A regular podcast about watches. Hosted by Fratello Magazine. During our podcast shows, we discuss watches, the watch industry, watch collecting, watches events and more. Make sure to subscribe!
Don't just listen to podcasts. Learn from them with transcripts, summaries, and chapters for every episode. Skim, search, and bookmark insights. Learn more
On the 225th anniversary of the tourbillon patent, we sit down with Breguet CEO Gregory Kissling. Before taking the helm at Breguet on October 1st, 2024, Kissling served as Vice President of Product at Omega. Having known him for many years and collaborated on memorable projects such as the Speedmaster Speedy Tuesday editions of 2017 and 2018, we were especially excited to see him take on the role of CEO at Breguet. In this episode of Fratello Talks , Kissling walks us through the newest Breguet...
Welcome back to another episode of Fratello On Air ! This week, we talk about car watches, a curious subgenre within our hobby. Sure, the automobile industry is massive and has an equally huge fan base, but collaborations between watch and car brands often misfire. This draws us into a conversation about what we think of when pairing our vehicles with a watch. Whether it's for driving or attending a related event, what works best? Yes, in this episode, we tackle a challenging topic. Or, for some...
For many collectors, buying a watch is about far more than the watch itself. The experience of discovering, trying on, and ultimately purchasing a watch can shape how we feel about it long after it leaves the boutique. Yet not all retail experiences are created equal. Some leave a lasting impression for all the right reasons, while others can sour the excitement of a purchase before it even happens. In this episode of Fratello Talks , Nacho is joined by RJ and Thomas to discuss the watch retail ...
Welcome to another episode of Fratello On Air ! This week, we talk about how hype can help or hurt brands. Naturally, there are plenty of other topics on the docket, including television, German culture, and more! Hype is a funny thing. Nearly everyone or every company wants it, but at some point, enough can be enough. From one-hit wonders to oversaturation, there is no shortage of examples of when a once-popular topic becomes played out or hackneyed. While we aren't here to predict which brands...
All watch collectors have one watch that they will never part with. It might not be the most expensive piece in the collection, the rarest, or even the one that gets the most wrist time. Sometimes, a watch becomes irreplaceable for reasons that have very little to do with specifications, market value, or prestige. In this episode of Fratello Talks , Nacho is joined by Daan and Thomas to discuss the watches they simply couldn't imagine selling. Along the way, the conversation touches on sentiment...
Welcome back to another episode of Fratello On Air ! As promised, we've returned after a week with more banter and plenty of watch talk. This time around, we discuss the oft-mentioned summer watch and how we feel about it in 2026. Of course, we cover plenty of other subjects. Enjoy the show! Ah, the summer watch. If given little thought, it's easy to call it a diver and walk away, but we find that definition limiting. We eventually come to the topic but hit upon more than a handful of other watc...
For years, the assumption was that the world would only become more digital — more connected, more automated, more dependent on screens. And yet, in recent years, there seems to have been a subtle shift in the opposite direction. Vinyl records are thriving, physical books remain popular, wired headphones and MP3 players are back, and younger generations increasingly talk about wanting more intentional, less connected experiences. So, where do mechanical watches fit into all of this? In this epis...
Welcome to a long-awaited episode of Fratello On Air ! Well, at least we're excited to be back. It's been a while, meaning we'll cover some recent news from the watch industry, sneaker landscape, television, and even our personal lives. We look forward to catching up with you! It's been nearly two months since we last published an episode of Fratello On Air . Yes, that's too long, but life has gotten in the way. It's mainly Mike who has had a crazy travel schedule, with just 36 hours spent in th...
Every watch collector has wondered about this at some point. If you could go back to the beginning, armed with everything you know now, what would you do differently? Would you buy fewer watches, take bigger risks, or even skip certain phases altogether? In this episode of Fratello Talks , Nacho is joined by RJ and Timo to tackle exactly that question. Looking at today's watch landscape rather than the one they entered years ago, the three discuss the watches they would buy if they were starting...
Most of us here at Fratello love vintage watches, but not all of us are comfortable buying and wearing them. Do you wear it, or do you spare it? Damaging a vintage watch can be expensive, but it might also just feel wrong to wear it daily. Can it withstand today's abuse? Is it still water resistant enough? How about shocks? In this week's installment of Fratello Talks , RJ, Max, and Daan discuss whether they wear or spare their (neo-)vintage watches.
Mechanical watches were once essential tools for pilots, divers, scientists, race car drivers, etc. You’ve probably seen the advertisements in old National Geographic magazines, showing spelunkers proudly wearing their Rolex Explorers or a pilot checking his Breitling Navitimer, using it to calculate fuel consumption. For many years (decades) now, this has been handled digitally, as that’s quicker and perhaps more reliable and precise. Yet, we still call certain timepieces “tool watches.” Prime ...
