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Rikki and David from Scottish Watches sit down with Rob for the first of two crossover episodes a la Murder, She Wrote, and Magnum P.I. (but with fewer murders and Rolex GMT-Masters).

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Fratello On Air returns with a focused episode on one of our favorite watches, the Rolex Day-Date. Mike and RJ are here with some serious heft on the wrist. You'll hear about their love for these decadent, yet classic pieces.

We really think that you're going to enjoy today's episode on the Rolex Day-Date. This edition features two watch fans in an unscripted discussion about the flagship of the world's most famous watch brand. The watches are different, but the admiration is similar. A word of warning, though, have the pause ready after the opening salvo to regain your composure!

 Handgelenks Kontrolle with the Rolex Day-Date

It's no surprise that the Hangelenks Kontrolle sets the stage for the main topic. RJ is wearing his new-to-him 18238 in yellow gold with an equally champagne dial. Mike, goes with a watch from a different era and in a different hue. He's sporting his "new" white gold 1803 with a black dial. Yes, this is the watch that suffered an agonizing shipping delay! Both talk about what makes this watch special along with their memories of seeing it on the wrists of others or on TV. Enjoy the ride!

Fratello On Air is here with an episode covering several topics. In the end, you'll want to stick around because Balazs meets his "shoe idol," who is none other than Stan Smith. Not the shoe, mind you, but the tennis player with an incredibly famous shoe. Of course, we talk about watches as well...

That's right, Balazs has finally met Stan Smith and talks to him about several things including "the shoe." We also discuss travel and how good it is to get out again. There's also the topic of finding a MoonSwatch randomly and going hands-on with a new retro Certina dive chronograph.

Handgelenks Kontrolle

Mike is in Atlanta during this episode and it's a Sunday. He's heading back to Germany in about 6 hours. What to do? Well, he's wearing his Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight 925 on the Forstner Model J (and his Stan Smith sneakers). Plus, he has just returned from Waffle House! Balazs is in Germany and he's wearing the new "Mission to Mars" MoonSwatch that he unexpectedly found at the Swatch HQ in Biel!

Certina and the Stan Smith interview

We talk about travel and that includes Balazs and his adventures in Switzerland. As mentioned, Mike traveled to Atlanta and enjoyed wearing his Tudor as an "only watch." We discuss the new Certina DS Chronograph Automatic 1968 that he has in for review. After that, it's time for the Stan Smith interview that Balazs held in person while he was in Switzerland. Stan stopped in on his way to where else but the French Open! Enjoy it!

As always, thanks for listening to Fratello On Air. Don't hesitate to let us know if you have any additional subjects you'd like us to cover in a future episode.

Fratello On Air is here and we’re excited to discuss the recent Breitling Navitimer Cosmonaute release and provide an interview with Fred Mandelbaum. Balazs and Mike are on the mics again talking travel. Tune in and listen to their latest experiences.

That’s right, Breitling came with a new Navitimer Cosmonaute in the form of a limited edition model. It’s an interesting watch with an interesting build-up to its introduction. The introduction actually took place in Europe and there were some surprises. Enjoy the ride!

Handgelenks Kontrolle

Before hitting the new Navitimer Cosmonaute, Balazs and Mike do the usual with the Handgelenks Kontrolle. Balazs is wearing his beloved Eterna 852 and even shares a story related to the watch with his recent travels to Switzerland. Then, Mike brings out something he hasn’t worn in quite a while — the IWC Aquatimer 3536.

The Breitling Navitimer Cosmonaute

Mike had the opportunity to spend a couple of nights in Zurich for a Breitling event which included the release of the new Navitimer Cosmonaute. Next, we discuss the watch, its story, and a fantastic collectors dinner that loads of friends attended. Listen hard and you’ll even hear something from our friend Eric Wind — this sound byte will live on in eternity! Finally, enjoy a chat with Fred Mandelbaum where he shares some history about the original Cosmonaute.

As always, thanks for listening, and feel free to let us know if there’s anything you’d like us to discuss in future episodes.

We’re back with another episode of Fratello On Air. This time, Balazs and Mike discuss Longines. This is an episode where we cover some of our favorite models and play an interview that RJ had with Giuseppe Maccio, the head of product at Longines. Enjoy it!

It’s been a couple of weeks since Balazs and Mike have come together due to travel and life in general. Here they are, though, talking about one of the most iconic brands in history: Longines.

