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Fratello Watches
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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!

  1. 2 days ago

    Fratello Talks: Picking Watches For James Bond Villains

    James Bond has worn some memorable watches over the years, but what about the people standing in his way? A villain's watch needs to do more than tell the time. It can hint at character, signal status, or offer a subtle clue about the wearer. So, which watches would suit the villains of the Bond universe? In this episode of Fratello Talks, Nacho, RJ, and Jorg turn their attention to the other side of 007's world. They pick watches for Bond villains, considering the characters' personalities and the details that might make a particular watch a good fit. We won't reveal their choices here. You'll have to listen to find out which watches each of them picked and whether the others agree.

  2. 3 days ago

    Fratello On Air: What Will It Take To Turn The Vintage Speedmaster Market Around?

    Welcome back to another episode of Fratello On Air! This week, we have an open chat about what it might take to turn the vintage Speedmaster market around. Let's face it: it has been quiet for a long time. We'd love nothing more than to see the enthusiasm return and hear your thoughts on what could help. Enjoy the show! Oof, it's been a hot minute since the vintage Speedmaster was all the rage. Then again, we could say that about the vintage market as a whole. But when it comes to our favorite Omega, we long for the halcyon days of hot releases, newly uncovered history, and fan outreach. Still, 2026 is very different from the pre-pandemic period. A lot has changed, so perhaps the old ways of stirring up excitement might not prove as effective. Or would they be seen as even more authentic in today's Speedy world? Handgelenkskontrolle This week, we have about 35 minutes of watch- and non-watch-related banter before we move on to the main topic. We start with Balazs's recent trip to New York City, where he visited WatchTime New York and Windup. He also took time to do some work while in the Big Apple. We reflect on his trip, some folks he met, and the general vibe. Mike shares a fun anecdote from a recent trip to Amsterdam where he met one of our listeners in the most unlikely of forums. Then, we talk about Balazs's flight back from New York on a Lufthansa A340-600. It turns out that this was the last flight for the old four-engine long-haul plane before its retirement. This was a festive affair! For the Handgelenkskontrolle, Balazs is wearing his favorite travel watch, the Casio G-Shock GW-B5600-2ER. Mike is on topic with his 2018 Speedmaster Professional Speedy Tuesday 2 "Ultraman." The vintage Speedmaster market If we measure vintage watch collecting in five-year cycles, anyone who entered the hobby during this period might question if the vintage Speedmaster was ever popular. Indeed, it has been a long time since the seminal chronograph made front-page auction news (for positive reasons). Of course, vintage '60s sports watches have also been in a relative slump during this period, but it seems to hit harder for our beloved Omega because it is the brand's most iconic model. We break down why this has occurred and what it could take for one of our favorite vintage watches to return to the spotlight. Unlike many modern watches, we see the vintage Speedmaster market inextricably linked to the modern models. This is ironic because the modern Speedmaster Professional lineup has never been better. However, is it possible that the grassroots fans miss the days of limited-edition space-inspired releases? We think so, although we have questions about whether the formula would still work at today's Speedmaster price point. Then, we discuss how buying a Speedmaster, for many, was and is like joining a friendly club. Owning a new or old model grants access to this group. We'd love to see Omega step back into more outreach to the fan base with Speedy-related events involving current astronauts. After all, Omega is one of the few large-scale brands that can offer this level of credible engagement. We feel these are just some of the steps the marque could take to reenergize the vintage Speedmaster market while driving even more excitement for the modern pieces. But you'll need to tune in to hear the rest of our thoughts! Thanks for listening to today's episode! If you have thoughts on future topics, please let us know.