Watch prices have been creeping upward for years, but recently, it feels like something more fundamental is happening. It’s no longer just about incremental increases, as entire segments seem to be shifting. Brands are moving into price territory once occupied by others, microbrands are pushing higher than ever before, and the old mental map of “what you get for your money” is becoming harder to navigate. In this episode of Fratello Talks, Nacho is joined by Daan and Thomas to unpack this growin...
Skeletonized watches and openworked dials seem to be everywhere this year. From subtle cutouts that reveal just a hint of mechanics to fully open displays that showcase the entire movement, brands across price segments are leaning into transparency. Whether driven by aesthetics, technical ambition, or simply a desire to stand out, it’s a trend that’s hard to ignore. In this episode of Fratello Talks , Nacho is joined by Thomas and Lex to discuss what feels like a particularly strong year so far ...
Another Watches and Wonders is in the books, and as always, it takes a moment to process everything. Between the main fair at Palexpo, meetings across Geneva, and visits to the various satellite events around the city, the week becomes a blur of watches, conversations, and quick (yet lasting) impressions. Only afterward do the highlights start to settle. In this episode of Fratello Talks, Nacho is joined by Daan and Max (our man behind the camera, making his podcast debut) to debrief after a pac...
"Chronometer" is one term that frequently comes up in watchmaking. We see it stamped on dials, highlighted in marketing materials, and often used as a synonym for "high quality." But how much does chronometer certification actually matter to us as collectors? In this episode of Fratello Talks , Nacho is joined by Daan and RJ to unpack the role of this certification in modern watch collecting. Is it something we actively look for? Does it influence buying decisions? Or is it one of those things t...
We all have watches we absolutely love but would hesitate to recommend to someone else. That might sound contradictory at first, but spend enough time in this hobby, and it starts to make sense. Not every great watch is universally great. Some require a certain mindset, a specific wrist, or simply a willingness to embrace their quirks. In this episode of Fratello Talks , Nacho, Daan, and RJ discuss precisely those watches — the ones they enjoy for themselves but wouldn’t necessarily suggest as a...
This episode explores underrated vintage watch brands offering great value and satisfaction beyond well-known marques. Discussions range from Bulova's diverse styles to Roamer's unique designs and Mido's pioneering automatic movements. The hosts share insights on finding hidden gems, including department store brands that often featured rebadged movements from famous manufacturers.
Spend enough time around watches, whether at events, in boutiques, or just talking to fellow enthusiasts, and you start to notice the same talking points coming up again and again. Certain topics seem to define how we think about watches today. In this episode of Fratello Talks , Nacho is joined by Lex and RJ to unpack those recurring conversations. The idea for the episode came to Lex while chatting with a friend and watchmaker in Geneva, a reminder that even at the heart of the industry, the s...
It’s a question that comes up from time to time in today’s watch world: Does resale value affect how much you enjoy a watch? With secondary market prices discussed almost as frequently as specifications, it’s hard to ignore the financial side of collecting. In this episode of Fratello Talks , RJ, Thomas, and Nacho discuss whether resale value changes the way we approach watches. Does strong value retention make a watch easier to enjoy, or does thinking about future resale quietly undermine the w...
This episode of Fratello On Air delves into the complex world of vintage watch pricing, addressing a listener's query about market transparency. Mike and Balazs discuss the challenges of valuing vintage pieces, differentiating trustworthy dealers from those creating artificial hype, and the importance of extensive personal research. They share insights on when to buy from a dealer versus sourcing independently, analyzing factors like condition, rarity, and the limitations of reliable market data, ultimately advising collectors to prioritize due diligence and cross-referencing information before making a purchase.
The microbrand segment of the watch industry has evolved dramatically over the last decade. What once felt like a niche corner of the horology world has grown into a thriving ecosystem of small companies producing thoughtful, design-driven watches. Some focus on value, others on originality, and a few are beginning to push the boundaries of what a small brand can achieve. In this episode of Fratello Talks , Nacho, Daan, and RJ discuss the microbrands they believe are worth keeping an eye on in 2...
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, I don't mean the salacious kind, but when you know of something good that others are ignoring. Sometimes, it's the...
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's share of options. Still, they managed to put together a varied series of watches, both new and pre-owned. Be sure t...
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 overused? And are we, as enthusiasts, partly to blame for demanding 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 terms of enjoyment. How do you keep things fresh? How do you avoid burnout? And how do you build a ...
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. Sadly, on one of the trips, he had a very Balazs-like travel experience involving planes and trains. If he did have a time m...
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 the different approaches to buying that first “serious” watch. Should you go safe and classic? Should you follow your hear...
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 resistance. The guys also offer some easy-to-follow advice to keep your watches safe from a watery demise.
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's episode of Fratello Talks. Nacho, RJ, and Lex are in the studio, and they go through many of the reasons why, to them, wa...
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 are in the studio to talk through some of the major releases from Zenith, Hublot, Daniel Roth, Louis Vuitton, Geral...
