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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, unconventional, and often boldly experimental world of microbrand watchmaking, this episode is one you won’t want to miss.

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 from Nomos with solid-gold cases, including three new Tangente models and two new Ludwig references, prompted this. The guys touch on those but also discuss their feelings about watches cased in this precious metal. They also share personal experiences with gold watches and discuss the meaning they hold for them.

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 all the things he enjoys about collecting watches and the industry. Mike chimes in with a few of his thoughts. If you were expecting another list, don't worry; we'll be back soon with more controversy. For now, we're feeling festive, and we hope you enjoy it! Handgelenkskontrolle We kick off the episode with a chat about television shows. Mike has finally started the legendary British series Foyle's War and is enjoying it immensely. Balazs brings up another long-running classic, Endeavour . There's something special about these types of productions that feels very different from American programs. For the Handgelenkskontrolle, Mike is wearing the Panerai he bought in 2002, the 40mm automatic PAM00048 Luminor Marina. Once again, Balazs is sporting his fantastic Rolex Submariner 5513 . Yes, folks, larger watches are slowly making their way to our wrists! Giving thanks We kick off our main topic about giving thanks in a natural spot. The community is where we begin, and while we mention it frequently, both of us feel more grateful than ever before. Wherever we travel, we seem to bump into listeners, watch fans, and genuinely friendly folks who are happy to grab a beer or a bite. You've made us feel welcome everywhere, including online, and it's part of what keeps us so excited about the hobby. Next, we talk about a rather childlike feeling that still drives us to stay involved. Frankly, we love the connection we have with brands and the ability to see models before they're released. It's probably not a surprise, but seeing watches before and after they've gone on sale is still a thrill. Another reason to be thankful is for the general creativity behind watches. Sure, some are better than others, but as vintage collectors, we constantly marvel at the aesthetic solutions found on our little marvels. In particular, our love of chronographs is mainly driven by their designs. The next reason for giving thanks may induce a groan, but we are deeply thankful for Rolex and Seiko . In many ways, these brands couldn't be more different, yet they're oddly very similar too. Most of all, each company deserves a lot of credit for keeping people interested in watches. Our final dose of appreciation relates to our love of microbrands and independents. We rarely talk about micros, but these companies are driving enthusiasm, innovation, value, and showing agility. Indies, on the other hand, are pushing boundaries technically and aesthetically. Plus, most are incredibly friendly, which is a lovely attribute. As always, thank you for listening! If you have any thoughts on future show topics, please feel free to let us know!

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 trends. Notable launches include several debuts tied to Dubai Watch Week 2025, which displayed the biennial event's growth in scale and relevance. We’re also exploring the new fourth-generation Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean models, which introduce meaningful updates to one of the brand’s most recognizable collections. With so many intriguing pieces arriving at once, there’s certainly plenty to discuss.

