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Fratello On Air: Finding Your Place In The Watch Community
14 januari 2025 · 1 uur 14 min
Welcome back to another episode of Fratello On Air! This week, we discuss the watch community and how to find a group of like-minded (or differently minded) people within it. Whether you seek to meet people in person or online, there's even a great option if you don't live in a major city. For our listeners, the watch content begins after 25 minutes. Lees meer
At times, it feels like the watch community is an exclusive place. Flashy Instagram photos in New York show groups of people having fun around watches. But how can typical watch fans living in more rural areas have fun and meet people? Plus, are you missing something if you're not at these parties? We chat about the community and how to find your cadre of collectors. A big thanks to Kevin, who suggested today's topic!
Handgelenkskontrolle
Guess what? The dad joke is back, and Balazs falls for it hook, line, and sinker! We deliver on our promise to discuss sneakers, including the latest Nike announcements. New Agassis and the Deion Sanders Air Diamond Turf "Falcons" models are coming in a few weeks! For the Handgelenkskontrolle, Mike is wearing a 34mm stainless steel Movado ref. 14775. It's a simple three-hand watch with a lovely dial. Balazs is opting for a modern Ming 17.09 with the fantastic new Ming rubber strap.
The watch community
Look, we get it: the watch community seems daunting at times. The same names show up everywhere, and the whole environment feels exclusive rather than inclusive. Don't fear, though, because there are many ways to get involved and enjoy watches with friendly people. Reaching out to collectors of a similar brand or theme on Instagram is a great way to learn and become active in a subcategory. Chat groups are all over that app, WhatsApp, and Facebook. Before you know it, you'll be chatting away and enjoying watches more than ever! Different meetups also occur in smaller towns and cities. If nothing is happening, why not start a group? It's easy, and you'll be surprised at the response …
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Fratello Talks: Our New Year's Watch Resolutions 2025
9 januari 2025 · 24 min
What better way to venture into another trip around the Sun than by setting yourself up with a solid set of New Year's watch resolutions? In today's episode, Nacho, Daan, and Lex discuss theirs for 2025. They include everything from pondering potential future purchases to considering consolidating comprehensive collections. The guys also reflect on some of last year's resolutions and report on how they managed to (or didn't) stick to them. Finally, they also share a handful of non-watch-related resolutions they have set for 2025. We encourage you to share your New Year's resolutions (horological and otherwise) in the comments section below. Lees meer
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Fratello On Air: Reflecting On 2024
7 januari 2025 · 1 uur 7 min
We're finally back with another episode of Fratello On Air after a lengthy break from the holidays, illness, and travel! This week, we're reflecting on 2024 and some key events that shaped the year. Enjoy the episode, and we look forward to 2025! For our listeners, the watch content begins after 27 minutes. Lees meer
Whew, it's been a few weeks since we last recorded. The holiday period was fantastic, but we had a bout of the flu. Finally, illnesses have subsided, and we're reflecting on 2024. In many ways, this was a tough year for the industry, but it was a great year for the community.
Handgelenkskontrolle
Before reflecting on 2024, we discuss a variety of topics. Our Handgelenkskontrolle signals a rare instance when we've come together and are wearing the same brand. Balazs is wearing his beloved new Angelus Chrono Dato Luxe. Mike received a package from Balazs on Christmas Eve. An Angelus 250 chronograph arrived from Germany, and it's a beauty. This sparks discussion on the next Angelus that needs to join Mike's collection, the 215.
Reflecting on 2024
Last year was a great one for both of us. The podcast grew, and we ran into a lot of listeners in cities across the globe. Thank you for listening! Today, we discuss the following topics:
Geneva Watch Days
The end of Rolex "for exhibition only" signs
Balazs's purchases during the year, including his Rolex Submariner 5513
Mike's purchases of smaller watches, including tanks and researching them
The Omega Speedmaster saw a huge number of releases throughout 2024
We hope you enjoy this latest episode. As always, if you have ideas for show topics, please let us know!
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Fratello Talks: Watch-World Predictions For 2025
2 januari 2025 · 36 min
Welcome all to a new year and a new season of Fratello Talks, your favorite watch podcast in the whole wide world. What should we expect from the world of watches in 2025? Nacho, RJ, and Lex share their predictions on today's show. Some of these are wishful thinking, but others are educated guesses based on anniversaries, notable dates, and insider secrets we swore blood oaths not to break. Okay, maybe nothing that secret will be revealed. But it's still worth tuning in because some of these predictions may just end up coming true (or be hilariously wrong). Being aware of some of the anniversaries taking place, which may be celebrated with corresponding releases, will certainly give us an idea of what to expect! Lees meer
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Fratello Talks: The Best Watches Of 2024
26 december 2024 · 47 min
As we come to the end of the year, we’ll be looking back at some of the best watches of 2024. Nacho is joined by RJ and Lex, who have come prepared with a list of favorites under six pre-determined categories. And though they’ll discuss some of what they consider to be the best watches of the year, you can decide which of said timepieces will earn the title of Fratello reader’s choice for best watch of 2024. Be sure to vote for your favorite on the website (link below)! Lees meer
The winner will be revealed after a week of voting. For now, tune in for an overview of horological highlights from the past 12 months.
Vote for the best watch of 2024 here!
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Fratello Talks: Non-Swiss Watch Brands That We Love
19 december 2024 · 27 min
Welcome back to Fratello Talks. Everyone knows Switzerland is home to some of the world's greatest and most renowned watch brands. But plenty of brands outside the Alpine region—and even outside Europe—produce high-end mechanical timepieces that can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with their Swiss contemporaries. Some of these non-Swiss brands have even garnered the fervent interest of collectors, who have formed communities around them. Some even rival Swiss manufacturers that have long held their place in the pantheon of horology. In today's episode, Nacho, Thomas, and Lex highlight more than a handful of these brands. From the entry-level value propositions we know and love to the very high-end of watchmaking outside the Helvetian domain. Lees meer
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Fratello On Air: Questionable Vintage Watches
17 december 2024 · 58 min
Welcome back to another episode of Fratello On Air. In this episode, we stray from our original topic and discuss questionable vintage watches. Lately, too many questionable watches have received universal praise from "noted experts." We get on topic after approximately 15 minutes. Lees meer
Sorry for the aberration. We both love watches from brands that are non-mainstream. This means that shady activity is often afoot from unscrupulous vintage dealers. Ingrain yourself within a community and quickly find out what's correct and what isn't. Hear about watches that have been passed around for years, but somehow find a home with an unsuspecting buyer.
Handgelenkskontrolle
Before we get cranky, it's time to discuss the Handgelenkskontrolle. Mike is wearing his VPC Type 37HW Dove Grey. The watch just arrived, and it's fantastic! Balazs is still under the weather and is wearing his stunning new Angelus Chrono-Datoluxe.
