A Monumental Sympathique

SJX has just returned from the Tokyo launch of Louis Vuitton's third independent watchmaking collaboration, this time with De Bethune. Episode 29 of the SJX Podcast covers what it means for both brands, and unpacks the details of both the GMT Louis Varius wristwatch and the monumental Sympathique clock that it can be paired with. Brandon and SJX also provide hands-on analysis of the Escale Worldtime and Daniel Roth Extra Plat Skeleton that debuted during LVMH Watch Week in January. Show notes: <ul><li>00:30: <a href="https://watchesbysjx.com/2026/02/louis-vuitton-debethune-lvdb-03-louis-varius.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Louis Varius Sympathique Clock</a></li><li>12:30: <a href="https://watchesbysjx.com/2026/02/louis-vuitton-escale-worldtime-platinum-review.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Louis Vuitton Escale Worldtime</a></li><li>14:40: Louis Vuitton Escale Worldtime Flying Tourbillon</li><li>15:30: Louis Vuitton Escale Twin Zone</li><li>17:30: Daniel Roth Extra Plat Skeleton</li></ul>

Ep. 29 - Louis Vuitton & De Bethune Travel in Style

The Neo Frame's Debut and a World-First Pocket Watch

Recorded shortly after Brandon's return from Audemars Piguet's launch event in Switzerland, Episode 28 of the SJX Podcast provides analysis of all the brand's new releases, including the Neo Frame Jumping Hour, the 150 Heritage grand complication pocket watch, the upgraded Royal Oak Chronograph and its new in-house movement, and the latest open-worked perpetual calendar, which works equally well in Code 11.59 and Royal Oak guise. The conversation also touches on the internal reorganisation at AP that saw the creation of a multi-disciplinary fabrication laboratory dubbed the 'Fab Lab.' Show notes: <ul><li>00:30: <a href="https://watchesbysjx.com/2026/02/audemars-piguet-neo-frame-jumping-hour-review.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Neo Frame Jumping Hour</a></li><li>6:15: <a href="https://watchesbysjx.com/2026/02/audemars-piguet-150-heritage-pocket-watch.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">150 Heritage pocket watch</a></li><li>12:45: <a href="https://watchesbysjx.com/2026/02/audemars-piguet-royal-oak-chronograph-38-mm-review-26450.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Royal Oak Chronograph 38 mm</a></li><li>18:25: <a href="https://watchesbysjx.com/2026/02/audemars-piguet-royal-oak-perpetual-calendar-openworked-titanium-bmg-review.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Royal Oak and Code 11.59 Perpetual Calendar</a></li><li>21:05: AP’s Fab Lab</li></ul>

Ep. 28 - Audemars Piguet: Beyond the Royal Oak

Form Over Function, and New Indies to Watch

Episode 27 of the SJX Podcast opens the archives to find the most impractical and illegible watches that somehow still manage to be worthwhile despite the triumph of form over function. It's a difficult formula to get right, and the landscape of fine watchmaking is littered with examples of watches that sacrificed too much at the altar of fashion. But those that strike the right balance are especially memorable. SJX and Brandon also discuss a couple of emerging independents from as far afield as Japan and Finland. Show notes: 01:00: <a href="https://watchesbysjx.com/2014/06/introducing-the-louis-vuitton-escale-worldtime-with-the-world-in-hand-painted-colour-with-live-photos-and-price.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Louis Vuitton Escale Worldtime Time Pyramid (2014)</a>2:45: <a href="https://watchesbysjx.com/2014/01/sihh-2014-introducing-the-van-cleef-arpels-midnight-planetarium-poetic-complication-the-solar-system-on-your-wrist-with-specs-and-price.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Van Cleef &amp; Arpels Midnight Planétarium</a>7:30: <a href="https://watchesbysjx.com/2023/06/patek-philippe-world-time-5330g-tokyo-2023.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Patek Philippe 5330G Tokyo Edition</a>11:00: New Indies: Nouvelle Chronometrie14:00: New Indies: <a href="https://watchesbysjx.com/2026/01/kortela-valta-toka-champleve-enamel.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kortela Valta</a>

