🌟 Editor's Note

Hey friends!

It’s been a busy few weeks at the old day job, but I’ve managed to get some words on the page and pixels on the screen this week. To be honest, though, I’ve been struggling to prioritise writing lately. The Subdial Show has been really exciting, and it’s taken up most of my mental energy. Because of this, I need your help. Can you please reply to this email and let me know what you like about what I do, what you want to see more of, and what you could do without? I’ve got extremely limited resources (two kids, a wife, a full-time job), so I want to make sure I can keep producing what’s important and only let the unnecessary fall behind. Cool? I’m looking forward to hearing from you.

In the latest episode of The Subdial Show, I sit down with Asier Mateo, architect and founder of Lebond Watches, to discuss his unique perspective on watch design, his experience working with iconic architects, and what it's like changing scale from livable art to wearable art.

Asier shares his thoughts on tribute watches and how his latest release, the Lebond Attraction, marks a departure from his first two models. We also explore the life and unfinished works of Antoni Gaudí, and why a great tribute watch doesn't have to be obvious. If you love design, architecture, and calm conversation, this one's for you.

Please subscribe!!

Enjoy the rest of the newsletter :)
Mitch x

Bench Notes: The Case For Learning French As A Watch Journalist

My first big Europe trip twenty years ago was one that took me to Switzerland, Italy, and France.

A typical trip for an Australian in his early 20s, it was exciting and more than a little scary. Language wise, Switzerland was easy, Italy a little less so, and France, damn near impossible.

My last stop on the trip was Paris, the city of love. When I arrived at the main Parisian train station, Gare du Nord, I was tired and overwhelmed. I did what any other tourist would have done and walked up to the ticket booth to ask for some directions. The first thing that came out of my mouth as I approached was, 'do you speak English?'. A perfectly reasonable question to ask someone who worked in the service industry, I thought. In one of the most visited cities on the planet, no less. Through some little glass slats, the well-dressed attendant hunched down, looked me dead in the eye and said, 'Do you speak French?

We stared at each other for what felt like five minutes, then I turned around and walked away with my tail between my legs. It was clear that he did, in fact, speak English, but because I made no effort to meet him in the linguistic middle, he rejected my plea for help. I can't remember how I ended up finding my hotel that day, but I suspect there were more than a few tears shed in the process.
That moment has coloured my view on France ever since, but you know what? The grumpy man was right. Why should he bend to my needs when I wasn't even willing to try to communicate with him in the language of the country I was visiting? I still feel bad about it 20 years later.

Did You Know? 🚗 Did you know that the car brand SMART was the 'invention' of Nicolas G. Hayek, the founder of the SWATCH?

It was a joint venture with the name Swatch Mercedes Benz ART.

Cya in the next one,

Mitch x