Questionable vintage watches and dealers who need to disclose
We're not sure what put a bur under the collective saddles of our hosts. We started the show discussing an Angelus 250 that Mike bought and had delivered to Balazs. Balazs has an incredible spreadsheet of serial numbers, photos, and dial types. With this, he provided a bill of clean health before Mike bought it. Another Angelus 250 popped up on eBay, and Balazs checked the serial number. Someone, along the way, changed the dial and polished the case. This leads to a discussion about vintage dealers and a recent Movado Celestograph that sold in France for an eye-watering sum of €10,000. Unfortunately, the watch lacks a bezel, but many dealers and "experts" commented on its beauty. Further research revealed that this watch was offered to many collectors and dealers before finally falling into the hands of an unsuspecting buyer. To be fair, the watches simply needed more disclosure to allow fair consideration.
We hope you enjoy today's episode. Next week, we'll begin our year-end and holiday topics. If…
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Fratello Talks: Microbrands Vs. Entry-Level Legacy Brands
12 december 2024 · 29 min
Hi there, and welcome to Fratello Talks. Would you rather buy a watch from a microbrand or an entry-level legacy brand? That's the question Nacho, Thomas, and Lex ask themselves today. As we've begun to see microbrands develop and offer better quality and undeniable value while entry-level big-name brands stand relatively still, this has certainly become a valid thing to ponder. But do specs and value always trump a household name? And what about the difference in post-sales support? A legacy brand promises to be able to service a watch 20 years down the line. But can a micro/independent deliver on that promise? Clearly, there are many factors to consider, so tune in, listen to what we have to say, and then join the debate in the comments section below. Lees meer
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Fratello On Air: Our Favorite Watches From the '90s, '00s, and '10s
10 december 2024 · 1 uur 39 min
Welcome to another edition of Fratello On Air! This week, we're back with a lengthy episode to see you through holiday travels or unruly guests. We received a listener suggestion to discuss our favorite watches from the '90s and '00s. We've added the '10s to the mix as a bonus. Wait 20 minutes for the watch content! Lees meer
One of our favorite listeners, Richard, suggested today's subject. Our favorite watches from three different decades inspired our lengthiest episode to date. We hope you enjoy it and the special surprises along the way.
Handgelenkskontrolle
We kick off our episode discussing Japan-related topics. Balazs just returned from a quick trip to the country, while Mike visited Seiko UK in Maidenhead. For the Handgelenkskontrolle, Mike is wearing a Movado with Breguet numerals and caliber 125 that has just returned from service. Balazs is wearing his trusty Rolex Submariner 5513.
Favorite watches from recent decades
We enjoyed discussing our favorite watches from the '90s, '00s, and '10s. Balazs put in extra work and decided to bring affordable and expensive suggestions from each decade. He also mentions his favorite shoes and movies from each period. Mike joins the fray and adds watches, flicks, and kicks too! We discuss the following pieces:
Omega Seamaster 300M 2531.80
Girard-Perregaux Chronograph 47930 with a Lemania 1872 movement
Audemars Piguet John Schaeffer 14994 BA
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Day-Date 25594ST
Breguet Type XX
IWC Aquatimer IW354806 Cousteau Divers
Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5164R-001
Rolex Submariner 14060M
Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Traditionelle 82172/000R-9382
Thanks for listening to our latest episode, and thanks to Richard for the fantastic suggestion! If you have any thoughts on future episodes, please feel free to let us know.
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Fratello Talks: 140 Years Of Breitling With Fred Mandelbaum
5 december 2024 · 59 min
This week on Fratello Talks, we're talking all things Breitling with author, collector, and brand historian Fred Mandelbaum. Nacho and RJ join Herr Mandelbaum in a conversation that starts in the early 20th century with some of Breitling's earliest wrist-worn chronographs and spans the brand's development to the present day. We touch upon the evolution that led to some of the brand's most recognizable collections, most of which are still around today. From the dressy post-war Premier to the brand flagship Navitimer and many others. We're sure you'll enjoy this extended and insightful episode, so be sure to tune in! Lees meer
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Fratello On Air: Japanese Watches — Our Favorites And The Recognizable Models
3 december 2024 · 1 uur 24 min
Welcome to another episode of Fratello On Air! This week, we discuss Japanese watches. That's a wide subject, so we attack it in different ways. Stick around to find out how we tackle one of our favorite watch genres. For our listeners, the watch content begins after approximately 17 minutes. Lees meer
Japanese watches rate highly in the minds of both hosts. Mike owns a large collection of pieces from the Land of the Rising Sun. Balazs has a tight collection of modern and vintage stalwarts. Still, we're going to discuss some highly recognizable pieces and some of our favorites. This isn't exhaustive. Otherwise, we'd still be recording!
Handgelenkskontrolle
After some banter and an obligatory dad joke, we ease into the Handgelenkskontrolle. Mike is dressed for the occasion. He's wearing the Seiko Cronos J13846 from 1962. The watch has a two-piece screw-in case back. It's generally regarded as the brand's first waterproof watch. Balazs is wearing his hi-beat King Seiko 5625-7000, a lovely watch that continues to inspire Grand Seiko models.
Japanese watches
Our purpose in discussing Japanese watches is twofold. Balazs mentions five of the most well-known pieces from various brands. Mike heads in a different direction and discusses a handful of his favorite models. This was an extremely difficult task to come up with just five per person. Each Japanese brand has a deep history and, therefore, many important references. We are just scratching the surface! We discuss the following:
Seiko Turtle in new and vintage form, one of the most recognizable dive watches in history
Seiko 6215-7000, an incredible vintage diver that set a design standard
Seiko SKX diver, probably the most popular "gateway drug" to mechanical watches ever
Seiko Champion Alpinist J13043, one of the greatest designs from the brand
Casio G-Shock original DW-5000C or its modern DW-5600 counterparts, the digital watch that started it all
Grand Seiko 4420-9000 "44GS," likely one of the most important dress…
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Fratello Talks: The 100th-Episode Q&A Special
28 november 2024 · 41 min
Hello, and welcome to Fratello Talks! Today, we are celebrating our 100th-episode milestone with a special Q&A. We asked you to send us your questions, and you delivered. We've gathered, sorted, and selected said questions over the past few weeks, and in today's episode, Nacho, RJ, and Thomas come together to answer them. We cover topics ranging from the usual hypotheticals to journalistic practices, favorite watches below a certain price point, and even lessons learned throughout recording these past 100 podcasts. Be sure to tune in and stick around as your question might be one of the many that we answer on this celebratory episode. Lees meer
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Fratello On Air: An In-Person Recording And Holiday Gift Guide
27 november 2024 · 1 uur 11 min
Welcome to another episode of Fratello On Air! We're a little later this week than usual because we decided to record this episode in person in London. We discuss several topics, but we end with a brief holiday gift guide. Our watch content starts after approximately 20 minutes. Lees meer
It's holiday gift guide season but also the last Time4APint of the year in London. Balazs has made the journey into the Big Smoke and we've decided to record in his hotel. We exchanged some gifts before the episode, are prepped for the night's festivities, and have holiday gift guide suggestions.
