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Welcome back to another episode of Fratello On Air ! We're back (sort of) after more travels, and this week, we discuss the fallout that happens once a formerly unloved brand becomes popular. Call it sour grapes or wanting to keep something to oneself, but feel free to listen to our thoughts on the subject. Enjoy the show! I'm sure you know what it's like to be holding a secret. No,...

What watch would you buy with €5k in your pocket today? And what if you could spend no less than €4,500? That's the hypothetical dilemma we're tackling on Fratello Talks today. RJ, Daan, and Nacho have taken the challenge, and in this week's episode, they go through their picks. They were shocked at how few watches actually land within the price point, with Tudor holding the lion&ap...

These days, "heritage" might be the most overused word in watch marketing. Every other press release seems to reference archives, vintage inspiration, or a glorious past. But at what point does heritage become a crutch rather than a strength? In this episode of Fratello Talks , Nacho, Daan, and Thomas unpack the role heritage plays in today’s watch industry. Is it still meaningful? Is it...

Collecting watches can be as simple or as complicated as you make it. For some, it’s a slow accumulation of pieces they like. For others, it’s a focused, evolving pursuit built around themes, eras, or even specific references. In this episode of Fratello Talks , RJ, Daan, and Nacho discuss how to get the most out of the hobby — not in terms of value retention or flipping strategies but, rather, in...

Welcome to another episode of Fratello On Air . This week, we hop into our time machine and travel back 10 years to 2016. As we'll see, in some ways, this wasn't so long ago. Yet, in others, it was a different lifetime. Join us as we look back on fonder days. Handgelenkskontrolle It's been a while since we've recorded, and much of this is down to Mike's travels in Germany....

For many of us, there’s a clear line between the watches we liked and the first one we considered "serious." Maybe it was the first mechanical piece we bought with our hard-earned money. Maybe it was the first watch that required actual research, comparison, and a deep breath before hitting "confirm order." In today’s episode of Fratello Talks , Thomas, RJ, and Nacho discuss th...

Have you ever wondered exactly what the water resistance rating on your watch's dial means? In this episode of Fratello Talks, Nacho, Thomas, and Daan get into the different ratings, what they mean in theory, and, more importantly, in practice for the person wearing a watch. Tune in and listen to this episode, and if you don't already, you'll come away fully understanding water resi...

Why do we choose analog watches in a digital world? It's a valid question, as these mechanical timekeepers (though still functional) are no longer the necessity they once were. Why, then, do they remain not just an obsession for the few but also relevant and ever-present objects in people's private lives and even pop culture? That's the subject we're grappling with in today&apo...

We're barely three weeks into 2026, and things are off to a strong start. It used to be that we'd have to wait until Watches and Wonders to get the first proper wave of novelties. But LVMH has taken it upon itself to produce the first major round of releases early in the year. Today, on Fratello Talks , we're taking a look at some LVMH Watch Week highlights. Thomas, Daan, and Nacho...

Welcome back to another episode of Fratello On Air ! This week, we discuss the latest Speedmaster Professional reverse panda. However, this isn't your standard review. We take it all the way back to Speedy Tuesday 1 and rue the passing of the limited-edition models of yore. Fear not, though; it's not all about Speedies. Yes, last week's Speedmaster reverse panda caused quite a stir....

The year is off to a flying start with some big releases from fan-favorite brands. In today's episode of Fratello Talks , we're taking a look at the first watch releases of 2026 and, based on patterns they present, seeing what they reveal about the year ahead. Though we haven't had many new introductions so far, the handful of novelties is still enough to get us excited, from Seiko...

Happy New Year from Fratello On Air ! We're back with a new episode, and we're going shopping. Well, maybe. One of us has his eyes on several pieces while the other is taking a wait-and-see approach. Enjoy our 2026 kickoff! Yes, we're back for another year, and it's great to be here! With a new year, we usually make resolutions. However, last year's resolutions didn't...

Happy New Year, dear Fratelli! We are following up on our kick-off to this new lap around the sun with a fresh new episode of Fratello Talks , where we're discussing our watch wishes and predictions for 2026. RJ, Thomas, and Nacho are here to express some of what they'd love to see more of in the new year from watch brands, as well as to make specific predictions. They also go over some...

