Rolex Watches You've NEVER seen with James Dowling | WatchBox Talks

Tim Mosso sat down with veteran watch historian and collector James Dowling to discuss finding value in the luxury watch world through historical research and untold stories. Dowling shares some of his stand-out pieces including the Rolex Prince and Oysterquartz, Patek Philippe Beta 21, and two rare Louis Vuitton watches. They also discuss the importance of independent watchmakers and their innovative contributions.
Watch the full interview for all the insights.
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[@strapped2time]

Dowling is a legend. What a great interview. A watch lover through and through. Not into fads or hype… his passion is refreshing and intoxicating.

[@jswede1]

That was by far the best KZbin watch content I’ve consumed in a long, long, long time. Thank you

[@zgfvavw3037]

So true

[@watchnorthlondon]

TM does these interviews with such aplomb. For a loquacious chap, he certainly knows how to shut the flaming flip up and let his subject talk. It's both respectful and arresting. As for James Dowling, he plainly doesn't really care that much what his watches are worth. He has them and that's that. A lesson to everyone, right there.

[@New_Shorts_Live]

Bet you suck at parties

[@Cull_Obsidian]

I’m so glad you had James on. Many Americans may not know him, especially young/new collectors but this man is the GOAT and he’s mentions his book which is a must buy. The thing is huge and so well researched/photographed

[@the1916company]

Thanks Cull! Check out this earlier video from 2019 for more of Tim and James: kzbin.info/www/bejne/imWppZZ5bJmEjbc

[@MrRoyck10]

James Downing gives me some element of hope that you can be a true watch enthusiast own multiple Rolex watches with a deep rooted knowledge of the brand that must of us admire for its robust utilitarian movement. I love the fact that his focus is not on the vulgarity of modern Rolex watches that is symbolic to the materialistic world that we live in. Tim is a mater of production in horology and my fellow Brit James makes an interesting combination of excellent content based on advanced knowledge of watches.

[@TheJonCruise]

Exceptional interview. So genuine. This is now, if I haven't said it already, much better than Talking Watches from Hodinkee

[@USASMR-o2c]

I wished there were more emphasis and close ups on the watches.

[@jolness1]

Heck yeah! Loved the last interview with James Dowling, excited to see another. Been meaning to watch this since it came out yesterday but finally have the chance. These talks are fantastic content and I have rewatched a few others. Tim does a great job at these and they feel natural and fluid.

[@grailtimepieces]

Great video! Also, hope that Mike is OK...have been missing Market Wrap!

[@PnRoll]

10:50 and onwards😂😂😂 cracked me up

[@speeddog1955]

What a great history lesson! 👏 👏

[@chadcook115]

Great video. I almost skipped it when I saw Tim’s glasses. Glad I didn’t.

[@ryankelly8077]

The blue LV watch, I’ve only seen a blue like that with Ulysse Nardin. Other than than, it’s a VERY unique blue

[@stephenenglish7168]

What is the strap company he mentioned? Wheaton? Weaton?

[@user-gl5ld9vm7i]

Hi Tim. Great content. Question, is your personal style trademark to always wear your wraparound sunglasses on your head?

[@juanfarrell1088]

Tim and his upside down sunnies. What a legend.

[@BenTramer]

Wow. Magic.

[@lipinglin1994]

Loving weird shit. I guess for those watch enthusiast like us, we all love weird shit.

[@philamor5139]

A+ boys

[@Nefville]

Someone should make a documentary on collecting Rolex or any watch and ask him to narrate it.

[@johncorcoran2569]

Your sunglasses on your head look Soo bad! Please lose that look. Your videos are awesome!

[@zillsburyy1]

no value in overrated rolex

[@muldoon67]

Tim, please don't wear your sunglasses on camera. It just looks bad. Only Watch Eric can pull it off.

[@juniorjohnson5961]

Thank you Tim what a great interview, I've never heard of James Dowling . The watches he showed us are some of most unique and different than I've ever seen.

[@the1916company]

If you cant get enough of James and Tim, check out this one from 2019: kzbin.info/www/bejne/imWppZZ5bJmEjbc

[@juniorjohnson5961]

@@the1916company Thank you for responding to this 68 year old man's comment. I'm surprised that a company as big as yours takes the time to read and comment back . I really enjoyed the 2019 interview. I still have my My two-tone Datejust with silver linen dial I bought 48 year's ago.

