The Wrist Chick: A Fresh Female Voice in Watches

The watch industry has long been dominated by male voices, but The Wrist Chick is changing that narrative with her refreshing approach to horological enthusiasm. In this captivating conversation, we explore how a Hamilton Khaki Field watch sparked a collecting journey that has transformed into a rapidly growing social media presence in just six months.

What makes The Wrist Chick's perspective so valuable is her genuine passion for making watches accessible and fun—particularly for women who might find the predominantly male watch world intimidating. She candidly shares her experiences navigating watch events where she's often one of few women present, turning what could be an isolating situation into an opportunity to build connections and create change. Her vision of organizing female-focused watch groups demonstrates her commitment to expanding the community beyond traditional boundaries.

Beyond her championing of female collectors, The Wrist Chick offers a fascinating glimpse into content creation's realities—from international travel expenses to equipment investments—all while maintaining complete independence from brand sponsorships. This freedom allows for refreshingly honest takes, like her humorous campaign against Apple watches at formal events or her practical advice for newcomers to start their journeys with new watches before venturing into vintage territory.

The conversation takes delightful detours through travel mishaps, the politics of which watch to wear to industry events, and the special connection many collectors feel with their first "real" timepiece. Throughout it all, The Wrist Chick's authenticity shines through—whether she's discussing her favorite vintage Rolex or confessing to threatening bridesmaids to remove their smartwatches before walking down the aisle.

Whether you're a seasoned collector or someone who's never considered a mechanical timepiece, this episode offers valuable insights into how watches can become more than mere accessories—they're conversation starters, style centerpieces, and community builders. Follow The Wrist Chick on Instagram and YouTube to join her on this exciting journey of making the watch world more inclusive, approachable, and most importantly, fun.

Follow The Wrist Chick on Instagram:

https://www.instagram.com/thewristchick/

Chapters

• 0:00 Introduction to The Wrist Chick
• 12:02 Starting a Watch Collection Journey
• 26:44 Women's Perspective in the Watch World
• 39:29 Social Media and Watch Community Connections
• 53:15 The Business Side of Watch Content Creation
• 1:08:44 Travel Stories and Watch Events
• 1:22:38 Attracting More Women to Watch Collecting

Transcript

Blake Rea: 0:02

Hello everyone and welcome back to the Lonely Wrist, where we explore watches just not as objects, but reflections of people, culture and design. As always, I am your host, blake Ray, and today on the show we are joined by someone who is bringing fun to the watch industry. I certainly enjoy her perspective as a female voice in the industry and a refreshing sense of honesty to the watch industry. I certainly enjoy her perspective as a female voice in the industry and refreshing sense of honesty to the watch community. She makes watches feel more fun and approachable and of course, by now you know I am here with the wrist chick. Hello, welcome to the show.

Blake Rea: 0:38

Hi Blake, hey, how's it going?

The Wrist Chick: 0:41

Going good. How are you?

Blake Rea: 0:42

Good, I spent some time writing that, in case you can so it was really good.

Blake Rea: 0:46

I'm very impressed I, yeah, I was like, well, damn like, because I watched your um, your youtube video, where you know you're talking about like watches and wonders, like the hot takes of watching, like what is really like to go there, and a couple things that came to mind, I was like, okay, first of all, damn like, where were you buying your bottles of water? That was one thing that came up. And then, hopefully, you booked your hotel, and enough in advance that it like didn't set you back like fortunes.

The Wrist Chick: 1:18

It was. It was pricey because it was right next to the expo center. So that's the trade off. See, because it was right next to the expo center, so that's the trade-off. It's like either you book something farther out, but then you have to get transportation. I'm looking for convenience. I'm wearing high heels, I wanted to walk there, so I booked right next to the expo center. Um, yes, bottles of water no matter where you go is crazy. I couldn't find like a little shop on the side of the road. There was nowhere. It had to be a glass bottle. You know everything. They serve it to you in a nice glass. I'm like, can I just be like Poland spring, like I, I, I don't know. So it was uh, it was an experience for sure, but overall it was a good one.

Blake Rea: 2:00

No, pro, pro tip this. Uh, I I went, not this, I went last year and, um, I did like my watches and wonders early because I was kind of concerned about like the zombie pitches from brands, where brands are essentially just like oh well, here's the newest. You know, they've said the same shit over and over, yeah. So I was like if I could organize with a couple brands and go early like that would be epic, and so that's what I did last year.

Blake Rea: 2:28

I didn't do, you know, the bobervaj and pole expo and all that. You know, the villa saracen. Like I didn't do any of that, like last year, um, and no, I I stayed, um, like right across the street from the bobervage and, um, I think, for my airbnb, like the girl didn't know that watches and wonders was coming up, so like I paid like 120 bucks for my own apartment and then, and then, uh, and then right below was like a little like, uh, like a little like shop and shop like a little grocery store, and and uh, and yeah, so I was like hopping down there and I was getting like bottles of water for like two bucks, and yeah, so I was like hopping down there and I was getting like bottles of water for like two bucks or something. So I was like so jealous.

The Wrist Chick: 3:10

No, I didn't do that way. I did it the dumb way, the tourist way, and I, uh, I spent a fortune.

Blake Rea: 3:16

So yeah, yeah, no, I mean yeah, um and yeah I mean they have free transportation, like I literally would take one bus and I would land at paul expo and I was like that was super nice, like I had that. I did not plan that, but uh and yeah. I mean they have free transportation, like I literally would take one bus and I would land at Paul Expo and I was like that was super nice.

Blake Rea: 3:35

Like I did not plan that. But fuck was I tired and my feet were destroyed and I spent quite a lot of time with Sophie, sophie's Watch World.

The Wrist Chick: 3:41

She's awesome yeah.

Blake Rea: 3:42

And I was feeling so bad for her just wearing her heels and I was like why are you doing this to yourself? Like I mean, I know that you need to look fabulous all the time. Like, do yourself some favor here and wear, you know, something is a little bit more comfortable on your feet.

The Wrist Chick: 3:59

So it's definitely a thing that women do, and you have to make a choice. It's, you know, pain is beauty sort of thing. It's a real thing. And there are no comfortable heels. I mean there are some that are more comfortable than others, but at some point you just sacrifice it, and I mean my feet were wrecked. And then I went to Paris and London after so.

The Wrist Chick: 4:22

I walked for two full weeks straight. So it was, it was brutal, but you know, you, just you sacrifice and I'm like it's two days in my life, you know. I'll destroy my feet it's fine. But girls, you know, we don't always think logically. Guys just wear sneakers but we're like, no, that's going to ruin my outfit.

Blake Rea: 4:40

Yeah, I brought only one pair of Nike dunks and that was all I needed.

The Wrist Chick: 4:44

I brought six pairs of shoes on that trip oh my god everybody made fun of me, but I was like I'm doing it.

Blake Rea: 4:52

I did it how so you were in geneva for two days, did I did?

The Wrist Chick: 4:57

I know how long I knew before I think I was there for uh, three days, three or four days yeah okay, went early. Went to the other shows outside of Watches and Wonders.

Blake Rea: 5:11

What were you most impressed to see?

The Wrist Chick: 5:14

So at Watches and Wonders, I would say Moser, I really wanted to see the pop collection, just the stone dials, and seeing them in person you know, you see the pictures they obviously have like amazing photographers that do these photos but seeing those in person and I did the, you know the private viewing so that you can actually get hands on with them and I would say that was the most impressive to me, because just the movements and the watches, along with the stone dials, and just hearing how they sourced everything, I was, it was really cool and I was just really impressed. So that I would say was the highlight for me was the new moser collection.

Blake Rea: 5:54

Yeah, I mean, that was an amazing release, did you?

The Wrist Chick: 5:58

I'm sure you probably saw the robot all right, yes, I did, I did yeah not bad to me. I was like everybody liked the robot.

Blake Rea: 6:04

I wanted the the stone dials, but yeah, the robot was still really cool yeah, no, I I couldn't agree more, especially considering how they um, they like cut the two stones and made them like look very cohesive, like you can't tell that there are two stones. I mean, you can tell from visually, but you can't tell the way that they put them together, which is crazy. Yeah, let's start at the beginning. You know what sparked your passion for watch collecting and how did you evolve into your persona, the?

The Wrist Chick: 6:37

wrist chick. My online character.

Blake Rea: 6:42

Yeah.

The Wrist Chick: 6:43

I would say, you know, it's not this really exciting start. It was basically right at the beginning of COVID. I was working a lot, but when you get home no one was going out, no one was traveling anymore, so I got down the YouTube rabbit hole. So I started watching videos and I will say that Nico from pride and opinion was one of the first YouTubers I saw, and I wasn't into watches before that, I didn't know anything about them and I was like I started watching him and he's a little more my style.

The Wrist Chick: 7:21

You know he swears, he's funny whatever it's laid back, but also like a lot of knowledge about watches. So that's, I started watching him, started watching all the other guys on YouTube and I kind of got obsessed and I learned as much as I could about watches for several years and it wasn't until this past October that I went to my first watch event and that's when this whole wrist check thing started. But I was kind of secretly in the background nerding out over the last few years, you know, learning, and I didn't buy my first real watch until 2021. So it's been fairly recent for me 2021.

Blake Rea: 8:09

So it's been fairly recent for me. What, um, what decided? Well, like, what was the moment that you knew? Like okay, like I'm gonna create content around watches, like I'm gonna launch a brand, I'm gonna launch a you know a persona, like where was the light switch moment for you? You know?

