What happens when a frustrated vintage watch collector stumbles upon a forgotten brand with a fascinating cinematic history? Angus McFadden joins us to share how he breathed new life into Alsta, the Swiss-made American watch brand that adorned Richard Dreyfuss's wrist in Jaws and Johnny Depp's in Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas.

McFadden's journey began in 2014 when his frustration with authenticating vintage Rolex pieces led to an unexpected discovery – an Alsta dive watch in a part-exchange bundle. That chance encounter sparked a deep dive into the brand's rich heritage dating back to 1946, culminating in his acquisition of the dormant brand and its relaunch in 2017.

Unlike many revived watch brands that focus solely on recreating the past, McFadden has carefully balanced heritage with innovation. The original Nautiscaff and iconic Super Automatic models have been joined by fresh designs like the Motoscaff, purposefully built for motorcyclists. Throughout our conversation, McFadden's commitment to authenticity shines through – from his customer-centric approach to product development to his refreshingly honest acknowledgment that "nobody needs a watch" in today's smartphone era.

What's particularly fascinating about Alsta is its cultural significance as "the non-obvious choice" – the watch for rebels who value quality and character over flashy brand names. This positioning has attracted a passionate customer base that's 80-90% American, honoring the brand's New York roots. As Alsta approaches its 80th anniversary, McFadden remains focused on sustainable growth through product excellence rather than marketing hype – ensuring this once-forgotten treasure continues to grace the wrists of those who appreciate genuine heritage with modern reliability.

Subscribe now to hear more conversations with the innovative minds reshaping the watch industry and bringing forgotten treasures back to life.

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A century-old American watch brand doesn’t just survive on luck; it survives on purpose. We sit down with Joe Wein, the third‑generation CEO of Hampden Watch, to explore how a family business threaded its way from Chicago’s catalog era to today’s Swiss‑powered precision—without losing what matters most: the stories people carry on their wrists.

Joe opens the vault on a lineage that includes Clinton, Wolbrook, Douglas, and Benrus, revealing how Chicago’s shipping hub and direct‑mail culture shaped the company’s early growth. He shares the quirks that make watch history fun—like Clinton divers sold “packed in water”—and the unexpected brushes with legend, including a Hampton in the Wright Brothers exhibit at the Smithsonian. Then we dive into the modern heartbeat of the brand: personalization with purpose. From laser engraving that cut turnarounds from weeks to days, to the patented case cap that clicks between a sapphire exhibition view and a perfectly aligned engraved canvas, Hampden proves that technology can serve sentiment. Movement lovers get their due with Swiss calibers, while engraving purists get a design concierge to turn vows, coordinates, and family mottos into heirlooms.

Along the way, we talk leadership, legacy, and the realistic future of American watchmaking. Joe reflects on hard calls after 2008, the culture of loyalty that kept multi‑decade employees, and why giving each generation a lane—engineering for him, marketing and PR for his son Dan—builds a stronger house. We also preview Hampden’s hands‑on classroom where you assemble a Unitas‑based manual watch and go home with your initials on the ratchet wheel, turning craft into a personal milestone.

If you care about mechanical watches, personalized engraving, Swiss movements, Chicago watch history, or the rise of meaningful microbrands, this conversation will stick with you. Subscribe, share with a watch‑obsessed friend, and leave a review telling us what you’d engrave on your own heirloom—what story would your watch tell?

Check out Hampden Watches:

https://hampdenwatch.com/

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What if your watch could do more than just tell time? What if it could help protect the very places that inspire its design?

Trip Henderson's journey from Navy service to tech entrepreneur to disaster relief leader ultimately led him to create Lōcī (pronounced "low-kai"), a watch brand with environmental conservation at its core. His experiences at sea—standing on a ship deck in the middle of the Atlantic, witnessing a night sky untouched by light pollution—sparked a lifelong passion for meaningful places. Later, working with Team Rubicon on disaster response operations, Trip witnessed firsthand how vulnerable our most treasured environments have become.

Rather than following the traditional watchmaking path, Trip built Lōcī around a mission: to celebrate the connection between people and places while actively protecting endangered environments. Each watch line draws inspiration from a specific location, with 10% of every sale supporting nonprofits that preserve these places for future generations. The inaugural Pacific Coast Highway collection, with its three distinct dials reflecting different aspects of California's iconic coastline, exemplifies this philosophy perfectly.

Unlike many brands that offer vague promises about "portions of proceeds" going to good causes, Lōcī maintains complete transparency, even publishing donation receipts directly on their website. This commitment reflects Trip's belief that watches can be more than status symbols—they can be vehicles for positive change.

Whether you're drawn to the contemporary design, the California-based craftsmanship, or the environmental mission, Lōcī watches offer something increasingly rare: the opportunity to wear a timepiece that not only tells time but tells a story of places worth protecting. Explore the collection and discover how your wrist can make a difference.

Checkout Trips Brand Lōcī Here:

https://www.lociwatch.com/

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