Collectors Gene Radio

Latest Episodes:

Rebecca Romney - Pawn Stars Specialist on the Nuances of Rare Book Dealing & Collecting Jun 12, 2024

Show notes

You may recognize today’s guest as the rare book specialist, dealer, and collector from the hit show Pawn Stars, Rebecca Romney. Rebecca got started in the world of rare books quite haphazardly when she applied for a managerial position at age 23 for a rare book retailer, and you can pretty much guess what happens next. Rebecca is one of the most respected dealers in the rare book space with her company Type Punch Matrix, and she is the co-founder of the Honey & Wax Book Collecting Prize. She’s sold and handled some of the rarest books in the world, like Shakespeare Folios and first editions of Newton’s Principia Mathematica. We dispel the myths of how books should be handled and chat about the diligent and detailed process of buying and cataloging entire libraries. In such a subjective space, Rebecca has not only made a name for herself, but as a trusted source in the industry who is willing to always point clients in the right direction. So please enjoy, this is Rebecca Romney, for Collectors Gene Radio.
Type Punch Matrix - https://www.typepunchmatrix.com/
Rebecca's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/rebecca.romney/
Honey & Wax Prize - https://www.honeyandwaxbooks.com/prize.php

Wesley Smith - Standard H Founder Talks Creating Collections with Collectors in Mind Jun 05, 2024

Show notes

Wesley Smith is my guest today and as the founder of Standard H, I knew we were bound to have some overlap in our interests. Wesley is a collector of many things, like every hotel room key he’s ever received, to golf scorecard pencils and bag tags, he even collected every GQ magazine at one point, amassing a collection of 700 issues. As you can tell, it’s all about nostalgia and memories for Wesley, which is a direct correlation between his collections and the brand he’s created at Standard H. He’s an enthusiast in many subjects and details are what matter most. What I love most about his collections is that it is a testament that you can collect the things that just make you happy, whether you shell out a dollar or not. Alright, please enjoy, this is Wesley Smith, for Collectors Gene Radio.
Standard H - https://www.standard-h.com/
Standard H Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/standardh_

Jessica "JJ" Owens - Creating Your Own Daily Grails In Bespoke Jewelry May 29, 2024

Show notes

Today’s guest is jewelry collector, JJ Owens. The founder of Daily Grail may be best known for her work in the watch industry, but her love for collecting jewelry predates all of that. In fact, for as long as she can remember, jewelry collecting has been a part of her childhood. I was eager to learn about the drastic differences between working with jewelry brands versus watch brands, and just how easy it is to get custom pieces made from designers. JJ is living proof that when it comes to collecting jewelry, there is no idea too big or too small, and some of the biggest names would be happy to execute it for you. Honestly, I find it hard to believe that you won’t feel even the slightest inkling to delve deeper into the world for jewelry collecting after listening to this episode. So without further adieu, my friend JJ Owens, for Collectors Gene Radio.
Daily Grail Official - https://www.dailygrailofficial.com/
Jessica "JJ" Owens Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/jessicajjo/?hl=en
Daily Grail Official Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/dailygrailofficial/?hl=en

Sylvain Berneron - The Man Behind The Most Anticipated Watch Of The Year May 22, 2024

Show notes

Sylvain Berneron is my guest today and I am not sure there is a watch or a brand that has received this much attention in a long time, and it’s well deserved. A designer at heart, Sylvian worked for brands like BMW & Porsche before starting his own firm, and eventually becoming the Chief Product Officer at Breitling. But as a creative, Sylvain was taught by his mother, an artist herself, to turn a constraint or restriction into an opportunity, and that’s exactly what he did with the Mirage watch. He has designed every single component of the watch and spared no expense, all the way down to the solid gold spring bars. Every supplier tried to talk him out of this endeavor, but he persevered into what is one of the most sought after and recognized independent watch brands existing today. His creativity and thoughtfulness has landed the brand with allocated orders all the way through 2028. We chat about the perfect timing of his avant garde design with the current market demands, what it’s like to be on the other side of the collecting market, and the future plans of Berneron to which we got some sneak peaks. To be honest, there's not a person in this hobby and trade that deserves it more. So without further adieu, this is Sylvain Berneron, for Collectors Gene Radio.
Berneron's Website - https://www.berneron.ch/
Berneron's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/berneron/?hl=en
On The Dash Interview - http://www.onthedash.com/berneron-mirage-interview/

Justin Hast - The Optimist The Watch World Needed May 15, 2024

Show notes

Today’s guest is the most optimistic guy I know in watches, Mr. Justin Hast. He’s a journalist, consultant, and creative in many facets of the watch industry and he’s got the collection to prove it. His passion has led him down many paths, ultimately carving out a niche for himself as a trusted source, not only from collectors, but from some of the biggest brands in the industry. He cherishes not only the emotions and experiences that watches bring, but also the memories and relationships that have come to fruition as a result of it. If his work as a creative in the industry wasn’t enough, he even publishes a yearly book called The Watch Annual which is a compendium of each year's best watches. At the end of the day, there’s not many guys like Justin who mix work and passion like he does, and it shows. So without further adieu, my friend Justin Hast, for Collectors Gene Radio.
Justin Hast's Website - https://www.justinhast.com/
Justin Hast's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/justinhast/
George Bamford's Podcast Episode with Justin - https://www.bamfordwatchdepartment.com/?p=12114
The Watch Annual - https://thewatchannual.com/
The Watch Journey Podcast - https://www.justinhast.com/thewatchjourney