The Wrist Chick: 8:23

so for me it's it's actually kind of interesting and I'm not going to go into too much detail. It's um, it's a long story, but I I had a pretty rough year last year.

The Wrist Chick: 8:33

I'm going to keep it very simple, not get into details, but it was pretty bad and and you know people have all these fun stories about the passion and how it all started. But mine kind of started from something negative and became very positive. So I had a bad year. And then it was, you know, someone suggested to me you should, you should get a hobby. And I was like you think so? And I said, well, what do I like, you know? And I said I really like watches.

The Wrist Chick: 9:01

So I literally looked online, looked for a watch event. I saw one in New York, and at the time I live nearby and I said you know what? I'm just going to go, I don't know what to expect, I don't know what to wear, I don't know what to do. I begged someone to come with me. I finally got a girl to come with me. I had to pay for her train ticket, for her dinner. She just did not want to go and I went to new york city watch time and wind up, watch fair, and it just took off from there wow, what was your um?

Blake Rea: 9:35

you said like you got your first watch in 2021. What, what was that? The watch that you first acquired?

The Wrist Chick: 9:42

it was a hamilton khaki field watch automatic love it. It's my favorite watch in my collection still, even though I have ones that are much more expensive.

Blake Rea: 9:52

It's, uh yeah, my favorite for some reason, the cheaper watches they just. They sit closer to the heart for some reason I know you spend.

Blake Rea: 9:59

You spend more money on a much nicer watch and, um, maybe it's just me, but I feel like I need to take particularly extra care of it because I spent more money on it. Um, not that you know I can't wear it, but um, you know I'm always cautious about like what conditions I wear it in and this, and you know I can just do whatever with my cheaper watches you, so they feel more wearable.

Blake Rea: 10:24

Um and, and. So you know, with your khaki, like what drove you to that piece, and and and why did you decide to pick up the khaki?

The Wrist Chick: 10:35

So for me, um, I'm kind of a sentimental person and I really love, like US military history. I have family members that are veterans and I was looking at different brands. I saw the history behind it. I know that they're now, you know, made over in Switzerland but originally had American roots. So that's what drove me to it and also the style I, you know, the car I drive, it kind of matches the look, you know. So I, uh, I liked the look, but I also like the history of the brand, so that's what drove me to it and it was a really clean dial, very readable, and so for everyday life, I actually use my watch to tell time that everybody does that. So it was a very readable watch and that was also part of the decision for it. But really it was the history of the decision for it, but really it was the the history of the brand you?

Blake Rea: 11:28

you don't drive a humvee, do you? No, no, no, all right, I was like, yeah, no, like you must be getting destroyed on gas right now. A little bit smaller version okay um you said it was a military vehicle type, right, that was the vibe that yeah, so it's a.

The Wrist Chick: 11:50

It's a, it's a military green. So I have a. I have a. You know the the hamilton has a nato strap. It's like an army green. I have an army green, cheap wrangler. So kind of fits, the whole vibe and jeep girl, jeep, girl, I'm a jeep girl top down tower roll, love it love it, love it.

Blake Rea: 12:14

Did you um? I bought mine because I have a khaki field too. I think mine's a 38 and then, um, I also have the green and like leather, like like accented strap, and then, yeah, I like quickly got it off that and got the bracelet. So I would. I would highly, I heard. I would highly encourage you to take a look at the bracelet, because the bracelet is pretty awesome for it yeah, I've never done a bracelet, only nato straps.

The Wrist Chick: 12:39

I have the original one on there right now it's a little worn out, but I've only bought in replacement nato straps, so I'll have to.

Blake Rea: 12:45

I'll have to try the the bracelet yeah, I'll send you a picture after the fact. Yeah, um, what would you say draws you towards a particular watch? Would it be design, like history, like you know, like mechanics, like what you know? What it? What draws you to watches? What draws you to a specific watch?

The Wrist Chick: 13:05

I would say the there's a few things, but the first thing is the overall look of the watch. You know, I have to admit that. You know if I I like the way it looks. But then you dig a little deeper I would say. My next thing is I'm not a big fan of quartz watches. I do have one or two, but movements, mechanics, I don't geek out too too much on it, but I appreciate how a watch works. So I would say it's mostly how it looks and then how it works. And obviously there's brands I like more than others, certain things, but mostly by the look of it and how it feels on the wrist.

Blake Rea: 13:48

Yeah, and something that stuck out to me when we were talking in Geneva is your Pepsi. That's just not a watch that you would expect to see. That's like a deep know, I mean a vintage pepsi. Sorry, let me say that yeah, yeah, um, that's like a watch where you fall so deep down the rabbit hole that you decide to buy a vintage pepsi. So I was super surprised by and how do you feel? Like you, you, I don't know the right word. What am I supposed to say? I don't even know how to talk anymore. So, yeah, I know I'm supposed to be a podcaster here.

The Wrist Chick: 14:36

You're fine, you're fine. We're just having fun here. It's fine, yeah.

Blake Rea: 14:42

So curious about your Pepsi acquisition, especially what decided why you said to go vintage. And do you see yourself, you know, playing more in the vintage sandbox than you do in the the modern sandbox? Because you know obviously the khaki is a vintage inspired modern watch. But do you gravitate more towards the vintage stuff or like where, where do you sit in that, in that spectrum?

The Wrist Chick: 15:04

well, I'm about to rock your world do it ruin it a little bit. The pepsi was actually lent by a friend. Oh, I know, I know I'm a fraud, but I was given that watch and was told to wear it like it was my own and to enjoy it, because I was a bit of a Rolex hater. And I got that watch, wore it for a few months and fell in love with that specific type of Rolex. So, to answer your question, I do gravitate towards the older watches, but I now own my own.

Blake Rea: 15:48

So I had a little sample trial, which not everybody has the luxury of doing, but I once.

The Wrist Chick: 15:51

It was on my wrist, though, that Pepsi. It just felt like this is the watch for me, and I was very fortunate to be able to try it out, you know. So I then scoured the internet and got myself a 1983 and it's not the.

The Wrist Chick: 16:10

Pepsi. It's got the black bezel insert, but same reference number one, six, seven, five, zero. So I definitely gravitate towards the older look. I like the patina, I like the matte dial, I like that there's no white gold on the indices aluminum bezel. So all that. So I do have my own now.

Blake Rea: 16:28

The one you saw unfortunately was not mine, but I have pretty much the same same watch now yeah, no, I mean, I still sorry to to gas you up like that, but, um, no, it was a beautiful, beautiful watch and yeah still an amazing piece. I have to ask when you're getting ready to go out the door, do you think about the watch or the outfit first?

The Wrist Chick: 16:56

I start with the watch. Watch is always first, outfit comes second and it's as you can see, I wear a lot of black. Let's go yeah, so yeah, yeah, um, so watch is always first, and then I match the jewelry outfit all around, all around the watch, because it depends where I'm going. I'm not going to wear a rolex to certain things, you know, so I'll uh, I'll start at the watch I I barely wear my rolexes and I.

Blake Rea: 17:25

I had um a vintage rolex, like a 1960s rolex. Oh nice that I that I traded um to like he had it. He didn't wear it. He's got a bigger wrist than I but he's still for some reason likes to wear smaller watches. But it was a 36 day, just I had it for a couple months and then, um, just very quickly I just realized I wasn't gonna wear it. And then, you know, even I have I have so many watches in rotation that it didn't have a quick set date, so I was like fuck this is annoying as shit to like even get it on wrist, so half the time I'd wear it, the date would be wrong.

Blake Rea: 18:02

So then I'd look down and somebody'd be like, oh, what you know? Like what's the? You know? I'm like signing a check or something or, like you know, filling something out and I'm like, oh fuck, I just put the wrong date. Like you know, I'm looking at the. I forgot to set it on my watch, so like that was one one annoyance. And then, um, the something started flaking on the dial like the dial started flaking.

Blake Rea: 18:23

So I sent it to rolex to get service and I was thinking, oh, this thing's gonna come back like, like you know, like a newborn baby, yeah and uh. And then I got it back like within a week and I was like, oh shit, the service is done. Like that's crazy.

Blake Rea: 18:37

But rolex declined to service it and and I was like interesting, it was super weird, and then it racked my brain for the longest time, like why they decided to not service it. Because here you are, you know, buying these like for you know, to pass down for generations, and it was a particularly common date. Just it was the 1601, the one that, like, there's probably the most produced, like you know, vintage day just out there, and they wouldn't service it. So I was just super kind of like, that kind of like upset me to a degree and I was like well, if I can't if I can't get this service.

Blake Rea: 19:16

I mean, I know I could take it to a local watchmaker, have a service put all these, you know, and, and so I started getting concerned about access to parts. You know, of course, we can buy them. You know, generic parts or whatever keep the watch running like zero issues. But you know, I'm one of those people that I particularly want it done right, and so I will typically pay the premium to get it sent back to the brand. And so the fact that I owned a watch that seemed unserviceable by Rolex, you know, was like okay, that seems weird, but that's unserviceable by rolex, you know, was like okay, that seems weird.

Blake Rea: 19:46

But that's a bummer, yeah yeah, kind of upsetting and disappointing, because I I wanted, um, like a daily driving rolex and and and now I don't. I don't have a daily driving, I have two rolexes. And I mean technically, yeah, you could, you could say, I do have a daily drive in Rolex, but I just prefer not to wear it for whatever reason.

The Wrist Chick: 20:06

So I have a Submariner and I have a Datejust.

