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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, so if we missed one of your favorites, be sure to let us know.

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 obvious picks from smaller ones. As we have limited the picks to just three each, there are also some honorable mentions, but it's by no means an exhaustive exploration of all the great watches available below the €2.5K price point. So tune in, check out their picks, and let us know your favorites in the comments section below. 

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 is a novice, but he's learned a few tricks from the master. Today, we address the topic from many angles.HandgelenkskontrolleWe kick off the show with some news about local London watch events from Fears and Vacheron Constantin. Regarding TV, Your Friends & Neighbors has started well and offers some watch-related content. For the Handgelenkskontrolle, Mike is wearing his trusty Patek Philippe Calatrava 570 after forgetting to wear a watch during a recent watch event. Balazs is sporting his bulletproof G-Shock GW-B5600-2ER with Bluetooth.Picking the right strap and more!Our listener Alex asked many questions about one of the most important accessories, the watch strap. In this episode, we discuss our favorite brands, including GLC, Gabarro, Delugs, Atelier Romane, and more! Different leather types, styles, and buckles also surface during the conversation. We mention that there's no such thing as a good, dirt-cheap leather strap, but that a good accompaniment doesn't have to cost a fortune. Finally, we respond to Alex's question about pairings with the Tudor Submariner 94010 "Snowflake" and a modern 42mm Zenith Chronomaster.We hope you enjoy today's show and look forward to bringing you more content next week. As always, if you have ideas for future episodes, please let us know!

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 watch has been around for nearly 70 years, a quarter century still leaves us with plenty to pick from. Omega produced countless special and limited editions over the last two and a half decades, so we're truly spoiled for choice.

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 matured to the point where photographic evidence of prior sales is surfacing and helping to prove and disprove claims. Stick around, and we'll address this topic from multiple angles.HandgelenkskontrolleDuring our banter-filled opening section, we mention that the Adidas Stan Smith is back in full-leather as a normal model. This comes after the brand seemingly abandoned the material for the squeaky Primegreen polyurethane. Rejoice! For the Handgelenkskontrolle, Balazs is wearing a new Ming under embargo. Look for the official announcement soon! Mike is wearing a Movado 18241 with a 35mm stainless steel Borgel case. An article on this lovely vintage watch will hit Fratello in the next couple of weeks.Vintage watch troubleLast week, a story surfaced about a false Rolex Daytona Red Khanjar. Perezcope, the well-known sleuth, wrote about the piece, which was commissioned for sale to Menta Watches in Miami. Controversy ensued, and while we don't take sides, the conclusion is clear. It's another black eye for the vintage watch market. As both of us favor vintage over new, we're constantly in touch with listeners considering their first vintage watches. Then, an incident like this occurs, arousing fear and causing a setback. What to do? We hope you enjoy listening to our thoughts on the subject, and we look forward to your comments.Thanks for tuning in to the latest episode. If you have thoughts for future show topics, please feel free to let us know!

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 from his longtime involvement in watch media. Though we're usually thrilled to see new watches, we can't help but feel that things seem to be on a precipitous crescendo. Today, we dive into the topic and look at what underlying factors might be leading to this trend and what we think will come of it.

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.HandgelenkskontrolleWe start our show with a bit of DIY talk. Then, Balazs mentions a recent auction of Kobe Bryant's debut jersey. It sold for US$7 million! For the Handgelenkskontrolle, Mike is wearing a watch that can survive all the yardwork. It's the Citizen Promaster Tough "Ray Mears." Balazs met with a mutual friend from Swatch Group Germany and is sporting his Omega Speedmaster Professional Speedy Tuesday "Ultraman."Current brands going independentFor our main topic, we respond to the request from two of our listeners who asked if some brands could benefit by going independent. We do our best to tackle the subject and mention five marques. Cartier is a huge brand and could likely survive on its own, but we're not sure if there's a benefit to being alone. Longines is a brand that made world-class movements long ago, and we'd love to see some of the classic chronograph movements again. Omega, like Cartier, could likely survive as an independent, and we play out the possible scenarios. Finally, Vacheron Constantin and Panerai make the list as possible spin-offs.We hope you enjoy the show, and thanks to our listeners for the suggestion! If you have ideas for future episodes, please let us know!

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.HandgelenkskontrolleWe kick off the episode with a discussion about a vintage mesh JB Champion bracelet Mike purchased on eBay. It's a nice accompaniment to a Speedmaster, but the current Forstner is a fantastically accurate reissue. Then we discuss several TV shows, including You, Daredevil, and Dope Thief. Balazs has bought new New Balance sneakers, which leads to a discussion on some of the brand's other releases. For the Handgelenkskontrolle, Mike is wearing a 14K Movado "Ellipse" he recently received from his father. Balazs is also wearing a recently acquired family piece, the Girard-Perregaux Scuderia Ferrari Foudroyante Rattrapante.Breguet, Rolex, and other newsWe talk about Rolex because Balazs is potentially in the market for a new model. The Datejust has become quite expensive, especially with the white gold fluted bezel. This has Balazs considering an Oyster Perpetual with a dark green dial. We'll report back once he visits the local AD's to see if there is a waiting list. Breguet released the Classique Souscription 2025, a 40mm gold watch with an enamel dial and one hand. This spawns a longer discussion about the brand and how we hope great releases are coming during this important year. Blancpain and, ultimately, Vacheron get pulled into the episode as we long for iconic classic dress watches.We hope you enjoyed today's show. As always, if you have future topics, please feel free to let us know.

