Cameron Steiner is a Collector with a capital C. He kindly hosted me on his podcast, Collector’s Gene Radio, several weeks back, so this conversation was an effortless progression of our budding friendship. In a now-rare in-person recording, Cam and I discuss how he began collecting, why he collects, and some of the answers to some his own questions. Cameron has exceptional taste honed by his grandparents which he has extended to his own personal watch collection. Having spent a few minutes in h...
Sep 03, 2024•1 hr 5 min•Season 10Ep. 137
It’s fair to say the Porsche community is a robust and passionate one. Given my proclivity for the brand, I almost feel lucky there are so many great events which showcase the cars and today’s guest, Adam Kern, is in the mix. Checkeditout is a Chicago-based event showcasing Porsches for enthusiasts once a year, and I’m thrilled to say STANDARD H will have a booth at this year’s event happening August 24th. As for the backstory, and a bit more about Adam, here’s our conversation! Links: STANDARD ...
Aug 20, 2024•47 min•Season 10Ep. 136
You may be familiar with today’s guest, Bryan Braddy for a few different reasons: perhaps you heard the extended length Pit Stop last month where Bryan interviewed me, but you probably know him from his art which is under the label Bad Art Nice Watch. If you happened to be at the Grand Opening of the new IWC Boutique on Madison Avenue, perhaps you met Bryan there as he painted live. Regardless, you will quickly learn that Bryan is one the nicest guys in and around the watch world. He and I chat ...
Aug 06, 2024•1 hr 9 min•Season 9Ep. 135
In the watch world, you have huge brands, big brands, independent brands, small brands, and even micro brands. But today’s episode with Wes Kwok of Nodus Watches highlights some big moves. From starting with nothing, to reinvesting in his company with his partner, Cullen, only to begin producing parts for others, the journey has been no small task. Further, Wes and Nodus have led the charge for a new kind of watch show with Intersect, where the focus is to keep the crowds to a minimum while havi...
Jul 23, 2024•1 hr 16 min•Season 9Ep. 134
Neall Brick and I met through WindUp a couple years ago and immediately hit it off. He was shooting with a Q2 and I was selling a jacket he wanted. Funny how these things can happen. With very limited research, I quickly found out Neall and I had even more in common - namely a history working within the apparel industry, so I was excited to invite him on the show. In this conversation, we explore Neall’s watch journey and chat about how he became an instrumental part of Citizen Watches somewhat ...
Jul 09, 2024•1 hr 4 min•Season 9Ep. 133
I first learned about Katrina Vrakas through one of her pieces of jewelry worn by none other than her brother, Justin. I met him at my booth at WindUp Chicago nearly two years ago, and I find myself developing something with Katrina as we speak. Her jewelry is unlike most, which is why I’m drawn to it, and it was wonderful to learn more about her background, how & why she got into jewelry, as well as her history with watches. I found my world shrank further when she told me recently that she...
Jun 25, 2024•55 min•Season 9Ep. 132
Growing up in North Carolina, in order to be as enthused about snowboarding as I was living in Raleigh, one resorted to VHS & DVD’s to get stoked. Some of you may be very familiar with this approach and even perhaps with some of the production companies such as Standard Films and Mack Dawg Productions. Well, those were great, but it was a small crew which made up Robot Food that absolutely had me watching videos over and over and among that crew was Jussi Oksanen.Jussi was always one of a ha...
Jun 11, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 9Ep. 131
Mechanics. So many have the reputation that seamlessly dovetail into similar conversations about used car salesmen. Well, I can assure you today’s guest’s reputation precedes him, as I heard how amazing of a human Marco Gerace was prior to ever meeting him. Over the last several months, we began an Instagram DM dialogue, and have chatted at a few meetups where I took a chance on him coming on the pod. He obliged and here we are: me introducing one of the best-known Porsche mechanics in all of So...
May 27, 2024•1 hr 25 min•Season 9Ep. 130
This edition of Pit Stop welcomes Bryan from Bad Art Nice Watch. Bryan told me he wanted to interview me many moons ago. I told him I'd be more than happy to do it, and though it took several months, I'm glad we were able to make it happen. This interview took place only a day before posting and on the heels of his return from New York City where he was plucked to create some art at none other than the Grand Opening of the new IWC boutique on Madison Avenue. I hope you enjoy our conversation, an...
May 14, 2024•1 hr 28 min
John Reardon is someone I’ve long wanted to meet, and even though it’s often I meet people in person prior to hosting them on the show, there are certainly episodes with folks I’ve never met. John is such an incredibly friendly and approachable person that this didn’t feel like a first meeting - it’s one of those situations where you’ve followed someone’s content long enough to where you almost feel like you know them. Perhaps some of you know feel the same about John. He and I bounce around in ...
