Scottish Watches Podcast #714: New Watches for October 2025
Overview
In this lively episode, the Scottish Watches team explores the latest happenings in the watch world for October 2025. While promising to save travel stories for a future episode, hosts Ricky and Dave dive deep into fun industry anecdotes, new releases, major anniversaries, and thought-provoking developments in the global watch community. Through spirited banter, playful jabs, and their trademark irreverence, they profile exciting launches from Swatch, Christopher Ward, Vacheron Constantin, Czapek, Venezianico, Gerald Charles, Isotope, and more.
Key Discussion Points & Highlights
Swatch "What If Tariffs" Watch — A Playful Protest
[01:29 – 06:39]
- Dave recounts his visit to the Swatch drive-through in Switzerland and unpacks the latest "What If" release—a cheeky response to the US's 39% tariff on Swiss watches.
- The new Swatch "What If Tariffs" model features:
- Square bio-ceramic case with blue dial and creamy off-white rubber strap
- Priced at CHF 139 (up 39 francs from the usual, matching the tariff rate)
- No date or day display
- Percentage symbol on the battery cover
- Only available in Switzerland while tariffs persist
Memorable Quote:
"They have removed stuff and charged you more for it... they're making you pay more for it by firmly putting another 39% straight into their pockets."
— Dave, [04:31]
Christopher Ward's US and UK Expansions
[07:21 – 10:01]
- Celebrates Christopher Ward's rapid growth in the US, spearheaded by Mike Pearson.
- Highlights:
- New showroom opening in NYC (75 Greene Street, Soho), following Texas and Virginia locations—NYC site to blend retail with club-style hospitality.
- UK first: Watch showroom inside Everton’s new Hill Dickinson Stadium in Liverpool.
Quote:
"The US is their single biggest growth market... first in Texas... opened one in Virginia a few weeks ago... Showroom in NYC this winter."
— Dave, [07:26]
Major Anniversaries: Limited Edition & Czapek
[10:01 – 11:08]
- Limited Edition celebrates 10 years as a community-driven retailer, uniting brands and collectors.
- Czapek marks 10 years since its revival, 180 years since founding, five years since launching their integrated steel “Antarctique” model.
Vacheron Constantin’s Marvel: Les Cabinotiers "The Quest for Time"
[11:08 – 17:08]
- 270th anniversary for Vacheron Constantin.
- Introduces the "Quest for Time"—a double-sided, highly artisanal piece in the "Matière d’Art" category.
- Features:
- New manual-wound caliber 3600, 5Hz, triple-barrel, 60hr power reserve, 512 components
- Sequential double power reserve & bi-retrograde display
- Anthropomorphic golden figure for hour/minute indication
- Celestial scene of Geneva night sky from 1755, accurate for over 900 years
- Only 20 pieces, price undisclosed but expectedly stratospheric
Quote:
"This is something that is not just beautiful, but it's... basically a scientific instrument on your wrist. The central figure is sculptured in titanium finished with a golden PVD patina..."
— Dave, [14:17]
"It reminds me of the robot from the movie Metropolis... but the way it works, the way it's designed, the color, the hues, the blue mixing with the gold right down to the strap, it's fantastic."
— Ricky, [16:14]
GPHG Jury Announced — Barbara Palumbo Recognized
[17:08 – 20:39]
- Announcements for the 25th Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève (GPHG). Jury is more commercially oriented, chaired by Nick Foulkes and featuring many industry C-levels.
- Barbara Palumbo, frequent co-host, is selected as a juror, lauded for her dedication and contributions to the watch media.
Quote:
"She really does give 110%. So I don't think the GPHG know what is going to be coming..."
— Ricky, [21:17]
New Czapek Antarctique Mount Erebus Gold Dials
[21:23 – 23:42]
- 10th anniversary "Mount Erebus" editions: Three new stone dials—Blue Lapis (Afghanistan), Falcon’s Eye (South Africa), Green Meteorite (Namibia).
- Details:
- 40.5mm gold case, 10.6mm thick, 120m water resistance, SHX5 movement
- Gold bracelet: 62-66K CHF; Rubber strap: 39-43K CHF
- Lapis/Falcon’s Eye: 10/year; Green Meteorite: 8 pieces total
Quote:
"This watch... gold case, right color of rubber strap on it, keep the price reasonable and sensible. Beautiful stone dial."
