Before we jump into this episode, I need everyone listening to take a moment and help me celebrate someone truly special: my co-host, my friend, my accidental platonic soulmate in horological chaos, Iman. We’ve only known each other for about two years, but something shifted when we met in person back in March 2025. A chance meeting turned into a real friendship. I never saw it coming, and then suddenly, I couldn’t imagine my life without it. She just celebrated her 39th birthday, and if there’s anyone who deserves a standing ovation from our Wristies audience, it’s her. She’s edited every episode but one, poured herself into this show, and opened her heart to all of you with a generosity that humbles me. I like to normalize telling your friends you love them, and as someone who is usually emotionally guarded, it still surprises me how quickly I loved Iman. She’s my family. I look forward to the many occasions I can celebrate her moving forward, but please join me in celebrating her now.

WindUp Watch Shop

Vaer x Worn & Wound x Topo

Möels + Co.

Elliot Brown

Chris’s “Article” on the Bel Canto Lumiere

Farr + Switt Kill Count

18:09 - Wrist Checks

Omega Silver Snoopy

IWC

20:40 - Birthdays and Watches

Iman wants a BB58 Bronze for her 40th

Omega Speedmaster Reduced

Vertex M100A

Piaget Polo

39:50 - Watch News

Tudor Ranger

Tudor Moonphase

Omega Planet Ocean

The Baby Plop Plop

Breitling Lady Premier

Casio x Back to the Future

Straum and The Real Time Show Podcast

Stephen’s Photos of Straum

Follow us on the 'gram:
You'll find us @ataleoftwowristies
Chris is @poppingcrowns
Iman is @ticktick_taptap
And most importantly, our mascot Phantom is @phantom_of_the_pupra

Just starting the hobby? Start with Ep. 11

WRISTIES WATCH GLOSSARY & RECOMMENDATIONS

**We’d like to begin by apologizing for the audio issues in this episode. We appreciate your understanding and are working to ensure it’s resolved for the next one.**

This week, things get personal as the Wristies don’t hold back with their questions. Watches, writing, and their personal lives are on the table in this no-holds-barred examination!

The Wristies Catch Up

Monsoon Wedding

Minutes and Hours

Bugonia

Möels + Co.

13:55 Wrist Checks

Chris’s Isotope Hydrium

Iman’s Movado

16:00 Wristies Q&A

Hans Wilsdorf Suspected Nazi Spy

Iman’s Play - The Ministry of Lesbian Affairs

Sir Quacks A Lot

Buci Watches

Iman hates Chris’s Dennison (don’t worry, I’m not getting rid of it)

Sony A7cii

@enthuseddad (thank you for the lens!)

IMAN singing

CHRIS singing

Chris’s Article About the CW Loco and Supply Chain Director

@Sophies.watch.world x Direnzo

Iman’s Vario

1:05:00 Wristies Rapid Fire Questions

1:08:14 Audience Question from Holly Abinger of Abinger Watches

Tudor Black Bay GMT

Vacheron 222

Follow us on the 'gram:
You'll find us @ataleoftwowristies
Chris is @poppingcrowns
Iman is @ticktick_taptap
And most importantly, our mascot Phantom is @phantom_of_the_pupra

Just starting the hobby? Start with Ep. 11

WRISTIES WATCH GLOSSARY & RECOMMENDATIONS

Chris recaps his trip to NYC for Windup and The Hype, while Iman tries to keep him on task. Are there too many micro/independent brands? Plus, the return of the Budget Battle, set at $2000.

8:00 Wrist Checks

Iman’s IWC Portofino Pilot

Chris’s NEW Dennison Dual Time

11:45 Windup NY

Chris’s WatchGecko Recap

Abinger Watches

Buvette NYC Go get them runny eggs

Monbrey

Prevail

Christopher Ward

Studio Underd0g x Fears

Timex Atelier

Griffin Bartsch

Atelier Wen

Arken

Clemence

This Watch Life

Form & Function James needs all the stabby poke pokes

Blancpain Air Command

Giant Mouse

Meg Tocci

51:00 Too Many Microbrands? The Hype

Isotope

Holthinrich

Oris

@talkingabouttime

1:01:00 Budget Battle $2000

Kneijnsberg Hugenius

Formex Essence

Doxa Sub 200T

Follow us on the 'gram:
You'll find us @ataleoftwowristies
Chris is @poppingcrowns
Iman is @ticktick_taptap
And most importantly, our mascot Phantom is @phantom_of_the_pupra