Blake Rea: 20:09

Yeah, both modern.

The Wrist Chick: 20:10

Yeah, no, I understand about the quick set date. Going back to that, that's why I picked this specific model number, the 16750. Because this is when Rolex went from the 1675 and they introduced the quick set date in this model. And that's why I wanted it, because I wanted a watch I could actually use and it's just, you know, click, click, click, you're right at the date. So it's kind of like that sweet spot of time in Rolex history where, you know, would I have liked a much older one? Do they look cool? Yes, this is still older, older, but it's also practical. It could still be service. So that's why I went for this year and this specific model, because you know, like I've said, I'm lazy, I'm not gonna sit there all day and you know I don't have 50 watch winders behind me that I'm running all day, and so that's why I did did this one and it's a og gmt master.

Blake Rea: 21:06

Yeah, I just I mean oh, I love it.

The Wrist Chick: 21:09

Like it's just the plexiglass. Like people don't like plexiglass, I like it, you know it's just you just buff it out if, for whatever reason, I watch.

Blake Rea: 21:19

Yeah, there you go yeah easy let's talk about your journey in social media. Um so, you talked about, you know, being influenced, or at least watching youtube videos from nico um how would you feel that other watch creators influence your journey? And I guess the part two of that question is have you got a chance to meet any of the people that inspired you on this journey, and how do you feel like you connect with fellow enthusiasts through your social media? Three-part question.

The Wrist Chick: 21:55

Three-part question. I'll try to remember it. Tell me if I forget something.

Blake Rea: 22:00

Just guide me here, you got it Goldfish brain.

The Wrist Chick: 22:03

So first I would say I watch different people. So I watched Nico, I watched Federico, I watched Roman, I watched Brit, and so there were different things about all of them, like some were just sitting at a table just spewing out watch knowledge. You know all different styles and I kind of, you know, I took a little bit from everybody and I kind of found a spot that was missing. I said how can I even be successful in social media if I'm doing something that someone is already doing? So what I wasn't finding was there weren't women, in my opinion, that were, like you know know, really out in the wild, like really excited, going to events. You know, I appreciated the knowledge of these women that were sitting behind a desk and have beautiful lighting behind them, and I just know my personality, though, and that wasn't me. So I thought let me find that spot that's missing and try to fill it. Next question have I met them? Is that the next question?

Blake Rea: 23:09

Yeah, yeah, have you got a chance to meet some of the people that influenced you?

The Wrist Chick: 23:12

I have. So I've met Federico. I know Federico very well. He's wonderful. I've actually bought a watch from him. I bought my Omega from him. That was my first pre-owned watch. I love it. Uh, I've met Roman. I've talked to Nico. We didn't get to meet in person, but we do. We do talk Um. And I've met, you know, georgia. I've met Sophie. I've met um. Who else have I met a lot of different people, and so they've all been really nice. They're all very different, and that's what I love about the watch world is that they all have their own personalities. Some are more shy than others, some are more outgoing, some are, you know, men of very few words. So you know, uh, it's.

Blake Rea: 24:03

It's been fun, though, meeting them yeah, I mean, they all bring their own flavor to the industry yeah and uh and so you know, obviously, like I've been friends with miss gmt for I mean a while now and we talk wonderful. Yeah, we talk pretty regularly. But uh, you know, when we got a chance to meet in switzerland, like we got a chance to be very briefly, um, you know, we had planned to like, do like some like events together and this and that and very quickly.

Blake Rea: 24:33

I was like well damn, this girl's like probably like one of the busiest people in watches for the moment like hot commodity.

Blake Rea: 24:40

Yeah, um, like every brand wants to do press with her and I was just like wow, that's, you know, so amazing because you know it's cool to see, because she started. She started her journey like pretty close to the same time I started mine, um, about a year and a half ago. So I this is, I mean this whole property like lonely wrist and everything, the website that you I guess all all very new wrist and everything the website that you like, it's all all very new.

Blake Rea: 25:08

But you know, navigating the watch industry has been challenging because you know there's, so there's, there's just there's a handful of of of like genuine content creators out there, and like it becomes a challenge like how do you work with brands like, which brands do you work with? Like how do you, you know, like pack your own um identity into the content you know? And it's just all these little kind of things that are, you know, becoming increasingly challenging. And I think now, like, personally, I have like four, 40 or so brands that I work with, like maybe, like maybe 50 or so, and that's impressive and it's just me.

Blake Rea: 25:49

It's just me like I'm a one-man band, you know yeah, um, it's a lot of work it is, it's a full-time job and then keeping up with the podcast, keeping up with the youtube, like a lot of I don't think people realize that I'll shoot the videos, then I'll edit them and then I'll do the voiceover. You know what I mean. Like I'll do every like, every single piece of this is me, you know, and that's awesome that you're doing that.

The Wrist Chick: 26:15

That's it's impressive because it's not easy and I see I can't even edit like a Instagram reel. It takes me like 20 minutes minutes and I'm just sitting there like this, and so the level that you're doing it's really impressive to not have like a whole crew of people, cause these guys have, like some of them have crews like February, not so much.

The Wrist Chick: 26:37

You see, Roman walking around. He's got a bunch of people, so they're all different, but I think it's about for me, it's about consistency and it's like what can I produce? A lot of, and I know I don't work in tech, I'm not professional speaker, videographer, photographer so I do what I'm capable of and I think that's the most important is to keep it consistent so that you can produce as much as you can quality content.

Blake Rea: 27:06

Yeah, that's the thing. Like that I have struggled with, you know, consistency, you know. And so as I first started, like I've like went back and forth about like how I produce videos and you know the first one, I was like, oh sure, I'll just put the watch on the table and I'll just talk about it. You know, like I'll have you know the first one, I was like, oh sure, I'll just put the watch on the table and I'll just talk about it. You know, like, I'll have, you know, um, some notes about it and I'll just read them off and then I'll show the watch off like a couple different angles and then, um, and then I literally like off the cuff, like was was doing, and then now I'm literally scripting things and, like you know, trying to jam as much information as I can.

Blake Rea: 27:46

I've found kind of like a weird niche where people kind of are more curious about like buying decisions. You know, I've noticed people come to YouTube for at least the watch space for a lot of like like buying advice, and so I've tried to figure out how I can kind of like insert myself into, you know, that process and just give my take, you know, my honest take, because a lot of the people that that talk about those watches are, are, are, are incentivized to do so, you know, financially and so, and so that's where I felt like, okay, like you know, is there a space for me? Like, like, can I talk about these things? Like, what can I bring to the table I used to sell over? I mean, I used to sell every, every watch brand.

Blake Rea: 28:36

Like, like, I used to work at a dealer. I used to work as an AD. I started off as a collector.

Blake Rea: 28:41

Then I, my, my, my wife, um, she, she immigrated to the united states and so like, during her whole immigration process, like I was, like I don't have anything to do, you know, um, and so I just took a night job at ad and then, uh, and then, yeah, I just I was so passionate about talking about watches and every person that came in to the boutique to me was like, oh, this is a friend, like this is cool. Like they, they love the same things that I love.

Blake Rea: 29:12

Like this is my friend you know like, and so I looked at it from that perspective and um, and some of the people I was working with you know amazing people, but you know they were there for a job, you know and you gotta make money at the end of the day.

The Wrist Chick: 29:26

But there's. You could tell the difference between the people who are passionate and that are just there to get their paycheck and go home.

Blake Rea: 29:33

Yeah, and I think that that particularly like helped me, at least in my case, because, um, you know, I'd spend so much time like learning about the person and then they'd be like hey, dude, like do you just want to talk about watches now? Like I'm like, hey, like, oh, cool, I see, you know, like you you have a, an nc state shirt or whatever. Like I lived in raleigh, uh, like you know, like that's, that's so cool, like, oh, here's why. You know, like I used to live in this area, like I grew up there, you know, like I just spent so much time learning about the person and then the watch kind of came second and, um, and that was a refreshing take living in in las vegas, where people just want to shove, shove shit down your throat, you know, like watches um, anyways no, that's really like refreshing to hear, because I've had that experience.

The Wrist Chick: 30:20

Like I'll go into ad's and I have literally like I I'm like, okay, I've got an hour of time, I'm going to go, just look at two watches and I'm there for like three hours because I'll find the one salesperson that like wants to geek out. Cause when you start talking watches with someone you know I start showing an interest and then they realize, okay, she knows a little more than the average maybe, or you know whatever. And and then I've had that. I was just recently at an AD and I was there for three hours but it ended with me getting invited to like a private event for a, a very big brand. So you know it wasn't even about the watches, it was just about chatting our experiences, experiences, watch collecting. And then you know he showed me a couple new releases, tried them on, but you know it was like we just hung out for like three hours.

Blake Rea: 31:12

So I totally get it and that's what that's what it's all about. Like that's that's what it's all about. Like when you meet somebody who, like, has that same appreciation that you have, and obviously from the other side of the counter, you kind of have to like pulse, check the person.

Blake Rea: 31:27

Like okay like like what are they here for? Like sure, like, do they have any time constraints? Like should I go like deep down the rabbit hole with them? Should I just kind of, like you know, like dip their toe in the rabbit hole? Like what should I do you know? Um, and and so when I left you know my, my personal story a little bit I got really sick. Like I had some health issues, and then I literally like had all the people that I was friends with Because, like I said, they were my friends. They just kept calling me like every like other week or so, like when new releases came out and I was like I had the same conversation oh, what do you think about this release, anything about that release? Like would you buy this? And I just I had the same conversation with like so many people like dozens of people like I had this.

