The SJX Podcast

Episode 22 of the SJX Podcast examines complications in 2025, a banner year that saw major brands deliver ambitious and record-setting complications. Several anniversaries, including Vacheron Constantin's 270th and Audemars Piguet's 150th, resulted in inspired releases. Show notes:00:45 - Vacheron Constantin Solaria Ultra Grand Complication4:00 - A. Lange & Söhne Minute Repeater Perpetual6:15 - Blancpain Grande Double Sonnerie9:30 - Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak Chronograph RD#511:10 - Audemars Piguet Perpetual Calendar Cal. 713813:15 - Vacheron Constantin Impresses with the Métiers d’Art Tribute to the Quest of Time14:07 - Chopard L.U.C. Grand Strike Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 21 of the SJX Podcast reflects on independent watchmaking in 2025, a year that saw fewer genuinely new releases than expected. Many familiar names opted for variations on existing models rather than bold new directions, making the standout pieces all the more significant, including Urban Jürgensen's impressive relaunch under Kari Voutilainen, two exceptional time-only watches that proved there's still room for originality in a crowded field, and interesting calendars from Greubel Forsey, Konstantin Chaykin, and Berneron.Show notes:1:05 - Nelson's Victory Pocket Watch at Sotheby's3:30 - Francis Ford Coppola's F.P. Journe FFC Break US$10m at Phillips6:22 - Urban Jürgensen UJ-110:00 - Petermann Bédat Reference 182511:50 - Raúl Pagès RP213:15 - Ferdinand Berthoud Naissance d’une Montre 316:40 - Greubel Forsey QP Balancier17:50 - Konstantin Chaykin White Rabbit Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

Episode 20 of the SJX Podcast comes to you live from Dubai Watch Week 2025, which has just concluded. The event brought together many leading independent watchmakers, industry executives, and perhaps most importantly a big audience of collectors from around the world. The new venue in Burj Park brought a more sophisticated feel to the event, which was by far the largest in its history. SJX and Brandon share their quick reactions on the final day of the fair. Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

On episode 19 of the SJX Podcast, we unpack the news that Francis Ford Coppola is selling his personal F.P. Journe FFC prototype at Phillips in a few weeks (along with most of his other watches).We also discuss the legacy of F.P. Journe, which is coming into sharper focus ahead of the opening of his museum next year. The centrepiece of the museum is set to be the Breguet Sympathique no. 1, a landmark clock originally made by Mr Journe and re-acquired earlier this year for CHF5.51 million (equivalent to US$6.61 million at the time).Show Notes:3:00 - Phillips to Offer Francis Ford Coppola’s Personal F.P. Journe “FFC”5:10 - The Breguet Sympathique no. 1 made by François-Paul Journe12:10 - Cartier Portico Mystery Clock no. 3 Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.

For episode 18 of the SJX Podcast, we sit down with Sylvain Berneron, founder of one of the most talked about new brands of the past few years. Fresh off the launch of the brand's first complicated model, the Quantième Annuel, Mr Berneron breaks down what it takes to start a watch business and stay on pace to produce a new model every year.Show notes:00:45 - Fine art to industrial design03:35 - How to launch a watch brand07:40 - 10 employees means capacity for breadth and depth14:15 - A new movement every year; is this sustainable?17:00 - Gold rather than brass for the movements21:25 - Simple to complicated: the product progression at Berneron29:15 - The house style of movement finishing34:45 - Tiered pricing to reward collectors who take the biggest risk38:30 - Real-world impact of big auction results Hosted on Acast. See acast.com/privacy for more information.