Collectors Gene Radio

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Alex Hassan - The Ultimate Ghurka Bag Collector Nov 16, 2022

Show notes

Alex Hassan is one of the collectors who can easily fly under the radar, but when you stumble upon his Instagram you find quite possibly the most extensive collection of Ghurka bags and accessories known to the market. So much so that he had to buy a separate townhouse just to store them… I've had the pleasure of getting to know Alex over the last few years, and while all those conversations have been virtual, he's ready to let all of us into his world of Ghurka collecting. He’s also recently started a new charity and website to give back to his roots and he’s got some amazing stories for you all. That being said, let’s get into it. Alex Hassan, for Collectors Gene Radio.

Alex's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ghurka_master_collector/?hl=en

Best of Marley Website - https://bestofmarley.com/

Todd Levin - The Art Curator Who Artfully Collects Nov 09, 2022

Show notes

As an art curator, Todd Levin is in that unique position where his attention to detail and the research that goes into what he does for a living, plays into his role when it comes to collecting. A collector of many things, from art, to watches, to rare jazz records, and architecture, Todd hasn’t necessarily taken the typical approach to some of these. For example, Todd has always appreciated watches, but after reconnecting with watches once his Dad passed away, Todd went right for the big boys. No, not Patek, Rolex, or Audemars Piguet, but George Daniels and Philippe Dufour. That may not mean a lot to some of you, but for us watch nerds, that’s BIG TIME. How about his new (but old) Frank Lloyd Wright house that has no 90 degree angles? Todd does things with a purpose and doesn’t make any rash decisions, which we absolutely love. It’s a side of collecting you don’t see often. He isn’t hoarding, or necessarily amassing, but artfully collecting with finesse. Take some notes. Here you go, Todd Levin for Collectors Gene Radio.

Talking Watches w/ Todd Levin - https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/talking-watches-with-todd-levin

John Edelman - The Furniture CEO Keeping Modern Alive Nov 02, 2022

Show notes

It’s not very often that you can accredit somebody with keeping heritage alive. But today you’ll get to hear from John Edelman who we can attribute to doing just that. Formerly CEO of Design Within Reach, John and his business partner are reviving Heller Inc., a brand that since 1971 has worked with some of the most influential designers like Massimo Vignelli, Mario Bellini, and Frank Gehry, just to name a few. John’s a big believer in that “modern is forever”, which has truly helped pave the way for his success in the business world. But John didn’t just randomly fall into the world of design and furniture. It all started with his grandparents and parents, who had eyes for great design and courageous talent. They even hired a graphic designer back in the day who John describes as a man with white straight hair who didn’t talk much. If you know anything about art, you can probably guess who we’re talking about. All these experiences in John’s life have led him to be a collector of many things, of course starting out with furniture, moving into watches, cars, vintage TV’s and radios, you name it. Not only that, but he uses everything in his collection. But today we’re keeping it day one, talking about the collections that got him to where he is today. Without further adieu, John Edelman, for Collectors Gene Radio.
Heller Inc - https://www.hellerinc.com/?gclid=CjwKCAjwh4ObBhAzEiwAHzZYU2BTPzxl1dMNXt-8lw_4TMCkNc2weM746NWUiQ1cD2TrVexYP3-KWhoCBroQAvD_BwE

John Edelman Talking Watches - https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/talking-watches-with-john-edelman

Eric Wind - Aly & AJ's Favorite Watch Dealer Oct 26, 2022

Show notes

If you’re into watches, you 100% know the name Eric Wind. For those that don’t, well you’re welcome. Eric’s the founder of Wind Vintage which he launched in 2017, after a career at Christie’s auction house and has since become a merited authority in the watch world, which can be proven by just about every publication quoting him in their articles. He’s sourced watches for the movie Crazy Rich Asians, the talented gals Aly & AJ, amongst many other start-studded collectors. But don’t let that scare you away, Eric sources watches of all kinds at all price-points for anybody. Not only does he always keep a great stock on his website, but he’s also been sourcing vintage watches for Mr. Porter which is one of the most sophisticated collabs I’ve seen. Eric has a lot of projects in the works, like his help with the Rowing Blazers x Seiko watches (which you should be seeing another drop very soon), as well as his own podcast, Significant Watches which he shares with a great team. At the end of the day, Eric’s one of the few people in the watch industry that not a single person has a bad thing to say in his regard. He’s honest, friendly, knowledgeable, and someone I am grateful to have become friends with over the years. Please enjoy, this is Eric Wind for Collectors Gene Radio.
- Aly & AJ Talking Watches - https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/talking-watches-with-aly-and-aj
- Rowing Blazers x Seiko Collab - https://www.strictlyvintagewatches.com/hands-on-with-the-latest-rowing-blazers-x-seiko-releases
- Significant Watches Podcast - https://www.strictlyvintagewatches.com/significant-watches-podcast