— Dave, [22:41]
Venezianico Nereide Aero: Affordable Italian Luxury
[23:42 – 28:01]
- Ricky spotlights the 39mm Venezianico Nereide Aero (downsized from 41mm).
- Standouts:
- Rippled gold-plated dial (24-karat, real treatment)
- Tungsten bezel (a "fingerprint magnet")
- Elegant bracelet with micro-adjustment
- Only $1,000; Miyota automatic; Sapphire crystal, 200m WR
Quote:
"It looks a million bucks, but it only costs $1,000."
— Ricky, [24:36]
Gerald Charles Maestro 2.0 Ultra Thin "Tiger’s Eye"
[28:01 – 30:47]
- 25th brand anniversary & 75th for partner retailer Ahmed Seddiqi (Dubai).
- Details:
- Only 20 pieces; angular case (rounded octagon), 9mm thick, 39x41mm
- Tiger’s Eye stone dial, CGA 2000 movement
- 94,000 AED (~€22,000)
Isotope x Oracle Time: Mercury Vitreous Grand Feu Enamel Dials
[30:47 – 35:41]
- Collaboration yields two limited edition vitreous enamel dial watches—one orange-red and one mint-spearmint green.
- Features:
- Grand Feu enamel dials (extremely high failure rate)
- Manual Eta Peseux 7001 movement, 25 pieces each
- £2,775—very competitive for Grand Feu
Quote:
"These are a kind of vitreous enamel technique... he's been bringing these kind of high end metadar skills into much more attainable price points..."
— Dave, [33:07]
Additional News & Community Highlights
[35:41 – End]
- Isotope wins major awards: Time Only for Mercury Shadow and People’s Choice for Moonshot Chronograph.
- Scottish Watches Nessie Limited Edition update: run increased after feedback, a few remaining for sale. Positive press coverage from Just One More Watch, Fratello, Worn & Wound, Oracle Time.
Quote:
"If you do like the look of that one, go grab it. I believe there are just a handful left, so that is pretty much a show."
— Ricky, [39:41]
Notable Quotes & Moments
-
On Swatch Tariffs Watch Pricing
"So they've done a Porsche RS. They charge you more for not putting stuff in in the first place."
— Ricky, [04:25] -
Vacheron's Masterpiece
"Does anyone need them? No. But does anyone need just a normal watch on their wrist? No... So if you're going to do it, do it right."
— Dave, [15:15] -
On Watch Community Growth
"Pietro managed to corral a squadron of merry men, he's almost like Robin Hood..."
— Ricky, [10:17] -
On Grand Feu Enamel
"If you ever remember at school when you were asked to make something in pottery and you thought you had mastered it, you had a masterpiece on your hand, you put it in the kiln and it cracked." — Dave, [34:29]
Timestamps for Major Segments
- Swatch What If Tariffs — [01:29 – 06:39]
- Christopher Ward US Retail Growth — [07:21 – 10:01]
- Brands' Big Anniversaries (Limited Edition, Czapek, Vacheron) — [10:01 – 17:08]
- GPHG Jury Announced — [17:08 – 20:39]
- Czapek’s New Mount Erebus Gold — [21:23 – 23:42]
- Venezianico Nereide Aero—Affordable Luxury—[23:42 – 28:01]
- Gerald Charles Maestro Tiger’s Eye LE — [28:01 – 30:47]
- Isotope x Oracle Time Vitreous — [30:47 – 35:41]
- Community Watches & Wrap-Up — [35:41 – End]
Tone and Language
The hosts blend technical details, historical context, and specs with their typical Scottish wit and lighthearted irreverence. The episode celebrates both serious horology and accessible fun, always with an eye toward value and innovation.
For More
Explore the podcast show notes linked in your app for images, direct links, and bonus content. Follow the Scottish Watches crew on Instagram for more hands-on reviews and behind-the-scenes content from their globe-trotting watch adventures.
Next time:
Tune in for deeper dives into Minerva, Black Badger vs The Dial Artist, and a recap of Geneva Watch Days. The Scottish Watches Nessie LE may still be available—check the show notes for the link if you're interested!