Welcome to the second episode of the second season of Fratello Talks! As we kick off the year, we're dusting off old debates, and today, we talk about the myth of a perfect watch size. Your host, Nacho, is joined by RJ and Thomas to discuss horological proportions. Is there such a thing as a perfect watch size? We don't think so. Too many factors come into play, from thickness to lug-to-lug and even the case shape, not to mention the wearer's wrist circumference and profile. Ultim...
Jan 11, 2024•24 min•Season 2Ep. 2
Fratello On Air returns with a new episode and this time, we ask what would make each other buy a new Rolex. While there's no question that the brand makes amazing watches, we tend to be vintage lovers around here. So, what would make us pull the trigger on a new model? A new Rolex is on everyone's shopping list, right? Not so fast. Neither of your co-hosts has a new Rolex at the top of our shopping lists. So, what would sway us? We talk about the models we do enjoy and a couple of des...
Jan 09, 2024•1 hr 12 min
Welcome to the first episode of Fratello Talks of 2024. We hope the new year has been treating you well so far. Here at Fratello HQ, we decided to tackle the new year head-on and make predictions for what we expect to see over the coming twelve months. You join Nacho, your host, alongside Morgan and Lex, who voice their expectations and wishes for the new year. From educated guesses to wild predictions, the guys have the bases covered. And, who knows? Maybe some of their wishes may just come tru...
Jan 04, 2024•32 min•Season 2Ep. 1
A very Happy New Year from your co-hosts at Fratello On Air! We're back with our first episode of the year. 2024 is here and we discuss some of the trends we expect to see while sending out 2023. It was quite a year with plenty of drama and plenty of new watches. We hit the high and low points. Sending out 2023 - the year that was! In some ways, we're ready to move on, but it's worth taking some time to look back on some of the key events. We cover both vintage and new topics and ...
Jan 02, 2024•1 hr 20 min
Hello, and welcome to the last episode of Fratello Talks in 2023. Today, RJ, Lex, and your host, Nacho, are here to discuss their personal, professional, and horological highlights of the year. It's the 2023 wrap-up episode! Tune in and watch (or listen) as the guys reminisce over some of the past twelve months. They touch on topics ranging from some of the year's best watch releases and events to horological innovations, articles, and personal achievements. We put a ribbon on 2023 and...
Dec 28, 2023•29 min•Season 1Ep. 51
Mike and I are celebrating Christmas with our loved ones this week. But this is the last Fratello On Air of the year, and we had to go out with a bang, so I recorded a talk with fellow watch enthusiast, New York Times bestselling author, and all-around nice guy Gary Shteyngart. Enjoy this special holiday episode! Gary, a fan of Fratello On Air , is a delight to talk to. As he’s passionate about watches and horology in general, I had an easy job. Aside from Gary’s state of the collection, we touc...
Dec 26, 2023•1 hr 2 min
Hello, and welcome to the 50th and penultimate episode of Fratello Talks this year. Today, we dive into the topic of building a watch brand in 2023. Your host, Nacho, is joined by Morgan and Thomas. The latter comes well-equipped to share some insights into the experience. As some of you may know, Thomas—as well as being a writer for Fratello—is also the brain behind the upcoming watch brand, VPC. But what exactly goes into starting a watch brand today? What are the challenges one faces? And wha...
Dec 21, 2023•29 min•Season 1Ep. 50
Fratello On Air is here for you during the holiday period! In this episode, we talk about some wild integrated bracelet models that stray from the norm. Folks, there are loads to choose from at all price levels! Pour some mulled wine and enjoy the ride! Ah, the integrated bracelet. Some like them while some abhor these fixtures. We're fine with either stance, but today, we discuss some very unique vintage opportunities that fit within the ever-popular sub-genre. We have a lot of fun in this...
Dec 19, 2023•1 hr 9 min
Welcome to the penultimate episode of Fratello Talks in 2023. Before wrapping up the year, we thought we'd do a little bit of housekeeping. So today, your host, Nacho, and his guests, RJ and Lex, are here to bring you a watch market update. Before settling into the holidays, it's good to look back at the year we'll soon be leaving behind. And one thing that really caught our eye is the current shift in the state of the watch market. New watches' prices have grown like never b...
Dec 14, 2023•32 min•Season 1Ep. 49
Mike and I are taking some time off from the podcast this week, but we’d still like to leave you with an episode. So this week, I’ll publish my talk with Bosko, the man behind the “Zenith Yugoslavian Military Chronograph Collector’s Guide.” This guide won’t be out for another few days, but rest assured, it’s coming this week. Don’t worry; vintage chronographs are not the only topic the guys will discuss. While this is indeed a vintage-heavy episode, plenty of other timepieces get a mention. Asid...
