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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. 1d ago

    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.

  2. 5d ago

    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.

  3. Sep 29

    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.

  4. Sep 24

    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.

  5. Sep 17

    Fratello Talks: Our Favorite Vintage Rolex Watches

    When it comes to vintage watches, few brands have as much depth as Rolex. Over more than a century, the company has produced an enormous range of models, references, and variations that have become firmly established among collectors. From tool watches built for specific purposes to understated everyday models, there's plenty to explore beyond the obvious choices. In this episode of Fratello Talks, Nacho, Jorg, and Max discuss their favorite vintage Rolex models. Each has selected two watches that stand out due to their design, history, collectibility, and simply how much they enjoy them. The vintage Rolex catalog has plenty of familiar names, but it's interesting to see what references the guys gravitate toward. If you want to find out which watches made the cut, tune in!

  6. Sep 10

    Fratello Talks: The Vintage Watches We'd Buy Under €5,000

    Vintage watches can seem intimidating when you first start looking. There are unfamiliar references, decades of production changes, questions about originality, and the ever-present possibility of an expensive service bill. But you don't necessarily need a huge budget to get into vintage watches. In fact, €5,000 opens up a surprisingly broad selection. In this episode of Fratello Talks, Nacho is joined by Daan and Max, the latter of whom usually spends his time behind the camera but joins the podcast for this episode. The three discuss the vintage watches they would consider buying with a €5,000 budget. Each participant has selected three watches, with a few honorable mentions along the way. As always, the aim isn't to create a definitive buying guide. Instead, it's an opportunity to explore some options at this price point and explain what makes them interesting.

  7. Sep 9

    Fratello On Air: The Trends At Geneva Watch Days 2026

    Welcome back to another episode of Fratello On Air! This week, we're both back home. Balazs has returned from Geneva, and Mike has come in after three weeks of being on the road. In this episode, we review the overarching trends at Geneva Watch Days 2026 along with the top releases. Enjoy the show! Well, another month has gone by, and the year's final big show in Geneva has passed. Geneva Watch Days is now in the rearview mirror, but were there any common trends among the many participating brands? We discuss that and more today. Handgelenkskontrolle We kick off our show with more travel fun. This time, our beloved Frankfurt Airport is back in focus. Sadly, it's not for the best reason. Despite the recent trends of trouble-free travel, the big transportation hub struck again! Next, Balazs shares news that Daniel Craig auctioned his 1959 Land Rover 109 Series II for $56,000. On television, we've been watching Lanterns, Lioness, Reacher, and Silo. Then, for the Handgelenkskontrolle, we've got a fun assortment. Mike is wearing his 2022 Sinn EZM 1.1 S, a limited-edition black-coated piece. Meanwhile, Balazs is wearing the first release from the Donut Watch Co., the Glazed. This fun watch was designed by Ming but shouldn't be confused with a Ming! Trends at Geneva Watch Days 2026 This year, Balazs traveled to Geneva Watch Days 2026 while Mike spent the week working in Germany. So, one was in person while the other read and viewed the happenings via social media and our website. Regarding trends, we noticed an uptick in jump-hour watches, with brands like M.A.D.Editions and Bremont adding new models. Also, stone dials still seem to be in vogue. Naturally, Dennison continues to play this card. From a color perspective, is deep red this year's purple? Bremont and Doxa certainly think so! Finally, smaller, thinner watches continue to be all the rage. Regarding some of the key releases, we mention the Gallet launch. Then, Balazs was quite taken with the Alpina Startimer Solar Pilot Solarmetre. Frederique Constant also has a strong lineup with the Moneta Handwinding and the Highlife Moonphase. Finally, we mention the new Zenith Chronomaster Solo Sport. We hope you enjoy today's episode and thank you for listening. As always, feel free to let us know if you have any topics you'd like us to discuss in future shows.

  8. Sep 3

    Fratello Talks: The Best Watches Of 2026 So Far

    We're already well into 2026, and the watch industry has given us plenty to talk about. From major releases by established manufacturers to smaller brands introducing watches that caught our attention, there has been no shortage of new things to discover. But which watches actually stand out? In this episode of Fratello Talks, Nacho is joined by Daan and Jorg to look back at the first part of 2026 and discuss some of their favorite watches released so far. Rather than trying to create a definitive ranking, the conversation focuses on the watches that made an impression and why they stood out. With several months still left in the year, there is plenty of room for the list to change. That makes this a useful moment to take stock of what we've seen so far.

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Hosts & Guests

4.6
out of 5
104 Ratings

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
    465
  • Rating
    Explicit
  • Copyright
    © 2026 Fratello.com
  • Show Website
    Fratello.com

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