Hello and happy holidays from your Fratello Talks team! Today marks the final episode of 2025 and the end of our third season of the show. What better way to round out the year than by looking back at some horological highlights of 2025? RJ, Daan, and your host, Nacho, join forces to discuss some of the most remarkable moments of this past year. Consider this final episode of the year our gift to you this holiday season.

Merry Christmas and welcome to another episode of Fratello On Air! We're back with an episode on Christmas Eve, and we're talking about our favorite Seiko watches of all time. That's a tough mission, but like Santa's job of delivering toys to all the children, we're up to the task! Grab some mulled wine, settle in by the fireplace, and enjoy the banter. Folks, we've been on the road for the last few weeks. America, Japan, and Germany are just some of the places we've been. However, we're back...

As 2025 draws to a close, it’s a natural moment to pause, take stock, and look ahead at what the coming year may hold for the watch industry. In this week’s episode of Fratello Talks, Nacho is joined by Daan and Lex for an in-depth conversation about the various factors and forces that are actively reshaping the watch world. The discussion covers a broad range of topics, from emerging players in traditionally untapped markets to shifts in design approaches and production methods, as well as e...

As 2025 winds down, it's the perfect time to reflect on some of the standout microbrand watches released this year. That’s precisely what we’re doing in this week’s episode of Fratello Talks. Nacho, Daan, and Thomas are back in the studio. Each has brought a list of three personal favorites — plus plenty of honorable mentions — for a lively discussion. If you appreciate the creative, unconventional, and often boldly experimental world of microbrand watchmaking, this episode is one you won’t w...

There's something special about gold watches that goes beyond the opulent, warm tone of their shiny exteriors. In the past, they served to mark significant milestones, special occasions, or outstanding achievements. These are often immortalized with an engraving on the case back. Today, on Fratello Talks, we've found inspiration to revisit the topic of gold watches. Several new releases from Nomos with solid-gold cases, including three new Tangente models and two new Ludwig references, prompt...

Welcome to another episode of Fratello On Air! With Thanksgiving barely in our rearview mirrors, we decide to spend time giving thanks to the watch hobby. In this installment, you'll hear what we love so much about this addiction and why. Settle in for this candid chat. In honor of Thanksgiving, we figure that giving thanks is well overdue. Today, you'll hear a lovable Balazs talk about all the things he enjoys about collecting watches and the industry. Mike chimes in with a few of his though...

Over the last few weeks, we've seen an unseasonal deluge of watch releases, with brands big and small unveiling fresh pieces at an incessant pace. Today, on Fratello Talks, we're taking a moment to look back at some highlights and reflect on what stood out to us. Nacho, RJ, and Thomas are on the microphones to break down a diverse array of novelties and share their thoughts on emerging trends. Notable launches include several debuts tied to Dubai Watch Week 2025, which displayed the biennial ...

Welcome back to another episode of Fratello On Air! This week, we enter the depths and declare the greatest dive watches of all time. Yes, there are some expected entries, but we also offer a surprise or two. Enjoy the listen! While neither Balazs nor I dive, we've realized that the style of watch used for this activity has probably become the most popular genre. Not so long ago, a dive watch was relegated to casual and sporty environments. Now, these capable pieces, for better or worse, are ...

Watch collectors often discuss design, materials, and mechanical nuance, but the conversation frequently shifts toward something less tangible — the stories tied to these objects. Whether passed down through family, acquired during memorable moments, or simply worn through everyday life, watches tend to gather meaning in ways their manufacturers cannot always predict. On this week’s episode of Fratello Talks, Nacho and RJ are joined by Fratello writer Henry, who is visiting Europe all the way...

Welcome back to another episode of Fratello On Air! This week, we chat about the legendary five-digit Rolex era and how it's probably the greatest collection of modern watches. We discuss why and mention some of our favorite models. Enjoy the show! For many of us, it seems that the five-digit Rolex period was around forever. In fact, the watches debuted in the late 1970s and stayed in production until 2012! That's a long time! Of course, there were tweaks over the 30-plus years, but the watch...

