Today I spoke with Katlen Schmidt from Tenn & Two, a podcast focused on watches that she started with Kat Shoulders in 2019. Based in Tennessee, we talked about podcasting in the world of watch media, how they started their podcast and Katlen’s own taste in watches.
Katlen Schmidt of the Tenn & Two podcast
Andres Ibarguen: Thanks for doing this, Katlen. What’s your podcast with Kat, Tenn & Two, all about?
Katlen Schmidt: Of course, I’m genuinely honored that you asked. Tenn & Two is a podcast focused on watches with a bit of travel, gear, and photography talk thrown in as well.
AI: How and when did you and two start it? And how has it grown since?
KS: Kat and I started the podcast in July of 2019 thinking that maybe ten people would listen to it and we would be happy with that. Since then, it’s grown well beyond anything that either of us could have ever expected with thousands of listeners. Tenn & Two turned into its own community which is something that really surprised the two of us. The kindness and support that we get from listeners is beyond humbling and really proves how amazing the watch community is.
The podcast has grown in many more ways than downloads and listeners though, mine and Kat’s friendship has also grown. When we started the podcast, we were basically strangers who had met only a few times prior. That’s evolved into a friendship and camaraderie that I never expected. A sisterhood. And isn’t that what we are all looking for in the watch fam? I think many of us who listen to podcasts or watch YouTube reviews, even those of us who go to watch meetups would agree that the watches are second to the people that you develop relationships with. I think that’s been a part of what has made the podcast such a success. It’s clear to hear that we are best friends and people find that to be refreshing. It’s more like hanging out when you listen to the podcast.
We’ve been so fortunate to speak to and get to know so many amazing people in the industry and community through the podcast. And through those relationships, the podcast has brought both Kat and I amazing careers pursuing our passions. Last summer Kat accepted a position following her passions as a full-time photographer for Watchonista, and I recently accepted a dream position with NORQAIN, a watch brand that we met through the podcast. What started in a coffee shop evolved into the friendship of a lifetime and new adventures in both of our lives, and I couldn’t be more grateful.
Katlen and Kat, co-founders of the Tenn & Two podcast
AI: Of all things one can do in the watch world, what made you want to start a podcast?
KS: Honestly this was Kat’s doing, and everyday I’m thankful that she invited me along. While the industry has changed a lot in the last few years, when we began in summer of 2019 there weren’t a lot of women represented in the community and were even fewer female voices to turn to on the media side of things. Kat really wanted to change that and started tossing around the idea of a podcast but she wanted a co-host. I had previously been a guest on a dear friend of mine’s podcast (Scottish Watches) and that was the extent of my podcasting experience. We met at a local watch meetup for the first time and instantly got along. It was a few days later that Kat invited me out for coffee and asked if I would join her and co-host this podcast.
We started from nothing, no experience at all, and set out to learn as much as possible. We wanted to create a strong female presence in the watch world, and to be taken seriously we knew we had to be the best possible when it came to quality. Going on three years later, and I’m still just so thankful for our friendship and this amazing journey.
AI: How would you say podcasts are different from other mediums in terms of connecting with a ‘watch audience’?
KS: There really are so many amazing platforms out there, and I’d almost argue that podcasts could be one of the least practical mediums to discuss watch details. After all, you can’t see anything that the hosts are talking about so it seems as though there would be a disconnect. But somehow it works. I think what makes podcasts so unique is that, because of the length of the format, listeners get to do more than hear discussions about watches. They get to feel like they’re a part of the conversation and your lives. Almost like having that favorite character on a television show. You become attached, and from what I’ve noticed in both my personal experience listening to other podcasts and what listeners say about us, there’s an almost personal connection and investment when tuning in. Especially because of the way our podcast episodes are formatted. I’m spending an hour chatting to my best friend, it is just genuine conversation about this passion of ours and that’s what our listeners seem to really enjoy.
Katlen’s Tudor Black Bay 58
I’ll never forget something that Miles Fisher mentioned on a podcast (I believe it was HODINKEE Radio). He spoke about how podcasts are a way to cheat time and that really resonated with me. I think we can all relate to the reality that there aren’t enough hours in the day. So, spending time watching YouTube videos or reading articles isn’t always practical. Whereas with a podcast, you can put it on and listen in the background. Whether you’re driving somewhere or doing some work at the office, it’s easy to just listen in while still having the ability to do other tasks. It really is cheating time.
AI: What kind of challenges have you faced so far in growing your podcast?
KS: I’d say the biggest challenge is time. Especially as both of our careers have evolved into something so much bigger. Within the first year of Tenn & Two, Covid hit and both of our jobs closed down temporarily. During that time, we were able to put a lot of focus on growing the podcast by putting out consistent content and landing some amazing interviews. The growth was incredible! But then after a while the world returned to its new normal and found the time to sustain that growth while we each had full time jobs and families. Balance has definitely been a struggle.
AI: What are your plans going forward for Tenn & Two?
KS: Honestly, I don’t think Kat or I even know. We’ve both been incredibly busy with our new jobs and we both travel alot for work, so being together to record isn’t the easiest. We both still have a love for podcasting, and for the community we have built around it. So, for now, we’ll put out an episode every few weeks or so. Maybe someday we will have more time, maybe not. I think the most important thing is that we’re both still having fun and we’re both happy.
