The Real Time Show: Scarlett And Rob Look Back On LVMH Watch Week In The Return Of #SCROB

Podcast: The Real Time Show
Hosts: Rob Nudds & Scarlett Baker
Episode Date: February 8, 2026

Episode Overview

In this bumper #SCROB episode, Rob Nudds and Scarlett Baker reunite to dissect the biggest news, questions, and hot takes emerging from LVMH Watch Week 2026 in Milan. The pair also field a lively set of listener questions, sparring (often humorously) about indie watch trends, favorite new releases, smartwatches’ place in the community, and the evolving print media landscape in horology. Their conversation meanders through everything from collector heartbreak to the merits of Hublot, TAG Heuer, Zenith, and more—always with candor, wit, and deep horological insight.

Scarlett’s Hiatus & Return (00:26)

• Scarlett has been absent working on her print magazine "Heist Out" (Issue 2 just released), which challenges the way media stories are told about watches, blending digital/physical concepts and even sized like an iPhone 16 for portability.

  • “It's basically a critique on how we consume media and our relationship between the digital and physical world…” – Scarlett (00:26)
  • Upcoming Paris launch on Feb 12, 2026.

• Rob commends the magazine’s innovation and asks about its presentation, leading to a discussion about the continued value of physical media in a digital world.

The Magazine/Media Landscape (03:03)

• Scarlett reflects on what makes print special now—original storytelling and visuals, not “50 ads at the start of the magazine.” She shares Heist Out’s approach: never running pre-supplied images and always working directly with brands to build something new.

  • “We will never accept a pre supplied image in our pages and run that… all of those ideas are original.” – Scarlett (04:26)

• Rob and Scarlett agree that creating evergreen content and challenging industry conventions is more fulfilling than simply chasing daily news updates.

The Realities of Watch Journalism (06:34)

• Scarlett explains the balance between breaking news and “slow burn” evergreen features, saying encyclopedic industry knowledge—while exhausting—is foundational for great editorial work.
  • “Writing five articles a day about all the new releases can sometimes be a bit, oh… but you can’t have one without the other.” – Scarlett (07:29)
  • Rob shares how obscure product knowledge from years earlier can unexpectedly aid in product development even years later.

Listener Q&A – “Mailbag” Segment

1. Favorite Non-Round Indie Watch (12:25)

• Scarlett: The not-yet-released Anoma A1 Prehistoric by Mateo—an abstract, tool-inspired object that questions the boundary between watch and art. Emphasizes the value of thoughtful maximalism over mere spectacle.

  • “…It’s very much questioning: When does a watch become an object?” – Scarlett (13:32)

• Rob: Two picks—

  1. Bernard Mirage (established indie favorite)
  2. Peekaboo pendant watches from Bernay (charming, lipstick-shaped vintage pieces, often with engine-turned/enamel cases)

2. Favorite Indie Watch Bracelet (14:56)

• Scarlett: The Ming Poly Mesh 3D-printed titanium bracelet: “It had this great sort of juxtaposition between wearing, like, fabric, even though it was a metal.” (15:22)
• Rob: Praises the Ming bracelet’s innovation, but also likes Denison’s new thin, wearable bracelet for ALD cased watches, while recognizing Ming as “an innovator.”
  • “It just elevates that product to a new level.” – Rob (21:29)

3. What Watch Would You Give Super Bowl Winners? (23:12)

• Rob: Something “custom made by Tiffany” to match the specialness and personalized engineering of Super Bowl rings, echoing the Lombardi Trophy’s Tiffany heritage.

4. Should Indie Brands Lean Into Digital Smartwatches? (25:19)

• Scarlett: “No.” Indie brands should focus on what they do best—mechanical artistry. She admires the Moser Streamliner Alpine Mechanics (hybrid for F1 mechanics) as a rare, suitable exception but emphasizes that most smartwatch ventures dilute the indie watch magic.

