A scene from Man of the Hour offers a wrist check with Wes Lang.
By now, most watch lovers have heard of Man of the Hour. The press release has made its rounds, the trailer has done the circuit, and words like artistry, innovation, and soul have been enthusiastically deployed. But beneath the familiar language is a series that ears attention for its up-close and personal look at the lives of some of the most beloved watchmakers/brands today.
Streaming on discovery+ in the U.S. from January 9, Man of the Hour is an eight-episode exploration of independent watchmaking hosted by Wei Koh, founder of Revolution magazine and a collector. This is not a how-it’s-made explainer, nor a parade of complications. It’s something more human—and more revealing.
Co-President of Chopard, Karl-Friedrich Scheufele and Wei Koh in a scene from Man of the Hour.
What distinguishes the series is its emphasis on people before product. The watches are, of course, exceptional, but the focus stays on the lives, values, and convictions behind them. As Koh puts it, “Man of the Hour began as a way to share the stories of people I deeply admire — not just as watchmakers, but as friends and families whom I’ve come to know and care about.” That sentiment shapes the series.
Filmed across Geneva, Paris, Los Angeles, Singapore, and more, Man of the Hour unfolds like a travelog of ideas. Each episode centers on a distinct voice in watchmaking, from uncompromising independents to heritage maisons navigating modern relevance. The common thread isn’t scale or price—it’s belief.
Jean Arnault in a scene from Man of the Hour.
Season One episodes include:
F.P. Journe – François-Paul Journe and the vision that redefined modern independent watchmaking
Chopard – Karl-Friedrich Scheufele and a family-driven approach to heritage and innovation
De Bethune – Denis Flageollet at the intersection of science, nature, and artistry
Urban Jürgensen – A historic name revived by Alex and Andrew Rosenfield with Kari Voutilainen
Rexhep Rexhepi – From refugee to revered master, and the values behind Akrivia
Greubel Forsey – Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey’s uncompromising pursuit of excellence
Louis Vuitton – Jean Arnault, Michel Navas, and Enrico Barbasini shaping the maison’s watchmaking future
MB&F – Maximilian Büsser’s radical, joy-driven vision of time as kinetic art
Max Busser in a scene from Man of the Hour.
The timing feels right. As mechanical watches continue their resurgence as cultural objects—part art, part identity, part inheritance—Man of the Hour captures a moment when independence and creativity really matter. It doesn’t explain why watches are fascinating. It assumes you already know (I mean, why else would one watch a show about watchmakers), but it invites you a little closer.