Handgelenkskontrolle
This week's Handgelenkskontrolle is complicated because we mention the watches on our wrists and several we brought for the evening's get-together. Balazs has brought the new Nivada Grenchen F77 Collection Ceramic, a stunning watch that starts at just €1,370 with a full ceramic case and bracelet. Mike has his Ming 37.02 Minimalist on an olive Jean Rousseau Barenia leather strap. We've listened to previous requests and have included a picture of all the watches discussed in the episode. From left to right, a '50s Tissot, an Omega 27 Chro, a Lemania 27 Chro, a Breitling Chronomat 769, an Angelus 250, an Angelus Chronodato Luxe, and a Gruen Ocean Chief.
Holiday gift guide
For the holiday gift guide, we each mention three different items. Some our watch-related, while others are great for daily life or travel. We mention the following:
On Cloudmonster running shoes — Balazs swears by them and Mike needs to give them a try!
The Fratello x Bergeon Mini Tool — both of us own one and it's a great stocking stuffer
The Star 69 straps from Joseph Bonnie — these look like rubber Tropic straps, but are made of leather
Treating yourself to a bespoke strap from the likes of Delugs or Handdn — there's nothing like a tailored strap to pair with your favorite watch
The book, Chronographs for Collectors — we reviewed this in 2016 and it's a fantastic gift!
Finally, the Rimowa Pilot Cas…
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Fratello Talks: A. Lange & Söhne
21 november 2024 · 28 min
Hello, and welcome, folks, to Fratello Talks. Germany's most prestigious watch brand has turned thirty this year! So today, in honor of their third decade of watchmaking from their seat in Glashütte, we're talking all about A. Lange & Söhne. Now, some of you may be thinking: "Wait, Lange has only been around since the 90s?" And you'd be right to question the fact, as the brand was originally founded in 1845 but closed its doors in 1948. After several decades of dormancy, Walter Lange, the great-grandson of Ferdinand Adolph Lange, brought the brand back to life. Since then, the brand has quickly risen to the top of the heap alongside prestigious that have been around for centuries. Today, we take a look at the brand, its watches, and what makes them both so special. Lees meer
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Fratello On Air: How We Research Watches Before Buying
19 november 2024 · 1 uur 24 min
After a two-week hiatus, Fratello On Air returns with an episode about how we research watches before buying. This is a listener suggestion that likely comes from the South in the USA. We know this because the message contained the word, "ya'll." Well, giddyup because it's time to discuss our top tips. For our listeners, the watch content starts after 20 minutes. Lees meer
Specifically, our listener Adam emailed us and asked how we research watches with little published history. He's especially interested in how we approach long-dormant brands or those who exist in name only. We've danced around this subject, but it's time to go head-on and share.
Handgelenkskontrolle
Mike is in the middle of moving, which caused us to miss last week's episode. Our apologies! We'd also appreciate it if you'd send your episode ideas as we've lost our shared file! We kick off our episode discussing Sneakerness, a recent sneaker event Balazs attended in Budapest. Then, we discuss the recent PAM01655 and our displeasure with the display that reveals an underwhelming movement. For the Handgelenkskontrolle, Balazs is wearing the new Nivada Grenchen Antarctic GMT. Mike is wearing his trusty Rolex Submariner 14060M.
How we research a watch
There's no perfect answer when it comes to researching a watch, but we have plenty of thoughts. Firstly, ask someone who knows more about a given watch. Importantly, do this before buying! Next, we appreciate reference sites like Ranfft and other blogs dedicated to research. Old advertisements and catalogs are a good tip but need to be treated with caution if the illustrations are hand-drawn. eBay and old auction results can provide useful information. We also like Google Images and Instagram. Forums can hold key details even if many images have disappeared. Finally, YouTube is a newer medium that is increasingly useful. The reality is that researching a vintage watch, especially an obscure model, is hard work and it takes time. The key, once again, is to do …
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Fratello Talks: Could This Be The Next New Rolex?
14 november 2024 · 27 min
Could this be the next new Rolex? In today’s episode, we put ourselves in the shoes of the brand’s product developers and exchanged some pitches about what kind of watch we’d love to see Rolex release next. We fully acknowledge it’s practically impossible to guess The Crown’s next move. Still, it was a fun thought experiment to see which direction it could take. We discuss far-fetched wishful thinking, tongue-in-cheek suggestions, and potentially great ideas that genuinely got us excited. Lees meer
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Fratello Talks: Our Favorite Affordable Watches Vol. 2
7 november 2024 · 25 min
Today, we're bringing back the fan-favorite topic of affordable watches. Nacho, Lex, and Daan picked one favorite under €1000 from their personal collections. In this second time diving into the topic, we have a more varied lineup than last time. On our first time highlighting affordable favorites, we ended up with three divers: two from Seiko and one from Citizen. Today's selection is a bit more varied and counts among it an integrated bracelet steel sports watch, a titanium GMT, and a bio-ceramic lookalike of one of the most well-known dive watches out there. Tune in to find out more! Lees meer
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Fratello On Air: Passing Down Our Watch Collections
5 november 2024 · 1 uur 10 min
Welcome to another episode of Fratello On Air. This week, we take on another listener topic and discuss passing down our watch collections or what might happen to our watches as we age. We're hopefully not near that time, but it's a subject worth discussing. For our listeners, the watch talk begins at approximately 17 minutes. Lees meer
The thought of passing down a watch collection to a family member is natural, but what if no one likes watches? Even if they do, will they like the watches we've collected? We talk about this and more on today's podcast.
Handgelenkskontrolle
We kick off our latest episode with several topics before embarking on the main topic of passing down a watch collection. The latest release from Awake surfaces after Mike wrote a hands-on article. For the Handgelenkskontrolle, Mike is wearing his Ming 22.01 GMT. He's had it on for nearly a week with the brand's titanium bracelet. Balazs is on a Speedmaster kick with his pre-moon 145.012.
Passing down our watch collections
Inevitably, we will all need to think about what to do with our watch collections. In the absence of a deeply interested relative, what will we do with our beloved timepieces? Our listener, Stephan, who comes from Switzerland but lives in Birmingham has asked the question. The easiest answer is to sell them over time at some point. However, many of us fancy ourselves as curators and have built focused collections of specific brands or models such as Seiko and Angelus. We'd hate to see the collection split up, so perhaps museums or other collectors are interested in obtaining the collections as a whole. We discuss these possibilities and more.
Thanks for listening to Fratello On Air and thanks to Stephan for the topic. If you have suggestions for future shows, please let us know!
