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Artwork for Openwork: Inside the Watch Industry

Openwork: Inside the Watch Industry

Collective Horology
Rolex
Watch Industry
Collective Horology
Watches
Watch Market
Patek Philippe
Hodinkee
Audemars Piguet
Omega
Tariffs
Geneva Watch Days
Watches Of Switzerland
LVMH
Watches and Wonders
Certified Pre-Owned Programs
Richemont
Watchmaking
Swiss Watch Industry
Independent Watch Brands
Watches and Wonders 2025

Openwork is a weekly podcast about how the watch industry actually works. An unfiltered look behind the scenes — no press releases, no hype, and no sponsored takes. Hosted by Asher Rapkin and Gabe Reilly, co-founders of Collective Horology. Available on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, YouTube Music, or wherever you get your podcasts.

PublishesWeeklyEpisodes102Founded3 years ago
Number of ListenersCategories
HobbiesBusinessLeisure

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Artwork for Openwork: Inside the Watch Industry

Latest Episodes

For our 100th episode, we’re covering the biggest watch industry story of the year. LVMH has announced that Zenith will suspend retail distribution and cut roughly 200 jobs, with plans to relaunch the brand in 2029, aimed at the $50,000-and-up segmen... more

Audemars Piguet is reportedly launching its own certified pre-owned program. This is the same brand that has spent years discouraging clients from reselling their watches. Gabe Reilly and Asher Rapkin of Collective Horology look at WatchPro’s reporti... more

YouTube

Openwork Episode 98 was recorded live at WatchTime New York in Gotham Hall, where Gabe Reilly and Blake Buettner of Collective Horology recap New York Watch Week 2026. They talk about how the week has grown from a mostly tri-state collector gathering... more

YouTube

Gabe and Asher break down one of the most successful marketing partnerships in watch history: Omega and James Bond. The story starts in the mid-’90s, when both franchises were trying to reboot. Omega was a struggling asset inside the Swatch Group, an... more

YouTube

Key Facts

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Recent Guests

Blake Buettner
Watch industry commentator and member of Collective Horology
Collective Horology
Episode: New York Watch Week 2026 – Has It Gotten Too Big? – Episode 98
Praneeth Raj Singh
CEO of Ming
Ming
Episode: MING's Very Big Year – And What Comes Next – Episode 94
Karel Bachand
Founder and CEO and Chief Engineer behind Barrelhand
Barrelhand
Episode: The Watch Switzerland Can't Make – Karel Bachand (Barrelhand) – Episode 89
Josh Shapiro
American independent watchmaker
JN Shapiro Watches
Episode: Bonus: Reviving the U.S. Watch Industry – Josh Shapiro (J.N. Shapiro) – Episode 41
Claude Greisler
Co-founder and master watchmaker at Armin Strom
Armin Strom
Episode: Bonus: The Watches of Armin Strom – Claude Greisler (Co-founder & Master Watchmaker) – Episode 86
Stephen Pulverin
Industry writer and Hodinkee contributor
Media/Watch journalism
Episode: Open House Recap – Inside LA's First and Only Independent Watch Show – Episode 84
Ariel Adams
Watch industry commentator and founder of a watch-focused outlet
Media/Watch journalism
Episode: Open House Recap – Inside LA's First and Only Independent Watch Show – Episode 84
Claude Grisler
Armin Strom brand owner/leader involved in hands-on testing
Armin Strom
Episode: Open House Recap – Inside LA's First and Only Independent Watch Show – Episode 84
Sylvain Berneron
Chief product officer at Breitling and founder of Berneron
Berneron
Episode: Embracing Risk & Managing Hype – Sylvain Berneron (Berneron) – Episode 57

Hosts

Gabe Reilly
Co-founder of Collective Horology and host on Openwork, focused on industry mechanics, retail, and brand strategy.
Asher Rapkin
Co-founder of Collective Horology and host on Openwork, known for unfiltered discussions and industry observations.

Reviews

4.7 out of 5 stars from 94 ratings
  • The real stuff

    Two watch insiders who are more than happy to reveal dirt, credit, and insights into the watch business. Today I learned…

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    CookDog
    United States23 days ago
  • My fave podcast

    My fave watch related podcast. Every detailed and well researched analysis and more importantly, a business/marketing-driven perspective you don’t often see in the watch industry. A must listen if you’re a watch geek.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Beernwatches
    United Statesa month ago
  • Funny, Relatable, Knowledgeable yet Unpretentious

    These guys are great, provide intelligent analysis and anecdotes, backed by data, enthusiasm and a rare perspective as people who operate as professional sellers in the industry. My only gripe is that they frequently interrupt (talk over) each other, and Gabe has atrocious pronunciation of foreign watch brand names. Still, small potatoes given how enjoyable this podcast is, and how much value they add to an otherwise crowded enthusiast space. These two are smart, articulate and insightful — ofte... more

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    DarkShadowMaus
    United Statesa month ago
  • Interesting, intelligent watch chat

    Only found this recently. One of the best watch podcasts around. So interesting to see the view from an independent watch seller’s perspective. Keep up the great work.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Plus2secsaday
    United Kingdoma month ago
  • Solid Horology Industry News

    Great news topics, in depth and strong interviews, business details, and their love of watches, watchmaking, and the industry is refreshing.