Handgelenks Kontrolle

Before coming to Longines, it’s time to hit the Handgelenks Kontrolle. Mike goes first with the Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight 925 and brings a twist. He has chosen to add the Forstner Model J and the results are positive. Balazs shares his Angelus 215 that has been on a weeklong trip to Switzerland. Good for him for wearing this classic on the road!

Longines

We then move onto some news which is actually specific to Longines. The new Ultra-Chron debuted as a 43mm diver with a 36,000vph automatic movement. This is an impressive watch and we like the brand’s direction. Then, we move onto the main topic and begin to name our favorite pieces. We discuss the:

• Admiral, an interesting early ‘70s collection that reminds us of the Omega Dynamic
• The Big Indian ref 6111 – an amazing ‘50s military piece that weighs in at a daunting 44mm

We then cut to the interview between RJ and Giuseppe. Then, it’s back to a couple more of our favorites.

• The Nonius Chronograph with the Valjoux 72
• Finally, the Weems watches with their innovative bezels used for flight navigation

We hope you enjoyed this episode on Longines. Thanks for listening and if you have ideas for future shows, feel free to let us know!

Fratello On Air is back with another brand-focused episode. This time, Balazs and Mike focus on Bulova. Finding six favorites from this legendary brand was a real task, but we've pulled out some winners. We hope you enjoy it!

Bulova, the brand founded in New York in 1875, is on the hot seat. We do our best to find six attractive models to help paint a picture of how varied this brand was during its heyday and even after the quartz crisis. Expect the unexpected — especially when it comes to Balazs' picks!

 Handgelenks Kontrolle

Before getting to Bulova, we take care of our Handgelenks Kontrolle. Balazs kicks things off with a new arrival, his "NOS" vintage Excelsior Park EP 4 chronograph. Congrats on the arrival of this long-awaited stunner! Mike is doing his best Balazs impression with the late '40s, early '50s Siduna Commander. This is a Danish brand, but a Swiss watch with a 36.5mm "waterproof" stainless steel case and an ETA 1110.

Bulova

For the main part of our show, we discuss six of our favorite models from Bulova.  Before doing so, though, we give a little bit of history and bring in some stories about how we were personally impacted by this brand. Then, it's time to hit the watches. We discuss the following:

• Bulova "Parking Meter" Chronograph ref. 7392 from 1973, a watch that Mike declares as his favorite bullhead
• "Stars and Stripes" Chronograph C from 1970 with its incredible dial and mesh bracelet
• Accuquartz "Woody," a 1973 collection with wood-grain bezels and even a diamond!
• The Accutron series, which debuted in 1960 with a focus on the Spaceview and Railroad-approved models.
• Sea King, with its small whale on the dial and Seamaster-like looks
• Bulova Sea Hunter chronograph, a weird child of the early '80s with a Squale-like case and Valjoux 7736

We hope you enjoyed today's show! As always, if there's anything you'd like to discuss, feel free to let us know.

Get ready for a winding episode for this week's Fratello On Air! Balazs and Mike return after a one-week hiatus with news from the road. Enjoy this open discussion!

Mike has been on the road for much of the last month and Balazs is gearing up to leave. Movement around the globe forms part of today's episode along with a couple of news bits. As always, though, it's time to start with a Handgelenks Kontrolle.

Handgelenks Kontrolle

Balazs is sporting the new Nivada Datomaster Mecaquartz and we discuss this affordable entry. We also muse about how this watch looks like the Nivada Dato 4368 that Tomas reviewed for #TBT. Mike has pulled out his Omega Speedmaster Professional "TinTin" and decided to put it on the original bracelet for the first time in years. We're not sure how long that will last!

Travel and the news

We spend some time talking about the news. Specifically, we mention the new IWC Pilot's Watch for the Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team. That sparks a conversation about racing in general. Then, we discuss shipping woes including lost and stolen packages. Regarding travel, we talk about some of the most common watches we see while moving through airports. Mike brings up the enduring Rolex GMT-Master II reference 16710 and 15 to 20-year-old Speedies. Balazs talks about Breitling. Finally, Mike mentions a quick coffee with Jason Heaton in Minneapolis and the Vertex AquaLion he was wearing.

As always, we thank you for listening! We're ready to discuss another brand, so if you have any suggestions, please feel free to let us know!

Fratello On Air returns with an episode where both hosts are finally in the same room. It took two years, but the dynamic duo are together again. Face to face - reunited and it feels so good!

