Superlative

Latest Episodes:

SUPERLATIVE: YOU CAN'T RETIRE FROM PASSION WITH JEAN-CLAUDE AND PIERRE BIVER Apr 18, 2022

Show notes

This is Superlative: A Podcast about watches, the people behind them, and the worlds that inspire them. This week our host Ariel Adams is joined by our first father and son duo to appear on the show, Jean-Claude and Pierre Biver. Before they dive into the details of their new watch brand they have launched, “JC Biver”, Jean-Claude talks about how you can’t retire from a passion, and how that passion ultimately brought him back to the watch world after his exit from LVMH. Ariel talks to Pierre about what its like being the son of Jean-Claude, how his passion for watches began, and how he feels about being his son while operating with him inside the company. Jean-Claude dives into the first tasks that are important to do when starting a brand, and Pierre talks about what is important to his generation, and what they are looking for in a brand, when it comes to traditional time pieces. When talking about whether the pieces themselves will be more traditional or futuristic, Jean-Claude mentions how they are going for “The Art of Disruption” and what that means for the brands mission.

To stay updated with Jean-Claude, Pierre, and JC Biver Watches:

- Instagram @jcbiver - https://www.instagram.com/jcbiver/

- Instagram @pierrebiver - https://www.instagram.com/pierrebiver/

To check out the ABTW Shop where you can see our products inspired by our love of Horology:

- Shop ABTW - https://store.ablogtowatch.com/

To keep updated with everything Superlative and aBlogtoWatch, check us out on:

- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ablogtowatch/

- Twitter - https://twitter.com/ABLOGTOWATCH

- Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/

If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!

SUPERLATIVE: FOUNDING WATCH BRANDS AND RUNNING RETAILERS WITH STEVEN HOLTZMAN - VICE CHAIRMAN C.D. PEACOCK Apr 11, 2022

Show notes

This is Superlative: A Podcast about watches, the people behind them, and the worlds that inspire them. This week our host Ariel Adams is joined by Steven Holtzman, Vice Chairman of the Chicago based retailer, C.D. Peacock. The two start the show talking about the challenges people working in the industry might face, and being honest about covering the good and bad sides about it. Ariel asks Steven to talk about the inception of the watch brand he founded, Maîtres du Temps, and the team he assembled to work with. They discuss what his goals with the brand were, and the list of challenges that arose as the company progressed. They both give their opinions on the subsidiary business model working or not working in the best interest for the brands and companies, and talking about the stand-off between brands and retailers with who should be investing into a market. As the show comes to a close Ariel has Steven explain what makes C.D. Peacock unique as a watch retailer, and talks a bit about their location in Chicago celebrating its 185th anniversary.

To stay updated with Steven and C.D. Peacock:

- Instagram @c.d.peacock - https://www.instagram.com/c.d.peacock/

- Website - https://cdpeacock.com/

To check out the ABTW Shop where you can see our products inspired by our love of Horology:

- Shop ABTW - https://store.ablogtowatch.com/

To keep updated with everything Superlative and aBlogtoWatch, check us out on:

- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ablogtowatch/

- Twitter - https://twitter.com/ABLOGTOWATCH

- Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/

If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!

SUPERLATIVE: PRE-OWNED WATCH RETAIL TODAY WITH EUGENE TUTUNIKOV - CEO OF SWISSWATCHEXPO Apr 04, 2022

Show notes

This is Superlative: A Podcast about watches, the people behind them, and the worlds that inspire them. This week our host Ariel Adams is joined by Eugene Tutunikov, CEO of Swiss Watch Expo. To start the show Ariel and Eugene talk about enthusiast media coverage in general, and how it impacts the watch industry as a whole when it comes to consumer education and interest into the industry. They dive into issues regarding online watch sales such as the challenge of getting inventory, and the over-saturation points of certain markets. They talk about what companies do and can do with the knowledge of their customers’ buying habits, and the “hyper-popularity” around certain luxury models today. How some consumers are interested in value retention in their watches, and how some are more interested in perceived value retention. Eugene shares with Ariel a bit about their physical location in Atlanta for SwissWatchExpo, and their incredible showroom.

To stay updated with Eugene and SwissWatchExpo:

- Instagram @swisswatchexpo - https://www.instagram.com/swisswatchexpo/

- Website - https://www.swisswatchexpo.com/

To check out the ABTW Shop where you can see our products inspired by our love of Horology:

- Shop ABTW - https://store.ablogtowatch.com/

To keep updated with everything Superlative and aBlogtoWatch, check us out on:

- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ablogtowatch/

- Twitter - https://twitter.com/ABLOGTOWATCH

- Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/

If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!

