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David Newman sits down with Eugene Stohlman, founder of E. Stohlman Watches and head watchmaker for the Baltimore Watch Company, to explore a life where horology is truly in the family tree. Eugene shares how hanging out in his grandfather's bare-bones, 125-square-foot shop under a staircase inspired him to leave theater arts and attend watchmaking school in Illinois. He breaks down the art of designing vintage-inspired 1950s step-bezel cases, working with delicate natural stone dials like jade and malachite, and using rhodium-plated sterling silver to create a lasting patina. From starting Maryland Watchworks during the pandemic to restoring a Civil War era family fusee pocket watch, Eugene explains why micro-brands lead the industry in creative freedom and why buying what you love is the ultimate rule of collecting.

⏱️ Timestamps

00:01 : Watchmaking in the Bloodline

• Eugene shares how his grandfather launched The Watch Pocket in 1970 under a staircase with no AC or bathroom.
• Writing a 6th-grade paper about becoming a watchmaker before studying theater in college.

02:14 : From Gem City to Vintage Master

• Attending watchmaking school in Quincy, Illinois to master vintage mechanics up to the 1970s.
• Expanding into modern Swiss techniques through specialized AWCI courses.

03:41 : Launching in a Pandemic

• Starting Maryland Watchworks in April 2020 and delivering Amazon packages to fund the shop.
• Assembling custom MD1 movements based on classic 2824 movement architecture.

05:08 : The 1950s Design Aesthetic

• Launching E. Stohlman Watches to bring back 1950s step bezels, sculpted lugs, and proportion play.
• Utilizing rhodium-plated sterling silver cases that develop a rich patina over years of wear.

10:07 : The Fragile Art of Stone Dials

• The delicate process of working with jade, malachite, and agate dials that shatter under improper pressure.
• Why natural stone variations make every single piece in a limited run completely unique.

12:18 : Joining the Baltimore Watch Company

• Partnering with Alan Sao to serve as head watchmaker and VP of Brand Development.
• Combining brand storytelling with technical watchmaking to improve crown design and ease of service.

16:42 : Micro-Brand Trends and Sizing

• Why independent makers act as the R&D testing ground for major luxury houses.
• The industry-wide shift toward smaller 36mm cases and unisex collecting habits.

26:36 : The Evolution of Watch Fairs

• Why intimate shows like District Time and Gotham Watch Fair foster real human connections.
• How collector behavior shifted from long pre-orders to wanting to walk out with a watch on the wrist.

30:40 : Civil War Heirlooms and Personal Grails

• Restoring a 5th great-grandfather's 18k gold fusee drive pocket watch from the Civil War.
• Fixing an 18k gold Baume & Mercier with a lapis dial as his first post-school purchase.

35:26 : Finding Your Own Taste

• Why new collectors should ignore investment hype and buy what they actually enjoy wearing.
• The importance of attending live shows to try pieces on the wrist and meet the makers.

A great watch is more than an instrument; it is a living piece of mechanical history on your wrist.

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