AI: When did you first get into watches? What specifically attracts you to them?
KS: I wish I had a better story, like being handed down a watch as a family heirloom, but honestly it started as a job. I began working for a watch boutique and thought I was in way over my head. I had no idea that so much went into watches, so I began to study them. I’ve always thought that to be the most successful in a career, you should learn as much as you can about it so that’s exactly what I did. After a while, I fell down the rabbit hole and fell in love with watches.
I don’t know that there’s one thing specifically that attracts me to watches. There’s just so much that goes into them to appreciate. The mechanics alone are incredible! The fact that someone over 200 years ago was able to create something that we still use today blows my mind. Add to that the beauty of watches by design and the community behind them, what’s not to love.
Her vintage Omega Dynamic
AI: I’ve seen that you have a few classic Swiss brands, some microbrands, and even some Grand Seiko in a lot of your Instagram pictures. What kinds of brands are you most attracted to when it comes to your personal taste?
KS: There really isn’t a clear answer to this question. I mean, when I started getting into watches, I fell down the rabbit hole hard and went a little crazy with watch buying. And honestly, I still don’t think that I have a real specific taste when it comes to watch collecting. It’s really whatever catches my eye and excites me. As amazing as the Swiss brands are, there’s just so much out there to explore. I find the microbrand scene fascinating! The fact that these brands are coming out of nowhere and creating unique designs mostly retailing under $1,000 is incredibly impressive to me. I like brands that are doing things a little different, especially in an industry that is historically slow to embrace change.
AI: What about vintage watches?
KS: I love the idea of vintage watches (arguably more than I love owning them). There’s a romance to vintage pieces that you’ll never find while picking up a shiny new watch. I like to think of the story they’d tell if they could, the things that they have seen. That being said, the vintage watch market is scary, especially if you’re like me and don’t know a ton about vintage watches. Working in a watch store for so long, I saw more bad experiences that I’d like from vintage watch purchases. And then there’s the upkeep to them, which I found out from my own experience.
Currently, I own two vintage ladies’ watches. Servicing them cost more than I spent on the watches, but I still really enjoy them. One is an OMEGA Sapphette from the late 40s and its just stunning. I affectionately call her “Lady”. She’s the tiniest little thing, a complete 180 from my usually 40mm and up collection, but has so much personality. The other is an OMEGA ladies Dynamic from the 70s which is just funky and cool. Both make me smile and almost take me to a different place when I’m looking at them, like I’m trying to imagine what their past life was like.
AI: What’s the watch collecting scene like in Tennessee?
KS: Nashville is interesting when it comes to watch collecting. It’s one of the fastest growing cities in the United States, but we don’t really have a lot of places to shop when it comes to watches. I’m hopeful that will change as the city grows more, but it definitely makes being a watch collector a little more difficult when you can’t see watches in person.
The watch community in Nashville though is absolutely amazing. Honestly, it’s one of my favorite things about being a watch enthusiast - the people! The friendships that I’ve made in this city (and all over the world) because of this shared hobby are amazing!
AI: How do you prefer to buy your watches, in person or online?
KS: I love supporting local businesses and buying in person as much as possible. That being said, most of the watches that I’ve purchased have been online through the watch community because I don’t usually buy watches that are newer. They are either discontinued models or pre-owned simply because I don’t take the initial depreciation. While I’ve never believed in buying watches as an investment, I do believe in getting the best deal possible.
Her Speedmaster
Grand Seiko ref. SBGV245
AI: What are your thoughts on the watch industry seemingly going mainstream? Will it drive prices up higher? Make ‘waiting lists’ longer?
KS: This question comes up a lot lately, and I understand why. Watches used to be our niche hobby and now it seems like the whole world is in on our little secret. Yes, this will make waitlists longer. And yes, watches will probably be more expensive because of simple supply and demand. I understand that these are very frustrating realities we are all going to face. But I try to look on the bright side. Remember when the Apple Watch came out? The Swiss Watch industry was already struggling and then a product was launched world wide to make mechanical watches obsolete. Everyone thought this was going to be the end of watches. Instead, seven years later, the watch industry has never been stronger and healthier. While the higher prices and waitlists aren’t ideal, the fact that the industry is still here and thriving is something I think many of us can be happy about.
That being said, it’s not all “sunshine and rainbows” and has created a really frustrating environment for us as watch collectors. And to be honest, it’s created a much less safe environment for us as well. Gone are the days of wearing an OMEGA or Grand Seiko and no one knowing how much it was worth on your wrist. Both brands were featured in a Bob’s Watches television ad (yeah, the fact that there are TV ads for watches bow blows my mind). It makes me think a bit more about where I wear my watches.
Long term, I don’t think this kind of growth is sustainable. Eventually corners are going to be cut and quality is going to go down as brands struggle to increase production. I’m hopeful that eventually there can be a better balance that both encourages new enthusiasts while not taking away from those of us who have been collecting for a while.
Thanks for sharing with us, Katlen!