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Fratello Talks: Patek Philippe Cubitus
31 oktober 2024 · 37 min
This week on Fratello Talks, we examine the Patek Philippe Cubitus. Nacho, Lex, and Daan join forces to discuss this hotly debated release from one of the world's most prestigious watch brands. Initially leaked via a magazine ad, the watch did not receive the warmest welcome from watch enthusiasts. And despite journalists at the launch event providing some positive silver lining to Patek breaking its 25-year hibernation from releasing new models, the online rhetoric remained rather cynical. Today, we speak on the topic and provide our honest take on what has become one of the year's most polarizing new releases. Lees meer
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Fratello On Air: Matching Watches And Straps To Clothing
29 oktober 2024 · 1 uur 8 min
Welcome back to another episode of Fratello On Air. This week, we tackle a listener question about pairing watches and straps with our clothing. Do we care or put a lot of thought into what we wear with our garb? Stick around to find out more. Watch content begins after approximately 20 minutes. Lees meer
Halloween is upon us, which means starting the show off with another great joke to hear Balazs groan. Somehow, we get stuck on clothing brands including J.Crew, which takes us to the main topic. Our faithful listener, Saku from Finland, is back again and asked if we purposely pair our watches and straps with our clothing. It's a deceptively simple question that leads to a sprawling conversation.
Handgelenkskontrolle
When we finally get around to the Handgelenkskontrolle, Balazs admits that he's been neglecting his Rolex GMT-Master 1675. He's wearing it on an original period-correct Oyster bracelet. Mike is wearing a first-generation Heuer Carrera 2447 with a horribly overpolished case he purchased ten years ago. He's just found an older case online and will complete the swap within weeks.
Watches and clothing
When it comes to watches and clothing, it's fair to say that both of us live by loose rules. There are rules, though. We both prefer straps unless we're wearing a Rolex. Then, if our clothes are extremely casual, we shy away from strict dress watches and always avoid black or brown alligator and crocodile straps. We both enjoy a bold strap pairing with a more toned-down watch and a look that contrasts with our clothes. However, we never mix a black or brown strap with the opposite color belt. Is it a pedantic discussion? You bet, but that's why you're listening! Let us know your favorite watch, strap, and clothing combos below.
Thanks for listening to the latest episode. If you have future show ideas, feel free to let us know!
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Fratello Talks: The Best Watch Bracelets
24 oktober 2024 · 29 min
Hello, and welcome to Fratello Talks! Today, Nacho, RJ, and Thomas discuss some of the best watch bracelets, looking at every element that goes into one, from end link to clasp. There’s nothing worse than a bracelet that feels cheap or like an afterthought. The way you fasten it to your wrist is truly an important part of any great watch. And, as opposed to straps, which are ultimately “disposable” products, a bracelet feels much more like an integral part of the watch as a whole. In this episode, the guys take a look at examples of great bracelets from Rolex, Tudor, Omega, and more. Thomas even lends us some of his insights from having recently worked on designing and producing a watch for his brand, VPC. We cover all the stops, from the shape of the end links and integration to clasp size, micro-adjust, and sizing systems. Lees meer
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Fratello On Air: Back From New York — An Empire State Of Mind
22 oktober 2024 · 1 uur 14 min
We're back with another episode of Fratello On Air. Balazs has just stepped off a plane from New York and is ready to record. In this episode, we kick off with a healthy dose of banter, touch on some news, and review the two watch shows that just concluded. Watch content starts after roughly 25 minutes. Lees meer
WatchTime New York and Windup just finished and Balazs was on site. You'll hear about the events and how they've grown in stature. Plus, we discuss a certain square-shaped elephant in the room from Patek Philippe. We jabbered so much that the Handgelenks is last!
New York City
We kick off the show with a discussion about luggage and the Rimowa Pilot Case. Then, it's onto Balazs' retail and social experience in New York. Before we hit the main topic, we devote time to the controversial Cubitus.
Balazs was in New York for a full week and attended the two watch shows. There were a few debuts, but we had seen the watches under embargo in Switzerland or London. We discuss how the two shows have changed and also mention some of our faithful listeners who stopped and said hello. Some of the brands that make the highlight reel are Angelus, echo/neutra, Sherpa, Marathon, Furlan Mari, Baltic, Christopher Ward, and Maurice de Mauriac.
Handgelenkskontrolle
This episode, we end our show with the Handgelenkskontrolle. Balazs brought an armada of pieces to New York, but is back to his Rolex Submariner 5513. Mike is wearing his newly serviced sterling silver Omega 30T2. We hope you enjoyed today's episode. As always, if you have ideas for future shows, please let us know.
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Fratello Talks: Humor In Watches
17 oktober 2024 · 21 min
Watches are many different things: functional objects, fashion accessories, charming anachronistic timekeeping companions... The list goes on. But one thing they aren't is funny. In the world of watches, the only thing more serious than the timepieces themselves is their prices. But does that mean there's no room for humor and levity in the watch world? That's the question Nacho, RJ, and Lex set out to answer today. In an industry that tends to take itself rather seriously, we look to find rare examples of humor and levity with varying degrees of success. Though not always visible at a glance, when you delve deeper, you can just about identify the odd example of humor and levity in watches. In today's show, we run through every example we can think of, from the clever tongue-in-cheek humor of seconde/seconde to some questionable advertisements and the odd time (or two) when Rolex has cracked a grin. Lees meer
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Fratello On Air: The Vintage Watches On Our List
15 oktober 2024 · 1 uur 24 min
Welcome back to another episode of Fratello On Air! This week, your hosts discuss the vintage watches currently tickling their collective fancies. Before that, though, there's plenty of banter about sneakers and watches. For your convenience, watch content starts after 20 minutes. Lees meer
Vintage watches are some of our favorite watches. We're always looking and thinking about what to buy next. In this episode, you'll hear about what has us searching auction sites and sale boards. We also discuss the vintage market and the watches that will become popular (again).
Handgelenkskontrolle
Christmas came early in Germany and England. Mike received his Nike Air Tech Challenge 2's via the eBay authentication program and Balazs received the latest Nike x Travis Scott shoes from StockX. We then discuss a recent watch event in London held by 289 Consulting with 25 brands including Raymond Weil, Krayon, Doxa, Artya, Favre Leuba, and more. These intimate affairs are refreshing and a nice way to see a lot of watches in one place. For the Handgelenkskontrolle, Balazs is wearing the soon-to-be-released Albishorn Air chronograph. We cannot say much about it, but it's a different take on a vintage aviator's chronograph. Mike is wearing a just-received 18K Movado Curviplan with a black dial. The watch came from France and was a buying adventure.
Vintage watches on our radar
For our main topic, we discuss the vintage watches on our radar. You'll hear about Movado chronographs, Angelus, and Hungarian military watches from Balazs. From Mike, tanks, a nice early Heuer 2447 Carrera, and a later gilt dial Rolex Submariner or GMT-Master make the list. We then discuss the current vintage market and how simple dress watches have become popular. However, these watches have limitations such as a lack of popular, commonly known references. We also opine that '60s chronographs will make a slow return to prominence. Also, vintage Rolex sports watches such as the 5512 we just reviewed are beginning t…
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Fratello Talks: Limited Edition Watches
10 oktober 2024 · 39 min
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Fratello On Air: Are Military Watches Ok For Everyone?
