Best thing about Ben as an interviewer is that he just lets the guests talk, no interruptions and side stories

Hodinkee's been hit or miss lately, but this episode is an excellent one. Francois-Henry seems honest, interesting, articulate, and a good story teller, which is important for a person in his position. He took AP from also-ran brand to monster hype watch numero uno. Congratulations and best wishes.

@nakedtenyearold

5 ай бұрын

Good thing watches and burgers always hit 🔥

@TrustMeIKnowEverything

4 ай бұрын

Numero uno🤔🤔🤔🤔have you heard of the King? ROLEX

@golfinguru11

4 ай бұрын

@@TrustMeIKnowEverythingdifferent level. RM is the only real competitor at this level. Patek isn’t really a hype brand (although the nautilus/aquanaut are hype watches)

@robbysimmons9901

4 ай бұрын

A true salesmen

@songoku-jx3cb

4 ай бұрын

@@golfinguru11ap has lost its charm . Out of the holy trinity patek is the only one worth its merit .

This is Hodinkee at its best - Francois is a generational CEO

Excellent interview. Mad respect for Francois and not just what he’s built, but how he built AP. Hard work, building strong relationships. The real deal.

This is an *incredible* interview. To take a struggling brand to the most coveted watch today is an amazing feat, and hearing about how he did it, it all makes sense. The strategy was perfect

@Yorkiepoocharlie

5 ай бұрын

Great stuff! Love these interviews!

@baroh2413

5 ай бұрын

They are about to become a struggling brand again

@SpookyConcepts

5 ай бұрын

@@baroh2413 I’m not going to be upset if I can get a Royal Oak chronograph with no wait and no purchase history let me just say that 🤣

@Yorkiepoocharlie

4 ай бұрын

@@baroh2413 on what do you base this opinion?

@floridaboybrandon954

4 ай бұрын

@@baroh2413no they’re not 😂

Francois is certainly a character. A smart one at that. Really good episode, sad to see him leave AP.

100% Agree about the last statement. Yes, there were watch forums and watch magazines in the 2000s, but Hodinkee was probably the one that made the watch industry mainstream. There's good and bad thats come of that, but they were definitely ahead of the rest.

Two takeaways: (1) this man is a marketing genius and (2) don’t buy hype; today’s trash might be tomorrow’s treasure

@golfinguru11

4 ай бұрын

See: Hublot and Franck Muller.

@golfinguru11

4 ай бұрын

The sad part is the the royal oak wasn’t ever designed as a hype watch but the image has been ruined to all but the douchiest and richest mfers

The last 30 seconds were emotional! Without Ben, there could have never been a watch world like we have today!

This is a master class on how to run a business well. Better than the best TED talk or commencement speech out there. Well done.

One of the best of the best things i watched on KZread! Hodinkees' web articles, with their eclectic verbosity, always immensely implored readers to elevate their aesthetics, and now their videos are making me totally melt 😍 learnt so much from the greatest CEO! 🙏

Videos like this take me back to a place when I first got into watches and binged on the previous Talking Watches instalments like an addict. Nostalgia rush.

Francois seems like a genuine guy who is passionate about the brand and undoubtedly very good at his job. That being said, the differences between him and Ben are stark. On the one hand, you have the side of the watch industry representing traditional collectors and connoisseurs. On the other, you have the more casual consumers buying into the hype and marketing. The latter is certainly indicative of the direction AP has taken in recent years.

@alexjon5924

5 ай бұрын

Agreed he is more of a Richard Mille type figure. Marketing genius.

Thanks Hodinkee to have great personality on show Francois rocks👍🏻

Amazing interview with Francois. His vision for how AP would become is awesome.

The ending of this video is truly touching!

I went to AP AD before COVID, put my name on their “list” for a RO. A few weeks ago I found out I have to start the process again. As a watch enthusiast and collector, I am totally over this brand and watching this CEO just solidified those feelings. Celebrity endorsements do not appeal to me and I don’t think they appeal to most true watch geeks (maybe I’m alone on this).

Wow, what an interview. Love those episodes.

Fantastic interview. I respect Francois as he truly seems like a no BS tell it like it is type of guy. What a success story!

I appreciate that he went into details of AP's HUMBLE beginnings and ultimate rise to success. Nowadays, new and upcoming Brands, particularly the Micro Brands, get alot of flak from the Watch Connoisseurs and even the Community. They forget...the APs, Rolex, Vacherons etc of the day, were once NOTHING!!

This was incredibly fun. THank you.

What a fantastic episode !!! Thanks!!

Great interview! The service improved a lot with Francois.

This educational interview was simply fabulous. What a journey Mr Bennahmias has had. As a watch collector, pilot and now semi-retired businessman, I fully agree and understand what it takes to build a brand. Persistence and stubbornness come to mind, which you seldom see in many of today's "get rich and famous fixation" among many wanna-be start-up companies. Un grand merci à vous deux.

That Sherwood green stratocaster hanging! You got me there. Nice interview!

Fantastic interview, great job!

Great interview and..... a great dap to finish it off!

It’s a really interesting reflection on what marketing can be and how making people relate is all that matters

Great episode, thank you ~👍🏼

Love this interview! Great work!

Excellent interview. Love Francois. Seems like a down to earth guy in the video. What an amazing career he has had at AP and what he’s built with the brand!

Phenomenal interview. Much respect to François and AP from a Patek guy 😎

Love this interview, FH is sooo passionate.. love his energy here. This is one of the better interviews as some are quite flat and boring… this one’s engaging

François understood it all, what a success! Chapeau bas

Loverly episode many thanks 🙏🏼 🇬🇧

Really dope episode! I just wish we had the proper official subitles too, Francios said some statements that I would love to understand more clearly :) Thanks!

