If you have not heard, Hodinkee Radio is a new (for 2018) podcast that brings all the serious watch journalism that you have come to expect from Ben Clymer and his gang of delightfully detail-oriented wristwatch writers. It should be no surprise that anything done by Hodinkee will be excellent with the right mix of nerdiness and panache, and dare I say gravitas. See… just listening to a few episodes of Hodinkee Radio will make you stretch for those 20-point Scrabble words!
I am pleased to see Hodinkee finally getting on the podcast format after experimenting with a few other formats like live YouTube videos. While I appreciated what they were trying to do there, podcasts are more versatile with the ability to listen on the go while not having to stair at a screen. In other words, podcasts are the perfect medium for a busy world where we all multitask.
Hodinkee.com
Hodinkee is the online (and now paper) watch magazine has been going like gangbusters for a while now becoming the closest thing to a household word outside of the world of watch collecting. They are often seen as authorities on what is hot and what is not for watch collectors. It could be argued that they are tastemakers celebrating the best of the best in watchmaking and also elevating brands that maybe weren’t so well known a few years ago (Universal Geneve, anyone?)
The rise of Hodinkee is a phenomenon that happened at the right time during the early internet watch boom. They were one of the first publications writing about watch collecting, auctions, the business and the art of watches. They cover it all with skill and textbook seriousness. On air, you will be hard pressed to hear a joke, but there are other podcasts like the Two Broke Watch Snobs if you want to accidentally snort coffee through your nose while listening.
Hodinkee Radio is a thoughtful conversation about the art and business of watchmaking including collecting, personal stories and other threads that drive each collector to make decisions on what to buy and what to sell. I would hate to have a debate with any of the staff because I would surely lose. These guys know their stuff and are often quoted by mainstream media as authorities. There have been a few times that the hosts go down a rabbit hole forgetting to mention brand names and talking in “pure model number,” the advanced verbal shorthand for watch collectors in too deep. This kind of talk can be a little too specific for a wider audience, but luckily it does not happen that often.
It has been said that you can often judge someone’s character by the company they keep. Hodinkee has long been a magnet for rock stars, athletes, mega-collectors, and celebrities. It is from this deep bench of talent that guests are “supplied” for Hodinkee Radio. I haven’t heard an episode yet that didn’t have a good story told by someone of interest. In fact, so many of the guests are happy to be on the Hodinkee Radio podcast to talk about their secret watch obsession that they might be just as excited as the hosts. You will meet designers, collectors, actors, and even watch making royalty like Philippe DuFour. If that does not make you tune in, then I am not sure what will.
Hodinkee Radio Podcast
Hodinkee Radio podcast is still in its inaugural season having only posted 11 episodes as of September 20, 2018. If you are not listening, then this is the perfect time to start. Consider it an audible companion to the excellently written watch reviews on Hodinkee.com and the beautiful video review on the Hodinkee YouTube Channel. You know you already love that other content so this is more of the same. Thank goodness that a bowtie and penny loafers are not required attire for listening.
I feel so strongly that you will like Hodinkee Radio, that this will be the shortest Horological PodCast Review that I have ever done. There is not too much more to say except to tune in and geek out. Hodinkee Radio Podcast is available on most major podcast sources such as iTunes, Stitcher or your own favorite podcast service. Or, listen directly on their website at https://www.hodinkee.com/podcast where each podcast is annotated with highlights.
