Two Broke Watch Snobs

Ep. #291 State of the Collection With Kaz & New Milestone Purchases

In this solo episode, Kaz shares an honest look into his current watch collection, how his lifestyle influences his choices, and what new watches are on his radar for the year. Key Topics: - Kaz’s collection breakdown: most worn versus rarely used watches - The significance of personal milestones and their influence on watch choices - Deep dive into his top-worn watches: Grand Seiko SBGV233, Omega Seamaster, Monta Triumph, Seiko Sumo - The story behind each watch’s sentimental value - The challenges of vintage Soviet watches: authenticity, servicing, and collecting tips - Upcoming watches on Kaz’s radar: Longines Spirit, RZE Resolute, Formex Essence, Omega Railmaster - The emotional and practical reasoning behind his future purchase plans - Insights into the history and engineering of Soviet chronographs like Poljot 3133 and Slava Medical - Reflection on the collection purge and rediscovering beloved pieces - The importance of authentic community and responsible buying in vintage horology Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction and episode overview: flying solo for episode 291 01:24 - Kaz’s approach to the collection and purpose of today’s episode 07:26 - Most worn watch: Grand Seiko SBGV233 and its specs 12:38 - Omega Seamaster in homage to Bond era 20:09 - Monta Triumph limited edition — sentimental milestone piece 24:49 - Seiko Sumo return after purge — significance and specs 33:55 - Vintage Soviet Soviet watches: history, authenticity, and collecting tips 43:47 - Special Soviet watches: Poljot 3133 and Slava Medical’s unique scale functions 56:37 - Last on-wrist: rare Orient Star diver and its characteristics 66:16 - Most unused: Poljot 3133 and its historical importance 67:44 - Future watch goals: Longines, RZE Resolute, Formex Essence, Omega Railmaster 74:22 - Personal milestones: turning 40, welcoming a new baby, and watch goals for these events 77:22 - Final reflections and call to support on Spotify, YouTube, and social media Stay tuned for upcoming episodes on Soviet watch history, collection strategies, and more personal anecdotes from Kaz. Thanks for listening!

Ep. #290 Our Watches & Wonders Wishlist

In this episode, Mike and Kaz reconnect to discuss the future of the watch community, upcoming Watches & Wonders predictions, and industry trends. They share insights on brand rumors, industry shifts, and their personal wishlist items. Main Topics: The state and evolution of Watches & Wonders: predictions, brand presence, and event relevance. Industry rumors and predictions: Rolex discontinuations, Tudor in-house movements, Grand Seiko updates, and more. Brand wishlist: Grand Seiko divers, Tudor GMTs, IWC pilots, and other brands' potential releases Market insights: watch pricing trends, secondary market shifts, and affordability strategies Community and event logistics: perspectives on trade shows, live releases, and engagement opportunities Key Insights: Watches & Wonders is primarily an industry gathering, with mixed opinions on its necessity in today’s digital age Rolex's potential discontinuation of models like the Pepsi GMT is driven by patent changes and market speculation Tudor's in-house movement issues are causing hesitation, though some brands have cleaned up their act Wishlist items include smaller, more accessible watches from brands like Grand Seiko and Tudor, aligning with market demand The community debates the value of horological novelties versus practical watches, especially considering price inflation Industry events like JCK and Bremont's townhouse offer alternative engagement avenues outside traditional trade shows Timestamps: 00:00 - Introduction and episode overview 01:06 - Personal updates and driver experiences 03:39 - Watches & Wonders predictions and event status 05:34 - Industry rumors: Rolex discontinuation and brand strategies 07:27 - Brand presence and potential off-show leaks 10:16 - Wrist checks: new reviews and personal collections 14:14 - Market trends: price increases and second-hand market 17:54 - Brand specific insights: VARC, Christopher Ward, and Seiko 25:44 - Wishlist for brands: Grand Seiko divers, Tudor GMT, IWC pilots 33:42 - Speculations on discontinuations and model updates 42:16 - Grand Seiko and other brands' innovation plans 46:20 - Deep dive into Tudor, Rolex, and other brands’ future models 51:38 - Focus on vintage-inspired and classic models 55:45 - The value of horological features like the Reverso and land dweller 63:44 - Industry skepticism about physical watch shows vs digital presence 69:37 - Thoughts on alternative events and the future of watch fairs 73:29 - Closing wishlist and predictions for 2023 Instagram: @twbrokewatchsnobs Email: tbws.contact@gmail.com

Ep. #289 If We Started Watch Collecting Now

In this episode of the Two Broke Watch Snobs podcast, Mike and Kaz link back up after a long hiatus, swap some real-life updates, and then zoom out on how their collecting brains have changed over time. They dig into the stuff that actually sticks with a watch—the story, the moment, the weird personal attachment—versus the hype cycle that tries to tell you what you’re “supposed” to care about. From there, the conversation gets practical. They talk dress watches and why they hit differently now, how much faith you should put in the words “in-house,” and why the modern market can feel like a maze if you’re not careful. Along the way, they look back on past detours—like messing with Soviet-era pieces—and how financing, payment plans, and “easy” money can quietly warp your collecting logic. The takeaway is classic TBWS: learn more than you buy, stay skeptical, and make sure the watches you keep have a reason to be there—because *you* chose them, not the internet. 00:00 Introduction and Life Updates 02:55 The Evolution of Watch Collecting 05:53 Diving into Watch Reviews 08:59 Personal Watch Experiences 12:04 Housekeeping and Future Plans 28:26 Show Updates and Community Engagement 30:33 Reflecting on Watch Collecting Beginnings 31:39 Navigating the Current Watch Market 39:00 The Importance of Storytelling in Watch Collecting 43:27 Shifting Perspectives on Dress Watches 55:34 The Evolution of Collecting Soviet Watches 58:30 The Fascination with Soviet Watches 01:01:26 Understanding the Frankenwatch Concept 01:08:30 The Evolution of Watch Collecting Experiences 01:12:31 Reflections on Collecting Philosophy 01:18:30 The Dangers of Financing Watches

Ep. #288 Do Chronometers Even Matter?

In this episode of Two Broke Watch Snobs, Mike and Kaz dive into the whole “chronometer” thing—what the label actually means, how different certifications stack up, and why accuracy still matters even if most of us are just timing pasta water. Along the way, they swap stories about their own watches, crack a few jokes at each other’s expense, and try to cut through the noise so collectors and enthusiasts know what’s worth caring about (and what’s just marketing fluff). Chapters 00:00 Introduction to the Millennial Pause 02:57 Experimenting with Podcast Format 05:59 Understanding Chronometers 09:00 Wrist Check: Personal Watch Experiences 11:54 Chronometer Certification Explained 14:51 The Value of Chronometer Certification 26:48 Chronometer Certification: Worth the Paper? 35:07 The Evolution of Chronometer Standards 46:44 Technological Marvels in Watch Accuracy 51:54 Final Thoughts on Chronometer Certification

Ep. #287 AliExpress Horrors: Part 1

This week, Mike and Kaz take a perilous scroll through the digital back alley of horology: AliExpress. What begins as innocent curiosity quickly devolves into uncovering horrors like a G-Shock knockoff that might secretly be a spy device, a faceted-case “dress watch” branded with a name so dark and questionable it probably requires a visit from law enforcement, and even a shameless clone of one of the Snobs’ favorite microbrand models. It’s equal parts comedy, tragedy, and public service announcement as the guys ask the eternal question: just because you can buy it for $3.99 with free shipping… should you?