Hairspring

Hairspring's founder Erik Gustafson and enthusiast Max Braun bring you a meandering weekly-ish roundtable on watches and many other things.

Recent Episodes
  • Episode 62: Daytona, An Introduction
    Apr 23, 2025 – 01:08:41
  • Episode 61: Winners & Blunders (and Alternatives)
    Apr 14, 2025 – 00:59:50
  • Episode 60: Contrarianisms
    Apr 3, 2025 – 00:57:14
  • Episode 59: Faux Pas
    Mar 27, 2025 – 01:00:48
  • Episode 58: The Day-Date Download
    Mar 15, 2025 – 01:05:59
  • Episode 57: Retroactive Bidding
    Mar 5, 2025 – 01:08:27
  • Episode 56: Q&A (Pt. 4)
    Feb 25, 2025 – 01:09:36
  • Episode 55: Great Unknown Modern Watchmakers & Their Watches
    Feb 17, 2025 – 01:07:43
  • Episode 54: Great Unknown Vintage Watch Brands
    Feb 11, 2025 – 00:57:25
  • Episode 53: Undervalued Speedmasters, Why Independent Chronographs Matter, and the Le Mans Market
    Feb 3, 2025 – 00:56:15
  • Episode 52: PCC, The Greatest Bloodline in Watches
    Jan 27, 2025 – 01:15:56
  • Episode 51: Strap Etiquette and Why Roman Numerals Often Fail
    Jan 20, 2025 – 00:56:04
  • Episode 50: Ben Clymer
    Jan 13, 2025 – 01:23:12
  • Episode 49: Enthusiast vs Collector vs Professional
    Jan 7, 2025 – 01:06:58
  • Episode 48: Time ‘Only’?
    Jan 1, 2025 – 01:09:01
  • Episode 47: Modern Watches, Excluding Independents, That We Love
    Dec 23, 2024 – 00:58:33
  • Episode 46: Building a 100K 3-Watch Collection That Must Go Up in Value, Plus New Year’s Watch Resolutions
    Dec 16, 2024 – 01:02:31
  • Episode 45: Common Misconceptions
    Dec 10, 2024 – 01:09:42
  • Episode 44: The Balance Cocks of 2000-2024
    Dec 2, 2024 – 01:10:49
  • Episode 43: State of the Collectors’ Market (Plus 100K for Integrated Complication)
    Nov 25, 2024 – 01:11:07
  • Episode 42: Tremblasé & Researching for Dummies
    Nov 18, 2024 – 00:57:28
  • Episode 41: Hot Takes (Pt. 2), Plus an Attorney of BLNRs
    Nov 11, 2024 – 01:00:34
  • Episode 40: Is Modern Patek Philippe Lost?
    Oct 26, 2024 – 00:57:42
  • Episode 39: Would You Rather
    Oct 19, 2024 – 00:58:54
  • Episode 38: Definitely Not Iconic
    Oct 11, 2024 – 00:57:33
  • Episode 37: Braving Looking Like A Fool & Desmosedicis (with Sylvain Berneron)
    Oct 4, 2024 – 01:13:45
  • Episode 36: Rare But Nobody Cares (Pt. 2)
    Sep 27, 2024 – 00:57:47
  • Episode 35: A LNOS, Scholarship-Changing Podcast
    Sep 20, 2024 – 00:56:28
  • Episode 34: The 10(ish) Most Significant Independent Watches of the Last 25 Years
    Sep 13, 2024 – 01:12:05
  • Episode 33: Q&A (Pt. 3)
    Sep 6, 2024 – 00:56:20
  • Episode 32: Great Omega That Isn’t the Speedmaster
    Aug 30, 2024 – 00:58:17
  • Episode 31: Interesting Versions of Boring Watches
    Aug 23, 2024 – 01:03:38
  • Episode 30: What Grinds our Gears
    Aug 16, 2024 – 01:01:20
  • Episode 29: Building a 50K 3-Watch Collection . . .For Each Other
    Aug 9, 2024 – 01:01:43
  • Episode 28: Uneven Discs (with Justin Hast)
    Aug 2, 2024 – 01:01:36
  • Episode 27: Reference Punts (Pt. 2)
    Jul 26, 2024 – 01:05:20
  • Episode 26: What Makes a Movement Great
    Jul 13, 2024 – 01:04:07
  • Episode 25: Price vs Value
    Jul 5, 2024 – 00:58:18
  • Episode 24: The Ultimate Three-Hand, Three-Watch Collection from the Holy Trinity
    Jun 27, 2024 – 00:59:47
  • Episode 23: Silicon Dreams & Interrogating a Rolex AD
    Jun 21, 2024 – 00:51:17
  • Episode 22: Q-Watches, SpaceX, and Oil Infrastructure
    Jun 6, 2024 – 01:02:16
  • Episode 21: WTF is Finishing
    May 30, 2024 – 00:59:02
  • Episode 20: Jordan’s Wellendorff, Patek Philippe Dial Condition, and Dad Watches
    May 24, 2024 – 01:11:17
  • Episode 19: Hot Takes & The Most Interesting Watch in the World
    May 16, 2024 – 00:56:06
  • Episode 18: The Ultimate 3 Watch Rolex & Tudor Collection at 75K
    May 10, 2024 – 00:58:50
  • Episode 17: The 2915 vs 6239 ‘Face’-Off (With a Tour of Japan’s Obscure Independents)
    May 3, 2024 – 00:58:27
  • Episode 16: Heavy Luggage
    Apr 26, 2024 – 01:00:31
  • Episode 15: Alpine Researching
    Apr 18, 2024 – 01:04:30
  • Episode 14: Q&A (Pt. 2)
    Apr 12, 2024 – 00:54:30
  • Episode 13: Q&A (Pt. 1)
    Apr 4, 2024 – 01:03:41
Recent Reviews
  • TaigaBalm
    Yes
    Love all the detail included. Afterall, isn’t that the key to narrative.