  3. 15 Oct

    Fratello Talks: The Omega Speedmaster Reduced

    For many watch enthusiasts, the Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch is untouchable. But there’s another model that has earned its rightful place in the collection — the Speedmaster Reduced. Smaller, automatic, and often more accessible on the pre-owned market, it offers a different take on one of Omega’s best-known chronographs. In this episode of Fratello Talks, Nacho, RJ, and Gerard look back at the origins of the Speedmaster Reduced and its place in the wider Speedmaster story. They discuss what made it appealing, the quirks and technical issues that prospective owners should know about, and how it compares with the modern Speedmaster 38 and the latest evolution of the smaller Speedmaster.

  4. 8 Oct

    Fratello Talks: Sylvain Berneron

    Today, in a special episode of Fratello Talks, Nacho and Lex are in Geneva for a chat with independent watch designer and entrepreneur Sylvain Berneron. The conversation kicks off with Berneron’s career in design, his time at major watch companies, and his decision to establish a brand of his own. Berneron’s background is somewhat unusual for an independent watchmaker. Trained in fine arts and industrial design, he began his career at BMW before spending five years with Richemont and another five as chief product officer and board member at Breitling. In September 2022, he decided to leave this comfortable scenario and create the Berneron brand, giving him the creative freedom to explore ideas that would have been difficult to pursue within a large organization. The result was the Mirage, introduced in 2023. From the start, Berneron approached the watch from the movement outward, allowing the unusual asymmetrical caliber to dictate the case's shape. The watch quickly attracted attention for that combination of mechanics, proportions, and design.

  5. 6 Oct

    Fratello On Air: Are You Safe Online As A Watch Collector?

    Welcome to another episode of Fratello On Air. We're back from the road with your latest dose of watch talk. Today, we're entertaining a topic from one of our favorite listeners, Roy! No, we're not talking about Speedos by the pool, but we're trying to answer whether it's safe to discuss our hobby online. Enjoy the show! Is it safe to discuss watches online? Well, we think the answer is challenging, but as we'll see, it depends. Today, we touch on several points regarding Roy's topic and even share some of the advice we follow. No, this isn't another big-city-safety discussion. This time, it's about online safety. Handgelenkskontrolle Before answering whether it's safe to chat about timepieces online, we cover a wide range of topics in our banter session. Regarding TV, we've been on a tear. The Hunter Wives, Mobland, Slow Horses, The Wargame, and Lanterns have all graced our big screens recently. Then, we get into a discussion about German watches and whether or not they ultimately leave us cold because of their instrument-like styling. Next, Balazs mentions the 1998 Game 4 NBA Finals Michael Jordan jersey that sold for an astounding US$12.3 million! On top of that, his former Ferrari 550 Maranello hammered for a record US$2.7 million. That's crazy! Balazs also shares a recent trip to the Black Forest, where he attended a release event for the latest Hanhart 417 ES Steve McQueen model. For the Handgelenkskontrolle, Mike is wearing his Citizen Promaster BN0220 after some lawn work over the weekend. Meanwhile, Balazs is a hipster with the surprise-hit DWC Terra. Look out for a hands-on review soon! Is it safe online to post and discuss watches? Our eternally tan friend Roy sent a lengthy topic suggestion. We've done our best to boil it down to his concerns. He brought up instant-messaging platforms and their security. Perhaps more timely, though, he mentioned the current word that dominates most conversations — "AI." In other words, with AI truly spreading like wildfire, does this mean our supposedly secure online chats are safe? When we use an AI chat helper with questions like "Who has the best collection in our chat group?" is this information kept secure?  Well, we aren't tech-security folks, but I think most of us act on the presumption that our chats are protected and held in confidence. Still, it makes sense to read further about which controls are in place by platform and decide which is safest. Regarding social media platforms, including Instagram, it was fun in the beginning to collect followers and likes. However, many of these feel-good indications were either bots or sellers of fake watches. For several years, Mike has held a private account and even blocked many followers. Other tips are to turn off location services, refrain from sharing exact locations unless they're well-known landmarks, and think twice about who is actually on the other side of a conversation. We're not scaremongering, and thankfully, we've never suffered any ill effects from our online ventures, but plenty have. Let us know what steps you take to keep yourself and your watches safe online. We'd love to hear your suggestions! Thanks for listening to this latest episode, and thanks to Roy for suggesting the topic. Feel free to let us know if you have any other ideas for show themes.

