On the Dogwatch

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48. Lessons From Skiing Out of a Helicopter and Off the Berlin Wall, from Hall of Famer Dan Egan Oct 23, 2022

Show notes

Today we have our first hall of famer on the podcast, and it is with great pleasure that I introduce Dan Egan, member of the Ski and Snowboard Hall of Fame, extreme athlete, filmmaker, soccer coach, and all around connector.
In our conversation, we talk about the development of extreme sports, what it is like to jump out of a helicopter on skis, and off of the Berlin wall on skis, and how skiing has helped Dan interface with the world and people. We also discuss Dans’ experience working with and learning from Warren Miller, his recent book 30 Years in a White Haze, and talk skiing and outdoor style, from duct tape to Alps and Meters. In this episode we really find our way about the entire slope, and talk with Dan about our place in nature and different ways to experience the natural world.
Don’t forget to check out his book 30 Years in a White Haze, and his work on the Designed By Tradition podcast.

47. Formex Watches Exhibit Beauty, Complexity, and Thoughtful Design, Like Ants Oct 15, 2022

Show notes

What happens when a couple of Swiss guys take over a mostly dormant watch brand, and reinvigorate, reinvest, and then engineer it back into one of the leading independent brands?

One outcome is that when you see these watches you immediately know that they are high-quality and intriguing, but you have to learn more and look hard to understand why. And as you spend more time with them, like I did with three of them on my wrist for several weeks, the more you realize is there. As a naturalist, I couldn’t help to see the parallels to ants. If you have not studied ants yourself, these small social insects are amazing to observe and comprehend–whether they are carrying three sisters in their mandibles across the pavement with relative ease, or driving through the forest in a column that will eat a large mammal–a literal lifetime of fascination exists in each little organism. There is similar depth in the story of these watches and their design.

In our conversation with Raphael, the Formex CEO, and Markus, the Formex Director of Marketing, we discuss the history of Formex and how the brand has evolved over the past half-decade. The Formex team helps us understand the unique features of their watches and the engineering that has gone into them, such as the automotive-like shock system and their proprietary carbon fiber material. and discuss the specifics of the Essence 39, the Leggera 41, and the Reef diver. This discussion just begins to unearth the evolution, form, and function of these watches, a brand that should be in consideration as one of the best value propositions in watches. Raphael also describes the origin of the name “Formex” from two French words, forme and extrème. Even here there is a convergence with the myrmecological world with the formica being the Latin word for ant, and myrmex being ant in Greek.

In the end, on this Dogwatch shift we discuss the story of the incredible evolution of a brand and the example of how its watches can provide endless fascination.

As a brief announcement, if you are going to be anywhere near New York City this coming weekend, you should certainly stop by the Windup Watch Fair and say hi to the Formex team and check out these watches in person. The show is Friday, October 21 and Saturday October 22 from 12-6:00 pm. Sunday is from 12-5. It is hosted by Worn & Wound, and if you don’t know them, check out our interview with co-founder Zach Weiss On the Dogwatch Episode #40. The fair is in the Altman building on West 18th St, and I guarantee you will be glad you went.

46. Goodyear Welt Style, with Wyatt Gilmore from Grant Stone Shoes and Boots Oct 06, 2022

Show notes

Today On the Dogwatch we are joined by Wyatt Gilmore, CEO of Grant Stone, a company devoted to making high-quality Goodyear welt shoes and boots. Wyatt literally had shoes in his family, but early in life tried his hand at becoming a motocross racer. After that had run its course, Wyatt began to work his way up through position in the production of shoes and boots. He moved to China for what was supposed to be a short visit but turned out to be years.
Wyatt eventually returned to the US and helped found Grant Stone. In our conversation, Wyatt tells us how to get a good fit in a pair of boots, the importance of width as an element in getting the proper shoe for your foot, and how a well-made boot can create a level of support, comfort and durability that is unmatched by the more cushiony options. Ultimately, we have an opportunity to talk with Wyatt about what makes stylish and properly fitting footwear.

45. These Watches are Fire. With Jonny Garrett at William Wood Watches Sep 27, 2022

Show notes

Whether it is collecting rubber fire hoses and crafting them into watch bands, melting down a brass fire helmet for crowns, or working to create a case that can house two movements at different price points, today’s guest Jonny Garrett has created a watch company that does justice to both firefighters as well as horology. In our conversation, Jonny describes the development of the William Wood Watch brand, the ways in which genuine fire fighting materials have been adapted into actual watches, and also details the ways in which there is meaning in these objects both as inscribed presentation watches and also as wrist wear for those who appreciate and support the first responders.

We also discuss ways in which William Wood has worked to support firefighters and first responders, and get a sneak peak into the possibility of a William Wood character watch, with Fireman Sam on the dial. Ultimately, we get a window into how these two somewhat unlikely elements–watches and firefighting–create a product that is sure to intrigue and satisfy any enthusiast.

44. What is a Quality Watch? What is Quality? Philosopher Ned Hall Helps Us Decide Sep 18, 2022

Show notes

Today we have the great pleasure of talking with Ned Hall, a philosophy professor and generally “wicked smart” guy who helps us think about quality. Ned teaches us how to think like philosophers as we address questions about the quality of objects such as watches, and confront questions like: how do we assess quality? Should this be through a single question, or set of questions? What are the things that make a watch or another object high quality? What is the role of direct human attention and connection with an object and experience in understanding quality?