Blake Rea: 32:16

I would spend hours on the phone just talking about the same shit and then, um, you know, my wife said something like, um, like, who, like, who, who. Who is that like like? Who is that this time? You know, who is it this time that you're?

The Wrist Chick: 32:28

talking to Because.

Blake Rea: 32:29

I feel like you had that same conversation yesterday and I was like you know, like we came up with a concept of like maybe we should just do like a Zoom when, like all like my friends and you know people will like join and we talk watches.

Blake Rea: 32:43

And then I came back and I was thinking well, you know that, join and talk, we talk watches. And then, um, and then I came back and I was thinking, well, you know that that's a little challenging because, as you know, it's hard to have goals on a zoom. You know, you know how it is like and work meetings like. They just spin off into their own little worlds yeah, it's like herding cats or something like.

The Wrist Chick: 33:01

Yeah, yeah yeah.

Blake Rea: 33:03

So I I didn't want to be like that guy, so I was like why don't we just like have an outlet where we can just talk about watches and hopefully, if people care about what I have to say, then they'll tune in and you're on that outlet now. It's great, here we are. That is awesome.

The Wrist Chick: 33:20

That is awesome it's always cool to hear how people get to where they're at and, uh, I think we all have different stories, different backgrounds and and that's what's fun about it and, honestly, like I enjoy just traveling, going to the shows more than anything. Yes, I absolutely love watches, but just talking to people, that's what you spend most of your time doing. You know, you try watch on, it takes five minutes, but then you're chatting with someone for like an hour. So to me that's what it's about, and then you build that foundation and you get to where you, where you want to be.

Blake Rea: 33:49

So that's awesome yeah, no, I mean, it's really about I, I mean you're. It seems like you're everywhere, like it seems like you're ever. I know you were just in.

The Wrist Chick: 33:57

I literally am you're, you're in, you're in france, and then you know, obviously, after geneva, like I mean like jesus, like it doesn't seem like a stop I don't like if I turn this camera around and show you this room right now, like my suitcase is still on the floor, like this room is my travel room, it's my spare room and there's shit everywhere and I just never unpack because it's like where am I going next?

Blake Rea: 34:22

so I have the luxury to be able to do that right now I I still haven't unpacked from geneva yes I mean that tells you my mind frame right now I literally have been looking at my luggage there, um, and I just keep thinking like when am I gonna unpack this? And and I haven't, I haven't came up with an answer yet, but hopefully I will unpack it or you just go on another trip yeah, oh yeah, we're just ready to go.

Blake Rea: 34:50

There you go. Well, when I was, when I was flying back from geneva, um, like I sat down and in one of you know, of course, like the whole entertainment system and all so of of course, with my luck, I get put next to like a lady with a baby, or like like a lady and a baby, and then so she was holding the baby the whole time, and then on the other side was like a little kid and his mom was like in the seat in front of him, so he was at the window. I was in the center Right, fun fun, fun.

The Wrist Chick: 35:22

That's like my worst nightmare. I know right, my worst nightmare I know.

Blake Rea: 35:25

I know. No offense to children, yeah, no no, of course, of course, um, but uh, you know? Um, the worst like the cherry on top was my fucking little like entertainment center was broken, oh god, and this? Was a long-haul flight like this was the overseas from from geneva to dc, because I went from geneva to dc and then dc to vegas.

Blake Rea: 35:52

Oh that is just oh, nightmare exactly so so nevertheless, I said something I like, like, when I was like trying to like mess with it, I said something to the, the, the flight attendant, and he was like, oh yeah, I'll reset it. And then, you know, like, when they were coming through, like you know, to do like their first little snacks or whatever, I was like dude, did you say? He's like, oh shit, like it doesn't work. And then he literally had like a little like handheld and he was like like do you want me to give you miles or do you want?

Blake Rea: 36:27

and I was like oh I was like I'll take the voucher yeah, you got paid for your suffering.

The Wrist Chick: 36:33

That's good. Yeah, it was, it was uh it was a three.

Blake Rea: 36:36

I. I didn't even ask how much or anything, I was just thinking oh, like they're gonna send me probably like a little 20 voucher or some bullshit, you know whatever.

The Wrist Chick: 36:43

Three hundred dollars, three hundred dollar voucher I'm gonna start breaking my tv on airplanes because uh 300 bucks, I know, and I was thinking, I was like okay, like okay, what can I?

Blake Rea: 36:54

and so my, my first, my first ticket, like the ticket I bought to geneva. I bought that with a voucher too, so I I'm just like rolling in vouchers at this point awesome. And um, I can't remember how I got my first about, oh, oh god, yeah, that was a nightmare when I yeah, so I I hate united. United is like like the worst for me and and that was who I flew on to geneva with. But I flew istanbul in october and um, they didn't schedule me a long enough like layover, so I had like a 40 minute layover oh no, you have to have like yeah I've traveled so much.

Blake Rea: 37:30

It's like you you need here here was, um, like the kicker, so, uh, so I was in, I flew from here to san francisco and san francisco to istanbul, um, and when we were coming to san francisco, like the flight was already late leaving, and then, uh, so anyways, as we're coming to land, like we're like you know, 20 minutes late, I'm like fuck, I've got 20 minutes to get to my next like thing before like boards, um, and then it's like you know, like 10 minutes after it boards, like you know it's closed or whatever, it's like okay, I got like really like 30 minutes and we're already 20 minutes late, you know, um, so then we're coming in and then believe this or fucking not, um, uh, apparently like another, like they, they miscommunicated and another plane was coming at the same time.

Blake Rea: 38:22

And so like they, they like, they, they diverted the, the, the landing, some some lady like in front of me was like screaming holy shit, Like there's another plane right there, you know what I mean. And so they like, just like, like, just like. Boop, you know like, did a whole little thing there. I was like, and so anyways, uh, almost died.

The Wrist Chick: 38:40

But yeah, yeah, here we are, we're okay.

Blake Rea: 38:42

Yeah, yeah, no big deal I mean, if it couldn't get any worse, I would have wished, uh wish, that it happened, because once I got to san francisco it was super late in the evening.

The Wrist Chick: 38:52

So I missed my connection.

Blake Rea: 38:54

They were like look, there's no other flights to Istanbul, like you're gonna have to stay the night you know, in San.

Blake Rea: 38:57

Francisco, and I was like, okay, whatever, like, just give me a hotel. They're like, okay, cool, like, go here, you know. And so I went there and there was nobody, like it was just a you know a ghost town. And so then I kept going to the united lounge and they were like, oh, you have to go here. And I was like I would go there. And I mean, it was just like I spent hours on the phone with people saying like, hey, I need to get rebooked, like I, you know, like I need, I need a hotel, like, like, and anyways, it took me like almost seven hours, you know, in between these little like, and then eventually I found somebody who's like like why didn't, like they take care of this for you on the phone, like this is the number to call, like here's your, your reservations line. Eventually I got got a new flight and and yeah, so, yeah, so that was where I was.

Blake Rea: 39:45

It can be very stressful. Very stressful. I travel so much.

The Wrist Chick: 39:49

I know I am happiest when I'm away and I have to say the amount of traveling done all over the world, knock on wood. Whatever. I've been very fortunate yes, Few mishaps, but I've heard horror stories and I've been on like 24 hour flights with no issues and then I've been on a one hour flight with a million issues. So it's just, it's just a gamble, but I just have gotten so used to it and I just know that I want to get somewhere fun and so I just keep focused on that. But yeah, there's definitely like horror stories with traveling.

Blake Rea: 40:24

I have the worst luck. I've been dark, dark, but I've been in a plane where the um the front wheel wouldn't properly come down.

The Wrist Chick: 40:36

Okay, yeah, during landing, yeah, so that was rough.

Blake Rea: 40:39

I was in a train accident, my god, I was actually. I was actually in two train accidents, sorry, oh my god.

The Wrist Chick: 40:46

so you just have like, you just need to like stay in your house, is what you're saying? I?

Blake Rea: 40:51

feel like go out. Oh my God, no the the, the first, the first train accident was like, like horrific, like nightmares.

Blake Rea: 41:01

Like somebody jumped in front of the train that I was on Crazy. And then my second one. I was I was living in Tbilisi, georgia, and me and my wife were taking um a train to go to to Yerevan, armenia, for you know, for like a weekend, and uh, and somebody like parked a car in front of the train and you know, just smacked into it and then we sat there for I mean, obviously like you, you know, you just felt like you know.

The Wrist Chick: 41:33

So it wasn't crazy.

Blake Rea: 41:34

But um, but then you know they were trying to like, had to like, investigate, and they had to take the train off and they, you know, inspect the train and do all this bullshit. And the train was powered by the, the air conditioner was powered by the movement of the train and this is middle of summer, like in georgia cooking in there fucking baking in there, um, and so you just see people walking around like shirtless and, like you know, like in their underwear, because it was so fucking hot.

The Wrist Chick: 42:05

It was so hot and it was just brutal yeah, well, maybe I'll start traveling when I do, because I seem to have the uh. I don't have a black cloud over me. I do in many other areas of my life, but travel is my uh worked out for me, so good.

