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WatchSmarts
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Hi there! This is David Newman, host of WatchSmarts, the podcast for anyone who loves watches and wants to get smarter about what’s on their wrist. Whether you’re just a beginner (like me!) or a seasoned watch enthusiast, each episode brings you a fun, fly-on-the-wall conversation with collectors, microbrand founders, dealers, and your favorite watch influencers - sharing stories, lessons, wins, and a few mistakes along the way.

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Recent Episodes

15
July 14, 2026

015: Participate in Your Own Abundance with Mike Rayburn

Get the FREE WatchSmarts Beginner Buyer's Guide. Mike Rayburn, guitar virtuoso and master speaker, joins David to discuss the philosophy of "participating in your own abundance." From his first $18 Casio that refused to break to a high stakes purchase of a Deep Forest Green Breitling Superocean Heritage in Copenhagen, Mike explains how a watch serves as both a tool and a critical success signal for the stage. He shares the unique advice he received from industry legends about dressing for your a
14
July 7, 2026

014: Success Signals and the Secret Art of Watch Spotting with Steve Bollar

Get the FREE WatchSmarts Beginner Buyer's Guide. Steve Bollar joins David to discuss how a childhood admiration for his father's professional attire cemented the idea that success is signaled by the watch on your wrist. From a Kmart triathlon watch funded by a paper route to a high-end collection featuring a Tudor Root Beer and the iconic square TAG Heuer Monaco, Steve shares his journey as a "secret watch looker." He reveals his unique strategy for spotting timepieces on airplanes and explains
13
June 30, 2026

013: The Rescue Diver’s Guide to Tool Watches with Kevin Halbert

Get the FREE WatchSmarts Beginner Buyer's Guide. Kevin Halbert joins David to dive deep into the world of functional timepieces where a watch is a tool, not a status symbol. Drawing from his background as a rescue diver in the Florida Keys, Kevin explains why he prioritizes readability and reliability over the "bling" of luxury brands. From his early days using G-Shocks in the trenches to his custom-hacked Citizen "Orca," Kevin shares his obsession with watches that actually work underwater. He
12
June 23, 2026

012: Telling the Story of Time with John Cote

Get the FREE WatchSmarts Beginner Buyer's Guide. John Cote grew up eye-level with the display cases of New York pawn shops, learning the art of the deal from his mathematician father via pure osmosis. In this episode, he shares how a lifetime of "collecting people" through the National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors shaped his philosophy that a true collection must tell a story rather than just be a pile of random objects. John shares his unique "twins" collecting strategy, where he
11
June 16, 2026

011: Forbidden Fruit and Extreme Watches with Dave Kauffman

Get the FREE WatchSmarts Beginner Buyer's Guide. What happens when you grow up in a community where wearing a wristwatch is strictly forbidden? In this episode, David sits down with Dave Kauffman, a professional speaker and DISC personality expert, to explore a collection born out of early childhood deprivation. Dave shares the fascinating story of his Mennonite upbringing where watches had to be modified into pocket watches, leading to a lifelong obsession with "loud" timepieces that make a bol
10
June 9, 2026

010: The Secret Language of Watches with Johnny Francis

Get the FREE WatchSmarts Beginner Buyer's Guide. Johnny Francis joins David to discuss a collection built on memories, milestones, and "signals". From $10 Soviet-era relics found in 1990s Moscow flea markets to a 50th-anniversary Rolex Kermit, Johnny explores how timepieces communicate personal style, achievement, and even power plays. He shares the touching story of his father’s gold Rolex Presidential, a milestone trophy that effectively ended his father's search for any other watch, and ex