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 watch was relegated to casual and sporty environments. Now, these capable pieces, for better or worse, are worn everywhere. So, what made us want to take on a topic like the greatest dive watches? Well, we like to get people talking, so feel free to tell us why you agree or, more likely, disagree with our choices. Handgelenkskontrolle With increasingly dreary and wet days, we've been enjoying a bit of television. Some interesting shows are on right now, including The Beast In Me , Pluribus , The Task , and The Outsider . We also briefly discuss sneaker news, a topic we haven't mentioned in a while. For the Handgelenkskontrolle, Mike is on topic with the new Ollech & Wajs OW C-1000 Y , a release inspired by the original '60s Caribbean. Balazs is wearing his Fratello × Nivada Grenchen Racing Chronograph . Before moving on to our main topic, we take some time to discuss last week's long-awaited release, the new Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean . The greatest dive watches of all time For certain, "the greatest dive watches of all time" isn't an easy subject to tackle. There are so many great candidates. From the innovative pieces in the '60s that were actually attempting to solve real-world issues to the wild movement and material updates that came in the later decades, it's a tough topic. Like many of our episodes, we didn't share our picks before recording, so, interestingly, we came up with some common thoughts. We challenged ourselves to choose three models per person, but gave ourselves some leeway due to shared picks. Get your pitchforks, or tridents, ready! It's impossible not to start a list of the greatest dive watches of all time with anything other than the Rolex Submariner . For us, it is the absolute king, bar none. In terms of quality, reliability, and reputation, it's impossible to beat. But there are plenty of other legends. The Seiko Tuna, particularly the original Grandfather Tuna 6159-7010 and the first Golden Tuna 7549-7000 , brought innovation and an entirely new design language to the dive watch. Rolex, Omega, Seiko, and more! Omega enters the conversation with one of the most focused, purpose-built divers ever: the mighty PloProf . Yes, this watch is audacious, but it's an incredible piece of equipment that deserves its place on the Mount Olympus of dive watches. Seiko returns to the show with a watch that became a legend for its looks and approachable pricing, the 6309 Turtle . For our last two picks, we chose watches from smaller brands, but you'll have to listen to the episode to find out what they are! As always, thank you for listening to Fratello On Air ! If you have any ideas for future show topics, please feel free to let us know.

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 Fratello Talks , Nacho and RJ are joined by Fratello writer Henry, who is visiting Europe all the way from Australia. Together, they discuss how those stories form, what gives them weight, and how they influence the way enthusiasts relate to the watches in their collections.

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 production until 2012! That's a long time! Of course, there were tweaks over the 30-plus years, but the watches remain relevant today. We discuss their impact and why owning one can be an endgame move. Handgelenkskontrolle We kick off our show with a discussion about Mike's recent trip to the United States and his proximity to the Pro Football Hall of Fame. Then, we move on to watches. Mike recently spent a lengthy amount of time with the new Ming 37.11 Odyssey , a diver GMT that truly struck his fancy. Yes, he has ordered one. Then, Balazs mentions the new Louis Erard 2340 , an attractive take on the integrated-bracelet sports watch. For the Handgelenkskontrolle, both of us are wearing a Ming 22.01 GMT. Mike's Gilt version is on the titanium Ming Universal Bracelet. However, Balazs scores the win with his Kyoto variant on the new titanium Ming Polymesh. It's fabulous! Five-digit Rolex For our main topic, we move on to five-digit Rolex and why it still reigns supreme as the greatest modern collection of watches. These pieces all had one foot in the modern era and one in the vintage period. Slim cases, stamped clasps, and mostly stamped end links are just some of the lovely old-world characteristics. Modern movements finally brought a quick-setting date function and modern frequencies. For those who enjoy aging, aluminum bezels, and the chance to find tritium, these watches tick a lot of boxes. Most importantly, though, these pieces can all be worn daily and should remain usable for decades to come. We also discuss how values are rising again after a post-pandemic drop. It's hard to go wrong with any five-digit Rolex, but each of us shares our favorite three models. Balazs enjoys the Submariner 14060 with tritium markers, an Explorer II 16570 with a polar-white dial, and the watch that brought Rolex into the mainstream, the Submariner Date 16610. As for Mike, he's in love with the flashy Submariner 16618 with blue dial, the ultimate classic Explorer 14270, and the under-the-radar Datejust 16200 or Turn-O-Graph 16264. Really, there's no wrong choice within the entire catalog, but we'd love to hear yours! We hope you enjoy today's episode. As always, thanks for listening, and feel free to share any topics that you'd like us to cover in the future.

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 continues to innovate while staying true to its mechanical transparency.

The pace of new watch releases has never been faster. Every week seems to bring a fresh wave of models vying for our attention. We're certainly not complaining—but it does make us curious: which of today’s timepieces might one day become future classics? That’s the question at the heart of today’s episode of Fratello Talks , as Nacho, RJ, and Daan explore the modern watches most likely to stand the test of time. Hindsight may be 20/20, but spotting tomorrow’s icons today takes a mix of intuition, taste, and a touch of luck. Still, the team has a few strong contenders in mind that they'd be happy to bet on.