Blake Rea: 42:24

Yeah, I mean, if anything, that's the that's the time that you want things to be, yes, yes, like working properly for you. Um, curious about your social media presence a little bit more. Um, how have so, obviously, like, you started to gain a significant following, what I would say, um, and and how has your audience and your influence kind of kept leveling you into, you know, creating, continuing this? Or, or at what moment did you say, like, okay, like this really is sticking. You know, did you have one of those moments where you're like, okay, like I see the people who appreciate the content that I produce, like I see the comments that are coming in, like people are reaching out to me telling thank you for helping me with this, or that? I mean, I get comments like I'm sure you probably do too. Um, at what moment did it kind of like, did you get that, that satisfaction out of producing the content that you produce? And, and you know, building your audience? Like, how do you, how do you keep them engaged? You know?

The Wrist Chick: 43:33

So I would say you know, for me again, I kind of stumbled into this with no plan, like I I just said I'm going to go to a watch event in New York and I, you know, I knew it was the right thing for me to keep doing it. When I like I met Moser there and I know I talk about Moser, everybody makes fun of me but I love but I put a watch on and it was like the Moser Endeavor tourbillon, vantablack, rose gold, like the most gorgeous watch I've ever seen in my life, and I just had like chills up my whole arm and I to have like a physiologic reaction to putting a watch on. That's when I realized the watch part of it was. I really love watches and so that was the moment I said, oh okay, this is. I started. I met Miss GMT. I met other girls at those events in New York and just seeing like how supportive everyone was, it was like shocking to me, because girls can be pretty cutthroat. We're not always the nicest to each other. It's very competitive, a lot of jealousy, a lot of this, a lot of that.

The Wrist Chick: 44:48

And so once I saw what the community was like, I was like maybe we can like stick around here. And then, as time went on, I just said you know what? I'm going to start putting out quick little videos here and there. I truly didn't think anything was going to come of it. I was like nobody's gonna. You know, there's so many people online. And then I would say the point where it turned for me was, you know, I mean, I was going to every show. I literally was. I went to Miami Beach Antique Show, met a lot of people there.

The Wrist Chick: 45:17

I started doing some live streaming on YouTube with other people's platforms and I noticed that people were, you know. You know I was getting feedback when I was on YouTube and they were like it's refreshing to see a woman that actually likes, watches and isn't I hate to use the word boring, but I've been told I'm not boring and not dry and stuffy and you know, and I actually get excited. And so once I started getting that feedback online, I was like, okay, let me keep going. And then I would say the most recent events I've been to have been the ones that really kicked it off for me and it gave me the courage to start YouTube, because I've been doing the Instagram, you know, really just trying to build myself up a bit and then, but I the type of person I am, I can just talk and go on and I have so many ideas for YouTube, but I felt like I couldn't go right into it until people actually like cared about what I had to say.

The Wrist Chick: 46:23

So, but I would say, after meeting a lot of watch, you know celebrities, and even some of them saying like hey, I've seen your stuff, I'm like you're joking, right Like you know, and so um it.

The Wrist Chick: 46:37

And even meeting Sophie was a big thing too and um, she's just like so full of life, so, so fun. And you know, just the those moments like there there were a lot of little moments and but I would say definitely this past trip watches and wonders, paris and London was like what really was like okay, uh, I'm going to do this and people are noticing me and I'm getting good feedback. And then I went to Boucher watch week and you know, like you look at your follower account and it just like went like this you know you're hanging out with like Andrew Morgan, like he's your brother, and I'm like what's up? And he's like, hey, what's going on? And I'm like hey, so a lot of little moments. It's a lot about building confidence, because it's very hard to put yourself on the Internet. So for me it's been a process, and I would say this I've only been doing this since October.

The Wrist Chick: 47:34

Like I mean, I've only been in this a couple months, so I really don't have much to say like about oh, it's you know, but it's just been these watch events where I put myself out there, I walk up to people even if I'm nervous, like I walked up to the owner of Studio Underdog. I was like, hey, what's up? And so and he's like oh, I've seen you on instagram and I was like you know so uh, it was. Uh, it's fun, it's just, you know. So those were the moments for me that uh I was like I'm gonna keep going with.

Blake Rea: 48:04

It's like, yeah, you're getting recognized for, like your, your work, you know in a weird way um and it's it's fun stuff. So yeah I, I, I didn't even know. You've been in this since october.

The Wrist Chick: 48:16

That's crazy that's it all right. Last october I went in october 20th, I started this last year and now it's uh, what is? I don't even know what month it is april 30th yeah, so that's it that's crazy that's insane.

Blake Rea: 48:32

That's insane, no, I mean, um, what particularly stuck out from my perspective is you know, I try to do what you do. You know, and when I when I mean when I say that is like I try to like cut through the bullshit, you know, like there's just a lot of bullshit. You know a lot of people, you know that are fluffing brands and you know, and, like I said, they're incentivized to talk about watches. You know, financially nothing wrong with that, whatever, but would you really say those things if you weren't incentivized to talk about them?

The Wrist Chick: 49:13

That's how I see those people too. And and again, there's nothing wrong with it. Um sure, me personally, I have nobody that I'm partnered with nobody. I have nothing. It's literally just me going on airplanes, going to shows, like, so I don't have a single brand. That's like, hey, wear my watch or do this. So I'm finding it very fun right now because I have no ulterior motives, like I'm just trying to get women to not wear freaking apple watches because they're hideous. Like yes, you could wear them if you're like running or like you have a medical problem, but like don't wear it to a wedding, you look stupid. So you know, that's kind of just like what I'm doing is I don't hate Apple.

The Wrist Chick: 49:54

You know I'm not trying to take down a company or anything you know I'm just doing it for fun and I know maybe at some point there will be opportunities, but for now, like that's just where I'm at. Like I'm at the very beginning stages of this and I don't think there's anything wrong with, you know, being partnered.

Blake Rea: 50:12

but you can definitely tell the difference in the content with people when, uh, you know there's money involved, which is understandable yeah, yeah, I mean um, those opportunities, those opportunities will obviously come um, and and yeah, it becomes a little bit more challenging politically once you get there. I've noticed, um, because now I'm like, oh, I'm going to event, like, and 13 of the brands that I'm working with are going to be there, like, which watch do I wear? Like I had I had a very like, like candid conversation with my buddy who also was a watch youtuber and he is now no longer a watch youtuber, which is sad, um, but um, but nevertheless, you know he's like, just do a safe pick. Like you know, like you know a lot of the brands that you're working with are, you know, upper in, you know higher end brands.

Blake Rea: 51:05

Like, just wear something that's like a couple thousand bucks. You know it's not 10, 15, 20 000. You know that steps on the toes of the brands that you're working with. So you know, and he was like just stay in that, in that sandbox. You know where it's like there's. You know design language here, like everybody respects it, um, and and you're not competing for the same little piece of the pie. So in in that case, I chose I mean, I chose Doxa, which was a safe play, I felt for me and I had.

Blake Rea: 51:35

I had one, I had one watch that I wore the whole trip. Well, I did. I did wear a horse Cause I was working on like a an horse project, but but yeah, I was just like. This is a a safe play, like it feels familiar like so the whole time. I just wore one watch during washington wonder, which was nice, crazy, you know, besides the ors thing, but, um, nevertheless, yeah, it becomes that that political like how do you navigate this?

Blake Rea: 52:04

yeah and um, and I don't have an answer for that. So and and if you do, just please let me know too so I'm curious.

The Wrist Chick: 52:12

So you're here now, and what?

Blake Rea: 52:21

advice would you give to women looking to not only let's just say I mean whatever it is they're trying to do in watches you know, um looking to start their own collection? Or maybe, you know, maybe take inspiration from people like you or Sophie or Miss GMT or whoever like. What advice would you give to somebody you know looking to get into the watch industry as a female?

The Wrist Chick: 52:43

I would say do your research, which can be difficult. It's easy to say that, but we all know there's a lot of misinformation about watches online and things. So I think if you could find someone you trust, I think that's a big part of it. And then, because I think it's really hard, especially for women like where do I go? Like, where do I buy a watch? Where do I start? And you know, am I?

The Wrist Chick: 53:10

It's like I feel like it's like walking into a car dealership sometimes, like you feel that little bit of intimidation that it's mostly men and am I going to get screwed here?

The Wrist Chick: 53:19

Like are they going to sell me something that I don't need, or this and that? So I think if you could find any bit of information that's reliable to get you in the door and that's something I really like to do with women I just do it for fun, like I'll be, like I'll take you watch shopping you know what I mean, cause it's like you just have to get over that hurdle of getting your foot in the door. And then, if you can get a basic knowledge, like I'm talking basic what is courts, what is mechanical, you know, and that's about it like just a few terms under your belt so that when you're in a watch store, um, you know what you're looking at. And I would say I wouldn't suggest like diving right into like pre-owned, because I feel like you need to do a lot of research on that, like I had to because I was like right how do I know I'm getting like a real gold omega?

The Wrist Chick: 54:11

like how do I know I have no idea? A real gold Omega, like how do I know I have no idea. So I would recommend, like cause, I bought some of my first watches on like Joma shop dot com and they were brand new. You know, I had heard that those were websites I could use or just buy directly from the brands to start. And then you know, once you educate yourself, more you can, you can do. You know you can buy like an old rolex. You know what I mean. I would never have bought this when I was first starting out, um, because I wouldn't have known what I was looking for.

Blake Rea: 54:42

No, that makes a lot of sense and I mean that's great advice. You know, definitely do your homework. Um I I like to say a lot that just you know learn the more you learn about yourself, the more you're going to learn about what watches mean to you.

The Wrist Chick: 54:55

Yes, you know like what you like.