Welcome to another episode of Fratello On Air! This week, we discuss two popular complications and their usefulness. It's the type of nerdy talk we hope you enjoy!Watch complications are a big part of why many of us collect timepieces. Dive watches, chronographs, alarms, and others form the cornerstone of some collections. Today, though, we focus on two types of watches that couldn't be any more different if they tried! The GMT and perpetual calendar genres were popular at Watches and Wonders 2025, so we discuss the utility of each.HandgelenkskontrolleBefore tackling two very different complications, we engage in some banter. This week, we keep it relatively brief and discuss a few TV shows. Silo, 3 Body Problem, Dope Thief, Stranger Things, and You all come up in our chat. Balazs also quickly mentions some New Balance 990V6 Miusa Action Bronson Untitled shoes he will purchase. For the Handgelenkskontrolle, Mike is wearing his Ming 18.01 H41 with a newly received mango rubber strap. It's a great color! Balazs is enjoying his Omega Speedmaster 145.022 transitional from 1968. He has it on a perforated strap from Joseph Bonnie.Complications — useful or useless?For some reason, there were a lot of GMT and perpetual calendar complications at Watches and Wonders 2025. Seeing GMTs wasn't a surprise, but the flood of new perpetual calendars gave us pause. In this episode, we talk about whether anyone is actually using these functions. Simply put, we see a GMT as useful and a perpetual calendar as relatively useless. A GMT is potentially practical, but we bring up that it might be better behind a desk in a global job. A perpetual calendar is interesting and expensive, but does anyone keep them running consecutively to ensure they stay on track? Plus, is this type of complication a way to show off for the wearer and/or the brand? Have a listen, and tell us what you think. Do you or would you use either of these complications?Thanks for listening! If you have ideas for future shows, please let us know.

It's 2025, and dress watches are in! But that doesn't mean you have to dust off your tuxedo. In fact, it's quite the opposite: the dress watch's link to formal attire has never been less relevant than it is today. Dress watches — both in the stricter definition and in adjacent style — are gaining popularity, but it's not because of all the opulent, Great Gatsby-esque cocktail parties that millennials and zoomers are throwing; it's because of a relatively recent styling trend of juxtaposing a geezer-worthy timepiece with the most casual of outfits. Today, on Fratello Talks, we discuss the phenomenon and get into some exquisite examples of recently introduced dress watches. Whether we'll see them poking out from beneath the cuff of a dinner jacket or a Carhartt jacket seems just as likely, but one thing is sure; we're all for it.

We're back with another episode of Fratello On Air. This week, we're wrapping up Watches and Wonders. We've had time to think about the show, the adjoining events, and the watches. You'll hear our impressions and some good old banter. For our listeners, the watch content begins after 30 minutes.Mike is at his childhood home in Parkland, Florida, this week while Balazs is in Germany. We apologize for the late release, but vacations get in the way every so often. We've had some time to digest all the releases and news that occurred in Geneva. Now, we're wrapping up with our thoughts.HandgelenkskontrolleWe kick off our show with errant banter about travel to the USA, current trends, and a bit about old-school Rimowa. Then, it's time to talk TV and the latest shows, including The Last of Us and The Narrow Road to the Deep North. We eventually move on to watches, and Balazs shares that he's finally trying the Ming universal bracelet on his 17.09. It was a slow burn, but now he's hooked on the supple links! Mike is in full vacation mode with his favorite beach watch, the Citizen Promaster BN0220. It's a carefree piece that works well and takes a beating.Wrapping up Watches and Wonders 2025Wrapping up Watches and Wonders isn't the easiest task because it leads to many tangential conversations. We discuss some key trends at the show. Then, we tackle some of the standout releases, such as the Rolex Land-Dweller, Angelus watches, Parmigiani, JLC, and more. We also mention the undeniable rise of Sellita and La Joux-Perret. Finally, we wonder if 2025 was so good or if 2024 was that bad! Regardless, it was a fun show to record, and we hope you enjoy it.Thanks for listening! As always, if you have suggestions for future episodes, just let us know.

We don't just go to Watches and Wonders to get our hands on all the new watches; we also keep our eyes on the bigger picture, looking at the overarching themes that emerge at the show. On today's episode of Fratello Talks, we're looking at some of the trends that we felt were most prominent this year. These are the things we expect to see more of as the year goes on — the influential factors that shape what watch brands will be doing over the coming months. Daan and Lex join Nacho for some trend spotting and to discuss some of the most interesting and noticeable ones they noticed during the fair. 

Welcome to this special installment of Fratello Talks. This is the Watches and Wonders 2025 debrief episode, where Nacho, RJ, Daan, and Lex share their highlights from this year's show. We also discuss just about every brand and novelty released at the fair. Honorable mentions go to some of the novelties released at the other events that took place in town last week. It's not unfair to say that it was the biggest this ever-monumental week for the watch world has been in recent times. There's a lot to take in. So whether you want to hear our take on a specific novelty or to find out what our favorites are, make sure to tune in to this long-form episode of Fratello Talks. 

Welcome back to a special episode of Fratello On Air! This week, we bring you a compilation of recordings from Watches and Wonders 2025. We patched together several segments and even had a guest! Enjoy this inside look at the world's largest watch event.Watches and Wonders 2025 may be over, but it's still fresh in our minds. As we did for the last Geneva Watch Days, this episode is a collection of small recordings from the conference. It reflects our thoughts about the latest releases, people, and trends. Enjoy the content, and remember, this show was recorded on the floor in a crowded space.HandgelenkskontrolleWell, there's no real Handgelenkskontrolle this week. However, Mike brought two watches to help ward off the hairy eyeball of Swiss customs. The Patek Philippe Calatrava 570 and Ming 22.01 GMT made the cut. Balazs is wearing his Rolex GMT-Master 1675 at Watches and Wonders and brought several pieces, including a lovely Angelus 215. Mike delivered a vintage Montal beads-of-rice bracelet and another Angelus to Balazs — special delivery!Watches and Wonders — live reportingWhile we weren't at Watches and Wonders together the entire time, we found the time to meet up for a few different recording sessions. As a special treat, we managed to corner Gary Shteyngart, a friend of the show, and got his thoughts about the releases, the fair, and the craziness. We even gave our friend Eric Wind a shout-out! You'll hear about all the big brands, including Rolex and some smaller marques too!We hope you enjoy the show, and thank you for listening! As always, if you have ideas for future episodes, please let us know!

On this rapid-fire episode of Fratello Talks, Nacho and Lex take a short break from their busy schedules to discuss some of their Watches and Wonders 2025 highlights. On location at the YouTube studio at the show, they quickly run through some of the most notable releases, starting with Rolex and Tudor and moving on to some oddball favorites and unexpected head-turners. This episode only scratches the surface, of course. We'll be back next week with a full-length episode to discuss more of the new watches.

Watches and Wonders 2025 is just a few days away, so today, on Fratello Talks, we're making our predictions, voicing our wishes, and expressing our fears for the week ahead. Nacho, RJ, and Lex are feeling the pre-Watches and Wonders excitement. After all, it's the biggest week of the year for the watch industry, with a record 60 brands showcasing their novelties at the fair. Though we have unique early access to some of the new watches, we do our best not to give anything away and look to fill the gaps where we can only make an educated guess. Though you'll have to wait until next week to see what some of the world's biggest watch brands have got in store for us this year, we think this episode will whet your appetite for what's to come.

