Your watch questions answered: 25.000 subscriber Q&A 

The most articulate watch youtuber. Congrats on the 25k!

I don't understand the enjoyment ppl get from Nico. I enjoyed his first 2 tierlists, but at this point, all I can see from him is calculated provocation and teasing to fish for virality and attention of famous ppl on the internet. He saw what works with influencers and "experts" on the internet when it comes to other sectors of lifestyle matters/- commodities and has brought it to the watch world. I mean, I can't say it doesn't work, I'm just stunned ppl don't get tired of him

To give an idea of how much I value your work: I never watch your videos on PC, phone or tablet. I sit on my armachair and watch you on my large screen as I do for movies or good series. That's you and TGV only. Let me differ on a minor point. Quartz and other non mechanicals can be nostalgic and reminders of simple times too. I personally am fascinated by electrostatic and electric movements like Accutron ones. If I want to reconnect with my teenage years, all I need is an F91W or similar simple digital watch. Quartz has no planned obsolescence, and can last for a long time like my father's piece that I now treasure as much as his mechanical ones. Congratulations, your channel deserves to grow more and more.

I love your videos just the way they are. Frankly, I don't even think you need a B-roll -- I just want to hear you talk about watches and watch brands.

Your last point is the most articulate thing I have heard about why to where a nice watch. It also tells us the one thing we can never get back and to use it wisely. Watching your channel and the insights you share is always time well spent. Thank-you Mike and congratulations on 25k!

Thank you for taking the time to make quality content (that we get for free). The ecomics of being a You Tuber. Most of us have no idea if the time, cost, and mental commitment to content creation. As a recreational artist, creating something “of value” brings me reward. Si thank you for making those sacrifices so folks like me can spend time with you each week. I enjoy your “voice” and being genuine. You being you. I do wish there was a way to thank you but “virtually” buying you a beer or a coffee or dinner… it is nice to thank folks more meaningfully. All the best! Doug

25k QA and it’s almost 30k! Happy to follow your success

Congratulations! I find you to be articulate and sense your honesty and knowledge.

Congratulations!! So well deserved!! This is no surprise to me…..you are head and shoulders above the rest!

Congrats on 25k & may you reach many more. I enjoy that you not only articulate precisely what you think about the intricacies of the hobby, but do it in a way which encourages others to expand their thinking in a similar way. I don’t always remember to click the upvote on every RU-vid video I follow, but for some reason I do with your channel. Remember, read, acknowledge, and heart-favorite. Cheers!

I look foward each weekend to sit down & watch your videos . I learn so much & thanks very much

Congrats on the subscriber milestone.❤ I've thoroughly enjoyed your content these past couple years. You played a part in me purchasing the Cartier Santos Large in white. It's been 6 months and I'm still in love with it, like the very first day. Wishing you many years of success and happiness. Cheers! ❤😊

I didn’t care about watches when I was using them as tools that were given to me by my Air National Guard unit to use while flying C-130 missions. I used them until I broke them and asked for another. Now that I fly a desk more than an airplane I have fallen into the watch enthusiast rabbit hole. Much like your friend, it is a special event every morning when I put on my mechanical watch. I believe that as the world around us becomes more and more digital and screen based, the mechanical watch’s enchanting charm increases. I don’t need another screen to look at on my wrist.

From day one you have been a breath of fresh air: both eloquent and intelligent. I deeply enjoy what you bring to the world. Thanks you for the time and effort you invest to share your thoughts. It is greatly appreciated.

Way to go, Mike! Best watch channel on YT hands down. Thanks for doing this! Mike

Congrats, Mike! The growth of your channel is no surprise, given the thoughtful and engaging content! ❤😊

I find your video extremely informative while being interesting at the same time. I really appreciate the intellectual level you bring to this topic. Thanks for the good work.

Baie geluk Mike, you continue to surpass yourself with each consecutive vid. Great stuff. I like a mix of data 80%, entertainment 5%, and the rest insight. I only watch three watch vids per week now. Yours is one of the three. Thank you for your time and effort. Soon, you will hit 30,000. Bis Spater, Chris

Glad you mentioned sameness of many 'mid tier' brands. My BB58 set a benchmark (value, quality, looks) and I find very little sparks my interest either below or within a reasonable range above. Some watches I like for example the Santos, Aquaterra and could afford it but I don't feel against the BB 58, they represent value for money.