Blake Rea: 54:59

Um, a lot of people I've noticed and I guess because I was on the other side of the counter, you know they, they, they buy a watch because it's presented to them in such a way um, but you know, kind of like buying a car, like you know, you just don't go buy a car every day, you know, like you go buy a latte or whatever.

Blake Rea: 55:17

Um, so it's a longer sales process and you know your time, from the moment you're exposed to a watch to the moment you buy it. Like you should have like a window that like, okay, like I first learned about this watch april 30th 2025, like the wrist shake told me about this. Then, okay, 90 days, six months, you know, whatever, 180 days I'm still. If I'm still thinking about that watch, maybe I should bring it into my collection yeah, I agree.

The Wrist Chick: 55:49

Yeah, it's um, it's that's what I used to do with tattoos. You know, I would be like I would draw it up and I'd be like in, uh, six months from now, if I'm not sick of looking at it, I'll get it.

The Wrist Chick: 56:00

That's what I used to do with tattoos in my my youth, um, but I, yeah, I, I agree, and I think too, for women, like I've gotten this feedback from a lot of them, cause I asked them like why you know, why don't you have a watch or why do you want to watch, and a lot of them say, like you know, if they're married or they have husbands, boyfriends, partners, they're like a lot of times, like my husband is really into watches and he really wants me to be into watches, so he bought me a watch but I don't like it and it's kind of like forced on them. And so I think women can, like you said, figure out what they actually like, cause you know I understand that most women probably don't care about tourbillons and movements and quick set dates and things like that. So I don't talk about a lot of that stuff. I bring it up once in a while. But if I think they need to figure out, like if you want like a pretty dainty diamondy watch, like that has a battery, then that's what you get and and you know you don't have to.

The Wrist Chick: 56:57

I try not to influence people to buy certain watches. I influence them to figure out what you like, regardless of you know what is high horology or has a good movement or is a reputable brand, like I just recently bought a watch while I was on Portobello Road. I bought a vintage Zenith. But I also bought a brand I've never heard of, I cannot even find it on the internet, but it's a dress watch and I loved it and I just bought it because I love the way it looked. It is quartz but again, it doesn't have to be this big deal of like you, you know, have to understand the inner working. So I say, just go with what you like and take like you said. Take the time, but it's hard to not be influenced by other people if there's pressure being put on you. So I try really hard like to say like, I like this watch, but this may not work for every girl.

Blake Rea: 57:50

Yeah, disclaimer you have to throw a disclaimer out there yes, always, because there's no.

The Wrist Chick: 57:55

And I will always say to every brand like if I look at their watches, like I may not like the watch personally, but it doesn't mean it's a bad watch, it's just not something I would put on my wrist. So I will never say a watch is bad, it's just that it's not for me I'm amazing.

Blake Rea: 58:11

I I knew that I mean you could just tell by the type of content that people are producing, and that that's the same way I feel. Like you know, I've gotten watches in from brands that like I just didn't feel comfortable reviewing. Like you know, like this isn't for me, like I get what you're trying to do, but maybe I'm just not the right creator for you, you know.

Blake Rea: 58:32

Um, yeah yeah, I mean, and you know, however, those conversations ended up. You know, um, it's hard to say those things, you know, but you know, knowing where you draw the line is like, okay, like, I appreciate what you're doing. You know I appreciate the accessibility you're trying to, you know, to bring to the market. You know I appreciate that you're trying to give somebody an alternative to a higher end watch, um, you know, for a couple hundred bucks and cool Like. But you know, I typically tend to play in the higher end sandbox, you know. So, um, and there's tons of great YouTubers out there that just love to talk about affordable watches.

Blake Rea: 59:10

And and I mean I'm. I'm sadly not one of them, that's okay.

The Wrist Chick: 59:15

That's all right.

Blake Rea: 59:15

I have a taste for the finer things in life, but that's fine.

The Wrist Chick: 59:19

Yeah, you have to do what you like, and that's when people will see that you're genuine and they're going to want to watch you. Because if you're faking it and you're like, oh I love this, $200 watch, it's the best thing in the world, it's like no like. If you don't like, you don't like it, and people are gonna see that. So I think it's fine to go with what you like what I'm curious to get now.

Blake Rea: 59:39

So, since this is still probably fresh on your mind and you just got into the industry, I mean you are. I mean that's amazing. I had no idea that you started in oct Like I had I was.

The Wrist Chick: 59:50

The end of October, to point out, it's almost November. Yeah, that's crazy, bonkers.

Blake Rea: 59:58

Trajectory is insane. But from the early days of getting passionate about watches to you know having some, you know perspective on the inside of the industry, the way that things work. You know getting behind that curtain now, um, you know what's. What's surprised you now that you're seeing the watch industry from a different perspective, or what have you? What have you been disappointed by as well?

The Wrist Chick: 1:00:24

additionally, so I would say the biggest thing that was surprising to me was, if you are, you know, I see some of these watch dealers that are just hustlers. It's they don't want to talk. It's just how do I flip this watch, how do I sell this watch? And you know, it's just very like cold and like to the point money and there's no like pleasantries and so seeing that side of it and the reality of like okay, yeah, this is like how people put food on their table and like they can't always be this bubbly person that can talk for hours, so you see that like really fast-paced type of watch selling like new york city, there's a few dealers, dealers.

The Wrist Chick: 1:01:11

You know that was kind of shocking to me, Cause I'm like, oh, watches are so wonderful, let's talk about them. It's like, no, these people are like you know, 25,000, let's go right now flip a coin. Here we go, Um. So that part to me was a little surprising and, um, you know, to get into the watch industry, it's like it's something I've thought about. You know, now that it's become it's a hobby for me, but, like you know, it's kind of like where do you see yourself? And it's like I don't know if I'm like that hustler that's just going to be like give me 25 for this Rolex and or else get the hell out of my. You know my shop, so it's a little cutthroat at times, so that was definitely surprising to me.

Blake Rea: 1:01:54

Yeah, and I have friends that are, that are that are like that, and people that I, that I mingle with, that are in my social circle, that that are just the hustler mode and I respect it and I mean I get it. You know, I hope I don't get there. You know like I hope. I hope that I don't take that, take on on watches. Um, I'm still trying to to to pace myself. I'm still trying to to be a refreshing creator and not just to pump shit out because I have to.

Blake Rea: 1:02:26

Um, I have to have that balance and I'm still, you know, trying to figure that out, but no, I mean, it's definitely one of the more disappointing things that I think I've seen too. You know, you see people that are so passionate about it and you know, there I wouldn't say that all of them are are are predators about people's passions, but people are definitely capitalizing on other people's enthusiasm and and to me that that I don't like, you know and I, I have because I I sold watches, so I feel like I needed a, a way to, to redeem myself, to cleanse myself, if that's the right word um because I, I mean I, I, I got to a point where you know, like I was selling, I was, I was selling watches.

Blake Rea: 1:03:19

You know, I, I did, oh, I don't even know how much I did and I mean I did a hundred, I did like a hundred, like couple hundred thousand dollars in a month. You know, that's awesome yeah and um, and I had one guy that like, like, came in to replace a and I ended up selling them a watch yeah, I was like, I was like okay that's.

Blake Rea: 1:03:42

That's one of those like realization moments where, like, you know, like, you have the ability to to like, extract resources from somebody else and and bring them to you and um. And so now with like you know where I'm at now. Like I don't take any money from my audience, you know, like, I don't ever want to like, like, charge a premium to my audience, like, so, like you're never going to see me do a collaboration, at least right now, like a collaboration, watch where it's like charging X dollars or whatever. So a lot of the revenue that comes to me comes from, you know, advertisers, so it costs my audience nothing, um, you know um. Or brands, you know Um.

Blake Rea: 1:04:32

And so, again, you know I, I don't want to to take resources away from my audience and bring them to myself. You know I want to, you know, do it in, in in a moral way where you know I, I'm, you know my incentives are in the right, the right place, but I'm also not curtailing my, my, my opinions, my thoughts and and being another shill, you know. So I'm still trying to figure out that, but as it's not going, it's not going too well no, it's not going too well.

The Wrist Chick: 1:05:05

I mean, it seems like a nice way to be, but I I get it.

Blake Rea: 1:05:08

It's um well, I know it's go, is going, is going well, like from um, like like it's going well to my audience, um, but you know it's hard because all this costs money, you know putting on a podcast and yeah, shooting video. I mean we've got multiple camera. Like we just bought new cameras for our youtube channel.

The Wrist Chick: 1:05:28

About new lenses, like we spent almost 20 grand, you know, on new camera equipment, you know that's insane and I I mean I don't have that part of it, but I mean just traveling tens of thousands of dollars.

The Wrist Chick: 1:05:41

I mean, you know, and this is just my money, like I'm not again, nobody pays me to travel and try on watches and you know, and also, like you know, you gotta look the part, and it's so for me. I don't dress like super, super nice on a daily basis. So like I invested in like you know I I wanted it anyways my first designer bag and this and that. So, girls too, there's other parts of it, of like how you walk into a room and how you present yourself. So I've spent tons of money on clothes and things like that. People don't realize those little things you do to like really. But it's also for my own confidence too. It's not just to impress other people, it's like I want to feel comfortable walking into a room. So it is.

The Wrist Chick: 1:06:23

There's a lot of money that goes into this hobby and so eventually, yes, like you may need to monetize off of it if this is what you want to do. I mean, I have a career to fall back on. But I'm definitely loving the watch world and I'm, you know, excited to see if any doors open for me. I don't know what those doors would be or what I would like to do, but you know, hopefully, if I stick around long enough and people stay interested, then maybe I can can find something.