Just starting the hobby? Start with Ep. 11

WRISTIES WATCH GLOSSARY & RECOMMENDATIONS

Episode 11: Thinking About That First Watch? - The Beginner’s Episode

Chris and Iman give listeners a general onboarding for new enthusiasts, considering their first watch. If you know someone falling into the hole that is watch collecting, this is a decent enough place to start. Hey, we’re friendly, and we give fair warning to stop and rethink your life decisions before committing.

$350 Windup Watch Shop Giveaway drawing on November 2nd. Check our Instagram at @ataleoftwowristies for details!

WRISTIES WATCH GLOSSARY & RECOMMENDATIONS

2.15: Catching up:

Rolex mentoring programme

Acquired Podcast - Rolex Episode

9:20 - Wrist Checks:

Chris’s Timex M79 Masked Marvel

Iman’s Omega Seamaster 2262

Erika’s Originals Straps

12:55 - How we got into watches

21:00 - Anatomy of a Watch

• Case, dial, crystal, crown, lugs, hands, strap or bracelet, and movements
• The difference between quartz, automatic and manual wind

32:41 - What to Consider When Buying your First Watch

• Case diameter, lug-to-lug and lug width
• Changing straps
• Chronographs, dive watches and GMT bezels
• Accuracy of mechanical watches and chronometer certification (COSC/METAS)
• Fashion brands vs luxury brands vs regular watch brands
• Do your research!

1:00:20 - Pitfalls to avoid when buying your first watch

• Overthinking it
• Spending too much money too soon
• Being pressured by ADs
• Buying a watch to impress people

1:06:30 - How to Make Watch Friends

• Online communities
• Groups, fairs and events
• Smile :)

Follow us on the 'gram:
You'll find us @ataleoftwowristies
Chris is @poppingcrowns
Iman is @ticktick_taptap
And most importantly, our mascot Phantom is @phantom_of_the_pupra

Just starting the hobby? Start with Ep. 11

WRISTIES WATCH GLOSSARY & RECOMMENDATIONS

WINDUP WATCH SHOP GIVEAWAY

We’ve teamed up with our friends at @windupwatchshop to give ONE lucky listener a $350 digital gift card to the Windup Watch Shop!

Here’s how to enter:
1. Subscribe to A Tale of Two Wristies on your favorite podcast platform (and hey, a rating or review wouldn’t hurt ).
2. Follow @ataleoftwowristies AND @windupwatchshop on Instagram.
3. You will receive additional entries for sharing this post and tagging friends in the comments who need more wrist candy in their lives. No limit on additional entries.

Giveaway runs from October 2 – November 2. Winner will be chosen by the Windup Watch Shop on November 2nd.

Big thanks to Windup for making this happen, and good luck to everyone who enters—may the odds (and the straps) be ever in your favor.

**Full rules can be found in the blog post at windupwatchshop.com **

For anyone like Iman, where is Cleveland anyway?

Windup Watch Shop and Worn & Wound

Windup Watch Fair NYC

What is Padel, Pickleball, and Squash?

Chris’s Article - Toronto Timepiece Show

Devin’s Omega Planet Ocean 2200.50

Chris’s Isotope Moonshot

Iman’s Breitling Colt

WRIST CANDY

Gerald Genta GENTISSIMA OURSIN 36 Fire Opal

Fears x Studio Underd0g - The Manhattan

Louie Erard Gravee Main

Awake Son Mai - Frosted Leaf - Green

Follow us on the 'gram:
You'll find us @ataleoftwowristies
Chris is @poppingcrowns
Iman is @ticktick_taptap
And most importantly, our mascot Phantom is @phantom_of_the_pupra

Just starting the hobby? Start with Ep. 11

WRISTIES WATCH GLOSSARY & RECOMMENDATIONS

In this episode, the Wristies get all up on your Q’s with their A’s!

