Breaking Barriers in Horology with Miss GMT: A Journey into Watch Collecting and Inclusivity

Imagine stepping into the captivating world of horology through the lens of a trailblazer—Miss GMT. As a formidable force in the watch industry, she unravels her personal journey from a tech-savvy enthusiast to a passionate collector, navigating a space traditionally dominated by men. Our conversation isn't just about timepieces; it's about breaking barriers and creating an authentic presence in a world that often sidelines women. Discover how Ms. GMT's story intertwines with the rich history of women in wristwatches, and learn how her vibrant social media presence challenges the status quo and fosters a more inclusive community.

Get ready to explore the highs and lows of watch collecting, where the thrill of acquiring coveted pieces like the Speedmaster Reduced meets the reality of navigating gender bias. Through personal anecdotes and insightful narratives, Ms. GMT sheds light on the unique experiences of female collectors and the complexities of the watch market, especially during transformative moments like the COVID-19 pandemic. From the joy of finding iconic timepieces to facing challenges head-on, this episode encapsulates the essence of being a female enthusiast in a predominantly male industry.

We also dive into the broader landscape of watch culture, celebrating diverse preferences and the role of real-world interactions in shaping one's horological journey. Learn how events, gatherings, and influential figures, such as vintage watch influencer Cameron, play pivotal roles in expanding one's appreciation for watches. The discussion ventures into the evolving industry, where gender-neutral designs challenge traditional norms and call for greater inclusivity. With an unwavering commitment to diversity, our mission is clear: to uplift voices, inspire connections, and cherish the vibrant tapestry of perspectives that define the watch enthusiast community.

Follow Miss GMT: https://www.instagram.com/watchmissgmt/

Chapters

• 0:10 Female Watch Enthusiast Discusses Journey
• 14:46 Challenges & Experiences for Female Collectors
• 28:47 Embracing Diverse Watch Preferences
• 35:39 Building Connections Through Watch Events
• 48:35 Navigating Challenges in Watch Industry
• 52:39 Inclusive Approach to Watch Design
• 1:07:42 Embracing Diversity in Watch Culture
• 1:15:12 Promoting Inclusivity in Watch Industry
• 1:26:08 Reflecting on Watch Industry and Future

Transcript

Blake Rea: 0:10

hello everybody. Welcome to another episode of lonely wrist singing. In front of me is none other miss gmt herself hello hey thank you so much for having me.

Blake Rea: 0:26

I really appreciate you letting me on the pod I appreciate you coming onto the pod because I've been trying to get you on here for a really long time it hasn't been that long no, you need to go look back. Look back in your dms and take a look, because I was trying to get you on here like over a year ago probably okay, well, I definitely will have to go back and look, but I was probably definitely a lot shyer back then that's all right.

Blake Rea: 0:51

that's all right. Well, we are here, finally, and I'm glad it worked out. Um, I I felt like having you on the podcast was very important, especially considering the scene. The community, the watch industry, uh, is very male dominated, and anything we can do to kind of like level the playing field and to get more, you know, female participation if that's what you want to call it in the industry, I think is very important, because I know some badass chicks that are in the watch industry and we need to see more of them, and that includes you.

Miss GMT: 1:35

So, yeah, no, I couldn't agree more. I mean, diversity is the spice of life and obviously watches are absolutely a male dominated industry. And it's interesting because when you dive into a little bit of the history of watches too, wristwatches actually kind of started with females wearing them on their wrists first and men still were wearing or using pocket watches. So it actually when you dive into the history, there are females. So when you look at you know when that happened to today, like what's the gap? You know what's holding other females back. Their female enthusiasts are few and far in between, but there are still a lot of us. So I think, highlighting those voices and you know, just like gents, we're all different ourselves. So getting multiple different opinions and multiple different females, just you know, will continue to shape and model the industry. So thank you again for the opportunity and hopefully that there's a lot more.

Miss GMT: 2:33

And you know, when I started my platform, that was actually one of the core reasons and starting a social media page and presence, to be honest, because you know you look at a lot of watch accounts in the industry and a lot of people. It's just risks, just just risks, risk hair, you know, like watches no face, you don't really know the person behind it. Sometimes there's not even a name on the profile. So, you know, I've had people come up to me at events and in person and say, hey, I'm so-and-so and I'm kind of like I don't know who you are. And then I'll look back and like, oh yeah, we've exchanged, like I actually know who you are as a person, but I'm sorry, I didn't recognize you from your wrist in public, which is totally understandable. You know, I'm not knocking it, knocking it at all.

Miss GMT: 3:17

It was obviously a very conscious decision to put my face on my profile. You know, obviously there's security risks at play there searchability, like you know but that was a decision that I wanted to make. You know, especially being a female who is a watch enthusiast, I thought it was very important. With social media being a little sketchy, as is, I just really wanted to put my face out there and show that I'm a real person. I'm not a bot, I'm not a fake profile. That is genuinely me and that's why I tried to do a lot of videos where I'm actually talking to myself and them, because it just again creates realness and authenticity. So that was a conscious decision. But that is also why I don't put things like you know, my my name out there, full name and a lot of details, because you know, when you meet me in person, I'm, you know, an open book. I'll tell you, I'll talk to you, but you know, but there are some creeps on interwebs, so got to keep it real.

Blake Rea: 4:17

Wait, are you sure you're not one of those AI-generated content creators?

Miss GMT: 4:22

Yeah, I'm a total fake right now. This is all an illusion.

Blake Rea: 4:26

Yeah, guys, we must protect Ms GMT at all costs. Please Tell me how you got into watches, what inspired you to go down this rabbit hole, um, and talk about your passion, you know, for watches. I think it's very important totally, I think you know.

Miss GMT: 4:46

I definitely want to share that more and convey that. So it's a great question. Um, how it all started actually was I was never really into watches before. I'm a 90s baby, so I'm from kind of that tech generation and, yes, I started, probably not started. I definitely had some watches before as a kid, but nothing that was meaningful, nothing that I remember. I don't know if it was a swatch or a Timex or just some like kind of like kid watch. I don't even know what other brands are out there that cater towards children or kids, so it wasn't memorable.

Miss GMT: 5:23

My first memorable watch was an iWatch, again being digitally connected, and all my friends had one. I got to track my steps, my metrics, you know, see who was messaging me, listen to music, change music. So I'm definitely from the iWatch generation. I won't knock them. I still sometimes wear mine on hikes and stuff. I'm not going to replace it if it dies. I don't see that much value in it anymore. I probably won't do that. It hasn't, you know, kicked it, kicked, kicked it yet. But um, so that's kind of where I started and honestly, I think that's what plays into me wearing a lot of larger wrist size watches, which I get a lot of hate for, um, socially, from a lot of haters. But you know what? Like you know, 43, 46 millimeters on my wrist feels normal. It feels right, like obviously, for text to come up on the screen, to be able to read it, you need a larger size. So it just felt normal. It felt comfortable for me. It still does. Obviously, there's exceptions to that rule, because every watch is unique and different in terms of its sizing and how it feels on their wrist.

Miss GMT: 6:27

But I don't really remember, like growing up with a particular watch. So it all started before the pandemic, actually. So I went to source a meaningful gift for a partner who was looking for a watch, their first luxury watch. So I thought you could just, you know, walk into a Rolex boutique and say I want that one. You know, I got the. I had my friend do some digging and espionage because I knew if I did it it would be very like, evident and obvious. So I got the exact like reference number, which at the time I didn't know was called a reference number. I just knew I needed more detail to ask to really get the one that my partner wanted.

Miss GMT: 7:07

So there I am, I walk into a Rolex boutique, you know, find the salesperson and say, hey, I'm looking for a Rolex Datejust, and welcome me. In which one are you looking for? Blue dial, smooth bezel? And at the time I probably said something like the smooth bracelet I didn't really know the terminology at the time and she kind of like chuckled but was still very nice and welcoming and said you know, I would love to help you and I'm going to try. Is there anything in the case that you like or prefer? Because you know, blue dial watches are very sought after and very popular and I don't think you know this.

Miss GMT: 7:47

But there's a long waiting list and I think I had given like three and a half months or something. It wasn't, you know, like super urgent in terms of timing, but it also wasn't like a long, long time coming. So I was like, oh, I didn't recognize that there was an over six month wait list for this watch or that. You know, you have to put your name down and it's kind of like a. So I had no idea, no clue as to what the process was. I thought, you know, my money was green, I could just walk into a store, walk out with what I wanted and capisce and that was not the case. So that was like my first introduction into the world of horology and how watches are sold or even displayed, and again, not really knowing too too much other information, not doing tons of research and diving online into the reference number, the model number, the functionality, anything like that. So that was my first experience. Just to close the gap on the story she ended up coming through and the timing that was applicable. So that essentially was the first watch exposure. I had it all worked out.

