Life & Watches with Horology Republic

Larry and Zachary sit down to talk about some of the releases from Watches & Wonders 2026. Some were hits, some were misses, but overall the designs showed restraint (for the most part) and display an evolving watch culture centered around the push and pull of Swiss executives and the consumers they pretend to listen to. As always follow us: @horologyrepublic | @psywarwristcheck Music by Anno Domini Beats, titled Comin Wit It

Zac and Larry sit down in a mostly unscripted episode to discuss what makes a thoughtful watch move when planning your next purchase. Is it the name? Is the material? Is it something else? We took a look at what it means to each of us to make a decision not based on external hype and instead, focus on what matters to us as individual collectors. We also discussed some recent releases and how they may be targeting those on the fence for a certain brand, style, or watch material. In the classic PSYOPS fashion, attempting to reach those you don't already have on board is the key for a couple of these releases we discuss here. Make sure you're following us on IG: @horologyrepublic | @psywarwristcheck | @timetrades | @reidingtimewatches so you don't miss a thing. Newsletter is out now, if you want to be on the list, drop a DM to Zac on @horologyrepublic on IG so you don't miss out on the happenings. Cheers all!

Summer is indeed in full swing and getting everyone together to record weekly isn't as easy these days, so we hit you with over TWO HOURS of fun discussion. Larry, Brian, and Zachary get together on a gorgeous summer's night to talk a few things over relating to the watch journey we've been on together all year. First up, is box and papers essential to watch collecting OR is it just a nice to have? We discuss and provide a little insight if you're on the fence about it. NEXT, we discuss a topic which Zachary saw on Youtube from Mike at This Watch, That Watch (which is an EXCELLENT channel of quality watch discussion if you haven't seen it, go check it out). He makes a good point that $1500 to $3000 is a sweet spot of serious value, so we gave our own takes on it. Not necessarily responding to everything he says or point-for-point, but just as a general guideline by which to have a talk about whether we think that's the true value spot. We also have a bit of a watch rundown where Larry gives a few of his initial thoughts on the Brigade Watch Subcommander and it's quality. He's put it through a few paces and is writing his own review about it, so make sure you keep a look out at his IG for that. Because Brian is a trader, he also busted out a bunch of models to go over and we thought that fit well with the theme, so we took a look at several pieces within some price points we had outlined already and saw whether the guidelines fit or if they were kind of bogus. Listen in and you'll see!Follow us @horologyrepublic | @timetrade | @psywarwristcheck | @reidingtimewatchesANDJoin our Facebook groups: OMEGA Seamaster Community, Horology Republic Members Club, IWC Aquatimer & Watch Club. See you all there on Facebook!

Zachary, Brian, and Mi Nam explore whether Summer 2025 is the summer of GOLD. Since many in our circles seem to be eyeing solid gold pieces this season, we wondered if it's actually something that's hot right now or if it's one of those "if you want a red car, you see red cars everywhere" types of things. From sporty gold to dressy, we examine what gold might have to do with this season's "in" watches. We further explore some of the dealer and watch market nuances and focus on whether some of these individual dealers are actually worth contacting. Many don't always know the stock they sell through-and-through, and some don't know much about watches in general, so is this watch market saturated with people who are just trying to make a buck on watch sales? We take a look at that. Join us next time as we explore whether the OMEGA Aqua Terra is a baby Piaget Polo and we explore the usual wristwatch buying/auction sites. Should be a fun episode as well!Follow us: @horologyrepublic | @psywarwristcheck | @timetrades | @sketchyboyzwatchclub | @roofkoreanactual