  6. 2 Oct

    Fratello Talks: Can Brand Ambassadors Help Create A New Generation Of Watch Enthusiasts?

    Brand ambassadors have long been part of the watch industry. From actors and athletes to musicians and explorers, these familiar faces help bring brands' watches to a wider audience. But can that visibility do more than sell watches? Can it spark interest in horology among people who might never have given the hobby a second thought? In this episode of Fratello Talks, Nacho, RJ, and Daan discuss the role of brand ambassadors and their potential to introduce watches to a new generation of enthusiasts. We look at what makes an ambassador effective, whether a celebrity connection can translate into genuine enthusiasm, and how these partnerships fit into an industry that increasingly reaches people through social media and popular culture.

  7. 29 Sept

    Fratello On Air: Does Watch Financing Help Or Hurt The Hobby?

    Welcome to another episode of Fratello On Air. We're back after a couple of weeks under the weather and ready to talk watches. But we're not just talking about them; we're also asking whether watch financing has helped or hurt the hobby we all enjoy. Perhaps that's an easy question, but the tougher one is whether we'd do it! We hope you enjoy the episode. Unless you've been living under a rock for the last several years, it's impossible not to notice the easy offers of watch financing on every retailer's website. In fact, paying in installments is even an option on eBay! Today, we'll talk about the effect on the industry and whether we'd ever consider it.  Handgelenkskontrolle This week, after a brief discussion about our recent maladies, we discuss the Laver Cup. Mike attended the final day in London and reflects on the experience. This kicks off a discussion about Rolex, the brand's sponsorship of the tournament, and some of the other watches seen on the players and coaches. Next, Balazs mentions Michael Jordan's former Ferrari 550 Maranello, which is currently up for auction on Joopiter. Then, Mike mentions the Donut Watch, which arrived soon after our last episode. For the Handgelenkskontrolle, Balazs is wearing the new Albishorn Type X-Graph, a cool chronograph with a polycarbonate dial. Mike is rather boring because he's still wearing the same watch as three weeks ago! It's his trusty Rolex Submariner 14060M. Watch financing Our longtime listener Cezary recently wrote to us asking whether watch financing has been a boon to the industry. Well, the short answer is that, of course, it has benefitted sellers. That said, is it an option buyers should consider? Mike recalls buying his Rolex Explorer 14270 back in 1998 using a 0% store credit card financing scheme over 12 months. It worked, but we're sure the scheme often backfired on buyers. Furthermore, we can imagine it's tempting to purchase a watch that's tough to find when the funds aren't readily available. But is it the right move to make? Then again, maybe there's a scenario in which a loved one is graduating and a watch is an important gift. We ponder these situations and more on today's episode. We hope you enjoy today's show, and thank you for listening! As always, if you have any ideas for show topics, feel free to let us know.

  8. 24 Sept

    Fratello Talks: If We Could Only Keep One Watch From Our Collection

    What if you had to choose just one watch from your entire collection and let everything else go? No backups, no rotation, and no keeping that one watch you rarely wear “just in case.” In this episode of Fratello Talks, Nacho, RJ, and Daan take on that particularly difficult hypothetical. The interesting part is that choosing one watch isn't necessarily about picking the most expensive, technically impressive, or historically significant piece. A collection can contain watches that serve very different purposes, and personal attachment can matter just as much as specifications. So what happens when all those factors have to compete for a single spot? Tune in to find out.

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Hosts & Guests

About

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!

Information

  • Creator
    Fratello Watches
  • Years Active
    2019 - 2026
  • Episodes
    469
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Fratello.com
  • Show Website
    Fratello.com

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