Scottish Watches Podcast #686: A Ton of Toys For The Wrist
June 26, 2025
Episode Overview
In this lively and information-packed episode, the Scottish Watches team brings a “ton of toys for the wrist,” highlighting a series of new releases, creative industry collaborations, and personal insights. With the trademark banter and deep-dive watch nerdery, the hosts cover everything from graffiti artist-infused timepieces and exclusive tourbillons to practical advice for attending Geneva Watch Days, plus some personal wrist check nostalgia and watch community interactions.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Second Second × Yema “Yachtingraf" Graffiti Collaboration
[00:55–04:26]
- New collab between Second Second (seconde/seconde/) and Yema, a nod to Yema’s historic yacht-racing chronograph, featuring bold graffiti influences.
- Specs: 38.5mm SS case, 10.3mm thick, 100m WR, Seiko VK63 mecaquartz movement, unique graffiti-styled subdials, and color-dripped motifs.
- “It’s positioned in a much more affordable end of the watch spectrum these days. It’s a meca quartz calibre… all that goodness that Seconds brings with that kind of graffiti twist.” — Host B [01:39]
- Price: $449 USD, considered a “fantastic” value with high collectibility due to Second Second’s continuous creative output.
- Quick reflection on Second Second’s consistent creativity—“You’re just waiting for them to falter... and he’s not done it with any of his collabs.” — Host A [04:26]
2. Listener Q&A: Geneva Watch Days Attendance
[06:21–09:05]
- Listener from Goa asks about attending Geneva Watch “Week/Days.”
- Guidance: Contact brands directly for appointments, create a schedule spreadsheet as multiple venues can mean tight transitions.
- “If you want to book an appointment, figure out the days, the times... it's easier to walk, basically.” — Host A [06:55]
- Hosts preview a Scottish Watches “Tartan army” presence at Geneva!
3. Roger Dubuis x Dr. Woo “INK” Monotourbillon
[09:05–13:06]
- Third collaboration with LA-based tattoo artist Dr. Woo; watches inspired by cosmic motifs, spiders, arcane runes, and galactic themes.
- Technicals: Excalibur Mono Tourbillon base, titanium & pink gold 42mm case, flying tourbillon, hand-tattoo ink details, limited to 28 pieces, $158,000 USD.
- “He has also envisaged himself in what is called the Tourbillon Galaxy, which is actually a real galaxy… first photographed by the James Webb telescope.” — Host B [11:02]
- Quick primer on tourbillon types: flying vs. bridge vs. gyrotourbillon.
4. Konstantin Chaykin x Louis Erard “Time Eater III”
[15:32–18:23]
- The third and final round of the comic monster-inspired “Le Régulateur” line in two colorways: blue (42mm) and red (39mm), both limited to 170 each.
- Based on the Sellita SW2661, creative dials echo the original “Joker” Chaykin wristmon style.
- “It’s a great way of getting into Joker territory for a lot less cash.” — Host A [18:23]
- Comments on the democratization of independent design through lower-priced collabs.
5. Wrist Check Segment
[18:23–25:09]
- A: Wears the original Arage Tourbillon—Gen 1, designed by female watchmaker Marcella, “absolutely stunning,” only wears it sparingly. [20:49]
- B: Original Konstantin Chaykin Joker in titanium, “number 30 of 88... goes for redonkulous money,” with whimsical moonphase handled by the tongue. [24:05]
- Both lament not wearing these watches enough and highlight their stories.
6. SpaceOne World Timer — Progressive Indie Watchmaking
[25:09–31:26]
- Third model from futuristic indie SpaceOne; a 41.9mm titanium world timer with independent time and city displays. Movement: Soprod P024 base with in-house module, 38 hrs power reserve.
- Pricing: €2,700; preorders for first 600 pieces open June 26th, “not a limited edition, but first deliveries limited by batch.”
- “They are really delivering great looking alternative watchmaking... at attainable price points.” — Host B [28:08]
- Connection with The Limited Edition (UK watch retail partner).
7. MB&F HM8 Mark II “Purple”
[35:46–38:32]
- The latest in the avant-garde, driver's style HM8 limited series—now in vibrant metallic purple (33 pieces), building on previous green, white, and blue versions.