Providing the Q’s: @hour_you_doin , @centralseconds , @sophies.watch.world , @watchmewatch9 , @tom_j_cox_ , @minutemeg , @sophiescottlewisart , @overtime_the_podcast , @shaikhrattlenroll , @linusloveswatches , @JustWatches

Iman jumps through hoops for a Portofino.

Chris’s Speedmaster Snoopy

Straphabit Straps

Iman’s Vario Empire Art Nouveau

Chris’s Collector Conversation

Iman’s Tudor BB Steel and Gold

Chris’s Tudor BB58 Bronze

Vacheron Historiques 1921

Panerai Radiomir

Iman’s Cartier Ronde

Patek 3940J

Isotope

Chris’s Hamilton Pocket Watch Article

Spring Bar Tool

Follow us on the 'gram:
You'll find us @ataleoftwowristies
Chris is @poppingcrowns
Iman is @ticktick_taptap
And most importantly, our mascot Phantom is @phantom_of_the_pupra

Just starting the hobby? Start with Ep. 11

WRISTIES WATCH GLOSSARY & RECOMMENDATIONS

**DISCLAIMER** The Wristies experienced a few issues with sound in this episode and are genuinely sorry for any discomfort to your delicate ears.

This week The Wristies discuss whether purchasing a watch from an authorized dealer is worth it. Iman is refreshed by her Sprite and obsessed with suitcases. Chris goes crazy over a cartoon dog. One of the Wristies defends an unloved yet useful complication, while the other doesn’t give a flying flapjack that his favorite complication is truly useless.

1:31 - The Wristies Catch Up

@JustWatches1 - Enables Iman w/Spread Sheets

The Suitcase of Iman’s Dreams

Empire podcast

William Dalrymple's Globetrotter

13:15 - Wrist Checks & THE CALL

Iman’s NWA - Timex Sprite

Robert Spangle's photo report

Chris’s NWA - Omega Speedmaster Silver Snoopy

StrapHabit

22:23 - Main Segment: Authorized Dealer vs. Pre-Owned/Gray Market

@RedBarVirginiaBeach run by Chris and @WatchRolling

REEDS Jewelers

AnOrdain Watches

Iman’s Tudor

Chris’s Tudor

Paul Smith (suits)

Rolex OP Beige Dial

Jomashop

Chrono24

1:02:32 - Recurring Segment - It’s Complicated

Iman’s pick - Power Reserve Indicator - Kurono Tokyo Sensu N.O.S.

Chris’s pick - Moonphase - Christopher Ward C1 Moonphase

Breguet Classique Power Reserve Moonphase

Follow us on the 'gram:
You'll find us @ataleoftwowristies
Chris is @poppingcrowns
Iman is @ticktick_taptap
And most importantly, our mascot Phantom is @phantom_of_the_pupra

Just starting the hobby? Start with Ep. 11

WRISTIES WATCH GLOSSARY & RECOMMENDATIONS

It’s not the size that counts; it’s how you convey confidence through your brand. Join the Wristies as they try to define microbrands, talk about their favorite micro/independents, and go slack-jawed and drool over a couple of watches they’d like to add to their collections.

2:10 - The Wristies Catch Up

Wristtrack App

Form & Function Podcast

Yellowcard - “Ocean Avenue”

Red Hot Chili Peppers - “Californication”

Billy Joel - “52nd Street”

4:25 - Wrist Checks & Abinger Part 2

Cartier Ronde

Abinger Nimrod - Pre-Order

Vario 1918

@Talkingabouttime

21:10 - Micro/Independent Brands

Christopher Ward

Rebecca Struthers

Roger Smith

Louis Erard

Traska

Nivada Grenchen

Vulcain

Fears

Space One

Anoma

49:30 The Wristies Choose Some Micros

Vario

Time Factors

Möels & Co.

Maen

Isotope

Serica

Vertex

1:08:50 - Wrist Candy

Hanhart 417 ES Flyback

Lorier Astra

Follow us on the 'gram:
You'll find us @ataleoftwowristies
Chris is @poppingcrowns
Iman is @ticktick_taptap
And most importantly, our mascot Phantom is @phantom_of_the_pupra

Just starting the hobby? Start with Ep. 11

WRISTIES WATCH GLOSSARY & RECOMMENDATIONS