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In this episode of Fratello Talks, the team (Lex, Nacho, and RJ) talks about Japanese watchmaking. From Citizen to Grand Seiko, we talk about the craftsmanship in Japanese watches, the Zaratsu polishing method, the movements, and what we've seen during our visits to Japan. Japanese watchmaking is or has become synonymous with quality.

Fratello On Air returns with an admittedly noisy episode. Our apologies, but the show must go on! This week, it's a lighter show as we discuss our recent whereabouts (watches included) and hit upon some new releases. Enjoy the show and the clattering of plates, glassware, and cutlery.

Yes, Balazs is on the move again and this time he's competing with a cacophony within the Detroit Lufthansa lounge. Again, we apologize for the ruckus and the audio quality. Mike is within the cozy confines of his London abode. This week, we discuss some new releases and recent activities. We hope you take pleasure in this off-the-cuff episode!

Kettle Kite

Before we tackle our primary subject, we engage in some banter. Balazs has spent a week in the heart of rock 'n' roll, aka Cleveland, visiting some friends. We briefly discuss his travels. Mike mentions his trip to World Time UK, which was held on September 23rd at Heathrow Airport. It was a great event with over forty brands including Doxa, Aquastar, Farer, Formex, Studio Underdog, Ollech & Wajs, and Isotope. We take a moment to discuss the recent Doxa Sub 300β Sharkhunter now that Mike has seen it in person. As far as what we are wearing, Balazs is rocking his faithful GShock. Mike is wearing his Rolex Submariner 5513 Maxi Dial. Finally, Mike mentions a recent trip to the Swatch boutique in Covent Garden, London. No SwatchPains were in stock, but they did have nine of the MoonSwatch models available.

New Releases

As far as the main subject, we discuss some new releases. First, there's the new Blancpain Fifty Fathoms 70th Anniversary Act 3. It's a nice enough-looking watch, but the pricing strikes us as incredibly high. Then, we mention the Bulova Oceanographer GMT, a piece that Balazs seems to love. Finally, there's the Benrus Ultra Deep, a 36.5mm retro diver with a super compressor-style case.

As always, we appreciate you tuning in to the show. We'll be back next week hopefully with less background noise!

Lex, RJ, and Laurits discuss the Blancpain x Swatch Scuba Fifty Fathoms that was introduced on September 7th and went on sale two days later. We are not all a fan of the watch, especially when compared to the successful MoonSwatch. Here at Fratello, the opinions are very mixed on the Blancpain x Swatch release. 

Fratello On Air returns and while we planned to discuss yacht timers, we never got there! It's a fun episode where we discuss Andrew Grima Omega watches, Doxa, the new Tudor FXD, and the SwatchPain. We got a bit carried on some of the subjects, but we think you'll enjoy our talks about some interesting brands and details. Enjoy and, yes, we will come back to regatta watches soon!

Before recording today's episode, we were a bit concerned about having a good topic for the show. Well, we needn't have worried because we actually had to cut ourselves off after more than an hour! It's a great show where talk about the Andrew Grima era at Omega and our continuing love for the Doxa 300 limited editions from back in 2017. Then, we move on to the new black Tudor FXD and the rest of the brand's lineup. Finally, we end the show with a bit more on the SwatchPain.

Kettle Kite

Before getting into the Kettle Kite, Mike discusses a recent visit to a Time4APint get-together in London. Once again, the watches that made their way to the event were fantastic and surprising. Mike mentioned a Longines 30ch, the Vernal Pulsations, and more. The watch that really surprised him, however, was an Omega DeVille that was inspired by Andrew Grima designs. The watch was originally part of the Time in Style series from the early '70s and it was a stunning throwback. We discuss Andrew Grima and reference a great article that shows some of the history of this influential English designer. At the event, Mike wore his Doxa 300 Black Lung and remarked how it was a big hit. It shows how well these limited models have stood the test of time.

As far as wristwear, Balazs is sporting his lovely Eterna 852 Jumbo. It's a watch with a neat inscription on the case back related to a Swiss steel firm. Mike then moves on to a watch that sets up the main topic on the Tudor FXD. He's wearing his Tudor Heritage Chrono from 2010 and he recalls the scene when this watch was first released.

Tudor FXD and more SwatchPain

Next, we discuss the new Tudor FXD and our thoughts on the watch. We like it, but neither of us is convinced that we could live with the fixed lugs on a daily basis. It then prompts a discussion on Tudor overall and what we'd choose from their current lineup if we had to walk away with one model. Finally, we return to the SwatchPain. We hadn't realized that three models have a date while the remaining two do not. Plus, Balazs is considering buying one and putting it through its paces for a month without switching out for another watch.

We hope you enjoyed today's episode. As always, please let us know if you have an idea for a future show.

This week’s episode of Fratello Talks is about new watches always being better than their previous versions — but are they really? Laurits, Lex, and RJ discuss whether this applies to all watches that come out and whether things like better accuracy, greater antimagnetic properties, and so on are that important to buyers. But before we get into it, you know what time it is… It’s time for a wrist check.

Fratello On Air is back with an electrifying episode. Balazs is on the mend and we've decided to have a go at quartz watches. Yes, we realize that some of our listeners may not feel any love for these battery-powered beasts. But we've come up with a quartet of interesting pieces. Oh, and of course we'll touch upon the recent SwatchPain.

