Unlocking Coveted Watches: Karlos Williams talks watch collecting and community

In this episode of Wrist Check Pod, Perri and Rashawn sit down with Detroit native and watch collector Karlos Williams. A community-builder, storyteller, and the kind of collector whose enthusiasm makes everyone around him want to level up. Karlos talks through his latest pick-up, a 2025 Rolex Cosmograph Daytona on Oysterflex, and shares how his grandfather shaped his love for timepieces and the emotional significance behind every watch he owns.

The conversation dives deep into CP Time, the D.C.–based watch club where Karlos plays a connector role, helping bring people from different cities and backgrounds into a shared culture of collecting. He breaks down what it really takes to secure coveted references at retail, not money, but authenticity, consistency, and relationships.

From Detroit hustle to Porsche stories, cardier glasses, daily Rolex rotations, community events and the “lighthouse effect,” this is a rich, funny, and revealing look at the culture behind watches and the people who keep it moving.

Key Themes

• Building relationships with authorized dealers
• How culture, cities, and identity shape collecting
• Emotional vs. financial value of watches
• CP Time and the rise of Black watch communities
• Rolex GMTs, Daytonas, and the art of balancing collections

Video Chapters

• 00:00 – Intro
• 00:15 – Welcome back to Wrist Check Pod
• 01:00 – Introducing Karlos
• 02:00 – Wrist Check segment
• 07:00 – Karlos’ new Daytona
• 10:00 – Early influences & first watches
• 15:00 – First Rolex story
• 21:00 – CP Time origins
• 27:00 – Cultural roots of collecting
• 33:00 – How to actually get watches at retail
• 40:00 – Batman & Pepsi stories
• 47:00 – Beyond Rolex: AP, VC, vintage
• 53:00 – Cars, cardiers & collecting beyond watches
• 58:00 – Outro

About Wrist Check Pod

Wrist Check Pod brings together collectors, creatives, and culture-shapers to talk watches, style, community, and the stories behind the pieces we love. Filmed in New York City and rooted in modern watch culture.