Superlative

Alex Rosenfield of Urban Jürgensen on Reviving a Historic Brand for a New Generation

In this episode of Superlative, Ariel Adams sits down with Alex Rosenfield, CEO of Urban Jürgensen, to explore the revival of one of watchmaking’s most historic yet often overlooked brands. Alex shares the story behind his family’s acquisition of Urban Jürgensen and the philosophy guiding its modern relaunch, from preserving centuries of design and engineering legacy to working alongside master watchmaker Kari Voutilainen to shape a new generation of timepieces.   Alex dives into what it really means to run a high end watch brand today, including long term thinking, resisting industry pressure for constant releases, and focusing on emotional connection through design and craftsmanship. He also outlines a refreshingly transparent approach to collectors, emphasizing fairness, accessibility, and respect over traditional luxury sales tactics. Along the way, Alex reflects on what makes a watch truly meaningful, from the human story behind its creation to the importance of making something that feels beautiful and lasting on the wrist. Alex and Ariel’s conversation is truly a thoughtful look at how heritage, artistry, and modern leadership can come together to redefine what independent watchmaking looks like going forward. Check out Urban Jürgensen: - Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/urbanjurgensen/ [https://www.instagram.com/urbanjurgensen/] - Website - https://urbanjurgensen.com/ [https://urbanjurgensen.com/] SUPERLATIVE IS NOW ON YOUTUBE! To check out Superlative on Youtube as well as other ABTW content: - YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@ablogtowatch [https://www.youtube.com/@ablogtowatch] To check out the ABTW Shop where you can see our products inspired by our love of Horology: - Shop ABTW - https://store.ablogtowatch.com/ [https://store.ablogtowatch.com/] To keep updated with everything Superlative, aBlogtoWatch Weekly, and aBlogtoWatch, check us out on: - Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ablogtowatch/ [https://www.instagram.com/ablogtowatch/] - Twitter - https://twitter.com/ABLOGTOWATCH [https://twitter.com/ABLOGTOWATCH] - Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/ [https://www.ablogtowatch.com/] If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!

Kuruvilla “Diny” Markose of Titan Watches on Engineering Value and Global Ambition

In this episode of Superlative, aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams speaks with Kuruvilla “Diny” Markose, CEO of Titan Watches, about leading one of the most dominant watch brands in the Indian market and guiding it into a new era of global relevance. Diny shares how Titan built its success through design, manufacturing scale, and quartz innovation, while now shifting focus toward premiumization and mechanical watchmaking. He explains why India’s rapidly evolving consumer market is creating new opportunities in the $300 and above segment, and how Titan is investing in in house movements, complications, and finishing to meet that demand. Their conversation explores the balance between preserving a strong mass market foundation and expanding into higher end watchmaking, as well as Titan’s ambition to create compelling daily driver watches that deliver exceptional value. Diny also discusses the growing appeal of analog watches in a world of digital fatigue, the importance of design identity in crowded categories like dive watches, and the long term goal of producing world class timepieces that can compete on a global stage while remaining accessible to a broader audience. Check out Titan Watches: - Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/titanwatchesindia/ [https://www.instagram.com/titanwatchesindia/] - https://www.instagram.com/dinykm/ [https://www.instagram.com/dinykm/] - Website - Titan Watches India [https://www.titan.co.in/homepage?lang=en_IN] SUPERLATIVE IS NOW ON YOUTUBE! To check out Superlative on Youtube as well as other ABTW content: - YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@ablogtowatch [https://www.youtube.com/@ablogtowatch] To check out the ABTW Shop where you can see our products inspired by our love of Horology: - Shop ABTW - https://store.ablogtowatch.com/ [https://store.ablogtowatch.com/] To keep updated with everything Superlative, aBlogtoWatch Weekly, and aBlogtoWatch, check us out on: - Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ablogtowatch/ [https://www.instagram.com/ablogtowatch/] - Twitter - https://twitter.com/ABLOGTOWATCH [https://twitter.com/ABLOGTOWATCH] - Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/ [https://www.ablogtowatch.com/] If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!