Welcome back to another episode of Fratello On Air ! This week, we lay it on the line and predict upcoming watch trends. We take educated guesses about what will be hot and what will likely fade. It's a comprehensive look at everything from materials to sizes and colors. Enjoy the show! It's not easy to see into the future, but many popular styles and fads around us can help predict future watch trends. In this episode, we go into depth about many different details and cast our vote about what is coming next. Handgelenkskontrolle Before we tackle upcoming watch trends, we spend time on a few entry topics. Many are even related to watches! On our wrists, it's a hodgepodge of picks this week. Mike starts with his G-Shock DW-5000R-1AER , which is a modern reissue of the first model. Balazs classes it up with the Omega Speedmaster Professional Speedy Tuesday Ultraman, a watch released in 2018! The next watch trends Seeing into the future is indeed nearly impossible. Yet, here we are with our prognostications about future watch trends. We start by talking about sustainability in the watch industry and declare that this is a dying subject. Luxury and sustainability are difficult to pair in the best situations, and watches simply don't seem to have a huge impact. That said, brands like Chopard that use conflict-free gold make sense. We also discuss the gray market and prices. We feel that the former will continue to be a massive dumping ground for slow-moving watches and, consequently, discounts. Regarding price increases, we are split about the likely upcoming behavior from watch companies. Next, we discuss case sizes. We expect a gradual increase to follow the current trend of baggier clothing. However, the watches will need to be thin and wearable. Color-wise, fuchsia and teal are our votes for the next big tones. On the material front, expect titanium to continue its bull run while stainless steel remains the favorite. Two-tone has received a hard push, but we expect it to continue as an outlier. Interestingly, we spent a lot of time discussing personalization and wonder why more brands aren't taking a page from IWC's book and offering it. On the opposite side, we feel that limited editions are dead for most brands unless they're truly captivating. We expect smartwatch investment to die off as the market has basically ceded ownership to Apple. However, the idea of more digital watches sounds plausible. Let us know how you feel about our thoughts on watch trends, and thank you for listening. As always, if you have future show ideas, please let us know!

Most of us have some level of experience with watch retailers and ADs from a customer perspective. However, few watch enthusiasts can claim to have worked behind the counter, let alone owned a watch shop. Today, Nacho and Thomas are joined by Gerard, a long-time Fratello team member and former owner of Horloge Platform Nederland, a watch boutique based in The Hague. The boutique has long since shut its doors, but Gerard still has plenty of stories to share. He gives his perspective on how he first got into the retail side of watches, what it was like to deal with customers and brands alike, how online retail worked in the early days, and more.

