Épisodes

  • Fratello Talks: Three Reasons Why You Should Buy A Hublot
    Jun 19 2025

    Hublot has gotten a pretty bad rap in recent times. The brand is often dismissed as the butt of online commentators' jokes, but we don't feel this is entirely fair, so in today's episode, we're looking at the other side of things. RJ, Thomas, and Nacho have each whipped up three reasons why you should buy a Hublot or, rather, why one might consider buying one of the brand's watches. Before that, we briefly review the brand's history, from its inception in 1980 by Italian watchmaker Carlo Crocco to the Jean-Claude Biver chapter and the current stewardship of (former Zenith CEO) Julien Tornare. So, if you want to hear why we feel Hublot deserves more love than it gets, tune in to this week's episode.

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    27 min
  • Fratello On Air: Breaking Down A Flurry Of New Dive Watch Releases
    Jun 18 2025

    Welcome back to another episode of Fratello On Air! We've been away for a while, but we're here and talking about new releases. In particular, we're discussing the barrage of dive watch announcements from multiple brands. As always, expect candid commentary and a bit of fun!

    That's right — we're back! Over the last several weeks, we've been traveling and engaging in watch-related activities such as get-togethers and brand events. We mention some of these and, naturally, we engage in a bit of banter. Then, we discuss a handful of new dive watch introductions.

    Handgelenkskontrolle

    Whew, it is sweltering in our respective recording sites! Still, we're at the microphones for an hour talking about watches and more! We mention recent activities such as Balazs' trip to Los Angeles and Mike's visit to Manchester. Each of us had a great time connecting with friends and listeners. Regarding the Handgelenkskontrolle, Balazs is the proud new owner of a Ming 22.01 GMT Kyoto. He's in the honeymoon phase with the watch and is enjoying it immensely. Mike is off to an event for London Watch Week after the show and is wearing his silver-dialed Heuer Carrera 2447S.

    The dive watch strikes back — or does it?

    The hot weather has brought the dive watch back into focus after a cold and gloomy winter. Brands seem to be taking note because some significant releases were announced over the past month. We discuss these and give our honest opinions on each. The following watches are in focus:

    • Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 38mm
    • Girard-Perregaux Deep Diver Legacy Edition
    • Tudor Black Bay 54 "Lagoon Blue"
    • Breitling SuperOcean Heritage
    • Seiko 5 SRPL91 / 93 "Gene Kranz"

    Yes, it was a bumper month for the dive watch. Some of the watches are critical to the brand's success, so did they nail the release or not? Listen in and hear our thoughts!

    As always, thank you for listening to Fratello On Air! If you have ideas for future show topics, please feel free to let us know.

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    1 h et 9 min
  • Fratello Talks: Watch Styling For Enthusiasts
    Jun 12 2025

    Today on Fratello Talks, Nacho, Thomas, and Lex join forces to discuss the topic of watch styling for enthusiasts, sharing some of their thoughts, opinions, and methods. Though some people like to think of watches as functional objects, they are closer to fashion accessories in today's world. As much as that might sound like blasphemy to some, it's hard to deny that it's the truth. Many watches have blurred the lines between function and fashion, so it's worth acknowledging the potential sartorial implications of wearing watches. So, whether you choose to dress with or around your watch, tune in and share your thoughts on the topic in the comments.

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    29 min
  • Fratello Talks: Our Favorite Modern Rolex Daytonas
    Jun 5 2025

    Rolex only makes one chronograph, and it's called the Daytona. This has been a statement of fact since the first model bearing the name was created in 1963. Okay, fine; there's one notable exception, the Yacht-Master II. But we'll leave that as a topic for another day. Today on Fratello Talks, it's all about our favorite modern Rolex Daytonas! Nacho, RJ, and Lex are in the studio and have each picked a trio of references that they are partial to. Just like when we picked our favorite Speedmasters, we're sticking to "modern" references. This means only those produced within the last 25 years. While this leaves us with a relatively limited selection given the scope of what is out there, there's still plenty to pick from. Will we feature your favorite Daytona? You'll have to tune in and find out.

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    32 min
  • Fratello Talks: Top Brands' Overlooked Watches
    May 29 2025

    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.

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    28 min
  • Fratello Talks: The Best Watches Under €2,500 In 2025
    May 22 2025

    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.

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    34 min
  • Fratello On Air: The Strap Episode
    May 19 2025

    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.

    Handgelenkskontrolle

    We 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!

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    1 h et 12 min
  • Fratello Talks: Our Favorite Modern Omega Speedmasters
    May 15 2025

    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.

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    42 min