Pit Stop - 11.18.2025
- Events
- STANDARD H YouTube channel
- Audrain interviews
- Please share the STANDARD H Podcast with friends/family
- Taupe Straps are back
- Mugello Suede Jacket PreSale
- Production Delayed
- Photography Coming
- Collaborations Coming
Links:
STANDARD H
@standardh_
This one is for the Lange fans. Saying Anthony de Haas is an incredibly important part of my personal watch journey would most definitely be an understatement. As the Director of Product Development for A. Lange & Söhne, he has had his hands in creating what happen to be some of my favorite watches ever produced. We kick off the conversation talking about his hobby playing drums, the equipment he prefers, which leads us into the watch talk. A standout aspect of this conversation is his humility and clear appreciation for his team. We really get a peek behind the curtain on what the development of these watches is like - it almost feels like an audible tour of the factory in a sense, which I thoroughly appreciate, and I hope you do, too. We talk about the inspirations behind the Zeitwerk, the various tactile experiences with watch functions, we geek out on fonts, and why he considered the Odysseus to be their hardest project. Please enjoy my conversation with Tony.
Links:
STANDARD H
@standardh_
A. Lange & Söhne
https://www.alange-soehne.com/
IWC Watches reached out to Blake and me to host a very special evening in San Francisco last week where we also recorded this podcast live for the 60 people in attendance. We focused on design, both in watches as well as considered things such as Dieter Rams' 10 Principles of Good Design. It was also an evening highlighting the Ingenieur which included having three museum pieces brought in from Schaffhausen! We had an original SL "Jumbo" from 1977, a "Test Watch" from 1993, and one from 1983. More on all of the above in this special episode. Thank you so much to IWC and for everyone who attended this very special evening. Blake and I both hope to continue to do these events and would love to come to a city near you!
Ariel Adams didn’t just start a blog. He left his day job as a lawyer and started an entire media outlet. I was deeply interested in sitting down with Ariel, someone who is well-connected, and for all intents and purposes, is an industry insider in a way very few are. Ariel knows the watch industry as well if not better than most, he’s been a very long term player in the space, and has a grasp on things in a way many of us can learn from. I’m excited to share this very poignant conversation with all of you, so I hope you enjoy it. Without further ado, here’s my chat with Ariel Adams from A Blog to Watch.
Links:
STANDARD H
@standardh_
A Blog to Watch
@ablogtowatch
Today welcomes a very special episode. If you’ve seen my latest posts on Instagram, you’ll be familiar with my recent experience at the Audrain Concours in Newport, Rhode Island. Title sponsor A. Lange & Söhne was incredibly hospitable to invite me as a guest of their for the weekend, and I must say, I had an absolute blast. Friday, during the welcome lawn party known as The Gathering, I had the pleasure of walking around with Lange’s CEO, Wilhelm Schmid, to chat about the cars, why Lange has chosen these types of events to sponsor, and of course the weekend’s release: two Saxonia Thin models. This is a much shorter discussion than normal, though it was an absolute treat, and I kindly ask you please forgive the background noise, which was somewhat unavoidable. This interview will also be slightly more extensive on YouTube should you care to watch it instead, however, I wanted to also offer it as something special here as a podcast. Thank you for listening, and please enjoy my walk and talk with Wilhelm Schmid.
Geoff Hess is someone I’ve wanted to host for years at this point. I was first familiar with him as the CEO of Analog Shift only to later meet him at a private collectors gathering here in San Diego. He’s one of the most engaging people I’ve met through this hobby, he always has something intelligent to say, and overall, he’s just the kind of guy with whom I want to surround myself. Oh yeah, and he started a little meeting called Rolliefest. Geoff was gracious enough to include me in this year’s festivities in NYC - an experience I won’t soon forget. He and I discuss his time working with Ivanka Trump, his foray into watches, the watch he considers to have been the hardest to acquire, how important honesty is, and how being a father has changed him. I have the utmost respect for Geoff, so I’m confident you’ll enjoy what he has to say.
Links:
STANDARD H
@standardh_
Geoff Hess
@manhattanrollie
Pit Stop 9.30.25
- Under the Weather from NYC
- Rolliefest
- Audrain Concours
- Singer event @ Willow Springs
- SF event @ end of October
- 50% off sale going on NOW. Use code 2025FALLSALE
- New Product coming!
THANK YOU FOR LISTENING!
Tony Traina is a watch writer I have become friends with over the last few years, so this episode is yet another long overdue recording. His Substack, Unpolished, is one of only a few I subscribe to, so I was excited to ask him about his journey away from a larger company like Hodinkee to embark on his own, independent distribution model. Tony isn’t a car guy, so it’s all business, watches and a spritz of golf considering Tony’s little-known stint playing AJGA tournaments. Please enjoy my conversation with Tony.
Links:
STANDARD H
@standardh_
Tony Traina
https://www.unpolishedwatches.com/
@tony_traina
Today’s guest is Ben Bertucci, the man behind the best films I’ve seen in recent memory. One of One is a documentary about a Japanese family of car mechanics. This is a horrible description and also vague for a reason. I watched the movie twice in two days, for reference, and it was during the second viewing that I reached out to Ben to invite him on this show. Thankfully, he’s the kind of person to check his DM’s.I don’t want to share too many of my thoughts on the movie because you should see it for yourself. However, I will say there are several things which may be considered spoilers here, so please do watch it prior to listening to this if it’s a concern. Thank you so much for listening and please enjoy my episode with Ben.