Nicholas Lowry - From Antiques Roadshow & Swann Auction Galleries, It Always Comes Back To Vintage Posters May 08, 2024

Show notes

You might recognize today's guest from the ever popular show Antiques Roadshow. Nicholas Lowry isn’t just the vintage poster appraisal for the hit show, he’s also the President, Principal Auctioneer, and Director of Vintage Posters at Swann Auction Galleries and for all intents and purposes, he’s a collector. Nicho grew up around collectors, and his family still runs one of the oldest books shops in New York to this day. After a stint in Prague, he found himself falling in love with vintage Czech posters and the rest is history. Vintage posters is a new category to Collectors Gene Radio so I really had a lot of questions to understand the market better. Unlike most collectibles, there isn’t really a modern version of the category today, making these vintage posters even more rare as time goes on. Lowry is a collector of many things, but with a busy schedule, I was curious to find out how in the world he has time to collect anything. Full of life, stories, and knowledge, please enjoy, this is Nicholas Lowry, for Collectors Gene Radio.
Swann Auction Galleries - https://www.swanngalleries.com/
Poster Museum New York - https://posterhouse.org/
Nicho's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/nicholowry/?hl=en
Antiques Roadshow - https://www.pbs.org/wgbh/roadshow/
Homeworthy Tour - https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Bb0-iL4YlqA
IVPDA - https://www.ivpda.com/
Nicho's Book - https://www.amazon.com/Wonder-City-World-Travel-Posters-ebook/dp/B0CVQ6YZRK?ref_=ast_author_mpb

Nadine Ghosn - A Jewelry Brand For The Stars and The Nostalgia Chaser May 01, 2024

Show notes

Nadine Ghosn joined me on Collectors Gene Radio today and I am not sure there is someone who is making as much noise as she is in fine jewelry. After a stint at Hermes, Nadine found herself yearning for a creativity spark and man did she get it right. Her designs are all about creating a sense of nostalgia from the things we recognize most and using luxurious materials and stones to turn them into functional jewelry pieces. Like her stackable burger ring, or her rose gold pencil bracelet, or her custom designs for the likes of Drake & Lil Yachty. If that’s not enough, her pieces have been worn by Beyonce, the late Karl Lagerfeld, and she’s been making custom croissants out of gold for Cedric Grolet. The best part of it all? She’s a one woman show who is willing to do whatever it takes. With her favorite saying being “Don’t think outside the box, think like there is no box”, Nadine has proven the counterarguments most jewelers told her from day 1 and continues to push the boundaries. So without further adieu, this is Nadine Ghosn, for Collectors Gene Radio.
Nadine Ghosn Fine Jewelry - https://nadineghosn.com/

Yoni Ben-Yehuda - Material Good's Watch Confidant On Horology, Friendship, & Passion Apr 24, 2024

Show notes

Yoni Ben-Yehuda is my guest today and we’re chatting about what it’s like to be the Head of Watches for Material Good, one of the most curated jewelry stores around. With a star-studded clientele and friend list, Yoni may just be everyone's confidant in watches. His energy and knowledge for this stuff is immense, and he’s got a pulse on it all. I wanted to find out what it’s like to have a direct partnership with Audemars Piguet, how everyone at Material Good either joins the team as a collector or unintentionally becomes one, and more importantly, how in the world he finds time to collect for himself. Part two is in the works, but for now, please enjoy, this is Yoni Ben-Yehuda, Head of Watches at Material Good, for Collectors Gene Radio.
Material Good - https://materialgood.com/
Yoni's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/lifeofyoni/?hl=en

Eric Ku - From Curator to Creator: A Collector Turned Serial Entrepreneur Apr 17, 2024

Show notes

Today’s guest is what you can consider a jack of all trades in the watch industry, Mr. Eric Ku. Eric can be best known as a dealer, collector extraordinaire, and entrepreneur, all within the world of watches. It’s not too often that a collector and dealer finds other ways to become successful in this industry, but leave it up to Eric to take care of that. His businesses stem far beyond just being a dealer, since having founded LA Watch Works, a well known restoration and servicing center, and LoupeThis, one of the watch world's most exciting ventures and auction houses to come about in the last couple years. We chat about the impetus to start all these ventures, and of course, his many piece-uniques from the fan favorite, Cartier. He’s a go to for many things, watches and always a delight to chat with. Alright, please enjoy, this is Eric Ku, for Collectors Gene Radio.
Eric's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/fumanku
Loupe This - https://loupethis.com/
LA Watch Works - http://www.lawatchworks.com/

Cameron Barr - Harmony In Heritage: The Intersection of Cars, Watches, & Native American Traditions Apr 12, 2024

Show notes

Today I sat down with Cameron Barr, founder of Craft & Tailored to discuss watches, cars, and our newest obsession Native American link bracelets. Cam’s been in the watch game for a bit now, but he’s always done it his way. Although watches are what’s for sale, Craft & Tailored has their own image and brand that sets them apart because it’s not just about that. Cam’s love for watches is just an extension of his collections and it all creates a cohesive case study in sticking to what you love. So without further adieu, this is Cameon Barr, founder of Craft & Tailored, for Collectors Gene Radio.
Craft & Tailored - https://www.craftandtailored.com/
C&T's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/craftandtailored/
Cam's Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/cambambarr/
C&T's TikTok - https://www.tiktok.com/@craftandtailored?lang=en

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