Welcome to another episode of Fratello On Air! This week, we share our hopes and dreams (not really) for what should be an epic Watches and Wonders 2025. After a blah 2024, we're expecting some cracking releases. We discuss some of our wishes and the event in general. For our listeners, the watch content starts after 30 minutes.Watches and Wonders 2025 is a week away, so it's time to hear our wishes for new releases. Leaks have occurred, but no one knows if they're true. We'll have to wait, but it won't be long!HandgelenkskontrolleWe start our show by talking about traveling to Watches and Wonders. Then, we get into the event itself, the surrounding events, and the challenges of seeing everyone and everything within a tight timeframe. Dress codes are mentioned, and so is dining etiquette! Then, we move on to some recent topics, including the Nike: Form Follows Motion exhibition at the Vitra Museum in Weil am Rhein, Germany. We also cover recent TV shows and movies. Finally, Balazs regales us with a fantastic yet tragic tale of woe at a German hardware store. For the Handgelenkskontrolle, Balazs is wearing a new Nivada Grenchen Chronosport supposedly based on a prototype. Mike is wearing a vintage Movado Kingmatic ref. 15163.Wishes for Watches and Wonders 2025It's hard not to kick off our wishes by talking about Rolex. Then again, if the recent leaks are real, any desires will fall on deaf ears. We move on to Tudor, a brand that always surprises us with interesting releases. Will we see a Big Block, a Ranger II, or a new North Flag? Patek Philippe is interesting, but the company's penchant for louder, larger watches has us looking toward Laurent Ferrier instead. Ming will be in Geneva, so let's see if something new will arrive. We mention TAG Heuer's reinvolvement in Formula 1, and perhaps it will translate to a flood of new pieces. Let's see!We will be on the ground in Geneva, so feel free to stop us and say hello while we run to meetings. Hopefully, you'll enjoy today's episode, and thank you for listening. As always, if you have future show topic ideas, let us know!

Simply put, not all complications are created equal. In today's episode of Fratello Talks, we discuss many of these horological elements adjacent to a watch's most essential time-telling function. Nacho, Thomas, and Lex begin by defining terms before listing their favorite complications and ending up with some they don't like so much. They also discuss the fact that some complications play more of an active role, such as a chronograph or GMT, whereas others are not as interactive, like a perpetual calendar or moonphase. Regardless, we encourage you to read up on all complications beyond those discussed today. The journey from their functional inception to their development and combination has resulted in some of the world's most impressive watches.

Welcome back to another episode of Fratello On Air. This week, we discuss our feelings about revitalized watch brands. The retro trend has been strong for over a decade, meaning that long-dormant names have been brought back to life. Are all successful? Enjoy one of our lengthiest episodes yet. For our listeners, the watch content starts after 35 minutes.It's hard to think of a brand that hasn't returned to the market. For those of us who have collected watches for a long time, this would have been unimaginable 10 or 15 years ago. But are all revitalized watch brands a success? Hear our thoughts on the matter.HandgelenkskontrolleWe took a week off between episodes, meaning we have some catching up to do. Balazs mentions an upcoming Sotheby's auction featuring the first-ever jerseys from Michael Jordan and Kobe Bryant. Mike talks about a recent 75th-anniversary event with Orient, and then it's on to a visit to the A. Lange & Söhne Berlin boutique, where Balazs spent two hours. We mention a recent evening at Phillips in London with amazing independent brands. For TV, we mention The White Lotus, Zero Day, A Murder At The End Of The World, and Adolescence. For the Handgelenkskontrolle, Balazs is wearing his Omega Dynamic 166.079 with a blue dial. Mike has chosen his Rolex Submariner 5513 "Maxi Dial" from 1979.Revitalized watch brandsFor our main topic, we discuss a small fraction of the existing revitalized watch brands. It's a timely subject with the announcement of Breitling's purchase of Gallet. We share our thoughts on the modern-day efforts of the following historic names:VertexNivada GrenchenBenrusExcelsior ParkAngelusUniversal GenèveKing SeikoA. Lange & SöhneAquastarYemaDennisonFavre-LeubeWe hope you enjoy today's lengthy show, and feel free to share your thoughts below on these and other reborn vintage brands. Also, let us know if you have any ideas for future episodes. Thanks for listening!

We would all love to have an unlimited watch budget, but that's not the case for most of us. But that doesn't mean we can't have some hypothetical fun and select the watches we'd buy with €10K, €20K, and €30K. On today's episode of Fratello Talks, Nacho, RJ, and Lex run through their picks at those three price points. Technically, they can choose from new, pre-owned, or even vintage watches. But as you'll quickly see, their picks all benefit from the interesting prices on the pre-owned market.

Have you ever wanted to buy a vintage watch but been put off by potential pitfalls? Well, this episode of Fratello Talks is the one for you. Today, Nacho, RJ, and Thomas share their advice on buying vintage watches. They've been doing it themselves for years. In Thomas's case, there's even a history of working as a dealer for Amsterdam Watch Co. On today's show, they combine their expertise and distill some advice that everyone taking their first steps toward vintage timepieces should hear. So be sure to tune in whether you're teetering on the edge of your first vintage purchase or a connoisseur in the field. And if you're one of the latter, we'd love for you to chime in with your words of advice in the comments section.

