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!
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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 see...
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 thi...
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 affor...
Welcome to another on-location episode of Fratello Talks , this time from the Watch Valley event in Utrecht, where the Swatch Group unveiled its latest novelties for 2025. In attendance were Nacho, Daan, and RJ, keen to get a full preview of the year's releases from the brands present. The event was packed with exciting novelties from Hamilton, Tissot, Rado, Certina, Balmain, and, for the first time, Mido.
Have you ever wanted to know what it’s like to enter the space where watches are made? These very real places remain an abstract thought to most people, as passionate as they may be about the time-telling objects on their wrists. You can read about them, see images and video, and hear all about them, but that only provides a two-dimensional view. As media voices in this field, we have often been lucky to get the immersive experience of visiting a Swiss watch manufacture . Today, Nacho, Lex, and ...
This week, on Fratello Talks , RJ, Thomas, and Nacho are taking on a topic that’s as old as the watch industry itself: storytelling. For decades, brands have built emotional bridges to their customers with tales of adventure, endurance, and achievement. Think of the watches strapped to astronauts on lunar missions, divers exploring the ocean’s depths, or pilots navigating across continents. These stories transformed watches from mere tools into symbols of aspiration and identity. But the landsca...
Welcome back to another episode of Fratello On Air. This week, we answer a listener's question about the watches new collectors should consider when entering the hobby. It's a question that has been asked many times, but, frankly, it's been a while since we've tackled it. For our listeners, the watch talk begins after 23 minutes. Years ago, when we were new collectors, the Seiko SKX007 was the natural response when someone asked about the best first watch. It was affordable, tough, and had enoug...
A couple of weeks ago, we discussed what we considered some of the best watches of 2025 overall. We realized that chronographs were somewhat underrepresented in that episode and couldn't let that fly. Today on Fratello Talks , we're discussing the best chronographs of 2025 (so far). You join Nacho, RJ, and Thomas in the studio, each of whom has selected three of their favorite chronos released over the year until now. So, if you're looking to do a bit of on-the-fly timing (or want a perfectly so...
In the nearly 15 years since I began collecting watches in earnest, the watch industry has experienced significant growth. The last couple of years, however, have been a challenge. Inflation, geopolitical events, and other headwinds have now emerged. This has resulted in a tough market and high retail prices. So, what should brands do to reignite the passions of collectors and buyers? We don't have all the answers, but we discuss the topic in today's episode. Yes, it's tough out there, and while...
Watch modding is a topic close to many watch enthusiasts' hearts. It can also go from just a bit of fun to hugely controversial in the blink of an eye. In today's episode of Fratello Talks , Nacho, RJ, and Thomas dive into the topic, sharing their experiences with modding watches and highlighting some notable examples of both entry-level and high-end work. They also consider the brands' perspective on having their watches modified and the potential dangers behind modifying a watch to appear more...
The concept of a microbrand is not new per se. Small independent watch brands were plentiful in the pre-quartz times. However, the term as we know it today has only been around in the watch world for the last two decades. Contemporary microbrands are a different beast altogether, and though they come in many shapes and sizes, one thing is certain: they have established themselves as key players in the broader watch industry. On this episode of Fratello Talks , Nacho, RJ, and Daan discuss the rol...
In case you haven't noticed, the first half of the year is already behind us. What better time to look back at some of the best watches of 2025 so far? That's precisely what RJ, Daan, and Nacho are doing on today's episode of Fratello Talks . The past six months have hosted hundreds of watch releases from as many brands, meaning the guys won't be able to do them all justice. Still, they decided to pick five watches each to offer a decent selection and keep the episode from running over an hour. ...
Timekeeping is a key element in most sports disciplines, so it should come as no surprise that the world of horology has long-standing ties to sports. In today's episode of Fratello Talks , the guys look at that link and discuss the presence and influence of watch brands in sports. Nacho is joined by RJ and Lex, who run through some of their most memorable watch brand/sport pairings. They also look at sponsored athletes and teams, official timekeepers, and the many other ways the watch world has...
Welcome back to another episode of Fratello On Air ! This week, we aim to debunk some of the most prevalent myths surrounding our beloved watch-collecting hobby. Some will be obvious, but some require some discussion. Enjoy the show! Misconceptions within the hobby have run rampant for as long as folks have been collecting watches. Therefore, it's time for us to challenge these beliefs. We can thank one of our longstanding listeners, thelostspringbar, for our topic. Specifically, he asked about ...
This Fratello Talks episode features Nacho, Dan, and Thomas sharing their top watch picks under €5,000 for 2025, excluding pre-owned models. The hosts dive into a diverse selection of timepieces, discussing everything from unique micro-brand designs like Holthinrix to iconic models from Cartier and robust tool watches from Tudor and Sinn. They also highlight the value and appeal of brands like NOMOS, Fears, Bulgari, and Doxa at this price point.
Today on Fratello Talks , we are joined by special guest Øystein Husby, co-founder of Straum watches. RJ and Nacho sit down with him to talk all things Straum, including the brand's origins, meeting co-founder Lasse Farstad at the Oslo School of Architecture and Design, how their background in design and love for Norway's wild nature has inspired their watches, recent innovations, and finally, the new Fratello × Straum Jan Mayen Titanium. Our second collaboration with the brand is available for ...
Welcome back to another episode of Fratello On Air ! Please forgive us for the tardy release, but Balazs is traveling far away on the west coast of Canada. This week, we discuss the idea of a summer watch. Normally, this topic inspires lists of dive watches, but we take a slightly different track. Enjoy! If May and June are predictors, this summer is shaping up to be a hot one! Therefore, it calls for putting some thought into one's wristwear. In this episode, we conclude that a summer watch isn...