Ep. 27 - Perfectly Impractical

Escale Worldtime Returns

Episode 26 of the SJX Podcast breaks down the best releases from LVMH Watch Week, which saw the return of the hand-painted Escale Worldtime. The slate of releases also includes a surprising new men's watch from Tiffany &amp; Co powered by the Zenith El Primero, and the first all-new model from the modern era of Daniel Roth. Things are looking up for TAG Heuer as well, which launched a regular production version of the Seafarer with vintage-leaning 'Intrepid Teal' accents, and a new top-of-the-line Carrera Split-Seconds Chronograph that has more in common with the likes of Richard Mille than the rest of the Carrera line-up. Show notes: 00:30: Tiffany Timer3:00: Escale Worldtime3:45: Escale Twin Zone4:00: Escale Minute Repeater5:00: Tambour Convergence Guilloche11:15: Daniel Roth Extra Plat Skeleton13:45: TAG Heuer Carrera Seafarer15:15: TAG Heuer Carrera Split-Seconds Chronograph

Ep. 26 - Best of LVMH Watch Week

Chanel Backs Kross, and VC's Concours

The SJX Podcast kicks off 2026 with an analysis of the latest industry news, including Chanel's 30% stake in Kross Manufacture and Vacheron Constantin's initiative to apply the concours format to watches. We also discuss the A. Lange &amp; Söhne Odysseus in Honeygold ahead of an upcoming review, and compare its merits with its titanium sibling. Show notes: 1:00 - <a href="https://watchesbysjx.com/2026/01/chanel-kross-manufacture.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chanel invests in Kross Manufacture</a>07:30 - <a href="https://watchesbysjx.com/2026/01/vacheron-constantin-phillips-concours-delegance-horlogere.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Vacheron Constantin Concours d’Élégance Horlogère</a>13:00 - Head to head: A. Lange &amp; Söhne Odysseus Honeygold vs titanium

Ep. 25 - Indie Investments and Odysseus Face-Off

Material Innovation

Episode 24 of the SJX Podcast covers the surprises and unexpected developments of 2025, a year marked by significant material innovation and bold statements from established brands. In this final episode of the year, SJX and Brandon discuss Rolex's landmark Land-Dweller with its revolutionary Dynapulse escapement, Breguet's experimental magnetic constant-force mechanism that achieved unprecedented precision, and TAG Heuer's industrialization of carbon hairsprings. Vacheron Constantin also surprised with an extraordinary 150 kg astronomical clock created for its 270th anniversary, temporarily displayed at the Louvre alongside a companion wristwatch. Thank you to all our listeners for joining us throughout 2025 - happy new year! Show notes: 00:35 - <a href="https://watchesbysjx.com/2025/04/rolex-land-dweller-review.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Rolex Land-Dweller</a>&nbsp;and&nbsp;<a href="https://watchesbysjx.com/2025/04/rolex-land-dweller-7135-dynapulse.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Dynapulse Escapement</a>05:45 - <a href="https://watchesbysjx.com/2025/12/breguet-experimentale-1-magnetic-constant-force-escapement.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Breguet Expérimentale 1</a>&nbsp;10:30 - <a href="https://watchesbysjx.com/2025/09/vacheron-constantin-la-quete-du-temps-astronomical-clock.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Vacheron Constantin La Quête Du Temps</a>&nbsp;15:00 - <a href="https://watchesbysjx.com/2025/09/tag-heuer-th-carbonspring-monaco-carrera.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">TAG Heuer Carbon Hairspring Industrialisation</a>

Ep. 24 - Best of 2025: Surprises and Unexpected Developments

Affordable Highlights

Episode 23 of the SJX Podcast looks at value propositions under US$10,000 in 2025, a mixed year for affordable watches. While Tudor continued to refine its sports watch formula with the well-received Ranger 36, several micro-brands made compelling cases for themselves with distinctive designs and upgraded movements. The team highlights releases from Christopher Ward, Albishorn, and Kollokium that demonstrated there's still room for creativity and innovation at accessible price points, even as some established players moved upmarket. We also discuss the Grand Seiko UFA, which is just outside the range but might be worth it. Show notes: 00:45 - <a href="https://watchesbysjx.com/2025/11/tudor-ranger-36-dune-white.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Tudor Ranger 36</a>3:15 - <a href="https://watchesbysjx.com/2025/08/christopher-ward-c12-loco-review.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Christopher Ward C12 Loco</a>&nbsp;7:15 - <a href="https://watchesbysjx.com/2025/03/albishorn-thundergraph.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Albishorn Thundergraph</a>10:15 - <a href="https://watchesbysjx.com/2025/10/kollokium-projekt-02-ffff-edition.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Kollokium Projekt 02</a>12:45 - <a href="https://watchesbysjx.com/2025/04/grand-seiko-spring-drive-ufa-slgb001-slgb003.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Grand Seiko Evolution 9 Spring Drive UFA Ref. SLGB003</a>