  • Mdfu1
    It’s the best.
    Refreshingly wholesome and nuanced conversation around watches in a mediascape that feels increasingly jaded, myopic, and profit-centered. My favorite watch podcast, and frankly it isn’t close.
  • mwani13
    Best free watch podcast ;)
    This is my first time leaving a podcast review. And I listen to a lot of podcasts across investing, tech/startups, religion, menswear, watches and more. All I can say is that every week I look forward to listening to a new Hairspring episode regardless of the topic.
  • BrittKelley
    Best vintage podcast
    I bought 2 watches, so 5 stars 🤣
  • meticulist
    True and deep nerdery
    The most authentic, insightful, and thought provoking watch podcast out there that truly sets the bar for others to aspire to in terms of knowledge, perspective, and depth of topics. Max and Erik are a healthy balance and keep things centered, interesting, and in constant check.
  • Watchcrazy
    A watch collecting Ph.D.
    I’ve been a watch collector for more than 25 years and am constantly amazed at the knowledge depth of Erik and Max. While their orbit is the high end and that’s not for everyone; they impart the wisdom that most of us have only gained by years of good and bad experiences. You’ll find yourself googling all their references that they quickly call out. However, they are good for links in their show notes.
  • Swalker_77
    The next gen of vintage watch pods
    Both hosts are thoughtful, knowledgeable and younger than most in the world of vintage watches - this gives them a fresh perspective that was missing in this space Regardless of whether you liked the overall episode, the “Only Watch” segment at the end of each show is always entertaining and thought-provoking
  • TT_NY
    AWESOME
    Such deep knowledge yet welcoming and no snobbery. Erik and Max give us a much needed chat that goes deep into very specific references while connecting it to current and topical watch chatter. I’ve been sending episodes to other watch nerds on a regular basis. This, paired with the IG and website is quickly shifting HS to being my favorite content about this space I care so much about. Keep at it guys! TT - @montresetal
  • Newark ENT
    The Heart of Watch Enthusiasm
    Erik and Max bring their deep knowledge of horology and their contrasting personalities to the table and deliver one of the best watch-centric podcasts you’re likely to encounter. No pretense, no brand PR, and no filter (sorry, Max’s mom). While you may have to endure the occasional clunky automotive analogy, you will hear some incredible discussions on watchmaking, design, and entrepreneurship. Anything from “what watch would you wear to Mars” and “which watches are in your dream 3 watch roll” will be covered. Throw in a few fabulous special guests, and you are sure to be enlightened and entertained. Just remember that your hot takes are lukewarm at best!
  • The Dadalorian
    As good as it gets.
    Quickly has become my favorite watch podcast. Thanks!
  • Oyster_catcher
    Come for the only watch stay for the banter
    As someone who is slowly descending into the rabbit hole of vintage and high end collecting Erik and Max bring content that is informative without taking it too seriously. At the top of my weekly podcast rotation, if your interested in watches on any level give it a chance!
  • Jberg303
    Best in the biz
    Best watch podcast out there. Deserves more love!
  • albiceleste1978
    Best
    For the watch geeks, be they new to the game, or even quite knowledgeable, this is simply the best podcast re watch collecting. It’s informative, entertaining, and equally as important, honest and direct. My first go-to of ALL podcasts when a new episode is released. I hope it becomes a very long run. I’d miss it.
  • michaelzeff
    Best in show
    Truly informed opinions are a rare commodity in the vintage watch world and this podcast has it in spades. I love all of the strong, but highly reasoned commentary from our hosts. If they have a point of view on a watch or topic they don’t hesitate to air it. Far too often you get the run around or PC take so as not to offend anyone’s sensibilities. If you have any interest in vintage watches I highly recommend listening. I look forward to each new episode. Keep up the great work!
  • Blanekc
    Finishing!
    Great podcast, so happy to be introduced! Scratching the itch one perlage at a time
  • @a_wristeddevelopment
    Best hour of my week
    I need this, man. Keep up the great work!
  • saginatio
    Love it
    Really informative and learning a bunch!! Keep it up guys.
  • WatchHunter.org
    A good start to a great subject
    There are many watch podcasts. Some have zany humor, others are too self serious. This one feels like it could be the start of something new and does not feel exactly like the others. I was entertained for an hour and I learned some things I did not know. For me, the pursuit of horological knowledge is often as much fun as hunting/buying a watch. I’m looking forward to hearing more from the hosts. Give it a chance and get in on the ground floor.
Disclaimer: The podcast and artwork on this page are property of the podcast owner, and not endorsed by UP.audio.