Apr 30, 2024•1 hr 23 min•Season 9Ep. 129
Wes Wynne and I met through mutual friends back in October in NYC. We share a lot of the same passions including cars, watches and music, so it was only natural that we’d hit it off.With the growing number of watch dealers, I was excited to host Wes, who launched Collectors Corner New York only a few years ago after a career in the music business, which I was unaware of. Today, Wes focuses on the best examples of the pieces he sells, so rest assured if you’re buying from him, he’s done a lot of ...
Apr 16, 2024•57 min•Season 9Ep. 128
Today, Blake Buettner returns to the show to chat watches, F1, and his new business, The Deep Track . I’m excited to share everything he has in store for his new project, the processes for his approach to writing and video, and we even delve into parenthood. Please enjoy my fun catch-up with Blake Buettner. STANDARD H https://standard-h.com/ @standardh_ The Deep Track https://thedeeptrack.com/ @thedeep_track @blake_buettner...
Apr 02, 2024•57 min•Season 9Ep. 127
Today I welcome Matt Hranek back to the podcast. You’ll know him primarily for his books, A Man and His Watch, A Man and His Car, perhaps you subscribe to his magazine, W M Brown…Chatting with Matt is the epitome of effortless as you’ll soon understand. We jump around, subject to subject, we chat style, travel, his latest book, A Man and His Kitchen, there’s some watch talk, and of course some car conversation as well. I hope you still enjoy it. Links: STANDARD H https://standard-h.com/ @standar...
Mar 19, 2024•1 hr 17 min•Season 9Ep. 126
Today’s episode is a bit of a special one for me. Not to sound trite, but my “watch journey” has involved a ton of trial and error. I feel like this is true for all of us. When asked about potential regrets, John Mayer famously said “the first 10 to 12 watches when you think you’re amassing a collection…” Though the numbers aren’t the exact same sentiment, buying and experiencing various straps can be a similar path.Well, allow me to do you all a favor and save you the time and money by simply r...
Mar 05, 2024•1 hr 2 min•Season 9Ep. 125
Paul Sweetenham and I first met in 2022 in New York City at wind up. We were introduced by former podcast guest Carter Mclean who told me how much of a car guy Paul was, so I was excited to chat. This conversation certainly ping-pongs back-and-forth between automotive talk and of course his watch brand, Farer. I was excited to also get Paul’s take on some Formula 1 news, only confirming Carter was right: Paul was an ideal candidate for this show, so I hope you enjoy it. Links: STANDARD H https:/...
Feb 20, 2024•1 hr 11 min•Season 9Ep. 124
Many of you listening have probably either heard of, or actually bought a watch strap from Strap Habit. I first connected with Nick Lehner, the brand’s one man band through Instagram and finally got some face time at WindUp this past Fall. Since then, we’ve chatted more about business and growth strategy only for me to then cut conversations short for reasons he’s on the show today.Nick’s one of the good ones. Thoughtful, honest, and not least of which supportive, and I can’t thank him enough fo...
Feb 06, 2024•1 hr 1 min•Season 123Ep. 9
It’s been a WHILE! Here’s what I’ve been up to, what I have in the works as well as the overall mindset as of late! Hope you enjoy it. Thanks for the time! STANDARD H https://standard-h.com/ @standardh_ @standardh_podcast
Jan 23, 2024•28 min
If there’s such thing as a player’s coach within the world of watches, it’s Adam Golden. He’s straight-forward, honest, and he can either chop it up with you or get straight to business, which I really appreciate. We chat about everything from his recent pieces bought to sell, his approach to selling them, and he’s very candid about his margins and processes which shouldn’t be taken for granted. This one went quick for me which is usually a tell-tale sign a conversation is engaging so I hope you...
Jan 09, 2024•1 hr 8 min•Season 9Ep. 122
Doug DeMuro needs very little introduction if any at all, and I was thrilled to host him on the show.We chat Countach ownership, the early days of his career, starting Cars & Bids, and I ask what his advice would be for collectors, what his favorite Quirks are, as well as a few of his interests not many know about.Please enjoy my conversation with Doug DeMuro. STANDARD H https://standard-h.com/ @standardh_ @standardh_podcast Doug DeMuro @DougDemuro @CarsAndBids...
Dec 26, 2023•59 min•Season 9Ep. 121
RT Custer started Vortic Watches right around the time I started STANDARD H, and the better part of the last decade has been an adventure for him to say the least. He started a company, was in a 6-year lawsuit with Swatch, had two kids, and then decided to start a second business alongside everything else. He’s been BUSY. Per usual, this conversation wanders and I wouldn’t have it any other way, so I hope you feel the same.
