CwW Spotlight Jim Skelton

Jim Skelton-Host, World of Watches TV

We kick things off with World of Watches host, Jim Skelton. We chose Jim to launch the feature, because he is raw, honest, and immensely knowledgeable  when it comes to all things watches. The guy knows his stuff, and his passion is clear from the very first question. He spoke with us candidly about his love for watches and his latest project.

  

Q: Tell us a bit about your background. (Career, WOWTV, etc.) 

A: I was enjoying a tedious life of retail management for about 11 years (everything from video stores to tobacco shops and eyeglass and sunglass stores) when I got a phone call from Eyal Lalo on my cell at work one day. He requested that I fill a void at ShopNBC and take on a host job there to be their watch-specific host. After a few times of saying no, he finally convinced me to immediately go home, snap a picture for the network's management, and sit by the phone to hear back from him. Sure enough, the call came quickly, and I was whisked away to frigid Minnesota for a 3 day series of interviews and camera tests. Things fell into place and I enjoyed 6 and a half years there as the primary watch host. In 2011 I made the move back to my home state of Florida to take on the same position at WorldofwatchesTV, and I am still currently enjoying my position there. I enjoy the freedom to speak freely on my shows, with very little constraints, and the ability to bring out a BS-free presentation, devoid of the typical hype we have come to expect from such a venue. Hype, which unfortunately I, myself have been a party to in the past, in order to tow the company line. WOW management and myself have a similar philosophy about being forthright in the presentations, and to be as involved with the customer experience as possible. So far, it's been a good fit. I also enjoy the diversity in WOWTV's inventory. I could be presenting a budget-priced, daily wearer at $60 one minute, then follow that up with a $30,000 hand built prestige brand watch. I feel that this provides a well-rounded experience for the viewer, and appeals to every type of collector.

To this day I still feel indebted to Eyal for pushing me into this crazy job, and I have him to thank ultimately for my wonderful, and prosperous career.

Q: What was your first watch? 

A: My very first watch was a Lorus Mickey Mouse watch. I believe I was about 5 years old when my father gave it to me. I wish I still had it... those suckers really went up in value! ;-) The first watch I ever purchased myself, with my own money, was a Timex Ironman when I was probably 12 or 13 years old. That was "the watch" for my age group in the 80's, right before the Swatch Watch hit the scene (and yes, I owned several of those too). But my first "good" watch was a Movado Olympian, two-tone with black dial that I purchased when I was 19. I really thought I had made it with that watch. Swiss Made, and expensive at that time in my life, at about $680. I treasured that watch, and that gave me the true taste for what a quality watch really was.

Q: What is appealing about watches to you and how did your 'watch story' begin? (Why do you collect timepieces....?)

A View of Jim's Collection

A: As I've said for almost 10 years now on my shows, the appeal of watches to me is the fact that a watch is the outward expression of one's individuality. The watch you choose to wear displays to those around you, a little bit of who you are as a person. Maybe you wear a conservative, low key watch. Perhaps it's a tough looking tool diver watch, or a very aggressively designed sport watch. In any case, the wearer typically chooses their watch based on their personality, or interests. The car guy may tend to wear more sporting and race inspired designs more often than others. Career military might choose a tough utilitarian watch like a G-Shock or a Luminox for most days. A CPA or dentist might choose something a bit simpler and classic looking, particularly for work days. That wild and crazy playboy who hits the club every Saturday night, fist-pumping the night away might be more apt to wear a very shiny, oversized piece with a diamond pave dial. While none of these are absolutes, you can generally tell the kind of person you're talking to, simply by glancing down at their wrist.

For me personally, I crave variety, which is why I have collected hundreds of watches. I wear to match my mood, my day's activity, or yes.... sometimes simply to match the clothes I'm wearing. I enjoy watches as conversation pieces, which is why I typically buy something a bit special, or less often seen. If I'm wearing the same watch everyone else is, that's not a great ice-breaker... and what does that say about me? My collection has also grown because over time, my tastes have evolved. What interested me when I was 29 doesn't always trip my trigger now at 39.

 

Q: At CwW, we have a phrase we use for the watch we go to when no other piece in our collection works. We call this watch our 'Daily Default' or DD. What is your daily default? 

A: Ahh yes, the "go-to watch" as I call it. Over the last year or so the two I have worn the most have been the Boschett Harpoon and Breitling Super Avenger. No matter what I'm doing, where I'm going, or how I'm dressed... they just "work". I did recently sell my Breitling, but its being replaced with another one simply with different dial details (Roman numerals instead of Stencil numerals). Clean, classic lines on each, and relatively simple designs, they also work due to the black & silver look that offers a great neutrality.

