This week on Wrist Enthusiast Radio, Craig, Ben, and Derek sit down with John, the founder of Axia Time, one of the most unconventional watch brands in the industry. Instead of building a traditional microbrand, John has grown Axia through high-end custom projects and major partnerships, including becoming the official watch of the College Football Playoff and working with the Heisman.

Then John drops a huge announcement on the podcast: Axia Time has officially signed a licensing deal to create watches for the FIFA World Cup 2026. We also dive into his work with government agencies including the Secret Service, the NRO, and even the CIA, plus what it really takes to build a watch brand through trust, relationships, and execution.

Learn more about Axia Time: https://axiatime.com/

Make sure to check out the sponsor of our podcast, Delugs! Delugs is a great place to get all your watch straps and accessories. Definitely check them out!

Delugs website: https://delugs.com/

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In the final Wrist Enthusiast Radio episode of 2025, Craig, Ben, and Derek break down the best watch releases of the year across 16 different categories. From the best watches under $1,000 to standout luxury pieces, microbrand highlights, collabs, overhyped releases, and the brands to watch heading into 2026, every choice is based on real, hands-on experience rather than spec sheets or hype. The discussion is full of strong opinions, honest disagreements, and behind-the-scenes context, before each naming their pick for the single best overall release of 2025.

Make sure to check out the sponsor of our podcast, Delugs! Delugs is a great place to get all your watch straps and accessories. Definitely check them out!

Delugs website: https://delugs.com/

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Ben, Derek, and Craig sat down at Dubai Watch Week 2025 for a special on-site episode with three guests who each brought a different perspective on the show. Chad Alexander kicked things off with his favorite watches from the fair and his take on the biggest surprises. Fred Savage, actor, collector, and founder of Timepiece Grading Specialists, joined next to talk about the pieces that stood out to him and how his grading service is helping collectors better understand condition and quality. Andrea Casalegno (@iamcasa) closed the episode with his impressions of the event and the designs that impressed him most.

We covered independents, microbrands, major releases, and everything in between. If you love real watch conversations and want an inside look at what made Dubai Watch Week 2025 special, hit subscribe and let us know which watch was your favorite from the show.

Make sure to check out the sponsor of our podcast, Delugs! Delugs is a great place to get all your watch straps and accessories. Definitely check them out!

Delugs website: https://delugs.com/

Follow us on Social Media:

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Follow Craig: https://www.instagram.com/craig_karger/

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