Welcome back to another episode of Fratello On Air! This week, we're each choosing three non-Swiss watches with a budget of €20,000. The task is tricky, though, because €20,000 is enough to afford great pieces from the usual suspects, but it means being picky if choosing just one from a costly brand. Get ready for some surprises! For our listeners, the watch content begins after approximately 19 minutes.Switzerland is the center of watchmaking, but there are numerous countries with credible watchmaking chops. Non-Swiss watches are extremely popular, with brands from Germany and Japan leading the way. In this episode, we look at watches from these countries and others as we spend an imaginary budget.HandgelenkskontrolleWe open our episode with a discussion about TV shows and movies. Sadly, the sneaker marker has been quiet, but we hope it takes off with warmer weather around the corner. For the Handgelenkskontrolle, Balazs is wearing his vintage King Seiko 45-7001, a hand-winding Hi-Beat gem. Mike is off-theme with a Swiss watch. He's sporting his Borgel-cased Movado 18241 with central seconds and a manual-winding movement. We then discuss the brand and these early waterproof cases.Non-Swiss watchesWill we make some surprising picks with €20,000 to spend, or will we go mainstream and choose something from A. Lange & Söhne or Grand Seiko? How about both? During this episode, we discuss the following non-Swiss watches:A. Lange & Söhne 1815 ref. 233.026Garrick S7Yema Navygraf Slim CMM.20Weiss 38mm Standard Issue Field WatchSeiko Prospex Speedtimer Solar Chronograph SSC943Grand Seiko SBGW038Baltic Aquascaphe GMT - GreyOur choices came from Japan, Germany, France, the UK, and the USA. It shows the wide variety of watches from outside of Switzerland, and the chances are that interesting options from most countries exist.We hope you enjoy today's episode, and thank you for listening. As always, if you have suggestions for future shows, please let us know.

Today, on Fratello Talks, we're discussing Audemars Piguet. The brand is celebrating its 150th anniversary in 2025 and has kicked things off by introducing a selection of new models earlier this week. Lex was in Le Brassus to report on the novelties, and Nacho and RJ now join him for this week's discussion. They begin by looking at said novelties and wrap things up by sharing their thoughts on the brand's current direction and whether they've felt the influence of recently appointed CEO Ilaria Resta yet.

We're back with another episode of Fratello On Air. This week, we're in myth-busting mode. We've seen some silly things on social media, and it's time to shed light on them. For our listeners, the watch content begins after 25 minutes.On one hand, we're pleased that so much watch-related content now exists. On the other, the flood of influencers brings a wide array of commentary. Social media is entertaining, but it's also important to keep a clear head while consuming it. In this episode, we go on a myth-busting mission. Enjoy the ride!HandgelenkskontrolleWe kick off our episode discussing sneakers and TV shows. Nike and New Balance have released some new models worth consideration. Balazs mentions The Madness, a series on Netflix. For the Handgelenkskontrolle, Mike is wearing his new Timex Ironman 8-Lap Gray Shades. It's a model sold exclusively by Timex Japan and is relatively affordable. Balazs is wearing his tried-and-true Ming 17.09 on his favorite black rubber strap.Myth-bustingWe move on to our main topic and begin with one of the silliest claims we've heard on social media. Seemingly, it's trendy to make provocative comments to help build a fan base. One influencer proclaimed that there are no underrated vintage watches left to discover. Hogwash, we say! Then, we discuss a recent video on salesperson etiquette at a watch boutique. Next, we tackle an influencer's self-created fan Q&A. Finally, there's some silly terminology running amok, geezer.We hope you enjoy today's episode. If you have ideas for future shows, please let us know!

In this week's episode of Fratello Talks, we're making a public service announcement: don't let money stop you from enjoying watches! This topic is close to our hearts and has come up more than once at Fratello HQ lately. So today Nacho, Lex, and Thomas gather around the microphones and hash out their thoughts on the matter. Ultimately, it's something we can recommend to you all: don't limit your appreciation. Ownership is a small (and somewhat arguably overrated) part of the equation. We believe it should still be possible to praise and enjoy a watch (or any other object of fascination) from a distance and on its merits alone. Arbitrarily discrediting something based on one factor eventually takes the fun out of it.

Welcome back to Fratello On Air! This week, we tackle the second half of our discussion on vintage chronographs. We get into the weeds in this episode, so we hope you like it nerdy!Last week, we kicked off this discussion on vintage chronographs with our thoughts on why we find these watches so alluring. We mentioned racing, the space race, and other daring feats, along with how chronographs were present during many of these activities. Now we're ready to go into detail.HandgelenkskontrolleBecause we recorded this episode directly after the last, we skipped the usual banter. Don't worry; it will return next week! For the Handgelenkskontrolle, both of us are on task with our choices. Mike is wearing a Roamer Stingray Chrono Diver, one of the wildest vintage chronographs he owns. The case shape, quality, patina, and Valjoux 23 movement all make it a lovable piece. Balazs is wearing his Grana LE, a Hungarian Air Force piece with a lovely patina.Vintage Chronographs Part 2We begin with a discussion on the market for vintage chronographs. Then, we mention buying these watches, what to look out for, and what to expect during ownership. After all, these are relatively complex timepieces, so there is a greater potential for issues. Condition and originality are also worth considering. Chronographs contain many details, including specific pushers, hands, and dials. Finding replacements can be impossible. Finally, we mention key models and movements. The Valjoux 72, Lemania 321, EP 4, and El Primero 3019PHC are some of the calibers we discuss. The Breitling Chronomat, Gallet Decimal, Omega Speedmaster, and Zenith El Primero A386 come up during the show.As always, thank you for listening, and we hope you enjoy this episode. If you'd like us to come back and discuss our favorite vintage chronographs, just comment below. Of course, if you have suggestions for future shows, please let us know.

Hello, and welcome to Fratello Talks. In today's episode, we're taking on the challenge of building a €15,000 watch collection. Nacho, RJ, and Lex have crunched the numbers and leafed through the catalogs and each selected three modern (currently available at retail) watches that they would buy if they had a €15K budget. It's a hypothetical exercise and meant to be just a bit of fun, but ultimately, it's still a challenge trying to leverage the budget to get the most bang for their buck. So, if you want to know which watches these three members of the Fratello team would go for today, tune in to find out.

Welcome to another episode of Fratello On Air. This week, we begin a two-part series on vintage chronographs. Apparently, our listeners like hearing about these complicated watches that measure elapsed time. Note that the watch content starts after approximately 25 minutes.Vintage chronographs are a special category of watches. They're complex, often fragile, and strangely addictive! In this episode, we'll begin exploring what makes them so alluring. In our next installment, we'll get specific on models, movements, and what to look out for when buying.HandgelenkskontrolleOur episode begins with a discussion about Super Bowl LIX. We then discuss more TV shows. Mike mentions a recent visit to Roseberys, a London-based auction house, where he attended a preview and witnessed some interesting behavior. For the Handgelenkskontrolle, Mike is wearing his cherished Rolex Datejust 1600 with a blue dial. Balazs is enjoying his Rolex Submariner 5513, which he recently featured in a fantastic article.Vintage chronographsWe then begin discussing our main topic — why we are so attracted to chronographs. We began our collecting journeys wanting these types of watches but found ourselves attracted to pieces from different decades. Mike leaped into the '60s, while Balazs enjoyed the '40s, '50s, and '70s. We end our episode by mentioning iconic models, including the Omega Speedmaster, Rolex Daytona, Breitling Navitimer, Heuer Carrera, and Universal Genève Compax. Stay tuned for next week's podcast in which we uncover more details!Thank you for listening to this week's edition of Fratello On Air. As always, if you have suggestions for future shows, please let us know!

