In Part 2 of Collectability’s podcast with Hank Edelman, former President of Patek Philippe USA, we continue an extraordinary journey through six decades of watchmaking history, advertising, and brand storytelling.If you missed Part 1, be sure to watch or listen first (see link below) — it’s a treasure trove of Patek Philippe history and fascinating personal stories that set the stage for this conversation.No one is better placed to share how marketing Patek Philippe in America has evolved since the 1960s than Hank Edelman. In the Mad Men era, Hank Edelman had a front-row seat with the creative geniuses of the time. He recalls how brilliant advertising lines were crafted by legendary ad man Seth Tobias, who worked closely with Patek Philippe USA President Einar Buhl.During the 1980s, Patek Philippe launched its first international campaign, starring the Calatrava ref. 3919. Hank Edelman explains how this model was created and why it became a symbol of elegance and timeless design.He also shares the origins of one of the most recognisable and longest-running watch campaigns ever:"You never actually own a Patek Philippe. You merely take care of it for the next generation." Discover how the Generations campaign came to life and how it became an essential part of the brand’s identity.Today, Patek Philippe exhibitions are famous around the world, but many collectors may not realise these events started in the United States in the late 1960s. Hank Edelman recounts how these exhibitions introduced American audiences to exceptional timepieces and demonstrated what set Patek Philippe apart from every other watch brand. Even Warren Buffett became part of this rich history. In 1995, he held a white gold Calibre ’89, captured in a photograph with the caption: "The six billion dollar man holds the six million dollar watch," which was featured in newspapers across the country.In this episode, Hank Edelman and John Reardon look back at some of the most memorable ads and moments from Hank Edelman’s remarkable 60-plus-year career with Patek Philippe.Sit back and enjoy this rare glimpse behind the scenes of how Patek Philippe became one of the most respected names in fine watchmaking.
Listen to Part 1:
https://open.spotify.com/episode/4M3EWmgOAQY55PxFs3DTgq?si=yDCducfoSrqlbmkIPt-Vzw
Shop for your favorite watches at the Collectability Shop: https://collectability.com/shop/
Learn more about Collectability on our website: https://collectability.com
Follow us on Instagram for regular updates: https://www.instagram.com/collectabilityllc/
Listen, like and subscribe to the podcast on your favorite platform: https://linktr.ee/Collectability
Collectability is deeply honored to welcome one of the living legends of Patek Philippe, Hank Edelman. This is a two-part conversation with John Reardon. In Part 1, John and Hank discuss the commercial history of Patek Philippe in America covering many aspects of the business since the early 1960s through to today. If you think you understand Patek Philippe, you are about to learn more than you ever imagined listening to this podcast.
Hank Edelman is uniquely placed to speak about Patek Philippe in America having worked for the US distributer the Henri Stern Watch Agency, HSWA since he was a teenage messenger picking up repairs all over New York City. When he officially started his career in January 1961, little did he know that he would one day become president of Patek Philippe USA and lead it through exponential growth. His 60+ years career has witnessed many changes in the company, and he has worked with some of the most influential people in the watch industry including three generations of the Stern family: Henri Stern, Philippe Stern and current President, Thierry Stern.
Hank Edelman is the son of a Swiss watchmaker and was born in Geneva in 1941. In the late 1940s, his family emigrated from Switzerland and his father worked at HSWA as one of the highly skilled watchmakers in the service and repair workshop. As a young boy, he would eagerly visit his father’s office to watch various parades pass by on Fifth Avenue. It was from this early age that he got to know the then president of Patek Philippe, Henri Stern who watched him grow into an intelligent and capable young man. After completing his college degree, Henri Stern was happy to offer him a job. But, like everyone else who joined the company, he had to start at the bottom and learn every aspect of the business of making and selling Patek Philippe watches.
Today Hank is Chairman of HSWA and lives in New Jersey with his wife of 58 years and is a devoted father of three and grandfather of four. His years of coaching and refereeing soccer have changed places with the less rigorous sport of golf, but he remains a dedicated soccer fan and passionate supporter of the US national team.
Sit back and enjoy what promises to be an extremely informative journey through a fascinating time in Patek Philippe’s history.
