Show Notes
This episode is a little different. We are addressing the situation in the Swiss watch industry with a focus on an explanation of the tariffs imposed this year. The implications for global trade are quite huge with few countries affected as greatly as Switzerland. Despite a population of approximately 9 million, Switzerland is one of the most important investors into the US economy; from pharmaceuticals to chocolate production and financial services. Yet huge tariffs were directed at Switzerland which affects their export market. One of Switzerland's most famous and most desirable exports is of course luxury watchmaking. This is the reason you all listen to Keeping Time. Today we are going to discuss in-depth the impact of the tariffs on the US watch market; how it impacts retailers, manufacturers, distributors (and agents) and of course the end-users who purchase these objects of mechanical beauty. We delve into the mechanics of how the tariffs actually work from an import perspective. We then welcome a couple of friends of the podcast who bring different perspectives to the conversation. Michael Margolis initially joins us to discuss the US impact from the perspective of a US importing agent as well as how it can impact a consumer who decides to purchase in Europe or abroad. Later we are joined by Scott Rosen who discusses the impact of the USA tariffs in the Swiss industry from the perspective of the Swiss. This in-depth conversation should be insightful for all watch collectors/enthusiasts alike and also those in the industry. Of course, everything today is a moving target so as changes occur the information presented on this episode may be outdated quickly. However, at this time, this is an invaluable conversation with real insight into the current situation created by the price of gold, exchange rate and tariffs. Thank you for downloading, sharing and enjoying Keeping Time with Oster Watches podcast. You are the reason that we do what we do. Visit our blog page for the list of podcasts and photos relating to topics discussed in selected episodes. https://blog.osterjewelers.com/category/podcast/
More from Keeping Time With Oster Watches
Krayon was founded by Rémi Maillat, a watch design engineer whose background is in micromechanics rather than traditional watchmaking, a distinction that shows in everything the brand creates. After years spent developing fine watchmaking movements for Cartier, Maillat set out on his own in 2013, initially as an engineering studio before channeling his ideas into his own creations. His debut, Everywhere, arrived in 2017 and did something no mechanical watch had done before: it calculated the precise time of sunrise and sunset at any point on the globe, adjusted entirely through the crown. The complexity was staggering, and the achievement earned Krayon the Innovation Prize at the 2018 Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Genève. In 2020, Maillat followed with Anywhere, a more wearable evolution of the same idea, which went on to win the Calendar and Astronomy prize at GPHG in 2022. Krayon has since expanded the family with Anyday, the world's first mechanical daily planner watch, and a series of Métiers d'Art editions that translate astronomical data into genuine works of art on the wrist. Oster Jewelers is proud to carry Krayon, and Melissa and Jeremy have long admired the way Maillat brings mathematics, engineering, and a deeply personal sense of place together in every piece. Listen in as we sit down with Rémi to trace the origin story behind Krayon, from a snorkeling trip in Costa Brava that sparked the idea for a sunrise-and-sunset complication, to building prototypes and running a workshop overlooking Lake Neuchâtel today. We talk about the engineering philosophy behind the Universal Sunrise Sunset calibre, how Rémi thinks about complexity versus wearability, the hidden details worked into the finishing of every movement, and what it means to build a brand around something as intimate as a person's relationship to their own place on Earth. As always we hope you enjoy this captivating conversation, and, if not already familiar with Krayon that you enjoy discovering one of independent watchmaking's most quietly extraordinary voices. Thank you, as always, for downloading and listening to Keeping Time Podcast. The ultimate compliment is if you would share Keeping Time with your friends and, of course, if you could take a moment to post a favorable review on your chosen podcast platform. Please reach out with any comments or suggestions for future episodes directly at [email protected]. Visit the Keeping Time Podccast blog page for corresponding photos and the complete podcast listing.
One of the most famous names in watch circles, Octavio Garcia is today the Creative Director for Gerald Charles. Previously, the American-born designer was Creative Director for Audemars Piguet during the all-important brand-building period from 2002-2015. Responsible for some of the most ground-breaking and sought after Royal Oak Offshore designs, including the famed series inspired by Formula 1 drivers such as Juan Pablo Montoya and Rubens Barichello as well as expanding the Millenary collection with extraordinary creations such as the Pianoforte, inspired by and paying homage to Quincy Jones.