Dec 12, 2023•1 hr 17 min
Welcome to the 48th episode of Fratello Talks. Today, we have a very special episode lined up for you. We invited our good friend, watch photographer, and Instagram staple, Tom, a.k.a. Bowl of Salmon, onto the show. We've always received a lot of questions on watch photography. Even more so after our first episode on the topic featuring Nacho and Morgan. So what better way to answer some of these recurring questions than to get not two but three photographers on the show? Slightly longer th...
Dec 07, 2023•41 min•Season 1Ep. 48
Fratello On Air returns for another episode and this week, we're talking about our recent €25,000 watch collection choices. Lists are always sure to create some sort of kerfuffle and these articles were no exception. We discuss the watches along with some of the feedback. Enjoy the show! Our site's recent series on a €25,000 watch collection has been enormously popular. People love to chime in with their thoughts on our picks. This week, we talk about them along with some of those comm...
Dec 05, 2023•58 min
Another week, another episode of Fratello Talks! This is our 47th episode so far, and one in which we're feeling a bit philosophical. You join Lex, Daan, and Nacho who get into some eye-opening moments in their watch-enthusiast experience, and the watches responsible. That's right, today's discussion is all about watches that changed the way we look at watches. It might be a timepiece that taught us a lesson, a first when it comes to ownership, or one that opened our eyes to a dif...
Nov 30, 2023•27 min•Season 1Ep. 47
Fratello On Air returns with a fresh new episode! 2023 still has a month left in the tank, but we're ready to declare our favorite watches thus far. You'll hear about a wide variety of pieces this week at different price points and why they made the list. Enjoy the ride! Yes, we're in the final stretch of 2023 and that means it's time to look back upon the year. We do know that there will still be new releases to come, but that's ok. Plenty has crossed our keyboards and ...
Nov 28, 2023•1 hr 14 min
Today's episode of Fratello Talks is all about accessories. And no, we're not talking about wallets, scarves, and pinkie rings, don't worry. Have a listen as your host, Fratello managing editor Nacho, editor Daan, and shop manager Laurits discuss the watch accessories we can't live without. Despite the somewhat hyperbolic titles, these are all accessories that we truly use just about every single day. Most watch enthusiasts are affected by the same challenges: storage, transp...
Nov 23, 2023•25 min•Season 1Ep. 46
Welcome to another episode of Fratello On Air! This week, we're excited because we're recording from the same room and we're in London. In fact, we're in the Square Mile! Today, we're talking about vintage Excelsior Park watches, movements, and the related brands that used the movements. Enjoy this vintage deep cut! Together again! Balazs has made the voyage from the continent over to Blighty and we've decided to record an episode before heading off to the year&apos...
Nov 21, 2023•52 min
Welcome, Fratelli, to Fratello Talks. This week, your host, Nacho, is joined by Gerard and Daan. Together, the three take to the topic of G-Shock watches. The great equalizers, the trusty go-to's, and the watch that every collector should own at least one of. But if you're reading this, you're deep enough down the horological rabbit hole (unless they're genuinely not your thing, which is also OK) that you probably have at least one.
Nov 17, 2023•25 min•Season 1Ep. 45
Fratello On Air returns and this week, we discuss the wide world of case back engravings. Whether they relate to military-issued pieces or special occasions, there's a lot to potentially learn from these inscriptions. We hope you enjoy this episode and feel free to comment below about your thoughts on these adornments. Case back engravings are a wide subject. They cover some of life's most special moments and achievements. Or, they can give us clues about a watch's origin and stor...
Nov 14, 2023•1 hr 16 min
Thank you for tuning in to this week's episode of Fratello Talks. You join RJ, Timo, and your host Nacho, who are going to be covering a rather broad topic. That's right, this week it's all about watches in cinema. In this episode we'll cover anything from memorable sightings, to examples of marketing gone too far. How much can brands get away with when it comes to blatant product placement? And does it actually have its desired effect? We also cover movie-themed watches and ...
Nov 09, 2023•25 min•Season 1Ep. 44
After a three-week hiatus, Fratello On Air is back with a new episode. This week, we're talking about our collections, what we are currently wearing, and what's on our radar. As always, it's a recording with plenty of diverse topics. We invite you to kick back and enjoy the show. We've been on the road for the past several weeks and we apologize for the lack of new episodes. However, we're back and talking about our collections. That's a large topic, so we're f...