That’s right, Balazs and Mike are finally sitting in the same room, recording a podcast, and checking out watches. It’s a fun show with a couple reader questions and a look at a handful of watches from each host’s collection. Enjoy a candid discussion between two friends who haven’t seen each other in awhile.

Handgelenks Kontrolle

Before moving on to the main topic, the two discuss the recent DOXA ArmyDOXA Army release. They both offer their thoughts on this limited edition, sold out timepiece. Then, for the Handgelenks Kontrolle, Balazs discusses his prized Omega 27CHRO 12. Mike has decided on his Rolex Submariner 5513 MaxiRolex Submariner 5513 Maxi dial. 

 Face To Face

Once the formalities, are over, we decide to answer a couple reader questions. The first question relates to making a watch with a large lug to lug wear smaller. Next, we address a question about strap colors for watches with either black or white/silver dials. Then, we move on to looking at some key watches in the collection. Some of the watches we discuss are:

• A variety of Datejust models
• The Eterna 852
• Various MING watches
• A glorious collection of '40s and '50s chronographs
• The Citizen Chronomaster Diver

We hope you enjoy this one! As always, feel free to send your questions. Thanks for listening!

Fratello On Air is here and we finally get around to answering a reader's question about vintage chronograph movements. Are there differences? Which do we like best? We attempt to answer some of these questions in a chatty, non-technical way. We hope you enjoy it!

Balazs and Mike love a good reader question and after over a month of travel and tackling different subjects, it was time to respond. Our reader sent us a question about vintage chronograph movements. Which do we like, are there differences, and should some be avoided? Well, we aren't watchmakers, so the technical discussion is light. Still, little differences find their way into the conversation along with some of our favorite watches that use these movements. 

Handgelenks Kontrolle

Before moving on to the main topic of vintage chronograph movements, it's time for a Handgelenks Kontrolle. Balazs has come correct with his newly acquired Omega Speedmaster Professional 145.012-67 with a 321 caliber movement. Mike also enters the game with his Excelsior Park "Tuxedo Dial" with an EP4 movement.

The chronograph movements

For our main topic, we have decided not to boil the ocean. We simply could not discuss every vintage chronograph, so we chose our four favorite manual-wind movements with column wheels. As we mentioned, we aren't watchmakers, so technical intricacies are left for others. However, our research did point out that all four movements were stellar and that personal preference likely towers over true technical prowess. We discuss:

• The Valjoux 72, is one of the most famous movements of all time. Its peculiar asymmetric pusher placement is a hallmark and its robustness is a key feature. This is the engine behind greats from Heuer, Rolex, Universal Geneva, and countless others.
• The Venus 178 is a reliable, overlooked worker. Breitling used this movement heavily, but also Benrus and Clebar.
• The Lemania 2310 (Omega 321) is the movement that went to the moon! However, lunar travel wasn't its only claim to fame. This movement found its way into many Omega watches and its predecessor, the 27 CHRO C12 is just as legendary.
• The Excelsior Park EP4/EP40 just might be our favorite of all! This stunning movement is a niche piece versus the others listed here. These movements were used by Gallet, Girard Perregaux, and Zenith to name but a few. 

As always, thanks for listening! Please feel free to let us know if you have any other show ideas.

Fratello On Air returns after a one-week hiatus with Part Two of the new watch rundown. Balazs and Mike continue to roll through some of the more notable releases from the past month or so.

Who doesn't like a new watch? Well, if you're like us, the season's introductions mark an exciting period. Therefore, it was notable enough o mark the occasion with two episodes. Make sure to catch the first one if you haven't already!

Handgelenks Kontrolle

After a bit of chit-chat about travel, fitness, and normal life, the duo moves into the Handgelenks Kontrolle. Balazs is sporting a brand new watch with the Nivada Grenchen Datomaster Mecaquartz. Mike has received his MoonSwatch Mission to the Moon and the two discuss the fun around these watches.

New Watch Rundown Part Two

Then, we move onto the main part of the show and that's more from the new watch parade that has occurred over the last month. We discuss new pieces from:

• Sinn — such as the 556, EZM 1.1S, and the U50 S BS
• Doxa — looking at the new Whitepearl family
• Citizen — with their new 200m Promaster Mechanical Diver
• Vacheron Constantin — the triumphant return of the Les Historiques 222
• Some additional tidbits on some of our favorite independents

As always, thanks for tuning in, and stay tuned for more from Fratello On Air!