Chris Wiegand of LÜM-TEC on Engineering Watches, Not Just Marketing Them

This week on Superlative, Ariel Adams sits down with Chris Wiegand, president of LÜM-TEC and founder of Wiegand Custom Watch, to explore the reality behind building watches from the ground up. From hand applying lume to early Omega and Panerai dials to running manufacturing and design for over one hundred brands, Chris shares how a self taught approach and obsession with improvement shaped his path in the industry. He breaks down the science behind lume application, why thickness does not always equal brightness, and how small technical decisions can dramatically change performance. The conversation moves through the evolution of microbrands, the rise of Kickstarter, and the growing divide between engineering and marketing in modern watchmaking. Chris offers an honest look at what it takes to turn ideas into real products, including working with impossible AI driven designs, navigating manufacturing limits, and helping new founders avoid costly mistakes. Along the way, they discuss American watchmaking challenges, why some brands choose to stay small, and how changing consumer behavior is shaping the future of design. Follow Chris and check out Lüm-Tec & Wiegand Custom Watch: - Websites - https://lum-tec.com/ [https://lum-tec.com/] - https://www.wiegandwatches.net/ [https://www.wiegandwatches.net/] - Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lumtecwatches/ [https://www.instagram.com/lumtecwatches/] SUPERLATIVE IS NOW ON YOUTUBE! To check out Superlative on Youtube as well as other ABTW content: - YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@ablogtowatch [https://www.youtube.com/@ablogtowatch] To check out the ABTW Shop where you can see our products inspired by our love of Horology: - Shop ABTW - https://store.ablogtowatch.com/ [https://store.ablogtowatch.com/] To keep updated with everything Superlative, aBlogtoWatch Weekly, and aBlogtoWatch, check us out on: - Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ablogtowatch/ [https://www.instagram.com/ablogtowatch/] - Twitter - https://twitter.com/ABLOGTOWATCH [https://twitter.com/ABLOGTOWATCH] - Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/ [https://www.ablogtowatch.com/] If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!

Richard Benc of Studio Underd0g on Turning a Passion Project Into a Global Watch Brand

On this episode of Superlative, our host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams is joined by Richard Benc, founder of Studio Underd0g, to discuss the evolution of one of the most recognizable modern microbrands. Richard explains how the brand grew from a small proof of concept release into producing thousands of watches per year, and why focusing on long term decision making has been critical to building a sustainable business in a crowded watch market. The conversation explores how Studio Underd0g scaled production, built supplier relationships, and eventually acquired its UK assembly partner Horologium in order to maintain quality control and strengthen the brand’s manufacturing capabilities. While Ariel and Richard dive into the creative philosophy behind Studio Underd0g’s playful and colorful designs, Richard also shares how the brand intentionally creates watches inspired by positive associations such as food, fruit, and everyday experiences that people connect with emotionally. They also discuss the brand’s distinctive drop model sales strategy, the role of collaborations in building credibility, and the broader challenges facing microbrands as they try to grow beyond the passion project stage while maintaining authenticity and agility in the watch industry. Follow Richard and check out Studio Underd0g: - Website - https://underd0g.com/ [https://underd0g.com/] - Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/studio.underd0g/ [https://www.instagram.com/studio.underd0g/] SUPERLATIVE IS NOW ON YOUTUBE! To check out Superlative on Youtube as well as other ABTW content: - YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@ablogtowatch [https://www.youtube.com/@ablogtowatch] To check out the ABTW Shop where you can see our products inspired by our love of Horology: - Shop ABTW - https://store.ablogtowatch.com/ [https://store.ablogtowatch.com/] To keep updated with everything Superlative, aBlogtoWatch Weekly, and aBlogtoWatch, check us out on: - Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ablogtowatch/ [https://www.instagram.com/ablogtowatch/] - Twitter - https://twitter.com/ABLOGTOWATCH [https://twitter.com/ABLOGTOWATCH] - Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/ [https://www.ablogtowatch.com/] If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!

Lex Borrero on Disruption, Storytelling, and How Culture Shapes Watch Community

On this episode of Superlative, our host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams is joined by entrepreneur and music industry executive Lex Borrero for a wide ranging conversation about culture, storytelling, and the evolving world of watch collecting. Drawing from his experience building artists and shaping cultural moments in the music industry, Lex explains how similar storytelling principles apply to luxury watches and why brands that connect emotionally with audiences often stand out the most.   Their discussion explores the collector journey, the growing importance of community in the watch world, and why independent brands are resonating with younger enthusiasts. Lex also shares insights about disruption, creative direction, and how experiences, storytelling, and cultural relevance can help watch brands connect with a new generation of collectors while still honoring traditional craftsmanship. Along the way, Ariel and Lex reflect on the collector journey and why the watches people choose often say as much about personal identity and culture as they do about mechanical craftsmanship.    Follow Lex: - Lex - https://www.instagram.com/lexborrero/ [https://www.instagram.com/lexborrero/] - 0260studios -  https://www.instagram.com/0260studios/ [https://www.instagram.com/0260studios/] SUPERLATIVE IS NOW ON YOUTUBE! To check out Superlative on Youtube as well as other ABTW content: - YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@ablogtowatch [https://www.youtube.com/@ablogtowatch] To check out the ABTW Shop where you can see our products inspired by our love of Horology: - Shop ABTW - https://store.ablogtowatch.com/ [https://store.ablogtowatch.com/] To keep updated with everything Superlative, aBlogtoWatch Weekly, and aBlogtoWatch, check us out on: - Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ablogtowatch/ [https://www.instagram.com/ablogtowatch/] - Twitter - https://twitter.com/ABLOGTOWATCH [https://twitter.com/ABLOGTOWATCH] - Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/ [https://www.ablogtowatch.com/] If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!