SUPERLATIVE: A CONVERSATION ABOUT EXPERT AUTHENTICATION IN WATCH SALES WITH JAMES HENDY - GENERAL MANAGER OF AUTHENTICATION AT EBAY Mar 28, 2022

Show notes

*AUDIO NOTE* - There was a small issue with the guests mic during this interview, but we wanted to make sure everyone was able to get the great information in this episode, and enjoy the great conversation that Ariel and James had, so we did the best we can with the audio. Thank you for listening through!*

This is Superlative: A Podcast about watches, the people behind them, and the worlds that inspire them. This week our host Ariel Adams is joined by James Hendy, General Manager of Authentication at eBay. The two start the show talking about the Authentication that happens at eBay with their current luxury watch sales, and how that benefits the buyer and the seller. Ariel asks how eBay has been able to incorporate the cost of this very thorough process into its business practice. James talks about the beginning of his career working in the traditional auction world, how eBay differs from it, and how it excels where the auction world cannot. The topic of the high level of curation and presentation that happens at auctions comes up in the conversation, and how eBay can learn from the auction world when it comes to those elements. As they speak on expansion a bit, Ariel asks James if he were to look on eBay as he is watch shopping from another country or area of the world, would he see a different inventory of watches? James talks about the newest form of Authentication happening at eBay called “Expert Authentication”, and to end the show Ariel has James share what we can expect from eBay in the future and what they are going to continue to do within the work of Authentication.

To stay updated with eBay and their Luxury Watch Authenticity Guarantee:

- Instagram @eBaywatches - https://www.instagram.com/ebaywatches/

- Website - https://pages.ebay.com/authenticity-guarantee-watches/

To check out the ABTW Shop where you can see our products inspired by our love of Horology:

- Shop ABTW - https://store.ablogtowatch.com/

To keep updated with everything Superlative and aBlogtoWatch, check us out on:

- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ablogtowatch/

- Twitter - https://twitter.com/ABLOGTOWATCH

- Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/

If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!

SUPERLATIVE: INTERVIEW WITH AARON SIGMOND AUTHOR OF DRIVE TIME Mar 21, 2022

Show notes

This is Superlative: A Podcast about watches, the people behind them, and the worlds that inspire them. This week our host Ariel Adams is joined by Aaron Sigmond, author of the book “Drive Time Deluxe Edition: Watches Inspired by Automobiles, Motorcycles, and Racing”. The two start the show talking about how purchasing a luxury watch for many people is a reward they are giving themselves, and the comparison of the amount of Lunar New Year pieces that seem to come out. The two talk about Aaron writing the foreword to Ariels’ book, and companies creating standard or core collections of watches, and limited releases related to special event or occasion. They touch on marketing campaigns by brands today such as Hublot, and they talk specific outliers in other industries such as “Supreme” and the impacts that type of marketing could have in this industry. The two also talk about modern journalism and media coverage today in general, not just the watch industry. In the latter parts of the episode they talk about Aaron’s career as an author, the several watch books he has written and co-authored, and his newest release “Drive Time Deluxe Edition: Watches Inspired by Automobiles, Motorcycles, and Racing”.

To stay updated with Aaron and his work:

Website - https://aaronsigmondbooks.com/

Instagram - @aaronsigmondbooks - https://www.instagram.com/aaronsigmondbooks/

Newest Book Release - Drive Time Deluxe Edition - https://www.amazon.com/Drive-Time-Deluxe-Automobiles-Motorcycles/dp/0847869466/

To check out the ABTW Shop where you can see our products inspired by our love of Horology:

- Shop ABTW - https://store.ablogtowatch.com/

To keep updated with everything Superlative and aBlogtoWatch, check us out on:

- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ablogtowatch/

- Twitter - https://twitter.com/ABLOGTOWATCH

- Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/

If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!

SUPERLATIVE: TALKING MODERN MOVEMENTS WITH SEBASTIEN CHAULMONTET - HEAD OF INNOVATION AT SELLITA Mar 14, 2022

Show notes

This is Superlative: A Podcast about watches, the people behind them, and the worlds that inspire them. This week our host Ariel Adams is joined by Sebastien Chaulmontet, Head of Innovation at Sellita, where they develop more mainstream movements for a large number of brands. They start the show talking about how he came into the industry in a non traditional way, and how having patents played a part in his entry. The two talk about why Sebastien likes working for movement companies as opposed to just watch brands, and how he sees the relationship between watch brands and movement manufacturers going forward. They touch on innovation in the movement industry currently, and the current state of volume and demand. They deconstruct the marketing campaign that Apple did around the launch of the Apple Watch and how that grew interest in the product amongst many demographics, and what the watch industry could learn from observing.