Shop for your favorite watches at the Collectability Shop: https://collectability.com/shop/
Learn more about Collectability on our website: https://collectability.com
Follow us on Instagram for regular updates: https://www.instagram.com/collectabilityllc/
Listen, like and subscribe to the podcast on your favorite platform: https://linktr.ee/Collectability
For the first time, Collectability has produced a limited edition collaboration watch. In this podcast John Reardon and Stephane Cheikh, director of Dennison Watch, discuss the inside story of what inspired this special timepiece and how the shape and dial design reflect both the past and present. Available to purchase online until May 11 please see the Dennison website to learn more: https://dennisonwatch.com/products/collectability
Sit back, relax and enjoy this fun conversation between John Reardon and Fred Savage. Best known for his role as Kevin Arnold in the iconic US T.V. series ’The Wonder Years’ (1988-1993), Fred is also an accomplished director and producer. Perhaps not as well known is the fact that Fred has a serious interest in watch collecting and last year he launched Timepiece Grading Specialists (TGS) — a company dedicated to bringing more transparency to the vintage watch collecting world. In this entertaining podcast, Fred discusses his extraordinary career and why he decide to launchd TGS after an experience with an auction house that left him “crestfallen". Also, for the first time on the Collectability Podcast, John presents a selection of Patek Philippe watches, carefully selected to entice Fred into purchasing his very first Patek. To learn which are the five most important questions John likes to ask a potential buyer, and which watch catches Fred's eye, listen here and let us know which watch you would have selected.
Shop for your favorite watches at the Collectability Shop: https://collectability.com/shop/
Learn more about Collectability on our website: https://collectability.com
Follow us on Instagram for regular updates: https://www.instagram.com/collectabilityllc/
Listen, like and subscribe to the podcast on your favorite platform: https://linktr.ee/Collectability
As prices begin to surge and scholarship deepens, John Reardon and Tony Trainer discuss why the Patek Philippe ref. 3970 is becoming so important as a bridge between vintage and modern for collectors. Collectability is honored that Tony Trainer is now a contributor to our website and his first long-form article, A Collector’s Guide to the Patek Philippe Ref. 3970 has already made waves in the watch community. In this lively and informative podcast, John and Tony dive deep into the ref. 3970 article, explaining nuances and sharing new information about this intriguing perpetual calendar chronograph.
Tony Trainer has written some of the most insightful and interesting articles about the watch industry for leading platforms such as Hodinkee, GQ, Sotheby’s, Revolution and A Collected Man. Tony Trainer has recently launched his own newsletter, Unpolished which we highly recommend subscribing to as it contains must-read content that the watch world is not yet looking closely at.
To read Collectability’s Collector’s Guide to the Patek Philippe Ref. 3790 by Tony Traina please follow this link: https://collectability.com/learn/a-collectors-guide-to-the-patek-philippe-ref-3970-perpetual-calendar-chronograph/.
To subscribe to Tony Trainer’s newsletter Unpolished please follow this link: https://www.unpolishedwatches.com/
Shop for your favorite watches at the Collectability Shop: https://collectability.com/shop/
Learn more about Collectability on our website: https://collectability.com
Follow us on Instagram for regular updates: https://www.instagram.com/collectabilityllc/
Listen, like and subscribe to the podcast on your favorite platform: https://linktr.ee/Collectability
Big Ben is arguably one of the most iconic clocks in the world. Known for its distinctive chime, the great bell after which the clock is named, first rang out across London in 1859. Other than a brief time when the clock stopped in 1976, not even two World Wars have silenced the chime that tells the U.K. the correct time. However, in 2017 the legendary sound of Big Ben was silenced and a massive renovation of Westminster Tower took place. For five years, every part of the huge clock (excluding the massive bell) was disassembled and taken to workshops in the North West of England where it was restored by Keith Scobie Youngs and his team of clock experts at the Cumbria Clock Company. In this fascinating podcast, Collectability’s Tania Edwards learns what it was like to restore such an important clock and what makes other turret clocks, mostly found in church and public buildings, so unique and interesting in the world of horology.