[@jimmillett9224]

Another masterclass in interviewing by Tim. Would love to see more interviews with James Dowling..fascinating stuff.

[@the1916company]

Hi Jim - If you haven't seen it yet, check out this interview with James from Dubai Watch Week in 2019: kzbin.info/www/bejne/imWppZZ5bJmEjbc

[@tockingwatches2377]

Great commentary. It’s likely that those paying super premiums on what’s hot now will look back in 20 - 30 years similarly.

[@walterv7915]

More like this please!!

[@Sebastian85]

Watch collectors can learn more from James Dowlings`s opening sentences in this video than from hundreds of watch influencer videos.

[@Patrick_B687-3]

This was a fantastically interesting and entertaining. Show some respect to the gentleman and remove your sunglasses next time. ☺

[@williamtell3203]

Dude! Lose the sunglasses. Looks so high school. Great interview otherwise.

[@MARKO2465]

Tim thumbs way up brother.

[@stickshifter8]

“…a defining thing in my life is my love for weird shit.” What a pearl of a statement! And the guy throws it out after demonstrating such a monstrous, deep knowledge of the topic. I didn’t know him, but will certainly look for his books and articles. Such a gem! Thanks Tim for a great interview and congrats for being respected and appreciated by such a legend of the watch world! PS: couldn’t care less how you wear your glasses. As far as I’m concerned you could wear a pineapple on your head. Cheers!!

[@garysmith1477]

Wish my collection was backed by stories as interesting as this. 🙂

[@michaelsorchantte3857]

This was extremely interesting.The LV joke went right over Tim's head LOL

[@ericmcdowell9745]

Are your sunglasses resting on your head upside down purposely 😬

[@Cull_Obsidian]

You must be new here 😆

[@RevelFishing]

@@Cull_Obsidian I am new, does he always do that?

[@themoyouknow5686]

That was the most interesting collection I have seen. Just interest in innovation.

[@Nick-sd7um]

I don't understand the sunglasses

[@afn4393]

His jokes about Louis Vuitton and weight training did not go unnoticed 😂

[@SP-pn7xx]

Bloody hell you were busy that week!

[@PocketUau]

Yes, I’m going to take a man with upside-down sports sunnies used as a circlet seriously. JK, dead seriously.

[@YongJoonPaek]

Wow, what a treat of a video. Dowling is just such an amazing source of watch collecting knowledge and wisdom. You can also just feel the raw passion in his voice and expression. Truly amazing stuff. I feel like Tim is the millennial Dowling. We are living through a passing of a generational torch in our hobby.

[@russellseah2347]

A collection with thought and taste. For once different from all the overhyped hyperbole collections out there, seeking validation and which screams " look at me, I have it!".

[@daveopincar2469]

Thank you Tim for a marvelous history lesson. Two masters of the watch world community. Utmost respect to you gentlemen. Stay healthy and safe.

[@Nuclear__HS]

Wonderful video with a wonderful collector, but frankly I think the title of the video betrays its contents. There are a lot of people out there who are sick of Rolex, and this video only having 2 in it and then having the video named after them, is both somewhat disingenuous to the viewer who was looking for Rolex, and a disservice to those who passed over the video because it was labelled as being ABOUT Rolex. If EngineerWannabe's watch talk livestream hadn't highlighted this video as something interesting and with more to offer than its title suggests, I likely would not have given it the time of day. Just my two cents.

[@dummule_]

Awesome conversation. But uh... can we actually see the watches??

[@GCPlati85]

This was a joy to watch, a great example of the man makes the watch. But also when you have watches like this, the watch makes the watch. Jesus.

[@ulrichk7727]

I like James' "off the beaten track" collection but would find it very difficult to talk with him for more than 5 minutes. He has a very awkward communication style and almost never makes eye contact

[@koolpep]

Having talked to James during DWW, I can tell you is very pleasant to talk to and he does make plenty of eye contact in normal settings with the person he talks to, maybe not the camera though.

[@Nick-sd7um]

I almost prefer to talk with people who don't make constant direct eye contact.

[@fmartmart8099]

Tim. My man. You gotta retire the sunglasses thing. At this point it's just disrespectful to your esteemed guests.

[@samheiler8894]

No one going to talk about the goggles on his head?

[@avmelidor]

Another illuminating video

[@MoritaJunichiro]

Good things are good over time⌚️

[@jeffreybialowas4637]

Strait up legend.

