How Watch Culture Has Changed — Wrist Check & Hodinkee Talk

At UBS House of Craft this past October, Hodinkee Deputy Editor Tim Jeffreys led a conversation and Senior Editor Mark Kauzlarich with Wrist Check Pod hosts Rashawn Smith and Perri Dash, reflecting on watchmaking in 2025. With the Icons of Time exhibition as the backdrop, the panel dug into what it actually means for a watch to be considered "iconic." Can a modern watch earn that status, or does time have to do the heavy lifting? The group debated whether icon status looks different in 2025, pointed out which pieces in the exhibition resonated most, and discussed how cultural relevance now plays as big a role as design or technical achievement. Throughout the conversation, the importance of community—especially in 2025—came up again and again. From there, the conversation widened to watchmaking itself—what's exciting right now, where innovation is really happening, and how brands are balancing nostalgia with forward momentum. The panel touched on recent releases, shifts in design language and technology, the growing influence of independent watchmaking, and how all of it fits alongside the continued dominance of major brands. The conversation closed with a surprise cameo from Ben Clymer, who asked the panel to name one watch they wished they could have included in the exhibition. Follow HODINKEE: https://www.instagram.com/hodinkee/​ See more videos on our site: https://www.hodinkee.com/videos​ Download our podcasts: https://www.hodinkee.com/podcasts​ And don't forget to