Shop for your favorite watches at the Collectability Shop: https://collectability.com/shop/
Learn more about Collectability on our website: https://collectability.com
Follow us on Instagram for regular updates: https://www.instagram.com/collectabilityllc/
Listen, like and subscribe to the podcast on your favorite platform: https://linktr.ee/Collectability
In this podcast, Collectability founders John Reardon and Tania Edwards start a new tradition beginning the year with a conversation about all things Patek Philippe. They talk about their recent experience at the Original Miami Beach Antique Show, what they learned there from collectors old and new, and what these trends mean for vintage watch enthusiasts. They discuss the current Patek Philippe market and share their predictions for collecting in 2025. In addition, they share some secrets from their own careers working with Patek Philippe watches and what the year ahead holds for Collectability. Shop for your favorite watches at the Collectability Shop: https://collectability.com/shop/ Learn more about Collectability on our website: https://collectability.com Follow us on Instagram for regular updates: https://www.instagram.com/collectabilityllc/ Listen, like and subscribe to the podcast on your favorite platform: https://linktr.ee/Collectability
This is a must-listen-to podcast for both established and new watch collectors. John Reardon and Marc Berliner discuss the mistakes — and wins — they've made in the vintage and pre-owned watch collecting world. Marc gives a unique perspective based on his extensive experience as a collector for the past 25 years and shares his 10 Guidelines to buying and selling Patek Philippe watches, each of which are debated and discussed in detail with John.
Follow Collectability: Learn more about Collectability on our website: https://collectability.com Follow us on Instagram for regular updates: https://www.instagram.com/collectabilityllc Listen, like and subscribe to the podcast on your favorite platform: https://linktr.ee/Collectability
In part one of this two-part podcast, John Reardon and Marc Berliner dive deep into a discussion about how the watch community creates and consumes content -- notably around all things Patek Philippe. Marc Berliner's insight as a watch collector and professional from the world of entertainment is both unique and insightful. Marc is a veteran collector, buyer and seller of fine vintage timepieces, as well as a freelance writer for the watch and jewelry industry. Over the past 25 years, Marc estimates that he has brought and sold around 250 Patek Philippe wrist and pocket watches. His career in the entertainment industry spans over 30 years, beginning at the United Talent Agency in 1991. Today, he is an independent film and TV producer working on a slate of feature films and TV projects, while maintaining his passion for Patek Philippe vintage timepieces.
In this podcast, John Reardon and Tania Edwards welcome the newest member of the Collectability team – Kelly Yoch who has joined as Personal Curator. With Kelly on the team, this podcast is a great opportunity to update our listeners on Collectability and discuss where we see the future of Patek Philippe vintage and pre-owned watches. For almost 30 years, Kelly has had a highly respected career specializing in luxury watches, most notably Patek Philippe. During her time running the Patek Philippe Salon at Tiffany & Co., GQ magazine referred to Kelly as the “Gatekeeper of the Patek Philippe Tiffany Dial”. In this engaging conversation, we learn how Kelly became the trusted advisor to many of the world’s most important watch clients, and how her skills will enhance Collectability’s client service for both existing and new clients.
In this candid interview, veteran watch dealer Matthew Bain discusses how the watch industry and collecting has changed over the past 40 years. Matt shares many fascinating stories including the entrepreneurial way in which he started his career while at college in the 1980s, when he would enlist his friends to buy Swatch watches (purchases of which were limited per person at the time), that he would then sell to the Italians. Also inspired by his father who was a collector, Matt continued his passion buying and selling watches after college until one day someone offered him a Patek Philippe World Time ref. 2523 which he and his father purchased and the next day he left his job at a bank — and the rest is a fascinating history! Over the decades, Matt has brought and sold many important Patek Philippe watches, several of which can now be seen in the Patek Philippe Museum. Find out which vintage Patek Philippe watches Matt believes are undervalued and worth searching for by listening to this wide-ranging discussion with John Reardon.
Follow Collectability: Learn more about Collectability on our website: https://collectability.com Follow us on Instagram for regular updates: https://www.instagram.com/collectabilityllc Listen, like and subscribe to the podcast on your favorite platform: https://linktr.ee/Collectability
In part 2 of this podcast, James Lamdin and John Reardon dive deep into Patek Philippe watches. If you missed part 1, please listen – you won’t regret it! This candid and fun conversation starts with James answering the cliff-hangar question from part 1: “What is the most overlooked category for vintage Patek Philippe collecting?” James’s unexpected answer leads to an engaged and enlightening discussion about which Patek Philippe watches will become collector-darlings in the future. James reveals that his passion for Patek Philippe was ignited after visiting the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva when he became fascinated with pocket watches. This opened the world of Patek Philippe and from there he became entranced with watches from the 1970s, 1950s and then the whole catalog over the company’s 185-year-old history. As an interesting exercise, John shows James a Patek Philippe Catalog from 1985 and thumbing through, he realizes he is attracted to almost every piece!
