Episode 57: Helicon's Jonathan Bordell

Marc has left Bob and Brent unsupervised again. What could possibly go wrong? This week, we’re taking a step back from the watches to question the hobby itself. Does Rolex deserve its reputation? Are we too hung up on in-house movements? And has the humble bracelet done more for affordable watchmaking than we give it credit for? We wrap things up with a rapid-fire round of “Agree to Disagree,” tackling limited editions, catalogue favourites, and a few enthusiast sacred cows. We want your verdicts, too. Pull up a chair, wind your favourite watch, and join us. Have we lost the plot? We’ll let you decide. Link to our community Discord: https://discord.gg/zEy5ThudvA - JOIN THE CONVERSATION Our Instagram Profiles: https://www.instagram.com/time2calibrate/ https://www.instagram.com/marctime2watch/ https://www.instagram.com/timetogo1978/ https://www.instagram.com/calibre321/

Bob and Brent hold down the fort during a last-minute guest cancellation, while Marc recovers from Wind Up NYC. They pivot instead into a recap of their recent watch-related events including an OMEGA novelties luncheon, a trip to Kaplans Auction House in Stockholm, a presentation on Swatch’s AI-DADA, the Toronto Timepiece Show, and their Geneva Watch Days exploits. Needless to say, a good time was had by all. Pull up a chair, wind your favourite watch, and join us. It's Time 2 Calibrate! Bob's Watch: https://www.unimaticwatches.com/products/uwk-uc1 Brent's Watch: https://thecalibratedwrist.com/2024/08/19/the-bond-watch-omega-seamaster-300m-2531-80/ Link to our community Discord: https://discord.gg/zEy5ThudvA - JOIN THE CONVERSATION Our Instagram Profiles: https://www.instagram.com/time2calibrate/ https://www.instagram.com/marctime2watch/ https://www.instagram.com/timetogo1978/ https://www.instagram.com/calibre321/

What happens when you put a professional watchmaker in a room with three watch enthusiasts who think they know what they're talking about? In this episode of Time 2 Calibrate, we welcome Grigor, Head Watchmaker and National Director of Service Operations at Maison Birks, and the man behind Grigor's Masterful Minutes. With over 15 years in the industry and extensive training from some of watchmaking's biggest names, Grigor brings a perspective most collectors rarely get to hear. We get into the nuts and bolts of watchmaking, separate fact from fiction, challenge long-held collector beliefs, and explore what truly makes a great watch tick. From the workbench to the watch box, it's an entertaining look at horology from someone who's seen what's going on beneath the dial. Pull up a chair, wind your favorite watch, and join us. It's Time 2 Calibrate! Grigor's IG Account: https://www.instagram.com/grigorsmasterfulminutes/ Birk's IG Account: https://www.instagram.com/maisonbirks/ Grigor's Watch: https://www.rolex.com/watches/sea-dweller/m126600-0002 Bob's Watch: https://elliotbrownwatches.com/collections/holton Brent's Watch: https://isotopewatches.com/products/hydrium-grey-reef-shark Marc' Watch: https://www.findeisen-uhren.com/en/product-page/nauticmaster-weiss?currency=CAD&variantId=4d2b7de8-ef18-4cc0-a05c-e3c43543bb4b Link to our community Discord: https://discord.gg/zEy5ThudvA - JOIN THE CONVERSATION Our Instagram Profiles: https://www.instagram.com/time2calibrate/ https://www.instagram.com/marctime2watch/ https://www.instagram.com/timetogo1978/ https://www.instagram.com/calibre321/

This week, Marc goes solo for a conversation with Tyler Frederick, watch enthusiast, Citizen insider, and death metal vocalist. Tyler takes us back to his origins in the watch hobby, how that passion eventually led to working for Citizen, and what life looks like when the worlds of watches and death metal collide. We talk about the watch industry, music, his journey as a vocalist, and how these seemingly different passions have become interconnected parts of his life. Watches, Citizen, death metal, and plenty of stories along the way. This one goes places! Tyler's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/horologyobsessed/ Tyler's Watch: https://www.citizenwatch.com/ca/en/product/BY1010-57H.html?cgid=tsuki-yomi Marc's Watch: https://tennet.watch/products/tennet-argonaut Marc's Article: https://thecalibratedwrist.com/2026/05/05/tennet-argonaut-a-design-driven-dive-watch-with-personality/ Link to our community Discord: https://discord.gg/zEy5ThudvA - JOIN THE CONVERSATION Our Instagram Profiles: https://www.instagram.com/time2calibrate/ https://www.instagram.com/marctime2watch/ https://www.instagram.com/timetogo1978/ https://www.instagram.com/calibre321/