Blake Rea: 1:06:55

Yeah, I feel I feel the same way because, you know, I think about, like sustainability a lot, like you know, and I take time away from my family, you know, and I take money out of my own pocket, you know. Same thing. Like you know, nobody paid for my ticket to Watches and Wonders Nope, nobody paid for my hotel. Like nobody paid for all the camera equipment. You know what I mean.

The Wrist Chick: 1:07:18

Like this is we make?

Blake Rea: 1:07:19

we make, you know, we don't make like we, we haven't even like broken even on on our content and yeah, I'm okay with that, like I'm okay with that, like there's, you know, um, but at some point, you know, I think about sustainability and how can um, yeah, you know, how can I, can I keep my my of ethics, if that's what you want to call it while while still producing content and staying true to myself and and in being, you know, you know, being the voice that I hope that I am, you know, or that people listen to, and people you know feel connected to Um, and I hate to even say this, but I didn't even look at the data, like I didn't even look at the data, like I don't even look at the data, like I don't even look at the data.

The Wrist Chick: 1:08:03

Like I don't even look at the analytics.

Blake Rea: 1:08:04

Like no, I was some people obsess over that, but yeah, not everybody does I was talking to miss gmt and I mean she's, I mean she's into the analytics and and uh, and I just, I just do stuff that I I think people would want to see, or I that I would want to see you know, right um, or maybe like I fill. Okay, like, like, why isn't this exists? Like I think maybe people would find this interesting. I have the, I have the means to present it or whatever. So, yeah, yeah, I get that.

The Wrist Chick: 1:08:33

That's a good approach though too. Yeah, cause it's. You know I. I tend to just look at basic stuff Like cause. When you're starting out like I have no idea what I'm doing, so I would look at which video I just did. Basic I'm like which videos are getting the most views, and so I try to see like, oh, is it cause? Like it's you know I, it's me in the video, it's just my wrist, it's someone else in the video. So I don't I don't go too far into it. But, like now that I'm in breaking into YouTube, like I'm going to start to, you know I'm going to just pump out content, do what I like and see how it goes, and then, you know, you can start to look a little more. But that's again. Once you're starting to really want to grow and possibly make money is when you really are analyzing all that data. So I do look at some stuff, but not not too much.

Blake Rea: 1:09:24

Yeah, that, that. That becomes challenging, because then you start to make decisions not for the passion but for you know the chase.

The Wrist Chick: 1:09:33

Right, exactly Like I mean, I put out all different stuff, like just travel stuff, you know, and again it's like.

The Wrist Chick: 1:09:39

I'm trying to reach a female audience because 99% of the watch I mean, I'm making up that number, but I'm just saying most of the watch world is men and it's obvious any watch event you walk into. So how do I reach women is the question. And so I'm finding creative ways to do that and I'm learning as I go. I'm like, oh, like they're not just going to watch a YouTube video about watches like, or my Instagram. So like I'll incorporate fashion, I'll incorporate dating advice, because you'd be on a date with a guy and be like is that a Rolex, mariner? And he's like, oh, my God, I love you, and then you're married.

The Wrist Chick: 1:10:12

So so, finding ways to connect with women, whether it's jewelry, fashion, dating, different things, and so but also show them. You know, maybe they come look and they're like oh, she's wearing a watch, like I've never worn a watch, you know, and maybe I'll watch her. Or I love to travel, she loves to travel. So, and again, it's not for any mischievous reason or like I need these girls to watch me. It's like I really do care about just seeing if I can get women to possibly try a watch on I don't care what watch it is, but just to and the watch world is so amazing and the events are so awesome and to travel and you know, even if it's just an excuse to travel, is is incredible to go to these events.

The Wrist Chick: 1:10:54

And I'm also like girls if you're single and you're complaining at home, go to a watch event. It's about like 700 men in a room. I'm like this is where you need to be. You don't go to your local bar. Go to like intersect watch show, like come on. Like you know, this is a hidden gem here that I have found, so get on it I don't want to hear you complaining.

The Wrist Chick: 1:11:16

You're lonely, that's so funny.

The Wrist Chick: 1:11:19

That's true, it's like you walk in there, it's like a sausage fest and you're like well, this is where all the men are. I've been like hiding in my apartment all this time, lonely and sad, and eating ben and jerry's. So like go to a watch show. You don't have to care about the watch and look confused, and that's even better. They'll come up to you and be like oh, I could tell you about this. And yeah, and you have a husband, so you're welcome no so um so I have a watch club here in vegas and um.

Blake Rea: 1:11:49

We have about 100 members oh nice I started a group here and we do events every single month and we do like branded events, like a brand will come in and like sponsor us and fly in or whatever and do stuff like that. Um, my friend and she's like some podcasts back but you can go listen to her. Her name's abington and um, and she has an all-female tool watch company and she's based here in vegas really and very cool yeah, she's freaking awesome.

Blake Rea: 1:12:18

Um, nevertheless, like, like I've asked myself that too, because she's in the watch club, you know, and she she doesn't like, she came to like an event last friday um and she was like like hey, like I want to see like more ladies at the watch club thing. I was like, yeah, me too. Like what can?

The Wrist Chick: 1:12:36

I, what can I?

Blake Rea: 1:12:37

do you know like, and then she's, she's like. You know, let me think about it and I'll give that.

Blake Rea: 1:12:41

You know she had, she had a couple ideas, but um yeah you know, I I want this space to be for everybody you know, like, um, like I, I, in a weird way, like I, I believe that every everybody we're all on the same planet, like we all at some place came from the same, the same place. You know whatever that is. I don't know what that, what that means, but yeah, um, you know we're all in this world together and you know, this passion is our, is I mean, we're already a small hobby.

Blake Rea: 1:13:11

I would say, yeah, um, and and so like, whatever I can do to help, kind of like create a space for whatever you are, if you're an alien from saturn or if you're, you know, just a watch bro, like hopefully you know you'll be able to, to come to our events and so with that, how do you see the role of women evolving in the watch industry and in the collecting circles? That's a hard question.

The Wrist Chick: 1:13:45

It's a tough question, but I'm a, I'm someone, like the first thing that comes to my brain, I just say it um, I, I want to see. This is the first thing. I just. This is not scripted.

The Wrist Chick: 1:13:52

Obviously we didn't plan any of this yeah, the first thing I thought of and this is something I'm interested in doing um, so I may be giving out spoilers of future plans, but, like I don't care. I have this vision of, like, you know, not to exclude men, but to have, like, female watch groups that like, or just groups of girls that like, go to events together. Like, if I can find a way to say, hey, I have a sign up and you, you know, I'm going to take 15 girls to wind up in New York, we're going to meet in New York, we're going to go out for dinner, you know, and we're going to go to the watch show together. And I feel like that's how you could get people who aren't into watches possibly into the space and they can then walk around with a girl who they may be more comfortable with, I don't know, um, cause, again, it's a room full of men and it's it's, it could be intimidating. So I have that idea of like, maybe female groups, but then, like, bringing them into, like a red bar or like you know, your watch group in Vegas, and like showing them Cause, like when I was just at Boucher watch week.

The Wrist Chick: 1:15:03

I was just there, like you know, I got invited out to dinner and it's a it's a table full of guys and I'm the only girl, so you know, not many girls would do that or go out and feel comfortable doing that. So I think if you have groups of girls that kind of stick together cause I feel like girls feel comfortable with other girls, I think that's kind of stick together because I feel like girls feel comfortable with other girls I think that's kind of the way to go about it, to get them into the space with the men and then they can realize like, oh, this is a cool group of people, like men, women. It doesn't matter, and that's that's kind of how I see it that's actually really working like no, that's, that's.

Blake Rea: 1:15:38

That's such an interesting concept and it'll work. And the reason why I feel like it'll work is so when I came back from switzerland the next day I had nab. So I landed from switzerland, got like five hours of sleep, woke up and went to nab the next day, which is a filmmakers conference here in vegas. Okay, and I'm working on a project. I was doing some camera tests, yeah, yeah. So all the camera manufacturers were there you know um never, nevertheless.

Blake Rea: 1:16:07

Um, as I'm looking through like the directory to see what other camera brands are there, I see like a, like a women in film okay, there you go and and yeah, so they had like their own little table.

Blake Rea: 1:16:22

Yeah, nab, which is the biggest filmmaker show, and um, and yeah, it's just like, it's like a like a supportive community that just empowers women who are in, because film is also, you know, a very male dominated, you know. Production, you know, is also a male dominated, uh, career, hobby, whatever, whatever, um, so yeah, I mean, having something like that for watches would be bananas, would be awesome, just kind of my late night crazy idea I've just had recently and uh, you know I'm obviously not a tech person my airpods keep falling out, I understand that you know, uh, I'm not into cameras and stuff.

The Wrist Chick: 1:17:02

So that's stereotypes, um, but yeah, that was. I really want to get that going and I think that it could just show them and even if it's just something like, again, they don't care that much about the watches, but it gets them into a fun space and make friends, like I've made friends, and so even just for socializing. And then, yes, there are watches. You can maybe buy a watch and you know, but you don't have to be obsessed with them, you don't have to care about how they work. Again, it's like everybody in the watch space is there on different levels of like how much you're geeking out about it.