8 oktober 2024 · 1 uur 5 min
Welcome to another episode of Fratello On Air! This week, we discuss military watches new and old. We're not here to discuss our favorite models, but we hit upon some major themes with these pieces. Some of these pieces come from disgraced regimes while newer models are similar to high fashion collabs. Stick around and see what we think! Lees meer
Military watches are a deep subject. Books have been written about them and brands continue to invest in creating new models. We discuss the topic and explain what we like and what makes us uncomfortable.
Handglenkskontrolle
After our quick weather run-down, we jump straight into watches. Last week provided a bumper crop of new releases. The revamped Omega Speedmaster First Omega in Space debuted and was met with near-universal praise. We're fans! Then, the quizzical Nomos Tangente 2Date dropped with its bonkers complication. Like many, we hope the watch previews other pieces to come. For the Handgelenkskontrolle, Balazs is wearing a special Grana chronograph with Hungarian military history. Mike is wearing a new old stock Certina Jubilé from 1971, a quirky tank-shaped watch with a manual wind movement.
Military watches
Military watches form an interesting sub-genre in our hobby. People collect them because of history, innovation, or even personal ties to the event or service branch. Some collectors have served while others may have a relative who fought for their country. Of course, some of these pieces were used by enemy forces. Some collectors choose to avoid these watches altogether. Then, there are modern military watches and collaborations. How do we feel about wearing a current production watch made in partnership with a special ops unit? We discuss all of this and more!
Thanks for listening today and we hope you enjoyed the show. If you have additional show topics, please let us know!
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Fratello Talks: The Most Underrated Watch Brands
3 oktober 2024 · 36 min
Hey there, welcome to this week's episode of "Fratello Talks." What are some of the most underrated watch brands out there? That's the question that Nacho, RJ, and Daan have chosen for today's discussion. And though there are indeed many brands out there that could be seen as not receiving the praise and recognition that they deserve, they have chosen to focus only on a handful. For the sake of brevity, they also specify that their picks are limited to larger, more mainstream brands that they believe to be underrated. Being such a subjective topic, it's one that always results in a polarizing and interesting discussion that we know you'll enjoy. Lees meer
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Fratello On Air: Is In-House In The Outhouse?
1 oktober 2024 · 1 uur 12 min
Welcome to another episode of Fratello On Air! This week, we discuss the increasing number of movement production claims and wonder whether it all really matters. In-house, in-house designed, and third-party are only some explanations we hear about movements and their origin. It's gotten a bit nutty! For our listeners, there's horology content interspersed initially, but fast-forward to 23 minutes for uninterrupted watch talk. Lees meer
Do you remember when life was simple and watch movements were in-house or off-the-shelf? It was never the case, it's that we didn't care so much. Or, we weren't told to care. Now, we have a veritable buffet of descriptions for how a caliber ended up in a watch case. It's all too much now and in the end, does anyone give a rip? We're not so sure.
Handgelenkskontrolle
This week, we kick off our episode on in-house and other descriptions for movements with a load of banter. Balazs discusses his time at a Turkish airport. Mike mentions a friend who purchased a gray market Rolex Submariner Date in London and how demand is alive and well. Then, both hosts failed in their quest to purchase the recent Travis Scott Nike shoes (Mike was trying for Balazs). Finally, Mike has had it with snarky, know-it-all commenters who want gold stars. For the Handgelenkskontrolle, Mike is wearing his Rolex Datejust Oysterquartz reference 17000. Balazs is wearing the cool new Nivada Grenchen Chronoking Mecaquartz Interchangeable Bezel. Stay tuned for an upcoming review here on Fratello!
In-house, designed by, made by, whatever!
Recently, Mike reviewed the new Norqain Independence Skeleton Chrono models. There was nothing wrong with the watches, but the movements were peculiar with in-house design and production at AMT. It got us thinking, do people really care about in-house, in-house designed, or off-the-shelf? We discuss the topic. You'll hear about mighty Rolex and the brand's purchase of Aegler, its longtime exclusive outside movement manufacturer. We mention…
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Fratello Talks: Ressence — With Founder And CEO Benoît Mintiens
26 september 2024 · 58 min
Welcome to this latest installment of "Fratello Talks," where we speak with a special guest. Today, we are happy to be joined by Benoît Mintiens, founder and CEO of the avant-garde Belgian watch brand Ressence. In this long-form episode, we learn about Benoît's origins as an industrial design consultant, how he transitioned into the watch world, and the philosophy that informed the creation of Ressence. Join us for this in-depth chat, you might just learn something about the brand you didn't know before. Lees meer
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Fratello On Air: In-Depth Watch Research & Myth Busting
24 september 2024 · 1 uur 2 min
We're back with another episode of Fratello On Air! We apologize for missing last week, but travel and visitors got in the way. This week, we're discussing watch research, the time it takes, and the self-satisfaction obtained when uncovering a new fact. It's another nerdy episode, but recording was a lot of fun. For our listeners, the watch content begins after 22 minutes. Lees meer
Watch research sounds like a decidedly dull topic. However, this couldn't be further from the truth because there is plenty to uncover deep in the digital library stacks. We discuss the effort and time it takes to scour the internet for information and the feeling of joy when something interesting is discovered.
Handglenkskontrolle
We are back in good form and before we move on to the main topic of watch research, we discuss travel, shoes, and more! It has been two weeks and we have much to chat about during the beginning of this episode! We move on to the Handgelenkskontrolle and Balazs is enjoying a beachside holiday in Turkey with his Ming 17.09. Mike has unearthed a late '90s Junghans Max Bill hand-winding model he bought on his first business trip to Germany in 1999. It's a lovely 34mm stainless steel watch that is finally seeing some use 25 years later!
Watch Research
Mike leads off with a quick synopsis of his recent in-depth article on the Movado Museum Watch. A sizeable amount of watch research led to debunking a couple of myths surrounding these watches. We discuss the power of digital archives such as the Library of Congress, newspaper archives, legal case histories, and more! The work wasn't easy or fast, but it led to publishing new information. Of course, several people helped along the way. We compare this recent research to a 2019 Angelus military vintage chronograph collector's guide that Balazs wrote about in 2019 and how information sources have changed. Finally, we bring up the official new Submariner book and how it mentions production totals. What could it mean for Role…
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Fratello Talks: Should You Wear Your Watch While Playing Sports Or Exercising?
19 september 2024 · 28 min
Welcome back to "Fratello Talks." Should you wear your watch while playing sports or exercising? It's a question we often hear. What could the possible risks be for your beloved mechanical timepiece? Or is there no real reason to be worried at all? In today's episode, Nacho, RJ, and Lex explore these questions and talk from their own experience. They also look to some sports professionals to see what their approach is and whether it should serve as an example in the first place. So, whether you're living life on the edge and wearing your mechanical watch no matter what you're up to, or you play it safe and break out the G-Shock when the going gets tough, tune in to hear our take on the matter. Lees meer
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Fratello Talks: Does Modern Rolex Still Have The Magic?