Welcome to another episode of Fratello On Air ! This week, we discuss the triumphant return of Seiko to the forefront of value-laden watchmaking. For some, perhaps the massive Japanese company never left. From our perspective, though, 2025 has been a turning point. We feel that the brand has truly listened to its fan base and the market. Listen along to why we feel this way and what else we'd like to see. After what felt like a lengthy period of offering chunky watches with big price tags, it seems that Seiko has made a triumphant return. Reasonably sized watches with prices that have held steady, while others have increased dramatically, are just a couple of our observations. Listen in and see if you agree with the rest of our thoughts on this fan-favorite watch brand. Handgelenkskontrolle We kick off our episode by celebrating Balazs's return from the Big Apple. There's even a little singing to get everyone in the mood! Then, we recall our recent discussion about the fortunes of several brands in five years. Mike envisions a slim 37mm Panerai dress watch with a manual-winding movement and crown lock. Could it work? Then, screen-related entertainment makes an appearance as we mention A House of Dynamite , Task , and Slow Horses . Finally, Balazs shares his thoughts on the recent watch events in New York City and a disturbing visit to a Rolex boutique in SoHo. For the Handgelenkskontrolle, Balazs has been wearing the Ming 57.04 Iris Chronograph and was flashing it around New York. Mike is keeping with the theme and is also sporting a Ming. The watch is currently under embargo, but it is coming out in November. Spoiler alert: it's fantastic! Seiko's triumphant return In 2025, we've seen some fantastic releases. The previously mentioned recent announcements resonated with fans. Earlier, watches like the Seiko 5 SRPL91 and SRPL93 " Gene Kranz " or the new Speedtimer models seemed to nail the brief. The market has been asking for smaller, thinner watches with slimmer, better bracelets. Seiko has delivered. Plus, while others continue to raise prices, Seiko has held the line, albeit at higher prices than seven or eight years ago. Still, the watches are competitive, attractive, and desirable. Sure, there's still work to do, especially related to movement accuracy, but we remain hopeful. Overall, it's nice to see one of our favorite marques pulling at our heart and purse strings again! Let us know if you agree with us on the company's triumphant return and what else you'd like to see from Seiko. As always, thanks for listening to the latest episode of Fratello On Air ! If you have ideas for future shows, please feel free to let us know.

Longines famously says, “Elegance is an attitude.” But let’s be honest; there’s probably more to it than that. On today’s episode of Fratello Talks , we’re asking the big question: what makes a watch truly elegant? Is it the proportions, the case material, or the strap? Maybe it’s how the watch sits on your wrist, or perhaps it's the mysterious mix of all these things, like some horological alchemy that gives a timepiece its unmistakable charm. And let’s not forget the wearer. Elegance might not live in the watch at all. It could be in the confidence and subtlety that the person wearing the watch brings to it. Whatever the answer (or lack thereof), Nacho, Lex, and Thomas are ready to dig in, veering slightly off the rails along the way.

Welcome back to another episode of Fratello On Air ! This week, we talk about the best-value used watches. Of course, this isn't an exhaustive list but just a sampling of some great pre-owned picks. If you're expecting the usual suspects, prepare to be surprised. Enjoy the show! Yes, we're back with a follow-up to our popular show about currently available watches offering the best value with a look at the used marketplace. Sites such as Chrono24 and eBay present a veritable cornucopia of options, but we've managed to pare it down to six interesting picks. Listen in as we reveal them. Handgelenkskontrolle We recorded this episode before Balazs's trip to New York City for various watch events. Therefore, you'll need to wait to find out if he had any fun travel experiences! For this installment, Mike is wearing his Ming 37.02 Minimalist, a straightforward watch that can happily be worn in casual and formal settings. Balazs, on the other hand, was rocking an off-the-wall timepiece earlier in the day. On his wrist was a 1999 Ikepod Megapode, a watch designed by Marc Newson. Best-value used watches For today's show, we gave ourselves a few rules. First, we didn't want to repeat any of the best-value new watches, even though those candidates are a great deal on the secondary market. We also stayed away from vintage watches because it's hard to compare prices for new and used pieces. Plus, it's also more challenging to find a mint or barely used vintage watch. With that in mind, we did not come together before the episode to share our picks. We were completely unscripted, which makes the choices even more surprising. We mention the Patek Philippe Gondolo 5014. In any form, these watches present a more horologically interesting and often less expensive choice than a similar Cartier Tank. The Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Date ref. Q4018420 is another killer value for the money. Secondhand Grand Seiko watches are routinely seen as best-value opportunities. We both love the 9S64-powered manual-winding SBGW2xx models, including the 235, 283, 291, and 293. While it's not small, the IWC Portugieser Automatic IW500705 is a killer watch at work or play. Who knew how affordable the 38mm Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe is? What a deal! Finally, we mention the late Omega Seamaster Railmaster ref. 220.10.40.20.01.001 from 2017. Feel free to let us know your thoughts about our picks and the best-value used watches you've been considering. We hope you enjoy today's episode. Let us know if you have any topics that you'd like us to cover in the future.