Excellent job with the channel. You are one of my go to channels due to your analytical approach and serious delivery.

Congrats again, and I really enjoyed all of the questions and answers. You make even what could be an utterly prosaic question into something of interest.

Congrats on the 25K subs. You will hit 50k before you know it. I appreciate your content. In regards to trusting watch topic hosts on RU-vid, I have one piece of advice: Never buy a watch because it's iconic, a classic, historically relevant, the new hot thing, etc. ONLY BUY WHAT YOU LIKE!!!

Fantastic video. You are hands down the best we’ve got these days. Thanks for your work making such enjoyable, interesting content! I always look forward to it.

I really, really dig your vibe, man. I didn't think it was possible to have a watch channel with exactly ZERO pretentiousness but you pull it off with aplomb. Please keep it coming. I could listen to you talk watches for days on end. Thank you.

I recently got into watches and stumbled upon your channel. I'm thoroughly enjoying your videos. Your last comment/story got me in the feels. Keep up the good work.

Congratulations…a meteoric ascent! Keep up the varied, high quality content.

what a fantastic video, my fav watch content on YT. No BS, straight to facts, data and grit

Congrats! It is a pleasure to listen to your comments; the most coherent & honest description of the hobby of watches.

The problem with 99% of watch "influencers" is that they dont give you any context on the watch. They all just spew their own opinions on a watch and move on, Nico infamously comes to mind. They are alot more akin to sports "hot take" personalities then credible reviewers. And the problem is these watch influencers are everywhere on social media. Very very few actually give you the history of that watch or brand. Or break down the movement inside or the thought process of the design. You are one of the few that do and I value that. At the end of the day, its about whatever watch makes you happy and you enjoy wearing. I have bought many watches that these "influencers" hate and I have loved them.

The wisdom shared on this channel is priceless. You answered several questions that I have been pondering about. I've often thought that there's a limited number of watches for me (think 3-piece collection). But that's just not realistic considering my interest in watches. Thanks for letting us all cut ourselves some slack.

I absolutely love your comment about nobody dictates what should be on your book shelf. Any troll commenting on the background of your video should be ignored, they are sad. The Mondaine clock, multiple flashy belongings in the background is for others, I like your style. Smart, and articulate...

Congrats on the 25K. This channel is destined to be number 1.

Great content!! You actually are brutally honest in your answers. Finally a non- biased watch expert.

Congratulations on the 25k. Your content is always amazing.

All the best Mike-have a great weekend 😎! Congrats 🍾 btw

Your channel has not only provided more insight and helped me make better decisions around watches, but to improve my vocabulary and critical thinking skills. Wonderful content!

Congratulations Mike, thoroughly deserved!

You sir, are a joy to watch and listen to. The antithesis to Nico. I enjoyed watching him for a brief period and then became bored and irritated by the showmanship. You have never disappointed and I doubt you ever will. Congratulations on a well deserved milestone.

Another great video and love the hand motions for the 3/4 plate and rotor. I could totally imagine some standard ETA movement in my head when you did it haha!

One suggestion i wish you consider seriously which builds on your clear strength which is the ability to articulate your opinions and your ability to create a solid opinion on watch related subjects , my idea is to become the no.1 Q&A channel in that space that will really help watch enthusiasts specifically new comers to the hobby, anyway congratulations on the new milestone.

The funny thing is that the #1 function of the Apple Watch isn't even telling time, it's the button that lets people locate where they left their iPhone. Why do I wear a mechanical watch? Because every day, I log into my computer, read emails, spend eight hours fiddling around with Excel spreadsheets, then to relax in the evening, I will read on my eBook reader, stream something, or play a game on my PC. I know this is entirely something that exists only in my own head, but I find something comforting in having something analogue, made entirely of gears and springs, on my wrist. It does one thing, and does it well, without an internet connection. It recharges when I wear it, and not when I put it down.

