The Best Watchmaking of 2025 with Jack Forster

Jack Forster is the global editorial director of the 1916 Company. You can also find his writing on his newsletter, Split Seconds. Jack joined me to look back on 2025 in watches. Jack names his “Escapement of the Year,” “Chronometer of the Year,” and we talk about some of the biggest trends in watchmaking—finishing, craft, complications, technical innovations, and more. Before that, we also look at Breguet’s new magnetic escapement in the Experimentale 1. We discuss what it means to be a “collector,” and whether there’s a difference between collecting and accumulating; whether we should bring back real chronometer awards; and the best thing Jack’s had on his wrist all year. It’s not all sharp internal angles and technical innovations though, we also talk about some of our favorite releases of the year Follow Jack’s newsletter, Split Seconds, and find him at the 1916 Company. Subscribe to the podcast to get future episodes in your feed: Spotify / Apple / RSS.Subscribe for $99/year ($8.25/mo) to get all the good stuff, plus 10% off in the Unpolished Store and $50 off any service at Watchcheck:VISUAL NOTESSHOW NOTES* In Conversation with Philippe Narbel, Fourth Wheel* The Sharp Inner Angle And The Limits Of Machining, Split Seconds* Breguet Launches The 250th Anniversary Expérimentale 1, With Magnetic Escapement, 1916 Company* Breguet Experimentale 1: Anatomy of a Magnetic Escapement, Relogios Mecânicos * Some Quality Time With The Grand Seiko Spring Drive UFA, 1916 Company* Zenith Introduces The GFJ Caliber 135, An Old School Champion Of Precision, 1916 Company* Daniel Roth, a surprising breakout watchmaker of 2025, UnpolishedGet in touch:* tony[at]unpolishedwatches.com* Instagram* Like this post or leave a comment if you’re enjoying the podcast interviews and want to see more in 2026: This is a public episode. If you'd like to discuss this with other subscribers or get access to bonus episodes, visit www.unpolishedwatches.com/subscribe