Zac and Larry sit down with special guests Yan from @yandretti and Mi Nam, co-founder and wrist enthusiast at large of the famed Sketchy Boyz Watch Club. Discussing pieces from Rado to Rolex, we talked with a fellow watch lovers about what makes a good collab. Is CW making pieces for everyone or is the Bel Canto a Magnum Opus? We took a look at what it meant to have pieces in the $1000 range on up. We also explored some of the non-hype brands and why it's worth checking out pieces that don't have household names on them, especially from more vintage eras. Editor's note here: Some of Yan's conversation seemed to be lost in the mix somewhere and unusable for this episode. While we're bummed that his contributions weren't ALL there in the final cut, we know he'll be back for more soon, so stay tuned! We also have to give a hearty shoutout to Mi Nam and his efforts in the Sketchy Boyz Watch Club. If you've spent any time around WoE (IYKYK), then you've heard about the the Sketch Connection with Breitling and other pieces. Mi Nam and his fellow founders have taken that in stride and created a group where fun stories are swapped, knowledge is dropped, and those who fancy a special timepiece gather around the proverbial campfire to discuss. Truly a fun space in the Facebook watch scene, we encourage everyone to at least try to get in and explore what they have to offer. Follow: @horologyrepublic | @psywarwristcheck | @yandretti | @sketchyboyzwatchclub | @roofkoreanactual

The regular crew shuffles in to talk about whether CW bringing more "high horology" concepts to the masses will work out in the long term or if it's just a jazzed up piece. Are they pushing the envelope of what's possible at lower pricing? Are they growing as a company? Is anyone even trying to make any money on these or is it just complaining all over the internet? We take a look and unpack whether these types of pieces are worth looking into and if they help create a legacy like more well-known brands do. We are looking at doing a bit of merch in the coming weeks. Patches that'll feature "Would Happen At Rolex" and even this episodes namesake will be created, sourced, made, and listed. Keep your eyes peeled for new stuff as we navigate the wide world of products that go along with the themes we talk about here.As always, give us a follow: @horologyrepublic @timetrades @psywarwristcheck @reidingtimewatches

Well, all the journalists have left Geneva for another year as Watches & Wonders 2025 comes to a close in the next day or so. We've covered all we wanted to address with this event's new releases so Brian and Zac pick their favorite release of the festival and share why they chose those pieces. What was your favorite roll-out? Was the Land-Dweller the big hit everyone may have thought it was or was it a flop? We also explore whether the 'traditional' case design debuting and new movement was the right choice or if, perhaps, Rolex could have picked something else to show off their engineering prowess with. We discuss and explore the idea that another line could soon benefit from the new and improved escapement while contemplating if this choice was simply Rolex sticking with tradition. Finally, we discussed a quick meetup in North Carolina soon. With the wonderful community in and around Fort Bragg, it may be the first stop of many for the Horology Republic crew. @horologyrepublic @timetrades @psywarwristcheck @reidingtimewatches Follow for more!

So now that the dust has effectively settled in Geneva, we explore whether the steam has run out for the show. Sure, all the people with appointments need to file through in the days after the big reveals, but we couldn't help but ponder if, by lunchtime on Wednesday, the bottom had dropped out. We also take a look at what the trade show really is and how it's evolved ever so slightly from the Baselworld days. Plus, with other watch shows peppering the calendar, does this give brands the flexibility to release some now and more later? Follow us @horologyrepublic @psywarwristcheck @timetrades @reidingtimewatches

Zac and Larry go over their Watches and Wonders 2025 Day 1 picks. What made the grade? Well, you'll have to listen and see. We're making a quick hit episode every night to chat about what goes on each day of Watches and Wonders starting with today! Some hot takes, some dark horses, some weird ideas, it's all here for you to enjoy and discover as we venture into the year's new releases from top brands and hidden gems alike. Follow us RIGHT NOW: @horologyrepublic & @psywarwristcheck

