The Wrist Check Pod guys join us for a 3-WATCH THROW DOWN

Time+Tide

There’s an energy that pulses through New York City’s watch scene that you simply can’t replicate anywhere else. It’s diverse, it’s bold, and increasingly, it’s being shaped by voices that bring fresh perspectives to an industry traditionally dominated by heritage and exclusivity. At the forefront of this cultural shift are Perri and Rashawn, the dynamic duo behind Wrist Check Pod, who recently joined us for a watch collection face-off – a 3-Watch Throw Down – that proved to be equal parts horological showcase and masterclass in why watches matter beyond their complications.

“I think it starts with the people, really,” Rashawn explains when asked what makes New York’s watch culture unique. “Being a multicultural city, there are so many different perspectives, there are so many different experiences. Watches just kind of give us another excuse to really commune together and connect.”

Three collections, three perspectives

The format was simple: each participant brought three watches that told their story. But what unfolded was anything but ordinary. Perri led with a 34mm vintage Rolex Oyster Perpetual Date that stopped the conversation cold. Not because of its specs or rarity, but because of what was inscribed on the caseback: “Return to Mia Jordyn Dash” — his one-year-old daughter’s name, engraved as a gift from dealer Eric Wind. It’s a watch she’ll wear one day; a tangible connection between community, friendship, and family that transcends metal and movement.

Rashawn countered with a Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Grand Taille Aston Martin Vantage GT, the Aston Martin collaboration distinguished by its red eight on the dial, a nod to the Vantage V8 engine. What made it special wasn’t just the find (acquired for a jaw-dropping steal of a price from a friend’s son), but the fact that it’s now his daily driver, currently mounted on a lizard leather strap with plans for matte ostrich.

His second piece, a two-tone Rolex Cellini Danaos, told an even better story: initially hated by his wife, it became the watch he wore to their wedding, then nearly sold (which his wife was not happy about as it was his wedding watch), then saved with a trip to Florida to get the watch back and a suprise reveal of a new caseback engraving reading “Mr. and Mrs. Smith” that had his wife in (happy) tears when she saw it.

The selection ranged from the accessible to the ambitious. A Vacheron Constantin Historiques 222 in gold demonstrated that integrated sports watches can bridge eras, while Andrew’s Tudor Pelagos FXD GMT Zulu Time represented the brand’s masterful ability to deliver complications at honest price points.

Beyond the metal

What became clear throughout the conversation is that Wrist Check Pod represents something bigger than watch reviews. Coming out of COVID-19, Perri was searching for community, something that belonged to him beyond work and family. The podcast became that vehicle, and its appeal crossed every demographic imaginable.

“Our audience was incredibly diverse from day one,” Perri notes. “Because aesthetically, people could see we’re into fashion, sneakers, culture. Those things categorically resonated with a wide audience.” This kind of “Ralph Lauren” mindset, where watches exist as part of a complete aesthetic, not isolated on the wrist, has helped lower barriers to entry. They’re bringing younger collectors into the fold, creating spaces where people from different backgrounds connect over shared passion rather than gatekept knowledge.

When asked about the future of watch retail, both were clear: it needs to prioritise community and education over transactions. Brand heritage, innovation, and technological achievement – these stories matter to clients spending any amount, whether it’s for a Christopher Ward or a Patek Philippe. As New York continues to cement itself as a watch capital, voices like Perri and Rashawn’s ensure the conversation stays inclusive, culturally relevant, and most importantly, human. Because at the end of the day, the craziest thing anyone’s done for a watch matters far less than the friendships formed, traditions honoured, and memories made along the way.