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Timekeeping is a key element in most sports disciplines, so it should come as no surprise that the world of horology has long-standing ties to sports. In today's episode of Fratello Talks, the guys look at that link and discuss the presence and influence of watch brands in sports. Nacho is joined by RJ and Lex, who run through some of their most memorable watch brand/sport pairings. They also look at sponsored athletes and teams, official timekeepers, and the many other ways the watch world has made itself present in sports. Finally, they consider some hypothetical pairings that they would like to see.

Welcome back to another episode of Fratello On Air! This week, we aim to debunk some of the most prevalent myths surrounding our beloved watch-collecting hobby. Some will be obvious, but some require some discussion. Enjoy the show!

Misconceptions within the hobby have run rampant for as long as folks have been collecting watches. Therefore, it's time for us to challenge these beliefs. We can thank one of our longstanding listeners, thelostspringbar, for our topic. Specifically, he asked about "the top 5 myths or misconceptions about watch collecting."

Handgelenkskontrolle

We kick off our show with a discussion about this year's Wimbledon tournament. Mike had the opportunity to attend for a day, and there were plenty of watches to be seen. This turns into a discussion about Boom! Boom! The World vs Boris Becker, a documentary on Apple TV. For the Handgelenkskontrolle, Mike is wearing a watch he rarely brings out of hiding. The Rolex GMT-Master 16758 escaped from the bank for a couple of days for a dinner outside the city. Balazs has a new release on his wrist. The blue Nivada Grenchen Aquamar (€1,095) is a lovely watch with a cool party trick in the way of changing lume.

The top myths surrounding watch collecting

Thankfully, most watch collectors are good people. We've met loads of them, and 99% of our interactions have been positive. The problems, it seems, come when people are left to ruminate on videos, in forums, or on podcasts! All sorts of horror stories come out, and while there's likely truth behind the tales, many are overblown. We discuss some of the most common myths we hear and why you shouldn't believe everything you hear when it comes to watch collecting. The topics are as follows:

• Pre-owned and vintage watches are scary
• Only expensive watches are worth collecting
• The Grail watch exists
• A large collection is required to be a serious collector
• Rolex is the only answer, or focusing on one brand is the only way to collect
• Quartz watches aren't collectible
• Watches are always a great investment

We hope you enjoy the show, and feel free to share the most popular myths you've heard related to watch collecting. Thanks for listening!

This week on Fratello Talks, we're looking at some of the best watches under €5,000 in 2025. The last time that Daan, Thomas, and Nacho discussed favorites was a few weeks ago. Back then, they discussed their favorites in the sub-€2.5k price bracket. Today, they're upping the ante and doubling the maximum price. This opens up their choice to countless more options, and you can bet they're taking advantage of it. This budget unlocks plenty of brilliant watches, including some from brands typically considered entry-level to mid-level luxury (including Tudor, TAG Heuer, Cartier, and many more). So, if you want to know their picks, tune in to this episode.

Today on Fratello Talks, we are joined by special guest Øystein Husby, co-founder of Straum watches. RJ and Nacho sit down with him to talk all things Straum, including the brand's origins, meeting co-founder Lasse Farstad at the Oslo School of Architecture and Design, how their background in design and love for Norway's wild nature has inspired their watches, recent innovations, and finally, the new Fratello × Straum Jan Mayen Titanium. Our second collaboration with the brand is available for pre-order from now until July 3rd at 6:00 PM CEST. So, whether you're already a fan of Straum or have yet to discover what the brand offers, we recommend you tune in to this episode!

Welcome back to another episode of Fratello On Air! Please forgive us for the tardy release, but Balazs is traveling far away on the west coast of Canada. This week, we discuss the idea of a summer watch. Normally, this topic inspires lists of dive watches, but we take a slightly different track. Enjoy!

If May and June are predictors, this summer is shaping up to be a hot one! Therefore, it calls for putting some thought into one's wristwear. In this episode, we conclude that a summer watch isn't simply one to use during two or three weeks of vacation. No, it is a watch that can work throughout the season.

Handgelenkskontrolle

While we all likely work over the next several months, there's a good chance of some downtime or lengthy travel. We start the show by mentioning the Diddy On Trial podcast from BBC Sounds. It's a brief weekly summation of the trial that started not long after the star's arrest. There's a lot to learn in terms of court procedures and legal jargon, and the hosts make it interesting in a non-celebrity-trial way.

Next, it's BBC again with 7/7: The London Bombings, which documents the harrowing incidents that occurred in 2005. It's not an easy watch, but it's incredibly well done and respectful. Conclave, the 2024 Academy Award Winner for Best Adapted Screenplay, is also worth watching. We also mention the new New Balance store on Oxford Street, London, and the new 991v2 Grounded Pastels that were just released. Finally, we discuss the F1 movie and the IWC watches announced for the film. For the Handgelenkskontrolle, Mike is sporting his early '90s Rolex Datejust 16200, a watch equipped to handle the current hot and steamy weather. Likewise, Balazs is wearing a great daily watch, the first Omega Speedmaster Professional Speedy Tuesday edition.

What is a summer watch?

It's easy to assume that any summer watch must be a diver. After all, we think about the sea or the pool during this time of year. However, for those who live away from the water, is there a reason to change watch styles in the heat? Well, in short, yes! Last summer, Mike was shopping in London while wearing a vintage watch. It was incredibly humid, but the stores were ice cold. After leaving one shop, Mike's vintage watch fogged up immediately. Therefore, our idea for a good watch this time of year typically has to meet the following criteria:

• New and water resistant, or recently pressure tested
• Worn on a bracelet or a strap that's comfortable and easy to clean
• Possibly a larger watch that works well with short sleeves or summer wear
• Depending on one's location, such as a busy city or a hectic holiday location, choose a worry-free watch and bring easy-change straps for variety

We'd love to read your thoughts about a definition for this season's watch when you're at work or on holiday. Also, feel free to share some of your favorite models or strap combos. As always, thanks for listening! If you have ideas for future episodes, please let us know.

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.

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.

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.

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.

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.