The SJX Podcast

Seiko is on something of a resurgence, aiming to take back its reputation as a value leader after the emergence, over the past decade, of increasingly competitive micro-brands. On episode 33 of the SJX Podcast, SJX and Brandon discuss the King Seiko Vanac, now available in titanium, and the Marinemaster, which has been transformed through a number of incremental upgrades.

The discussion then turns to some other affordable new releases from Orient Star, Raketa, and Christopher Ward, which just launched an in-house 'flyer' GMT calibre with a five-day power reserve.

Show notes:

00:35: King Seiko Vanac Titanium
3:30: Seiko Marinemaster
8:00: Orient Star M45
11:10: Raketa Baikonur
12:20: Christopher Ward Sealander True GMT
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Watches & Wonders is less than a month away, so for episode 32 of the SJX Podcast we're talking about what we'd want to see from some of the major brands like Patek Philippe, Grand Seiko, and Tudor. It's always difficult to make predictions, and the best releases from every year are usually a surprise, but Andrew put together a few picks that we believe would be crowd-pleasers, were they to be made.

SJX and Brandon also discuss the latest minute repeater from Girard-Perregaux, and SJX's own collaboration with Habring²: the Chrono-Felix Medicus chronograph.

Show notes:

1:00: Patek Philippe
3:00: Grand Seiko
4:20: Tudor
7:30: Girard-Perregaux Minute Repeater Flying Bridges
11:30: Habring² x SJX Chrono-Felix Medicus
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 31 of the SJX Podcast digs into two major industry reports — one from Vontobel on the primary market and one from EveryWatch on the secondary — and what they reveal about where value is concentrating in the watch industry. SJX and Brandon discuss the K-shaped nature of the market, the dominance of F.P. Journe among independents, and Cartier's remarkable ability to sell across every price tier.

The discussion also touches on the role of emotion in driving purchase decisions, the financialisation of the hobby, and why market reports have limited utility for collectors.

Show notes:

00:30: K-shaped market dynamics — Vontobel and EveryWatch reports
3:00: F.P. Journe dominance among independents
4:00: Cartier's unique market position
10:00: Emotion vs. financialisation
14:00: Marteau & Co.
16:00: Phillips
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On episode 30 of the SJX Podcast, SJX and Brandon discuss to what extent the latest crop of jump hour watches constitutes a trend. In just the first six weeks of 2026, several new jump hour models have been released, including a new collection from Audemars Piguet and the relaunch of the Niton brand, which is discussed in detail. Even the Louis Vuitton Convergence also fits into this trend aesthetically, despite being a dragging hours construction.

SJX also provides context on the leading jump hour watches in the industry and shares views on whether reliability still matters in today's market.

Show notes:

1:30: Niton Prima
5:30: Louis Vuitton Tambour Convergence
8:45: Berneron Quantième Annuel
11:30: A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk
12:10: Lange Zeitwerk, F.P. Journe Vagabondage III, and Harry Winston Opus 3
13:10: How important is reliability?
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

SJX has just returned from the Tokyo launch of Louis Vuitton's third independent watchmaking collaboration, this time with De Bethune. Episode 29 of the SJX Podcast covers what it means for both brands, and unpacks the details of both the GMT Louis Varius wristwatch and the monumental Sympathique clock that it can be paired with.

Brandon and SJX also provide hands-on analysis of the Escale Worldtime and Daniel Roth Extra Plat Skeleton that debuted during LVMH Watch Week in January.

Show notes:

00:30: Louis Varius Sympathique Clock
12:30: Louis Vuitton Escale Worldtime
14:40: Louis Vuitton Escale Worldtime Flying Tourbillon
15:30: Louis Vuitton Escale Twin Zone
17:30: Daniel Roth Extra Plat Skeleton
Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.