A Blog To Watch Weekly

On this week's episode of aBlogtoWatch Weekly, Rick, Ariel, Ripley, and David dive into one of the watch industry's most talked about controversies as Swatch's MoonSwatch 1984 application process leaves enthusiasts questioning whether the experience was worth the effort. The crew also discusses the dramatically more expensive Ulysse Nardin Freak X, whether the updates justify its new price, and why Ariel believes collectors should start thinking in terms of dedicated daytime and nighttime watches.

The conversation continues with a critical look at this year's GPHG nominations and the ever growing debate over how meaningful the awards really are. Along the way, the team gets lost on the Bovet website, questions some "questionable" bracelet designs, and reacts to Fossil's Incredible Hulk watch, prompting David to ask whether every new release really needs to be another homage to the 1960s. If you thought this was going to be a normal episode, think again, because no aBlogtoWatch Weekly episode stays on the rails for long.To check out the ABTW Shop, where you can see our products inspired by our love of Horology:

- Shop ABTW - https://store.ablogtowatch.com/

To keep updated with everything Superlative, aBlogtoWatch Weekly, and aBlogtoWatch, check us out on:

- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ablogtowatch/

- Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/

- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/aBlogtoWatch

If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!

Key Chapters:
0:04 Intro, Potato Vision, & Daylight Savings

4:02 Cardinal Points Mystery Solved?

8:15 Actual Watch News Begins

10:00 Ulysse Nardin Freak X Sticker Shock

14:30 The World's Worst Watch Website?

19:07 Day Watches vs. Night Watches

22:40 Our Ultimate Night Watches

26:30 Swatch's ESTA Disaster

29:49 Rick's GDPR Revenge Plan

33:59 Swatch Scubaqua Review

36:17 Remember the Swatch Flymagic?

39:02 Is GPHG Pay to Play? 4

4:01 Do More Entries Mean More Awards?

47:22 Live GPHG Heckling?

53:38 Fossil's Incredible Hulk Watch

58:51 Roger Dubuis' $400K Samurai Watch

1:05:56 Potatoes, Power Tools, & Goodbye

aBlogtoWatch Weekly is back on the main aBlogtoWatch YouTube channel with new releases every Friday!

- https://www.youtube.com/@ablogtowatch

This week on aBlogtoWatch Weekly, Ariel, Rick, and Ripley kick things off with another discussion about the newly announced N3W5 brand, debating its unusual name, marketing strategy, and whether the industry is getting a little too excited about products that have barely been revealed. The conversation then shifts to a busy week of enthusiast events, including RZE's Vancouver Experience, the Intersect Watch Show, and the RZE Gear Swap, where the hosts discuss why independent brands and community driven gatherings are becoming some of the most exciting parts of today's watch industry.

The team also shares hands-on impressions of the Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Twin Beat Perpetual Calendar, reviews the new 41mm Delma Shell Star, and explores whether quartz watches are finally earning renewed respect among collectors. They close the episode by reacting to Swatch's controversial MoonSwatch "Loyalty Test," questioning whether asking enthusiasts to complete an application just for the chance to buy a watch is brilliant marketing or a step too far.

This week's episode is sponsored by the Movado Heritage Kingmatic collection, learn more at the link below:

- https://www.movado.com/

To check out the ABTW Shop, where you can see our products inspired by our love of Horology:

- Shop ABTW - https://store.ablogtowatch.com/

To keep updated with everything Superlative, aBlogtoWatch Weekly, and aBlogtoWatch, check us out on:

- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ablogtowatch/
- Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/
- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/aBlogtoWatch

If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!

Key Timestamps:
0:04 N3W5, Compasses, & Marketing Madness
6:15 Benny's New Brand & $1M Leather Jacket
10:16 RZE Gear Swap & Community Events
18:12 Watch Brand Colors & Independent Watch Culture
26:46 Vacheron Constantin Twin Beat Review
34:04 Delma Shell Star 41 Review
37:17 Is Quartz Making a Comeback?
45:38 Swatch's MoonSwatch "Loyalty Test"
53:05 Bio Ceramic, Gold, & Swatch's Strategy
1:04:06 World Cup Watches & F1 Watch Brands

aBlogtoWatch Weekly is back on the main aBlogtoWatch YouTube channel with new releases every Friday!
- https://www.youtube.com/@ablogtowatch

It is a European takeover this week as Rick and David hold down the fort for another lively episode of aBlogtoWatch Weekly. They dive into the ongoing debate over whether third party tourbillons are really worth the money, take a close look at Jaeger-LeCoultre's incredible Heliotourbillon, and discuss why mechanical complexity still fascinates collectors even when it serves little practical purpose.

The conversation then shifts to Seiko, where David shares his hands on impressions of the new Marinemaster and explains why he believes it is one of the brand's strongest modern dive watches. They also weigh the value of Seiko's latest chronograph releases before turning their attention to François-Henry Bennahmias' newly announced watch brand, N3W5 ("News"), whose unusual name, branding, and marketing philosophy sends the conversation in some unexpected directions. As always, expect plenty of watch opinions, collector debates, and more than a few laughs along the way.