Dec 12, 2023•1 hr 32 min•Season 8Ep. 120
Spencer Reynolds is an artist I met at the US open of surfing in Huntington Beach, California, roughly 10 years ago. His art struck me by way of its trippy, surrealist approach to landscapes and ocean scenes.This conversation certainly took some turns I didn’t expect, including his time working in the wakeboarding industry, as well as some time, spent chatting about his meditation practice, and overall things in conjunction with mental health. I can’t thank Spencer enough for his candor, and wit...
Nov 28, 2023•1 hr 7 min•Season 8Ep. 119
Josh Shapiro and I met through an event with the guys from The Collective this past summer. We’d been exchanging emails about getting together for a while, but hadn’t yet met face to face, so it was a treat to meet him out and about as well as among some watches!Josh has a fascinating background in the educational system - he was a Principal, in fact - so he wasn’t exactly born into the Watch industry. However, as you’ll learn, he was kind of primed for it in his own way. Today, his company, J. ...
Nov 14, 2023•55 min•Season 8Ep. 118
Today’s guest has been on my short list for literally years at this point. He’s one of my favorite car journalists living today, and his cool, calm, and collected approach to enthusiasm is really unique in the automotive space. Of course I’m talking about Henry Catchpole.Henry and I have several mutual friends, notably the gentlemen over at The Grey Nato, while we also share a love for cycling and golf. Needless to say, Henry was primed for this podcast!I’m always excited to chat cars on here an...
Oct 31, 2023•1 hr 11 min•Season 8Ep. 117
Morgan King probably needs no introduction. He’s a double-wristing watch aficionado, affectionately known as a Magical Man of Mystery, a NY native and an LA resident…he’s also one of my favorite people to hang out with, full stop.I’m thrilled Morgan took the time to come on the show, because his energy is simply unmatched. STANDARD H https://standard-h.com/ @standardh_ @standardh_podcast Morgan King @morgan0714...
Oct 17, 2023•1 hr 16 min•Season 8Ep. 116
I first met Michael Pearson at a Bremont event in Los Angeles in 2018. Reacquainted in Chicago last year at WindUp, he now serves as the Global Director of Zodiac Watches, and man he’s crushing it. We start off with some sales and management chatter which weaves in and out of the entire conversation, really, and Mike shares the story of a horrific car accident that he was involved in which certainly gave him a new lease on life. We then discuss his time working on cruise ships and we later get i...
Oct 03, 2023•1 hr 13 min•Season 8Ep. 115
Needless to say my first WindUp was a fruitful trip for this podcast. I feel incredibly fortunate to have met so many wonderful people behind the companies exhibiting that we all love. Wyatt Gilmore is no exception. We had booths adjacent from one another, and though I had no idea our paths would cross, I’m certainly stoked they did. We saw one another again in San Francisco this Spring and I made sure to let him know I was interested in hosting him…thankfully he accepted. Grant Stone is his Mic...
Sep 19, 2023•59 min•Season 8Ep. 114
Carter McLean is a drummer I have followed for years online. When he walked past my booth at WindUp last year in NYC I had to introduce myself. We quickly started talking drums and watches and he even walked me over to the Farer booth to introduce me to Paul, a fellow car enthusiast. I was thrilled when Carter agreed to come on the podcast, and here we talk more about all of the above as well as drumming technique. Carter shares how John Mayer helped him secure a very special watch, and an incre...
Sep 05, 2023•1 hr 15 min•Season 8Ep. 113
Sharing thoughts, ideas, inspiration, travel, cars, watches, and anything else. This is Pit Stop. STANDARD H https://standard-h.com/ @standardh_ @standardh_podcast
Aug 22, 2023•14 min
Within the world of this podcast, most of you will know Gabe Reilly as co-founder of Collective Horology, the community of watch collectors and purveyors of some of the finest collaborative designs with some of the best watch brands of today. Gabe and I officially met last summer in Chicago at WindUp, and since Asher flew home to California before he and I did, I invited Gabe to dinner with some friends. We had a blast and a friendship was born. Gabe and I often exchange texts about baseball and...
Aug 07, 2023•1 hr 13 min•Season 8Ep. 112
Rob Caplan is just one of those people with a reputation you aspire to have. It’s one of those, “You know Rob Caplan? Yeah! Love Rob!!” kind of things. He’s great.Perhaps the most notable characteristics Rob possesses are his approachability and his sense of humor. He has a way of keeping things light, not making you feel like you’re an idiot all while dropping some serious knowledge.We met in person just before WindUp San Francisco when I dropped by somewhat as a Cold Call to introduce myself, ...
Jul 25, 2023•1 hr 6 min•Season 8Ep. 111
