Superlative

This week on the SUPERLATIVE Podcast, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams is joined by multifaceted watch enthusiast and author of "A Man and His Watch”, Matt Hranek. Ariel and Matt dive right into Matt’s diverse career journey from photography, writing, and media, and why the emotional connection to watches is such a significant aspect of the hobby they both love. They discuss the current landscape paved by curators playing a vital role in filtering information and guiding consumer choice, and the importance of engaging storytelling in watch marketing. The two talk about why accessibility in watch pricing is a growing concern in the industry currently, the psychology behind being into retro and modern designs, and why they believe the current era is a golden age for watch collectors with so many options available today. Ariel and Matt share their insights on the influence of celebrity culture on consumer choices, and how the emotional journey of collecting watches often ties back to personal experiences and memories. Tune into this week's Superlative Podcast with Matt Hranek and Ariel Adams, and check out Matt’s weekly Substack linked below to hear more of his thoughts on the watch industry, and so much more. Keep up with Matt: - The WM Brown Weekly Substack - https://wmbrown.substack.com/ [https://wmbrown.substack.com/] - Website - https://wmbrownproject.com/ [https://wmbrownproject.com/] Check out this week’s sponsor: Marathon Watch - https://www.marathonwatch.com/ [https://www.marathonwatch.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 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!

This week on the SUPERLATIVE Podcast, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams is sitting down in person with Dario Spallone, the Founder of D1 Milan. Ariel starts the conversation by asking Dario to help define D1 Milan’s character and culture, and how enthusiasts should think differently about the brand in comparison to other watch companies. They talk about the brand’s mentality, how making a good product and celebrating heritage come into play together with timepieces, and what exactly is the heritage that D1 Milano is making a commentary about. Ariel asks how they were able to develop a healthy mix between wholesale and direct to consumer, what was the reception behind their debut product, and how smart watches have impacted the market of sub $500 watches today. Dario shares his perspective on the difficulties of fostering understanding and appreciation for new shapes and designs. He also discusses the challenge of crafting and strengthening a product's narrative to help consumers connect with both the watch and the brand behind it. Ariel and Dario discuss the importance of setting aside personal bias and maintaining objectivity when creating products. This approach allows for the development of items that are confidently beautiful and appealing, without succumbing to ego-driven decisions. Listen in on their conversation to take a deep dive into the vision behind D1 Milano, why the brand has such a deep respect for product authenticity, and so much more on this week’s episode of the Superlative Podcast. Keep up with Dario and D1 Milano: - Website - https://d1milano.com/ [https://d1milano.com/] - Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/d1milano/ [https://www.instagram.com/d1milano/] 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 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!

This week on the SUPERLATIVE Podcast, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams is joined by Stephen Roemer, the Founder of Swiss Watch Company. Ariel and Stephen begin their discussion by dissecting the complexities of watch manufacturing, particularly the differences between Swiss and Chinese production, and Stephen shares his insights on the challenges faced by micro-brands today. They talk about the importance of quality assurance, the evolving landscape of the watch industry, and why the Swiss watch industry seemingly has some trust issues with enthusiasts. The conversation delves into the historical context of watch manufacturing in Asia, the price-quality dilemma, and the impact of marketing on brand success. They dive into how the cost of raw materials, components, and manufacturing is rising significantly, and why future watch prices are likely to increase due to lower production volumes. Ariel and Stephen explore the concept of a 'golden age' in watchmaking, where unique opportunities exist for smaller brands, while also addressing the complexities of pricing and consumer expectations, and so much more on this week’s episode of the Superlative Podcast! Keep up with Stephen and SWC: - Website - https://swcusa.com/ [https://swcusa.com/] - Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/swcusa/ [https://www.instagram.com/swcusa/] 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 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!

This week on the SUPERLATIVE Podcast, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams is joined by Wei Koh, the Founder of Revolution Media and the Rake Magazine. Ariel and Wei dive right into the evolution of watch media since they both started in the industry, and the current challenges that publications today have when it comes to attracting new audiences. They also discuss the impact of alcohol within watch culture, the significance of quality over quantity in journalism, and how genuine passion and knowledge are essential for success in watch media.  Wei shares his insights on the difficulty of maintaining creativity without excess and how cultural influences really affect watch marketing. As Ariel and Wei talk about navigating relationships amongst peers in the watch industry they highlight the need for genuine curiosity in conversations, and gratitude for the supportive relationships that you are able to create. Listen in on their conversation as Wei emphasizes the need for passionate leadership in watch brands, he shares his transition from media to watch creation, and so much more on this week’s episode of the Superlative Podcast. Keep up with Wei: - Website - https://revolutionwatch.com/ [https://revolutionwatch.com/] - Magazine - https://therake.com/ [https://therake.com/] - Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wei_koh_revolution/ [https://www.instagram.com/wei_koh_revolution/] 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 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!

This week on the SUPERLATIVE Podcast, host and aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams is joined by  independent watch designer Max Resnick.The two begin the show talking about the intricacies of watch design, the importance of consumer reactions, and the role of beauty in luxury timepieces. They discuss the challenges of innovation in established brands while addressing the current and future impact of AI on design processes, and how AI is a tool for ideation, not a total replacement for designers. Max also shares his insights on navigating design approval processes and the balance between heritage and contemporary aesthetics in watchmaking. He discusses his latest ventures, the significance of branding and the visibility of designers, along with the current difficulties in marketing premium quartz timepieces. Max highlights the necessity of a strong design brief and the importance of understanding the client to achieve successful outcomes in design. Listen in on their conversation as Ariel and Max fully dissect the artful intersection of beauty and functionality in watch design on this week’s episode of the Superlative Podcast. Keep up with Max: - Website - https://maxresnick.design/ [https://maxresnick.design/] - Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/maxresnickdesign/ [https://www.instagram.com/maxresnickdesign/] Check Out This Week’s Sponsor: Löbner Watches - https://lbnr.com/ [https://lbnr.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 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!