In this week’s episode of Fratello Talks , Nacho, RJ, and Lex tackle the very foundation of our watches — the case materials. From trusty steel to precious gold, lightweight titanium, and futuristic ceramics, the trio dives into what distinguishes these materials, their unique features, and why they make a difference when wearing a watch every day. It's not just the movement and specs that matter; it's also what a watch is made of that plays a key role in its aesthetics and how it feels on your wrist.

Welcome to another episode of Fratello On Air . This week, we try our hand at predicting the fortunes of four key watch brands. These makers all have great pieces in their lineups, yet we wonder if they have more in store to become absolute powerhouses. Or perhaps some of these companies will go in the opposite direction and become smaller with more exclusive offerings. Join us as we ponder the fates of these firms in five years. Admittedly, with a relatively quiet market and turbulent global trade, it's easy to sit back and prescribe improvements for various brands. That's not why we're here today, though. No, instead, we've come together to discuss four well-known names in the industry and how their fortunes may change after five years. That gives each enough time to make sizeable changes, but is that necessary? Let's see! Handgelenkskontrolle Our show kicks off with the usual round of banter. We discuss The Brutalist and House of Guinness . Then, we move to a watch topic and talk about the recently announced Timepiece Concours d'Élégance announced by Phillips in partnership with Vacheron Constantin. While we like the general concept, we are dubious about the sponsorship. For the Handgelenkskontrolle, Mike is wearing an interesting new piece from a young brand. The Möels & Co 528 S2 is an usually shaped watch with a manual-winding La Joux-Perret D101 movement. Expect an upcoming hands-on review soon! Balazs shares a watch we haven't brought up in a while. The Fratello × Nivada Grenchen Racing Chronograph was released in mid-2023 and is still a looker! The fortunes of four brands in five years For our main topic, we summon our inner Nostrodamus, discuss four brands, and hypothesize about their futures in five years. We didn't share the companies we selected before recording, so call it a premonition that Panerai was a unanimous first choice. It will be interesting to see how the fortunes of this tool-watch brand change over time. Will big watches make a comeback, and how can Panerai ensure that they reach the same level of desirability seen during the early 2000s? Girard-Perregaux is the next company to make our list. We really like the current lineup, but we find the brand a bit too quiet in its marketing efforts. Frankly, we'd like to see its watches out front and center every so often. Perhaps the recent Laureato Fifty is the start of a new push. Bvlgari is another brand we love. With its Octo Finissimo, the company has created an instantly recognizable classic. However, it's a watch that some of us with small wrists struggle to wear. We'd like to see this watchmaker create one more innovative modern classic that works for everyone. Finally, Jaeger-LeCoultre was always known as the watchmaker's watchmaker. As a result, the marque offered immense value. Now, the watches are certainly nice, but the prices put them in competition with many other brands. How will this play out over the next five years? As always, thank you for listening to Fratello On Air . If you have suggestions for future episodes, please don't hesitate to let us know!

Though people often focus on specs and price when talking about watches, we believe that design is just as important, if not more so. Today, on Fratello Talks , we're diving into the present and future of watch design. Nacho, Daan, and Thomas discuss current design-focused brands and the individual designers who put pen to paper and don't get nearly enough recognition for their work. They wrap up by pondering what the future of watch design might look like. There are certainly a handful of brands that give us a taste of it, especially microbrands, with their famous ability to adapt and try new, wild ideas. But regardless of what watch design ends up looking like, there's no doubt that exciting times lie ahead!

Hi there, and welcome to this week's episode of Fratello Talks . Today, we've decided to take on the challenge of selecting the watches we'd buy new at three price points. We start with the sub-€1k price segment, then jump to the sub-€5k, and end up selecting what we'd buy for €10k or less. No pre-owned or vintage watches are allowed; only the current-catalog references that anyone should be able to go out and buy today can be chosen. Nacho, RJ, and Thomas gather in the studio to talk through their selection. They also discuss some honorable mentions and include a no-budget pick to wrap things up.

