This will be a fairly short review because as of June 6, 2018, there are only 5 episodes of the brand new Love ‘N Watches podcast. The clever name of this horological podcast has a double meaning, which will become apparent later in the article. I am purposely adding this show prematurely to my list of the best horology and watch-collecting podcasts because the theme of the show is something that I generally support which is representing different points of view from all types of watch collectors. Like many of the other watch podcasts, this one has its own voice, or should I say voices.
Love ‘N Watches Podcast Studio. Photo: L’NW
@Ranchracer
@PerpetualGirl
Love N’ Watches Podcast is the “love child” of a watch obsessed married couple only known (so far) as RanchRacer (RR) and PerpetualGirl (PG). These aliases are not superheroes from Marvel’s Infinity War, but maybe they could be snuck into the next movie. Instead, the names are how the podcast hosts are known on Instagram, the best social network for watch geeks to see each other’s collections, wrist shots and the sickness that we all seem to share… aka watch collecting. Maybe one day their true identities and faces will be revealed, but for now, I know this much. Ranchracer is actually a writer for Wrist Watch Review and PerpetualGirl is a vocal advocate for women watch collectors.
What should you expect? The Love N’ Watches Podcast description seems intriguing enough: “Love ‘N Watches is a podcast for male…AND female watch lovers alike. Perpetual Girl and Ranch Racer are a watch crazy wife-and-husband team bringing you the latest in news, gossip, controversy, and anything else that matters in the world of watches.”
Matching watches of similar styles. Photo: L’NW
Love N’ Watches Podcast starts out as a personal love letter to watch collecting and an introduction to the hosts. RR and PG’s origin stories are similar to many obsessed watch collectors. They started out fairly “normal” with one watch early on, and then later fell down the rabbit hole to eventually own a variety of watches from different brands from across the spectrum.
No question that these two are a couple. Photo: L’NW
And if you are expecting the podcast to be just haute horology, you would be wrong. There is even mention of Invicta, which at first was like a “CODE BROWN! ABORT!” to my brain. I had to decide whether I was going to continue to listen, but then PerpetualGirl said: “love what you buy and buy what you love”. That resonated with me, and I instantly thought this is someone who is going to tell me what she thinks no matter if it goes against the grain of the watch forums or not. She is going to be authentic to herself and maybe, if I listen, I might learn something from another point of view. I’m not sure why I was so snobby at first. I guess that is just the way crusty collectors get… and that is not always a good thing. I have owned many Invictas during my early development of becoming a collector and I have no regrets. There is a time and place for everything I suppose.
Matching watches of the same brand. Photo: L’NW
It is important that there is a woman host on Love N’ Watches Podcast because this gender is under-represented in watch collecting circles. I have been to several watch collecting get-togethers and women represented about 5% of the participants. I’m not saying that is typical, but it seems to be common knowledge that watch collecting has generally been considered a dude’s game. I am not privy to industry sales figures to back that claim up, but a woman is a rare sight on the forums.
Spending time together is what it is all about. Photo: L’NW
A surprise inside. Photo: L’NW
Thankfully, people like PerpetualGirl and some other strong female representatives of the watch collecting community and watch media are trying to change the narrow focus of the industry. Old habits die slowly and arguably the watch industry might be guilty of sometimes bedazzling tiny quartz watches with jewels and selling them solely as fashion accessories for bloated prices.
PerpetualGirl brings up the fact that many of these watches targeted to women might be priced as mechanical watches, but do not have the pedigree inside of the watch to back up the MSRP. If you ever popped open an expensive watch to see a tiny quartz movement in a giant case, you might feel the same level of indignation as well. Why shouldn’t female watch collectors at least have the same options as men? That’s a very good question in this time of equality.
Big versus small, but linked through horology. Photo: L’NW
Another theme inherent in the podcast is how to exist as a watch collecting couple. Topics can include his & her’s watches, which are similar designs made to different physical sizes; watch sharing, which is when a man and a woman buy a watch that they both can wear; and watch gifting, which is a lifestyle of showing love through buying each other kick-ass watches to celebrate milestones like anniversaries or even as wedding presents.
Watches both can wear – Carl Brashear Chronograph and a Cartier Santos. Photo: L’NW
As a guy reading this, you might be thinking “what does this have to do with me?” Maybe nothing if you want to stay in your cave. However, the topics discussed might be helpful to people lucky enough to have an interested watch collecting partner. The old adage “couples that play together, stay together” might apply here. If you are a guy who wants to buy a woman a watch, you might realize that there are potentially more options that she may want or be interested beyond the blingy fashion watch.
Putting a new spin on GTGs (get-togethers). Photo: L’NW
If you are a woman, you might realize that you don’t necessarily have to take what the watch industry thinks you should wear. The world is open to trying vintage watches and smaller sized watches that are thankfully coming back into vogue. Maybe the days of the 46mm monsters are coming to an end…I’m not going to complain.Many of the smaller models can be worn comfortably by wrists of all sizes, male or female making them the perfect couple’s watch. Visitation terms may have to be negotiated though.
Love ‘N Watches Podcast Studio. Still secret identities… for now. Photo: L’NW
There are a few ways to listen to the Love N’ Watches Podcast. Subscribe for free on iTunes, SoundCloud, PlayerFM, Stitcher, Tune-In, Google Play or listen to it on the Love ‘N Watches blog, which contains images, show notes, and links to the watches discussed on the podcast. Follow PerpetualGirl, RanchRacer, and LoveNWatches on Instagram too. Give it a shot, and you might hear something you were not expecting. I’m looking forward to seeing where this podcast goes.