Hublot has gotten a pretty bad rap in recent times. The brand is often dismissed as the butt of online commentators' jokes, but we don't feel this is entirely fair, so in today's episode, we're looking at the other side of things. RJ, Thomas, and Nacho have each whipped up three reasons why you should buy a Hublot or, rather, why one might consider buying one of the brand's watches. Before that, we briefly review the brand's history, from its inception in 1980 by Italian watchmaker Carlo Crocco ...
Welcome back to another episode of Fratello On Air ! We've been away for a while, but we're here and talking about new releases. In particular, we're discussing the barrage of dive watch announcements from multiple brands. As always, expect candid commentary and a bit of fun! That's right — we're back! Over the last several weeks, we've been traveling and engaging in watch-related activities such as get-togethers and brand events. We mention some of these and, naturally, we engage in a bit of ba...
Today on Fratello Talks , Nacho, Thomas, and Lex join forces to discuss the topic of watch styling for enthusiasts, sharing some of their thoughts, opinions, and methods. Though some people like to think of watches as functional objects, they are closer to fashion accessories in today's world. As much as that might sound like blasphemy to some, it's hard to deny that it's the truth. Many watches have blurred the lines between function and fashion, so it's worth acknowledging the potential sartor...
Rolex only makes one chronograph, and it's called the Daytona. This has been a statement of fact since the first model bearing the name was created in 1963. Okay, fine; there's one notable exception, the Yacht-Master II. But we'll leave that as a topic for another day. Today on Fratello Talks , it's all about our favorite modern Rolex Daytonas! Nacho, RJ, and Lex are in the studio and have each picked a trio of references that they are partial to. Just like when we picked our favorite Speedmaste...
We're all more than familiar with the Speedmasters, Submariners, and Royal Oaks of this world. We're even familiar with the Ingenieurs, Reversos, and Andy Warhols. But many watches in top brands' catalogs are painfully overlooked. On today's episode of Fratello Talks, we're taking a look at a handful of them. You might not hear about these watches every day, but we believe they deserve more credit than they get. Of course, these will just be some of the many underappreciated watches out there, s...
Today, we're looking at some of the best watches under €2,500 in production right now. This is one of the most contested price points in the watch market, though many brands that previously operated in it have slowly but surely priced themselves out. That said, a handful of microbrands, both new and old, have made sure not to leave this bracket empty. Nacho, Thomas, and Daan have each selected a handful of favorites at this price. These include some from mainstream brands and several less obviou...
Welcome to another installment of Fratello On Air . This week, we respond to a listener's request for a strap episode. Today's show covers how to choose, which brands we enjoy, and pairing specific watches. Enjoy it! For our listeners, the watch content begins after approximately 21 minutes. There's no other way to put it — Balazs is a strap monster! His Watch Strap Review articles are legendary and quite literally span the globe, as far as covering different makers. Comparatively speaking, Mike...
It's no secret that we're Speedmaster fans here at Fratello. RJ, our founder, is an avid collector of these chronographs and the mind behind #SpeedyTuesday. But not all Speedies are created equal. Today, we're looking at some of the best modern Omega Speedmaster models. RJ, Thomas, and Nacho have tasked themselves with selecting their top five favorites. Now, as mentioned, we're focusing only on "modern" models, meaning only those introduced or available during the past 25 years. Though the watc...
Welcome back to another episode of Fratello On Air ! This week, we discuss a recent news story about another questionable vintage watch. We aren't taking sides, but it allows us to mention, yet again, the pain it causes the hobby. Still, plenty of great pieces are out there if you do your homework. Another week, another newsworthy big-ticket vintage watch with incorrect, fake, or swapped parts. It's the kind of news vintage collectors hate to read! Then again, it's nice to see that the hobby has...
Every other week, we're bombarded with an onslaught of new watches. And though we're not too upset about it in principle, the incessant pace at which the majority of watch brands pump out new products has recently had us asking, "Are watch brands doing too much?" Today, on Fratello Talks , Nacho, Thomas, and Gerard join forces to discuss the topic. Of the three, Thomas has the unique perspective of owning and managing a watch brand. Gerard can provide some perspective as a former retailer and fr...
Welcome to the latest episode of Fratello On Air ! This week, we imagine certain current brands as independent watchmakers. The topic was a lot of fun to discuss and came as a suggestion from two of our listeners. Enjoy the show! Most of today's watch brands belong to large groups. Undoubtedly, this helped many survive the Quartz Crisis during the '70s. However, what if some brands went independent? In today's episode, we envision several companies on their own and what it would look like. Handg...
Regardless of your opinion on the brand, there’s bound to be a Rolex out there for just about anyone. The brand’s back catalog is vast and full of brilliant references. On today’s episode of Fratello Talks, we’re each picking three of our all-time favorites. Nacho, Thomas, and Lex have done some research, but little to no alignment ahead of this impromptu episode, so there’s bound to be plenty of deep cuts, some overlap, and on-the-fly changes. In the end, each of the guys ends up pretty pleased...
Welcome to another episode of Fratello On Air. This week, we cover the latest news on watches and other subjects. We discuss the 250th Anniversary of Breguet and several other high-end brands. It was a relatively quiet week on the watch front, but there were still releases and news. Breguet released its first anniversary model, and it's worth some words. This leads to our thoughts on other higher-end brands. Also, we discuss Rolex, but not in the way you'd expect. Handgelenkskontrolle We kick of...
