Unpolished Watches
Unpolished Watches
Independent Watch Design with Toledano and Chan
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Independent Watch Design with Toledano and Chan

In conversation with Phil Toledano and Alfred Chan

View full show notes here.

This week, I’m joined by Alfred Chan and Phil Toledano of Toledano & Chan. They’ve just announced their latest release, the b1.3r, an updated take on their brutalist integrated bracelet watch. Alfred is a talented watch designer, and Phil is an inscrutable artist and collector.

We talk about that their latest release, but also: manufacturing in China vs. Switzerland (their first releases were made in China, while the b1.3r is made in Switzerland); stone dials and the state of the microbrand space; making an asymmetrical crystal; the best watches they bought in 2025; marketing, TikTok, brand ambassadors, and Timothee Chalamet; making something that’s intentionally divisive; why their costs $10,000 (!); and what’s next for Toledano & Chan.

The case and bracelet of the b1.3r is now in titanium, and it’s been slightly shrunk down compared to previous releases. The main feature of this watch is the solid-gold “ripple” dial, meant to look like ripples on the water (very Grand Seiko).

For more, visit Toledano & Chan or find them on Instagram.

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Below: The new Toledano & Chan b1.3r, and the massive “soup bowl” Phil talks about at the start of the episode.


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