Tyler joins Zac and Brian this week to discuss a topic which comes across many of the areas we frequent: aftermarket straps. Do you go in on the cheap side? Shell out for the good stuff? Do you stick with brands you know or try something new? Do you even stray from OEM? We unpack this topic and explore some options for those folks who may not be quite sure how to choose an aftermarket strap. There are certainly enough choices to overwhelm most people who may in the market, so we provide a few tips on where to start, what to look for, and how to go about making a selection. Then, we tackle the topic which can either bring you in or keep you on the outside: Watch Meetups. Are they all fun and games? Have they become just a place for those with the fat wallets to flex their unobtanium? Is it worth bringing a brand in and creating an educational experience? Have these just gotten so far away from the networking and focus on the collector and their stories? We take a dive into the little experiences we have and the stories we've heard from those who frequent watch meetups to see where a better way forward could be created. Who knows, maybe you'll see quarterly Horology Republic watch meetups near you? The Instagram accounts to follow from this episode are: @horologyrepublic @watch.brian @reidingtimewatches and, as always, make sure you give each of those a look and a follow to see more or to reach out to us to suggest a topic and provide feedback. We love to hear from listeners and are always happy to answer questions. We're all on this watch journey together, so come on down and drop us a line!

The regular crew of Zac, Larry, and Brian unpack some good ways to get into watches for those who are looking for a place to begin. While one can start with the Casio and Timex offerings, the crew takes a look at a few other brands which one can use as the jumping off point to finally step into watches. As always, the conversation doesn't linger solely on one brand or one style but evolves as new points are brought up and other entry ways into the avocation are explored. Should you start at the bottom and gain all the "seasoning" and experience many of us have (including the same mistakes we've all made)? Or, should you skip the small talk and save for a truly special piece that's your end-goal as it is? We take a look and discuss what those options might look like for someone who simply isn't sure where to begin. Follow us on Instagram: @horologyrepublic @psywarwristcheck @watch.brian for more behind-the-scenes looks and to see what we're up to on the days we aren't recording wildly off-the-wall podcasts. And as always, let us know if you think we should cover a topic you've been kicking around your mind for a while.

The regular crew (Brian, Larry, and Zachary) sit down to talk about which watch they'd take on a quick winter getaway - whether to somewhere warm or to a ski trip. We also discuss a few...issues we've seen from some very prominent brands which continue to tell the watch enthusiasts that they offer an experience second to none. Perhaps this is true if you're into some drama with your timepiece? Maybe, maybe not. We explore how some specific anecdotes have shown that even the more respected brands don't always measure up on the quality front. Finally, we discuss how one might manage their expectations when dealing with the aforementioned issues. What brands offer a truly superior experience and how might that influence the other options which jockey for position and for our hard-earned cash. Join us as we explore a couple of fun topics this week. Fancy following us on Instagram? @horologyrepublic@watch.brian@psywarwristcheckAs always, we love to find new topics and discuss all things watches so if you have an idea you'd like us to cover or even might want to join us on a future episode, drop Zachary a line at zachary@horologyrepublic.com and let him know what you think you'd like to discuss!

The absolute legend, Al Armstrong, joins us for his debut podcast episode to discuss his nearly half century career in the watch industry.  He knows everyone who's anyone at all the brands you've heard of and even ones you've only dared to whisper.  We talk about his extensive knowledge of Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, IWC, Hublot and Jean-Claude Biver's marketing genius, and that is just the beginning.  Al knows more than we can fit into a single episode, so he's agreed to come back for a few episodes and give us the inside scoop of life as an AD and let us in on some of the fun little watch industry secrets the Swiss may or may not keep hush-hush.   He's seen it all, done it all, and still has the shovel from all the buried bones we'll be uncovering here and in subsequent episodes.  A true gem, his knowledge runs deeper than the Mariana Trench and he's graced us with his time to discuss a few of the things he's experienced throughout his storied career.   Brian is also back to listen from the master when it comes to watch dealing and getting to know not only your customers but also how these brands operate with all the nuance of the irrational number pi. He joins us to discover what Swiss watch industry secrets Al is ready to let us in on. Instagram accounts mentioned in this episode are: @horologyrepublic @watch.brian @armstrongrockwell #rolex #audemarspiguet #patekphilippe #hublot #biver #watches #watchindustry #horology #horologyrepublic