In Bezel's exclusive interview, we sit down with the podcast host to discuss his introduction to the world of watches, his love for smaller-cased pieces, plus the most prized watches in his personal collection.
Since launching Collectors Gene Radio in September of 2022, host Cameron Ross Steiner has made it his mission to explore the nuances of collecting through thoughtful and considered conversations with some of the greatest collectors, experts, and tastemakers of our time. With over 50 episodes of the increasingly popular show now under his belt, Steiner's star is most definitely rising.
In Bezel's exclusive interview, we sit down with the podcast host to discuss his introduction to the world of watches, his love for smaller-cased pieces, plus the most prized watches in his personal collection.
Bezel: How did you get into watches?
CRS: Growing up, I always remembered my grandfathers wearing watches. What I admired most was that they would make the watches they wore work for any occasion and outfit. One Grandfather made Tanks and Calatrava-style watches work with dress clothing and with leisurely clothing, and the same for my other Grandfather with a yellow gold Day-Date and a stainless steel Tissot. The idea that they could be in a pair of sweatpants and a denim shirt or sweater in these watches and then transition into something more formal with the same watch on really drew me in. This is what started me down the path of collecting. Regardless, I think I was bound to collect watches at some point as I have the "collectors gene" through and through and have always collected anything I could get my hands on since I was a little kid.
Bezel: At what point did the passion start to become all-consuming, and what did that look like for you? How did you come to launch the podcast?
CRS: The passion to collect has always been all-consuming as I have been collecting all sorts of stuff since I was a kid. In terms of watches, it really became all-consuming when I bought my first watch, with my own money. I remember sweating the purchase so much, but when the watch came, I bought another watch that same week. It completely took over, and the hunt to negotiate and find what I was looking for was all I wanted to do with my spare time. The idea that I could buy something, and with enough research, buy something at the right price, and if I didn’t want to own it anymore, sell it and move it into another watch was intriguing as well. Why wouldn’t I want to pay 3-5k for a watch that I am interested in but can’t go see in person, knowing that I could get out of it if I needed to? That feeling hasn’t stopped.
Bezel: What was your first watch, and what’s the story behind it?
CRS: Many watches have come and gone but my first watch that remains in my collection was a gift from my Grandparents. The watch of note is a Cartier Santos Dumont Ref. 1576 in yellow gold with a guilloché dial and an ultra-thin case. It is a watch that everyone can appreciate it, whether they are interested or not. I have always loved Cartier, especially the vintage stuff and receiving this watch kickstarted my Cartier collecting journey. A few years ago, we unfortunately lost our Mom. My wife, Madelaine, took the Cartier and had the back of the strap engraved with my Mom's handwriting from a note she wrote me. It's hard to put into words the emotions this watch brings me and it is something that is truly cherished.
Bezel: What’s your favorite watch in your collection and why?
CRS: For sentimental reasons, it would be the Cartier mentioned above, along with a Rolex Explorer II Ref. 16570 with a polar dial. Madelaine bought me this watch to give to me on our wedding day, but we ended up pushing our wedding a year due to the pandemic. So on the day of what would have been our (1st) wedding, she gave me the watch. Of course, I ended up wearing it on our actual wedding day and will always adore this watch. My favorite watch in my collection that does not necessarily come with sentiment is a Patek Philippe Calatrava Ref. 3796 in rose gold with a rose gold dial. It is Tiffany-stamped which adds a little extra sauce to the pot! I love this reference and feel it is extremely undervalued. It wears much better than its 30.5/31mm case size would suggest, and I urge everyone to give this watch a chance. I think it's going to be a very popular reference in the next couple of years when it comes to collecting. There are configurations of this watch for every collector, and I think that's special and not something you see often.
Bezel: Why do you think smaller watches from the likes of Patek Philippe, Cartier, Piaget, and others are having such a moment right now?
