In this week's episode of Fratello On Air , we ponder what's wrong with the watch industry. Before you jump to conclusions, we're not upset. We have a wish list and think that certain areas within this sector could use further thoughts or updates. Get ready for a lengthy episode! So, what's wrong with the watch industry? Maybe "wrong" is too harsh a word, but we do see opportunities for improvement or alteration. Don't worry; we keep our suggestions above the beltline, but we do think we score a...
Feb 26, 2024•1 hr 34 min
In this week's episode of Fratello Talks, we're pleased to welcome special guests Jérôme Burgert And Gabriel Vachette, the men behind Serica watches. They join your host and Fratello's managing editor, Nacho Conde, for a deep dive into the every-classy French microbrand ahead of its fifth anniversary. They delve into the brand's origins and evolution over the last few years and give you a small taste of things to come later this year. So, whether you're a fan of the brand, have heard about it, o...
Feb 22, 2024•43 min•Season 2Ep. 9
Fratello On Air is back with another listener-inspired show topic. This week, we talk about the three watches each of us would save from a burning house. Don't worry, we'll keep things light as a real fire is no joke. Of course, expect a bit of banter up front as we work up to the main theme. A fire at home is a terrible thought, so feel free to insert an emergency that would require a near-instantaneous choice of three watches from the collection. No more or no less can be taken. Of course, the...
Feb 20, 2024•1 hr 7 min
On today's episode of Fratello Talks, Nacho, RJ, and Lex take a look at and try to make sense of watch prices today. It's often a hot topic of discussion in the comments. In a world where price increases have become a bi-yearly phenomenon, it's a challenge to keep up with where value lies. But is it a mistake to expect bang-for-buck in the world of luxury? Then, the matter of brands' positioning within the world of watches comes into play. As watch enthusiasts, we are aware of the plate tectonic...
Feb 15, 2024•34 min•Season 2Ep. 8
Fratello On Air returns with an episode featuring a hypothetical question. This is a recurring series and this time we ask what would make us buy a new Seiko. We'll cover more than just sports watches and settle on a few key asks to one of our favorite brands. Enjoy the show! What would make us buy a new Seiko? It's a good question and one that has many different answers. You'll be able to predict some of them while others may surprise you! We hope you enjoy the show and please feel free to comm...
Feb 13, 2024•1 hr 15 min
In this week's episode of Fratello Talks, we're taking a look at three affordable watches that punch above their weight. Nacho, Thomas, and Morgan have set their sights on sub-€500 offerings. This is a space in which the likes of Seiko, Hamilton, and even Tissot once reigned supreme. Today, it's the battleground for many microbrands. But there are still hundreds of options available. Today, we'll take a look at three. Each of the guys has selected one of their favorite watches available at that ...
Feb 08, 2024•21 min•Season 2Ep. 7
Fratello On Air returns after a one-week break. In this episode, we're discussing a topic suggestion from one of our listeners and readers. It's a question that likely comes into most of our minds at some point along the way. Namely, how do we enjoy watch collecting without always thinking about the next acquisition? We share our thoughts. Our listener, "Cleon.XIII," is responsible for this week's episode where we talk about watch collecting and how to find satisfaction without moving on to the ...
Feb 06, 2024•1 hr 11 min
Welcome to this week's episode of Fratello Talks. Today, Nacho is joined by Morgan and RJ to discuss the topic of watch servicing. More specifically, they answer common questions on the topic, including: when should you service your watch? How often should you service your watch? And how much should you expect to pay for a service? Keeping your beloved watch ship-shape is not something you should overlook. Most watch brands have a recommended service interval, but do you really need to stick to ...
Feb 01, 2024•30 min•Season 2Ep. 6
Welcome to this special episode of Fratello Talks for LVMH Watch Week 2024! You join Nacho, Timo, and RJ, who run through the list of releases from Bulgari, TAG Heuer, Hublot, and Zenith. It may yet be early in the year, but we've already seen a ton of new watches. These brands have given us more than a handful of new watches to be excited about. You'll find technically impressive innovations and contemporary takes on classic designs among the novelties. From Zenith adding a classic complication...
Jan 29, 2024•29 min•Season 2Ep. 5
Welcome to this episode of Fratello Talks, where Nacho, Lex, and Laurits try to answer the question: what makes a watch brand great? It's not as obvious as one might imagine. There are as many factors to consider as parts of a watch's movement. Yet a handful of specific criteria come into play in separating the many from the few. From heritage to storytelling and, ultimately, the product itself. Make sure to tune in to this week's discussion for a nuanced dive into the topic as the guys share th...
Jan 25, 2024•26 min•Season 2Ep. 4
Fratello On Air is back with another rip-roaring episode. This time, we talk about what starting over would look like for our watch collections. Of course, we give ourselves all the funds that we've used in the past for watches and are armed with the knowledge we've picked up over the last decade or so. We hope you enjoy it! One of our favorite readers, "Goldenyears," commented on our last podcast with the following: "Sometimes I wonder what watches would I own if I could start all over again fr...
Jan 23, 2024•1 hr 24 min
Welcome to the year's third episode of Fratello Talks. Today, Nacho is joined by Morgan and RJ to discuss the most important watches of the last five years. We had a look back and carefully selected nine pieces that we consider to be the most influential, impactful, and interesting horological creations of the last half-decade. Swiss watch brands present hundreds (if not thousands) of new watches each year. In an effort to innovate, iterate, and attract potential customers around the world, thes...
Jan 18, 2024•35 min•Season 2Ep. 3
Welcome to another episode of Fratello On Air! This week, we talk about curating our watch collections. That's a large topic with a lot of room for discussion. How have our interests changed over time and where do we go to look for help? Enjoy the casual discussion between two watch addicts who own and admire a wide variety of pieces. Watch collections are a funny thing. Some folks stick to one or two themes while others seem to have no rhyme or reason. Both of us seem to fall into the latter ca...
Jan 16, 2024•1 hr 13 min
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. Ultimately, the way ...
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 desired chang...
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 then look ahead...
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 send the ...
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 epis...
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 before, playing catch...
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 than ou...
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 comments, but ...
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 different horologi...
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 wrists over the past 11 m...
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, transport, and strap chang...
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's last Time4APint get-together. We...
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