This week's episode is sponsored by the Movado Heritage Kingmatic collection, learn more at the link below:

- https://www.movado.com/

To check out the ABTW Shop, where you can see our products inspired by our love of Horology:

- Shop ABTW - https://store.ablogtowatch.com/

To keep updated with everything Superlative, aBlogtoWatch Weekly, and aBlogtoWatch, check us out on:

- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ablogtowatch/

- Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/

- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/aBlogtoWatch

If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!

Key Timestamps:

0:01 European Duo Takes Over

1:41 Rolex Titanium & Collector Reactions

4:34 Are Third Party Tourbillons Worth It?

15:15 JLC's Heliotourbillon Explained

24:16 Seiko MarineMaster Hands On

30:52 Seiko Speedtimer Value Debate

34:23 Rowing Blazers x Seiko 5

39:30 François-Henry Bennahmias Launches N3W5

47:42 N3W5's Branding & "We Are Our Own Compass"

52:41 Predicting the N3W5 Watches

59:44 What's Coming Next at aBlogtoWatch

aBlogtoWatch Weekly is back on the main aBlogtoWatch YouTube channel with new releases every Friday!
- https://www.youtube.com/@ablogtowatch

This week on aBlogtoWatch Weekly Rolex takes center stage, but not exactly in the way it would have hoped. Ariel, David, and Ripley dive into David's controversial look at the Rolex Yacht Master 42 in RLX Titanium, discussing whether the brand's reputation has outgrown its execution and why expectations matter when you're charging luxury prices. They also compare the genuine Yacht Master to a remarkably convincing fake, leading to a broader conversation about finishing, manufacturing quality, and what buyers should actually expect from a premium watch.

From there, the mood lightens with Hublot's colorful new Summer Big Bang collection, Marathon's surprisingly tasteful America 250 limited edition, and Corum's return to coin watches. Along the way, the team debates busy dials, colorful ceramics, leather strap materials, and somehow ends up discussing coffee table books dedicated entirely to watch pushers. Join us for another completely normal weekly discussion at aBlogtoWatch.

This week's episode is sponsored by the Movado Heritage Kingmatic collection, learn more at the link below:
- https://www.movado.com/

To check out the ABTW Shop, where you can see our products inspired by our love of Horology:

- Shop ABTW - https://store.ablogtowatch.com/

To keep updated with everything Superlative, aBlogtoWatch Weekly, and aBlogtoWatch, check us out on:

- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ablogtowatch/
- Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/
- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/aBlogtoWatch

If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!

Key Timestamps:
[0:04] Opening & Rick's Absence
[0:41] Rolex's Reputation & Rising Expectations
[5:53] Rolex's Pricing & Titanium Setup
[9:44] Rolex Yacht Master 42 Titanium Review
[15:31] Rolex vs. Fake Yacht Master
[22:50] What Rolex Needs to Fix
[26:05] Hublot Big Bang Summer Edition
[38:08] Marathon's America 250 Watch
[50:23] Leather vs. Vegan Straps
[52:17] Corum Coin Watches Return
[1:00:02] Casio G Shock x Coca Cola
[1:05:26] Watch Icons, Future Rants, & Wrap Up

aBlogtoWatch Weekly is back on the main aBlogtoWatch YouTube channel with new releases every Friday!
- https://www.youtube.com/@ablogtowatch

With Rick sidelined by a power outage in Scotland, Ariel, David, and Ripley take the reins for another entertaining week of watch talk. The trio begins with the return of the Vacheron Constantin Twin Beat and a lively discussion about whether its remarkable engineering finally lives up to the hype. They also debate the latest Ulysse Nardin Freak X, its eye opening price increase, and whether simplifying one of watchmaking's boldest designs takes away some of what made it so special in the first place. Along the way, there are plenty of detours into Swiss gyms, watch transformers, and the strange world of "price on request."

Also on this week's episode, the team takes a closer look at Casio's latest full metal G-Shock, questions some questionable display design choices, and wonders why the watch's best features still rely on a smartphone app. They also explore new releases from Vostok Europe, Chronoswiss, Arken, and Lorige, discuss what makes a great motorsport inspired watch, and wrap things up with another entertaining mix of watch industry insight, strong opinions, and the kind of conversations that only happen on aBlogtoWatch Weekly.

This week's episode is sponsored by the Movado Heritage Kingmatic collection, learn more at the link below:
- https://www.movado.com/

To check out the ABTW Shop, where you can see our products inspired by our love of Horology:

- Shop ABTW - https://store.ablogtowatch.com/

To keep updated with everything Superlative, aBlogtoWatch Weekly, and aBlogtoWatch, check us out on:

- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ablogtowatch/
- Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/
- Facebook - https://www.facebook.com/aBlogtoWatch

If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!

Key Timestamps:
0:04 Rick's Power Outage & Gym Joke
5:21 Vacheron Constantin Twin Beat
9:35 Hidden Watch Complications
11:18 JLC Heliotourbillon
14:22 Watch Transformers
17:25 Ulysse Nardin Freak X
25:03 Casio Full Metal G-Shock
34:25 Vostok Europe South Pole
41:22 Chronoswiss Lunar Chronograph
50:13 ETA Movement Debate
51:45 Arken Alterum GMT
56:19 Lorige & Motorsport Watches
1:01:39 Richard Mille Design DNA
1:03:45 Peacock HAIYI Tourbillon Diver
1:09:01 Manual vs Automatic Tourbillons
1:11:30 Chinese Luxury Watchmaking
1:13:25 Closing Thoughts