What happens when the author of a best selling book about the craft of watchmaking, 100+ No BS Watch Tips, decides to create a companion podcast? Well, you might end up with something like The No BS Watchmaking Show podcast. This podcast is a fairly new addition to the expanding universe of the best watch collecting and horological podcasts. This podcast covers new ground for watch collectors and also for aspiring and working watchmakers. In a way, you could say that the information that the host, Anthony L., shares is intended for multiple audiences.
The iTunes description of the show is “Straight-shooting, short, and fun insider info on watches, watchmaking, and the watch industry.” Yep, I would say that is accurate.
Starting with the length of the shows, most of them can be heard in under 10 minutes. Anthony takes a single subject per episode and explores it, giving his unique insight from a professional watchmaker’s perspective. It is usually just Anthony telling you what he thinks and why it is important. Being a working watchmaker, his podcasts usually cover service-related topics or questions that he hears repeatedly from his customers. Because he is talking to both consumers and also other watchmakers, the answers can discuss both sides. Typical episodes might cover “Should you polish your watch”, “How often do I service my watch?” or “What are the fundamentals for oiling a watch?”
Anthony L.
Anthony offers valuable details that are not easily discovered outside of the watchmaking craft. As a watchmaker, he is “talking shop” to others in the industry on best practices, how to become a watchmaker and how efficiency can affect your profitability. At the same time, he is also educating mechanical watch owners so that we know what to expect when it is time for us to service our watches… and they WILL need service eventually. The No BS Watchmaking Show podcast tells you why.
The host of the podcast, Anthony L., is a little bit of a mysterious character. You’ll notice that his last name is abbreviated. Does this mean that he is keeping his identity secret? Visiting his companion website at www.nobswatchmaker.com also shows a hidden identity with a blurry photo. There might be several reasons for this, but a lack of integrity is not one of them. Anthony L. has a philosophy in watchmaking that is not always popular with other watchmakers and that is an educated consumer is preferable to an ignorant consumer. Anthony L. believes in telling his clients the straight-poop. There is no subterfuge or obscuring of the truth. He just tells it like it is, even if his colleagues don’t like him sharing industry secrets.
And when speaking to aspiring watchmakers in the audience, Anthony L. does not sugarcoat that the trade can be challenging, certain clients can be annoying and that watchmakers are often in the background, rarely to be seen. To do this job can be tough, and it’s not for everybody. I believe that Anthony L. is trying to educate and inspire the next generation of watchmakers. You could say that without people willing to do watch repairs, all of us watch collectors could be in serious trouble in the future.
What makes Anthony L. and The No BS Watchmaking Show podcast worth your time is that he is someone who is willing to take the time to explain watch servicing issues and practices who does not want anything from you. In other words, Anthony L. can offer advice as a third party watchmaker (who has been working on watches since the age of 12) and not one who might be trying to sell you services on your watch. He has no vested interest except to share his knowledge. If you want to buy his book on Amazon, that would not hurt, but he does not push it.
No BS Watchmaking Show podcast by Anthony L., the No Bullshit Watchmaker
Overall, The No BS Watchmaking Show podcast is a fast way to learn facts about the secretive world of watchmaking. As Anthony said, it’s not all rainbows. At least you can start to get a better handle on what these fine watchmakers do and what to expect the next time you need your watch fixed. You can subscribe for free on Apple iTunes at The No BS Watchmaking Show podcast.
Hey Andrew,
Thank you so much for this wonderfully written podcast review! Very well said.