To watch the video about the exhibition of the world’s largest collection of Patek Philippe Electronic Clocks that is referred to in this podcast please go to: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=hUCy-zvccdM
Follow Collectability: Learn more about Collectability on our website: https://collectability.com Follow us on Instagram for regular updates: https://www.instagram.com/collectabilityllc Listen, like and subscribe to the podcast on your favorite platform: https://linktr.ee/Collectability
Buckle up for an exciting ride as John Reardon and James Lamdin, founder of Analog:Shift discuss vintage watches, the future of auction houses and the watch industry. In Part 1, James shares how he started his horological journey and launched Analog:Shift in 2012. His goal was to change the way vintage watches were sold and his success led to Watches of Switzerland purchasing the company in 2020 leading to 25 in-store locations. Fearless in sharing his opinion, it’s always fun to listen to James Lamdin talk about the industry he loves.
Follow Collectability: Learn more about Collectability on our website: https://collectability.com Follow us on Instagram for regular updates: https://www.instagram.com/collectabilityllc Listen, like and subscribe to the podcast on your favorite platform: https://linktr.ee/Collectability
In part two of this podcast, Nick Manousos answers the question, "Will there ever be a thriving American watch industry again?" Nick addresses this question within the context of the history of American watch making, and looks to a very exciting future for USA watchmakers. As Executive Director of the Horological Society of New York (HSNY), Nick is leading one of the oldest watch associations in the world to fulfill its mission of advancing the art and science of horology through education. Because interest in watches has exploded over the last few years, HSNY offers a wonderful resource for people at all levels of enthusiasm. In this conversation with Tania Edwards, we take a fascinating journey from the beginning of watchmaking in the USA to today, and learn why supporting HSNY is important.
Follow Collectability: Learn more about Collectability on our website: https://collectability.com Follow us on Instagram for regular updates: https://www.instagram.com/collectabilityllc Listen, like and subscribe to the podcast on your favorite platform: https://linktr.ee/Collectability
Nicholas Manousos has had a fascinating journey from Silicon Valley to making silicon parts for watch movements, and now leads the Horological Society of New York. In this two-part conversation with Tania Edwards, we learn how Nick's passion for watchmaking has led him along a diverse path. After watchmaking school, he experimented with 3D printing for the watch industry and in this podcast he brought along his Tourbillion 1000% -- a perfect teaching tool for a complicated movement. Nick also believes in the resurgence of the American watch industry, so much so that he started making the most difficult part of a movement in the hope of getting attention for American watchmaking. He started Fireshouse Horology which manufactured silicon balance springs, an extremely specialist skill that only a few companies, mostly in Europe and Japan excel at. At the end of this podcast, Tania asks Nick a question that many people would like the answer to: "Will there ever be a thriving American watch industry again?"
Follow Collectability: Learn more about Collectability on our website: https://collectability.com Follow us on Instagram for regular updates: https://www.instagram.com/collectabilityllc Listen, like and subscribe to the podcast on your favorite platform: https://linktr.ee/Collectability
In part two of this incredible conversation, Dr. Peter Friess shares some secrets of the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva and explains why it represents such an important part of the company's DNA. Plus, we learn more about the strict criteria which must be met if a new piece is to be acquired for the museum. As someone who regularly studies and attends watch auctions, Dr. Friess reveals his vision for the ideal watch auction catalog. He also explains his view on the value proposition of pocket watches. Follow Collectability: Learn more about Collectability on our website: https://collectability.com Follow us on Instagram for regular updates: https://www.instagram.com/collectabilityllc Listen, like and subscribe to the podcast on your favorite platform: https://linktr.ee/Collectability
For anyone obsessed with Patek Philippe, Dr. Peter Friess has the dream job. As Director of the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva, each working day he goes to one of the greatest horological museums ever assembled and has the privilege to examine and hold some of the most important timepieces ever made. In this fascinating conversation with John Reardon, Peter Friess explains what it is like to be the curator of such an incredible collection and how, together with the owners, Philippe and Thierry Stern, they decide which additional timepieces to acquire for the collection. Dr. Friess also takes us on a virtual tour of the museum, stopping at each floor to identify some of the timepieces that must not be missed. We also hear some fun, anecdotal stories such as how it’s easy to identify which are the most popular watches to view by the wear of the carpet in front of the showcase. The Patek Philippe Museum provides two important functions: first, it offers visitors an unparalleled opportunity to see the history of portable timekeeping and secondly, it offers Patek Philippe watchmakers, engineers, and designers the opportunity to learn from history and build watches for the future. For any visitor fortunate to visit the Patek Philippe Museum the experience is unforgettable. In this podcast, listeners can come close to visiting with the personal guidance of the museum’s curator.
