Navigating the Watch Market, 2025 Insight and 2026 Predictions - TWS Podcast 001 w/ Griffin Bartsch
In the very first (VERY LONG) episode of the Time Well Spent Podcast, Devin Pennypacker is joined by guest Griffin Bartsch. A fellow watch editor and content creator, Griffin brings his background in the watch industry to discuss everything looking back on 2025 and forward into 2026. We chat 2025 market trends, enthusiast sentiment, favorite releases, and favorite content pieces before transitioning into a look ahead. 2026 feels a bit uncertain but that didn't stop us from throwing out our industry predictions, brands specific predictions, and things we are excited about. Don’t forget to let us know what you think of the podcast so we can make it better going forward and most importantly who won, Skeleton Dials or Stone Dials?
Griffin Bartsch Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/cgriffinbartsch/?hl=en
Considered Goods (substack): https://consideredgoods.substack.com/?utm_campaign=profile_chips
Devin Pennypacker Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/devinpennypacker/?hl=en
Timestamps:
00:00 Introduction to the Podcast and Guest
02:27 Wrist Check: What Are We Wearing?
07:29 Market Trends and Reflections on 2025
14:32 Looking Back: Favorite Content from Last Year
27:12 Shouting Out Contemporaries in the Watch Community
38:42 Looking Ahead: Predictions for 2026
01:01:00 Exploring Material Trends in Watchmaking
01:02:24 Color Trends and Predictions for 2026
01:04:55 The Future of Complications in Watches
01:11:01 Anniversaries and Their Impact on Watch Brands
01:24:52 Personal Resolutions in Watch Collecting
01:40:59 This or That: Stone Dials vs. Skeleton Dials
Article Recommendations:
Owner’s Review: the Vertex M60 Aqualion ND: https://wornandwound.com/review/video-owners-review-the-vertex-m60-aqualion-nd/
Gears and Gaskets: Spotting Mechanical Icons on Wrist and Road at the Lime Rock Historic Festival 43: https://wornandwound.com/gears-and-gaskets-spotting-mechanical-icons-on-wrist-and-road-at-the-lime-rock-historic-festival-43/
In-DepthThe Engineering Behind Apple's 3D-Printed Watch Cases: https://www.hodinkee.com/articles/the-engineering-behind-apples-3d-printed-watch-cases
Photo Report: Tudor Nazaré Big Wave Challenge 2025: https://www.fratellowatches.com/photo-report-tudor-nazare-big-wave-challenge-2025/
Final Recommendations:
Huckberry Homes Inside this Author’s Upstate New York Escape Built for Cooking, Hosting and Living Well: https://youtu.be/2txqGuekpVQ?si=B2gbuE32J4e2bR6W
Curious Clocks and Watches through time with Oliver Cooke | Curator's Corner S8 E1: https://youtu.be/ywD5kngMuYM?si=rAysowJlxdduPFiV
Huckberry Dirt Is Maine the Culinary Capital of New England Food? | DIRT Maine: https://youtu.be/WRNViQhucGY?si=__5587M4PFTMB932