 |
SuperlativeAuthor: Ariel Adams
This is Superlative: A Podcast about watches, the people behind them, and the worlds that inspire them. Spending time with great minds and interesting personalities from the watch community, while talking about things that matter for timepiece enthusiasts. Superlative is a talk show inspired podcast with weekly guests hosted by Ariel Adams, the Founder of aBlogtoWatch.com. Language: en Genres: Business Contact email: Get it Feed URL: Get it iTunes ID: Get it |
Listen Now...
Gabe Oppenheim On How History And Politics Shape The Watch Industry
Wednesday, 19 August, 2026
This week on Superlative, aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams is joined by author and journalist Gabe Oppenheim to discuss his book Borrowed Time and the complicated history behind the modern watch industry. Gabe explains how his research into intellectual property led him deep into the history of Swiss watchmaking, including the relationship between watch companies and the Swiss government, the decline of American watch manufacturing, and the origins of what consumers understand as “Swiss Made.” He and Ariel explore how politics, competition, and industry cooperation helped shape the watch world we know today.The conversation also turns to Chinese watchmaking and counterfeiting, the importance of independent watchmakers, and the information gap between luxury brands and consumers. Gabe argues that understanding where watches come from, how they are made, and who actually contributed to their creation can make collectors more informed without taking away from their appreciation of watches. Together Ariel and Gabe discuss looking beyond marketing, celebrity ambassadors, and prestige to better understand the history, mechanics, and people behind the products collectors love.Learn more about Gabe and his newest book:- Website - https://www.gabeoppenheim.com/ - Check out his book: Borrowed Time - https://a.co/d/02tvLSO0 SUPERLATIVE IS NOW ON YOUTUBE! To check out Superlative on Youtube as well as other ABTW content:- YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@ablogtowatch To check out the ABTW Shop where you can see our products inspired by our love of Horology:- Shop ABTW - https://store.ablogtowatch.com/To keep updated with everything Superlative, aBlogtoWatch Weekly, and aBlogtoWatch, check us out on:- Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ablogtowatch/- Twitter/X - https://twitter.com/ABLOGTOWATCH- Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review!Key Timestamps:[00:35] Introduction & Gabe Oppenheim’s Borrowed Time[02:31] Why We Justify Buying Watches[05:03] Watches, Happiness & The Watch Community[11:52] Borrowed Time, IP Theft & Swiss Watchmaking[13:52] Creators, Credit & Consumer Advocacy[24:14] How The Swiss Industry Gutted American Watchmaking[31:20] Rolex, Regulation & Swiss Protectionism[38:48] The Real Origins Of “Swiss Made”[41:42] The Quartz Crisis, USSR & Chinese Watchmaking[45:00] Is “Swiss Made” Worth The Premium?[46:11] Looking Beyond Luxury Watch Marketing[48:32] Why Independent Watchmakers Matter[56:11] Counterfeit Watches & Chinese Clone Movements[58:23] Longines, Anarchism & The Hidden Side Of Watch History[1:03:34] Where To Find Gabe Oppenheim & Borrowed Time