Is there such a thing as an endgame watch? It's not something we often consider. But just about two weeks ago, Henry wrote an article about his new Rolex Sea-Dweller 16600, referring to it as the ultimate diver and his "endgame" watch. This got us thinking about what this would be for us, so today on Fratello Talks , Nacho, Daan, and Thomas talk about their endgame watches. As you can imagine, it's not as straightforward as it may seem. However, Thomas and Daan do seem to be pretty set on theirs. Still, there's always room for wishful thinking, wild picks, and, of course, establishing the difference between a "grail" and an "endgame" watch.

We're back with another episode of Fratello On Air . This week, we're tackling a timely subject (no pun intended). With prices up over the last five years, we discuss watches that offer the best value at various price points. Oh, but there's a caveat: the pieces we discuss are actually available. For the benefit of our listeners, our watch talk begins approximately 15 minutes after the start. Two episodes ago, we conversed about the best watches for new collectors. That seemed to resonate with our listeners. This week, we continue down a similar yet different path. Collectively, we've witnessed incessant price hikes in our favorite hobby. It's enough to scare away some fans, but not us! We're out to find the watches that offer the best value in this tough market. Yes, the watches are more expensive than in the past, but we still think each carries its weight. Watches with the best value Our rules for choosing watches with the best value were simple. The watches must be available to buy at retail today, without waiting lists or markups. Also, resale value wasn't a factor in the selection process. We didn't restrict ourselves to large brands, yet we tended toward brands with in-house movements. Finally, we didn't restrict ourselves to price limits, but we coincidentally huddled around three levels. Below €1,000, €1,000–5,000, and above €5,000 were our criteria. Balazs is always earning extra credit Balazs supposedly got mixed up with the assignment, but perhaps he was looking to outduel Mike again. He chose three winning watches but also gave many honorable mentions. In the lower-cost section, he named the Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 Forged Carbon , the Baltic Hermétique , and the Dennison ALD Dual Time . His winner, though, is the Timex Tide-Temp-Compass for just €279 . In the middle category, he mentioned the Tudor Pelagos 39, various Albishorn chronographs, and the Grand Seiko SBGR257. His champion is the €1,890 Yema Superman CMM.10 with an in-house automatic movement. Finally, in the high-cost category, the Ming 57.04 Iris and the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Skipper made the list. Balazs's ultimate winner is the €8,800 Omega Speedmaster Professional in white. Mike's picks Mike stuck to the supposed brief and named three watches he thought offered the best value. On the affordable side, the €440 Seiko Prospex SRPE93 Turtle is a watch that makes no apologies. It's a simple diver with timeless looks and rock-solid build quality. In the mid-range, the choice is relatively predictable but hard to beat. The €4,150 Tudor Black Bay 58 is a chronometer-certified dive watch that can be dressed up or down. In fact, it's one of the best "only watches" on the planet. For the final category, Mike chose the €10,600 Zenith Chronomaster Original as his favorite piece. The mighty El Primero movement, the A386 case profile, and a legendary dial design make it his favorite luxury automatic chronograph.

Welcome back to another episode of Fratello Talks . This week, we come to you live from Geneva for a special conversation with Federico Ziviani, CEO of Gerald Charles. For those unfamiliar, Gerald Charles is the independent watch brand founded in 2000 by the late, great Gérald Genta. Today, under the stewardship of Ziviani, the brand carries forward its founder's unmistakable design DNA while carving out a space in the world of fine watchmaking. It's not every day we get to hear directly from the person responsible for steering such a historically significant brand. Thankfully, this episode gives us exactly that opportunity. Alongside Federico, your host Nacho and Fratello On Air 's Mike Stockton join the conversation. This episode was recorded live on location, so the audio isn’t our usual quality. Thanks for understanding!