This week, Marc flies solo and sits down with Jonathan from Helicon Watches. They dig into Helicon's origins, Jonathan’s perspective on today's watch industry, and what it takes to build an independent watch brand. Then they take a closer look at Jonathan's newest project: the Siebe Gorman Type D and the history and inspiration behind it. A great conversation about watches, the industry, and the passion behind bringing something new to the wrist. Helicon Website: https://heliconwatches.com/ Siebe Gorman Watches: https://heliconwatches.com/collections/siebe-gorman-type-d-professional-diver Helicon's Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/heliconwatches/ Helicon's YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/@Heliconwatches Jonathan's Watch: https://heliconwatches.com/products/helicon-professional-chronograph-ion-yellow?variant=56127086625155 Marc's Watch: https://www.rzewatches.com/collections/utd/products/utd-8000-bkp Link to our community Discord: https://discord.gg/zEy5ThudvA - JOIN THE CONVERSATION Our Instagram Profiles: https://www.instagram.com/time2calibrate/ https://www.instagram.com/marctime2watch/ https://www.instagram.com/timetogo1978/ https://www.instagram.com/calibre321/

While Marc stays home, Bob and Brent are off galavanting in Geneva. This is Bob's first trip to the land of chocolate and watches, while it's Brent's upteenth time. What are they looking forward to? What are their plans? How many Ferris wheel rides will they go on? All is covered here. Rest assured, the Toronto Timepiece Show is around the corner, and the 3 Amigos (with Marc as Steve Martin in this trio) will be back together in person then. Bob's YouTube Channel: https://www.youtube.com/@TimeToGoTravelAndTimepieces Brent's The Calibrated Wrist: https://thecalibratedwrist.com/ Bob's watch: https://www.micromilspec.com/products/field-testing-watch Bren't watch: https://anordain.com/products/model-1-porcelain Their Ferris Wheel: https://www.geneve.com/en/see-do/attractions Link to our community Discord: https://discord.gg/zEy5ThudvA - JOIN THE CONVERSATION Our Instagram Profiles: https://www.instagram.com/time2calibrate/ https://www.instagram.com/marctime2watch/ https://www.instagram.com/timetogo1978/ https://www.instagram.com/calibre321/

We've been working to bring guests from outside our nerdosphere, and honestly, we thought we had our first one with Louis Amanti. But it turns out that, despite being handsome and talented, he's just like us. We sure hope you enjoy this episode. Louis' charm won us over. I'm sure he will win you over, too.  Louis' Instagram: https://www.instagram.com/louisamantiofficial/ Louis' Witchcraft on Spotify: https://open.spotify.com/album/3oPW40tJbaMTCYo1hSncJa?si=PEGUVfPESYKjQt-HUlQpmg Louis' Apple Music: https://music.apple.com/us/album/witchcraft-single/1837899905 Louis Live at the Faena Hotel: https://www.faena.com/miami-beach/things-to-do/event-calendar/live-music-at-the-living-room Louis' Watch: https://www.shucktheoyster.com/portfolio/sinn-128-carrera-vintage-chronograph-2447-unique/ Bob's Watch: https://www.micromilspec.com/products/field-testing-watch Marc's Watch: https://www.findeisen-uhren.com/en/product-page/nauticmaster-weiss?currency=CAD&variantId=4d2b7de8-ef18-4cc0-a05c-e3c43543bb4b Robin Williams on Golf: https://youtu.be/14NQIq4SrmY?si=fmf7gzzcraZ8uolH Link to our community Discord: https://discord.gg/zEy5ThudvA - JOIN THE CONVERSATION Our Instagram Profiles: https://www.instagram.com/time2calibrate/ https://www.instagram.com/marctime2watch/ https://www.instagram.com/timetogo1978/ https://www.instagram.com/calibre321/

