Bagabon: What first ignited your passion for watches, and how did your journey in the watch industry begin?
Derek Mon: Growing up, I was fortunate to be surrounded by watches because of my parents. They built their business, Carat & Co., as Authorized Dealers in Flushing, NY, so I was exposed to mechanical watches from a young age. However, it wasn’t until 2016, when I joined the family business full-time as the Second Generation, that my journey in the watch industry truly began. Around 2019, I started sharing my love for watches through MinuteMon, first on Instagram and later expanding to YouTube and TikTok.
Bagabon: Could you share the story of your first watch and its impact on your career?
Derek Mon: The first watch I ever purchased was a Swatch Skeleton Quartz. I bought it after working a summer at my parents’ shop. What drew me to it was the exposed gears on the dial—it was just cool to me. I wore it daily in college, but it had such a loud tick that I had to leave it on a dresser far from my bed to get any sleep, haha. When I accidentally scratched its plastic crystal, I felt bad but eventually moved on. While it didn’t shape my current taste in watches, it taught me to take better care of my possessions and reminded me that sometimes you should buy things just because they bring you joy.
Bagabon: Out of all the watches you’ve encountered, which one stands out the most, and why?
Derek Mon: That’s a tough one! Recently, I’ve been drawn to both high-contrast and tone-on-tone dials, even though they’re complete opposites. For high-contrast, the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch with a white dial has been on my mind all year. On the tone-on-tone side, I love the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Ultra Thin 2000v and the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak with a silver or ruthenium dial. Another standout is the Cartier Santos Dumont Rewind—it combines some of my favorite watchmaking stories, like the watchmaker’s 4 (IIII), the reason clocks go clockwise, and the first aviation watch.
Bagabon: What trends do you think will shape the watch industry over the next decade, and what advice do you have for new collectors?
Derek Mon: I’m thrilled to see smaller watches making a comeback. Since 2018, people have been talking about it, but now we’re seeing real interest in 35mm–38mm watches for men. Vintage watches are also getting more attention, along with gold pieces, especially in vintage collections, due to the value they offer compared to modern options. Trends will always come and go—whether it’s dial colors, case shapes, or sizes—but the key is to buy what you love. Trust your gut and your taste at the moment. Even when you look back, you’ll appreciate the journey of discovering what pieces truly resonate with you.
Bagabon: What’s the most rewarding part of sharing your passion for watches through your podcast?
Derek Mon: Being part of Wrist Enthusiast Radio has been so much fun. I especially enjoy those moments when my co-hosts, Craig and Ben, agree on something, and I throw in a fresh perspective that challenges their thinking. It’s exciting because we all come from different corners of the watch industry—Authorized Dealer, Traditional Watch Media, and Modern Content Creation. That dynamic makes for some lively discussions. We all share a deep love for watches and content creation, so the podcast feels natural and enjoyable. Plus, we have plenty of ideas we can’t wait to bring to life in future episodes.
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