on the storied Longines brand, and some of their new releases from 2023 including the new HydroConquest GMT and Legend Divers. In this episode we look at the brand and what's changed since we last covered them in April, 2023.
New models like the HydroConquest GMT have taken the watch world by storm, so we're diving into specs on watch this and the Legend Diver, Mini Dolce Vita, and Longines Master Collection dress watch. We'll give our take on the watches themselves, and how they play into a watch collection, but more specifically we focus today on the value proposition from Longines, and ask the question "Are you getting a good deal with a Longines watch?"
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Show Notes: (1:11) - Longines Recap (5:46) - New Watch Alert: Rolex Yacht-Master Rhodium (18:47) - Mailbag (26:21) - Legend Diver (36:49) - HydroConquest GMT (43:09) - Mini Dolce Vita (54:24) - Master Collection
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19 Jun 2023 | #10 @SoCalWatchReviews Joins the Show | 01:17:00 | |
On our tenth episode, we have the honor of being joined by our good friend Miguel from @SoCalWatchReviews - you may know of or already follow him on YouTube or Instagram, but if you don't we highly recommend it!
The three of us casually discuss watches, what's in our collection, and maybe what's to come, and some awkward experiences you will undoubtedly encounter as a watch collector.
If you have any questions, please DM us on Instagram @strapandlink or @socalwatchreviews, or both - also please give a subscription and like if possible.
Please subscribe to the show for notifications when new episodes are released (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all other directories), and follow us on Social Media @strapandlink! | |||
03 Apr 2023 | #4 Longines: History, Spirit Zulu GMT, Pilot Majetek, Dolce Vita, and HydroConquest | 00:57:47 | |
Longines boast the oldest active trademark in the world, amongst other things. We start with their humble beginnings in 1832 to their breakthrough horological innovations including the world's first GMT watch developed for the Ottoman Empire in 1908, and their expansive history in sports timekeeping. Of course, we dive into their current collection and latest releases including the famous Spirit Zulu Time GMT and HydroConquest dive watch, in addition to several others. We wrap up by giving our thoughts on what stands them apart in the market today and asking, "Are Longines still providing good value?" Be sure to subscribe to the show to get notifications when new episodes are released (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all other directories) and follow us on Social Media @strapandlink! Show Notes: History of Longines: 3:05 Current Collection - Spirit Zulu GMT: 12:55 Pilot Majetek: 24:00 HydroConquest: 32:30 Dolce Vita: 39:16 Discussing the Longines Value: 48:09
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04 Dec 2023 | #21 Rado: History, Captain Cook, True Square, DiaStar, Integral | 01:04:45 | |
On today's episode we discuss Rado, the "Master of Materials" against-the-grain Swatch Group company.
Rado was founded in Switzerland by brothers Fritz, Ernst, and Werner in 1917. The brand quickly rose to international prominence and was synonymous with Swiss quality by the end of WWII.
We discuss a slew of watches including the DiaStar, True Square, and Captain Cook. We also give our take on the brand's design language, clearing standing apart from anything offered in the mainstream today.
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Show Notes: (9:50) - News and Notes (19:43) - History (27:00) - True Square Open Heart (35:50) - Captain Cook (43:12) - Integral (50:20) - DiaStar
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19 Feb 2023 | #1 Grand Seiko: History, Snowflake, Skyflake, Quartz Elegance Models | 00:49:11 | |
In our inaugural episode, we discuss all things Grand Seiko. From its history of being the most accurate mechanical watch brand in the world in 1967, to their first Quartz watch introduction, and the invention of a Spring Drive movement in the early 2000s, Grand Seiko has innovated time and time again. Today, they offer us some one-of-a-kind watches at attainable pricing. We discuss flagship models such as the Snowflake and Skyflake (or Blue Snowflake), in addition to their Zaratsu polishing techniques and dial finishing. Finally, we give our opinions on the value Grand Seiko provide, where they fit into the watch market today, and some pieces we have in mind for the collection. Be sure to subscribe to the show to get notifications when new episodes are released (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all other directories) and follow us on Social Media @strapandlink!
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04 Sep 2023 | #15 Seiko: History, Presage, Propsex, Seiko 5 Sport, Essentials Collection | 01:35:36 | |
We're back at it with Episode 15 and a very special brand, none other than fan-favorite Seiko. Today we're looking at the history including their founding in 1881 in Tokyo, and many Japanese and World's first achievements from the Seiko Watch Company including the world's first Titanium Dive Watch and Spring Drive technology.
