Talking Watches With Don McLean

If you've never caught yourself singing along to "American Pie" by the legendary Don McLean, then you're doing it all wrong. If you are unfamiliar with the American ballad, stop what you're doing, Google it right away, and take a listen. McLean wrote the iconic song back in 1971 and it spent nearly two months at the top of the Billboard charts before going on to collect innumerable accolades, the most recent being selection for preservation in the National Recording Registry by the Library of Congress. This is Talking Watches with Don McLean.

[@turtlehater2]

lmao she even has the same stoic intro that ben does. perfect

[@lucioledizerot196]

Yeah I wonder if it's a Hodinkee requirement or if she just chose to play it safe :) Was a little too stoic for me

[@cody8007]

She couldnt have had less emotion if she was dead haha. I honestly wish they would show a little enthusiasm.

[@joshsvoss]

It was amazing

[@jaskey]

I think she read the comments and thought it would be funny to do the intro that way. They do mention many times in friday live that they do read the comments. That and it was completely over the top deadpan.

[@HermanIngram]

And by 'stoic' you mean zero personality, I assume.

[@blaxerx]

really love the innocent passion from Don. not the usual reference quoting on how rare their watch collection is. great job! Love his closing sentence.

[@Robert.Dickson]

Great to see how he bought from various places including pawn shops. Bought them because he liked them and not a reference number mentioned. !!

[@psyphi407]

thinking the same thing.

[@lsfernando7563]

That’s true Robert

[@mikemasail823]

Comes over as a very humble man. Refreshing.

[@chrisdavis9063]

To those who expressed ennui at the abundance of Rolex and Patek watches on display in recent segments: this episode is for you. What a cool, authentic ‘buy what you like’ collection

[@bighands69]

Collectors are free to buy what they desire. I would never criticize somebody for what they like (within reason).

[@stemikger]

Well said. I think too many people that collect watches worry way too much about what they will be worth in the future. Of course, it would be nice to one day find out my watches exploded in price, but that is not why you should do it as a hobby. Life is short enjoy the watches that you want.

[@danielkatz7516]

The right touch Cara, allowing Don to tell his story, slipping in a probing inquiry at the right time

[@kevinmorrice]

and the occcasional correction

[@muds1123]

Basically the opposite of Wei Koh

[@kadedeclan3968]

Pro trick: watch movies on flixzone. I've been using it for watching loads of movies during the lockdown.

[@gustavojaxton7877]

@Kade Declan yup, I've been watching on Flixzone for years myself :D

[@thomaschristopherwhite9043]

I think Vincent is one of the most beautiful songs ever written. Big fan Don!

[@eddy_5954]

Don McLean, what a legend. Didn't know he is a watch guy. Now I love him even more 👍

[@antoniodseccareccia]

“I think this is my favourite one” “This is my favourite” “I think this is my favourite one” “I’m pretty sure that’s my favourite one actually”.

[@The2follow]

Antonio Seccareccia all the watches we have and treasure are our favourites

[@naturboy]

forget the watches, his combover is fooking epic baby!

[@GarrySkipPerkins]

I love how she let him explain everything. This was awesome. I like how Ben Clymer does these, but she really is the best at talking watches (letting the guest talk).

[@petemorbius3936]

she is boring..Ben is much better!

[@HRM.H]

These episodes write themselves , all the host needs to do is listen and ask a couple of good questions.

[@allen31951]

I can never get enough of these watch collector videos and especially your great guests. Thanks.

[@michaelknapp8961]

What a nice little segment I stumbled upon. I feel the exact way he does.I’m 52 years old and think it’s important for every person to have a nice watch. My dad always instilled in me to always be clean, have a nice pair of shoes and a classy watch on your wrist. Thanks for putting this on you tube!!

[@FLXLife]

I clicked the like button before I watched the video. Don McLean!!! I'm getting a glass of wine...

[@walkerb1734]

What a great episode! Such a talented, humble man. I love passion and appreciation for his watches.

[@vinnym9479]

My mom loved your song and I'm named Vincent as a result. ..thank you for my name.. Plus I loved how you scooped up both your Rolex watches with one hand without a worry they may bang each....these watches are part of history as are your songs you've written..