  • “I want to fall in love with an independent watch brand because it’s doing what most of us are fighting for, which is making people fall in love with mechanical watches again.” (29:41)

• Rob: Echoes Scarlett’s view—smartwatches serve “the seconds,” mechanicals serve “the moments.” Discusses the importance of clarity in purpose, referencing Moser and the rationale for their hybrid F1-only release.

  • “One tracks the seconds and one exists for the moments…” – Rob (29:50)

Collector’s Lament & Wishlist Watches (36:41)

• Scarlett shares heartbreak about missing a coveted vintage Chopard, and discusses two watches on her “lust list”:
  • Hermès Clickti Kazak (“like the Kelly, but on crack”)
  • Girard Perregaux Playboy Moon (1960s)
• Rob jokes about a Tinder-for-watches concept in response to Scarlett’s “disturbing” love for certain models (40:06).

LVMH Watch Week 2026 – Watches Reviewed & Debated

Hublot Novak Djokovic Trilogy (45:21)

• Scarlett: “I really like Hublot and stand by it…” Praises the Djokovic pieces for combining authentic material storytelling (real racket/polo shirt composites) with high complication watchmaking. Impressed by the laser-engraving and technical showmanship.
• Rob: Equally enthusiastic, points out Hublot’s technical leadership with ceramics, sapphires, and “magic gold,” and says the brand is wrongly dismissed by the watch media.
  • “They are absolutely confident in what they're creating, and they're creating stuff that nobody else is getting close to.” – Rob (51:10)

Tiffany Timer Platinum Chronograph (52:07)

• Scarlett: “First impression… fuck, it’s cool.” Loves the platinum, Tiffany blue dial, diamond baguette indexes. Highlights LVMH’s purposeful turn to historical reinterpretations.
• Rob: “Having a hot flush—it’s one of the most beautiful colors on a dial.” Both hosts would take it over the Tiffany Nautilus, noting the use of the Zenith El Primero 400 movement and overall design synergy.
  • “Is this really controversial if I say I would have this in a heartbeat over the Nautilus?” – Scarlett (54:13)

Zenith Defy Revival A3643 (58:10)

• Scarlett: Likes the model, especially the ladder bracelet and “two tier” hour markers—feels closer to the authentic Zenith DNA she identifies with.
• Rob: Dislikes the case shape, finds the dial and hand proportions uninspiring, and feels the bracelet can’t “control” the case. Does respect that it appeals to those uninterested in Zenith’s other (often more modern or feminine/pink) models.
  • “I just think it’s a bit ugly. I think the dial is a bit boring. I think the hand length is questionable…” – Rob (59:44)

TAG Heuer Seafarer (63:20)

• Scarlett: Strongly positive on TAG mining its sailing/maritime heritage again: “I think it’s a really great standpoint for Tag… If I could learn the history of one watch brand inside out, it would be Heuer… These kind of reissues excite me.”

• Rob: Visually reminded of “ice cream-colored” Norquain models, wishes he loved it more. Finds the applied indexes look “pressed and cheap” compared to the pricing. Feels TAG Heuer should focus its message on its core auto racing heritage and prune its lineup.

  • “It just doesn’t touch me… my initial feeling was: doesn’t feel like TAG to me.” – Rob (69:52)

• Both discuss whether TAG’s broad collection is a blessing or curse, and the perils/benefits of trying to reach too many audiences.

