Episode 404 - Matt Graham - Air Marshals, the CIA, and the World's best mission timers

Matt Graham is a former police officer and U.S. Air Marshal. He then spent 12 years working with the CIA. When Matt finished his service, he ventured on to design a wristwatch capable of weathering the types of activities he spent his career taking part in — and thus Ares Watches was born. Matt is now the Owner and founder of Ares Watch Company, an American watch company that’s dedicated to manufacturing some of the best Mission Timers on the market.

Ares Watch Company

Ares Liberty Watch Series

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[00:00:00] - Opening banter and setup

[00:06:09] - Learning business as a language

[00:09:09] - Branding, timing, and belief

[00:12:52] - Leadership models and buy-in limits

[00:17:01] - COVID aside; generations and memory

[00:18:57] - Foundership defined; belief transfer

[00:22:41] - Experience, humility, and pros’ shortcuts

[00:28:54] - Early career: choosing law enforcement

[00:35:04] - From policing to Air Marshals

[00:42:03] - Air Marshal standards and culture

[00:46:25] - Protection anecdotes: Bush and Reagan

[00:50:24] - Security perimeters and command friction

[00:53:42] - Leaving FAMS; mentor opens new door

[01:02:17] - Joining the Agency; training branch work

[01:06:09] - Final stretch and Foundership in practice

[01:18:39] - Post-agency lessons; remove obstacles

[01:24:01] - Watch passion and the red Diver

[01:29:27] - First watch story; lifelong interest

[01:33:01] - Building Ares: Diver One vision

[01:43:42] - Manufacturing realities and movement choices

[01:52:02] - Modular design: one case, many engines

[01:55:18] - Industry reception and bespoke builds

[01:57:04] - Market headwinds and brand awareness

[02:00:02] - Design philosophy: avoid forced iteration

[02:06:13] - Liberty Project: build in-house future

[02:09:02] - Closing: custom orders and humor