Links:
STANDARD H
@standardh_
Ben Bertucci
@benbertucci
Welcome back to another F1 Podcast with Blake Buettner - I’m your host Wesley Smith, and today, Blake and I discuss the Summer Break, the Dutch Grand Prix as well as look forward to the 2026 Season. Thank you so much for listening and please enjoy this Formula 1 edition of the STANDARD H Podcast!
Links:
STANDARD H
@standardh_
I believe I first learned about Kruk design via the algorithm on Instagram. Needless to say, it sure has me pegged. Through friends at Walt Grace Vintage in Miami, I was introduced to today’s guest, the founder and one-man-band behind Kruk Designs, Blake Simon. If you’re familiar with the tartan plaids, woven leathers, and houndstooth-clad watch rolls, then you may already be familiar with the brand. The son of an entrepreneur, Blake co-founded Horus Watch Straps while still in college, only to set out on his own to begin making his own line of luxury leather goods. Blake shares the advice his father has given him, as well as the cars and watches that are near and dear to his heart. Blake and I quickly realized we are certainly birds of a feather, and this was one of the few in-person interviews I’ve done in a while, so it’s safe to say we had a blast. I hope you enjoy it.
Links:
STANDARD H
@standardh_
Kruk Designs
@krukdesigns
Today brings us to Round Table 3. Sadly, the third member of this conversation had an emergency, so he couldn't make it - perhaps we'll host him another time! Instead, I welcome back Raymond Milnarik to the show where we discuss a litany of Maintenance issues for us both. Stay tuned for our hot takes and things aside from cars and watches we've been into lately!
For one reason or another, some podcasts end up taking years to record, and today’s is no exception. That’s right, years, making this episode long overdue, and hosts an inevitable guest, Cameron Barr. You probably know him as Craft + Tailored online, and I know him as someone with whom I arguably have far too much in common. He is a cool, calm and collected vintage watch dealer, so naturally, I wondered what stresses him out. We highlight our affinity for those cars from Stuttgart, but not before we discuss his home several miles away from downtown Los Angeles, the area where he long called home and his office still resides. So, today is architecture, cars, watches, and Cam.
Links:
STANDARD H
@standardh_
Craft + Tailored
https://www.craftandtailored.com/
@craftandtailored
Car Week
Written Articles for submissions
Colors for Fall ?
Black Shif tLogo Trucker Re-Stock
NEW Golf Dad Hats coming!
This was one of my favorite episodes. Justin Placek, known for his unbelievably beautiful seat inserts for 911s, is my kind of guy. Obsessed with detail, striving for perfection, but understanding life is short. I thoroughly enjoyed his story-telling and he really has some to tell. I’m particularly fond of how his business has evolved and the ethics with which he operates. If you’re a fan of STANDARD H, you’re going to love Justin, so please enjoy it.
Links:
STANDARD H
@standardh_
Justin Placek
@justinplacek
Today brings you the second episode of the STANDARD H Round Table and it features two great friends: Trevor Wynn of Pare Pare Podcast and Wes Wynne of Collectors Corner NY! That's right: two Wesleys and two Wynn(e)s...who woulda thunk it?! I'm excited to release this chat as we are all devoted car and watch enthusiasts and not too dissimilar tastes! In this episode, Trevor finally gets to vent some frustrations (ha!), as well as share what he's selling...and hunting! Wes shares a new (incredible) watch acquisition as well as discusses the car that seems to make him want to sell it from time to time. All this and more in today's podcast...thanks for listening!
Links:
STANDARD H
www.standard-h.com
@standardh_
Wes Wynne - Collectors Corner NY
@collectors.corner.ny
Trevor Wynn - Pare Pare Podcast
@pare_pare_podcast
This week, my good friend Blake and I are coming to you with a special interview episode! That’s right, we are interrupting our Formula 1 action, and with very good reason, as we welcome Mr. Wilhelm Schmid, CEO of none other than A. Lange & Söhne! Wilhelm is someone I’ve been thoroughly eager to meet, so this conversation was especially exciting for me.Wilhelm is an incredibly engaging guest given the product he oversees, and as some of you may not be aware, he is deep into cars, more specifically as a vintage car enthusiast. As a result, Blake and I are thrilled to welcome him, not only to get to know him a bit more, but also introduce a new watch making its debut at the Concourse of Elegance Germany at Lake Tegernsee. We are excited to share stories about the watch and its collection within the A. Lange & Söhne catalog, and we can’t wait for more to come! Please enjoy our conversation with Wilhelm Schmid.
Links:
STANDARD H
@standardh_
A Lange & Söhne
@alangesohne
Blake Buettner / The Deep Track
@thedeep_track
On today's Pit Stop, I discuss the new Willys Shirt Jacket in Battle Ship Grey, the Intersect Show this Saturday, updates on the Polos, the collaboration Watch Strap with Molequin, the return of an OG hat, some investor talk, as well as a fairly significant change to the approach of the STANDARD H assortment.
STANDARD H
@standardh_
Kenneth Lam and I met at the Toronto Timepiece Show last September when he stopped by my booth. After chatting getting a closer look at what was on his wrist, I knew I wanted to learn more. I’m excited to host Ken and give him the space to share his design philosophies and approach to his watch brand, Arken, as it’s somewhat of a David versus Goliath story as so many micro brands are. I hope you enjoy it.
Links:
STANDARD H
@standardh_
Arken Watches
@arkenwatchco
Welcome back to another F1 podcast with Blake Buettner I’m your co-host, Wesley Smith. I want to welcome you to a recap of the F1 movie! This was a super fun conversation so let’s get into it. Thanks for listening!