Francois is a business legend, best of luck in your next adventures which we hope it will be still watch related. Between Mr. Biver and Francois the watch world made the popularity it has today.

Excellent interview! Bravo!

Hahaha FHB is always a joy to hear! It is so funny that I was in Hodinkee 10th party and he spoke way better English, is like if being in Le Brassus increases the french accent 😄

It is a great interview!

This was a great one Hodinkee.

That dap at the end was CLEAN

Such a great interview! Wow this is like a music to my ears. Great CEO of AP. Ben and Hodinkee team thanks for the great work ❤

Wonderful interview with two classy guys.

That’s true Francois! This guy spreads watches all over the world! 🌎 I bought my first one bc of him. I’m now a watch collector (unfortunately can’t afford an AP yet 😂).

@markbolton7561

4 ай бұрын

Even if you could afford it, good luck getting it at retail.

Great interview and very inspiring! If Mr Bennahmias has to get rid of that greenish Fender Strat, he may speak to me first. 🎶🎶🎶🙋🏻‍♂️🙋🏻‍♂️🙋🏻‍♂️

Not an AP fan at all but what an interview. Good to see Ben come back and save his brand as well.

Well let’s just applaud Ben on the weight loss.

that dap in the end was too clean lmfao

wow, françois-henry has a lot of passion for AP as the CEO, good to see a CEO that's actually passionate about their watches, and much deserved. he will be missed at AP i'm sure.

Loved the video, although it's a shame that the watches shown were used to describe the evolution of AP, rather than François' actual collection

Very good episode loved it!

What an amazing interview

There will never be a ceo in the watch industry like Francois. The guy is a genius!

Great interview enjoyed it!

There are so many good business lessons in here.

I wish they would've discussed more his thoughts on the current difficult buying environment with boutiques.

Epic CEO - so symphatic - amazing achievements but I don´t get the latest collaborations

@theoneandonlybosable

5 ай бұрын

Explain?

@MARKO2465

5 ай бұрын

Looks like something Invicta is doing..... rubbish.

@alexrastelli7323

5 ай бұрын

@@theoneandonlybosablehe probably referring to the marvel/travis Scott collabs

@toothbras

5 ай бұрын

Is that a typo? Either way, if there’s a KZread channel where a commenter will use an obscure word you’ve never heard of it would be hodinkee

@watches.

5 ай бұрын

Just like you wouldn’t have understood the changes he made when first became CEO

Great episode!

I like Ben's outfit design and color scheme

Easily top 5 Talking Watches thus far.

The trowsers he is wearing… Great❤

Hi doc. Nice collection. Who made the painting at the back?

Awesome interview! I’m a big fan of AP and FHB was an outstanding CEO. It’s crazy what he achieved for the brand.. many people will miss him, his energy and sense of humor. Bon vent pour la suite!

Bring collectors back to talking watches

Benny has been taking ozempic and he looks good! Nice man

Yo, what's up everyone? It's your favorite commenter here with another video feedback. Today, I'm going to be reviewing out this video by the talented creator. Let me tell you, this video is absolutely amazing. I'm not even kidding. It's so good that I'm actually starting to feel a little empowered. I mean, how can someone be so talented? Seriously, though, this video is a must-watch. It's informative, entertaining, and just plain good. So what are you waiting for? Go check it out right now!

The partnership with Arnold and then Jay Z pushed the brand to another level but he forgot to say the most important thing that happened in that period which was the creating of Instagram. Instagram has made lots of people and companies rich.

AP is where it is today because of this thick french accent Incredible

to end on that dap is sickkkk

Yes, he is a game changer, but im still happy to see him go lol

That was a good one. Relevant and didn’t feel “salesy”

Awesome brother, your best talk ever

AP is not my cup of team but great interview and a very straight shooter.

What a journey!

Red dial is amazing. And really cool that you will pass on the scratches :)

Something that I respect about Rolex is that they don't resort to gimmicks and cheap tricks like AP. Rolex still retains the class and design of quality Swiss and European watchmaking.

Francois is like a Terminator, like Arnold's twin brother... 🤭👌

4:28 wow, laughing all the way to the bank 😂

François just ooze *"Original Badboy"* !! What a legend what accomplishments I cant wait to see what he is gonna get up to next - huge huge cadeau thank you so much!!

Wow love it!

We are only a human enjoye before you get old ❤nice watches

Hustle and a good endorsement

Amazing. Great interview.

Tupperware party anyone😂

That Sherwood Green Custom Shop 57 Stratocaster is fire.

@averybaker1185

5 ай бұрын

Looks like it's Clapton signed too

It completely makes sense 😅

The royal oak ultra thin is the watch of my dreams. I have worn a blue 15202 st in 2015, and was so awesome..

Great AP content! Lovin'it!

Excellent storytelling!

A CEO who loves his job and of course he's being a success story

Dudes a Boss.

Francois is pretty awesome. I didn't know anything about him. Great interview.

23:02 very interesting about the „almost“ killing of the 15202. reminds me of a quite similar story with the porsche 928 (off shore) and the 911 (royal oak) - great talk 😊

Don't know how the next CEO will do, all the best.

The problem with AP is that they are a one trick pony. The Royal Oak is the only watch that sells. Patek are consciously trying to make sure that they don't go down the same road with the Nautilus and Aquanaut ranges

Wow. @7:00 idk how to feel about that. The dial is so busy that it almost looks like a cheap knock off. Not the case. The hour markers really make it look a certain way. Does anyone else agree or am I just crazy?

1,500 swatch watches... Sold to Swatch is really cool

Is he retiring or what’s his next assignment? Anyone knows?

Even the CEO doesnt wear Code 11...