For not technically being a “watch” podcast, Blamo! snags some pretty solid watch experts as guests. Check out our podcast playlist for some of our favorites from the show (and other podcasts). This week featured another heavy hitter: Patek Phillipe expert John Reardon, now of Collectability.
Reardon discusses his early years growing up near the AWCI museum in Connecticut, learning how horology brings together science, art and history, and working at Spiedel during his college years. He moved on to live with Dominican friars in Manhattan while interning at Sotheby’s, where he was surprised to meet a friar with a couple Patek Phillipe watches.
So why did Reardon fall in love with Patek Phillipe?
He says he first fell in love with the brand in 1999 when researching the Henry Graves Super Complication and never turned back.
“It represents the values of a family-owned business, but also the history is unsurpassed in the watch world, and the watches all speak to me.”
John Reardon | Christie’s
He also gives high praise to Patek’s archiving and detailed record keeping. He points out that it gives people who find or collect Pateks a concrete understanding of what’s fact or fiction and separates them from what a lot of other brands will over in terms of record keeping.
He also relays an interesting observation that was shared with him years ago: “Patek Philippe’s biggest competitor is vintage Patek Philippe.” Reardon says that with prices rising across all categories in the watch industry, many brands are grappling with this in ways they never have before.
For the full interview, head to Blamo! Podcast, and head to Reardon’s Collectability for all things Patek.