This is SUPERLATIVE: A Podcast about watches, the people behind them, and the worlds that inspire them. This week, our host and aBlogtoWatch Founder Ariel Adams is joined by Miguel Seabra, a long-time friend and fellow journalist who has been covering both the watch industry and the world of tennis since the 1990s. To kick off the show, Ariel and Miguel talk a little bit about Miguel’s background covering the watch industry, before the two get into a discussion about how social media and the rise of the digital era have changed the overall culture of the watch media landscape. Ariel asks Miguel about the ways that he has had to develop as an individual working within the watch industry, and if there was anything that he had to do in order to maintain his interest in watches over the years. From there, the two get into a conversation about Miguel’s other passion, which is tennis, along with the overlap that exists between the sport and the greater world of timepieces, including the famous partnership between Rafael Nadal and Richard Mille.

Ariel and Miguel then talk about how an involvement in sports can lead to an interest in different types of watches, before the two dig into the concept of watches as tools versus watches as trophies, given that they are frequently awarded to the winners of high-profile sporting events. The discussion then shifts to why there can be value in working your way up to nicer and more expensive watches during your collecting journey, versus simply immediately buying the most premium offerings you can afford, and this ultimately leads to a conversation about some of the reasons why people wear watches in the first place. Ariel and Miguel discuss the concept of using watches to display wealth versus using them to convey aspects about the wearer’s personality, and how this practice has resulted in an industry shift towards more colorful watches. Given that Ariel and Miguel have both collaborated with brands to design various timepieces, the two then talk about some of their experiences working on the other side of the industry, before Ariel asks Miguel how he thinks his home country of Portugal will have an influence on the future of the luxury industry, given the number of people who have been choosing to move there recently. To close out the show, Ariel and Miguel talk a little bit about the concept of inclusive luxury, and how a trade union for watch media might ultimately be good for the industry and the various brands that operate within it.

Stay up-to-date with Miguel Seabra:

• Instagram — @MiguelSeabra
• Instagram — @TheWristShooter
• Instagram — @Espiraldotempo
• Website — espiraldotempo.com

Show Notes:

• 00:41 — About Miguel and how he became an integral part of the watch industry.
• 10:04 — The pre-social media years compared to the post-social media years as someone who covers watches.
• 13:10 — How the culture of watch industry events has changed in the digital era and some of Miguel’s past experiences.
• 19:13 — The ways that Miguel has developed as an individual and how he has maintained his interest in watches.
• 25:36 — Tennis players wearing watches and the beginning of the partnership between Richard Mille and Rafael Nadal.
• 35:03 — How different sports can lead to an interest in different types of watches.
• 37:41 — Watches as tools versus watches as trophies.
• 41:34 — Why there can be value in working your way up to nicer watches during your collecting journey.
• 46:25 — Using watches to show off wealth compared to using watches to convey aspects about the wearer’s personality, and the rise in colorful watches.
• 52:06 — Working with independent brands to help design watches.
• 56:48 — How Portugal will have an influence on the future of the luxury industry.
• 59:50 — Miguel’s role as a connector within this industry and the idea of inclusive luxury.
• 01:02:09 — How a trade union for watch industry media might be a good idea for the industry.

We’d love to hear from you with feedback or suggestions for future show topics or guests. Advertising opportunities are also available. Comment or contact [email protected].