We're also covering current collections including the Presage, Prospex, Seiko 5 Sport, and Essentials. Specifically, we talk about the Presage Cocktail Time, multiple Prospex divers, and Seiko 5 Sport GMTs and Divers.
Be sure to subscribe to the show to get notifications when new episodes are released (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all other directories) and follow us on Social Media @strapandlink!
Show Notes: 5:34 - Mailbag 10:16 - News & Notes 17:35 - Seiko History 37:44 - Seiko Elegance Collection 49:49 - Seiko Prospex Collection (SRPF03) 1:03:32 - Seiko Presage Cocktail Time 1:11:05 - Seiko 5 Sport SRPD59 1:26:14 - Mailbag and Wrap-Up
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07 Aug 2023 | #13 Rolex: History, Submariner, DateJust | 01:19:19 | |
It's finally time. We're sitting down to discuss the most popular, most recognizable, and arguably most controversial watch brand in the world: Rolex.
Rolex is synonymous with wealth, status, and well... luxury wrist watches. Today as we always do we're looking at the history of the brand including where and how they were founded, their status as a charitable organization, and of course, all the essential horological achievements they've made throughout the decades.
We wrap up Part 1 by discussing the Rolex Submariner and DateJust and answering a listener question.
Come back for Part 2 on August 21 where we'll tackle the Day-Date, Sky-Dweller, GMT Master, and Explorer 1 and 2!
Be sure to subscribe to the show to get notifications when new episodes are released (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all other directories) and follow us on Social Media @strapandlink!
Show Notes: 4:13 - Rolex History 27:10 - Rolex Submariner 56:04 - Rolex DateJust 1:08:28 - Mailbag
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15 May 2023 | #8 Monta: Owners Michael & Justin Join the Show | 01:20:29 | |
We're joined by Monta co-owners Justin Kraudel and Michael DiMartini to discuss their small but mighty microbrand founded in St. Louis, MO, USA. We discuss and revisit how they conceived Monta, their journey into the retail space, and many aspects of their design language and current collection including the new mint-colored-dial Monta Noble, the revised Oceanking, and their Skyquest GMT which is a fan-favorite of the podcast.
Join us for a conversation with the US-based watchmaker as we discuss technical feats and the ins and outs of watchmaking and designing, grill-timer complications, and every watch collector's struggle: having too many to choose from!
You can find Monta online at montawatch.com and on social media @montawatch
Be sure to subscribe to the show to get notifications when new episodes are released (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all other directories) and follow us on Social Media @strapandlink!
Show Notes: Windup SF: 1:25 New ‘Mint’ Noble: 3:11 History of Monta: 5:41 Venture Into Retail: 14:48 Monta Noble Discussion: 25:44 Everest Bands: 44:00 Oceanking/Skyquest Design: 47:11 Triumph Design: 1:02:36 Mike and Justin’s Watch Collection: 1:07:22 What’s Next For Monta: 1:14:22
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16 Oct 2023 | #18 Jaeger-LeCoultre: History, Reverso, Polaris, Duometre, Polaris Mariner Memovox | 01:10:50 | |
On our 18th episode we look at the captivating Jaeger-LeCoultre brand (better known in the United States as JLC) and some of their modern watches. We look back at its founding as a shop that made steel watch pinions in the mid-nineteenth century, and forward to their elegant and dressy options at an upper-end luxury market placement. Of course, we touch on the most important pieces of their history including making watch movement components for the likes of Patek Phillipe, and their invention of the Reverso for polo players suffering from cracked watch crystals.
We specifically look at the JLC Reverso, Polaris, Polaris Memovox, and Duometre collections. We'll discuss each of their specs, price points, and how we perceive them fitting into the modern watch market.
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Show Notes: News and Notes: 8:54 JLC History: 14:44 Reverso: 33:08 Polaris: 42:29 Duometre: 52:32 Polaris Mariner Memovox: 58:34
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15 Jul 2024 | #33 Microbrand Spotlight: Monta Noble Voyager | 00:46:38 | |
Brett & David are back again talking about the New Monta Release the “Noble Voyager”, their first Noble GMT! We bring up the good, the bad, the ugly of the release including discussion from the Monta and Micro Brand Communities.
We discuss the evolving aftermarket watch landscape including the Rolex CPO, or Certified Pre-Owned programs. With markets shifting it’s a great time for buyers, and we discuss some Breitling and Omega deals we’ve seen lately.