Quartz watches are a controversial topic on enthusiast sites like Fratello. Sterile, a once-upon-a-time killer of the Swiss watch industry, and often cheap, quartz is a tough topic. Still, quartz is about to get its AARP card and there are many interesting and significant vintage models. Plus, they're often affordable alternatives to their mechanical counterparts. We'll hit upon four selections in this episode. Look out for more quartz coverage in article form at some point soon!

Kettle Kite

Before getting into quartz watches, we discuss the "SwatchPain" and the hullabaloo caused by the latest collab. We give our thoughts and answer a key question; would we buy one if they were easily available? Next, Mike introduces a recent acquisition with the appropriate Rolex Datejust Oysterquartz 17000. It's a cool watch with a great story. Balazs is staying with old-school technology and has the Vulcain Cricket Nautical reissue in for review. It's a ~42mm diver with an alarm and a great dial.

Quartz Watches

Next, we discuss quartz and talk through four very different pieces. The watches we review are:

• Omega Marine Chronometer from 1974
• Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Quartz
• Girard Perregaux Equation Perpetuelle
• Bell & Ross Hydro Challenger made by Sinn

Thanks for listening this week. If you have any ideas for future episodes, feel free to let us know!

Hello, and welcome to this week's episode of Fratello Talks. This week, we ask ourselves: how useful are GMT watches? Lex, Morgan, and Nacho join forces to take an honest look at this most popular of complications and how useful it truly is in real life. They also share some personal experiences with GMT watches, explain the difference between flyer and caller GMTs, and talk about their favorite multi-time-zone watches they've owned.

Fratello On Air is back with another episode where we cover the latest release from Tissot and the highlights from Geneva Watch Days 2023. Of course, we speak about additional topics and watches as well. Oh, and one of your hosts has suffered a recent injury but has still managed to make it to the microphone to bring his voice to the world of watches.

Oof, Balazs took quite a tumble on his bicycle the day before recording and is working through a couple of sets of stitches. His voice is a bit off on account of an upper lip that is several times its normal size. But hey, he's here for YOU! This week, we discuss the controversial digital Tissot PRX and some of the key releases from Geneva Watch Days 2023. Enjoy the show!

Kettle Kite

This week, Balazs kicks off our Kettle Kite with an unexpected watch, the Union Glashütte Belisar Date Sport Pro. This 42mm diver is from a brand that we don't hear about too frequently, so be on the lookout for the upcoming review. Mike is also wearing a surprising watch. It's the Casio × PAC-MAN Collaboration Model A100WEPC from 2021. It's a fun piece that allows us to segue into our first discussion topic: the digital Tissot PRX collection. Despite the fair amount of criticism, this watch has been receiving, both like it due to its uniqueness.

Geneva Watch Days 2023

Next, we discuss Geneva Watch Days 2023 and some of the key pieces. We discuss and give our frank opinions on the following pieces:

• Laurent Ferrier Série Atelier V Sport Auto 40
• Doxa 300ß Sharkhunter
• Girard-Perregaux Laureato Absolute 8Tech
• Girard-Perregaux Laureato 38mm
• MB&F HM9
• Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Carbongold

We hope you enjoyed this week's show. As always, if you have ideas for a future episode, feel free to let us know!

Welcome back to another riveting episode of Fratello On Air. This week, we’re back as a duo and we have much to discuss. The Rolex news looms large as well as the upcoming Geneva Watch Days. Of course, we add several additional topics for good measure.

Kettle Kite

This is the first week we bring in our “Kettle Kite” in honor of Cockney Rhyming Slang. It’s a bit awkward, so let’s see if it lasts. Regardless of our diction, Balazs bats first and shares his vintage Omega Speedmaster Mark II Racing on a black three-hole Tropic strap. Although he doesn’t wear it often, he’s convinced that this is a heavily undervalued watch. Mike shares his vintage Breitling Aerospace E56060. He has paired it with an inexpensive 20mm olive canvas strap. The combo has become a comfortable partner due to the slender and lightweight case.

As far as other topics, we discuss the recent Adidas Stan Smith “Homer Simpson” models. Both have landed a pair while Balazs has acted as a delivery depot for several friends. We also mention the most recent Time4APint gathering in London and meeting up with some mutual watch friends. Finally, the recently released Synchron Military Poseidon Black Edition is also in focus. It’s another great watch at a decent price and reminds us both of vintage Doxa SUB 300T Sharkhunter Aqualung pieces.

Rolex and Geneva Watch Days

Last week, Rolex threw a proper curveball when it announced that it had acquired Bucherer. We discussed the acquisition along with the possibilities and concerns. It’s interesting indeed and only time will tell as far as the real effects of the news. We then move on to Geneva Watch Days 2023. Balazs and many of the Fratello will attend, so look forward to more! Specifically, we discuss the new Doxa 300 “Beta” and the Bulgari Octo Finissimo novelties in black carbon. Black and gold seem to be the new darlings if we take these models as references. For our thoughts on them, you’ll have to take a listen!

Thanks as always for tuning in to the latest episode. If you have thoughts on future show topics, feel free to let us know!