Unfortunately, we experienced our first guest "no-show," and as professional podcasters, we took it in stride and interviewed each other for an hour. In all seriousness, we are far from professional, but we made the best of it. Our guest had an unfortunate scheduling conflict, and we've already rescheduled him for the next episode, as of this writing. In the meantime, please enjoy Brent and Marc shooting the proverbial poop.  Brent's watch: https://www.instagram.com/p/DAvm3OnRVEU/?utm_source=ig_web_copy_link&igsh=MzRlODBiNWFlZA== Marc's watch: https://serica-watches.com/en/products/5303-2-diving-chronometer The Calibrated Wrist: https://thecalibratedwrist.com/ Marc's writing on W&W: https://wornandwound.com/author/marc-levesque/ Marc's writing on TCW: https://thecalibratedwrist.com/author/marctime2watch/ Toronto Timepiece Show Tickets: https://am.ticketmaster.com/tolive/buy/totimepiece/sales Link to our community Discord: https://discord.gg/zEy5ThudvA - JOIN THE CONVERSATION Our Instagram Profiles: https://www.instagram.com/time2calibrate/ https://www.instagram.com/marctime2watch/ https://www.instagram.com/timetogo1978/ https://www.instagram.com/calibre321/  

This week's episode is a little different. Marc and Bob are away, so Brent is flying solo, but he's joined by one of the most respected voices in watch journalism. James Stacey is the Editor-in-Chief of Hodinkee and one half of The Grey NATO podcast. Over the years, James has built a reputation for thoughtful storytelling, a passion for adventure, and an appreciation for watches that goes far beyond specs and price tags. So grab your favourite beverage, settle in, and enjoy this special one-on-one conversation with James Stacey. The Grey Nato: https://thegreynato.com/ Hodinkee: https://www.hodinkee.com/ James Stacey on IG: https://www.instagram.com/jestacey/ James' watch: https://le.hodinkee.com/longines-zulu-time-for-hodinkee Brent's watch: https://thecalibratedwrist.com/2022/02/19/the-breitling-aerospace-titanium/ The Ming Polymesh: https://www.ming.watch/featured-product/ming-polymesh-straight Link to our community Discord: https://discord.gg/zEy5ThudvA - JOIN THE CONVERSATION Our Instagram Profiles: https://www.instagram.com/time2calibrate/ https://www.instagram.com/marctime2watch/ https://www.instagram.com/timetogo1978/ https://www.instagram.com/calibre321/

Countless conversations. Hundreds of watches. One incredible community. In this special anniversary episode, we're celebrating two years behind the microphone by looking back at the journey that brought us here. We revisit some of our favorite episodes and memorable moments, reflect on the guests and conversations that left a lasting impression, and, because we can't resist talking watches, we build multiple three-watch collections we'd be thrilled to own. We also dive into listener questions, sharing our thoughts on collecting, the hobby, and everything in between. Most importantly, we take a moment to thank every one of you who has listened, commented, and supported the podcast over the past two years. This show wouldn't exist without this amazing community. Finally, we look ahead to what's next for Time 2 Calibrate, sharing our excitement for the future and what's still to come. Whether you've been with us since Episode 1 or you're just discovering the show, thank you for being part of the journey. Here's to the next chapter! Brent's watch: https://ow-watch.com/collections/ollech-wajs-watches/products/ow-astrochron-1 Bob's watch: https://www.secondhour.com.au/shop/p/ginclear3 Marc's watch: https://www.grand-seiko.com/ca-en/collections/sbge257g Mike's Grand Seiko video: https://youtu.be/MWaleCRxULQ?si=5taeE9fumjLMLtl5 Link to our community Discord: https://discord.gg/zEy5ThudvA - JOIN THE CONVERSATION Our Instagram Profile: https://www.instagram.com/time2calibrate/ https://www.instagram.com/marctime2watch/ https://www.instagram.com/timetogo1978/ https://www.instagram.com/calibre321/