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15 Jan 2024 | #24 Audemars Piguet: History, Royal Oak Flying Tourbillon, Royal Oak "Jumbo" Ultra-Thin, Code 11.59 Perpetual Calendar, Code 11.59 Chronograph | 01:12:51 | |
Audemars Piguet... Holy Trinity... Grail... A few things come to mind when you hear the name Audemars Piguet, or sometimes just "AP." Namely, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, is most certainly a "grail" watch for most collectors.
In this episode, we dive into the history of AP and the complex mechanisms and complications they built on workbenches in the Vallée de Joux. We also discuss the Royal Oak, designed by Gerald Genta, and its many iterations. We'll take a close look at two current models, the "Jumbo" Ultra-Thin and a Flying Tourbillon, in addition to some Code 11.59 pieces.
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Show Notes: (0:00) - Welcome, Watch Battles, AP Research (8:04) - History of Audemars Piguet (13:18) - History of the AP Royal Oak (22:01) - Overview of a Tourbillon Movement (24:26) - Royal Oak Self-Winding Flying Tourbillon (32:04) - Royal Oak “Jumbo” Ultra Thin (43:20) - Code 11.59 Perpetual Calendar (58:31) - Code 11.59 Self-Winding Chronograph
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08 Jan 2024 | #23 Grand Seiko with Joe Kirk: History, Evolution 9, White Birch, Lake Suwa, Shunbun, Shosho GMT, & More | 01:14:34 | |
On the 23rd episode of Strap and Link we are honored to welcome esteemed guest, Joe Kirk, to the show. Joe is the Brand Curator for Grand Seiko, a true watch fanatic, and an all-around fantastic person. Check out the Show Notes below for a detailed overview of our discussion.
As is tradition in part two episodes we cover four additional watches, but since our guest is so knowledgeable, we added two or three extra watches. We also discussed the meaning and purpose behind the Evolution 9 collection, Zaratsu polishing techniques, and new materials Grand Seiko are working with.
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Show Notes: (14:55) Mailbag (20:54) “Shosho” GMT - SBGJ249 (25:22) Elegance GMT - SBGM221 (27:47) “Shunbun”, “Cherry Blossom” - SBGA413 (29:18) Spring Drive (36:47) “White Birch” - SLGH005 (41:31) “Night Birch” - SLGH017 (43:57) Grand Seiko Dial Processes (47:11) “Lake Suwa” - SLGA021 (48:18) Evolution 9 Design (52:38) Bracelet Design and Materials (58:44) Limited Editions (1:04:47) 8-Day Spring Drive (1:10:35) NYC Boutique Opening
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01 Apr 2024 | #29 Pilot's Watches: Breitling, IWC, Tudor, & More | 00:56:52 | |
Today we do a fantasy sports-style draft of some of our favorite pilot watches to build a three-watch collection. We put 11 distinct models into a selection pool and chose six to discuss at length throughout the episode, including a brief introduction and historical background on each watch.
The watches available for selection included the Orient Pilot RA, Hamilton Khaki Aviation Day Date Auto, Longines Spirit 37mm, Longines Spirit Zulu Time 39, Bell & Ross BR-03 Gyrocompass, Breitling Classic Avi Chrono P-51 Mustang, Cartier Santos-Dumont, Zenith Pilot Big Date Flyback, IWC Chronograph Top Gun, Christopher Ward C8 UTC Worldtimer, Breitling Navitimer B01, Tudor Black Bay GMT, and the Bulova Lunar Pilot.
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Show Notes: (1:51) - Episode Outline (5:17) - Pilot’s Watches to Choose (9:50) - Pilot’s Watch Draft (17:38) - Bulova Lunar Pilot (22:07) - Christopher Ward C8 UTC Worldtimer (26:36) - Tudor Black Bay GMT (34:10) - Longines Spirit Zulu Time 39 (40:14) - Breitling Navitimer B01 (49:09) - IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Top Gun
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15 Apr 2024 | #31 Watches & Wonders 2024: Tudor, Patek Phillipe, IWC, Rolex, TAG Heuer, Vacheron Constantin, Grand Seiko, & Cartier | 00:51:06 | |
DOUBLE BUBBLE! Welcome to a BONUS episode of Strap and Link! Today we're thrilled to bring you a recap of Watches and Wonders 2024, as this showcase brings together the biggest names in luxury timepieces, and we've got the lowdown on all the most noteworthy releases.