Nov 07, 2023•1 hr 11 min
Welcome to the 43rd episode of Fratello Talks. Today, we are feeling retrospective, so we decided to look back at some highlights released throughout this year so far. You join RJ, Lex, and Nacho, who will run through what, to them, are the best watches of 2023. Each has been tasked with picking their five favorites from the year. They kept these picks to themselves, but as you’ll see, there was no overlap. But before we check out their highlights of the year so far, it’s time for a wrist check....
Nov 06, 2023•33 min•Season 1Ep. 43
It's time to crank up your Bluetooth speaker, whip out your AirPods, or put your headphones on! A fresh episode of Fratello Talks is here. This week, Daan and Laurits join your host, Nacho, to chat about wearing classically-sized watches. That's right! We're talking 36mm maximum and a minimum of 32mm, with a sweet spot of 34mm. These numbers read a bit on the smaller side, but once upon a time, 34mm was the standard. Anything bigger would be considered "jumbo" or "o...
Oct 26, 2023•21 min•Season 1Ep. 42
Welcome to this week's episode of Fratello Talks. Today, Lex, Morgan, and Nacho discuss the Tudor Pelagos FXD. They have all four models, from the original Marine Nationale version from 2021 to the latest USN model. Even the two carbon-cased Alinghi Red Bull Racing models are present. So, if you want to know more about how these guys feel about a watch that has dominated Tudor's lineup of releases this year, make sure to tune in!
Oct 19, 2023•24 min•Season 1Ep. 41
Welcome to another episode of Fratello On Air where we discuss our recent picks of the best watches under €5,000. We apologize for the late publishing of this week's episode, but travel is back in season. Get ready for another candid episode with our usual pre-topic banter! Recently, Balazs and I contributed to a running topic on Fratello about the best watches under €5,000. Articles like this always generate a fair amount of feedback which we greatly appreciate. We discuss our picks, some ...
Oct 18, 2023•1 hr 8 min
Welcome, one and all, to this week's episode of Fratello Talks . Today, RJ, Morgan, and your host Nacho gather around the mics to discuss gold and two-tone watches. Each has a different level of experience and many opinions regarding the topic. RJ is a bit of a gold-watch connoisseur, owning more than a couple of 18K heavy hitters. Nacho has dabbled in gold but has never dared to go two-tone (yet). And Morgan has not yet owned a watch with precious metal at all. However, he certainly seems ...
Oct 12, 2023•28 min•Season 1Ep. 40
Welcome to another episode of Fratello On Air. This week, we have a discussion about time-only watches from the '40s and '50s. It's a subject that Balazs knows well and Mike is keen to pick his brain on the subject. This is a slightly different topic for us, so don't expect the usual brands to surface. We hope you enjoy it. Time-only watches from the '40s and '50s are a fascinating subject. These pieces came before the '60s models that we so frequently discuss ...
Oct 10, 2023•2 hr 33 min
This week on Fratello Talks , RJ, Lex, and Nacho discuss their parallel passions beyond watches. Because, believe it or not, it’s not just watches that these guys spend every waking hour of their lives on. However, the approach and nature of their passions are no different. It has been an ongoing discussion here at HQ, so today we share with you our parallel passions (or PPs, as Lex so elegantly put it).
Oct 05, 2023•15 min•Season 1Ep. 39
Welcome to another episode of Fratello On Air. This time, we talk about replacements for three of the most popular watches in existence: the Submariner, Speedmaster, and Calatrava. These watches aren't one-for-one options but are either meant to give off similar feelings or serve a similar purpose. Enjoy the ride! Sometimes, it's difficult to justify spending so much money on a watch. Pieces like the Rolex Submariner, Omega Speedmaster, and Patek Philippe Calatrava are pricey selection...
Oct 02, 2023•2 hr 31 min
In this episode of Fratello Talks, the team (Lex, Nacho, and RJ) talks about Japanese watchmaking. From Citizen to Grand Seiko, we talk about the craftsmanship in Japanese watches, the Zaratsu polishing method, the movements, and what we've seen during our visits to Japan. Japanese watchmaking is or has become synonymous with quality.
Sep 28, 2023•24 min•Season 1Ep. 38
Fratello On Air returns with an admittedly noisy episode. Our apologies, but the show must go on! This week, it's a lighter show as we discuss our recent whereabouts (watches included) and hit upon some new releases. Enjoy the show and the clattering of plates, glassware, and cutlery. Yes, Balazs is on the move again and this time he's competing with a cacophony within the Detroit Lufthansa lounge. Again, we apologize for the ruckus and the audio quality. Mike is within the cozy confin...
Sep 25, 2023•48 min