Q: What are some brands that you personally love that are maybe not as well known to the everyday collector? Why?

A: Boschett, NFW and H2o Watch are probably my favorite brands that aren't really well known to the masses. Of course these names are recognized by hardcore collectors, but when I wear an H2o Kalmar, or an NFW Autopilot out in public, I get a ton of looks, and sometimes compliments and questions because it is a unique design, and a name the general public isn't familiar with. I think Keith Boschetti (Boschett Timepieces) probably has the best formula in the world of micro watch brands. He builds a solid, simple watch with just enough detail to be interesting, without being over-the-top or gaudy. The designs are fresh, useful and unpretentious, and built with high quality components & movements. 

Q: If you HAD to choose only one watch to live with for the rest of your life, what would it be? 

A: Omega Seamaster Pro GMT. The Seamaster Pro is still probably the best dive design ever made.

Q: It seems everyone has their 'holy grail' watch, so what one watch, that you don't already own, is YOUR 'holy grail'?

A: Patek Philippe Sky Moon Tourbillon

Q: Tell us about YOUR new watch line, Strider Watch LTD. How did it come to fruition? What can we expect to see from the line, and when?  

A: Thanks for asking! As many know, I have had the great fortune, and pleasure to have worked with some great manufacturers that have built some of my personal designs over the years. I even created one brand a few years ago and launched it with great success. I did not however have ownership of the brand due to a contractual conflict with my former employer. Last October I was talking to my dear friend Wing Liang (owner of Android Watches), and he suggested that I do it again, but this time I needed to own my brand, and have full control. After a bit of talking, Wing decided to offer his help and expertise, and our partnership began. He's one of the very few people that can handle my detail-oriented nature because he is also very detailed in everything that he does. I am the kind that doesn't take no for an answer, and if I want to do something out of the box design-wise, I won't back down until the factory agrees to try it. This can be exhausting for others that work with me, but in the end, that tenacity is what creates something special. Wing has so much technical know-how, and he approaches every watch with such focus and determination, that I am confident collectors will be very impressed with our brand.
 

With Strider Watch LTD, I am free to create something special. With the debut model, the Hyperdive, I wanted to come out of the gate with something simple, comfortable, and classic in design but with my own unique details. I have designed everything from the ground up, no components or design of this watch can be seen elsewhere except for the classic multi-link bracelet and a wonderful ratcheting wetsuit extension clasp that has proven to be successful for a number of brands. My dial, bezel, hands, crown and all markings are unique, but not over the top. One particular point of pride for me is the ability to offer a product built in the US. While we are sourcing globally, and like many high quality brands that are far above our price range, we are doing case machining in Hong Kong, ALL parts are shipped to our facility here in Florida where our watchmakers are hand fitting, assembling and meticulously inspecting every component. While we would of course love to have 100% USA manufacturing, the tens of millions of dollars required to invest in tooling, machines, factory space and workers is simply too costly to bear for a small, upstart micro brand that has no plans to mass produce. Each model will be a numbered limited edition (The Hyperdive will be limited to 500 pieces across 3 variations), so we can afford to take the time to do true hand fitting and assembly, and not rush to meet a mass market demand. My goal is to bring out hand crafted watches using the best movements, Sapphire crystals and Superluminova in unique designs for less than all the other micro brands out there, without sacrificing a single bit of quality.
 

Our website, striderwatches.com is currently being built, and we expect to launch it in December. There we will offer a pre-order for those that may wish to get in early to guarantee a spot. But everyone is welcom to simply wait until our public release, which we expect in early to mid January of 2014. On our site we will be offering of course the watches, but also options such as an extra caseback (all Hyperdive will come standard with a solid steel back, but the owners can elect to purchase an exhibition caseback to view the Miyota 9015 movement, and we will gladly install it, then put the original caseback in their box when it delivers), additional straps (the watch delivers on a bracelet with a leather and a nylon strap included), and other accessories.

My hope is that people enjoy wearing them as much as I have enjoyed designing them. I have 3 other model designs ready to go if the first model proves to be a success. Every new model will be completely different from the others, offering a wide variety of styles. I am not a fan of repetition.

Final Thoughts:

I want to say thank you to Erin and ChicksWithWatches for reaching out to me and allowing me to share my thoughts and passion about watches with your fans. I also appreciate your wonderful support of me personally, and of WOWTV. I love what you've built here, and your obvious enthusiasm. All the best to you in your endeavors, and to your fans!

A HUGE thank you from all of us at CwW, Jim!