Whether you're a seasoned collector or just starting your watch journey, there's something for everyone in this episode. We'll be discussing a diverse range of new models, from the elegance of Cartier, to the cutting-edge technology of Grand Seiko, and the 1980s-inspired gold models from Rolex.
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Today we discuss the following watches:
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05 Jun 2023 | #9 OMEGA: History, Aqua Terra, SMP300, Globemaster, and Speedmaster Professional | 01:21:26 | |
Founded by Louis Brandt in 1848, OMEGA is seen as one of the most prominent watch brands in the world today. Owned by the Swatch Group, and worn by everyone's favorite British spy, OMEGA is a very significant brand that always plays alongside the likes of Rolex and Breitling.
In this episode we're discussing everything from their founding in Switzerland to the creation of the OMEGA caliber where the brand got its name, the Speedmaster Professional getting a screaming endorsement from NASA, and everything in between. OMEGA is full of history, and its current watch collection is full of variety.
We discuss the Aqua Terra and its more than 200 variations, the Seamaster Professional 300 and its flawed bracelet, Speedmaster Professional, and Globemaster Constellation to name a few. We also discuss the MoonSwatch, and whether or not that was a good idea for the brand in the long term.
Be sure to subscribe to the show to get notifications when new episodes are released (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all other directories) and follow us on Social Media @strapandlink!
Show Notes:An OMEGA-Exclusive Collection: 3:30 History of OMEGA: 7:09 Co-Axial Movement: 17:35 Aqua Terra History: 19:40 Ultra Deep History: 22:27 Seamaster Professional 300: 28:28 Aqua Terra: 37:23 Globemaster Constellation: 49:13 Speedmaster Professional/MoonSwatch: 57:57 Mailbag: 1:11:37 | |||
24 Jun 2024 | #32 Celebrity Watch Collections: Tom Brady, Kevin O'Leary, and more! | 00:56:18 | |
We're back! After a short hiatus, David and Brett return with the 32nd episode of Strap and Link. We cover a wide range of topics including how we decide what watches to travel with, and how a watch gets chosen above the rest. We discussed a new Breitling SuperOcean that we've obtained too!
We also covered celebrity watch collectors and discussed who we believe has the classiest and most influential collections. We touch on Tom Brady's one-of-one Audemars Piquet, comedians Kevin Hart and Aziz Ansari's taste, and other collectors such as Mark Wahlberg, Kevin O'Leary, and John Mayer.
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02 Oct 2023 | #17 Tudor: History, Black Bay 54, Pelagos FXD, Heritage Black Bay, Royal | 01:04:07 | |
Welcome back to the Strap and Link Podcast - today we're retaking a look at Tudor to focus on their new watches of 2023 including the new five-link bracelet "Heritage" Black Bay, Pelagos FXD, and Black Bay 54. We're talking about the history of these watches, why they were re-released now, or why these models were selected as ones to be re-released.
We'll also give our own opinion on these watches of course, and provide a complete rundown of the specs for each including sizing, cost, and so on.
Be sure to subscribe to the show to get notifications when new episodes are released (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all other directories) and follow us on Social Media @strapandlink!
Show Notes: 10:50 - Tudor Black Bay 54 22:30 - Tudor Pelagos FXD 36:20 - Tudor Royal 50:32 - Tudor “Heritage” Black Bay
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17 Apr 2023 | #5 Tissot: History, PRX, Gentleman, Le Locle, and SuperSport | 01:19:48 | |
Since its inception in 1853, Tissot has remained a staple in Swiss watchmaking, which remains true today. While they may not boast some of the achievements or inventions as previously discussed brands, Tissot has their hand on the market's pulse and continues producing pieces sure to appease the masses. We discuss the Gentleman collection, the super-popular PRX, and the Le Locle dress watch, and deeply discuss their quartz offerings. We also explain how Tissot is well positioned as a nearly perfect first automatic or "starter" watch, and what they provide above the rest of the brands playing in a similar price point. Be sure to subscribe to the show to get notifications when new episodes are released (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all other directories) and follow us on Social Media @strapandlink! Show Notes: Intro & discussing our first watch: 5:18 History of Tissot: 14:18 Current Collection - Gentleman: 23:51 Le Locle: 35:11 PRX: 41:30 SuperSport/Quartz: 53:44 Final Thoughts: 01:10:05
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21 Aug 2023 | #14 Rolex: History, GMT Master II, Day-Date, Explorer I & II, Sky-Dweller | 01:22:19 | |
It's finally time. We're sitting down to discuss the most popular, most recognizable, and arguably most controversial watch brand in the world: Rolex.
