The Grey NATO – 197 – Watches, Design, and Wartime Photojournalism With Robert Spangle

For this week’s episode, we’re thrilled to have Robert Spangle on the show for an extended chat about his remarkable background and work. A true renaissance man with a military background, Robert is a photographer, designer, photojournalist, writer, and trained tailor. He goes by @thousandyardstyle on Instagram and he operates one of James’ favorite brands – The Observer Collection.

Robert and the TGN boys get into a wide range of topics including his start in fashion photography and conflict photojournalism, how he thinks about product design, the future of social media, and his extended embed near the front lines of the war in Ukraine. It was a fascinating chat with a guy that defines the idea of being multi-talented.

A big thanks to Robert for being on the show, we hope you love it.

Click here if you want to play episode 197 from your browser – thanks so much for listening.

1:23 Rare Shades 6 Photo Report 
1:57 The Throttle House 
2:54 Wind Up Chicago
4:37 Oris Holstein 2022 Edition 
7:26 What to know before buying your first dive watch 
14:40 Maurice Sedwell Tailoring
23:13 Robert’s photos from Ukraine 
30:47 MKII Seafighter 
32:20 Tudor Mini Sub 
35:18 MKII Project 300 
39:04 Ghurka Shorts 
41:11 The Observer Collection 
43:10 The Piecekeeper 
50:20 Robert’s photos from Mosul 
1:00:47 The Donbas Frontliner 
1:00:57 Popular Front 
1:01:47 Hospitaliers Volunteer Medical Battalion 
1:05:49 Leica MD
1:0644 Nikon D850 
1:08:10 Acronym shell jacket 
1:08:57 Danner Mountain Lights 
1:09:26 Garmin In-Reach Mini 
1:10:10 Muyshondt Flashlights 
1:10:17 Chris Reeve Knives
1:20:07 Thousandyardstyle Instagram
1:20:58 “Build” - Tony Fadell 
1:24:04 Tony on H Radio 
1:25:40 “Top Guns” - California Magazine

“For me, the strength of photography lies in its ability to evoke humanity. If war is an attempt to negate humanity, then photography can be perceived as the opposite of war.” - James Nachtwey