Ahead of Geneva Watch Days, which will feature 71 (mostly independent) brands in 2026, episode 49 of the SJX Podcast looks back at how independent watchmaking became the phenomenon it is today. SJX and Brandon trace its evolution from 1970s pioneers like George Daniels and F.P. Journe through the arrival of Daniel Roth, Philippe Dufour, and Franck Muller. The conversation also examines the avant-garde boom of the 2000s, the renewed emphasis on traditional finishing, and the role of digital photography and social media in transforming what was once a solitary pursuit into a global collector community.


Listeners can sign up for the SJX Newsletter by August 12, 2026 for a chance to win a Habring² Chrono-Felix Medicus.


Show notes:


  • 00:23: Habring² Chrono-Felix Medicus giveaway
  • 02:25: Geneva Watch Days 2026 preview and origins
  • 04:00: The pioneers of independent watchmaking
  • 10:00: The 2000s wave and the influence of the Philippe Dufour Simplicity
  • 12:09: Survivorship bias, changing tastes, and returning makers
  • 14:03: Post-Covid independents, specialist suppliers, and social media
  • 18:43: Predictions for what comes next

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