12 september 2024 · 27 min
Welcome to this latest episode of Fratello Talks. Does modern Rolex still have the magic? That's the question that Nacho, RJ, and Lex tackle today. There's no question that modern Rolex watches are reliable, luxurious timekeepers. But for many enthusiasts and collectors, nothing quite comes close to the magic of the older four and five-digit references. This is reflected in the prices that some of these (let alone rarer examples) can fetch in the pre-owned market. But what (if anything) makes these more special than current-day Rolex watches? Is it a mix of pop-culture presence, aesthetics, nostalgia, and rarity? And do those models sold today still have that x-factor that their predecessors possess? Perhaps it's something we'll only know in hindsight. Lees meer
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Fratello On Air: Our Favorites From Geneva Watch Days 2024
10 september 2024 · 1 uur 8 min
It's time for another episode of Fratello On Air! This week, we cap off Geneva Watch Days 2024 with our favorites from the event. We saw some fascinating watches and met new and old acquaintances. For our listeners, there's not much banter in this episode! Lees meer
We've returned to our respective countries, are fully rested, and ready to go. Still, the glow from Geneva Watch Days 2024 hasn't completely left us. We spend the show talking about our favorites from the week before and we think you'll enjoy the variety.
Handgelenkskontrolle
We spend some time discussing the new Grand Seiko 45GS reissues, the SLGW004 and SLGW005. They're lovely watches, but the originals offer stunning value and similar looks. The Handgelenkskontrolle is firing on all cylinders this week! Balazs is still rocking his burgundy Ming 17.09 and is enjoying it on a Delugs Rubber CTS strap. Mike is wearing his vintage Heuer Monaco 73633B on a perforated blue strap.
Our favorites from Geneva Watch Days 2024
For our main topic, we choose three of our favorites from Geneva Watch Days 2024. Then, we add a couple of honorable mention pieces. We don't often discuss haute horlogerie, so we hope you enjoy the change of pace. There were some real stunners and they're worthy of mention. You'll hear about the following pieces:
Laurent Ferrier Classic Auto Sandstone
Berneron Mirage 34mm Lapis
Ming 37.09 Bluefin
Armin Strom Dual Time GMT Resonance
M.A.D.1S
Lederer Triple Certified Observatory Chronometer
Doxa releases including the Sub 300T Professional Aristera and green models
Atelier Wen Perception Tantalum
We hope you enjoyed this episode and feel free to share your favorites from the event! As always, if you have ideas for future shows, please let us know.
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Fratello Talks: Geneva Watch Days 2024 Recap And Highlights
5 september 2024 · 37 min
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Fratello On Air: On The Go At Geneva Watch Days 2024
3 september 2024 · 1 uur 13 min
Welcome back to another episode of Fratello On Air! This week, we have a different episode style. Your friendly co-hosts check in while on the go at Geneva Watch Days 2024. Ultimately, we try to give you a feel for the non-stop schedule and what it's like to be at a show. There's no banter beforehand, so let the audio roll! Lees meer
We're back from Geneva Watch Days 2024, but while we were on the go at the show, we turned the microphones on for brief segments. You'll hear us discuss our schedules, brands, individual watches, people, shoes, and more! We hope you like it. If not, we'll be back with a more normal episode next week!
Handgelenkskontrolle
While recording most segments, we attempted to bring up the watches on our wrists. Due to Mike's previous "fun" at the Swiss border, he kept his options to the Ming 17.09 Blue and the Patek Philippe Calatrava 570. Balazs was slightly more daring with his Rolex Submariner 5513, Ming 17.09 Burgundy, and Sinn Excelsior Park chronograph. Choosing a watch for an event like Geneva Watch Days is challenging and it's often best to pick a brand that isn't exhibiting. Plus, when on the go in 30-plus-degree humid weather, it also helps to consider a relatively robust watch. As an aside, none of our watches suffered any damage.
On the go in Geneva
Balazs and I spent three days at Geneva Watch Days 2024 and it felt like we maximized our time at the event. Meetings started at 9 am and ran until at least 6 pm. Then, afterglow events kicked off at the main tent or brand-specific parties. We moved back and forth between hotels and boutiques for discussions, fueled on espresso and water. Food? It takes a conscious effort to remember to eat! Still, it was great fun and we enjoyed seeing some amazing timepieces. We hope you enjoy today's episode. Next week, we will discuss our favorite watches from the event, which will wrap up Geneva Watch Days 2024!
Thanks for listening! If you have any future ideas for episodes, please let us know!
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Fratello Talks: Our Vintage Watch Wishlists
29 augustus 2024 · 26 min
Hello, and welcome to Fratello Talks! Today, Nacho, RJ, and Thomas share their vintage watch wishlists. As you can imagine, these guys spend a lot of time thinking about watches. But when they're not writing about the latest releases, they're often lusting after (and hunting down) vintage watches online. It's a hazard of the job. Today, inspired by RJ's latest object of desire, the guys lend you insight into the timepieces on their current list of vintage (and neo-vintage) favorites. Lees meer
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Fratello On Air: Servicing A Large Watch Collection
27 augustus 2024 · 1 uur 2 min
Fratello On Air returns with an episode discussing how we service a watch collection. It's another listener suggestion and it's a good one! You'll hear about how and when we choose to service a watch and where. Then, we end the episode with some suggestions on the tools we have on hand. For our listeners, the watch content starts after approximately eight minutes. Lees meer
Servicing a watch collection sounds daunting, but it doesn't have to be. Your friendly hosts have a decent number of pieces and haven't let maintenance get them down. Still, there are times when a watch needs to visit a watchmaker. Today, you'll hear us discuss how often we service our timepieces and what tools we keep at home to do some minor work.
Handgelenkskontrolle
We're relatively short on banter in this episode (rejoice, some of you!), so we quickly move to the Handgelenkskontrolle. Balazs is heading to Italy for a short week of vacation and is bringing two watches. The watch he's wearing during our recording has made the cut and it's the Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical. He's wearing it on a nylon strap for that easy, carefree summer feeling. Mike has returned to Japanese watches and is sporting his Citizen 51-2273 diver. This is an early '80s automatic that rivaled the original Seiko Turtle.
Servicing a watch collection
A hearty thanks goes out to one of our listeners in sunny Portugal for providing today's show topic. How do we service a sizable watch collection? It's a great question and one with a complex answer. Firstly, because our collections focus heavily on vintage, we service our watches as needed. We also keep records of watches that have been serviced or the pieces that need work. Regarding newer watches, we rarely service them until necessary. However, we do recommend having your dive watches pressure tested after the warranty period expires. Is quartz the answer? Not necessarily because some of these watches require servicing and routine battery changes.