Miss GMT: 8:52

A gift was well received was the first watch exposure. I had it all worked out. A gift was well received. I hid it in a creative way because it came in probably, I think, like four or five weeks before when I was planning to give it and so I was living with my partner at the time. So that's when I was like how am I going to hide this? It's a good box and all the materials and everything, and we're both intuitive people. So I was like this is going to be difficult, you know, living together to hide. So I ended up hiding it in a tampon box and like the upper part of the closet, like with old sweaters and stuff, and I'm like I'm fine this year.

Miss GMT: 9:27

So, um, yeah, success there. It was a surprise, complete surprise, and it worked out. But that was really my first entry point into the world of horology and that was shocking. And then kind of from there together we started watching like watch content, because it kind of then leads into COVID timing and we watched everything. I mean there's only so much like Tiger King, game of Thrones, like rewatching the Office, that you can do. So we kind of really expanded different content forms and types and YouTube almost became our primary source of like entertainment as a platform.

Miss GMT: 10:11

So learned a lot more about watches. I think there, you know, intermittently, I was never like super, super engaged in it at first. Then, like the more you learn, the more you recognize, the more you find little tidbits, like it kind of draws you in more and more. So, as I started like learning more about watches, that's when, you know, I hit a milestone and at my career and so I kind of wanted to celebrate and and really benchmark that kind of celebration. So I was like it's time for my first watch. Um, so that's when I went in and I was actually looking for an oyster perpetual at the time and I didn't know what dial color. I just was like I really like this. So I went in I tried a couple on and I was kind of like underwhelmed than what I have thought from seeing photos online. And the sales woman not actually my sales woman, it was a different sales woman and the store was wearing a green Submariner and I said that's really cool, can I try that on? And they kind of were like, oh well, that's a men's wrist. But yeah, I mean, uh, this saleswoman is rocking it. She's always had one, she loves it. You know. Um, but it is considered a men's watch. I just want you to know that. And I was like, okay, like I'm, I'm a sporty girl. So I'm like okay, like sure, but can I still try it on? So luckily I was able to try it on, and that's when she had mentioned the glide lock um feature.

Miss GMT: 11:39

And I'm someone like who shrinks and swells like a ton like literally depending on humidity, how much I drank eight, like everything, and I just like same. That's why I don't wear a lot of jewelry, like rings and stuff, because I feel like I can change like three different sizes in like a day and then I'll start to play with it and it just becomes a distraction. So earrings and necklaces are my jam a lot more than rings. But yeah, so I tried it on.

Miss GMT: 12:07

She explained the glide lock feature and that's when I was like I really like this, like this is comfortable. For some reason it just sit perfectly. I have like this obnoxious wrist bone on both sides where it's like not quite level necessarily, so when watches sit, some some of them like really are obnoxious. Like um, for example, I've never really worn an omega speedmaster because every time I try them on I'm like I don't think I could wear this for more than like an hour because it just kind of like pushes up and it feels very uncomfortable, which is odd. It's just my makeup, I guess.

Blake Rea: 12:41

Wrist architecture.

Miss GMT: 12:43

Yeah, yeah, for real. That's why it's so important, I think, to actually experience watches. So again, I ended up waiting and finally getting one and it was. It was awesome and that just kind of once I got my own. It just sent me into this like I always relate to it as like Alice in Wonderland when she like falls down the black hole and you're just like.

Miss GMT: 13:09

you're just like falling, like looking at everything along the way, like, oh, that's cool, and did you see that Like? And you just go deeper and deeper and then you just get more exposure and experience. So that's kind of how it happened and how it all went down.

Blake Rea: 13:24

That would be a good meme, like when Alice in Wonderland, where she falls back into the tub and like you're Alice and like the tub is like all the watches.

Miss GMT: 13:36

Perfect, there you go.

Blake Rea: 13:37

you might see that next week do it, do it, copyright it, take, take credit. Um, I, yeah, I, I. I guess rolex is a weird one because a lot of people will get into watch collecting through not necessarily through rolex, but it'll be their first kind of aspirational watch and from there, um, you know, once you don't get the watch you want, it kind of was like, all right, well, what else that's badass can I get? And then people go down the rabbit hole and they learn about Omega or whatever. Right, yeah, and, and yeah, I mean it took me a really long time to get my first Rolex and my first one was always perpetual, ironically, and gosh, I love that watch.

Miss GMT: 14:32

What made you like want it initially? Initially, like what attracted you to the oyster perpetual, I was like, but like, this is, this is the one I want.

Blake Rea: 14:37

I mean, uh, I felt, I felt like, well, obviously it was the most obtainable right, it's the cheapest right, and I'm like, oh shit, you know I'm getting ready to spend. Like at the time it was like six dollars, just over six grand. I was like, okay, like I'm gonna spend six grand on a watch. Like what, how sick am I one? And like, how are my priorities like so botched?

Blake Rea: 15:02

Because my first real watch purchase, um, at the time, um, I, like me and my partner and we separated but, but, but I I literally secretly went onto eBay in order to watch and it was a Speedmaster reduced. And then when it came in, like I was like, you know, like tracking it, like trying to get to the door before she would to see it, and then just try to like quickly unbox it, throw the box out, like as quickly as I could. So then I would just wear it, you know like throw it on my. This was the plan, right, I'd throw it on my wrist and then um, and then if she said something about it, oh, what do you mean?

Blake Rea: 15:39

I've had this you know, like what do you mean? Like no, it did not work out like that. She entered after the package, she opened it and then she was like what the blake like?

Miss GMT: 15:51

what did you do?

Blake Rea: 15:52

yeah, like how much was this you know, because, of course, like you know, like she saw the omega logo and everybody, I think, even if you don't know watches, you know the omega logo and and the brand um, and and yeah, needless to say, I got in a lot of trouble. But this was pre-covid and the speedmaster reduced, were selling for like 900 or like 1100 dollars, like they were so cheap. And then covid hit and then they went up to like almost three grand and so, for whatever reason, I just I loved it, but I also hated it because the bracelet, like it wasn't a very modern bracelet and it just would just, I mean it shredded my arm hair like just painful to wear. So I was like let me get out of this.

Blake Rea: 16:45

And then this was at the time when they were discontinuing the 1861 Speedmaster, which was produced from 1997 until 2021 or so, um, and and so I was like this is the one, this is the one that was on the moon, like this, you know, like the modern right, this one's flight certified, like it's not the 321, it's not the original, but it is a very, very, very modern speed master, um, and so I knew they were being discontinued and my dealer at the time, you know they did discounts and they're like look, this is the last one, we just want it gone. We got the new stuff coming in like, just take it, yeah and uh. And so I literally paid like a thousand dollar difference between what I sold, the the reduced for and the new speedy, and I was like, okay, like I could do that that's awesome.

Miss GMT: 17:30

No, I. I think I love that story because it illuminates, like the optionality and possibilities in the world of horology especially. You know from where you start to where you want to go, like it can be a journey, and you know these, these are expensive items and you know it can be difficult to get there. So sometimes you you know like you said it started in the beginning of COVID as being inexpensive. And then you know, with hype, publicity for many reasons, other people getting into the hobby, like the price has skyrocketed. And to get into something that you know is a little more meaningful for you, like insignificant and being able to be able to feel like you're a part of history because of that, like that's really cool. I find that really cool. I think there's people who would probably hate on that, but I find that fascinating. I think it's a very manageable way to think about, like watch collecting.

Blake Rea: 18:28

Yeah, I, I agree. I want to use this as a good segue point, cause I've got some great questions here for you and I hope we can address all of them.

Miss GMT: 18:39

Yeah, tell me as a female in the industry have you encountered any challenges or experiences? That you feel like uh, like that aren't normal, like I don't know, describe like what do you mean?

Blake Rea: 19:04

not normal? Um, well, I mean you all you mentioned something, um, and maybe this could be it, but you know, when you were at Rolex and they said, hey, I'm sorry, that's a man's watch, like what are you doing? Yeah, yeah um, because this industry is is very male dominated. You know you being a female. Um, I'm just assuming that you may have different experiences in the industry than all of us, so yeah, absolutely.