[@hermanmelville3871]

Love when a collector describes the pieces as “durable.” None of that trophy collector, hoarder nonsense.

[@connorgmehlin2986]

Amazing episode! Here’s a music legend that cares about watches more for the style, emotion, and design as opposed to the name on the dial or the perceived “luxury” of the brand. Here’s one of the first episodes that isn’t just a guy with 10 rolexes, ap, and patek just because they’re “rare and expensive”! Awesome episode.

[@Archer335]

I was 11 years old when American Pie (one of my all-time favorite songs) came out. And, yes, I would have to say that the man was blessed with an amazing sort of positive energy. I’ve never heard a song like it - before or since. It looks like he’s doing okay for himself. That’s a really good thing. And he has a nice watch collection.

[@sebnalo8212]

he has a great collection...he is an ICON..LOVE his songs

[@bakkgreg]

I think this is one of the most interesting episodes I have seen.

[@MrWhite-yg6yk]

Watch people come in all shapes and sizes! I love it 😀

[@Jonbombs]

Talking combovers with Don McLean

[@mehditalib]

You don't talk about the flaws of a fellow blokes hair sir! Unless it's a orange trump , maybe !

[@64wing]

I feel like it would be a most relaxing experience just hanging out with Don, talking watches, sharing stories, and playing guitars. Seems like a genuinely nice man

[@jfq722]

64wing I've met him many times. He is a very nice man and very appreciative of his audience. Quiet and intelligent. He enjoys the spotlight but also the chance to step out of it from time to time.

[@64wing]

jfq722 that's great to hear 😌 in my opinion it's a shame that some of his best music is overshadowed by one worn-out hit.

[@mcqueen7584]

FINALLY a talking watches with Cara ♥

[@luthercalixte1383]

R D I was thinking the same thing

[@justanotheryoutubeuploader]

she's proved to be horrible tho

[@lucioledizerot196]

Best quote of 2018: "Rolex, an adorable company [...] Just adorable."

[@garylawton230]

I thought that at first, but then realised he was saying “durable”! 😜

[@steven3379]

Cool.. The interviewer actually let him talk.. 👍👍

[@3signets]

Awesome music awesome taste in watches. Love the stories attached to the collection.

[@thesceptic1018]

This is great, someone I’d actually heard of, one of the loveliest voices in the business, and a no-BS guy. As for watches, the disorganised accumulators of things that take their fancy seem as interesting as the true collectors.

[@Gustavo-kn9nf]

A breath of fresh air. Elegant and readable watches, at last.

[@caKravartin9]

This collection perfectly captures what I think of Don as being. Really nice collection 👌

[@GrizzleSportsCards]

Great video! Really appreciate this interview more than most!

[@villegas24]

Great collection, not too flashy and he knows what he likes.

[@DapperProf]

Love seeing a thorough collection with great taste, with the owners personality, and not just sea of reference numbers. Those are nice also, but great job mixing it up!

[@Sichelschnitt]

Cara is so weird and so quirky. I love her.

[@Chironex_Fleckeri]

Can we get Doug DeMuro to review her

[@TwentyOne_Five]

Don McLean has excellent taste in watches. 9:57: Great looking collection. Really never a dull day for him.

[@RPMATX]

The epitome of buy what you like and enjoy. Great job

[@Haku30]

Lovely episode guys! The sincerity and simplicity Don speak about his watches and his feelint towards them are awesome to see, goes to show you don't need to know it all to be a interesting watch collector. Great work!

[@fastsetinthewest]

I was in the Republic of Vietnam 50 years ago. We all bought a Seiko watches. I still have mine. I have my watch that my grandmother got me in 1964. Nice video. 🦅 Eaglegards...

[@brookslide4692]

Great man. Great collection.