The Wrist Chick: 1:17:36

So I definitely think that's a project I'm working on and hoping, you know, because I have brought individual girls to shows and they bought their first watch and they've loved it and they're like, why did I not know this existed? And so I've done that with a few. Yeah, I'm like it's like an underground world, no-transcript two other girls in the room when they're probably like you know, you kind of have this instant bond and we also like got along so well, they're amazing and um, so, but you kind of stick together. So I think if I could bring more women into those rooms then you were a good thing you're at the intersect in, uh, in charlotte, right, is that?

Blake Rea: 1:18:40

yeah, yeah, yeah. How was that? That seemed fun, it was fun.

The Wrist Chick: 1:18:44

It was different. You know, I didn't, I didn't know what to expect and um, you know it was in a beautiful location. It like overlooked the city. Um, it wasn't massive. You know, there weren't like a million watch brands there, like a wind up, you know. But I went like the night before, which I I recommend doing, cause if you just you had to like pay to go the night before, it wasn't very much. And then you have like the days that are open for free. I went the night before and that's where you meet, like you know. You know Ben from Ben's watches in New York. I've met him. I've seen him at every single watch. I think we have a picture every single watch. We always bump into each other. I'm like, what's up? He's like, you know, like little brother. You know I forget how young he is, I won't say it, but I'm like, oh my God, he's, he's doing so good.

Blake Rea: 1:19:30

Um you know he's hustling.

The Wrist Chick: 1:19:31

So, um, that was a great watch show Cause. Then you meet those people too, like the night before, and the brands that were like isotope, things like that. I've never seen those watches in person and you know, formax, all those brands like you just get that personal experience Studio Underdog. So I really liked it. And you know, matt, I got to hang out with all the owners afterwards.

The Wrist Chick: 1:19:57

They invited me out to like a brewery and, like you, have all different brands that were there. Baltic Fears watches were there. So I had an amazing time, but you want to know what it was. You want to know how I got out to dinner.

Blake Rea: 1:20:11

I mean one of the guys had said something.

The Wrist Chick: 1:20:12

But one girl was working there and she was selling like a watch boxes and she kind of looked at me and she's like are you doing anything later? And I didn't even know her name. And she's like do you want to come out with us? And I was like oh, I was like yeah, I was like someone mentioned it. And she's like yeah, yeah, she's from another country. We immediately bonded Cause again, girls, they find each other, so I had an amazing.

The Wrist Chick: 1:20:37

I got to sit with every owner from that watch so and uh like, but like on a laid back level, like at a brewery. So it was.

Blake Rea: 1:20:45

It was awesome they're, they're an easy group, like the whole intersect team, like peter west. Call it like they're, they're such an easy awesome to yeah, like get into um because they're. They're there for the right reasons and they're you know their passion. It it doesn't have any boundaries it shows yep, for sure yeah it's.

Blake Rea: 1:21:08

I mean it's a great group and that that was one of the first actual groups that I also kind of entered through. Like you know, I had met um some of them, I had wind up in san franc, francisco and then just stayed in contact and I mean they're all so amazing at what they do. They are.

The Wrist Chick: 1:21:26

They're so passionate.

Blake Rea: 1:21:28

And the community. That's what I really kind of admire Brands that are really doing things for the community, like the watch community, yeah, and so I mean same thing Isotope is a great, great exampleose um phenomenal person like super passionate about what he does and it just kind of like oozes off of him, like if you're even in the same room as him you know, like it's just contagious, which is just amazing um I agree.

Blake Rea: 1:22:02

So this is probably the question that you ask yourself every day. But I'm just, I've got a couple more here. We're almost done, I promise.

The Wrist Chick: 1:22:07

Um no, no, I'm fine, I'm not. I'm not. What am I doing?

Blake Rea: 1:22:10

I'm like I noticed you haven't. You haven't drank your water yet, so I haven't.

The Wrist Chick: 1:22:15

My voice is still here. It's good, I'm thriving.

Blake Rea: 1:22:21

How do you hope your presence in the watch industry will inspire more women and younger collectors to get involved in the community?

The Wrist Chick: 1:22:31

Well, I, it's funny you asked that question because I just had an experience with a girl that's definitely much younger than me. I could tell just, you know, how she looked, how she talked, she was adorable and she, you know, I had met her at Boucher and she was working there and she looked at me. She goes you're just so cool and like so girl, to say that it was like adorable and um, and and she's like, you make it look cool, like you, you know. So even if, like, I'm cool to the younger kids, um, you know, to be called cool is like a very, very cool thing. Um, so I, uh, I hope that you know I could just show that I'm a real person. Okay, I'm not, I'm not an actor, I don't. This is. I'm just a normal, everyday person. I have a regular job, I go about my business.

The Wrist Chick: 1:23:26

But if you find something you really like and you can have fun with it and combine other things you love for me it's travel, if you're. You know, I hope to inspire them to get into the watch world in some way. They don't need to be on the level again of like knowing the inner working, all the movements, all the reference numbers, like, don't be intimidated by that. And if you just love like really pretty watches, or you just love one brand like oh, I love Cartier's are so pretty, like, go with it. And uh, you know, don't be afraid to walk into those spaces.

The Wrist Chick: 1:24:07

And and I'm just trying to show them that it can be fun because, again, you watch a lot of YouTubers, a lot of people, and it's very like okay, this is the caliber three, zero, seven, five. And I know I've said that in one of my YouTube videos I was like excited, I was like you know, but, like I know most people don't care, um, so just have fun. That's what I'm hoping to. Just be the fun person. That's like. Just come on in, like have fun, see what you like. If you don't like it, no big deal. But put yourself out there, take the risk. If you make a, you know, an instagram channel, if you want to start doing stuff, just do it. And if it works, it works. If it doesn't, it's all good.

Blake Rea: 1:24:49

Let's talk about the future. You know, what kind of legacy do you kind of hope to build in the watch space? You know not only as a collector or creator, or you know even beyond. But what do you hope your legacy looks like?

The Wrist Chick: 1:25:04

you know, in the watch industry, I'm hoping that it revolved around that girl that is just so excited about watches. And I have been told you know you get feedback from people right and I've been told I'm approachable and I'm very real and I'm not fake and I'm not stuffy. So I would like to maintain that and you know I'm sarcastic, I like to have fun. I want people to remember me or see me as who I actually am, as a person in real life, which is what you're seeing right now on camera. So I want to maintain that. And you know I don't know where my future is going to go with if I can work in this industry in some capacity. Am I a salesman at heart? No, I'll be like oh, you don't need that, it's $75,000.

Blake Rea: 1:26:05

Yeah.

The Wrist Chick: 1:26:06

I'm not like, I'm not going to be good at that. So, like you know, we just have to find my way and I think, if I find the right spot in the watch world where I could stick to who I am, which is like quirky, a little crazy, likes to have fun, likes to travel that's really what it's about for me is just remaining who I am and, um, and if I can start this revolution of getting this you know, women into the watch world and get off Apple watches. You know, for at least you know, two hours a day. Like I'm good, like like I was at a wedding recently and I had to threaten the lives of the bridesmaids to get their Apple watches off before we walked down the aisle at this wedding, I was like, are you kidding me? Like you look ridiculous. So, you know, I hope that there is a world someday where I don't have to threaten people to take off their Apple watches.

Blake Rea: 1:27:03

So that's so funny. That's so funny to look at it from that perspective. Cause I. I will. I will wear it too. I will wear it.

The Wrist Chick: 1:27:12

That's okay. It's okay, what's? Your other watch that you have on.

Blake Rea: 1:27:17

I am wearing a Zenith Corona master sport oh, that's really nice yeah, I love it, love it very nice.

The Wrist Chick: 1:27:25

I just got my first zenith, but it's very old and does not have a quick set date.

Blake Rea: 1:27:29

So those dates bane, bane of our existence gotta get it, gotta get one I want to thank you. This has been an incredible conversation it's my pleasure.

The Wrist Chick: 1:27:44

Thank you for having me. I so appreciate it. This is my. This is my first podcast, so really yeah, I mean I've done like live streams and that kind of stuff and gonzo streams running around oh god like, yeah, not for me.

Blake Rea: 1:28:00

Um, but uh, this is, yeah, definitely my first time doing this, so I really appreciate you I am come on I feel like I'm gonna go down in the history books because my first, if I make it someday. Well, so so funny. You said that because, um, you know, when I did my podcast with miss gmt, she'd never done a podcast either oh, really okay I was the first podcast with miss gmt and, and now you, which is crazy um like that because she's she's killing it right now.

The Wrist Chick: 1:28:36

So that is that is awesome.

Blake Rea: 1:28:38

No, I appreciate it I'm really proud of her. Yeah, I'm really proud of her. To see her I haven't known her. I've known her for about a year Maybe, but no, just to see how she's kind of Navigating through the industry Is awesome. It's amazing.

The Wrist Chick: 1:28:59

Definitely.

Blake Rea: 1:29:01

We are certainly going to link your instagram below your youtube um let people know where they can find you if they don't already follow you for whatever reason. Um, thank you so much for spending almost an hour and a half with us.

The Wrist Chick: 1:29:17

This is a feature film here yeah, that's it, we can keep rolling. I mean, like I got nothing, I was just gonna go to the pool, so, like you know, whatever you wanna, whatever you wanna do I'll.

Blake Rea: 1:29:28

We'll save it for next time. For sure we'll save it for next time. Um good, thank you so much for everybody who made it till the end of the podcast. I have no idea why I have a pen in my hand. I haven't wrote anything. Stay curious, stay collecting, and we will see you next time, on the next episode of Lonely Wrist.

The Wrist Chick: 1:29:49

Ciao for now.