The SJX Podcast

Jérôme Biard is good at keeping secrets. As chief executive of Roventa-Henex — a leading white label maker of Swiss watches — he needs to be. For episode 42 of the SJX Podcast, we visited Mr Biard at the company's secretive manufacture in the sleepy Swiss village of Tavannes.

The discussion covers the emergence of the 'micro-brand' (including whether that term is still relevant), the factors facing the Swiss watch industry today, the role suppliers play in shaping trends, and what it takes to start a watch company.
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Tiffany & Co. is one of the only major jewellers without a significant watchmaking programme. Episode 41 of the SJX Podcast examines the brand's past, present, and future under the leadership of Nicolas Beau, who is credited with building Chanel's watch business into what it is today.

When it comes to watches, Tiffany & Co. is potentially a diamond in the rough — it's a uniquely American luxury brand with enviable cultural recognition. The brand also has a global boutique network giving it immediate access to all major markets, which could accelerate its trajectory with the right product mix.

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For the 40th episode of the SJX Podcast, we sat down with Rexhep Rexhepi in Geneva to learn more about his latest watch — the RRCHF Chronograph Flyback. Rexhep explains why he wanted to make a chronograph, and how the self-imposed constraint of a symmetrical layout resulted in a more refined overall construction.

He also discusses the RRCHF's in-house escapement, and the trade-offs that were considered in its development.
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The spring auction seasons gets underway in Geneva in just a few days. On episode 39 of the SJX Podcast, we look at some of the top lots that caught our attention at Phillips, Christie's Sotheby's, and Antiquorum.

Auction dates (in order):

Phillips: May 9 & 10
Antiquorum: May 9 & 10
Sotheby's: May 10
Christie's: May 11 & 12

Show notes:

1:00: Patek Philippe Worldtime ref. 2523
1:20: Akrivia AK-06
1:45: Charles Frodsham pocket watch for J.P. Morgan partner Thomas Lamont
2:55: Victor Kullberg tourbillon pocket watch
3:25: Paul Ditisheim tourbillon pocket watch
4:45: Patek Philippe dual time pocket watch with Turkish dial
5:53: Audemars Piguet single-button chronograph wristwatch
7:15: School watch from Geneva Watchmaking School
7:47: Patek Philippe ref. 425 for Asprey
8:55: Audemars Piguet observatory dial
9:05: Rolex Submariner white gold prototype
10:20: Patek Philippe Nautilus ref. 3700 diamond-set
11:30: A. Lange & Söhne grand complication pocket watch
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During Watches & Wonders, all eyes are usually on the major brands exhibiting inside the cavernous Palexpo. Episode 38 of the SJX Podcast rounds up the highlights from the smaller fairs like Time to Watches, and the independents exhibiting on their own around town.

Among the standouts were Mathieu Cleguer, who debuted a novel escapement of his own design, Dominique Renaud who launched a high-amplitude 1 Hz balance, and Franc Vila, who seems to be entering a new era of creativity.

Show notes:

1:12: Konstantin Chaykin ThinKing Mystery
2:45: Anton Suhanov Flamingo
4:20: Dominique Renaud Pulse 60
7:20: Cleguer Horology Inspiration One
9:15: Niton Prima
12:00: Franc Vila FVF2
14:30: Sylvain Pinaud Tourbillon
15:00: Marco Lang Seven Spheres
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