Welcome back to Fratello Talks. It's time for some tough love! Today, Nacho, Lex, and Daan are talking about a handful of watch brands with untapped potential. These are big names in the watch world that they deeply respect and admire but feel are not currently delivering to the full extent of their capability. This can relate to a brand's history and legacy, its technical expertise, or even aspects of watchmaking on which a brand has fallen behind. Some of it may sound harsh, but it's all well-intentioned feedback. These are brands that they are rooting for to do better and that they know, with some finesse and adjustment, could be genuinely excellent.

Welcome back to another episode of Fratello On Air! This week, we stick to Rolex under €8K and pick our favorites. The entire history of the brand is up for grabs as long as the price is right. Enjoy the episode, and tune in to the watch content after approximately 19 minutes.Getting a sweet Rolex under €8K is not only doable but pretty darn easy! There are loads of models available, including steel sports pieces and dress models in precious metals. Vintage or modern, we've got you covered! HandgelenkskontrolleWe kick off our episode with some schnitzel talk. Depending on where one travels, different types of schnitzels exist that we're ready to try — most of them, that is! We also mention some upcoming Jordan 1 sneakers celebrating 40 years since the first pair. Then, we talk about a few TV shows we've been watching. For the Handgelenkskontrolle, Balazs is wearing his faithful Seiko 6139 chronograph. Mike is sporting the recently reviewed G-Shock DW-5000R-1A Origin Revival.Rolex under €8KFor our main topic, we discuss Rolex under €8K. How did we select this upper limit? That's a good question! We wanted to come in comfortably below the five-figure mark, but we also felt that €5K was too low in 2025. We realize that the upper end isn't inexpensive, but we mention several models that cost much less. For our search, we primarily used Chrono24 as a basis. Our picks are:Explorer II ref. 16570 "Polar" with drilled lug holes, a watch that is still somewhat of a Rolex outcastDay-Date ref. 1803 in 18K gold on a leather strap, a beautiful dress watch that costs significantly less without the full-gold braceletExplorer ref. 14270, the iconic 36mm "GADA" watch that flies below the radarAir-King ref. 14000 from the '90s with a dark blue "Explorer-style" dial, the value king as long as a 34mm case isn't a concernSubmariner Date ref. 16610 from the '90s with drilled lug holes, the legendary sports watch that put Rolex on the map as the must-have luxury brandDatejust ref. 160x "Pie-Pan," quite possibly the only watch you'll ever need due to its supreme comfort, go-anywhere looks, and endless variantsWe hope you enjoy today's episode. As always, if you have ideas for future shows, please let us know!

Last week, LVMH Watch Week took place. This week, Nacho, RJ, and Lex are looking at all the watches released by Zenith, TAG Heuer, Louis Vuitton, and Daniel Roth (to name a few). We review all the releases and share our thoughts on those we found worth highlighting. With Watches and Wonders just a couple of months away, you might not have expected the deluge of novelties, but it seems LVMH and its brands have more than one ace up their sleeve. It's a strong start to the year for watches, setting the bar high for 2025. 

Welcome back to another episode of Fratello On Air! This week, we discuss a popular request from our listeners about traveling with watches. We've discussed this topic before, but it's been a while since we last did so. For our listeners, we begin the watch content after 32 minutes. Traveling with watches is a typical topic on forums and boards. Some may think it's a tired subject, but with new collectors always entering the fray, the theme deserves more attention. Plus, with new schemes arising to defraud watch wearers, it is constantly on some folks' minds.HandgelenkskontrolleTo kick off this episode, we have a lengthy chat about Burns Night, television, movies, and shoes. Balazs mentions one of his favorite Scottish comedians, Kevin Bridges. We've been watching or awaiting titles such as The Night Agent, Nosferatu, Cross, Shining Girls, Paradise, Landman, and a documentary on Kimbo Slice on the VICE channel. Regarding shoes, the latest Nike Air Tech Challenge 2 retro tennis shoes worn by Andre Agassi are about to launch. We discuss the anniversary of Kobe Bryant's tragic death and mention the upcoming Nike Kobe V Protro "Year of the Mamba" shoes. For the Handglenkskontrolle, Mike is wearing his newly repaired Movado Curviplan with a black dial and an 18K gold case. Balazs is sporting a new release, the Nivada Grenchen Antarctic Diver in green. The piece is limited to 75 pieces with a date and the same number without the function for €956. Expect a review soon!Traveling with watchesSeveral people in our Discord group have asked about traveling with watches. It seems that the new year will bring heavy travel, and with watch friends all over the world, it's fun to bring a few watches to show and tell. However, is this the best idea? We discuss the pitfalls of packing precious timepieces for the trip. Safety, forgetfulness, how to pack, and more enter into the discussion. We hope you enjoy the episode and thanks again to our community for the topic suggestion!If you have ideas for future shows, please feel free to let us know!

Welcome back to Fratello Talks, folks! What's the best way to spend your hard-earned cash as a watch collector? Should you splurge on many or save for one special piece? One method satisfies curiosity and is fulfilling for some, but it can also leave you with your head spinning, a full watch box, and an empty wallet. The other limits you to fewer watches, but those can, in turn, be more expensive, rare, and "special." This is the topic of discussion for today's podcast. Nacho is joined by Daan and Thomas, who provide their thoughts on the matter and share their experience. If this dilemma has ever haunted you, be sure to tune in; this one's for you!