[@Johnjohnjohnz]

Wait he gyms with the patek 😮

[@michaelsorchantte3857]

The only bad thing about this video is that it was'nt long enough.Yagutta make a part2!!

[@the1916company]

Hi Michael - check out this video from 2019 if you want more: kzbin.info/www/bejne/imWppZZ5bJmEjbc

[@cdeaker]

Wonderful interview! How would he go about servicing that prototype Rolex - it would be risky sending off to Rolex if they claimed as a prototype it was their property?

[@woonfaseng8737]

one big worry and concern if one spend 100K on beta21 quartz. these are unlikely to be repairable or serviceable....what happens if it conks out ???? just throw away 100K ???

[@neelsengupta662]

That was a fascinating interview! Great to hear a passionate watch collector who is interested in the unusual watches rather than the fashionable ones

[@watchman8817]

What an interesting guy. Love the way he thinks. AND I CAN'T BELIEVE HE HAS ONE OF THOSE PROTOTYPES. I WOULD KILL FOR ONE OF THOSE (well I'd maim I think).

[@crh7742]

Every major watch event should include a talk with JD. He's forgotten more than most watch scholars will ever learn. True what he says about fashions and whims. ALWAYS buy what you like, not what's supposedly "cool".

[@paulwinkfield6560]

OMG, Excellent interview!!!, I laughed my head off about the 'Oh you were serious?' I immediately thought of TV cartoon spy series, Archer!!!🥂

[@craigeastwood9941]

Hi Tim, technical question on the Rolex Perpetual Calendar prototype - how do you read it? It's only got three hands, when all perpetuals I've seen have multiple dials to tell day, date, leap year, etc. What am I missing?

[@hawrologista6460]

Dowling's eye-watering sock/shoe combination pays tribute to a Pepsi bezel - literally a Rolex man to his toes! Fascinating discussion, too.

[@St._Peter]

Nevermind the Watches....LOOK AT THOSE SHOES!!!

[@jda7499]

Brilliant Insights to gain for Newbie Watch Lovers - Buy what you really want or love , not the hot models everyone is running after.

[@TheRausing1]

Tim Mosso is so far ahead of everyone else on that side of the industry in terms of knowledge and eloquence in the way he writes/talks about watches that it just feels disappointing to hear about watches from anyone else.

[@seandavie3672]

What a lovely chap! A very enjoyable interview and such a fresh perspective. Thanks.

[@steviedj6730]

Watched this about 5 times. The more i watch it the more i see the similarities between James and Tim. They're the same person 30 years apart! And that's meant as a compliment to both! 🤣👍

[@dlb44]

It would be cool to have a screen-on-screen experience where the watch being discussed is placed under the second camera so we can see what's being discussed.

[@herbmerced7780]

Wow! I can listen to this guy all day! Outstanding interview! Collect the “weird shit!”

[@AKhan.28]

Best watch content I've consumed in a long time. Great video

[@matteociancio]

I really enjoyed this interview thanks both

[@tomasinacovell4293]

A lot to think about... until you think about it.

[@viranjith]

What a great meeting. Glad to hangout with you both.

[@ctrl300]

What a nerd! Loved this episode!!!

[@PT-xx9jz]

What a excellent Interview Tim and Team

[@Dr.Sheffield]

🎩 off to Great Britain 🇬🇧 nations ✌️

[@zgfvavw3037]

Awesome and very wise advice

[@ryankelly8077]

I love this!! A true collector 🙌🏻

[@AM-hk3uw]

Seriously Good Shit.

[@yashara1e]

Awesome

[@LoLreality1]

I have been collecting for years and I still haven’t gotten bored with anything watch talk . Thank you for this interview.

[@LoLreality1]

Added. I went straight to looking at a Rolex oysterquartz from here lol . Want 🤭

[@Talon173]

What a lovely interview, I could listen to James all day

[@the1916company]

Thanks Adam - if you haven't seen it, check out this interview from the 2019 Dubai Watch Week: kzbin.info/www/bejne/imWppZZ5bJmEjbc

[@bobbysebastian3709]

Scholarly 🧐 discussion with a passionate collector. Thanks 🙏 for all the information ℹ️

[@coldteeth24]

Phirst

[@TheExcks]

Tulips

[@coldteeth24]

Find value in Rolex by leaving them in the box forever