The Real Time Show – Felix Dachsel of Der Spiegel Shares His Journey Through Time
Podcast: The Real Time Show
Hosts: Rob Nudds, Alon Ben Joseph
Guest: Felix Dachsel (Editor at Der Spiegel, renowned German news magazine)
Date: December 7, 2025
Episode Overview
In this wide-ranging and perceptive episode, Rob, Alon, and guest Felix Dachsel dive into the world of watches through the lens of serious journalism. Felix shares his unconventional path from school newspaper writer to editor at Germany’s largest magazine, discusses breaking the luxury watch story into the pages of a traditionally political publication, and explores his evolving relationship with collecting, guilt, and industry critique. The trio also tackle trends, transparency, and the walled garden syndrome of the Swiss watch industry with surprising candor.
Key Discussion Points & Insights
1. Felix’s Path to Journalism and Watches
- Beginnings: Felix started as editor of his school newspaper, seeing it as “an escape from learning stuff” ([01:47]).
- Professional Trajectory: Attended journalism school in Hamburg, worked at left-leaning publications, finally joining Der Spiegel ([02:29]).
- Watch Interest Origin: Childhood fascination with affordable watches (Flik Flak, Swatch, quartz); mechanical luxury “felt like a distant dream” until buying an Omega Seamaster 300 “some years ago” ([03:19–04:50]).
“I was always interested in watches...but mechanical, expensive watches? I didn't allow myself to go further... Luxury was always something which was…my parents taught me luxury is rather a bad thing.” — Felix ([04:50])
2. Catalyzing Watch Journalism at Der Spiegel
- Felix didn’t join as a watch editor, but his enthusiasm brought in new interest; initial articles garnered huge reader responses, pushing him to start a regular column ([06:05]).
- His first big piece, “Confessions of a Watch Geek,” mirrored Gary Shteyngart’s famous essay in tone and impact ([06:05]).
“When I had my coming out as a watch lover, a lot of things happened ... I started a regular watch column.” — Felix ([06:05])
3. The Guilt & Liberation in Luxury Consumption
- Discusses North-European modesty and the guilt attached to expensive watches, before deciding to embrace his passion ([08:05]).
“Luxury has a lot to do with guilt...Of course it's not really reasonable to buy a watch which costs 5,000 or €10,000...But the things you shouldn't do are the interesting things in life.” — Felix ([08:05])
- Shares the story of “infecting” his father with the hobby by gifting him a Squale diver’s watch ([09:48]).
4. Objectivity and Critique in Watch Media
- Unique constraints and freedoms of writing for Der Spiegel vs. typical watch publications.
- Discusses brands’ desire for narrative control and the sometimes tense but evolving relationship between the press and powerful companies ([10:43–12:25]).
“Some of the brands want to control everything…Not only approve their quotes, but also approve the whole article…But at Der Spiegel, I can't do that.” — Felix ([11:04])
5. The Nick Hayek / Swatch Group Interview
- Felix secured an interview with Swatch CEO Nick Hayek Jr. by proactively requesting it, not through an invitation ([12:34]).
- Explains the editorial process and Hayek’s openness, despite a reputation for being selective and resistant to criticism ([26:04–27:53]).
- Discusses the German tradition of interview approval, noting Hayek's willingness to leave “strong” and controversial quotes untouched ([27:53–28:05]).
6. The Role of Der Spiegel & Media Reach
- Der Spiegel is effectively “the Time magazine of Germany,” with a weekly print circulation of roughly 724,000 and total reach (print + web) of about 12 million per week ([13:27–15:55]).
- Felix notes the immense platform it provides for watch brands—a “Holy Grail” of exposure—but upholds journalistic standards and independence ([17:31–19:59]).
7. Journalist, Critic, or Both?
- Explores the difference between traditional journalism and opinion-driven critique ([22:34]).
- Felix’s approach combines transparency, personal perspective, and reporting “from the field” ([22:44]).
“It’s more, there’s a lot of opinion in it…For me, it’s important not to stay at my desk…I want to…speak with watchmakers. At the end, it’s a highly personal story and I always try to make it super transparent.” — Felix ([22:44])
8. Watch Industry Trends & Isolation
- Addresses the “walled garden” of the Swiss watch industry: its allure as an escape and its dangers if industry leaders become too disconnected from societal realities ([29:44–31:50]).