Miss GMT: 19:31

Um, definitely different experiences and honestly I think there's positive ones and there's negative ones. You know, to that point of walking in the Rolex boutique and the saleswoman just like very purposefully planting, just so you know, this is a men's watch and like I didn't really think too much into it, I currently, like my day job has always been a male dominated industry, almost to some degree. So, like I'm sort of used to it. So I don't know if that makes me like tougher than most or just more used to it, which I don't know if I should be, but I am. So it didn't really bother me because I've always been a girl who just like, goes after what she wants, like regardless of what people are going to say. So it didn't really impact me in that way and I never really spent too much thought on it. But you know, the saleswoman was, you know, not quite my age, so I think maybe she was worried about the optics and perception of me wearing it and especially because you know Rolex it is a big purchase, right, it's. It's not like something that you can just like probably toss aside, like it it takes time to plan for and you have to really want it and be specific about the model because they are costly, and so I think she may have been worried about, like, the optics and how people receive it and be like oh, that's, that watch is too big for you.

Miss GMT: 20:47

That is a men's watch and I guess just wanted to create awareness so that I was ready for it. I'm not, I'm not sure. So I didn't really take it the wrong way. Maybe again because I'm used to it and I was just like, well, I'm going to give it a try because I like it. So I definitely wonder if she was paving me, because in starting my page, like, I definitely get a lot of pushback and in terms of experiencing the watch world from a female, probably something that I get super frequently is a lot of mansplaining. I don't know if you've heard this term on Urban Dictionary or on social media TikTok.

Blake Rea: 21:26

I have mansplained before to my wife.

Miss GMT: 21:30

And I mean everyone does it right. There's a stereotype in it for a reason and I think that's definitely a large headwind and big barrier to entry and two more females getting into the hobby or even showing any interest in watches. Um, it's, it's just different. So if you don't really have an interest to begin with and then you do inquire and you get told you know, like, like, oh, I'm more educated than you. Like this is, you know, like it just it's not setting a tone for an environment that's very welcoming or interesting, right, especially when it's like a total one-sided street versus a conversation. And I met a lot of people who essentially are mansplaining without mansplaining and honestly, that's like welcomed, because there is, you know, a little bit of an educational barrier.

Miss GMT: 22:19

I feel like a lot of females maybe grew up with watches of their parents wearing them or their grandparents, but not necessarily knowing, like you know, what reference number that is or what the function behind it is, like a day date. I feel like most females wouldn't know that it says the day and a date or be able to call that out. They would just be like that's a Rolex you know like, and it's yellow gold, like the obvious things, and to some degree with cars too, like that was a yellow Toyota that just went by not like the exact make, model year, body kit, style, like, I think, men in general and they're looking at purchases and I hate to generalize any, you know, sex, like demographic, but to some degree I'll make it as a generalization and a stereotype for a reason. But you know, men will recognize and know a lot of detail about it, like the reference number, the years, you know something was discontinued on it or it's a replacement part, whereas that might not be so obvious to a female. So I think there's definitely a way to kind of explain things in more of an approachable manner that would get someone interested in that watch and why it is the way it is, versus like I'm gonna teach you in like a negative way, you know, very condescending way is like I'm going to teach you in a negative way, a very condescending way. So that's definitely, I think, a big barrier to entry. But for the most part it's been quite welcoming. Definitely not on the social media side. I'd say it's welcoming more on the event side of things and with brands.

Miss GMT: 23:55

There's a lot of people who hide behind a screen and I think just want to be haters, just to hate so a lot and I know this from a lot of other watch female influencers as well. A ton of hate on that watch is too big for you. Or even comments which are super nasty of like stay away from our hobby, it's not for you. Or even comments which are super nasty of like stay away from our hobby. Like it's not for you, you're not welcome here. Like, which is pretty crazy.

Miss GMT: 24:19

But then, like you realize, whoever made that comment, like there's clearly something else going on in that person's life, to feel like like I don't know women are stepping on their toes and there's not enough watches for all of us, like I don't know, but, and that's not okay.

Miss GMT: 24:34

But again, I think all the women who are that I know of and have interacted with are quite tough. So you know, it might be really frustrating, especially on like a bad day or like I'm not a morning person and so usually I'll open up my comments or anything. It's when I wake up and check to see what's going on, what I missed, anything pressing, and when you just see some negative comments. First thing, I'm a groggy and I'm not a morning person, so I definitely will get a little defensive in the morning and upset and then you got to let it go, because one person's opinion shouldn't impact how you feel about a brand, a watch or anything, and you shouldn't let it disrupt because I've definitely created some magic in my channel and I hope to inspire others to do the same, and something like that will just hold us all back.

Blake Rea: 25:25

Yeah, I mean we've all gotten it. As a content creator, I mean you're putting yourself out there. You know for the world to to criticize and I remember when I when I first started making like, like my youtube videos are you? Our youtube channel is newer than our podcast and our blog, but somebody came on there and was like vocal fry and I was like what's Like, let me go look this up.

Blake Rea: 25:54

And I remember like looking it up and I'm like, yeah, I don't intentionally do that, that's just the way I talk, like you know.

Miss GMT: 26:02

I guess, like I'm not like trying to youtube comments have been the nastiest, I think, actually, in comparison to other platforms. They're so left field and so, like, like you talk fun, like I I even think I've gotten a like you talk funny or something. I'm like what? Like what's that even mean?

Blake Rea: 26:22

yeah, I, I started to look at it differently because I've got a lot of really supportive like I, I started this with a mission, you know, um, and I just want like honest, uh, like transparency and fun in the watch industry, and we talked about this already. But I'm trying to cater to like a super nerd, like a super watch nerd, you know, with my content, like we're talking about movements and power reserves and technical specifications and dimensions and and and construction, like injection molding and like all these weird types of you know things that we're talking about, uh. But but at the end of the day, when I I literally like puts a few videos out and then I was just like these people suck, like People online suck. Obviously we get our share of love, but then we get our share of hate. And then One of my friends said something to me. He was like Hater, if you address the haters as their supporters, then they'll be the assholes and you won't.

Blake Rea: 27:35

So, and and I've done that every single time Like I literally will try, I will respond to every comment on my YouTube channel. Like I, it's just, I mean, I can do this now cause we're smaller, um, but uh, but yeah, you know, when somebody is super bashful, like I'll be, I will like embrace their opinion. I'll be like, oh, I can see why you, why you, hate this, but thanks for your comment, you know, and they're just like like, like okay, this dude's a sociopath here, like somebody in the back jet skiing.

Miss GMT: 28:09

That's awesome yeah, um some fun in the sun. It's actually way warmer than normal it's cold here.

Blake Rea: 28:17

It's cold here right now. It's like 40 degrees, which is weird really. Which is considering this, but um, but no, ever since I've kind of like took in that approach, like it is like I have set myself free, like I don't care, like I am doing this for you, for the industry, and if you don't care, then why should I care?

Miss GMT: 28:39

yep but, yeah, addressing it, I love you and a way to let them know like it's not getting to you um and I found a similar thing.

Miss GMT: 28:47

Actually, at first, you know it can be frustrating to hear feedback that's so a outlandish and then like b, like, like, what, like, who does that? You know, if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it at all. Um, you know, if you're not trying to like, like, I don't know, there's not room for like, there's obviously room for people's opinions, but when it's negative, like what are you trying to accomplish by that? I don't understand. But usually I found when I kind of attack it, either they recognize that they were being kind of rude and condescending and then they'll kind of rescind, or like they just won't respond. But I always find it interesting.

Miss GMT: 29:25

I think sometimes negative comments come from like I don't know, like people that aren't very involved either in the industry, which is interesting, because then they don't allow comments back, which is kind of frustrating too. So sometimes, like I'll hide those because, like I just like there's no place for negativity. You know I welcome discussion and dissonance. Like I always tell people I'm like, how boring would it be if we all liked the same watch. What would we talk about? There's no fun in that. So I truly welcome as much discussion as possible because it's productive. It's not like you're trying to convince someone to have the same opinion as you. Productive, you know. It's not like you're trying to convince someone have the same opinion as you, but it does. You know, take a lot of different like personalities and styles to. You know it's an expression of yourself, so not everyone's going to get along, not everyone's going to like me. That's why there's room for all of us in industry with our different tastes and personas. And you know, the more you can make yourself available or put yourself out there to your point, you're going to find the people just like you who are probably just as nerdy in terms of what you look for in a watch and what makes you like certain watches and same with me.