One of 6 partners in a true horological supergroup, we are thrilled to welcome Emmanuel Jutier as he joins us on Keeping Time Podcast.
As Watches and Wonders 2026 opens its doors in Geneve, we are honored to be joined by the talented Guido Terreni, CEO Parmigiani Fleurier since 2021. During his tenure, Guido has worked hand in hand with Michel Parmigiani, the famed watchmaker known within the industry as he man with Golden Hands due to his unmatched skill in restoring complex, historically important timepieces. Together, they have honed the unique appeal of the luxury watchmaker, Parmigiani Fleurier, building on 30 years of history and creating timepieces the excel in craftsmanship and epitomize "Private Luxury". Listen in as Guido and your host, Jeremy Oster, reveal the extraordinary third World Premiere in a series of everyday complication timepieces showcasing the brand's expertise in mechanical excellence with creative application of the "Rattrapante" complication as perfected in the brand's famous GPHG-winning Chrono and PF Split-Seconds Chronograph models. The new PF Chronograph Mysterieux is a work of mechanical genius. Turning an elegant 40mm 3-hand watch into a mono-pusher chronograph with the push of a button is the perfect expression of technical mastery combined with incredible discipline in consistent design which is why Parmigiani Fleurier today is considered one of the watch industry's most highly respected brands the world over. Guido shares incredible insights into the legacy of Parmigiani Fleurier as the brand celebrates its 30th Anniversary in style. We discuss the incredible technique used to create the new pieces which feature remarkable hand-hammered dials. Only 30 pieces of each of the 3 versions will be produced by the Manufacture making this collection extremely rare. As always, the conversation is free-flowing and filled with rare insights as only the CEO of the brand could offer. We greatly thank Guido Terreni and all at Parmigiani for making this episode possible for the listeners of Keeping Time. Thanks as always to co-host and producer Doug Hoyt. Thanks to all of our listeners. Suggestions for future guests? Feedback? Email [email protected]. If you enjoy Keeping Time podcast please do consider rating and reviewing so others can discover the podcast and share with your friends. Visit the Keeping Time Podccast blog page for corresponding photos and the complete podcast listing.
Welcome to Season 10 of Keeping Time Podcast — and episode number 100!!! Your hosts, Jeremy and Doug, are thrilled to welcome Praneeth Rajsingh, CEO of Horologer MING to the Keeping Time podcast. MING is the newest addition to the impressive lineup at Oster Jewelers, and if you haven't yet had the pleasure of experiencing one of these extraordinary timepieces in person, this episode will make it abundantly clear why this is such an interesting and unique brand. Founded in Malaysia in 2017 by Ming Thein and Praneeth Rajsingh, MING has in a remarkably short time become one of the most talked-about names in independent watchmaking. With over 75 references across eight years, this is a brand operating at a level that commands serious attention. The conversation with Praneeth is candid, thoughtful, and genuinely fascinating — exactly the kind of deep dive our listeners have come to expect from Keeping Time. We explore the creative discipline behind a brand that has already earned two GPHG awards — the Horological Revelation prize in 2019 and a second win for the Sports Watch prize with the 37.09 Bluefin — and shows no signs of slowing down. From the revolutionary Polymesh bracelet that is rewriting the rules of what watchmaking can achieve, to the brand's uncompromising approach to price integrity, to one of the most remarkable track records of innovation in recent independent watchmaking, Praneeth shares candid insight into what truly sets MING apart and where this extraordinary brand is headed next. This is a conversation that will leave you wanting to experience MING on your wrist. We hope you enjoy this landmark episode of Keeping Time Podcast with host Jeremy Oster and co-host Doug Hoyt. If you have a moment, please rate, review, and share with fellow collectors — it truly helps others discover the show. And don't forget to listen for the prize questions and send your answers to [email protected].