    Apple Podcasts
    5
    Binaryterror
    United States3 months ago

Listeners Say

Key themes from listener reviews, highlighting what works and what could be improved about the show.

Great industry insight from hosts who pull back the curtain on the luxury watch world.
Offers a fresh, business-focused perspective on a traditionally product-driven space.
Conversations are candid and practical, not just hype.

Chart Rankings

How this podcast ranks in the Apple Podcasts, Spotify and YouTube charts.

Apple Podcasts
#12
United States/Leisure/Hobbies
Apple Podcasts
#130
United States/Leisure
Apple Podcasts
#35
Canada/Leisure/Hobbies
Apple Podcasts
#39
United Kingdom/Leisure/Hobbies
Apple Podcasts
#146
Canada/Leisure
Apple Podcasts
#50
France/Leisure/Hobbies

Talking Points

Recent interactions between the hosts and their guests.

The Watch Switzerland Can't Make – Karel Bachand (Barrelhand) – Episode 89
Q: How do you view the movement choice for Monolith and the broader value of using a proven engine?
The goal is reliability and practicality for space; a proven movement provides a robust foundation, while where possible they upgrade for aerospace specs, maintaining an engineering-first approach over tradition for the sake of tradition.
The Watch Switzerland Can't Make – Karel Bachand (Barrelhand) – Episode 89
Q: Why take a decentralized, US-based manufacturing approach instead of sticking with traditional Swiss or Chinese hubs?
Because it allows control over every detail, avoids corner-cutting, and enables innovation with materials and processes unique to US suppliers; it also provides resilience and the ability to tailor components to exact aerospace-grade standards.
Embracing Risk & Managing Hype – Sylvain Berneron (Berneron) – Episode 57
Q: What advice do you have for those looking to take similar risks in their endeavors?
Sylvain advises to listen to your intuition and remain steadfast in your creative vision, emphasizing that the final judgment comes at the end of your work.
Embracing Risk & Managing Hype – Sylvain Berneron (Berneron) – Episode 57
Q: Did you ever explore seeking investment and how have you handled offers since achieving success?
Sylvain shares that initially, he did not seek investment, focusing instead on self-funding. He later experienced a change in perception, with more people showing interest in investing after his brand's success.
Embracing Risk & Managing Hype – Sylvain Berneron (Berneron) – Episode 57
Q: What were the risks that you had to take that maybe people wouldn't appreciate?
Sylvain explains that he founded his brand using his savings from his corporate career without outside investment, which posed significant risk as he could have lost it all.

Audience Metrics

Listeners, social reach, demographics and more for this podcast.

Listeners per Episode
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Frequently Asked Questions About Openwork: Inside the Watch Industry

What is Openwork: Inside the Watch Industry about and what kind of topics does it cover?

This program offers an unvarnished look at how the watch industry actually works, focusing on business strategy, manufacturing realities, retail dynamics, and brand narratives. Recent episodes explore tariffs, retail consolidation, and the power plays among major groups, as well as hands-on discussions with independent brands and industry insiders about American manufacturing, supply chains, and the technology behind modern watches. The show regularly treats topics like distribution, brand positioning, and the economics of independence, often with candid takes and practical takeaways for retailers, brands, and enthusiasts who want to understand what drives pricing, availability, and trend cycles. A notable strength is its willingness to cha... more

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Which podcasts are similar to Openwork: Inside the Watch Industry?

These podcasts share a similar audience with Openwork: Inside the Watch Industry:

1. The Worn & Wound Podcast
2. Fratello.com
3. HODINKEE Podcasts
4. The Grey Nato
5. The 1916 Company Podcast

How many episodes of Openwork: Inside the Watch Industry are there?

Openwork: Inside the Watch Industry launched 3 years ago and published 102 episodes to date. You can find more information about this podcast including rankings, audience demographics and engagement in our podcast database.

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What guests have appeared on Openwork: Inside the Watch Industry?

Recent guests on Openwork: Inside the Watch Industry include:

1. Blake Buettner
2. Praneeth Raj Singh
3. Karel Bachand
4. Josh Shapiro
5. Claude Greisler
6. Stephen Pulverin
7. Ariel Adams
8. Claude Grisler

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