No problem. Although if you're not familiar with my channel, let me specify I'm more in the affordable watch sphere. So if you want to know more about how things go when dealing with luxury brands.. I have no clue.

Most of the brands I've talked to are Microbrands.. with a few exceptions like CW, Yema, Bulova...

Now from what I've seen the smaller watch trend has been coming for a while, but I still think it's more of an enthusiast trend, not really a mainstream trend. While I see comments on one of my videos about how "the industry is finally waking up!" I also still see new releases coming from big brands like Seiko that are still 43mm all the time.

To me, it seems like it's more the microbrands that have responded big time. While the mainstream brands have noticed and added some smaller offerings. Although they have been some noticeable ones.

Although as a side note, I'm noticing just as many comments now complaining about small watches, as I used to see a few years ago complaining about how things are too big. So I think it's a pendulum that will eventually swing back.

As for negative reviews. Yeah. Although I should point out I don't start yelling, or try to pump up drama. My videos are more fact-filled. Nothing is ever perfect and I point out the good and bad of each watch as I see it.

Has that burned a few bridges... sure. But that's more of a rarity, and when it does, as far as I'm concerned good riddance. There are so many watches out there to cover, and so many brands emailing me and asking if I would like to take a look. I don't have the time, or the inclination to deal with a brand that can't take any criticism.

One thing I learned a long time ago (been running it since 2017). Is that there is no real point in trying to sell, or spin something in a video. Even if that is your real goal. Because most people aren't watching to decide if they want to buy something... maybe 20% max. The vast majority of views are from watch enthusiasts looking for entertainment, or just to learn what else is out there. So you might as well just say how it is, and be a straight shooter. You get more respect in the long run.

Now I like to think I'm not alone in learning that, but it's obvious not everyone has.

So just my $.02 as a smaller/ midsize reviewer. When it comes to the watch size trend, it's more we follow the interest. It doesn't make any sense to make a video on something if people aren't interested in it, and people are interested in smaller watches. Or at least what the almighty algorithm thinks they are.

Now let me just say, I'm not personally a fan of smaller watches. I'm good with a 40mm give or take. It really depends on the design, and for the most part, I'm convinced those wanting smaller watches aren't really the majority, but more a vocal minority.

Or at least I was convinced. As over the last few months, I've covered a couple 36mm watches, and they have performed really well. At least compared to other videos I've put out in the same time frame. So it's only logical to follow that up with a few more. Which is what I'm sure others are doing as well.

So first question.. how long. Honestly, it depends. Which I know sounds like a cop-out, but it really does. For instance, on some stuff I've bought it's been almost a year before I put out a video, and I've worn it countless times.

Whereas if it's from a brand and it's a prototype that needs to get to another reviewer, I'll only have a few weeks with it. Then if it's from Zelos... there is very little time at all.

Ideally the longer the better, and when I have time I wear it until I feel like I have a good sense of it. But bare minimum I make sure I wear it at least 3 full days before sitting down to write up my thoughts to make sure they are coherent and not just a rambling stream of consciousness.

So as for keeping the stream coming... that depends on the reviewer. For some, they reach out to any microbrand with a pulse asking for stuff. For me, I'm big enough and established enough I very rarely do that. I usually only do one video a week, and I have more brands reaching out to me than I can handle. Which also leads a little into your next question. If I piss off one brand (which I have) there are plenty more. Plus honestly, I want to do fewer micros and do more mainstream watches. The videos perform better.

Now as for credibility... that's a complicated question. I have no doubt there is some shady stuff going on out there. But the main thing to remember is no 2 reviewers are the same. Just because one person is doing something doesn't mean they all are.

One thing that should be pointed out is that there is bias in everything, even reviews where someone buys something. Because sometimes people want to convince themselves they didn't waste their money.. or they are even more pissed off that something is wrong because they spent good money on it. Or let's say they borrow something from a friend, are they going to fully trash it when they know their friend loves it?

My point is that regardless of the source, it's really going to come down to the individual reviewer as to if they are credible. And that credibility honestly takes time to build. Skepticism is a good thing. Honestly, you shouldn't take everything some random person tells you online without questioning it. One thing I always tell people is to always watch multiple reviews. Even if you fully trust a particular reviewer, it's always good to get another opinion. Especially since we don't always catch the same things.

Now that's kind of a generalized look at credibility... if you want me to go into more specifics I can.. or dm me directly. I just don't want to hijack the thread or block the conversation with a huge wall of text. Which I may have already done.

It really depends on the reviewer. Some are definitely in it for the drama, and their audience seems to reflect that. While others, not as much. Most of my audience is pretty good.

Now I do think there is an issue with many reviewers not catching enough negatives, but it's not so much from them being a shill, as they aren't taking enough time to notice them.

From my experience, you don't really notice the bad until you wear it for a little bit in the real world. So if you just turn the camera on as soon as you get something, you're just going to notice all the shiny good stuff.

I've said it before, but one of my biggest pet peeves as a viewer is when the bracelet isn't even sized. It's like, why the hell are you even giving your opinion on this when you haven't even worn it.

That said, there are also plenty of viewers who can't comprehend the idea of someone having a different opinion than them. What's worse is most of these same people don't even watch the entire video before jumping to conclusions.  I've lost count of the number of times someone is like "You didn't mention this..."  and I just reply back with a timestamp where I do.

I have one of those as well. The GMT one. It's too bad Longines seems to have given up on them. But your right price is steep. I actually got this one "like new" for a pretty good price. Not much more then what I paid for my Oceanus S5000.

yep +/- 5 . I think it's got some serious SARB033 vibes too

I'm kind of in the middle. Don't care if it's officially certified, but I like it when a watch is further regulated by the brand then just the basic spec accuracy.