The SJX Podcast

Episode 20 of the SJX Podcast comes to you live from Dubai Watch Week 2025, which has just concluded. The event brought together many leading independent watchmakers, industry executives, and perhaps most importantly a big audience of collectors from around the world. The new venue in Burj Park brought a more sophisticated feel to the event, which was by far the largest in its history. SJX and Brandon share their quick reactions on the final day of the fair.

For episode 18 of the SJX Podcast, we sit down with Sylvain Berneron, founder of one of the most talked about new brands of the past few years. Fresh off the launch of the brand's first complicated model, the Quantième Annuel, Mr Berneron breaks down what it takes to start a watch business and stay on pace to produce a new model every year.Show notes:00:45 - Fine art to industrial design03:35 - How to launch a watch brand07:40 - 10 employees means capacity for breadth and depth14:15 - A new movement every year; is this sustainable?17:00 - Gold rather than brass for the movements21:25 - Simple to complicated: the product progression at Berneron29:15 - The house style of movement finishing34:45 - Tiered pricing to reward collectors who take the biggest risk38:30 - Real-world impact of big auction results

On Episode 17 of the SJX Podcast, Brandon has just returned from WatchTime New York, an event that has emerged as the flagship watch fair in the United States since its debut in 2015. SJX shares his hands-on impressions of Breguet's new ref. 7225, which features a return of the brand's magnetic pivots and is the highlight of the brand's 250th anniversary releases so far.We also examine the hamburger-sized 77 mm J. Player & Son 'hypercomplication' at Phillips - one of the most complicated and impressive British watches ever made, before wrapping up with a discussion about some of the pieces from JP Morgan's own collection coming up in the same auction.Show notes:1:00 - WatchTime New York Recap5:50 - Breguet ref. 722514:30 - Thomas Engel Collector Profile15:15 - J. Player & Son Pocket Watch at Phillips Geneva19:20 - JP Morgan's Frodsham Pocket Watch21:25 - JP Morgan's Cartier Model A Mystery Clock

On Episode 16 of the SJX Podcast, SJX and Brandon discuss ongoing horology events in Paris and Singapore, the new Piaget Andy Warhol, and introduce a new segment comparing two watches head-to-head. First up is the Ulysse Nardin Freak - how does the original, now 25 years old, stack up to the new Freak S?Show Notes:00:45 - Vacheron Constantin Singapore Event Summary1:30 - Rolex GMT Master event2:45 - Mechanical Wonders at the Louvre9:15 - Piaget Andy Warhol ‘Collage’13:00 - Comparing the original Ulysse Nardin Freak with the new Freak S

On Episode 15 of the SJX Podcast, Brandon shares insights picked up at Citizen's Super Titanium event in Paris, where he had the opportunity to speak with the brand's materials engineers. Still on the theme of titanium, SJX shares his views on the new Cartier Santos in the lightweight metal, and the different strategies of these brands which are playing to their respective strengths.Another big story from this week is the launch of the new Petermann Bédat Reference 1825. Though it's not made of titanium, it's a strong third act (and a hint of what's next) for the brand. Is there still white space in the market for highly finished time-only watches?Show Notes:1:00 - Citizen Super Titanium Event Recap8:45 - Cartier Santos Titanium13:20 - Petermann Bédat Reference 1825

On episode 14 of the SJX Podcast, Brandon Moore and SJX unpack Louis Vuitton's Monterey and discuss where fashion brands fit in the contemporary fine watchmaking landscape. We also cover the latest from Lange, which just added a stone onyx dial to the Saxonia Thin - is it the perfect watch for your next soiree?Show Notes:0:45 - A. Lange & Söhne Saxonia Thin Black Onyx7:15 - Louis Vuitton Monterey

On episode 13 of the SJX Podcast, Brandon Moore and SJX discuss MB&F's decision to give away 20 free watches - 10 pieces of a new LM101 Longhorn for Tribe members and 10 pieces of a matching M.A.D.1S for prior raffle registrants. It's a move that's generated a lot of buzz, and a little bit of consternation, but regardless it's a remarkable offer from one of the more successful independent brands of its era.Also discussed is the A. Lange & Söhne Richard Lange Jumping Seconds which just got upgraded with a new solid 18k pink gold dial. Is this model still competitive nearly a decade after launch?Show Notes:0:20 - MB&F Giveaway6:30 - A. Lange & Söhne Richard Lange Jumping Seconds Pink Gold Dial

On episode 12 of the SJX Podcast, SJX shares his hands-on impressions of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon Chronograph RD#5, the fifth and final watch from the brand's R&D skunkworks.We also address listener questions about the (great) leadership at Vacheron Constantin, and whether brands like A. Lange & Söhne and Vacheron Constantin can gain market share from independents - why not?Show Notes:0:35 - Laurent Perves, chief executive of Vacheron Constantin2:38 - The opportunity for establishment brands vs. indies10:35 - Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph RD#5