- Sandwich construction of grade 5 titanium and carbon Macleron, sapphire ‘hood’ over movement (base GP), $88,000 USD.
- “If you like driver style watches, this is probably at the pinnacle… in terms of technology, avant-garde watchmaking, and haute horology.” — Host B [38:09]
- MB&F praised for their down-to-earth attitude and creativity.
8. Armin Strom Gravity Equal Force “Ultimate Sapphire Rose Gold”
[41:01–46:31]
- Refined update to Armin Strom’s technical openwork flagship, introducing rose gold case, brown & copper tones, off-center sapphire dial, and elegant finishing.
- 20 pieces/year, 39,400 CHF. “It softens and warms the look of the watch… takes a little bit of the clinical edge off.” — Host B [44:44]
- Reflections on how the Beel-region brands (including Formex, Araj, Christopher Ward) support each other and share resources.
Memorable Quotes & Moments
- “He’s brought a bit of graffiti flair to this watch... cleverly called it a yachting graf — sounds exactly the same, but it’s got two Fs at the end. I guess that’s leaning into graffiti.” — Host B [01:29]
- “The worst thing is waking up, grabbing a watch, heading out and forgetting to wind or set the thing. So I think this [Mecha Quartz] is fantastic.” — Host A [05:09]
- “If you want to book an appointment, figure out the days and times ... usually appointments are about 45 minutes.” — Host A [07:16]
- On Roger Dubuis’ exclusivity: “I don’t know why you guys are all here. We only ever made eight of these things and they’re all sold anyway.” — Host recollection [09:22]
- “Flying tourbillon — pivoting only on the bottom and it’s free at the top... when you start moving into gyro territory, you’re into a whole world of hurt when it comes to price.” — Host B [12:32]
- “It’s a great way of getting into Joker territory for a lot less cash… If somebody sees it on your wrist, it’s probably going to get the same amount of attention as a standard Joker.” — Host A [18:23]
- “You could almost say this is a bargain… You could look at it and say maybe it’s a scam… but they've proven themselves.” — Host A, on SpaceOne [29:14]
- “If you like driver style watches, this is probably at the pinnacle… I still think that original British Racing Green is my favorite color.” — Host B, on MB&F HM8 [38:09]
- “It’s like seeing a Batman or Sprite from Rolex and then seeing the root beer version of it. It’s more earthy tones, but it’s made of metal. Don’t know how that works, but in my head that made sense.” — Host A, on Armin Strom [45:00]
Community Interactions
[39:41–41:01]
- Feedback and shout-outs to listeners, praise for wrist check picks, comments on Casio’s first mechanical using a Seiko NH35, and a nostalgic Jaws memory:
- “I remember when Jaws first came out. I was scared shitless about going in the sea after seeing it in the cinema…” — Grant Phelps [40:44]
Other Segments
Personal & Off-Topic Asides
[31:26–35:46]
- Host A: Recent concert filming at The Hydro, Glasgow; prepping for Scottish Watches Tours; tech rabbit holes (bugging “The Thing” story).
- Host B: Swapping out French car for new Alpine Renault 5 Electric, “bit of a hot hatch comeback.”
Timestamps for Major Segments
- 00:55 – Second Second × Yema Yachtingraf collaboration
- 06:21 – Geneva Watch Days attendance Q&A
- 09:05 – Roger Dubuis × Dr. Woo “INK” Monotourbillon
- 12:30 – Tourbillon types explained
- 15:32 – Konstantin Chaykin x Louis Erard “Time Eater III”
- 18:23 – Wrist Check: Araj Tourbillon and Joker
- 25:09 – SpaceOne World Timer
- 35:46 – MB&F HM8 Mark II Purple
- 41:01 – Armin Strom Gravity Equal Force Rose Gold
Overall Tone & Takeaways
The episode’s tone is enthusiastic, irreverent, and watch-nerdy, balancing playful ribbing with earnest appreciation for ingenuity and craftsmanship at every price tier. Expect a whirlwind tour through the latest and quirkiest in horology, from street-art influences to galactic tourbillons, democratized independents, and the connective tissue of the watch community across Switzerland and beyond.
For more details, visuals, and additional jokes, check the show notes and YouTube video as referenced throughout the episode.