I do love my Seiko. The one I had when I was 12 still works today, and I've bought two more in the last couple years without hesitation. Good price points and honestly, I've never had any problems with them.

Mike you are almost at 30,000. I think you are clearly doing something right.

Here we go! Thank you for answering my question Mike! I hope you still get to enjoy your South African heritage from time to time even though you are far away from your home. You changed the picture in the back from a jet to a biplane! It looks great! Seiko is loved because we all had one when we were younger. They have however priced themselves into a higher bracket and they rely heavily on brand heritage. When you see what you get for what you pay most Seiko's are a hard sell for me. Everything that's worth buying is also a limited edition and that sucks. If everything is limited, nothing is. Sorry got off on a tangent there haha! Awesome questions and great answers!

Simply brilliant, glad to discover your channel. It’s really nice to see a fellow south African doing something far better than most competitors in a such a specialist field . Nice one

Well worth the subscriber numbers, my favourite watch RU-vidr...keep up the good work!

Really enjoyed this longer Q&A, thanks Mike!

I don’t know how your channel popped up in my feed because my typical channels cover music, books, math, and naturalist topics but what a great addition. Since I subscribed I see vids pushed from the other yt watch channels and I’ve not made it through one. Urban Gentry seems well done but something is off with the pacing. Your videos have a good pace, feel conversational and informative. I’m now looking at watches and why I like them in a different way and considering my motivation and their merits in a different light.

Bumblebee in the back and we've got the best voice on RU-vid doing his thing.

Love your videos man. Knowledgeable and entertaining. Hope you continue the great work 😭

The answer to the last question about why we do this… perfection!

Congrats - wishing you continued success

Congratulations! Here's to 100k. Greetings to you and yours

Congratulations and best wishes for the future! 💐

Congratulations! I've enjoyed your videos sir. Thank you for your efforts.

Agree on the Biltong and Braai points 100%. May I humbly add that Boerwoors is the greatest ‘sausage’ ever invented.😂 Congrats on 25k!

I appreciate your "clinical" analysis of watches. The same I love the community that @Trapvision3d has built around watch collecting. There are differences between each channel and they should be (as you stated) looked at in context

man, such a sober analysis. Im learning so much. thanks

Congrats on 25k! And 2 videos in a week? I thought it was supposed to be Easter.. not Christmas! 😊

This was a very interesting talk. Your last point about durability in a world of (sometimes planned) obsolescence makes sense. Even an Orient watch will probably last a lifetime. A decent mechanical watch is thus a remarkable machine.

You just never disappoint, thank you for another interesting video.

Wonderful anecdote to end the video with.

Congrats, Sir!

Saw the video - instantly subscribed! Great insight and intellectual quality! Keep up the great work!

Congrats for this new video. Very honest and insightful

Congratulations on the number of subscribers milestone.

You’re a very thoughtful man, thank you. You’ve gained a subscriber

Sorry for asking you an ‘Impossible Question’ but, Thank you 🙏 for answering it! It’s true, you don’t learn anything from avoiding potential mistakes. Saving for ‘The Big Watch’ comes after years of buying cheaper Watches and gaining knowledge and experience in your journey through the hobby. Unless you’re very wealthy and can afford to make mistakes buying expensive Watches I guess? I guess my issue is I don’t like selling Watches so, I try not to make mistakes (despite making them like us all). I have tried to buy Watches I thought I would stick with but, have some I need to sell because I want to dip my feet into another genre of Watches. I think I’ve matured into the dress Watch genre now so, I’ll have to confront my hatred of selling Watches. Great points Mike and thanks again for answering. Congratulations on the 25k mark brother and it will only be a week or so until you’re at 30k! P.S. Are you going to Watches and Wonders? If so I might see you there. ✊

Best watch youtuber. You are spot on, sir. I like how intelligent and competent you are. We, watch enthusiasts, appreciate our time (both literally and metaphorically).