Miss GMT: 30:46

Like that's actually one of my pillars and why I shifted my like bio from more just watches into more lifestyle. Because I am the person behind my account. I am real, I have likes and desires and hobbies and hopefully that's similar to other people. But the whole point in that is to make it relatable and so that you understand a bit about me and maybe what makes me tick as a person and hopefully you're either going to like that or not. And there's some watch friends I have that have extremely different tastes than I do, to the point where, like you know, I realized if I don't have anything nice to say, I just kind of stay quiet and it's probably like, yeah, you probably don't love that watch or watch designer, get it even. But still like just welcoming the like, tell me more about it, like, or what makes you like it or what's unique about it, like, then you can kind of understand, especially when you know more about that person behind the watch, you know who's wearing it. You're like, oh, that makes sense, like I get why you relate to that a lot more than I would ever or at all.

Miss GMT: 31:50

But one of my favorite favorite quotes is actually from Cameron Barr at Crafted and Tailored, and I don't know if you mentioned on a podcast. I mean I know you said it to me in person and I just so agree with the statement is that watches is very relatable to ice cream, right? Or like an ice cream parlor. So there's, you know you don't need ice cream, you don't need a watch, but it's such a celebration and something that you love, you desire. It's like super exciting and just creates like this celebration.

Miss GMT: 32:25

And when you walk into an ice cream parlor, you have so many different options, right? So you can either think of like the ice cream parlor, like an authorized dealer, like Watches and Wonders or Watch Time or Wind Up or Watch Fair, where you have exposure to all these different flavors, and you might be like a classics, right, like you know, think of the major classic brands like Rolex, omega, cartier, or relate it to like chocolate and vanilla and strawberry, like you might only love the classics and you go and get chocolate every time, or only vanilla, and it's vanilla only and that's okay. Like there's room for that in the watch collecting community too, and I think everybody can appreciate a really good classic or have one. But you also can get two scoops, you can get vanilla and you can get orange sherbet, like you know, something really fun and like kiddie or or, like you know, inexpensive and just wild card and still appreciate it and enjoy it just as much as you would a vanilla.

Miss GMT: 33:26

So I think it's so interesting and when you get people together at these events like a, it's exposure into different ice cream flavors or different watches that you can try on, you can engage with, like you can sample, you can say, oh, that's not for me, but I'm glad you know I liked it from the press release I saw online it looked really cool, but I don't like the way it feels or it really, you know, gets caught up in my arm hair, which I can't relate to, but like, for whatever reason, for me it would be like this annoying, like wrist bone that like just pops out everywhere, and so you get to experience it. And, like in the ice cream parlor, when you're enjoying your watch and your experience, you get to see others and what they got. You might be able to ask them hey, I saw you got Rocky road. Like what does it taste? Like? Is it good? Like should I try it? Like how do you feel about it? And like that exposure, like you know, you don't know what you don't know.

Miss GMT: 34:20

So being exposed to the environment where watches or you know different ice cream flavors are available is what it's all about to me, which is why I really prioritize events, because A I'm still learning and it's an opportunity for me to get educated on either a brand, what makes this brand unique, like why people should care, um, things of that nature, um but also just exposure, and I really look at what I'm doing and creating my like profile or my channels as like a guy theory, like my, my goal or my mission is to take people to Flavortown. Okay, like I'm gonna write not really write about, but talk about. You know the brands, what they're doing. You know, like this ice cream parlor exists. You can get X, y and Z here, like this is what they're known for, something you may not have known. They make their ice cream base. Or you know they custom design their cases or their dial, like whatever it may be like highlighting that for people to have the opportunity of you know, access and awareness as well. So that's kind of my goal and it's a way to kind of stay unbiased and not just promote what I like 24 seven. You know what my favorite ice cream flavor is like down everyone's throat. Like and really highlight and share.

Miss GMT: 35:39

Because my goal and going to events, which I put as like a fun bucket, because I really enjoy them, because I'm learning, I'm meeting people who enjoy what I enjoy and it just allows for exposure and access and that's something that not everybody has right Like if you're living in Nebraska, your local AD might be a two or three hour drive or even farther. The watch events are probably one a year or less. It's probably difficult to seek community in certain areas of the nation or even the world. So having a social profile is an opportunity to really give access. And an example of this is I recently you know it's very trendy right now, right on trend and topic that I got to try on the cubitus a few days after it finally was available at ADs and you know, for the size of it being 45 millimeters, like it's kind of like scary right Like to some it sounds like this is massive, it looks huge and being able to try on a female's wrist, which is traditionally smaller than a man's wrist, and how it felt, and being able to communicate and convey that like had it had changed my mind from seeing the press release and what it looked like on someone's wrist and like a perfectly touched up advertisement, you know, like every detail airbrushed out and obviously it fits perfect.

Miss GMT: 37:05

And you know, I think having this influencer, influencer approach is a way to share, like that access and experience. So A hey, you might want to know that yes, you can make up your opinion by seeing this press release, but you might want to see in person because it might change your mind. And B, this is what it looks like on my wrist and it's not as bad as I had thought. You might feel differently, but like it just gets the wheels turning in terms of perception. Right, because watch brands. Of course, everything's going to be perfect, but when you get to see things on other people's wrists in the real world and you can relate, like you know, I talk about my wrist size. So if you have one that's similar, like you might know, oh, maybe I could pull that off too, or maybe that's something I should look into. So you know, know, I love that analogy.

Blake Rea: 37:52

So much of ice cream and watches and I may have taken that a step further, but um, I've never heard cameron say that, but, um, cameron and I have a very unique relationship and, um, ironically, cameron was one of the first real watch influencers that I like, like, took an attraction to, like just the way that he was presenting information, because you know, his whole kind of I mean, he's vintage right and vintage is so complicated but he was really kind of like breaking down, like what to look for, you know, and how to buy, and like you know, all these things that watch dealers don't want to talk about because it's, like, you know, airing out their secrets.

Blake Rea: 38:47

I was I had my Speedmaster, right, I still have it. And then I knew that there was a great value to be had in vintage Speedmasters. So I was like, okay, like I'm going to get myself a vintage Speedmaster. So I started going on the rabbit hole and then I landed on the Speedmaster Mark II, which I absolutely love, and Cameron has done so much content about the mark 2 and um and anyways.

Blake Rea: 39:15

So, like you know, I bookmarked the video or whatever, put my playlist and um took some notes down and then, uh, every year there's a vintage watch show that comes like to vegas and I'm going around I'm like asking hey, you got omega, omega, speedmaster, speedmaster, speedmaster, um. And this one guy's like what speedmaster do you want? I was like, oh, speedmaster mark ii, and um he's like no, I don't have anything like that, you know, I don't, I don't have those. But then, um, like I'm standing there and then, uh, cameron standing right next to me when I said that he's flipping through vintage watches, like you know, because all the dealers have these huge safes of just like little, like ziploc bags, just full of watches and cards and stuff, and he's looking for some crazy open their like vest and it's just yeah, that is literally like that, um, and he was like he's like, hey, dude, like, uh, like, just check me out, like that's all.

Blake Rea: 40:10

He's like, hey, dude, like, like, just check me out, like that's all he said. He just said, hey, dude, check my, check me out, like pass me one of those cards. And then I was like, all right, cool, you know, I didn't think anything of it, so I put the card in my pocket, I go back home and then there's it's a multi-day thing. So I'm like, all right, let me like and figure out, like what I need to look for if I do come across a speedmaster mark 2. And then I go to my youtube videos, pull it up and it was cameron's video. Like, it was cameron's speedmaster video that inspired me and influenced me to get a speed master mark 2 and um, and then, immediately after, like his cell phone number was on the card and I shot him a text I think I don't know if I texted him I like went on instagram because you know I don't want to like be weird like that, you know.

Blake Rea: 40:57

Like um but I figured if he gave me his card I could reach out to him right you know, yeah, um.

Blake Rea: 41:03

So then I said, hey, dude, like I just want to thank you for uh, for like introducing yourself and your video like inspired me to get a few master mark too. And he was like dude, that's so cool, like you know, like love it. Like you know I don't have anything available, but I'll keep you in line when something comes in. Um, I was like, dude, awesome. So, anyways, like six months, eight months goes by, I get my speed master and you know I don't.

Blake Rea: 41:28

Cameron and I have like very little communication, like I, I don't think I mean I was following him and and anything I didn't say. We didn't say a single word to each other. Um, then formula one comes around and rob report, uh, like listens to the podcast, like some of the editors for rob report. They like really, hey, like you've said a million times, you're in vegas. Like we want you to come speak on a watch panel. You know about watch collecting.

