Scottish Watches Podcast #763: Catching Up With An Old Friend

Date: March 23, 2026
Host: Scottish Watches (A)
Guest: Harlan from WristReview (B)

Episode Overview

In this lively and candid episode, the Scottish Watches team welcomes back Harlan, Managing Editor of WristReview, after a long hiatus. The conversation is a spirited catch-up about the ever-evolving world of horology, trends in the industry, the challenges and fun of watch journalism, and the quirks of modern watch events. Listeners are treated to inside stories from shows, honest takes on the state of major brands, and the simple joy of wearing and reviewing watches—at every price point.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Reunions, Global Travel, and the Watch Community

• [00:00 – 03:00]
  • The hosts and Harlan reminisce about crossing paths at international events, from Geneva to Dubai.
  • Watch journalism is likened to a globe-trotting adventure: “It feels like where in the world is Cameron Sandiego?... people are moving across the continents and you see the Indiana map with the little red line in the airplane going between the countries.” (A, 01:13)
• Harlan emphasizes the busy nature of 2026, with endless product releases and anniversaries dominating the calendar.

2. The Life of a Watch Media Professional

• [05:18 – 07:20]
  • Harlan explains his role at WristReview: managing editor, writer, photographer, and community wrangler—all while working a full-time day job.
    • “I do writing, I plan things...and I have a full time job. So yeah, there's a lot going on.” (B, 05:34)
  • Discussion about the balance between professional obligations and hobby/passion projects.
    • “How do you find the balance?... Or does it work in your favor that you're so annoyed...by the end of the working week that doing something in your hobby with watches...is like the greatest bonus ever?” (A, 06:14)
    • Harlan credits the flexibility at WristReview and their focus on meaningful, passion-driven content over pure volume.

3. What Makes Great Watch Content

• [07:20 – 08:34]
  • Host A notes that writing and reviewing should come from genuine interest and passion, not obligation.
    • “If you do something and you cover the things that appeal to you, you're writing from the heart.” (A, 07:57)

4. Industry Trends: The Rise of Fashion Houses in Horology

• [10:23 – 12:07]
  • Harlan observes a significant rise in horological focus among luxury fashion houses, notably Chanel, Louis Vuitton, Hermès, Van Cleef & Arpels, and Dior.
    • “They have just thrown...all of Bernard Arnault's money and all of LVMH's money at making ridiculously cool and interesting mechanical watches.” (B, 10:39)
  • Excitement about the blend of haute couture and haute horlogerie and how it is bringing new, innovative designs to the industry.

5. Winners and Losers: Brand Commentary and State of the Industry

• [14:20 – 16:48]
  • Brands on the rise:
    • Louis Vuitton and Chanel praised for “masterful” watchmaking and design collaboration.
    • “And Chanel, wow...they are on the up and up. They are fast moving. They're kind of guerrilla marketing at the moment.” (A, 12:50)
  • Brands faltering:
    • Blancpain is called out for a lack of direction and memorable releases.
      • “I'm really struggling to comprehend at the moment is Blancpain. And I love Blancpain. I think their watches are excellent, but I'm struggling to follow with where they're going.” (B, 14:20)
    • Vacheron Constantin and Breguet applauded for anniversary releases and innovation, unlike Blancpain.

6. Anniversary Overload

• [16:48 – 17:51]
  • Discussion about the industry’s obsession with “anniversaries” and constant celebrations, likened to perpetual sales at UK sofa stores.
    • “We're celebrating the fact that next year we're 150 years old... It's like the eternal DFS sale.” (A, 17:28)

7. Wrist Check & Watch Reviews

• [17:51 – 22:40]
  • Harlan: Wearing the Czapek Kaiderberg 40.5mm in blue for review—loves the seven-day power reserve and day of week feature.
    • “This thing has a stellar dial and I've got it for review and I don't want to get rid of it.” (B, 17:51)
  • A: Wearing the Aviate Hawker Harrier HUD Automatic—draws parallels to retro video games, highlights the 3D dial and affordable price point.
    • “Again, usual price point for these... around about 200, 220 bucks UK... I do not fathom how these guys manage to produce these watches at this lower cost because this is phenomenal.” (A, 20:05)
  • Both delight in the fun and accessibility of watches at all price points.
    • “If I'm wearing a watch, it looks cool and I get a smile on my face every time I wear it. Doesn't matter the price point.” (A, 23:05)