Rolex is synonymous with wealth, status, and well... luxury wristwatches. We tackle Part 2 by discussing the Rolex Day-Date, GMT Master II, Explorer I and II, and the Sky-Dweller as well as answering a listener question about the Rolex/AD waitlist dilemma.
If you haven't listened to Part 1 be sure to check it out! We covered the founding and history of Rolex including their charitable organization status, and discussed the Rolex Submariner and DateJust.
Be sure to subscribe to the show to get notifications when new episodes are released (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all other directories) and follow us on Social Media @strapandlink!
Show Notes: 4:50 - Rolex Day-Date 18:24 - Rolex Sky-Dweller 30:58 - Rolex Explorer I & II 47:13 - Rolex GMT Master II 1:00:12 - Rolex Aftermarket Pricing 1:04:27 - Mailbag
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01 May 2023 | #6 Breitling: History, SuperOcean Heritage, Premier B01 Chrono, Navitimer, Chronomat | 01:08:09 | |
Founded in 1884 and known for producing precision chronometers for aviation, Breitling is a leading manufacturer of luxury Swiss watches. Popular models include the Navitimer chronograph with a slide rule bezel, the Superocean dive watch, and the versatile Chronomat suitable for everyday wear. Breitling continues to produce high-performance timepieces that combine functionality with a sleek design.
In this episode, we ask the question “When should you approach Breitling?” We see it differently, but both agree Breitling has solidified itself in the top tier of luxury watch brands.
In addition to Breitling’s history, we discuss their new releases including the vintage-car-inspired Top Time and their flagship SuperOcean, Chronomat, Premier, and Navitimer collections.
Be sure to subscribe to the show to get notifications when new episodes are released (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all other directories) and follow us on Social Media @strapandlink!
Show Notes: New Releases: 1:25 When should you approach Breitling? 5:16 History of Breitling: 10:50 Current Collection (SuperOcean / SuperOcean Heritage): 16:08 Premier B01 Chronograph: 27:03 Navitimer: 35:58 Chronomat Automatic GMT: 43:00 Final Thoughts: 54:41
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29 Mar 2023 | #3 Watches and Wonders 2023: Tudor, Rolex, JLC, Panerai | 00:53:43 | |
BONUS EPISODE: The guys do a one-take episode to recap and review some of the hottest releases from Watches and Wonders 2023 including the new Opalin Black Bay GMT from Tudor, a new skeleton Reverso from JLC, the titanium Rolex Yacht-Master, and the Dippin' Dots Oyster Perpetual, to name a few. Be sure to subscribe to the show to get notifications when new episodes are released (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all other directories) and follow us on Social Media @strapandlink! | |||
17 Jul 2023 | #12 Summer Watch Releases: Oris Diver 65, Omega "Summer Blue" Collection, MoonSwatch, & more | 00:57:52 | |
This episode covers the hottest summer releases thus far including the new Oris Diver 65 in stainless steel with "cotton candy" dials and the "Summer Blue" Omega Seamaster collection. We also tackle the controversial new MoonSwatch "Strawberry Moon" and what these monthly releases mean for the Omega brand.
We also discuss some new watches the Strap and Link family have acquired including a Monta Noble swap for the Opalin dial, a new Grand Seiko, and some others we hope to see more of in the future such as the Grand Seiko SLGH017 "Black Birch."
Show Notes: 2:50 - Oris Diver 65 12:23 - MoonSwatch "Strawberry Moon" 25:06 - Omega Seamaster "Summer Blue" Collection 34:00 - New Watch Alert (Monta Noble & Grand Seiko GMT) 37:42 - Window Shopping at Mayors 45:47 - Grand Seiko SBGH295 49:46 - Mailbag
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06 Nov 2023 | #19 TAG Heuer: History, Carrera, Monaco, Aquaracer, Autavia | 01:19:38 | |
TAG Heuer are synonymous with motorsport, and has accomplished some things you may not yet know. On the 19th episode of Strap and Link, we dive into their storied history including the invention of the winding crown and stop/reset pushers on the chronograph case.
Of course, we can't talk about TAG without mentioning their placement on the wrist of Hollywood star Steve McQueen, the King of Cool, in the movie Le Mans which features prominent branding from Heuer. We also look at their history in F1 from timing races in the mid 20th century to being main sponsors for the Red Bull Racing team and Max Verstappen, who have won 3 titles in a row.