Blake Rea: 41:56

And I was like, oh shit, okay, like let's do it. And then, um, they're like, yeah, I'm like, I'm like who am I speaking to, or with, or whatever. They're like, oh yeah, we're gonna have, uh, our, our like uh, director, like our magazine director, and cameron barr like, and I was like, oh, like I'm gonna be speaking about watches on the same panel as cameron. And they were like yeah, are you okay with that? And like do you know him? And I was like yeah, I know him. Yeah, like yeah, and uh, and ever since then. So I come in and there's this huge like suite at the win that they were like hosting it at, and I walk in and um, and I like never, ever, thought like like you know, like we'd see each other face to face again yeah, and and then, um, I like walk up, I started looking at his vintage watches.

Blake Rea: 42:52

I didn't say anything, I was just kind of like like under the radar, and then he goes hello, blake, what's up. Man, like hey, how are you dude? Like like, give me, give me a hug. And I was like, I was like dude, oh, what's up. Like you know, like I was trying to figure out how I could break the ice, to be like, hey, dude, I met you, like last year a while ago, yeah, exactly um, but he totally did it.

Blake Rea: 43:15

And then, uh, we had like really good chemistry on the panel, um, and then and then I was like all right, well, like maybe he'll come on my podcast now you know, like maybe he'll come on my pocket. And ever since then, like, uh, he came on the podcast and he just kind of like learned what we're hoping to achieve and uh, and yeah, we've been friends ever since and uh, we talk pretty regularly he's. He's in my group chat, like he's in we have like a watch club here in vegas, um, and we did we did an event with doxa um and cameron. Like we posted the the event there and cameron texted me. It's like, hey, dude, I'm gonna call him like to your doxa event, so awesome. So he came and like everybody was just like holy shit, like cameron bar is in our watch club and in our watch event like like, uh, like you know, everybody's like dude, that's so cool.

Blake Rea: 44:10

Even even the doxa rep was like like how did? Did you get Cameron to show up at your little watch club event? Like I was like I don't know, that's so cool. And then, yeah, like literally now we've fostered like that kind of bridging the gap between like an enthusiast and like a super collector, or like a super expert or whatever enthusiast and like a super collector or like a super expert or whatever, um, and and now when people post like questions about vintage watches in our chat, like cameron will step in and be like hey, like it's, it's been super cool and I'm trying to to work on a project with him. Like I've got a concept, um, and hopefully that'll come together, because this will be so sick, so I'm like hyping it up.

Blake Rea: 44:59

So I'll tell you about it when we're not on record, but uh, but no, no um and yeah, I mean the ice cream thing is a thousand percent right. I mean there's so many different flavors. I mean going to a watch event like Wind Up or, you know, intersect is like getting those little ice cream spoons where you know you try it on and the right watch for me is not going to be the right watch for you and vice versa.

Blake Rea: 45:28

Okay, yeah, vice versa, okay, yeah. And. And the fact that somebody says, hey, this, this hobby is for me and not for you is so weird, because this is already a very small hobby, like I'd say. I don't know the stats and I don't even know if we'll ever figure it out, but maybe one in 10 or maybe one in 20 or one in 50 or one in one in a hundred. I don't even know. I don't even know. Maybe one in a hundred or one in a thousand guys out there or people might be a watch enthusiast yeah, right, like who knows what that stat is, right, you know, and you get a lot of people that just get one Submariner or get one Datejust and be like cool, got it done, whatever. I've got one dress watch, I got my G-Shock or whatever. I got my Apple Watch and I just got the two, I got one for dressing up.

Blake Rea: 46:21

I got one for every day, absolutely.

Miss GMT: 46:24

And that's fine.

Blake Rea: 46:27

That's fine. Uh, like somebody who, like our media or our content, is going to capture because we're here talking obsessively about these things, um, and, and that's okay, you know that's okay. But to say like this isn't for you, like yeah, it doesn't make any sense no for sure.

Miss GMT: 46:51

I mean that again picking back off of how we started the conversation of why I started. Uh, miss gmt, it's, it's truly because, as I was really getting into watches and learning more about them and, you know, falling down the rabbit hole of alice in wonderland and experiencing watches in different ways from events, like learning more, getting exposure, like I realized, like I don't A it was taking up my feed, like on you know, my personal Instagram page, I was like this is, this is too much, this is wild. I'm not even responding to, like my friends and family at all, cause I'm just like, literally on my explore page was like all watches, like everything. So I was like I might need to compartmentalize this a little bit because it's somewhat taking over. And the second part of that is like outside of talking with my partner, like even my immediate friends, like not all of them are watch enthusiasts or lovers. Again, like you said, they might have their one watch, like you know, their Seiko, their Omega, and they're happy with that. Like it doesn't go beyond that. They're not trying to get their next timepiece, they're not trying to like learn more about other brands or get exposure. They're just happy and content and that's totally cool.

Miss GMT: 48:02

But, again, like a large percentage of my friends I wouldn't say are watch people and I was like who else do I talk about with this outside of my partner? Like, when there is a new release or a brand you know I'm not familiar with, or something happens in industry, that's really big news, like you know. Like who do I share this with and how do I talk? You can only talk with you know, like your SO for so much before you just like know each other, especially because you probably have like similar tastes already or like understanding of each other, especially because you probably have like similar tastes already or like understanding of each other. So, again, when I was mentioning if you all like the same watch, how boring is that?

Miss GMT: 48:36

So, like I was seeking to like meet people who were also interested in watches, which is crazy because I work for a very large CPG, so at at like a headquarters, so there's thousands of people like in the place that I work and I'd see like a few watches here and there, like you know all different brands and same thing. When I inquire like you know, oh my gosh, I love your watch. Like tell me more. Like it's just like, oh, I bought this, or blah, blah, blah, and that was it. It like that's where it stayed. So, even in an atmosphere where there's so much, you know, diversity, different people, like it was hard to talk about watches, so it just really does paint how small this industry is. So for someone to be like there's no room for you here, it's like there's not a lot of people here to begin with. Um, so why don't you want to welcome different opinions and you know?

Blake Rea: 49:30

it's like a spirit flight to hell with like a third of the seats like consumed like come on like you know I mean, that sounds lovely.

Blake Rea: 49:41

On a long flight, being able to like spread out like I might be on that one yeah but the destination is hell you know, okay, yeah, so not a good way to go, uh, yeah, but but no, I mean, and we're here, you know, okay, yeah, so yeah, but but no, I mean, and we're here, you know, but but no it it seems weird. It's something I've noticed too is people who really get into watches. They have a reason to get into watches, you know, like, um, like it's something that you said, like you got a watch for a special occasion and that opened the door.

Blake Rea: 50:16

Like you, you literally have people out there that are like yeah, I have a blue outfit, I need a watch you know or I I I I go into board room meetings a lot and and everyone has one, so I have to have one, yeah, or or everybody's wearing an Apple Watch and I want to. You know, like level up or whatever, yeah, and people like that they don't end up in this side of the hobby, like consuming our content.

Miss GMT: 50:46

Definitely not listening.

Blake Rea: 50:47

Yeah, and that's totally okay, but you know people that have a reason to get into watches genuinely find people like you, you know, and hopefully people like me.

Miss GMT: 51:07

Basis with a lot of people and secretly I had hoped that I was going to meet more females, you know, in the hobby or interested, and it started, you know, with a lot more brand reps, I think, than enthusiasts, but like now, like a tremendous overwhelm of people who are enthusiastic and wanting to learn more and just trying to engage and be a part of the community.

Miss GMT: 51:29

So that's my also ultimate goal by like putting my face on and kind of like lifestyle is, like hoping that others will either find inspiration to, you know, do it themselves, because there's so much, there's a lot more room in this ice cream parlor for other varieties, right Like so, you know, embracing that and hoping to promote people and encourage people to do the same. Like I've met a lot of great women in the hobby and a lot of them are on the more quiet side and I'm actually like people probably wouldn't believe it, but I'm actually an introvert, like I'm a very quiet person. So, you know, this is to some degree like a lot for me, even just being present on like social media and the capacity that I am. But I wouldn't do it if I wasn't passionate about it, um, and wasn't trying to like link, you know, the the ice cream flavors, together with the watches and brands that they might like, um, and literally just dove with both feet and and haven't stopped yet.

