Podcast Summary: The Real Time Show – Benjamin James Founder Benjamin Adams Talks Building A Watch Brand From Scratch

Podcast Information:

• Title: The Real Time Show
• Hosts: Rob Nudds & Alon Ben Joseph
• Episode: Benjamin James Founder Benjamin Adams Talks Building A Watch Brand From Scratch
• Release Date: July 20, 2025

1. Introduction to Benjamin Adams

The episode kicks off with hosts Rob Nudds and Alon Ben Joseph welcoming Benjamin Adams, the founder of Benjamin James Watches. Rob humorously mentions his shirtlessness, setting a light-hearted tone for the discussion.

Rob Nudds [00:00]: "I'm shirtless, if that makes you feel any better."

2. Early Influences and Family Legacy

Benjamin delves into his childhood, highlighting the significant influence of his grandfather, who ignited his passion for watches. His grandfather’s collection, particularly the Jaeger Lecoultre Reverso and the niche Rolex Prince, played a pivotal role in shaping Benjamin’s tastes.

Benjamin Adams [01:13]: "My grandfather was really the person who kind of like catalyzed the passion of watches in our family."

He reminisces about learning the intricacies of watches from his grandfather, fostering a deep appreciation for high-end luxury timepieces.

3. Journey into the Watch Industry

Benjamin recounts his initial detachment from wearing watches despite his family's passion. This changed on his 18th birthday when he received a Tag Heuer Aquaracer, which led him to immerse himself in the watch world. Opting out of university, he pursued a career directly within the industry, starting with Watch Gecko.

Benjamin Adams [05:39]: "I didn't necessarily like, have or wear a watch myself... until my 18th birthday..."

4. Founding Benjamin James Watches

After seven years at Watch Gecko, where Benjamin transitioned from photography to watch design, he ventured into self-employment in 2022. His diverse roles included freelance photography for microbrands and consulting for high-end watch dealers. This period was instrumental in refining his design philosophy, ultimately leading to the creation of Benjamin James Watches.

5. The Scarifall Design and Kickstarter Campaign

Benjamin explains the genesis of the Scarifall, a watch designed to fill a market gap for smaller, shaped watches inspired by classic designs at an accessible price point. The development spanned two years from initial sketches to Kickstarter launch.

Benjamin Adams [12:05]: "I pretty much just wore that watch every single day and slowly fell into the rabbit hole of, of the watch world."

The Kickstarter campaign was a significant success, raising £66,500 from 168 backers against a target of £24,500. The overwhelming response validated his belief in the market need for his design.

Benjamin Adams [17:59]: "It was unbelievable. I was looking at all the stats and... over a thousand likes in such a short span of time."

6. Design Choices and Movement Options

A standout feature of the Scarifall is the option between Quartz and Swiss manual wind Solita SW210 1B movements. Benjamin discusses how offering both movements was a blend of passion and practicality, allowing flexibility for different customer preferences.

Benjamin Adams [19:46]: "It's still about preference... "

He emphasizes that this dual-option approach resonated well with watch enthusiasts, challenging the typical assumptions about mechanical vs. quartz preferences.

7. Community and Growth Strategies

Benjamin highlights the crucial role of community in the brand’s growth. Engaging with microbrand communities on Facebook and Reddit provided invaluable feedback and support, fostering a loyal customer base.

Benjamin Adams [18:24]: "The microbrand community that believed in the vision and Helped bring it to life."

Collaborations and media features, such as mentions by Andrew Morgan on YouTube and coverage in the New York Times, further amplified the brand’s visibility.

8. Limited Editions and Future Plans

Discussing limited editions, Benjamin shares his philosophy of purposeful scarcity. Instead of arbitrary limitations, each limited edition release, like the Mother of Pearl model, carries unique characteristics that add value for collectors without alienating potential customers.

Benjamin Adams [28:26]: "I prefer the way that some brands like Patek and Rolex do it... it's still interesting for collectors and it saves people on missing out."

Looking ahead, Benjamin plans to expand the collection with a new range that maintains the brand’s core values while exploring different designs and materials.

9. Personal Insights and Challenges

Benjamin reflects on the personal sacrifices and challenges faced while building the brand, including balancing time and maintaining the brand's integrity without over-commercializing. He values the human touch in his operations, avoiding over-reliance on data-driven decisions that could dilute the brand’s soul.

Benjamin Adams [53:12]: "I'm not trying to go too niche... It's more about the story and the soul, the design."

He also acknowledges areas where he seeks assistance, such as logistics and data management, highlighting the importance of building a supportive team without compromising the brand’s essence.

10. Closing Remarks and Future Collaborations

Towards the end, Benjamin expresses interest in future collaborations, emphasizing the need for purposeful partnerships that align with the brand’s vision. He cites the successful collaboration between Holthomics and Horology Club as an exemplary model.

Benjamin Adams [54:15]: "I would want it to be purposeful and really offer something that I couldn't just offer myself if I had created that same watch."

Rob and Alon conclude the episode by encouraging listeners to engage with Benjamin and explore Benjamin James Watches through provided contact channels.

Notable Quotes with Timestamps:

• Johnson Adams [01:13]: "My grandfather was really the person who kind of like catalyzed the passion of watches in our family."
• Benjamin Adams [05:39]: "I pretty much just wore that watch every single day and slowly fell into the rabbit hole of, of the watch world."
• Benjamin Adams [12:05]: "I pretty much just wore that watch every single day and slowly fell into the rabbit hole of, of the watch world."
• Benjamin Adams [17:59]: "It was unbelievable... over a thousand likes in such a short span of time."
• Benjamin Adams [19:46]: "It's still about preference..."
• Benjamin Adams [28:26]: "I prefer the way that some brands like Patek and Rolex do it..."
• Benjamin Adams [53:12]: "I'm not trying to go too niche... It's more about the story and the soul, the design."
• Benjamin Adams [54:15]: "I would want it to be purposeful and really offer something that I couldn't just offer myself if I had created that same watch."

Conclusion: This episode of The Real Time Show offers an in-depth exploration of Benjamin Adams' journey in founding Benjamin James Watches. From early influences and industry experience to design philosophies and community engagement, Benjamin provides valuable insights into building a passionate, community-driven microbrand. Listeners gain a comprehensive understanding of the challenges and triumphs involved in creating a watch brand that balances soulful design with practical accessibility.

For more information or to connect with Benjamin Adams, visit Benjamin James Watches or follow them on Instagram @scarlintheshire.