Teddy Baldassarre has spent the past eight years building an empire in the world of luxury watches. The 31-year-old Cleveland native has amassed more than 2 million YouTube subscribers with his videos drawing more than 10 million views per month, making him one of the most influential voices in the watch community.
Baldassarre grew up on the East Side of Cleveland before attending the University of Dayton. After college, he returned to Northeast Ohio for a job but found himself searching for a community of fellow watch enthusiasts.
“While I was working at a job out of school, I was into watches, but I decided to post a video on the internet about my watch collection in 2017, and basically, eight years later, here we are,” he says.
That first YouTube video — shared without telling his friends or family — was the beginning of what would become a career. Now, he is a major watch influencer, known for his deep knowledge, engaging content and successful retail business.
Baldassarre’s love for watches began in college when he wanted to refine his professional style.
“I was mostly thinking about my professional career and like, ‘Oh, hey, I need to look the part. I need menswear.’ I was really into that,” he says. “And I stumbled on a watch because that’s the form of jewelry a guy wears.”
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It wasn’t long before his new interest turned into a deep passion. He became fascinated by the history, mechanics and craftsmanship behind timepieces and quickly embraced the world of collecting.
“The language of watchmaking just spoke to me in a beautiful way, and I was hooked,” he says. “But I didn’t really start to collect until once I got out of school because I didn’t have any money in college. Then, I ended up spending probably more money than I should have after school on watches, and the rest was basically history.”
Despite having a large collection of watches, the most meaningful piece in Baldassarre’s collection isn’t the most expensive — it’s a vintage Wittnauer watch that belonged to his great-grandfather.
“He immigrated from Italy, and that watch was, at that time, not a very expensive piece,” he says. “But given the fact that they were children of immigrants, that was what they pulled together as the funds. That was just the thank you and gesture.”
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His father later passed the watch down to him, knowing how much it would mean to his son.
Baldassarre’s Crocker Park retail store, sporting a striking “TEDDY” sign over its glass doors, has become a hub for watch enthusiasts — not just from Cleveland, but from across the country.
“We have a great partner in Crocker Park, allowing us to do more events in the area,” he says. “Last year, we did a large-scale event and a variety of more intimate events, and it’s been a fantastic way of getting everybody together in one room.”
With a mix of monthly events, brand collaborations and collector meetups, Baldassarre’s store has transformed into a destination for watch lovers. “There are many people that come in for our events that are not just coming from Cleveland,” he says. “This has become more of a destination spot for people that either follow the channel or just love watches.”
As Baldassarre’s reputation has grown, so has his list of high-profile clients, which includes celebrities, business moguls and entertainers. His expertise in timepieces and captivating content have made him a trusted resource for those looking to expand their watch collections.
Among his notable clients is comedian and podcast host Tom Segura, who joined Baldassarre for a watch-shopping episode that amassed more than 700,000 views on YouTube. The segment, which explored the craftsmanship and value of luxury timepieces, became a fan favorite, introducing Segura’s audience to the intricacies of fine watches.
Another well-known client is Chris Hansen, the former host of To Catch a Predator, who has admired Baldassarre’s expertise and ability to make watch collecting accessible to a wider audience.
One of his most frequent guests is Kevin O’Leary, the Shark Tank investor and watch enthusiast, who has appeared in multiple videos with Baldassarre. O’Leary, known for his extensive collection and sharp business acumen, has spoken highly of Baldassarre’s ability to educate and entertain viewers while showcasing the artistry behind luxury watches.
Through these high-profile collaborations, Baldassarre has solidified his status as one of the most respected figures in the watch industry, all from his home in Northeast Ohio. Whether working with celebrities or everyday collectors, his passion remains the same: to share the beauty and craftsmanship of watches with the world.
In addition to his content and in-store experience, Baldassarre offers a curated lineup of watches for sale online at teddybaldassarre.com.
Teddy Baldassarre’s Top Three Picks for an Everyday Watch
For those looking to invest in their first quality timepiece, Teddy Baldassarre has a few recommendations. His top picks range from hundreds of dollars to several thousand, each offering versatility and timeless style. “We’ll call these everyday watches,” Baldassarre says. “For somebody who wants a watch that they could wear in a variety of situations.”
Hamilton Khaki Field Murph $895
“The Hamilton Khaki Field line is a collection of watches that follow a field watch DNA dating back to World War II,” Baldassarre says. One standout is the Hamilton Khaki Field Murph, a timepiece made famous by its appearance in the 2014 sci-fi film Interstellar. Initially designed as a prop and never intended for public release, the watch gained a cult following.
Oris Big Crown Pointer Date $2,500
“This is a design that goes back to the 1930s, and what it’s known for is its complication,” Baldassarre says. In watchmaking, a complication refers to any function beyond simply telling the time. The Oris Big Crown Pointer Date takes a different approach. “So instead of having an aperture in the dial that will show a disc underneath, this has a radial setup, with all the days of the month displayed around the outer edge of the dial,” he says.
Grand Seiko SBGA413 Spring $6,900
In watchmaking, branding is only part of the industry; much of it relies on specialized suppliers that manufacture parts for different companies. What sets Grand Seiko apart is its self-sufficiency. “The Japanese were independent in their growth in the industry, compared to Switzerland, where they were able to have this bedrock of all these suppliers,” Baldassarre says. “They had to develop their quartz watches.”
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