That last line about something you own, enjoy, and wear says it all. Most of us have scaled back expectations. No house, nice car, or grand retirement Before migraines drove me from work I settled on pens. Easy to store and transport, etc. Now I can barely use them. So encourage watch folks to make beautiful and accessible products. A market exists

25k richly deserved! Thanks for confirming my identification of your accent. On a pension I cannot indulge in new purchases, and certainly not high-end ones, which is why I look to on-line auctions for affordable odd-balls - my favourite is a mechanical alarm watch of Russian origin commemorating 500 years since Columbus' voyage in 1492!

Congrats on 25k 🎉

I prefer your conversation to heavy videos. As a migraineur I don’t need the busyiness. You are prepared so the intellectual approach drips with information.

Intelligent analysis is refreshing compared to much of the rubbish on here. Keep it up, I always leave knowing more and enjoying the journey of discovery. Congratulations on 30k, well deserved.

Great video. Great channel. Congrats on hitting this milestone 👏

Awesome content as always! Hope to see you in Watches & Wonders in a couple of weeks!

Easily my favorite watch RU-vidr.

Great point about the Quartz crisis pushing the Swiss brands upmarket. Never realized that was largely the impetus.

Congratulations. You are my go to watch expert. Insightful, independent and unbiased opinions. Now for 100K

I’m a watch enthusiast, but I treasure my money more than watches, so I just enjoy one or two nice pieces that I really enjoy above all. This way my choice for watch in the morning is easier.

I watch your videos since a couple of weeks. Congratulations for 25k subscribers I am now one of them.

One of the best watch channels, if not the best , Cheers

Thank you for the honest deep assessment and reflections❤

Another interesting video. Definitely becoming my go to channel. I am also, a South African living in the UK, so a bit more fortunate than you since I have a local supplier of biltong and Ouma rusks on my doorstep. Keep your videos coming. Best wishes, James

this guy knows what he is talking about he is most truthful watch critic youtuber i hope he talk about why nomos not doing something about the lugs of their watches.

I think you generously understated the impact of “influencers” with regards to allowing individuals to retain objectivity. I do think your audience is less susceptible but many people will be influenced by the views, rational or otherwise of an influencer - hence why the marketing spend is so heavily weighted in this area.

Thought provoking and enjoyable, thank you 👍

congrats on 25k and 30k subs!

Congratulations and thank you!!

Kudos.Always interesting and down to earth.My sport/dress option would be Santos de Cartier blue.Prof Sanders is informative and realises what madness some of this hobby can induce.

I love your content and I’m a new subscriber. If i can make one suggestion would be, please include pictures of the watches you are speaking of, whenever possible (…and yes, i do realize it’d be a lot more work for you). I’m just a becoming interested in “watch collecting” and I’m learning so much from you! I feel it’d be super helpful to have a visual reference to accompany your thoughtful commentary. Thanks

You are just freaking AWESOME!! Love your contents!!! 🎉🎉🎉🎉❤❤❤

Great channel, congrats on the milestone. New to collecting and love your matter of fact delivery - more knowledge sharing vs entertaining. Side question if you see this, do watch brands have a lower tier that they sell at malls/outlets vs an AD? Context, was at an outlet mall and a store had all their Hamilton watches 1/2 off. They also offered Tissot and Rado at deep discounts. Made me think are all these just quartz versions of more popular models with say painted dial vs applied markers so it looks ok but its not the "real" version. Thanks again....next stop 50K!

so dope and congrats on your quarter.

Congratulations🎉

Great take on watch RU-vidrs. Although it does skirt around or miss motive. For some it’s money, either through views or sales. With this in mind do I trust their opinion? No, but I don’t need to as I’m not paying (through superchats or buying or whatever) other than my time.

On the part about “can you trust RU-vidrs”. I posted on a video on The Urban Gentry the other day and I said, “I clicked out of a Nico Leonard video to come here to watch TGV because I’m part of the notification gang”. People in the comments were roasting me for watching Nico. And my response is exactly what you said. I watch Nico for entertainment. I watch TGV for watch history. Both channels are great, but they have different purposes.

Best watch channel on RU-vid. Content actually contains sustenance.

Many thanks for your insight, really enjoyed this video! 🙏

one more subscriber here....I think this is the best watch channel on youtube.