To stay updated with Sebastien and Sellita:

Website - https://www.sellita.ch/index.php/en/

To check out the ABTW Shop where you can see our products inspired by our love of Horology:

- Shop ABTW - https://store.ablogtowatch.com/

To keep updated with everything Superlative and aBlogtoWatch, check us out on:

- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ablogtowatch/

- Twitter - https://twitter.com/ABLOGTOWATCH

- Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/

If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!

SUPERLATIVE: FROM ENTHUSIAST TO ENTREPRENEUR WITH JESS CHOW - CEO AND CO-FOUNDER OF VIEREN WATCHES Mar 07, 2022

Show notes

This is Superlative: A Podcast about watches, the people behind them, and the worlds that inspire them. This week our host Ariel Adams is joined by Jess Chow, Co-founder and CEO of Vieren Watches. To start the show Ariel and Jess talk about being an watch enthusiast/entrepreneur, who does she envision being the enthusiasts and wearers of their watches, and how watchmaking is kind of in her family. Ariel and Jess talk about some of the Vieren pieces that he has in front of him, and how this collection is inspired by modernist architecture. During the second half of the show they really dive into the designs behind the watches as they discuss their core looks at the moment, how their Creative Director Sunny Fong won Project Runway Canada years ago, and what he means to the brand. Wrapping things up, Ariel asks our guest where she gets her entrepreneurial courage, and the two talk about what they see happening in the near future in the industry.

To stay updated with Jess and Vieren:

Website - https://vieren.co/

Instagram @Vierentime - https://www.instagram.com/vierentime/

To check out the ABTW Shop where you can see our products inspired by our love of Horology:

- Shop ABTW - https://store.ablogtowatch.com/

To keep updated with everything Superlative and aBlogtoWatch, check us out on:

- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ablogtowatch/

- Twitter - https://twitter.com/ABLOGTOWATCH

- Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/

If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!

SUPERLATIVE: TALKING WITH MICHAL DUNIN - FOUNDER OF CHOPIN AND BLONIE WATCHES Feb 28, 2022

Show notes

This week on Superlative our host Ariel Adams is joined by Michal Dunin, founder of Chopin, and Blonie Watches, brought to you by aBlogtoWatch.

SUPERLATIVE: EMBRACING RISKS IN THE WATCH INDUSTRY WITH ALON BEN JOSEPH CO-OWNER OF ACE JEWELERS Feb 21, 2022

Show notes

This is Superlative: A Podcast about watches, the people behind them, and the worlds that inspire them. This week our host Ariel Adams is joined by Alon Ben Joseph from Ace Jewelers. They start the show talking about the start of selling watches online, what that transitional period was like for retailers, and how anti-trust laws affected them. The two talk about taking risk as an company and what that means in the industry, and they talk about some of the other tech ventures that Alon has gotten into such as his start-up called Watchbase.com. They also dive into the modern relationship between multi-brand retailers and the brands themselves.

To stay updated with Alon and Ace Jewelers:

- https://www.acejewelers.com/

- https://www.instagram.com/acejewelers/

- https://twitter.com/acejewelers

To check out the ABTW Shop where you can see our products inspired by our love of Horology:

- Shop ABTW - https://store.ablogtowatch.com/

To keep updated with everything Superlative and aBlogtoWatch, check us out on:

- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ablogtowatch/

- Twitter - https://twitter.com/ABLOGTOWATCH

- Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/

If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!

SUPERLATIVE: NO NEW IDEA IN DESIGN GOES UNPUNISHED WITH YVAN ARPA, FOUNDER OF ARTYA WATCHES Feb 14, 2022

Show notes

This is Superlative: A Podcast about watches, the people behind them, and the worlds that inspire them. This week our host Ariel Adams is joined by watch designer Yvan Arpa, Founder of ArtyA watches. They start the show talking about what got Yvan into watch design, some of his previous work with other brands, and the start of ArtyA watches. Ariel asks Yvan to talk about some of the differences and difficulties of the market in the America compared to other markets around the world, and some of the things that surprised him about his watches in America. The two talk about using interesting components in design such as butterflies (literally), coprolite stone, and bullets. They talk about how Martial Arts has impacted Yvan’s life, his career, and his character. To end the show the two talk about smart watches, and the project they both were involved in with Samsung.

To stay updated with Yvan and ArtyA:

- https://www.artya.com/

- https://www.instagram.com/artyawatch/

- https://www.ablogtowatch.com/watch-brands/artya/

To check out the ABTW Shop where you can see our products inspired by our love of Horology:

- Shop ABTW - https://store.ablogtowatch.com/

To keep updated with everything Superlative and aBlogtoWatch, check us out on:

- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ablogtowatch/

- Twitter - https://twitter.com/ABLOGTOWATCH

- Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/

If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!