Miss GMT: 52:26

So would you say there's misconceptions about the females that are in the industry yeah and a lot of that comes from, I think, the brands and and the sales side and the corporations. Um, you know, there are certain brands out there who don't put a gender on their watch. Like men's watch, women's watch for women. For men men's section, women's section. You know, it's just truly like, ubiquitous, like if you're a human and you like watches. If you're a dog and you like watches, check out nom. You know, it's just truly like, ubiquitous, like if you're a human and you like watches. If you're a dog and you like watches, check out Nomos.

Miss GMT: 52:56

You know, like, like kind of like if you, if you like it, you're going to like it regardless of what you are, how you identify, which I think is awesome because, again, I come from a CPG world. So my whole life is trends, consumers, consumer data, demographics, like looping that all in together, creating personas for people and consumers and customers. So I have a very unique, I think, lens from a professional setting into, like, the hobby of watches, and that's something I think about all the time because I can't just forget what I know. It's like a part of who I am, so I always think about that.

Miss GMT: 53:32

On the corporation side, I'm like how, why would you want to limit your audience and, and you know, compartmentalize them into just a smaller subset for people to, you know, embrace it and enjoy it or even purchase it? Right Cause, at the end of the day, these companies are trying to make money. They have to make money in order to survive. So I just I never understood that. I'm like you're limiting your you know your bandwidth and where this could go. So I definitely appreciate the brands who aren't compartmentalizing. I do see it in design. I think it's changing a lot, like I think there are a lot more females in the game. I think there's a lot more, you know, males in the game who are wearing smaller size watches or ones with diamonds and bezels Like I don't, and it's welcomed and it's becoming more of the social norm and I think that's amazing and I'm glad that they are doing so.

Blake Rea: 54:23

Um, yeah, Do you feel that brands are designing and marketing timepieces for women in a way that feels like authentic, or do you see like them missing the mark.

Miss GMT: 54:44

Some brands are working on it and probably are hearing, like the females who are in the game Again you take a small industry.

Miss GMT: 54:56

You take the female side of it and it's even smaller. But I think certain brands are listening. I'm sure if you've looked at my profile before, you know that I like tool watches and sports watches. I grew up playing sports. No-transcript, try and get more in complications, because when you think of female watches or watch brands that are marketing to females, there are so few with complications, like any complication at all, outside of time only, or date, function or day, which is great and they're super useful. Don't get me wrong, I rarely know what day it is or the date, to be honest. So without my watch or day, which is great and they're super useful, don't get me wrong, I rarely know what day it is or the date, to be honest. So without my watch or iPhone, I would probably be lost or forgetful. But things like a retrograde or, again, gm, it's useful, whether you're a guy or a girl, to know what time it is in a different location, or to measure elapsed time or have a chronograph like it's, not like a, you know. Oh, only females use chronographs.

Miss GMT: 56:15

You know, like what I have. Why?

Blake Rea: 56:19

do they? Make time only watches for and market them to women you know, something I've noticed that's super odd to me is it seems like every brand who like has a ladies watch, like they'll put like a mood phase on it because like, come on, is that?

Miss GMT: 56:36

yeah, is that maybe one day they'll match it with our cycle or something, so you'll know when to stay away. Just kidding, um, yeah, like I don't get that either. And again, the sparkly element, or color spectrum like I have blue and green watches, like I don't. I don't really love the color pink Like I never have. I've never been a super girly girl, so and I just it's not a color that's like that appealing to me, like certain shades of it are. Um, and there's obviously exceptions to that, like you know, to me it's a very low effort way to just be. Like we put a pink gel on it and put some diamonds on it, so like females will love it like like what females?

Blake Rea: 57:18

take, take your mother of pearl doll and get out of here and mother broken beautiful you know, I love it, I love it, but we're not data points. We're not data points.

Miss GMT: 57:26

We're real humans with varying interests, you know? Yeah.

Blake Rea: 57:37

Would you say that the industry has like since you've joined and started creating content? Would you say that the industry has, or maybe you've noticed like an evolution and inclusivity, or maybe even representation in the female demographics?

Miss GMT: 57:48

So I don't feel like since I start I mean, I've only started my instagram a year and a half ago um, that's a long time in the watch industry really that feels like not think about how many, think about how many watch releases you've seen in a year and a half.

Blake Rea: 58:04

There you go touche, touche.

Miss GMT: 58:09

You know, I don't know if I've noticed like a huge influx. I feel like it's always been there, it's just not again. There's no platform for voices to be heard, or maybe even the desire to be as like out there. Like you know, I am accessible, right, so I think it does exist. It just isn't maybe as like apparent.

Blake Rea: 58:33

yeah, that makes sense would you feel like there are females in the industry, maybe leaders that inspire you, that maybe you feel like deserve more recognition, that maybe just never cross into the male side of the hobby? Um, so again I brought the hard questions.

Miss GMT: 58:58

That is a hard question. That is a very hard question and I can only like really touch on my experience and I feel like I don't have a lot of industry experience. Um, like, I've met some industry you know watch galleys, but not like as much as I'd probably like to. So I feel like from my experience I've there's more on the watch enthusiast influencer. So, like Georgia Benjamin is a content creator and influencer who loves watches and I think you know she is completely. She has a large following. So obviously people know, know her and like her, but her passion, I mean it shows. It shows, you know, what she's interested in. She likes to go the extra mile in terms of education as well, of what she likes, which I feel is so important.

Miss GMT: 59:43

You know, I haven't dabbled too too much into vintage or even neo-vintage, because there's a lot, a lot there, a lot to unpack there, but there's so much, I feel like, in watches that's like hidden or forgotten and social media has there's a huge opportunity to highlight things about watches that people probably don't know, maybe don't care about, but that are just unique and interesting to that watch and deserve a moment in the spotlight, even if it's for 30 seconds. You know, and I think Georgia does a really great job of that, you know, with vintage time pieces or even auction pieces. That, like you know, that's the beautiful thing about watch auctions is like. Same with art is you might never see someone or something from like a piece of art or a watch like ever again and you'll only get to see it and experience it. In this like watch auction preview or catalog online A information about it. B, it's just resurfacing because either someone's selling it because someone passed away or it's been in their family, you know, for a while, for whatever reason. But some of these vintage or heirloom timepieces, like they don't get like the time of day to be seen and they might go from a collector that it sat in a drawer or a safe for decades, you know, and never really gets to see the light of day again once it's sold. So it's a huge opportunity to learn more and see different watches that you might not ever get to see again.

Miss GMT: 1:01:08

Um, or same in the context of art. Um, which is so cool and such a unique experience. Um, because I can speak like my generation we, we don't really go to watch auctions or auctions in general. It's just not something I feel like is a cultural norm, unfortunately, but it's an untapped like occasion that I just I would love to see more, and I mean I definitely have to do a better job at making it there myself, which is quite difficult. Again, I have a date, a kind of pressing day job, so it's hard to be multiple places at once in a certain timely manner. So I mean I'm guilty, I don't go to many as much as I should, but it's, yeah, so underappreciated.

Blake Rea: 1:01:52

Yeah, I've only kind of watched the recaps of auctions. And to me it's just not very appealing.

Miss GMT: 1:01:59

It's crazy too to see where the markets shift and go. That's always interesting.

Blake Rea: 1:02:05

You don't get your very atypical collector that shows up to it to an auction. You know you get generally the I don't know if hype collector is the right term, I mean again, I just yeah, you know first of all, you get people that just throw money yeah, throw money at first, yeah, hey I want this rare dial, this newman dial, like you know, whatever texas pusher like daytona, and it's like okay, like, whatever like, but but it doesn't.

Blake Rea: 1:02:43

I don't think it's a very kind of uh, accurate place to kind of look for the overall kind of generalized watch community, because it's a very small subset and demographic, um, so that's particularly why I've never kind of like tracked them. You know, I, I know as as a retailer, like if you're selling watches, you probably should be aware of what's going on, um, but just in my opinion, you know my opinion, yeah, um, no, I encourage you then to get out to the next auction or auction preview if there's one nearby, because I I was pleasantly surprised it wasn't all just vintage and it wasn't.

Miss GMT: 1:03:23

Obviously. I feel like the hook or the draw is definitely in that hype. You know whether it's a certain person who owned that watch and that's why it's up for auction and it's a big deal. But I think, and the whole collection of what's being shown like that's where there's a lot of other really cool time pieces that definitely don't get that spotlight and that hook or appeal, but there's a lot of interest there if you kind of look and hunt for it a bit.