Learn more about Collectability on our website: https://collectability.com
Follow us on Instagram for regular updates: https://www.instagram.com/collectabil...
Listen, like and subscribe to the podcast on your favorite platform: https://linktr.ee/Collectability
Watch on Collectability YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zGYJ6hDYlPU
In part 2 of this fascinating and personal conversation, the concept of ‘what is time’ is discussed and William Andrewes shares his own profound definition. William also explains how he develops, designs, and makes his much sought-after sundials. Each sundial is a labor of love, individually designed for each client be they a family or an institution. Because of this, each sundial is a unique object, in part because each is made specifically for the location in which the sundial will be kept. William gives his recommendations for the best books to learn about Longitude and his favorite horological books which make great gifts to give this Holiday season, or any time of the year.
Learn more about Collectability on our website: https://collectability.com
Follow us on Instagram for regular updates: https://www.instagram.com/collectabil...
Listen, like and subscribe to the podcast on your favorite platform: https://linktr.ee/Collectability
Watch on Collectability YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=BC9noCRKLAU
In this fascinating podcast John Reardon speaks with his great friend, William Andrewes who is one of the world's leading horologists, a historian, clockmaker, inventor, artist, and sundial maker. Will's career in the watch world has been extraordinary. In this part 1 of a two-part podcast, Andrewes explains how he started as an apprentice with the legendary watchmaker George Daniels, first completing an unfinished clock by John Harrison who solved the problem of finding longitude at sea. Andrewes shares several anecdotes of his time with George Daniels giving us a rare insight to one of the world's greatest watchmakers. After teaching at Eton College and working at the Old Royal Observatory in Greenwich, Will Andrewes's career moved across the pond when Seth Atwood asked him to be curator of the then most important horological museum, the Time Museum in Rockford, IL. Andrewes shares charming stories about the Time Museum including how Seth Atwood managed to buy the most important Patek Philippe watch ever made, the Graves Supercomplication directly from Henry Graves's grandson. In part 2, Will Andrewes shares his own explanation as to 'What is time?' and why he has devoted the current chapter of his career to making sundials.
Learn more about Collectability on our website: https://collectability.com
Follow us on Instagram for regular updates: https://www.instagram.com/collectabil...
Listen, like and subscribe to the podcast on your favorite platform: https://linktr.ee/Collectability
Watch this podcast on Collectability YouTube:
In Part 2 of our conversation with Rebecca Ross, V.P., Head of Sale at Christie's Watch Department, Rebecca gives a specialist's explanation as to how auctions are assembled, curated and sold. We often take auctions for granted, yet a huge amount of work behind the scenes goes in to making an on-line, live or private sale. Since the rise in the number of online sales and new auction houses over the past few years, watch specialists are hunting for watches all year round. Rebecca shares some of her fascinating treasure hunt stories which have taken her around the world, including how finding a previously unknown Patek Philippe watch can be a life-changing experience for the owner. Rebecca also gives advice on how to become a watch specialist and her thoughts on future trends in watch collecting.
Learn more about Collectability on our website: https://collectability.com
Follow us on Instagram for regular updates: https://www.instagram.com/collectabil...
Listen, like and subscribe to the podcast on your favorite platform: https://linktr.ee/Collectability
Watch this podcast on Collectability YouTube:
Learn more about Christie's watch auctions: https://www.christies.com/departments/watches-and-wristwatches-60-1.aspx
