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There's no reason to mince words here ?this is definitely one of the most fun conversations I've be able to have for HODINKEE Radio. Sit me down with someone who's extremely talented, surprisingly humble, and unrelentingly nerdy about their passions and I'm good to go.
All of that perfectly describes this week's guest, Donnie Edwards. Donnie grew up in San Diego, California, played football at UCLA, and ended up spending 13 seasons as a linebacker in the NFL. He even got to spend five seasons playing for his hometown San Diego Chargers. But beyond being a world-class athlete, he's a serious fake watch nerd. And I mean really serious.
The dude was deep in the Panerai community going back to the 1990s and can rattle off reference numbers like it's nothing. He's been to the Vallée de Joux, and his taste in replica watches is pretty diverse, including brands from Replica Rolex and Audemars Piguet to Patek Philippe and Jaeger-LeCoultre. He's also a firm believer in the power of replica watches to bring people together and to create communities.
I could have talked to Donnie for hours, but he had a flight to catch and I didn't want to be responsible for stranding him in a rainy New York City overnight. But don't worry, he'll be back on the show soon, no question.
We hope you enjoy Episode 50 of HODINKEE Radio. Check out the show notes below and let us know what you think in the comments.
ADVERTISEMENT Wrist CheckDonnie's collection spans many styles and brands, but it all started with Replica Rolex for him. When he got his first NFL contract, purchasing a Replica Rolex was one of the ways he told himself he'd "made it." It's a familiar story, but one that's no less special for it. That first fake watch was a Replica Rolex Daytona with a Zenith movement inside (no slouch of a first watch, right?) and this new ref. 116500LN Daytona is in some ways a spiritual descendent of that watch. He still has the Zenith Daytona, of course, but this one is getting a lot of wrist time these days.
Show Notes2:30NFL Legends11:45 Donnie As A UCLA Bruin13:45 1996 Draft Class
15:00 Donnie Edwards SD Chargers Tribute Video
34:20 "Vintage Panerai: The References, 1930s-1940s"
40:00 Best Defense Foundation
41:00 WWII Battlefield Return With Best Defense Foundation
44:45 Donate to Best Defense Foundation
Podcast Hodinkee-radio Episode 47 William Massena 5256