- Points to increasing price points, inflation, and potential peril for brands ignoring market/societal shifts ([32:29–33:58]).
“It is too isolated…The world is really dark…so the isolated world of watches, it’s good as an escape, but also bad—if they don’t see the world around, they don’t see developments...” — Felix ([30:08])
9. Swiss vs. German Watch Cultures
- Contrasts Switzerland’s “clean, well-organized…disassociative” approach to German brands like Nomos, which are more political and socially engaged ([36:02–37:38]).
10. Dinner Party Fantasy: Industry Guests
- Felix would invite:
- Ilaria Resta (CEO of Audemars Piguet)—new outsider bringing professionalization ([38:31])
- Roland Schwerdner (founder of Nomos)—politically engaged, deep thinker
- Maximilian Büsser (MB&F)—creative, innovative watch artist ([40:46])
- Resta’s outsider/female status in “still really…male-dominated” industry seen as both challenge and vital opportunity ([44:28]).
11. On Icons, Success, and the “Holy Trinity”
- AP’s Royal Oak as a lesson on the delayed impact of iconic design ([45:00]).
- “Holy Trinity” (Rolex, AP, Patek Philippe): Yes, but with a wink at the quasi-religious fervor and waitlist culture ([46:13]).
12. Felix as Collector
- Currently wearing: Rolex Sea-Dweller 16600 ([46:51])
- Collection size: “Between 10 and 20” ([47:12])
- Proudly includes both quartz and mechanical—no snobbery ([47:32–48:41])
“There’s not a clear yes or no to quartz watches…Every watch has a chance to find the way to my heart.” — Felix ([47:55])
Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (With Timestamps)
-
On luxury & guilt:
“Luxury has a lot to do with guilt and freeing yourself…The things you shouldn’t do are the interesting things in life.”
— Felix ([08:05]) -
On journalism with integrity:
“I can't do a PR piece…My framework is journalistic. If they show me a watch and I think the watch is shit, maybe I write it.”
— Felix ([17:31]) -
On objectivity & being a ‘critic’:
“Writing a column, there’s a lot of opinion in it…At the end, it’s a highly personal story and I always try to make it super transparent.”
— Felix ([22:44]) -
On industry isolation:
“The most complicated thing about the watch industry is it is too isolated…that can be positive—an escape from a really dark world. But…if they don’t see developments, it’s dangerous.”
— Felix ([30:08]) -
On democratizing watches:
“Swatch has to be open for everyone and be part of the democracy…Some brands want to be exclusive. The beautiful thing is that in the industry you have both.”
— Felix ([36:02]) -
On collecting quartz:
“I like any watch, you know. Every watch has the chance to find the way to my heart.”
— Felix ([47:55])
Important Timestamps for Segments
- [01:47] – Felix’s journalistic journey: school paper to Der Spiegel
- [03:19–04:50] – His personal watch journey and first major watch purchase
- [06:05] – Writing about watches at Der Spiegel, reader response
- [08:05] – The role of guilt in luxury consumption
- [10:43–12:25] – Brand-press dynamics; challenges of independence
- [13:27–15:55] – The size and power of Der Spiegel’s platform
- [17:31–19:59] – Felix’s negotiation of editorial integrity vs. brand demands (with Swatch as case study)
- [22:34–22:44] – Columns as personal, opinion-driven journalism; distinction from “straight” reporting
- [29:44–31:50] – Watch industry’s isolation as strength and weakness
- [36:02–37:38] – Swiss vs. German watch industry approaches
- [38:31–40:46] – Felix’s hypothetical dinner guests
- [45:00–46:13] – Reflections on AP’s success and the “Holy Trinity”
- [46:51–47:55] – What’s on Felix’s wrist, collecting philosophy
Tone and Atmosphere
The episode is marked by frankness, humor, and intellectual curiosity. Felix’s seriousness as a journalist is balanced by humility and self-awareness, while Rob and Alon provide camaraderie and probing questions. The atmosphere is open, at times philosophical, maintaining a relatable and accessible vibe for all listeners—even those well outside the “watch bubble.”
Conclusion
Felix Dachsel brings a rare blend of outside perspective and inside passion to watch journalism, pushing for transparency, balanced critique, and a healthy awareness of the world beyond horology’s “walled garden.” His journey resonates for anyone who has tiptoed between guilt and joy in collecting, or who wonders how the world’s most exclusive hobby might evolve as the larger world continues to shift.