Blake Rea: 1:03:54

Yeah, no, or appeal, but there's a lot of interest there. If you kind of look and hunt for it a bit, yeah, no, I mean that that definitely makes a lot more sense. Um, I've never really kind of considered it from that perspective. Um, when we first started kind of this discussion on having on the podcast, you know we talked about our alignment. You know our objectives of recording this podcast, um, and something that I think I was very vocal about, or maybe not, you know, I want to see more females in the industry, like personally I do.

Blake Rea: 1:04:20

I want to see a one-to-one ratio. I know it's very challenging, right, I would love to see like an equal one-to-one ratio of male to female or whatever you identify as. But you know, obviously, if you could give some advice to maybe those I know that's kind of your, your niche, like your, your audience, you're trying to help kind of, you know, be that introduction into the industry. So if you could literally vocalize some advice on hey, here's what you should be prepared for If you do come into the watch industry, um, I would love to kind of hear you kind of vocalize that.

Miss GMT: 1:05:12

Yeah, I mean again, for me my mission you mentioned yours, was kind of the watch geeks and watch nerds.

Miss GMT: 1:05:18

Mine is definitely exactly that to you know have a platform that not demystifies that's the wrong word but like, really is approachable and breaks down the barriers for females to enter into the watch world. You know, that's why a lot of the content I make might seem like very entry level or like this is a submariner, like this is a GMT like, and people are like duh, like we know that, like, because I'm not trying to talk to you.

Miss GMT: 1:05:45

Like that's not necessarily the goal and, honestly, I've gotten a lot of good feedback on certain things of I didn't know about that or that was a different element that I wasn't aware of, so that's also great. But, again, the goal is ultimately to lower the barrier of entry for females to get in this industry, like, like I did, and I think there is a huge group of females, like young professionals, who are looking to a diversify financially, and watches are a great asset watches, art, um, to do that. You know they can be liquid. They obviously sometimes hold their value. Again, that's not like the goal of it, um, but it still is what it is and I think you find your tribe and your community within that, by the brands you like and how you, you know, expose, like, your collection and continue to collect and grow along the way. So, in terms of like, advice I would give, like I've already had some females reach out and try to start their own platforms, and so it, you know it is definitely catching on like wildfire. I mean Sophie's Choice, sophie, and Geneva has her own handle and profile and she's done a great job of kind of a similar thing, of making it more accessible, like with content, as well as inspiring. Like hey, we're here, and I think that's important in terms of like a person behind the account, not just like wrist shots constantly because it shows like you can do it too and you can be a voice in the industry. And yes, you're going to meet headwinds of people mansplaining things to you or telling you that you shouldn't wear that or that's too big for you or why would you like that? Like get out of our boys club. You know like that's going to happen and like my advice is just do you. Like you're clearly even slightly interested in it for a reason, and whether that's because you're looking for a gift for your significant other and you know that they're interested in watches and you just don't know where to start or what to get them Like that could be an entry point.

Miss GMT: 1:07:42

Right, there are certain brands like classics you know talked about Rolex, omega, cartier that might be the gateway drug into watches almost. You know other brands, you know resonance or Christopher Ward, like I think also communicating that like there's different points of entry. It doesn't have to be hundreds of thousands of dollars, hundreds of thousands of dollars or you know thousands of dollars like you can get amazing value or even a fun watch for like 400 bucks and love it. And it's functional. You know, like that's, that's wild to me, like it's still as manufactured. Like it it works.

Miss GMT: 1:08:20

Maybe not quite as well, maybe, you know, the finishing isn't up to par, but, like again, that's super subjective and the industry that we love it is super subjective. And that's why, you know, in this ice cream parlor of watches, like, there's room for everybody, regardless of the flavors you like, there's total room for everybody. So I welcome females, I welcome more males, just different, diverse perspectives, because ultimately, that's what makes this worthwhile and so exciting and interesting. Because I love my one friend who always shows me the craziest watches. I'm just like where did you find this? Almost half the time. And I love it because it pushes me to think differently and get out of my own personal bias.

Miss GMT: 1:09:04

And while I don't think I find myself purchasing one, I still learned something new about the functionality and the human behind the watch too. And at the end of the day, we're all humans. So again, just know, if you're going to start a social media platform, you will get nasty, nasty comments. You will get wildly inappropriate comments, pictures, which is shocking. I mean that Instagram had to like like you don't even want to know. That's a whole another pod discussion podcast two um episode two yeah rated r like um edition, yeah, after hours.

Miss GMT: 1:09:38

So you, you like, unfortunately, like you just have to be ready for that, but again, for me at least, like the passion outweighs, like the negatives, like that, and you will find your tribe Like I mean, there's girls that to me, like I constantly reach out to and we're always chatting and chatting watches or life or even frustrations of like look at this message I just got. Can you believe the audacity that a human behind a screen wrote this Like who does that? Just don't be that. Guy, don't don't. Or girl, it does.

Blake Rea: 1:10:12

Like whatever you are, just don't be that human do a perfect segue into my next question do you feel like the industry is ready for it to be accessible to the non-male personas?

Miss GMT: 1:10:35

you know, I told you I was coming hard questions I, I really think so, and I think certain brands are trying and and they're opening their arms, they're trying new things, they're experimenting, they're they're listening in the best ways they can. I think some are completely closed off and it's just like if you don't like us, we don't care.

Blake Rea: 1:10:55

What about the collectors? What about the enthusiasts? What about the hobbyists?

Miss GMT: 1:11:01

Sorry, repeat the question then in that context.

Blake Rea: 1:11:04

Do you feel like the industry is ready to make this hobby accessible? The the enthusiasts, the collectors, the community. Do you feel like they are ready to make it appealing?

Miss GMT: 1:11:17

Yeah, yeah, influencers and just diversity, yeah, just just to embrace what you're doing.

Blake Rea: 1:11:25

Do you feel like the market and the industry and the community and the scene, or whatever you want to call it? Do you feel like it's there yet?

Miss GMT: 1:11:34

Yes and no. Again, I think certain brands are welcoming it with open arms more influencers, more diversity. They're more inclusive to the opportunity for access, exposure, what have you? I think some people aren't ready but again, like most social media or YouTube, you have to subscribe, you have to follow. So if you really don't like that person, like you're not going to follow their content, right, you're going to block them. You're going to never look at their content. You know I might pop up in your explore page or something, but, like again, you can easily ignore that. So I think brands are some some are more ready than others and embracing it with open arms. Some brands are definitely probably not ready.

Miss GMT: 1:12:18

Like, if you think about the structure, right now you have new sources and outlets which often get paid, to my knowledge like to say things about the brand or the new release. Like influencers, most of them are going to say what they want to say, like, completely unbiased. Like I don't get paid for this, this is passion. So, again, my mom taught me you know, if you don't have anything nice to say, don't say it. So sometimes silence says more than than what you are saying. But again, like influencers, brands might not be ready for that backlash and what the honest feedback is Right, so that, I think, is an area that they're not ready for and they're not ready and there's no setup for that feedback Right, because it's public. So once it's out there, it's out there, and I see that a lot more with international brands that do have like in their like website kind of like in a way like not free press, um, it's very interesting actually some of the language there for certain international brands.

Miss GMT: 1:13:17

So I don't yes and no, like I think it's ready and I also think it's not ready for influencers and more diversity. I think to some degree you see it with some collabs, um, you know, different styles or or variations that will accept like a wider audience, um, and more diverse like people into watches. So less traditional mother of pearl gem set, um, and something funky like a number crusher monster that as time progresses it's eating up you. You know, like that's just kind of a wild dial variation on a super fun watch. So I think, like you know, not everyone's gonna love that. And then again back to the ice cream analogy. I think that's okay, but the more people that are welcomed into this industry like, the more diversity you're gonna get in exposure and that's an opportunity for brands and people to rediscover brands that they maybe would have been closed off to or like find out that they love and want to try it out. So I think it's a good thing and I think it definitely want to encourage that, whether brands are ready or not.

Blake Rea: 1:14:25

Do you, do you feel like we're coming to the end of our our time here and I have a few more kind of like, kind of more interesting questions. Do you feel like the next generation of females that that female watch enthusiasts do you feel like they're gonna have a different experience entering the industry?

Miss GMT: 1:14:46

um, totally no, you do. You have sorry, I didn't want to know no I.

Blake Rea: 1:14:53

I was trying to elaborate a little bit but I guess you understood.

Miss GMT: 1:14:56

I was trying to mansplain the question a little more oh yeah, I mean feel you feel free to get it all out there.