Welcome to the fourth season of Fratello Talks ! To kick off the new year, we're discussing some of the best entry-level watches to start a collection in 2026. Daan, RJ, and Nacho come together to present some of their favorite options available today. Many of the watches discussed are great if you're looking to start a collection. However, they also serve as a fun purchase, even for sea...

Hello and happy holidays from your Fratello Talks team! Today marks the final episode of 2025 and the end of our third season of the show. What better way to round out the year than by looking back at some horological highlights of 2025? RJ, Daan, and your host, Nacho, join forces to discuss some of the most remarkable moments of this past year. Consider this final episode of the year our gift to...

Merry Christmas and welcome to another episode of Fratello On Air ! We're back with an episode on Christmas Eve, and we're talking about our favorite Seiko watches of all time. That's a tough mission, but like Santa's job of delivering toys to all the children, we're up to the task! Grab some mulled wine, settle in by the fireplace, and enjoy the banter. Folks, we've...

As 2025 draws to a close, it’s a natural moment to pause, take stock, and look ahead at what the coming year may hold for the watch industry. In this week’s episode of Fratello Talks , Nacho is joined by Daan and Lex for an in-depth conversation about the various factors and forces that are actively reshaping the watch world. The discussion covers a broad range of topics, from emerging players in...

As 2025 winds down, it's the perfect time to reflect on some of the standout microbrand watches released this year. That’s precisely what we’re doing in this week’s episode of Fratello Talks. Nacho, Daan, and Thomas are back in the studio. Each has brought a list of three personal favorites — plus plenty of honorable mentions — for a lively discussion. If you appreciate the creative, unconven...

There's something special about gold watches that goes beyond the opulent, warm tone of their shiny exteriors. In the past, they served to mark significant milestones, special occasions, or outstanding achievements. These are often immortalized with an engraving on the case back. Today, on Fratello Talks , we've found inspiration to revisit the topic of gold watches. Several new releases...

Welcome to another episode of Fratello On Air ! With Thanksgiving barely in our rearview mirrors, we decide to spend time giving thanks to the watch hobby. In this installment, you'll hear what we love so much about this addiction and why. Settle in for this candid chat. In honor of Thanksgiving, we figure that giving thanks is well overdue. Today, you'll hear a lovable Balazs talk about...

Over the last few weeks, we've seen an unseasonal deluge of watch releases, with brands big and small unveiling fresh pieces at an incessant pace. Today, on Fratello Talks , we're taking a moment to look back at some highlights and reflect on what stood out to us. Nacho, RJ, and Thomas are on the microphones to break down a diverse array of novelties and share their thoughts on emerging...

Welcome back to another episode of Fratello On Air ! This week, we enter the depths and declare the greatest dive watches of all time. Yes, there are some expected entries, but we also offer a surprise or two. Enjoy the listen! While neither Balazs nor I dive, we've realized that the style of watch used for this activity has probably become the most popular genre. Not so long ago, a dive watc...

Watch collectors often discuss design, materials, and mechanical nuance, but the conversation frequently shifts toward something less tangible — the stories tied to these objects. Whether passed down through family, acquired during memorable moments, or simply worn through everyday life, watches tend to gather meaning in ways their manufacturers cannot always predict. On this week’s episode of Fra...

Welcome back to another episode of Fratello On Air ! This week, we chat about the legendary five-digit Rolex era and how it's probably the greatest collection of modern watches. We discuss why and mention some of our favorite models. Enjoy the show! For many of us, it seems that the five-digit Rolex period was around forever. In fact, the watches debuted in the late 1970s and stayed in produc...

On this week’s episode of Fratello Talks , Nacho and RJ sit down with Claude Greisler, co-founder and master watchmaker at Armin Strom. Together, they explore Claude’s journey from a young apprentice to leading one of Switzerland’s most technically inventive independent brands. The trio discusses how Armin Strom evolved from a workshop known for skeletonization to a fully fledged manufacture that...