On this week’s episode of Fratello Talks, Nacho and RJ sit down with Claude Greisler, co-founder and master watchmaker at Armin Strom. Together, they explore Claude’s journey from a young apprentice to leading one of Switzerland’s most technically inventive independent brands. The trio discusses how Armin Strom evolved from a workshop known for skeletonization to a fully fledged manufacture that continues to innovate while staying true to its mechanical transparency.

The pace of new watch releases has never been faster. Every week seems to bring a fresh wave of models vying for our attention. We're certainly not complaining—but it does make us curious: which of today’s timepieces might one day become future classics? That’s the question at the heart of today’s episode of Fratello Talks, as Nacho, RJ, and Daan explore the modern watches most likely to stand the test of time. Hindsight may be 20/20, but spotting tomorrow’s icons today takes a mix of intuiti...

Welcome back to another episode of Fratello On Air! This week, we lay it on the line and predict upcoming watch trends. We take educated guesses about what will be hot and what will likely fade. It's a comprehensive look at everything from materials to sizes and colors. Enjoy the show! It's not easy to see into the future, but many popular styles and fads around us can help predict future watch trends. In this episode, we go into depth about many different details and cast our vote about what...

Most of us have some level of experience with watch retailers and ADs from a customer perspective. However, few watch enthusiasts can claim to have worked behind the counter, let alone owned a watch shop. Today, Nacho and Thomas are joined by Gerard, a long-time Fratello team member and former owner of Horloge Platform Nederland, a watch boutique based in The Hague. The boutique has long since shut its doors, but Gerard still has plenty of stories to share. He gives his perspective on how he ...

Welcome to another episode of Fratello On Air! This week, we discuss the triumphant return of Seiko to the forefront of value-laden watchmaking. For some, perhaps the massive Japanese company never left. From our perspective, though, 2025 has been a turning point. We feel that the brand has truly listened to its fan base and the market. Listen along to why we feel this way and what else we'd like to see. After what felt like a lengthy period of offering chunky watches with big price tags, it ...

Longines famously says, “Elegance is an attitude.” But let’s be honest; there’s probably more to it than that. On today’s episode of Fratello Talks, we’re asking the big question: what makes a watch truly elegant? Is it the proportions, the case material, or the strap? Maybe it’s how the watch sits on your wrist, or perhaps it's the mysterious mix of all these things, like some horological alchemy that gives a timepiece its unmistakable charm. And let’s not forget the wearer. Elegance might n...

Welcome back to another episode of Fratello On Air! This week, we talk about the best-value used watches. Of course, this isn't an exhaustive list but just a sampling of some great pre-owned picks. If you're expecting the usual suspects, prepare to be surprised. Enjoy the show! Yes, we're back with a follow-up to our popular show about currently available watches offering the best value with a look at the used marketplace. Sites such as Chrono24 and eBay present a veritable cornucopia of opti...

In this week’s episode of Fratello Talks, Nacho, RJ, and Lex tackle the very foundation of our watches — the case materials. From trusty steel to precious gold, lightweight titanium, and futuristic ceramics, the trio dives into what distinguishes these materials, their unique features, and why they make a difference when wearing a watch every day. It's not just the movement and specs that matter; it's also what a watch is made of that plays a key role in its aesthetics and how it feels on you...

Welcome to another episode of Fratello On Air. This week, we try our hand at predicting the fortunes of four key watch brands. These makers all have great pieces in their lineups, yet we wonder if they have more in store to become absolute powerhouses. Or perhaps some of these companies will go in the opposite direction and become smaller with more exclusive offerings. Join us as we ponder the fates of these firms in five years. Admittedly, with a relatively quiet market and turbulent global ...

Though people often focus on specs and price when talking about watches, we believe that design is just as important, if not more so. Today, on Fratello Talks, we're diving into the present and future of watch design. Nacho, Daan, and Thomas discuss current design-focused brands and the individual designers who put pen to paper and don't get nearly enough recognition for their work. They wrap up by pondering what the future of watch design might look like. There are certainly a handful of bra...