Great interview! Just wish it was longer - I'd love to have heard more of William's views on the watch industry today, as well as his own collecting.
I also feel like the part of the conversartion that suck with me was the idea of people being interested in brands more than in watches. I've also seen this a lot, and I think it is linked to an important degree to 'bundling' culture and limited accessibility. In order to get a watch that is 'hard to get', people visit a brand's boutiques repeatedly and every so often buy what is available, to get a purchase history going. It's almost become a sport.
If people take their business to multiple brands, or to vintage or to the used market, they don't build up a purchase history. Therefore, I think, this phenomenon of 'single-brand collecting' develops. What's funny is that sometimes, those people don't even want to be collectors in the first place. They just want to get an allocation for model X.
re: Massena's views that small watches are difficult for people who are older to read time - i think that is just a polite excuse. my take is this: if you are an indie enthusiast, you will not be interested in small watches. if you are someone with a small wrist, you will not be interested in big watches. we belong to different planets and that's fine. what i really am heartened in the past 3-4 years is that enthusiasts are not seeking watches that are small for small's sake, but rather, watches being RIGHT-SIZED for one's wrist. and also because of more interest in vintage now, people are beginning to discover the proportions of vintage watches. meanwhile, the indie scene is very vibrant too, and we do have many people who loves XL/XXL watches because serious watchnerds want to see and enjoy the complications, movement, dials, all the visual feasts.... hence i don't think small is a "trend" or "fad"...it's just people becoming more discerning on what fits their style and know what they want.
Agree. Fam Al Hut is one example that really made their complications compact to woo the small-wristers. I do see indies taking feedback from collectors about size more seriously and acting on them fast enough.
Great conversation! Massena takes no prisoners! Love it! Also very interesting perspective on small watches.
Very much enjoyed this convo. Refreshing non circle jerk takes.
haha thank you!
I don’t understand Massena’s POR approach to this piece, especially when he sends emails to his customers announcing the watch and soliciting orders.
Great, Great interview Tony! Best hour of my week. This is exactly what I hoped for as an early supporter. Well done
PREZY PLAIN JANE
I need Ferg for every podcast intro
we need ferg on the pod
Great interview! Just wish it was longer - I'd love to have heard more of William's views on the watch industry today, as well as his own collecting.
I also feel like the part of the conversartion that suck with me was the idea of people being interested in brands more than in watches. I've also seen this a lot, and I think it is linked to an important degree to 'bundling' culture and limited accessibility. In order to get a watch that is 'hard to get', people visit a brand's boutiques repeatedly and every so often buy what is available, to get a purchase history going. It's almost become a sport.
If people take their business to multiple brands, or to vintage or to the used market, they don't build up a purchase history. Therefore, I think, this phenomenon of 'single-brand collecting' develops. What's funny is that sometimes, those people don't even want to be collectors in the first place. They just want to get an allocation for model X.
thanks! Yes i agree, it’s a logical result of some brands moving away from the AD retailer model and doing their own thing
re: Massena's views that small watches are difficult for people who are older to read time - i think that is just a polite excuse. my take is this: if you are an indie enthusiast, you will not be interested in small watches. if you are someone with a small wrist, you will not be interested in big watches. we belong to different planets and that's fine. what i really am heartened in the past 3-4 years is that enthusiasts are not seeking watches that are small for small's sake, but rather, watches being RIGHT-SIZED for one's wrist. and also because of more interest in vintage now, people are beginning to discover the proportions of vintage watches. meanwhile, the indie scene is very vibrant too, and we do have many people who loves XL/XXL watches because serious watchnerds want to see and enjoy the complications, movement, dials, all the visual feasts.... hence i don't think small is a "trend" or "fad"...it's just people becoming more discerning on what fits their style and know what they want.
Interesting points. I will say, I’m glad that some indies have started making more modest sizes for us with small wrists :)
Agree. Fam Al Hut is one example that really made their complications compact to woo the small-wristers. I do see indies taking feedback from collectors about size more seriously and acting on them fast enough.
I'm embarrassed to say I did not know how cool and interesting William Massena is! That was a great interview. Wow.
thanks for listening jim
Tony for 2026 GPHG academy
Great interview!
totally agree