The conversation with Ned grows out of some of the conversations we have had on the podcast about Zen and the Art of Motorcycle Maintenance. Last spring, after talking with Mark Richardson, I set out to find the pump at the rest stop where, in 1968, Robert Pirsig and his son took a water break on Highway 55 just outside of Minneapolis. The stop is still there, but the pump is not, and after some research with the relevant municipalities, it seems reasonable to conclude that the pump was removed due to the health concerns from natural wells, and it was melted down for scrap. Given this fate, we recognize the pump and its place in philosophical history with the poem “Well Water” by Randall Jarrell, read by writer, educator, and friend of the Dogwatch Jim Mahoney.

43. Seeing Stars, and Tracking Animals, with Jon Poppele Aug 27, 2022

Show notes

Today we return to the Dogwatch after a few weeks off during August, and we have an episode recorded this spring with Jon Poppelle, an author and naturalist. This conversation was delayed due to an issue with the audio file, and I’ve gotten that resolved and we are now good to go. My apologies to Jon for the delay!

If you like to be outside, there are features of the natural world that are always there with you. In the night sky, there are always stars. On the ground, there are always tracks and signs of the activities of animals. Our guest today is an expert naturalist who has refined his ability in helping others learn about these features of the natural world. Jon Poppele, is author of Night Sky: A Field Guide to the Constellations, and a series of books on animal tracks, including Animals Tracks of the Midwest.

At long last, it is so good to be able to look to the signs that are imprinted in the heavens and the Earth with Jon Poppele.

42. Alex Crane: Stylish and Sustainable Clothing Jul 28, 2022

Show notes

A well-cut linen shirt, an organic cotton chore coat, or an extra soft merino wool sweater and cap are perfect to wear on any Dogwatch, which makes it even more of a special opportunity that we are joined today by Alex Crane. Alex is the founder and designer of his own clothing brand, Alex Crane, that provides garments intended to help you feel breezy and look sharp at the same time. What’s more, Alex has committed to making his clothing from 100% natural materials, and by 2025 he plans to have them fully biodegradable as well.

Alex sent me several items so that I could experience his work in-person, and I can say that the materials, design, and cuts of his clothing are something that anyone who loves to go from the indoors to the outdoors should consider experiencing. When he told me that their linen is grown on the coast in Normandy, France, and the fibers spent their young life looking over the English Channel, I was intrigued. Now feeling the substantial and soft fabric in my hand, the value of this super-fabric is clear–it is an incredibly low-impact fiber environmentally, only requires water and sun to grow, is antimicrobial, and is 3x as strong as cotton.

In our conversation, Alex describes how he came to design clothes and the development of his brand, the features that typify Alex Crane clothing, as well as specific aspects of the materials he uses, details of design, and the fit of the offerings. This is not just a talk on clothes, though. Alex provides perspectives on books he has read, water, the roles and responsibilities of clothiers and consumers, and fittingly, even helps us think about the evolution of beauty.

So sit back and join us as we think about all the joy and comfort that can come from natural things.

41. Is the Casio F-91W the Best Navigation Watch? Navigation, Watches, and the Starpath School, with David Burch Jul 23, 2022

Show notes

If we were all actually on a dogwatch today, on a boat in the middle of the ocean, our guest for this episode is literally the first person I would choose to bring along. His name is David Burch, and he is not only the founder of the Starpath School of Navigation in Seattle, but he has over 70,000 miles of oceangoing navigation experience, has navigated across the Pacific over 10 times, and even has developed a “doomsday” kit, the size of a shoebox, that allows him to navigate anywhere in the world without power or any electronic devices for the next twenty years. Clearly, David is the one who could help us get to where we want to go.

In our conversation, David describes the development of the Starpath school, his background in navigation and the new developments in navigational charts, and using the stars and technology as a GPS-independent mode of navigation. He also helps us understand why the Casio F-91W wristwatch–priced at about $14–may be the best watch for navigation, why using an analog watch to get a compass bearing, the “Boy Scout” method, is almost always ineffective, and why you should never make a smart aleck remark about the ocean.

40. Worn & Wound, Watches, Windup, and Zach Weiss Jul 12, 2022

Show notes

It turns out that this episode of the Dogwatch is brought to you by the letter “W,” a show that can be described with an alliterative string on watches starting with our guest, Zach Weiss of Worn & Wound.

Being one of the co-founders of Worn & Wound, Zach describes how the business grew from an inauspicious blog intended to help a friend choose a watch into what is now one of the primary sites for watch journalism and commerce. In a phrase, we learn it is “A place to discover watches and experience enthusiasm.” In our conversation, we talk with Zach about watches he is excited about, including two new ones on his own wrist, the goals and aspects of Worn & Wound, such as their main site for news and reviews, the Windup Watch Shop, and Windup Watch Fair. We also look ahead to the upcoming Windup fair in Chicago, and to new releases.

39. What Does It Mean to Be Human? Ask a Bird Jul 06, 2022

Show notes

Today we talk with Antone Martinho-Truswell, a biologist who studies learning and cognition in birds, and author of the just-released book entitled The Parrot in the Mirror: How Evolving to Be Like Birds Made Us Human.

Our conversation today is about much more than birds. We as humans recognize the unique place birds occupy amongst animals, whether it is by putting an eagle on top of a flagpole or a raven on the dial of a watch, and we talk with Antone today to learn about the uncommon traits that birds and humans share, and what they teach us about what it means to be human.

In our conversation, Antone describes the features that humans and birds share, how both of these groups converged on similar solutions to specific problems, some of the early studies on well-known organisms like the horse Clever Hans and Alex the parrot, and the incredible evidence of intelligence in birds like crows and parrots. Ultimately, these examples help us understand fundamental aspects of humanity, and some of those important life questions like why it is that when you tell your dog to sit, it isn’t able to reply, “no, you sit.”

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