8. Behind the Scenes: Watches and Wonders

• [24:01 – 32:38]
  • Watches and Wonders is described as the keystone event of the year for watch enthusiasts and media—likened to a casino for journalists: no windows, free caffeine, and endless new releases.
    • “There's no windows, there are no clocks, which for a watch was kind of weird... and that is to get the maximum benefit out of all the journalists.” (A, 24:35)
  • Tips for surviving industry shows: schedule breaks, manage logistics, and don’t overbook.
    • “Give yourself lunch. At least don't push yourself that far. Cause you might be there from, like you said, you might be there from 8 or 9 o' clock till 5. And it's a lot of walking” (B, 27:07)
  • Insider story: A drops an extremely expensive watch movement as a novice at SIHH—no one blinks, implying it happens often.
    • “I picked up my one in front of me, looked at it through a loop...the movement fell off, hit the desk and bounced onto the ground...I thought, I'm going to have to sell my house, my car and my kidneys for the amount of money I have just cost for this thing that I've dropped on the floo. Nobody cared.” (A, 31:41)

9. Recent Releases and Brand News

• [33:38 – 39:40]
  • Harlan rates Hublot’s risk-taking and fun, despite the brand’s polarizing style.
    • “I'm becoming more and more impressed by the creativity that they're doing...even if it was just ceramic colors or that, that funny looking ceramic watch with the dots on the bezel...” (B, 33:38)
  • Omega’s direction is debated; A isn’t a fan of the latest Planet Ocean, citing radical design changes motivated by the urge to broadcast “newness.”
    • “It was such a transformation. Going from silky smooth...like it's almost like looking at a classic Jaguar...and then looking at a Cybertruck.” (A, 35:44)
  • The issue of old vs. new models coexisting on the same boutique shelves, creating confusion for buyers.
• Omega’s Apollo 8 / grey ceramic watch described as stunning in person, despite a big price jump.
  • “This thing was fantastic...Omega, they do a good quality product. Perhaps they're a little bit in the mist as into what direction they're taking at the moment.” (A, 38:12)
  • Olympics and Chinese Zodiac watches highlighted as yet another round of timepiece tie-ins.

10. The Spirit of the Hobby

• [40:04 – 42:21]
  • Candid advice: The best watch media is informal and fun—watches are a hobby, not a necessity.
    • “It's entertainment and fun. We don't need them, but we love them.” (A, 40:29)

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

• “We were exchanging multi $100,000 watches back and forward as if we were at some kind of drug dealers poker game.”
  — A [01:01]

• “You have to have the passion first. Otherwise job and you will clock out at 5pm.”
  — A [07:20]

• “They have just thrown...all of LVMH's money at making ridiculously cool and interesting mechanical watches.”
  — B [10:39]

• “Blancpain, please help me out. I want to love you so much, but, you know, you're very expensive.”
  — B [14:59]

• “We're celebrating the fact that next year we're 150 years old... It's like the eternal DFS sale in the UK for sofas.”
  — A [17:28]

• “If I'm wearing a watch, it looks cool and I get a smile on my face every time I wear it. Doesn't matter the price point.”
  — A [23:05]

• “Watches and Wonders for journalists is like going to a casino in Vegas. There's no windows, there are no clocks...and that is to get the maximum benefit out of all the journalists.”
  — A [24:35]

• “I picked up my one...the movement fell off, hit the desk and bounced onto the ground...and I left and nobody gave a F. That was the thing.”
  — A [31:41]

• “It was such a transformation...like it's almost like looking at a classic Jaguar...and then looking at a Cybertruck.”
  — A [35:44]

Important Timestamps

• 00:00 – 03:04: Introductions, globetrotting, and the camaraderie of the watch world
• 05:18 – 07:20: Harlan describes his full plate at WristReview; balancing watch media with regular work
• 10:23 – 12:29: Discussion of fashion houses and their movement into serious watchmaking
• 14:20 – 16:48: Brand commentary—successes (Vacheron, Breguet) and struggles (Blancpain)
• 17:51 – 22:40: Wrist checks and current review highlights (Czapek, Aviate Hawker Harrier HUD)
• 24:01 – 32:38: Watches and Wonders—inside stories, media strategies, and trade show advice
• 33:38 – 39:40: LVMH Watch Week, Hublot’s creativity, debate over Omega’s Planet Ocean redesign
• 40:04 – 42:21: The value of informality and passion in watch media
• 42:21 – End: Top article recommendations from Harlan; links and engagement encouragement

Recommendations & Further Reading

• WristReview Coverage:
  • Hands-on reviews, especially for Czapek, Hublot, Omega
  • Live event impressions from Bristol and Watches and Wonders
• Scottish Watches:
  • YouTube, Instagram (@scottishwatches), and website for news, videos, and snappy takes
  • Email suggestions: info@scottishwatches.co.uk

Tone & Takeaway

Casual, irreverent, and deeply passionate, this episode offers both industry insight and friendly banter. The hosts champion authenticity, fun, and accessible enjoyment in the world of watches, poking gentle fun at industry quirks and celebrating the community-driven spirit at the heart of the hobby.

For full reviews, event coverage, and more, check the show notes for links to WristReview and Scottish Watches articles and media.