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What does it take to leave the security of global luxury giants like Omega and TAG Heuer to build an independent watch empire from your own kitchen table? In this episode, David sits down with Susan Galvin, the founder of the Galvin Watch Company and a rare female voice in the world of high end watchmaking. Susan shares her journey from the prestigious Finnish School of Watchmaking to the shores of Australia, where she launched a micro-brand that reached its funding goal on Kickstarter in just six minutes. From the challenges of assembling every single timepiece by hand to her mission of bringing more vibrant colors and "Northern Lights" inspiration to the wrist, Susan proves that the most successful watches are often the ones with the most personal stories behind them.

⏱️ Timestamps

00:46 – From Finland to the Bench

• Susan discusses her training at the renowned Finnish School of Watchmaking, which produced legends like Kare Voutilainen.

• The transition from her home country to working for LVMH in the United Kingdom repairing TAG Heuer watches.

05:17 – The Pandemic Pivot

• How a maternity leave during the global pandemic and a workshop relocation sparked the idea for her own company.

• The role of her husband in encouraging her to move from repairing luxury pieces to designing her own unique collection.

07:05 – The Power of Crowdfunding

• Susan explains the strategy behind her Kickstarter campaign that achieved full funding in only six minutes.

• How a viral press release highlighting her status as a female watchmaker helped gain international brand awareness.

12:15 – The Purest Form of Micro-Brand

• A behind the scenes look at Susan's in-house assembly process where she handles every dial, hand, and case personally.

• The rigorous quality control protocols she brought with her from her years at Swatch Group and Omega to ensure excellence.

18:38 – Inspiration from the Arctic Circle

• How Susan's Finnish heritage and memories of the Northern Lights influence her bold dial colors and "loimo" patterns.

• A shared campaign with David to bring more purple watches into the world of horology to break the mold of traditional colors.

20:15 – Breaking the Gender Barrier

• Susan's philosophy on why watches and watchmaking should not be gender specific but open to everyone.

• How she uses her husband as a test subject to ensure her designs work for both men and women.

Your watch is more than just gears and dials; it is a piece of art assembled with a master watchmaker's personal touch.

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FREE GUIDE: Buy Your First Great Watch Without Getting Burned

Download the WatchSmarts Beginner Buyer's Guide »

• Know exactly what matters (and what doesn't) before you spend a dollar

• Avoid the 10 common mistakes that cost beginners thousands

• Find a great watch that fits your life, your style, and your budget

• Skip the jargon, the snobbery, and the "collector nonsense"

• Get a simple decision framework that makes buying easy and obvious

Get the FREE WatchSmarts Beginner Buyer's Guide David Newman sits down with Chris Serratore, the owner of VirageShop.com and the founder of the Philly Watch Fair, to explore the vibrant world of micro-brands. Chris shares how his background in automotive restoration fueled a passion for mechanical perfection and a desire for "happy transactions" that the insurance-driven car industry lacked. They discuss why independent brands from Australia and Germany are leading the way with daring colors like sunburst purple and "buzzsaw" designs that major corporations are too afraid to produce. Chris explains why building a collection of five unique watches often brings more joy than chasing a single ten-thousand-dollar status symbol, especially when those watches offer a direct connection to the designers themselves.

⏱️ Timestamps

00:01 – Introducing the Micro-Brand Guru
• David welcomes Chris to discuss his role as a retailer and the organizer of the Philly Watch Fair.
• They touch on Chris's eclectic background, which includes a notable collection of Captain Crunch cereal boxes.

01:45 – From Muscle Cars to Mechanical Watches
• Chris explains how a career in automotive collision repair and restoration since the 1980s led to his love for mechanics.
• He describes the shift toward watches as a search for a more pleasant and creative business experience.

04:40 – The Freedom of Independent Design
• David and Chris explore why micro-brands can take risks with color and design that brands like Seiko or Citizen cannot.
• Chris emphasizes his preference for watches that remain practical tools for telling time despite their artistic flair.

07:11 – The Unique Story of Galvin Watches
• A look at Susan Galvin, a rare female founder in a male-dominated industry who assembles her own pieces.
• How her experience at Omega in Finland and Australia translated into a brand known for retro shapes and vibrant dials.

10:28 – The Heinrich Buzzsaw and the Power of Purple • Chris details his partnership with Wolfgang Heinrich and the striking "buzzsaw" blade design of his watches. • A discussion on why most people play it safe with black or silver dials and why purple is a sleeper hit for collectors.

