The Business of Watches [46] What New York Watch Week's Unbridled Enthusiasm Says About The Market With Griffin Bartsch And TanTan Wang

This week on The Business of Watches we regroup and recount the events known as New York Watch Week. From INDIES.NYC, to the FHH Forum to WatchTime and Windup NYC, Griffin Bartsch and TanTan Wang hit the highs and lows of what is now considered the premier calendar week event in the U.S. watch world.

The U.S. market's rapid ascension to top dog among timepiece destinations is fully confirmed with more than CHF 4.3 billion worth of watches being imported from Switzerland in 2025, accounting for 17% of overall Swiss watch exports. It's an elevation driven by a surge in enthusiasm and interest in the post-pandemic era with publications like Hodinkee - started way back in 2008 - laying the groundwork for a new generation of watch enthusiast, collector, and buyer.

But is the growth sustainable and is the industry catering enough to American tastes and needs? Is the U.S. market strength a fleeting diversion or is it in it for the long haul? Hodinkee editors Andy, Griffin and TanTan weigh in on the products and activations conjured by some of the world's biggest watch brands in the largest market for luxury and premium timepieces. Who's getting it right and who's missing the boat? What should brands be doing to win the hearts and minds of the U.S. watch consumer in 2026 and beyond?

Show Notes:

0:48 New York Watch Week (Hodinkee Instagram)

1:04 WatchTime New York (website)

1:05 Windup Watch Fair New York (website)

1:07 INDIES.NYC (website)

1:20 TanTan Wang @tantantalum (Instagram)

1:21 Griffin Bartsch @cgriffinbartsch (Instagram)

1:37 NARO NYC (website)

2:38 Swiss Watch Exports To U.S. Surge In December Capping Volatile And Down Year For Industry (Hodinkee)

6:08 MB&F Lounge New York City (website)

9:35 Casa Panerai (NYC website)

10:31 Former Urban Outfitters Building In Williamsburg To Turning Into A New Members-Only Club (Greenpointers)

12:36 Gerald Genta Watches (website)

12:37 Daniel Roth (website)

14:24 Hands-On: G-SHOCK Reveals The MRG-D5000 "Blue Rose Project" In Sapphire (Hodinkee)

15:40 This episode is brought to you by Watches of Switzerland. Listeners get $200 off a first order of $1,000+ on full-price items with code HDKPOD-Holiday-200 (case-sensitive) at checkout. Shop here: (US only. Online only. Valid through 1/4/27, while supplies last, and subject to availability. Cannot be combined with other offers. Exclusions apply. See full terms at watchesofswitzerland.com.)

17:18 Introducing: Frederique Constant Manufacture Classic Perpetual Calendar Burgundy Limited Edition (Live Pics) (Hodinkee)

17:20 Introducing: The Redesigned Oris ProPilot Calibre 111 (Hodinkee)

18:15 IntroducingThe Urwerk UR-300 Time Quantum (Hodinkee)

19:54 Introducing: Ressence Type 10 DN "Dark Night" (Hodinkee)

21:20 Hands On Impressions Of The Tudor FXD GMT "Zulu Time" (Worn and Wound)

23:55 Blancpain Celebrates The 70th Anniversary Of The Ladybird Collection With The Mini "Lady B" Revival (Hodinkee)

25:19 Hands-OnThe Chopard L.U.C Time Traveler One Khaki (Hodinkee)

25:30 Introducing: Ming x Massena Lab 57.09 'Secret Honey' (Hodinkee)

26:41 Nicholas Bowman-Scargill, Founder And Chief Executive Officer Of Fears (Business of Watches Podcast)

29:06 Introducing: Stéphane Pierre Launches His Namesake Brand With The Impressive 'l'Impétrant' (Hodinkee)

29:11 Introducing: The Bradley Taylor Ardea (Hodinkee)

31:12 Dan Royter Watches (website)

31:25 FHH New York Watch Summit

40:16 A. Lange & Söhne Brings A Glimpse Of History to New York City - Photo Report (Hodinkee)

42:30 IntroducingThe Brew Metric Chrono Taxi (Hodinkee)

45:40 Windup Watchfair NYC (Sparkling PR Instagram)

48:09 Autodromo Group C Turbo Sport (Brand website)

51:05 Brew - Metric Chrono Taxi - (Brand Website )

51:04 Kenneth Lam of Arken Watches (StandardH Podcast Youtube)

54:50 Javits Center New York (website)

56:20 Why Is Everyone Waiting Hours for Frozen Yogurt? Why Am I? (New York Times)