Jason Fried - Tech Founder Gone Collector Oct 19, 2022

Show notes

Co-Founder of Basecamp and Hey, Jason Fried is pretty known in the watch community as a great collector. While fairly private, sometimes you just can’t help but talk about the stuff you love. That’s Jason Fried for ya. Jason has authored and co-authored several books, some if not most of which have been New York Times Best Sellers. But how would a Co-Founder of a tech company as big as Basecamp have the time to even collect anything? Well, Jason has actually been preaching a really relaxed work-life balance for a long time and that can be learned about in his books. But what’s most intriguing is his love for watches. And that’s not all Jason collects... Which gives us the feeling that he was definitely born with the Collectors Gene, but we will let him tell us. Alright, here you go, Jason Fried for Collectors Gene Radio.

Count Giberto - Growing Up In The Aman Venice Oct 12, 2022

Show notes

A few years back, I was on a gondola ride in Venice and our gondolier pointed out the top floor of the Aman Venice – Papadopoli Palazzo. He looked at us and said, “Do you see the lights on the top floor? The owner of that building turned it into an Aman hotel and kept the top floors as his home. And he’s a Count.” Now, I get super intrigued by this stuff so of course I did extensive research and found out that while he currently lives at the top floor with this family, that he also grew up in that home. Giberto comes from an aristocratic upbringing which to me, meant that there had to be some sort of collections that have been kept in the family. Well, I sure was correct. Count Giberto has some amazing original oil paintings of his ancestors, an incredible book collection with family ties, antiques, you name it. Not only that, but he has an amazing collection of Murano glass, a lot of which he has designed himself. However, growing up around these items, I was curious to find out whether Giberto thought of himself as a collector. Please enjoy, Count Giberto for Collectors Gene Radio.

Sam Fox - The Restaurant Collector You Should Know Oct 05, 2022

Show notes

Each city has that local business hero, if you will. For Phoenix, that’s Sam Fox. Fresh off selling his company, Fox Restaurant Concepts, to Cheesecake Factory, Sam has created one of those brands that you just know when you are at one of his concepts. Don’t ask how, because the food is different at each one. Maybe it’s the quality, mixed with the service, tied in with the atmosphere, I have no freaking idea. But each spot he opens, kills it. He’s been around the valley here for quite some time, I even had a run in with him at one of my first jobs when I was in high school and subsequently later on in college when they awarded him the Entrepreneur of the Year award for our business school. He’s got his finger on a lot of stuff around here, and we’re lucky to have him. Ladies and gentlemen, Sam Fox for Collectors Gene Radio.

Aurel Bacs - The guy responsible for selling THE Paul Newman Daytona Sep 28, 2022

Show notes

Aurel has an extensive career in watches and in the last few years, he and his wife Livia have partnered with Phillips Auction House to help run their watch department. Now, Aurel is of course a collector of watches himself, but instead of talking about his collection, we wanted to talk about the psychology of collecting. What makes someone go further than they had planned at an auction? What about the little nuances that makes a collector buy a piece that to the naked eye, may match the other 10 that they currently own? There are a lot of aspects of collecting that I feel a lot of us don’t think about. Aurel has auctioned off some of the most important pieces known in the market. From Paul Newman’s Paul Newman Daytona to many others, he has dealt with collectors and buyers of all kinds.

- Phillips Watch Department: In Association with Bacs & Russo - https://www.phillips.com/watches

- Auction Video of Paul Newman's, Paul Newman Daytona - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=X0tjSUOvi5k&t=10s

Recorded February 10th, 2021

Matt Hranek - The Collector's Collector Sep 21, 2022

Show notes

A true renaissance man, Matt Hranek is just THAT guy. His books are on your coffee table, he’s the reason you may love a negroni while holding a tray of your uncooked steaks, he loves a lot of things, and is probably one of the best definitions of what this podcast is all about. From watches, to experiences, his sartorially inclined outfits and friend group, there’s nothing not to dig about this guy.

- Matt's Website - https://www.thewilliambrownproject.com/

- Matt's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/wmbrownproject/?hl=en

Collectors Gene Radio - Welcome Sep 16, 2022

Show notes

Collectors Gene Radio is a deep dive into the nuances of collecting. Hear from collectors and experts from all over the world speak on their passions and hobbies, and ultimately find out whether or not they feel they were born with the "Collectors Gene".

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