18:02 – Launching the Philly Watch Fair
• The origin story of creating a dedicated watch event for the 6.5 million people in the greater Philadelphia area.
• Chris highlights the 17-foot bronze Benjamin Franklin statue that anchors the show's premier exhibition space.

20:00 – Creating a Better Show Experience
• Why the Philly Watch Fair focuses on manageable crowds and allowing brands the time to tell their stories.
• The addition of armed security to ensure that both vendors and enthusiasts feel completely safe while handling high-value pieces.

27:18 – The Practicality of the Mechanical Signal
• Chris shares the "meeting trick" of checking a watch vs. a phone to stay polite while tracking the time.
• David and Chris discuss the security benefit of an analog watch that cannot record conversations or spy on its wearer.

32:00 – Customer Service in the Micro-Brand World
• Why buying from a small brand often means dealing directly with the owner who took out a second mortgage to fund their vision.
• Chris explains how he takes casual "natural sunlight" photos to give customers an honest look at a watch's true color.

40:46 – Lightning Round: One vs. Five
• Chris reveals his preference for five good watches over one expensive icon to ensure variety in his daily wear.
• He makes the case that a 1,000-dollar micro-brand piece can often rival the quality of watches costing ten times as much.

A great watch is more than a status symbol; it is a mechanical vision that connects you to the designer and the milestones of your own life.

==========

FREE GUIDE: Buy Your First Great Watch Without Getting Burned

Download the WatchSmarts Beginner Buyer's Guide »

• Know exactly what matters (and what doesn't) before you spend a dollar

• Avoid the 10 common mistakes that cost beginners thousands

• Find a great watch that fits your life, your style, and your budget

• Skip the jargon, the snobbery, and the "collector nonsense"

• Get a simple decision framework that makes buying easy and obvious

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 audience and why he believes every man needs a "diversion" that has nothing to do with their career. Whether it is using "training wheel" replicas to find your perfect fit or navigating the etiquette of "Team No Flop," Mike offers a refreshing perspective on why a watch is the ultimate form of functional masculine jewelry.

⏱️ Timestamps

00:02 : Virtuosos and Aficionados
• Meet Mike Rayburn, a world class guitarist and speaker who views watches as essential functional tools.
• Mike shares his theory on why men gravitate toward watches as the ultimate form of masculine jewelry.

01:24 : The Function of Jewelry
• Why watches must "do something" to justify their place on a man's wrist in a guy's world.
• Exploring the emotional connection of his first watch, a silver band heirloom from his father.

03:52 : The Unbreakable Casio
• The blessing and curse of an $18 Casio that lasted five years and refused to die.
• Why Mike always prefers analog hands over digital digits for better aesthetic appeal and personal style.

05:07 : Signals of Success
• How joining the National Speakers Association opened Mike's eyes to the world of high end horology.
• The blunt wake up call from a friend about wearing a plastic watch while performing for highly successful people.

08:14 : Training Wheels for Timepieces
• Using replicas as a low risk experiment to find the right weight, balance, and brand before buying the real deal.
• How Mike discovered that Breitling was the only brand that truly resonated with his personal story and aviator aesthetic.

12:36 : The Copenhagen Connection
• The story of buying a Breitling Superocean Heritage during a trip through the Baltic and Scandinavia.
• Why he trusted his gut to choose a Deep Forest Green face over his favorite color, blue.

16:13 : Participating in Your Abundance
• A powerful lesson from Dan Thurman on why high achievers must allow themselves to enjoy their success.
• How buying his dream truck gave Mike the momentum to finally pay off his house.

23:51 : Dressing for the Audience
• Why successful leaders notice the difference between a Casio and a Breitling immediately.
• How upgrading your watch and wardrobe serves as a mark of respect for the people you serve.

31:19 : The Quest for the Perfect Fit
• Why Mike is a staunch member of "Team No Flop" and insists on a snug, secure wrist fit .
• Comparing the ease of leather straps versus the mechanical struggle of adjusting metal bracelets.

38:45 : The Value of Diversion
• Why having a passion outside of your career is necessary to prevent burnout and tunnel vision.
• Final advice on using watches as a form of self expression that celebrates your personal journey.

A great watch is more than a way to track the minutes; it is a way to participate in the life you have worked so hard to build.

==========

FREE GUIDE: Buy Your First Great Watch Without Getting Burned

Download the WatchSmarts Beginner Buyer's Guide »

• Know exactly what matters (and what doesn't) before you spend a dollar

• Avoid the 10 common mistakes that cost beginners thousands

• Find a great watch that fits your life, your style, and your budget

• Skip the jargon, the snobbery, and the "collector nonsense"

• Get a simple decision framework that makes buying easy and obvious