[@watchesandburgers]

Big fan of the Talking Watches series. I'm so glad this isn't another episode of "Rich Guy With Rolex Daytona." At first I was worried that this episode's pendulum swung too far the other way - to a guy that isn't into watches at all, but just likes pretty things. But Mr. McLean's collection speaks to me. The lightweight Patek Calatravas is a very nice grouping. Not just because it's Patek, but it's a group of Patek that he collected for a specific reason (size and wearability). Same with the Rolex Day-Dates and Datejusts. Not necessarily special, but he liked them because they all spoke to him in some way. The Blancpain (pronounced BLONK-pan for goodness sake!) and GP 1945 duo are wonderful watches, and I'm so glad to see them represented here. Great to see Cara at the helm for a change. I'll happily volunteer my own collection of non-Rolex watches for a future episode. Except that I'm neither rich nor famous. :-)

[@bg147]

Love that Movado.

[@dimalkumarhaobam206]

Cara 😍

[@LukesVintageRC]

Dimal Kumar Haobam I know right

[@HermanIngram]

Cara is a really masculine dude.

[@dimalkumarhaobam206]

Herman Ingram haha ... So true !

[@hondacbx1975]

Dimal Kumar Haobam because of betas like you that have the hots for “any” pair of tits and dye hair.. most women this days they think they are the last Coca Cola in the desert ...

[@RandageJr]

@@HermanIngram She has a BA in Art History and a MA in Art from Sotheby's Institute of Art. She can be masculine but she is smart and intersted in watches and that is much more atractive

[@matthiasschnapka6498]

That is the perfect sentence about the whole thing about collection nice Watches ( not meaning they have to be insanely expensive ) ......."it makes me a little more happy every day" !!!

[@malthus101]

You guys should do Sylvester Stallone... I reckon he'd be up for it.

[@CoreyWBaker]

^

[@derekflanderschang9654]

Epic. Sly, Sheeran and Ellen are the Holy Trinity / grails of Talking Watches.

[@malthus101]

@@derekflanderschang9654 Ellen?

[@derekflanderschang9654]

@@malthus101 yes degeneres

[@adibee88]

This was a great watch share and I really enjoyed hearing his reasons and particulars behind each watch! Great job!

[@fpoynton1604]

What a wonderful artist and musician with such a deep sense of thoughtfulness for humanity and beauty. Very well done interview - a pleasure to watch. Thanks again.

[@ccy2]

Nice, straightforward episode. Love the turn-o-graph.

[@ramrod2298]

Elegant and beautiful.....the watches, I mean...

[@stul2224]

Fun interview . . . very real guy . . . big fan . . .Castles in the Air . . . etc . . .

[@TheKagamisan]

Talking watches with Cara!!! Yaaaay

[@justanotheryoutubeuploader]

you mean yaaaaawn

[@TheKagamisan]

justanotheryoutubeuploader ......emmmm, no. I meant yay. Thank you very much.

[@jasminespencer3992]

My partner used to work at Universal, people should know this guy is a genius and would handle all the negotiations for licensing his songs himself. So if a big movie wanted to use American pie we would have to check with him personally about the usage and the fees.

[@theparkerstudio]

Great down to earth video. I like her interviewing style -- she gives him plenty of space to voice his views on his collection. His lack of pretentiousness is refreshing, especially considering the fact he's an American legend musically.

[@satan500]

Loved this from start to finish. Great stuff.

[@UXXV]

Most deadpan intro ever

[@smr32061]

Great interview and quite a classy collection.

[@andrei2023]

Beutifull collection 👏👏👏

[@jimbeam7647]

Great interesting collection

[@davidcarballo9921]

Lovely interview with a down to earth guy! Great

[@ryanburbridge]

I like the picture of him at 9:12... never wear my watch like that but that makes sense. He seems humble and honest. Wish the people that complain would make great videos first...

[@rasherbilbo452]

Amazing AI on that robot interviewer!

[@rbeneveds]

I love the fact that he just enjoys watches.

[@LaurenLeon]

So awesome to see cara doing this!

[@harry688]

Lovely video again! Thank you!

[@urgetodrive]

Cara's mom-jeans in 2020.

[@johnvsbear4247]

but she's still looking like a snacc 👀

[@menaseven9093]

Awesome watch collection, I like the Cartier Tank and the Gold Rolex

[@joeyjojo8348]

brilliant, thank you, really enjoyed this interview

[@Aneosody]

More Talking Watches with Cara!!