We also mention the tool…
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Fratello Talks: Geneva Watch Days 2024 Wishes And Predictions
22 augustus 2024 · 31 min
Hello, and welcome to Fratello Talks! If you're listening to this latest episode on the day it was released, then Geneva Watch Days 2024 is just a week away. Today, Nacho, Lex, and Thomas gather around the mics to discuss the event and make some wishes and predictions about what they'd like to see from brands at the show. There's plenty to look forward to, as more brands than ever will take part in this year's edition of the event. Be sure to stay tuned here on Fratello for all the latest. But, for now, it's just some wishes, predictions, and wild guesses. Lees meer
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Fratello On Air: Our Favorite '90s And Early '00s Watches
20 augustus 2024 · 1 uur 12 min
Fratello On Air returns with our favorite watches from the '90s and early '00s. It's hard to believe that this period is nearly 30 years old! This was a key period for watches and brought pieces that exist today or are highly revered. Join us as we take a trip down memory lane. For our listeners, the watch content begins after approximately 14 minutes. Lees meer
The '90s and early '00s gave us some truly memorable watches. We're thankful that our listener, Richard, asked us to discuss some of our favorite pieces from the era. Today, we'll mention dress watches, divers, aviators, and chronographs. Some may think of this as a malaise period, but we'll do our best to change your mind!
Handgelenkskontrolle
We kick off the episode with some discussions about TV shows with watches. Bosch and Lost both feature Rolex watches and Balazs discusses them in more detail. Regarding the Handgelenkskontrolle, Balazs starts us off with his first Swiss watch, the Tissot PRC200 Chronograph. Mike is wearing an 18-carat gold Movado Curviplan with a new strap.
Our favorite watches from the late '90s and early '00s
The main topic begins with an overview of four iconic watches that debuted during the '90s. These pieces are still in production today with similar designs. However, each of us mentions three more watches we love from this timeframe. Scratch that, Balazs mentions four! We talk about the following pieces:
Omega Speedmaster Professional 3192.30, a limited edition Apollo XI commemorative made of white gold
Patek Philippe 5014G, a Gondolo with an art deco dial
Patek Philippe 3970EP-21, an amazing perpetual calendar
IWC Mark XII, a JLC-powered 36mm pilot watch with a glorious bracelet
Cartier Tank Basculante 2390, the large manual wind classic with a folding case
Panerai PAM00127, the "Fiddy" from 2002 that went viral
Seiko 7T27, an RAF-issued chronograph
We hope you enjoyed today's episode and thanks again to Richard for the topic suggestion! If you have suggestions for future …
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Fratello Talks: Guilty Pleasure Watches
15 augustus 2024 · 29 min
Welcome, dear Fratelli, to this latest episode of Fratello Talks. Today, Nacho, Lex, and Thomas spotlight some of their guilty pleasure watches. Everyone has at least one; most of us can list at least a handful. These are watches that, though we like them, we aren't too quick to admit it. This can be due to a number of reasons, whether it's a brand's (arguably undeserved) reputation, an eye-watering price tag, or even just a case of off-the-wall design. And though we often highlight carefully curated lists of favorites, we rarely reach into the back of the shelf for these oddball picks. Lees meer
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Fratello On Air: Likes And Dislikes Of Working In The Watch Industry
13 augustus 2024 · 1 uur
Fratello On Air is back with another rip-roaring episode! This week, our topic comes from one of our dear listeners and we talk about what like and dislike about working in the watch industry. It's a candid take on some of our favorite aspects with some that don't rate as highly. For those who wish to skip the banter, begin your journey after approximately 16 minutes. Lees meer
The watch industry is a business like many others except that it entails one of our favorite subjects! While the good far outweighs the bad, there are some pestery facets. Today's episode focuses on what we like and dislike. Our faithful listener and commenter Richard inspired this show, so I hope we do his request justice!
Handgelenkskontrolle
Before discussing our relationship with working in the watch industry, we recap Balazs' recent visit to the 2024 Paris Olympics. He went up and back on a recent Sunday to watch handball. You'll hear about his experiences in Paris and at the match. He also visited the Omega House, but he missed Daniel Craig! For the Handgelenskontrolle, Balazs is wearing his Seiko 6100-8000 Skyliner, a gift from one of our mutual friends, James. Mike is wearing a new acquisition. It's an 18-carat gold Tavannes chronograph from 1935 made by Breitling.
Likes and dislikes about working in the watch industry
There's no doubt about it, we enjoy working in the watch industry. The early access to unreleased watches still gives us a thrill. More importantly, aside from meeting each other, we've met some amazing friends globally because of our collective ties to watches. There are also some challenging bits regarding employment in this field. Writing about watches with too few press pictures is a challenge. Then, unsurprisingly, egos persist in this area. Overall, though, we love the camaraderie within this slice of commerce. As you listen, if you have additional questions about what it's like to work with watches or even at a publishing title, feel free to ask. Perhaps we will cons…
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Fratello Talks: How Much Genta Is Too Much Genta?
8 augustus 2024 · 31 min
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Fratello On Air: What's So Special About Rolex Anyhow?
6 augustus 2024 · 1 uur 8 min
Welcome back to another episode of Fratello On Air! This week, we ask what the hell is so special about Rolex anyhow. Sure, the brand has been discussed heavily, but both hosts have had recent Submariner experiences and hash out what makes these watches so fantastic. For our faithful listeners, the watch content begins at approximately 23 minutes. Lees meer
What is the secret to the success of Rolex and why are they so special? Before you Rolex-haters bring venom to the comments section, give us a listen. We won’t try to change your mind if you dislike the brand, but we will share why we think the company is so successful.
Handgelenkskontrolle
We kick off our episode with some banter about the Olympics as Balazs is headed to a special event the day after recording. Mike is still in Spain and discusses the new Inter Miami Adidas Gazelles that have arrived. Then, we mention Kobe Bryant’s Staples Center locker that auctioned for $2.9m. Regarding our watch choices, Mike is wearing his trusty Rolex Submariner 14060M and discusses again why it’s his favorite modern model. Balazs has swapped out his Submariner 5513, giving his GMT-Master 1675 a workout.
What is so special about Rolex?
For our main topic, we hit on several key points. First, Rolex has done a thorough job of buying its suppliers. We review some of the key acquisitions from the past 30 years. Advertising is another area where the brand differs from others by choosing champions and discussing the technical features of their watches. The look and feel of a Rolex is also something special, especially for such a mass-produced item. Finally, design consistency and a slow evolution have helped bolster the brand’s reputation over time.
We hope you enjoyed today’s episode! If you have any future topics, please let us know!
