The Real Time Show - Episode Summary

Podcast Title: The Real Time Show
Episode: David And Rob Choose Their Best Watches On A Budget And More
Hosts: Rob Nudds & David Vaucher (with co-host mention: Alon Ben Joseph, not present in this episode)
Date: March 22, 2026

Episode Overview

In this lively and interactive episode, Rob Nudds and David Vaucher dive into the podcast mailbag to answer a listener's huge, open-ended question: What are the best-value watches one can buy at different budget tiers—£500, £1,000, £3,000, and £5,000? The discussion ranges from personal favorites, industry trends, and honest takes on iconic watches, to a lighthearted segment ranking their top five animals. The conversational tone is candid, insightful, sometimes self-deprecating, and always passionate about both watch collecting and the industry as a whole.

Key Discussion Points & Insights

1. Best-Value Watches by Budget Category

A. Sub-£500 Picks

• David's Pick: Le Forban Brestoise (01:23)
  • “Great looking vintage diver. French heritage, checks all my boxes...you can get a lab restoise for 490 Euros.” - David (01:23)
  • Independent brands are often now the best value, as established names have raised prices.
• Rob's Pick: Timex Iron Man 8 Lap Full Metal Case (02:39)
  • “Not choosing a Casio G-Shock for once...the Iron Man 8 lap is an absolute knockout for about 350.” - Rob (02:39)
  • Lauds Timex’s recent resurgence as a maker of genuinely good, affordable watches.

Honorable Mentions:

• Nezumi Voiture (Swedish microbrand, praised for design and price), Swatch x Blancpain Ocean of Storms (all-black variant singled out), Entry-level Seikos, and Casio for maximum value.

B. Reflections on the Swatch x Blancpain (“Blancpain Swatch”)

• Mixed feelings: Cool project, but the execution lacked whimsy and was “basically a 50 Fathoms in plastic.”
• “Should it have existed?...It just seems to me like they could have done a little bit more...Swatch is the whimsical brand.” – David (08:01)
• Rob wishes for more playful design: “Should the cases have been translucent plastic or something to give more of an idea of water, perhaps? That might have been quite cool.” (10:12)

C. Sub-£1,000 Picks

• Rob's Pick: Denison ALD Dual Time w/ Aventurine Dial (14:08)
  • “It will be my next Denison...nothing better for that money. And the bracelet was a home run, instant success.” – Rob (14:08)
• David's Picks:
  • Circula Pro Trail (TRTS Collab) — robust German field watch, praised for technology/features (15:14)
  • Certina DS PH1000M — 1970s diver reissue (16:23)

D. Sub-£3,000 Picks

• David's Pick: Alpina Seastrong Diver TRTS Collab (19:20)
  • “It's anonymous in the best way possible...a really good piece of equipment that does what it needs to.” (19:20)
  • Also nods to Tudor Black Bay as a safe, value-packed choice.
• Rob's Pick: Straum Jan Mayen (Titanium) (21:15)
  • “Quick release on that strap is a thing of beauty...for 3,000, the only brand I’d go for...is Straum.” (21:15)

E. Sub-£5,000 Picks

• Rob's Pick: Fortis Novonaut Legacy Edition (steel or titanium) (22:58)
  • “Huge amount of wrist presence for the money.” (22:58)
• David’s Pick: Sinn 936 Chronograph (25:53)
  • “Great brand, super high tech, good looking, really good value for money.” (25:53)

2. Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments

On Timex's Rise:

• “Now they make legitimately good stuff and I really hope to see them do more of that future.” - David (04:03)

On the Pre-Owned Market:

• Both hosts recommend leveraging knowledge for bargains on pre-owned sites like Chrono24, especially in the £3k and £5k categories.
• “If you have £5,000...you're getting a lot of watch on a used marketplace. So have fun, look around and never get too wrapped up in one watch.” – David (26:34)
• Rob shares a wild story about flying to Tokyo to buy a luxury watch and save on import fees! (28:29–31:18)

On Brand Connotations:

• “I want to wear a Royal Oak, but I don’t want to be associated with the kind of person that wears a Royal Oak.” – David, on redesigning icons (52:20)

On Watchmaking as a Career:

• “Bringing something mechanical to life...is something I’ve never really managed to get over. Like, it’s bewitching.” – Rob (40:45)
• “Try and do whatever your main passion is, and overlap it with something else...that’s really the thinking that’s actually gotten me here.” – David (42:16)

3. Listener Q&A and Deeper Topics

Watchmaking as a Profession (38:08–49:08)

• Honest reflection on watchmaking’s rewards and limitations.
• Advice: “Try and keep your hobby, as much of a hobby as you can, for as long as you can...see if that can become a career organically and get you into the industry...” – Rob (44:47)

Redesigning a Watch Icon (52:20–61:11)

• David would redesign the Royal Oak for different “connotations,” not because of its look.
• Rob proposes a Vacheron Constantin 222 in titanium and rose gold, with a high-grade quartz movement.
  • “Quartz has got to have a new day in the sun...I want it in these top-level models.” – Rob (55:48)
• Discussion: It’s possible (and even historical) to remake icons, citing examples such as the Cartier Calibre Diver, Bulgari Scuba, and the Moonswatch.

4. Offbeat & Fun Moments

Top Five Animals Segment (33:12–38:08)

• Hosts riff on their personal favorite animals (from chihuahuas to octopuses, with much banter).
  • David: “Dogs, panda bears, dolphins, rooster, giraffe...” (33:19–37:26)
  • Rob: “Octopus, hare/rabbit, turtle, condor, rhino.” (34:40–38:08)

Notable Banter

• “If I edit this really cruelly, I can just stop after you say ‘my wife, number two’...” – Rob, gently roasting David (33:49)
• On animal choices reflecting personality and pet ownership, infusing humor and warmth.

5. Timestamps

| [01:23] | Sub-£500 picks (Le Forban Brestoise, Timex Iron Man) | | [04:03] | Timex’s transformation & US brand politics | | [07:11] | Blancpain Swatch discussion | | [14:08] | Sub-£1,000 picks (Denison, Circula, Certina) | | [19:20] | Sub-£3,000 picks (Alpina, Tudor, Straum) | | [22:58] | Sub-£5,000 picks (Fortis, Sinn) | | [26:34] | Pre-owned market strategy, international buying tips | | [33:12] | Top Five Animals | | [38:08] | Life as a watchmaker, career advice | | [52:20] | Icon redesign discussion (Royal Oak, VC 222, etc.) | | [61:11] | Reflection: Historical remakes, examples in industry |

Summary Table: Best Value Watches by Budget

| Price Band | David’s Pick(s) | Rob’s Pick(s) | Notables / Honorable Mentions | |-------------|--------------------------------------|----------------------------------|--------------------------------------| | £500 | Le Forban Brestoise | Timex Iron Man 8 Lap | Nezumi, Swatch x Blancpain, Seiko, Casio | | £1,000 | Circula Pro Trail, Certina DS PH1000M| Denison ALD Dual Time | Tissot PRX, pre-owned Hamilton | | £3,000 | Alpina Seastrong Diver (TRTS collab), Tudor Black Bay | Straum Jan Mayen TRTS | - | | £5,000 | Sinn 936 Chronograph | Fortis Novonaut Legacy Edition | Used: Omega, Blancpain, Breguet, Cartier |

Conclusion & Takeaways

• The affordable & microbrand sector is thriving: Whether quartz or mechanical, there are great-value options from respected independents and revived classics.
• Pre-owned is king for value: Leverage experience and knowledge to secure luxury models well below retail.
• Brand connotations matter: Some watches carry social and stylistic baggage, spurring creative redesign ideas.
• Watchmaking is a calling, not a quick path to riches: Both hosts urge patience, self-inquiry, and hybrid skill-sets for success in the industry.
• Camaraderie and humor are central to the show’s charm—expect tangents and warm exchanges as much as hard watch talk.

Memorable Quote Roundup:

• “It makes you feel more connected, I think, to the world around you.” – Rob on watchmaking (38:08)
• “If you want to get a pass from your partner for buying a watch, just say you can share it and get yourself a Galbe.” – David (32:47)
• “Quartz is still ridiculous. The fact that you can get a natural material cut into a specific shape...oscillate at 32,768 times per second is preposterous. It’s magic.” – Rob (56:10)

For more on these topics and to join the debate, find the hosts on Instagram [herealtime.show], or join their WhatsApp group via the show’s official website.