[@octaviof.g.7316]

it wasnt until the 90s that I realized I was late, a lot.

[@sinjon]

Don is a class act. Buy what you like and don’t feel you have to take stock in one brand

[@edheliosz]

Brilliant. Loved it.

[@KAM128]

Love love the triple calendar! Nice collection

[@23macca23]

Excellent video of Don McLean, comes across as a sincere and generous guy, the number of watches he's given away. To many commenting here are watch snobs, and are only interested in 'collectors' who can dissect the movement and serial numbers. What's more important and interesting to me, is someone talking about their watches and why they like them, along with any related memory of why they bought it. Thanks, Don!

[@douglewis6924]

I have the American Pie Vinyl...Great Video

[@brucew.5292]

Love how they interview people who aren't watch-heads very once in a while. It is obvious he isn't a fanatic, which I like.

[@KRHEE]

He seems like a quality dude

[@speedwolf5212]

I like Cara doing these, it's a nice addition! I'd like to see more of the Hodinkee staff doing them as well. Even the guest/contributing writers like Jason Heaton,John Mayer, James Stacey, etc. Variety is good. (And hopefully it leads to more frequent episodes of Talking Watches).

[@lordbountifulitsme7919]

Hi, Don is a Living Legend 🏆☑️

[@sbsb4995]

Loving this episode😃

[@matts9484]

I like the variety and the fact that he isn't a geek, just different than usual. You don't have to know the history and serial number of every watch. Sometimes you buy it because you just like it and that's what this is. Nothing wrong with that and a nice change from the collectors that look into every minute detail of their 20 vintage rolexes *yawn*.

[@hannesfriesenegger8819]

Please make a talking watches with eric clapton (if he still got some :))

[@dineshvishwakarma922]

Please make one video daily... Big fan....

[@luccardi.]

as long as they don't compromise on quality. I really want more videos as well!

[@damianc80]

Dinesh Vishwakarma a

[@damianc80]

Dinesh Vishwakarma 1 video a day?! Hahahaha good one

[@GolfVidz]

Ben

[@JarodLobo]

Truthfears Guilty I don't mean this in a demeaning tone but, everyone has a subjective opinion... In mine every timepiece fulfills it's purpose be it a Patek or an hmt. Have a good day!

[@CaTe-hg4sl]

This is talking about watches! I'm glad it's not an interview.

[@kevinpascual]

Long long time ago...I can still remember when Elgins used to make me smile...

[@Straightfromshibuya]

Blancpain is one of the most lovely watches to me

[@mrjamesgrimes]

Dude has some righteous hair

[@ItsNeverTooHot4Leather]

That vintage Movado Kingmatic is classy and beautiful. Too bad Movado don't make watches like that anymore.

[@BadgerVito]

I can't say I love American Pie, but I did love this interview. McLean seems like a really good guy and a true enthusiast.

[@bradkomenda8995]

Good episode. Easy one for your first go but I couldn’t stop thinking of a certain Seinfeld episode while watching

[@dreski1967]

He is really rocking that Trump hair style.

[@bubbab7792]

Sporadic talking watches, more consistency, nicely done Cara.

[@ForbinColossus]

Glad I'm not the only one who bought into the Seinfeld Pirate Shirt look.

[@yinzburgher]

Nice to see a few other brands this time.

[@danielkatz7516]

Touching , thx

[@BilHager]

Nice one HODINKEE!! It’s refreshing to see someone who has a funky/quirky collection. There are only so many times that the standard speedaytonautilus collection is still entertaining. Just my 2 cents. Keep up the great work 😎

[@Karsonbarnes11]

I hope he's aware that the MOP dial Datejust is aftermarket...

[@tyjohn4779]

Karson Barnes he wouldn’t care

[@dfwadman]

Loving this one!

[@ryanburbridge]

Enjoyed it. Thanks! Love the change of pace!

[@turboZ3]

Wow what a great collection, mine will probably look very similar once I have millions of dollars

[@luwewatches2133]

I thought it was some other Don M. Nice collection.

[@NapoleonsTriumph]

Excellent.