Eric Ku and Justin Gruenberg (Loupe This)

Today on the podcast I'm thrilled to have two legendary collectors and dealers join me, Eric Ku and Justin Gruenberg.

Of course, Eric is no stranger to Hodinkee, having appeared on the site, Talking Watches, and this podcast. He got his start as a vintage watch dealer, soon founding 10Past10 back in 2005. Most recently, he co-founded the online auction site Loupe This in 2021. He's since become known for his expertise in Rolex, Cartier, and pretty much all things vintage.

Eric's Loupe This co-founder is today's other guest, Justin Gruenberg. Justin is a second-generation watch and jewelry dealer from L.A., and since joining the family business he also founded the vintage dealer The Keystone. Justin is widely admired for his wide taste that runs the gamut from vintage to modern, sport to dress, and everything in between.

Both of these guys have a keen eye, great taste, and extensive about watches. In today's episode, we discuss the most recent auctions and the market more broadly, what dealers and auctions can do better, and get into the nitty-gritty with vintage Patek, Rolex, and Cartier. We also have a little fun – I get both of the guys to tell me what watch they'd love to snag from the other's collection.

Thanks as always for listening, and make sure to hit the show notes to follow along with some of the watches we discuss. 

00:01: Loupe This

3:00: The Keystone

4:40: Acquired LVMH podcast

8:00: Seven Things I Learned From The Spring Watch Sales And Trying To Make Sense Of The Up-And-Down 'Market'

8:40: Patek 1463 at Antiquorum Geneva that sold for CHF 293,750

10:10: Christie's Geneva Watch Auction Postponed Until Tuesday Due To Cyberattack; Potential Bidders Encouraged To Contact Christie's

11:20: Hands-On With Formula 1 Legend Michael Schumacher's Watches Ahead Of The Christie's Sale

12:10: Unique Patek Philippe Steel Sonnerie Minute Repeater Sells For $17.3 Million In Return Of Only Watch

15:50: Patek Philippe Grandmaster Chime For Only Watch 2019 Sells For CHF 31 Million, Becoming The Most Expensive Watch In The World

23:30: The Patek Philippe Complicated Desk Clock Sells For CHF 9.5 Million At Only Watch 2021

32:10: AP Chronicles

35:20: The "gold albino" Rolex Daytona 6265 that passed at Phillips

35:30: A Close Encounter With Just The Third Of Its Kind: Hands-On With The Legendary Albino Daytona

41:10: Eric's "PSA" Instagram post about fake Rolex stone dials

49:10: Dealers Alessandro "Mr. A" and Peluco on Instagram

52:10: Justin's Decagonal Cartier London watch

52:50: Eric's Cartier London Tank Cintree

56:50: Jay-Z wearing the Rolex "modified" by "Franck Muller", and Franck Muller's Rolex school watch as seen in an old auction catalog

1:01: Hermes Acquired podcast