We wrap up by discussing some of their iconic pieces and collections including the Monaco, Carrera, Aquaracer and Autavia, and how these watches fit into a collection including their price compared to similar models and other collections from TAG themselves.
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Show Notes: (5:54) - History of TAG Heuer (26:18) - Aquaracer (34:15) - Monaco (47:45) - Autavia (55:55) - Carrera (1:04:07) - AD Relationships
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10 Jul 2023 | #11 Cartier: History, Tank, Santos | 01:03:34 | |
Today we dive deep into the world of high watchmaking and jewelry, specifically, Cartier watches. Cartier has been at the forefront of some quite interesting horological achievements. You can make the case that the Cartier Santos was the world's first pilot's watch.
Whether or not you want to give them that nod, what they have achieved as a jewelry brand making waves in the luxury watch industry cannot be denied. Today they make some of the most recognizable mechanical and quartz watches on the market, specifically the Tank and Santos collections. We discuss each one, and two versions of each to be exact - the Tank Louis and Tank Must, as well as the Santos Dumont and Santos de Cartier.
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Show Notes: 3:44 - New Releases & News 11:55 - Cartier History 20:27 - Cartier Tank Must 27:43 - Cartier Santos-Dumont 35:50 - Cartier Tank Louis 42:21 - Water Resistance - how important is it? 47:07 - Cartier Santos de Cartier 54:46 - Mailbag
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04 Mar 2024 | #27 Christopher Ward: The Twelve, C1 Moonphase, C60 Trident Pro 300, Sealander GMT, NWA and more! | 00:59:45 | |
On this episode, we dive into the world of Christopher Ward, a brand that has made its mark lately on the luxury watch industry. We explore four standout watches, starting with "The Twelve," the latest craze in the integrated steel sports watch category.
We also discuss the C1 Moonphase, a stunning watch featuring a mesmerizing moonphase complication and aventurine dial. We also discuss the C60 Trident Pro 300, a dive watch that blends functionality with style, ideal for both underwater adventures and everyday wear.
Lastly, we talk about the Sealander GMT, a versatile travelers watch with a familiar design. We compare these timepieces to similar models in the market, discussing their unique features, craftsmanship, and value proposition in the world of horology.
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Show Notes: (10:08) - History (17:16) - The Twelve (27:00) - C60 Trident Pro 300 (35:55) - Sealander GMT (43:03) - C1 Moonphase (48:23) - NWA Rolex Air-King (52:21) - Watch Collection Mistakes | |||
05 Feb 2024 | #25 IWC: History, Ingenieur, Mark XX, Portofino Complete Calendar, Portugieser Perpetual Calendar | 00:58:37 | |
In this episode, we look at the International Watch Company, better known as IWC. We're mainly discussing two modern dress watches from the Portofino and Portugieser lines, as well as the Mark XX and Ingenieur.
IWC has a unique history relative to many other brands in that they were passed around under ownership, and got into things quite later than most.
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Show Notes: (0:00) - Intro and small watches (5:04) - An update on the podcast (15:01) - History of IWC (29:04) - Portofino Complete Calendar (32:31) - Portugieser Perpetual Calendar (42:02) - Pilots Watch Mark XX (47:26) - IWC Ingenieur
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13 Mar 2023 | #2 Tudor: History, Black Bay 58, GMT, Pro, and Chronograph | 00:47:19 | |
We discuss Tudor's history and relationship to Rolex and dig into why they design and develop the watches they do. From a new watch company in 1920s Geneva to being brought under the Rolex name by Hans Wilsdorf, Tudor sought to provide watches with quality, style, and durability, at an affordable price. Today they offer a modern and affordable luxury watch that incorporates classic designs from Tudor and Rolex's of the past. We examine their lineup of GMTs, Divers, and Chronographs, including the Black Bay Pro and Black Bay 58, and how they stack up against their Rolex counterparts as well other brands in similar price points. We finish by discussing what we hope to see from Tudor in the future, and some watches we think may be resurrected next. Be sure to subscribe to the show to get notifications when new episodes are released (Spotify, Apple Podcasts, and all other directories) and follow us on Social Media @strapandlink! Show Notes: History of Tudor: 2:41 Current Collection - Black Bay GMT/Black Bay Pro: 16:46 Black Bay 58: 23:36 Black Bay Chronograph: 31:18 Discussion/What we want to see next: 34:42
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