Gerald Genta Geneva Time-Only Models (85:00)

• Scarlett: “I just think they’re fucking killing it.” Praises the daily-wearable take using Zenith Elite movements, granulated brass dial, and subtle historical nods with stamped logo styling.
• Rob: Finds them elegant—loves the unique rose gold shade, granulated finish, proportions, and finish. But both are floored by the $25,000+ price for a two-hander. Compares to the more complicated (and seemingly more craft-intensive) Genta Orsan at only $4,000 more.
  • “Everything looks absolutely peerlessly finished… but for goodness sake, 25k?” – Rob (91:05)

Hublot Big Bang “Classic” Retro Reinterpretations (92:16)

• Rob: The “gross, in your face” checkerboard dials recall early Big Bangs—loves the nostalgia and boldness.
• Scarlett: Feels sentimental due to her father's taste; likes the smaller Classic Fusions. Generally loves wearing “hateable” watches.
  • “I’m an absolute stickler for a watch that people hate or a brand that people hate.” – Scarlett (97:27)

Notable Quotes & Timestamps

• “We want this magazine to be consumed in as many ways as possible. There's no correct way to read it.” – Scarlett (05:40)
• “I want to find that gripping story… where I just cannot wait to get to my keyboard.” – Scarlett (07:29)
• “It would be about how you make me feel, Rob, after spending an hour with you on a podcast.” – Scarlett (10:58)
• “I think the Real Time Show is one of the weirdest podcasts… all four main hosts love Hublot.” – Rob (51:00)
• “If you called Charlotte and you've got it, there will be hell.” – Scarlett joking about missing her Chopard to another collector (43:44)
• “You must have run out of bandwidth…I have about 35 tabs open because I’ve been doing research into a new product…” – Rob (16:42)
• “For me to buy a watch…I have to…if I'm still thinking about it 24 hours later…I need to own it.” – Scarlett (40:32)

Episode Highlights by Timestamp

• 00:26–06:51: Scarlett’s magazine Heist Out, and the value of print in a digital age.
• 10:50–18:01: Mailbag intro; both hosts’ calm, playful rivalry emerges.
• 12:25–16:42: Indie picks: Anoma’s unreleased A1 Prehistoric, mint vintage pieces, bracelet innovation led by Ming.
• 23:12–34:50: Super Bowl watches, digital/smartwatch debate (Moser Alpine Mechanics cited), and the indie mechanical ethos.
• 40:06–42:41: Collector heartbreak and wishlist watches (Hermès, Girard-Perregaux, Chopard).
• 45:15–52:07: LVMH Watch Week: Hublot Djokovic trilogy, movement innovation, the misunderstood Hublot legacy.
• 52:07–57:37: Tiffany Timer: Both hosts swoon over it; discussion of shared movement strategy within LVMH brands.
• 58:10–63:16: Zenith Defy Revival debate—love vs. loathe.
• 63:20–81:59: TAG Heuer Seafarer, catalog bloat, and collector psychology around reissues.
• 85:00–92:16: Gerald Genta time-only: beauty, comfort, sticker shock.
• 92:16–98:49: Hublot Big Bang “Classic,” nostalgia vs. taste, and loving watches others love to hate.
• 98:49–End: Outro, jokes about potential Hublot x Marmite collaborations, and a call for “Scrob” T-shirt ideas.

Overall Tone and Flow

Conversational, candid, and packed with personal anecdotes, the hosts keep the banter light and the analysis sharp. They often disagree, but always with humor and respect, joyfully pushing each other to rethink stances—and never shying from poking fun at themselves or the industry’s quirks.

Memorable Moments

• Scarlett’s confession of “Darth Vader” heavy breathing after too many cigarettes (09:36)
• Rob’s quip about starting a “Tinder for watches” to cope with the heartbreak of missed collecting opportunities (40:06)
• The hosts both embracing Hublot's outsider status and expressing a desire for “hateable” watches (97:27)
• Repeated pun runs and playful arguments about everything from onion crowns to “choco ice” desserts.

Conclusion

A dense, lively, deeply knowledgeable episode that offers both hardcore and casual listeners a pulse-check on LVMH Watch Week, indie trends, and the current state of watch culture—always with #SCROB’s signature blend of irreverence and expertise.

Want more #SCROB?
Let them know if you want “Scrob” T-shirts (98:51), and stay tuned for future episodes and mailbag responses.