Welcome to another episode of Fratello On Air. This week, we discuss our favorite divers from the '60s, '70s, and '80s. We also offer more affordable alternatives. Enjoy this lengthy episode! For our listeners, the watch content begins after 27 minutes.We're receiving some great show ideas from our listeners. For example, today's show on our favorite divers from the '60s, '70s, and '80s came from our chat group. We aim to please with this discussion, and it's one of our longest recordings yet!HandgelenkskontrolleWe kick off our show with a lengthy chat about TV shows. The Penguin, Bad Sisters, and Silo are some of the titles we discuss. For the Handgelenkskontrolle, we're both wearing some of our favorite divers. Balazs kicks it off with his Doxa Sub 300T Sharkhunter, a big dive watch from the late '60s. Mike is wearing his early '70s Rolex 1680 Red Submariner.Our favorite diversWe head to the main topic and mention a watch from each decade along with an affordable alternative. Two top picks per decade isn't a lot, so we expect differing views in the comments section. During the episode, we discuss the following:'60s:Doxa Sub 300Seiko 6159-7000 / 7001Skin DiversAquastar 63'70s:Rolex Submariner 5512 / 5513Omega Seamaster 166.068 "Banana" and 166.091"Pilot Case"Lucerne / Caravelle / Other Skin DiversCitizen Crystron 4-730453 Y 150M Diver'80s:CWC Royal Navy QuartzTAG Heuer Super ProfessionalCitizen 51-2273 150M DiverZodiac Super Sea Wolf 506.54.44 "Sawtooth" (yes, this is technically from the '90s)We hope you enjoy today's episode. If you have ideas for future episodes, please feel free to let us know.

Welcome to this week's episode of Fratello Talks. How much should you spend on your first watch? It's a valid question we've all faced at some point. However, there are plenty of different ways to answer it. Today, Nacho, RJ, and Daan delve into the topic and discuss their approaches to budgeting for a first watch. It's worth mentioning that we aren't talking about a "first-ever" watch but, rather, a first "nicer" watch. Whether you ultimately decide to go all out or cleverly invest a smaller amount to test the waters, we hope today's discussion will help you navigate the subject.

Welcome back to another episode of Fratello On Air! This week, we discuss the watch community and how to find a group of like-minded (or differently minded) people within it. Whether you seek to meet people in person or online, there's even a great option if you don't live in a major city. For our listeners, the watch content begins after 25 minutes.At times, it feels like the watch community is an exclusive place. Flashy Instagram photos in New York show groups of people having fun around watches. But how can typical watch fans living in more rural areas have fun and meet people? Plus, are you missing something if you're not at these parties? We chat about the community and how to find your cadre of collectors. A big thanks to Kevin, who suggested today's topic!HandgelenkskontrolleGuess what? The dad joke is back, and Balazs falls for it hook, line, and sinker! We deliver on our promise to discuss sneakers, including the latest Nike announcements. New Agassis and the Deion Sanders Air Diamond Turf "Falcons" models are coming in a few weeks! For the Handgelenkskontrolle, Mike is wearing a 34mm stainless steel Movado ref. 14775. It's a simple three-hand watch with a lovely dial. Balazs is opting for a modern Ming 17.09 with the fantastic new Ming rubber strap.The watch communityLook, we get it: the watch community seems daunting at times. The same names show up everywhere, and the whole environment feels exclusive rather than inclusive. Don't fear, though, because there are many ways to get involved and enjoy watches with friendly people. Reaching out to collectors of a similar brand or theme on Instagram is a great way to learn and become active in a subcategory. Chat groups are all over that app, WhatsApp, and Facebook. Before you know it, you'll be chatting away and enjoying watches more than ever! Different meetups also occur in smaller towns and cities. If nothing is happening, why not start a group? It's easy, and you'll be surprised at the response when organizing an easy night out to chat about timepieces.We hope you enjoy today's show! If you have ideas for future episodes, please let us know.

What better way to venture into another trip around the Sun than by setting yourself up with a solid set of New Year's watch resolutions? In today's episode, Nacho, Daan, and Lex discuss theirs for 2025. They include everything from pondering potential future purchases to considering consolidating comprehensive collections. The guys also reflect on some of last year's resolutions and report on how they managed to (or didn't) stick to them. Finally, they also share a handful of non-watch-related resolutions they have set for 2025. We encourage you to share your New Year's resolutions (horological and otherwise) in the comments section below.

We're finally back with another episode of Fratello On Air after a lengthy break from the holidays, illness, and travel! This week, we're reflecting on 2024 and some key events that shaped the year. Enjoy the episode, and we look forward to 2025! For our listeners, the watch content begins after 27 minutes.Whew, it's been a few weeks since we last recorded. The holiday period was fantastic, but we had a bout of the flu. Finally, illnesses have subsided, and we're reflecting on 2024. In many ways, this was a tough year for the industry, but it was a great year for the community.HandgelenkskontrolleBefore reflecting on 2024, we discuss a variety of topics. Our Handgelenkskontrolle signals a rare instance when we've come together and are wearing the same brand. Balazs is wearing his beloved new Angelus Chrono Dato Luxe. Mike received a package from Balazs on Christmas Eve. An Angelus 250 chronograph arrived from Germany, and it's a beauty. This sparks discussion on the next Angelus that needs to join Mike's collection, the 215.Reflecting on 2024Last year was a great one for both of us. The podcast grew, and we ran into a lot of listeners in cities across the globe. Thank you for listening! Today, we discuss the following topics:Geneva Watch DaysThe end of Rolex "for exhibition only" signsBalazs's purchases during the year, including his Rolex Submariner 5513Mike's purchases of smaller watches, including tanks and researching themThe Omega Speedmaster saw a huge number of releases throughout 2024We hope you enjoy this latest episode. As always, if you have ideas for show topics, please let us know!

Welcome all to a new year and a new season of Fratello Talks, your favorite watch podcast in the whole wide world. What should we expect from the world of watches in 2025? Nacho, RJ, and Lex share their predictions on today's show. Some of these are wishful thinking, but others are educated guesses based on anniversaries, notable dates, and insider secrets we swore blood oaths not to break. Okay, maybe nothing that secret will be revealed. But it's still worth tuning in because some of these predictions may just end up coming true (or be hilariously wrong). Being aware of some of the anniversaries taking place, which may be celebrated with corresponding releases, will certainly give us an idea of what to expect!