Ep. 23 - Best of 2025: Value Propositions Under US$10,000

A Banner Year

Episode 22 of the SJX Podcast examines complications in 2025, a banner year that saw major brands deliver ambitious and record-setting complications. Several anniversaries, including Vacheron Constantin's 270th and Audemars Piguet's 150th, resulted in inspired releases. Show notes: 00:45 - <a href="https://watchesbysjx.com/2025/04/vacheron-constantin-les-cabinotiers-solaria-ultra-grand-complication.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Vacheron Constantin Solaria Ultra Grand Complication</a>4:00 - <a href="https://watchesbysjx.com/2025/04/lange-minute-repeater-perpetual-black-enamel.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">A. Lange &amp; Söhne Minute Repeater Perpetual</a>6:15 - <a href="https://watchesbysjx.com/2025/11/blancpain-grande-double-sonnerie-kiss.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Blancpain Grande Double Sonnerie</a>9:30 - <a href="https://watchesbysjx.com/2025/10/audemars-piguet-royal-oak-jumbo-extra-thin-tourbillon-chronograph-rd5.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak Chronograph RD#5</a>11:10 - <a href="https://watchesbysjx.com/2025/02/audemars-piguet-perpetual-calendar-calibre-7138.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Audemars Piguet Perpetual Calendar Cal. 7138</a>13:15 - <a href="https://watchesbysjx.com/2025/09/vacheron-constantin-metiers-dart-tribute-quest-of-time.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Vacheron Constantin Impresses with the Métiers d’Art Tribute to the Quest of Time</a>14:07 - <a href="https://watchesbysjx.com/2025/12/chopard-l-u-c-grand-strike-review.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Chopard L.U.C. Grand Strike</a>

Ep. 22 - Best of 2025: Complications

A narrow Field

Episode 21 of the SJX Podcast reflects on independent watchmaking in 2025, a year that saw fewer genuinely new releases than expected. Many familiar names opted for variations on existing models rather than bold new directions, making the standout pieces all the more significant, including Urban Jürgensen's impressive relaunch under Kari Voutilainen, two exceptional time-only watches that proved there's still room for originality in a crowded field, and interesting calendars from Greubel Forsey, Konstantin Chaykin, and Berneron. Show notes: 1:05 - <a href="https://watchesbysjx.com/2025/12/nelson-mccabe-victory-sothebys-2025.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Nelson's Victory Pocket Watch at Sotheby's</a>3:30 - <a href="https://watchesbysjx.com/2025/12/fp-journe-coppola-ffc-10-million-phillips.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Francis Ford Coppola's F.P. Journe FFC Break US$10m at Phillips</a>6:22 - <a href="https://watchesbysjx.com/2025/06/urban-jurgensen-uj-1-tourbillon-review.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Urban Jürgensen UJ-1</a>10:00 - <a href="https://watchesbysjx.com/2025/10/petermann-bedat-reference-1825.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Petermann Bédat Reference 1825</a>11:50 - <a href="https://watchesbysjx.com/2025/03/raul-pages-rp2-review.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Raúl Pagès RP2</a>13:15 - <a href="https://watchesbysjx.com/2025/09/ferdinand-berthoud-naissance-montre-3.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Ferdinand Berthoud Naissance d’une Montre 3</a>16:40 - <a href="https://watchesbysjx.com/2025/09/greubel-forsey-qp-balancier.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Greubel Forsey QP Balancier</a>17:50 - <a href="https://watchesbysjx.com/2025/12/best-of-2025-independent-watchmaking.html" rel="noopener noreferrer" target="_blank">Konstantin Chaykin White Rabbit</a>

The SJX Podcast

Follow