Welcome back to another episode of Fratello On Air . We've been on hiatus for the last month during the summer, but we're back in action! In this installment, we detail some of the places we've been and what we've seen. Cars and watches have been high on the list! Yes, it's been a while, but we're back together. This week's podcast is primarily about cars and watches at events in major cities. Next episode, we'll be back with a more hardcore topic, which will likely cover one of our listener suggestions. For now, settle in as we recall our travels and experiences. Handgelenkskontrolle Before we get into watches, we begin our discussion about Ferrari's latest reveal. The 849 Testarossa is already proving to be controversial. It sparks a conversation about the difference between comments in social media about cars and watches. Regarding television, we discuss Mobland , Only Murders In The Building , Dexter: Resurrection , and The Sopranos . Then, Balazs mentions the recent sale of a Michael Jordan / Kobe Bryant basketball card that set a record at $12.9 million! For the Handgelenkskontrolle, Balazs is wearing the new Albishorn 1958 Marinagraph Paraíba Racing . Stay tuned for an upcoming hands-on review. Mike is wearing his Seiko SLA019 , a 2018 release that marked the first ceramic bezel and sapphire crystal for the beloved Marinemaster 300. Watches and cars We kick off our main topic on recent travels that included cars and watches with a recap of Geneva Watch Days. Sadly, Balazs didn't attend, but the releases were well-covered. Overall, the mood was somber because of the US tariff scenario. Brands were questioning the need and the expense related to two shows. The reveals were positive, especially from the smaller brands, but it was a quieter show overall despite more brands in attendance. Next, we discuss the 2025 Balkan Rally , which Balazs attended. The event kicked off in Budapest and ended five days later in Dubrovnik. Classic cars and watches were all part of the festivities. Finally, we head back to London, where Mike attended the Concours of Elegance hosted by A. Lange & Söhne. Once again, several of the attendees wore intriguing watches, but the cars were incredible. Of note was a lovely Singer Porsche. It was the first time Mike saw one in person, which followed his first visit to the Singer Reimagined headquarters in Geneva just two days earlier. We hope you enjoyed our return to the airwaves, and we look forward to coming back regularly. As always, if you have ideas for future shows, feel free to let us know.

Everyone knows the story: you start with a paperclip and trade your way up to a house. Canadian blogger Kyle MacDonald made it happen in 2006 with his One Red Paperclip project. Could this principle, on a smaller scale, be applied to watches? Today on Fratello Talks , Nacho, Thomas, and RJ join to discuss the topic and share their experiences trading their way up. It was a potentially lucrative pursuit back in the day, but whether you can still trade to upgrade your watch today remains to be seen.

As Geneva Watch Days 2025 draws to a close, it's time to look back at some of our highlights from the fair. This bonus Fratello Talks episode was recorded on location at Piaget’s boutique in Geneva, where the team had the opportunity to experience Geneva Watch Days 2025 and all the novelties presented. Set against the backdrop of one of Switzerland’s most historic watchmaking landmarks, the discussion brings together a diverse selection of timepieces, trends, and commentary from the show. In this episode, Nacho, Lex, and Dave share personal impressions, highlighting the watches that stood out most for them during the fair. [Recorded live on location, so audio isn’t our usual quality—thanks for understanding!]

Have you ever wondered if you're approaching the watch hobby in the way that suits you best or if social media has influenced how you do so? Today, on Fratello Talks , we're following up on some of Thomas's recent thought pieces with a more formal discussion. There are nearly infinite ways to approach the watch hobby. Some can passionately focus on just one reference, while others want variety. While a lucky few will casually purchase a grail-worthy piece, others will be just as happy with affordable, value-driven watches. It goes on and on, and it's how things should be. In reality, though, we all consume content online and on social media, which influences our perception and can shape how we feel we should approach watches. But those voices, while loud, are limited, and it's important to be aware that carving a path just for you is the way to go.