
Gary Girdvainis on the Unspoken Realities of the Watch Industry
This week on the SUPERLATIVE Podcast, host and aBlogtoWatch Founder Ariel Adams is joined by longtime watch industry veteran Gary Girdvainis. Drawing on a career that stretches back to the early days of International Watch magazine, Gary reflects on decades spent inside the watch business and how dramatically the relationship between brands, media, retailers, and consumers has changed. Ariel and Gary discuss the realities behind watch journalism, the growing influence brands have sought over media, the shift from traditional publishing to today’s crowded creator landscape, and why simply following the Swiss playbook does not always lead to success. The conversation also goes behind the scenes of the business itself, including Gary’s experiences working alongside Danny Govberg, his time with Franck Muller, and what those roles revealed about inventory, distribution, marketing, and the less visible side of the Swiss watch industry. They explore why some European brands continue to struggle with the American market, the need for a major consumer facing watch show in the United States, and Gary’s current work with Nivada Grenchen and FTS. The episode closes with a deeper look at American watch manufacturing, the enormous challenges of producing components domestically, and why building a truly Made in USA watch is far more complicated than it might seem. Keep up with Gary and learn more about his work with FTS and Nivada Grenchen: FTS - https://www.ftsusa.us/ Nivada Grenchen - https://nivadagrenchenofficial.com/ SUPERLATIVE IS NOW ON YOUTUBE! To check out Superlative on Youtube as well as other ABTW content: - YouTube - https://www.youtube.com/@ablogtowatch To check out the ABTW Shop where you can see our products inspired by our love of Horology: - Shop ABTW - https://store.ablogtowatch.com/ To keep updated with everything Superlative, aBlogtoWatch Weekly, and aBlogtoWatch, check us out on: - Instagram - https://www.instagram.com/ablogtowatch/ - Twitter/X - https://twitter.com/ABLOGTOWATCH - Website - https://www.ablogtowatch.com/ If you enjoy the show please Subscribe, Rate, and Review! Key Chapters: [00:36] Introduction and Gary Girdvainis’ Watch Industry Background [03:36] Breaking the Rules of the Swiss Watch Industry [06:33] Watch Media, Brand Control, and Staying Honest [12:52] The Wild West of Modern Watch Media [15:20] Gary’s History With International Watch Magazine [22:16] Pulling Back the Curtain on the Watch Industry [27:13] How Luxury Marketing Differs in America and Europe [30:45] What Happened to Franck Muller? [39:41] Why Swiss Watch Brands Struggle With the U.S. Market [42:29] The Reality of Working in Watch Media [50:34] Does America Need a Major Watch Show? [54:35] FTS and the Future of American Watchmaking [58:40] The Economics of Making Watches in America