CRS: As with anything luxury, anytime something gets the “stamp of approval” from public figures, all of a sudden, the world starts to catch on. While I have been buying these watches well before the public eye caught on, it doesn’t hurt to now have the rest of the world understand why they are so great. Like with anything, once you try something that is so opposite of what you know, and it’s so undeniable like small watches are from these brands, you can’t help but give a tip of the hat to those who told you so. They wear extremely better than their size suggests, they are comfortable, they aren’t too fussy, they look good with anything, and you can’t beat the elegance of small watches from any of these brands.
Social media has and always will help propel trends to the greater audience of any market so we can’t talk about moments without mentioning that. But at the end of the day, when you have guys like Jay-Z, Timothee Chalamet, Drake, and many others wearing small watches, the world starts to open up a little bit more. Cartiers are meant to be on the smaller side. Patek Philippe Calatravas are meant to be on the smaller side. And Piagets are certainly meant to be on the smaller side.
Bezel: Can you share a few must-have watches on Bezel right now?
CRS: Definitely!
I love a good vintage Cartier Panthere. Any size is great but I love sharing this watch with my wife. She has one, and it's fun to wear.
The Serpenti is one of those watches that is so easy to pull off despite it's avant garde design. Just a watch that is always cool and elegant.
This Patek is one of those Calatrava's that I think folks are going to start catching on to. The size is great and wears larger than it suggests. It's classy, elegant, and depending on the strap you put it on it can be dressed up or down. I love it in rose gold. Just simply a watch you can't go wrong with. Ton's of value to be had here.
The H08 is a tad bit bigger of a watch, but it's supposed to be. It's sporty, rugged, and I love this limited edition they did with Hodinkee. The color way is fantastic and the titanium case makes it that much better.
Alright, this Patek World Time is everything. Clocking in at 37 mm, this watch is an INSANE value. A watch of this size looks good on anyone's wrist, and to get a Patek World Time under $30k in a white metal is just a no-brainer. I love this watch, and hope to add one to my collection soon!
The Patek 5165A is one I personally have in my collection and love. I used to have a 5066A which was fantastic, but I wanted something slightly more modern when it came to this watch. This is sort of the "forgotten" Aquanaut as it was made for just two years! It's the modern design but in 38mm and is just perfect for anyone. Other than the 5167R, it is my favorite Aquanaut!
I have owned this watch and several other Royal Oaks several times and I keep going back to the 4100. The gray dial is the best version of this watch in my opinion and the two-tone is unlike any other two-tone sports watch. It's a jump for most in terms of design and taste, but give it a shot and it won't disappoint. This watch is impossibly thin and wears so well on the wrist. I love it!
The Little Lange 1 is amazing. A fantastic design and in 36.5mm it actually wears well on all wrists. 36.5mm may seem small on paper, but I challenge everyone to give this watch a shot. The regular Lange 1 wears just as well but there's so much packed into the Little Lange 1 that it's hard to not appreciate. The icing on the cake here is the Aventurine/Gold Flux dial. It is truly mesmerizing and has a "WOW" factor like I haven't seen on any other watch. This is a very hard-to-get watch and is currently selling right under retail. A great buy in my opinion!
I love rose gold and theres very few modern watches in rose gold on a bracelet that are obtainable. This watch is selling under retail cost right now and I think it's one of the best rose gold sport watches. Plus it's a GMT! It's the ultimate travel companion. This watch is just as cool with jeans and a t-shirt as it is with a sweater and chinos!
This is the watch I always recommend people to that want to get a great first and possibly forever (although having one is never possible) watch. There is so much value in this GMT and it goes with everything. It is an absolute classic and the all black color way it a great way to ease into watches.
Bezel: Why do you continue to enjoy collecting watches?
CRS: Watches have been a place for me to spare excess mental real estate and sort of "get lost" when necessary. I love the hunt, the ownership, the scholarship, and most importantly, the friends and connections I have made along the way.
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