In a world where watch culture has long been narrated through European maisons, old-world auctions, and legacy publications, Tsakani Moyane and Yankho Kumbemba are reshaping the conversation from the continent up.
As the founders of The Dial Watch Club (established in 2024), they have built what they describe as the first black African horology-based platform on YouTube – a channel designed to bring attention and pride to African watchmaking while cultivating a community for collectors, enthusiasts, and curious newcomers across Africa.
What makes The Dial especially compelling is its intentionality. This is not content for content’s sake. The platform moves with purpose: to educate, demystify, and open a world that has often been framed as intimidating or inaccessible. Watches, after all, are more than objects of luxury – they are design, engineering, heritage, symbolism, and story.
Through a series of signature formats – from conversations on The Dial Podcast to focused exploration in the Stay On The Watch series and hands-on reviews – Tsakani and Yankho translate horology into an African vernacular: clear, confident, and culturally grounded. In doing so, they are not only creating viewers; they are building collectors, nurturing taste, and expanding Africa’s presence in a global industry that has too often overlooked the continent’s voice.
A New African Voice in Horology
YLA: For readers discovering you for the first time – who are you, and what exactly is The Dial Watch Club?
The Dial Watch Club: We are Tsakani and Yankho – two people who genuinely love watches, the craft behind them, and what they represent. The Dial Watch Club is our platform and our community. We founded it in 2024 because we wanted to create a home for African horology conversations in a way that feels authentic, accessible, and aspirational.
It is a YouTube-first platform with different series formats, but the bigger picture is community-building. We want to connect collectors and enthusiasts across the continent, while also spotlighting African excellence in the space – from taste to design to watchmaking.
YLA: You’ve described The Dial as the first black African horology-based platform on YouTube. Why did that matter?
Representation matters, but for us, it’s also about ownership of narrative. Watch culture globally tends to be framed through a narrow lens – European heritage, European gatekeepers, and a kind of exclusivity that can feel uninviting.
Africa has always had taste. Africa has collectors. Africa has people who appreciate craft, detail, and design. But we don’t always see African voices leading the conversation. We wanted to change that and inspire those who are new to watches to feel that the industry has space for them.
YLA: What do you think people get wrong about watch culture?
Many people think it’s only about price tags and status. And yes, watches can be luxury signals – but that’s not the most interesting part. The real magic is in the details: how a movement is made, why a dial is iconic, why a case design becomes timeless, and how heritage builds meaning.
Watches also carry emotional weight. They mark achievements, transitions, and family history. A timepiece can be a first bonus purchase or a multi-generational heirloom. That depth is what we’re trying to bring into our storytelling.
YLA: Your content feels educational, but never preachy. How do you make horology accessible?
We focus on clarity. We respect the craft and we take it seriously, but we don’t believe in making people feel small for not knowing terminology. Nobody is born knowing how a mechanical watch works.
We also speak as enthusiasts, not lecturers. If you are curious, you are welcome. We want to show people that watch knowledge grows with time – and part of the joy is learning, asking questions, and developing your own taste.
YLA: What types of content do you produce?
We built The Dial around specific formats because people engage differently. Some want conversation, some want education, some want lifestyle and style. So we have The Dial Podcast for conversations and interviews, the Stay On The Watch series for deeper dives into niche topics and brand history, Hands On The Dial for reviews and education, Style By The Dial for the intersection of watches and elegance, and Off the Clock for lighter lifestyle content that connects to our ethos.
YLA: Why focus on community rather than just building a media brand?
Because community is the point. It’s one thing to enjoy watches privately; it’s another to have a space where you can discuss them, learn, compare, and connect – without judgement.
We wanted a platform where Africans feel seen in this industry, where knowledge is shared, and where people from different walks of life can find entry points. Community also keeps the culture alive. It creates momentum beyond individual consumption.
YLA: What does “African horology” mean to you?
It means voice and visibility. It’s African collectors speaking about what they love, how they style, what they value, and what design language resonates. But it’s also bigger: African creativity, innovation, and watchmaking.
We want to contribute to an ecosystem where African excellence is not an afterthought – where it’s recognised as part of global horology. The continent is not just a market; it’s a creative force.
YLA: Have you noticed a growing appetite for watches in South Africa and across Africa?
Definitely. Watches are increasingly seen as cultural objects – part design, part fashion, part legacy. Social media has also helped people discover independent brands and new aesthetics.
But what we’re seeing more than anything is curiosity. People are asking questions, wanting to understand what makes something valuable, and wanting to buy with intention rather than hype. That’s exciting because it grows a healthier collector culture.
YLA: What has surprised you most since launching?
The reach. We started with the belief that people were waiting for this – but the response still surprised us. We’ve had support from different parts of Africa and beyond. People have said it feels refreshing to see watch content coming from Africa, told in a voice that understands both luxury and culture.
We’ve also noticed that the audience is not one-dimensional. We have seasoned collectors, first-time buyers, and people who simply love design. That mix is powerful.
YLA: What is the long-term vision for The Dial Watch Club?
To be a reference point – the place people think of when they think about African horology. We want to keep building credibility, expanding content, and collaborating with more voices in the ecosystem.
We also want to inspire future African watchmakers and creatives. Even if someone never becomes a collector, we want them to value craftsmanship, engineering, and heritage – and to feel proud that Africa belongs in the global conversation.
Follow The Dial Watch Club
Instagram: @thedial_watchclub
YouTube: The Dial Watch Club