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Fratello Talks: Our Favorite Affordable Watches Vol. 1
1 augustus 2024 · 26 min
Hello, welcome! You're listening to Fratello Talks. This week's episode features RJ, Daan, and Nacho: three members of the Fratello team who join forces this week to wax poetic about some of their favorite affordable watches. This is the first volume of what will almost certainly become a recurring topic for the podcast. There are simply too many great watches with reasonable price tags to cover them all in one episode. But over the next twenty-six minutes and nine seconds, you'll hear all about a handful of them, with the primary focus placed upon three of them. These are the same watches you'll find on the guys' wrists this week. So, without further ado, let's jump into a wrist check. Lees meer
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Fratello On Air: Thinning Out The Watch Collection
30 juli 2024 · 1 uur 9 min
Welcome back to Fratello On Air! This week, we discuss thinning out our watch collections. It's a tough topic because only one of us has ever sold a watch! We're happy to take on the subject, though, because it's easy to pile up watches that see very little wrist time. For our listeners, the watch content begins approximately 23 minutes into the episode. Lees meer
Thinning out the watch collection is an idea that Balazs is comfortable with because he's done it! On the other hand, Mike has never sold or traded a watch and is finally thinking about doing so. Today, we discuss weaning down the collection, how to do it, and what to do with the funds. But first...
Handgelenkskontrolle
We kick off our episode with a return to one of our favorite subjects, sneakers. Adidas has released a new collection of shoes and jerseys for Inter Miami 2024 and they're hot! Balazs made the mistake of sharing the news with Mike and now pastel Miami Dolphins-hued Gazelles are on the way to Mike's feet alongside a sweet retro-themed jersey. You can take the boy out of South Florida, but... Balazs also mentions the upcoming Nike: Form Follows Motion exhibit at the Vitra Design Museum in Germany. If you're visiting this exhibition, it's worth stopping at the Musée National de l'Automobile in Mulhouse, France. For the Handgelenkskontrolle, Balazs is wearing the new Nivada Grenchen Chronosport that Lex briefly covered when it debuted. Expect a hands-on review soon! Meanwhile, Mike is enjoying his trusty Citizen BN0220 in the Spanish heat, making good on his Best Summer Watches at Three Different Price Points recommendation.
Thinning out the watch collection
Today, we thank our dedicated listener, Tristan, for his suggestion for an episode on thinning out the watch collection. We modified the topic slightly to discuss how to pick the watches ready for a new home and what to do with the funds. Balazs has more experience in this area and discusses how he recently sold a pair of two-tone Rolex Datejus…
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Fratello Talks: Picking A New Watch For The Next James Bond
25 juli 2024 · 29 min
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Fratello On Air: Talking About Watch Bracelets
23 juli 2024 · 1 uur 14 min
Welcome to another episode of Fratello On Air. This week, we discuss watch bracelets and cover a wide range of subtopics about these important devices that fasten watches to our wrists. It's another listener suggestion and we hope you enjoy the show! For our listeners, the watch content begins after approximately 20 minutes. Lees meer
Watch bracelets are always the subject of heavy criticism. When a company decides to offer one with a watch, it can come under fire for the smallest reasons. Great bracelets are rare, but they do exist. Today, we discuss many aspects of these curious little accessories.
Handgelenkskontrolle
We engage in serious banter about, you guessed it (or didn't), recycling. Europe is a wild place when it comes to sorting one's consumables and the rules differ everywhere! Sneaker talk returns to a small degree with Balazs' lady shoes. Finally, for the Handgelenkskontrolle, Mike is sporting a vintage Tavannes tank. It's a funky piece from Japan made from gold and stainless steel. Balazs is wearing his vintage Doxa 300T Sharkhunter while in Hungary.
Watch Bracelets
Next, we're on to our main topic about watch bracelets. Our listener, GP, sent an email asking if we would cover different types of watch bracelets, which we liked best, and the constructions that gave us the least amount of confidence. I'm not sure if we covered the question completely but we discussed the different types of links and how they're fastened together. We then touch upon vintage versus new. Finally, we cover some of our favorite bracelets. You'll hear names like the Doxa Expandro, Gay Freres, and more. We hope you enjoy this episode because it's another one that delves into the details. Feel free to list your favorite bracelets in the comments below.
Thanks for the topic, GP! If you have suggestions for future show ideas, please let us know.
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Fratello Talks: Watch Market Update — Summer 2024
18 juli 2024 · 30 min
Welcome to this latest episode of the Fratello Talks podcast! This week, Nacho, RJ, and Daan have prepared a watch market update for you. We often like to circle back to this topic as things evolve and change. We go through the facts and figures (so you don't have to) and summarize different trends and patterns, breaking it all down with their unique industry insights. We've all heard talk of a slump in the market, but is it actually the case? Are the speculative buyers backing out? And what does the current state of things mean for collectors and enthusiasts? All that, and more, in this week's episode. Lees meer
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Fratello On Air: Revisiting Our Exit Watches — Patek Philippe, Rolex, And More
16 juli 2024 · 58 min
Welcome to another episode of Fratello On Air. This time, we discuss exit watches after receiving a great topic request from one of our favorite listeners. It's a familiar theme we may have touched upon before. Let's see if our collective tastes have changed. For our listeners, watch content starts after eight minutes. Lees meer
Exit watches are a touchy subject. Some folks believe in the ultimate watch and the end of collecting. Admittedly, neither of us can picture an end to the hunt. Still, we will play along and discuss the watches that could send us out in style. A big thanks to Richard for the topic suggestion!
Handgelenkskontrolle
We're short on banter this week as Balazs is sweating it out in Hungary and nearly 40 degrees Celsius. Mike is shivering in England where 20 degrees and the sun would be a nice start to the summer. Before, discussing our exit watches, we divert our attention to the Handgelenkskontrolle. Balazs is wearing his mighty 38mm Gallet Multichron 12 with an EP40 movement. Mike is debuting a relatively new acquisition, a Longines 9ct gold dress watch with a lovely engraving on the case back. The '60s time-only piece uses the 19.4 caliber and is in barely-worn condition.
Exit watches
Exit watches supposedly represent the pinnacle of collecting. It also means there's nothing left to purchase after acquiring one of these pieces. We can't fathom such a scenario, but we've pulled together the watches that fit the description. Each of us has listed three and as you'll see, there's no theme. One brand, however, does make each of our lists. We discuss the following watches:
Patek Philippe 3970, a perpetual calendar chronograph
Patek Philippe 1463, the Borgel case waterproof chronograph
Angelus Chrono-Datoluxe, a vintage chronograph with a day-date and moonphase complication
Grand Seiko VFA 6185-8000/8010, a rare palladium silver watch with amazing accuracy
Omega Speedmaster 105.003, the "Ed White" and the last vintage straight-lug Speedy
Rolex Subm…
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Fratello Talks: How To Find The Perfect Summer Watch
11 juli 2024 · 27 min
Hello, and welcome to a sunny and warm episode of Fratello Talks! This week, Nacho, Lex, and Daan discuss summer watches. More specifically, they look at the ways they go about picking their ideal watch for the season. Is there such a thing as a perfect summer watch? If there is, you can follow Daan's method to find it. We also outline some categories, specs, and styles that make a watch ideal for the warm weather, active lifestyle, and water-based activities that we often enjoy in summer. Whether it's a cheap and cheerful watch that you can enjoy carefree days in the sun with or an action-ready piece that has all the specs to take on sand, surf, and sun, if you follow our advice, you'll have no trouble finding the perfect summer watch. Lees meer