As we come to the end of the year, we'll be looking back at some of the best watches of 2024. Nacho is joined by RJ and Lex, who have come prepared with a list of favorites under six pre-determined categories. And though they'll discuss some of what they consider to be the best watches of the year, you can decide which of said timepieces will earn the title of Fratello reader's choice for best watch of 2024. Be sure to vote for your favorite on the website (link below)!The winner will be revealed after a week of voting. For now, tune in for an overview of horological highlights from the past 12 months.Vote for the best watch of 2024 here!

Welcome back to Fratello Talks. Everyone knows Switzerland is home to some of the world's greatest and most renowned watch brands. But plenty of brands outside the Alpine region—and even outside Europe—produce high-end mechanical timepieces that can stand shoulder-to-shoulder with their Swiss contemporaries. Some of these non-Swiss brands have even garnered the fervent interest of collectors, who have formed communities around them. Some even rival Swiss manufacturers that have long held their place in the pantheon of horology. In today's episode, Nacho, Thomas, and Lex highlight more than a handful of these brands. From the entry-level value propositions we know and love to the very high-end of watchmaking outside the Helvetian domain.

Welcome back to another episode of Fratello On Air. In this episode, we stray from our original topic and discuss questionable vintage watches. Lately, too many questionable watches have received universal praise from "noted experts." We get on topic after approximately 15 minutes.Sorry for the aberration. We both love watches from brands that are non-mainstream. This means that shady activity is often afoot from unscrupulous vintage dealers. Ingrain yourself within a community and quickly find out what's correct and what isn't. Hear about watches that have been passed around for years, but somehow find a home with an unsuspecting buyer.HandgelenkskontrolleBefore we get cranky, it's time to discuss the Handgelenkskontrolle. Mike is wearing his VPC Type 37HW Dove Grey. The watch just arrived, and it's fantastic! Balazs is still under the weather and is wearing his stunning new Angelus Chrono-Datoluxe.Questionable vintage watches and dealers who need to discloseWe're not sure what put a bur under the collective saddles of our hosts. We started the show discussing an Angelus 250 that Mike bought and had delivered to Balazs. Balazs has an incredible spreadsheet of serial numbers, photos, and dial types. With this, he provided a bill of clean health before Mike bought it. Another Angelus 250 popped up on eBay, and Balazs checked the serial number. Someone, along the way, changed the dial and polished the case. This leads to a discussion about vintage dealers and a recent Movado Celestograph that sold in France for an eye-watering sum of €10,000. Unfortunately, the watch lacks a bezel, but many dealers and "experts" commented on its beauty. Further research revealed that this watch was offered to many collectors and dealers before finally falling into the hands of an unsuspecting buyer. To be fair, the watches simply needed more disclosure to allow fair consideration.We hope you enjoy today's episode. Next week, we'll begin our year-end and holiday topics. If you have any suggestions for future shows, let us know!

Hi there, and welcome to Fratello Talks. Would you rather buy a watch from a microbrand or an entry-level legacy brand? That's the question Nacho, Thomas, and Lex ask themselves today. As we've begun to see microbrands develop and offer better quality and undeniable value while entry-level big-name brands stand relatively still, this has certainly become a valid thing to ponder. But do specs and value always trump a household name? And what about the difference in post-sales support? A legacy brand promises to be able to service a watch 20 years down the line. But can a micro/independent deliver on that promise? Clearly, there are many factors to consider, so tune in, listen to what we have to say, and then join the debate in the comments section below. 

Welcome to another edition of Fratello On Air! This week, we're back with a lengthy episode to see you through holiday travels or unruly guests. We received a listener suggestion to discuss our favorite watches from the '90s and '00s. We've added the '10s to the mix as a bonus. Wait 20 minutes for the watch content!One of our favorite listeners, Richard, suggested today's subject. Our favorite watches from three different decades inspired our lengthiest episode to date. We hope you enjoy it and the special surprises along the way.HandgelenkskontrolleWe kick off our episode discussing Japan-related topics. Balazs just returned from a quick trip to the country, while Mike visited Seiko UK in Maidenhead. For the Handgelenkskontrolle, Mike is wearing a Movado with Breguet numerals and caliber 125 that has just returned from service. Balazs is wearing his trusty Rolex Submariner 5513.Favorite watches from recent decadesWe enjoyed discussing our favorite watches from the '90s, '00s, and '10s. Balazs put in extra work and decided to bring affordable and expensive suggestions from each decade. He also mentions his favorite shoes and movies from each period. Mike joins the fray and adds watches, flicks, and kicks too! We discuss the following pieces:Omega Seamaster 300M 2531.80Girard-Perregaux Chronograph 47930 with a Lemania 1872 movementAudemars Piguet John Schaeffer 14994 BAAudemars Piguet Royal Oak Day-Date 25594STBreguet Type XXIWC Aquatimer IW354806 Cousteau DiversPatek Philippe Aquanaut 5164R-001Rolex Submariner 14060MVacheron Constantin Patrimony Traditionelle 82172/000R-9382Thanks for listening to our latest episode, and thanks to Richard for the fantastic suggestion! If you have any thoughts on future episodes, please feel free to let us know.

This week on Fratello Talks, we're talking all things Breitling with author, collector, and brand historian Fred Mandelbaum. Nacho and RJ join Herr Mandelbaum in a conversation that starts in the early 20th century with some of Breitling's earliest wrist-worn chronographs and spans the brand's development to the present day. We touch upon the evolution that led to some of the brand's most recognizable collections, most of which are still around today. From the dressy post-war Premier to the brand flagship Navitimer and many others. We're sure you'll enjoy this extended and insightful episode, so be sure to tune in!

