How a Missed Rolex Sky-Dweller Led to the Tomlin & Co Celestial Calendar

What starts as a guilt-free year-end watch purchase turns into a full micro-brand when Shakeem Tomlin refuses to pay resale prices and decides to build his own watch instead. In this episode, Rod and Rio sit down with the founder of Tomlin & Co to trace the real journey behind the Celestial Calendar, from early design sketches and movement selection to launching a full calendar moonphase watch built for everyday wear.

Shakeem shares how growing up in Philly shaped his approach to collecting and design, why quartz made sense for an entry-level complication piece, how his wife influenced key colorways, and what it’s like navigating watch culture as a Black-owned brand. Along the way, the conversation touches on Rolex Sky-Dweller (mint green), Breitling, Audemars Piguet, integrated bracelets, trade shows, community support, and building value without gatekeeping.

Things You’ll Learn

1. How Tomlin & Co evolved from a personal watch idea into a launched micro-brand. 2. Why the Celestial Calendar uses a full calendar + moonphase quartz movement for everyday collecting. 3. How community, culture, and representation shape modern watch culture and brand building.

Tools/Frameworks in This Episode

- A year-end “guilt-free purchase” ritual as a practical collecting framework. - Using email lists, existing networks, and in-person events to launch a micro-brand. - A “Reasonable Doubt” design philosophy: building one watch that doesn’t feel like it’s missing anything.

Key Timestamps 0:00 – Tomlin & Co introduction + wrist check 7:10 – Shakeem’s Philly background and path into watches 11:00 – Designing a do-it-all watch from scratch 14:21 – Launching Tomlin & Co and early reception 16:37 – Celestial Calendar colorways explained 22:23 – Watch inspirations, collecting, and culture 25:50 – Trade show rejection and focusing on community 29:03 – Why Black culture matters in watch culture 31:31 – Future plans: movement house, accessories, collabs 33:20 – Where to support Tomlin & Co 34:59 – What needs to change in watch culture

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