Blake Rea: 1:15:02

No, no, it was, it was out there, it was out there jumped on it too quickly yeah, yeah, you, you tackled it very quickly.

Blake Rea: 1:15:09

Um, yeah, I mean. So I'm just curious because you know, like I said, part of my mission and our, our goals are very much aligned that I, I want to see more, you know, diversity, inclusion. I want to, I want to grow this hobby like I want to grow, I want my passion to, to be infectious to other people, um, and I'm the same, like I'm the same, like this isn't what pays my bills. You know, this is a hobby, this is a passion. You know I, I don't, I don't make a lot of money doing this, you know, and I'm not the guy that's gonna like I mean, you don't, you don't see me talk bad about, about watches or, or brands, or products or whatever, because I'm not trying to to, to highlight the negatives. You know, like if a watch comes in and I have no, and it's happened, it's happened so many times where a watch comes in and I get hit, get hands on with it and I'm just like I'm not gonna do press on this because I don't have anything good to say. You know, and I just don't want to make a very bashful video like this is not the type of producer, like content producer that I am right and um, and yeah, you know I, I just want my voice to be the same, equal, or, you know, just as loud as somebody else is out there, without going down the different path. You know, because I could certainly, you could certainly take money from, from brands to to say what they want you to say, um, and it's a very easy I wouldn't I don't know if easy is the right word, but it's a very profitable path, um, to go down. But that's not why I'm here and that's not why you're here, and I think that that's what stuck out.

Blake Rea: 1:17:20

You know, um, whenever I had, kind of like, followed your content and became a fan of what you were doing and I, I very quickly kind of realized, like, what you were, what you were trying to do. You know it wasn't, you know I, I realized, of course, like you weren't your, your content wasn't for me, but I still enjoyed it. You know, I still enjoyed the. You know the reason why you put it together, um, but but no, um, you know, and I just want to see the hobby grow and I just want to see more people like you, more females, um, I want to see that. That dei right, like we need some dei hires. You know, like in the industry, um and and and and.

Blake Rea: 1:18:09

Yeah, I just I don't know, I just want to be able to, to give, and that's going back to, like, my mission very briefly. Um, like me and Justin talked about like, like who our podcast is for and who is not for Right, and we we had a lot of like who is for, but we don't have a lot of who is not for right and we wanted to to level that, that playing field where I mean, if you're a designer or if you're a ceo, or if you're a super nerdy watch enthusiast, or if you're a CEO, or if you're a super nerdy watch enthusiast, or if you're just starting out and you've got one citizen watch in your collection and you have some interesting perspectives on watches, you have the opportunity to come on my podcast.

Miss GMT: 1:19:08

I love that, do the people know that I mean obviously a relationship okay I hope so.

Blake Rea: 1:19:19

Um, when it, when I first started, like it just kind of spiraled so quickly because our first guest was jose perestroika periscope, like that was our first guest like I was like I, I want to set the bar, you know, like I want to, like, I want to talk about shit that nobody's talking about, you know, um, yeah, and and no. And then it just became, I realized, very, very shortly into it, it was more about personality and perspective than it was about like. And something I've noticed too, like with a lot of the other influencers, is they're very product driven. You know, they're very, they're very, sales focused. Hey, this is this watch, this is what it does, this is what it's made from, this is the reason why you should buy it. Yeah, and to me it didn't seem like it seemed like an undertapped market where I'm like, hey, like, I'm an enthusiast, like you, I don't care what you buy, like, it makes no difference to me what you buy, what you own, what you collect, like, yep, it makes no difference to me.

Blake Rea: 1:20:37

But here's why, yeah, here's, here's why I collect what I collect, or here's why I feel like you know you, here's what I feel like you should consider, or or maybe like, so, the. The discussion then became like how do we embrace and how do we talk directly to the community, the, the, the watch enthusiasts, instead of the watch consumers? Because there is a difference yeah there is a difference.

Blake Rea: 1:21:05

You know, you have the very kind of, uh, methodic collectors that collect very strategically, that spend years deciding which piece they're going to bring into their collection, versus somebody that says, hey, I'm wearing a blue suit and I need a watch that goes with it, um, and I have another million watches or what. You know what I mean. Like, you have those collectors that think about that, um, like how do I wear this watch and when do I wear it? Um, and so we kind of made that conscious decision of of who to message to, yeah, and I hope people know it. I hope people know it. I mean, if, if they don't know, you're listening to this right now.

Miss GMT: 1:21:48

Contact Blake and ask him if you want to go on the pod.

Blake Rea: 1:21:53

It's been very much like that. Like we've had guests on that have came on our podcast and I hope this happens to you that they say, like hey, I had such a good time, this was super fun. Like thank you for letting me like say what I wanted to say. Like we don't edit shit.

Blake Rea: 1:22:07

Like we don't censor anything Like there's no censorship here, and I had such a good time and I know somebody that'd be a great fit for your podcast, you know, and that just happened with Ulysses Nardin. The president of Ulysses Nardin came on our podcast FX and he's like he shot me a text. He's like he, he shot me a text. He's like, blake, like I got your next podcast guest and I was like within two seconds the guy was scheduled and and on the calendar, amazing, and uh, and I think he's, I mean, I think it's before you. So if you're, if you're listening to miss gmt now, then you just listen to that podcast. But, um, but, but no, no, I mean I've been very transparent, um, in my objectives and I will continue to do so. Um, and you know we can look at other publications and and how they went wrong, because they were that voice for collectors that underrepresented, misrepresented, confused, or maybe that honest yeah, that honest opinion that you know people needed, and, and you don't see that very much in the industry, which is sad.

Blake Rea: 1:23:27

which is sad, you know, I, I, I don't, I don't, I hope I never sell out. You know, I hope I never sell out Um, and and yeah. So I hope people know that.

Miss GMT: 1:23:42

Yeah.

Blake Rea: 1:23:43

Sorry, there's my rant.

Miss GMT: 1:23:45

That was. That was a great rant and definitely you're going to have to check out. You know the podcast before me if you're listening to this, but again the podcast after and after. And then if you want to join and and have your perspective heard, yeah, yeah.

Blake Rea: 1:24:01

Yeah, I mean everybody, I think, knows how to reach me. I get plenty of hate mail, so you probably know how to reach me.

Blake Rea: 1:24:07

um, but, but no stop that, yeah, I um I definitely think oh, go ahead yeah, I, I, I just want to, uh, to kind of bring things home here. I want to thank you for coming on sharing your perspective. You know, being, uh, you know, daring enough, I think, is the right word, to come into this hobby and and to be so passionate about it and to to remain infectious. You know about your passion, um, yeah, take, take notes, ladies, if you're listening, or anybody who wants to join the industry. You know, I think, uh, there's always a place for a voice. You know, like we just had the elections right, like everybody like has a voice. You know, um, and you should, you should speak, you know, because there will be somebody listening.

Miss GMT: 1:25:06

So absolutely, and you have the opportunity, when you do speak, to shape the industry. It's definitely happening, as you mentioned, certain publications getting you know some negativity versus influencers who maybe are more negative, or calling things out that you know brands might not be happy with. But people are going to be looking at watch buying differently for the future generations. So things like social media, different platforms that cater to a different audience, different publications that maybe aren't focused in watches, that do start covering watches and the people who are speaking about that are going to shape the landscape and how people look at watches, what they buy, how they buy it. Um, so I definitely think it is shifting for future generations and, uh, again, your voice should be heard, because diversity is what makes this industry amazing.

Blake Rea: 1:25:59

So yeah, yeah, totally. Um, thank you again for spending so much of your time with us. This is literally a short feature film. Um, I, I loved it. Um, I feel like you know, and if you've listeners, if you've made it this far, thank you thank you. No, I mean, um, I'm gonna be looking at the data on this one. You know, I'm definitely I don't look at very much data, but I'm gonna be looking at the data on this one.

Blake Rea: 1:26:29

And, uh, I'm definitely I don't look at very much data, but I'm going to be looking at the data on this one and uh, and if you'd help amplifying your voice, reach out to blake or myself and I will make sure, in the description that we link miss gmt and you know where you can find her um and and yeah, yeah, thank you so much thank you for having me and anytime you know you want me back, you know how to find me. So we're definitely gonna have to have the after hours discussion later, because that would be some controversial shit that we could talk about oh, 100, and we're gonna need some some p or pg-13 ratings on that too this is a rated r podcast already, so but awesome.

Blake Rea: 1:27:12

Thank you so much, and we will talk to you very soon thank you.