Welcome to another episode of Fratello On Air! This week, we discuss Japanese watches. That's a wide subject, so we attack it in different ways. Stick around to find out how we tackle one of our favorite watch genres. For our listeners, the watch content begins after approximately 17 minutes.Japanese watches rate highly in the minds of both hosts. Mike owns a large collection of pieces from the Land of the Rising Sun. Balazs has a tight collection of modern and vintage stalwarts. Still, we're going to discuss some highly recognizable pieces and some of our favorites. This isn't exhaustive. Otherwise, we'd still be recording!HandgelenkskontrolleAfter some banter and an obligatory dad joke, we ease into the Handgelenkskontrolle. Mike is dressed for the occasion. He's wearing the Seiko Cronos J13846 from 1962. The watch has a two-piece screw-in case back. It's generally regarded as the brand's first waterproof watch. Balazs is wearing his hi-beat King Seiko 5625-7000, a lovely watch that continues to inspire Grand Seiko models.Japanese watchesOur purpose in discussing Japanese watches is twofold. Balazs mentions five of the most well-known pieces from various brands. Mike heads in a different direction and discusses a handful of his favorite models. This was an extremely difficult task to come up with just five per person. Each Japanese brand has a deep history and, therefore, many important references. We are just scratching the surface! We discuss the following:Seiko Turtle in new and vintage form, one of the most recognizable dive watches in historySeiko 6215-7000, an incredible vintage diver that set a design standardSeiko SKX diver, probably the most popular "gateway drug" to mechanical watches everSeiko Champion Alpinist J13043, one of the greatest designs from the brandCasio G-Shock original DW-5000C or its modern DW-5600 counterparts, the digital watch that started it allGrand Seiko 4420-9000 "44GS," likely one of the most important dress watch designs of all timeCitizen Promaster Nighthawk, one of the most recognizable watches and potentially the most popular pilot's watchThe Citizen Auto Dater Uni ADUS31201-T, a little-known gem that took on the Seiko Silver WaveCredor as a brand and the highest form of expression from SeikoCalendar Auto Orient 21 Diver T19755, a beautiful '60s JDM dive watch with stunning lumeFolks, that's a wrap, and we look forward to hearing about your top five Japanese watches. We're almost 100% sure they're different from our picks! Thanks for listening, and if you have any suggestions for show topics, please let us know.

Hello, and welcome to Fratello Talks! Today, we are celebrating our 100th-episode milestone with a special Q&A. We asked you to send us your questions, and you delivered. We've gathered, sorted, and selected said questions over the past few weeks, and in today's episode, Nacho, RJ, and Thomas come together to answer them. We cover topics ranging from the usual hypotheticals to journalistic practices, favorite watches below a certain price point, and even lessons learned throughout recording these past 100 podcasts. Be sure to tune in and stick around as your question might be one of the many that we answer on this celebratory episode.

Welcome to another episode of Fratello On Air! We're a little later this week than usual because we decided to record this episode in person in London. We discuss several topics, but we end with a brief holiday gift guide. Our watch content starts after approximately 20 minutes.It's holiday gift guide season but also the last Time4APint of the year in London. Balazs has made the journey into the Big Smoke and we've decided to record in his hotel. We exchanged some gifts before the episode, are prepped for the night's festivities, and have holiday gift guide suggestions.HandgelenkskontrolleThis week's Handgelenkskontrolle is complicated because we mention the watches on our wrists and several we brought for the evening's get-together. Balazs has brought the new Nivada Grenchen F77 Collection Ceramic, a stunning watch that starts at just €1,370 with a full ceramic case and bracelet. Mike has his Ming 37.02 Minimalist on an olive Jean Rousseau Barenia leather strap. We've listened to previous requests and have included a picture of all the watches discussed in the episode. From left to right, a '50s Tissot, an Omega 27 Chro, a Lemania 27 Chro, a Breitling Chronomat 769, an Angelus 250, an Angelus Chronodato Luxe, and a Gruen Ocean Chief.Holiday gift guideFor the holiday gift guide, we each mention three different items. Some our watch-related, while others are great for daily life or travel. We mention the following:On Cloudmonster running shoes — Balazs swears by them and Mike needs to give them a try!The Fratello x Bergeon Mini Tool — both of us own one and it's a great stocking stufferThe Star 69 straps from Joseph Bonnie — these look like rubber Tropic straps, but are made of leatherTreating yourself to a bespoke strap from the likes of Delugs or Handdn — there's nothing like a tailored strap to pair with your favorite watchThe book, Chronographs for Collectors — we reviewed this in 2016 and it's a fantastic gift!Finally, the Rimowa Pilot Case — an expensive splurge, but such a cool piece for travel or storing camera gearThanks so much for listening and we'll be back next week with a new episode! If you have ideas for future show topics, please let us know.

Hello, and welcome, folks, to Fratello Talks. Germany's most prestigious watch brand has turned thirty this year! So today, in honor of their third decade of watchmaking from their seat in Glashütte, we're talking all about A. Lange & Söhne. Now, some of you may be thinking: "Wait, Lange has only been around since the 90s?" And you'd be right to question the fact, as the brand was originally founded in 1845 but closed its doors in 1948. After several decades of dormancy, Walter Lange, the great-grandson of Ferdinand Adolph Lange, brought the brand back to life. Since then, the brand has quickly risen to the top of the heap alongside prestigious that have been around for centuries. Today, we take a look at the brand, its watches, and what makes them both so special. 

After a two-week hiatus, Fratello On Air returns with an episode about how we research watches before buying. This is a listener suggestion that likely comes from the South in the USA. We know this because the message contained the word, "ya'll." Well, giddyup because it's time to discuss our top tips. For our listeners, the watch content starts after 20 minutes.Specifically, our listener Adam emailed us and asked how we research watches with little published history. He's especially interested in how we approach long-dormant brands or those who exist in name only. We've danced around this subject, but it's time to go head-on and share.HandgelenkskontrolleMike is in the middle of moving, which caused us to miss last week's episode. Our apologies! We'd also appreciate it if you'd send your episode ideas as we've lost our shared file! We kick off our episode discussing Sneakerness, a recent sneaker event Balazs attended in Budapest. Then, we discuss the recent PAM01655 and our displeasure with the display that reveals an underwhelming movement. For the Handgelenkskontrolle, Balazs is wearing the new Nivada Grenchen Antarctic GMT. Mike is wearing his trusty Rolex Submariner 14060M.How we research a watchThere's no perfect answer when it comes to researching a watch, but we have plenty of thoughts. Firstly, ask someone who knows more about a given watch. Importantly, do this before buying! Next, we appreciate reference sites like Ranfft and other blogs dedicated to research. Old advertisements and catalogs are a good tip but need to be treated with caution if the illustrations are hand-drawn. eBay and old auction results can provide useful information. We also like Google Images and Instagram. Forums can hold key details even if many images have disappeared. Finally, YouTube is a newer medium that is increasingly useful. The reality is that researching a vintage watch, especially an obscure model, is hard work and it takes time. The key, once again, is to do this work before buying.Thanks, Adam, for the suggestion, and thanks everyone for listening. Again, if you have ideas for future shows, please send them our way!