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Fratello On Air is back! This time, Balazs and Mike come back to case materials and focus on precious metals. Specifically, we discuss gold and platinum along with some of our favorite examples. Before we get to the main topic...

Precious metals are in play this week, but Balazs and Mike pick up on the latest news. It's watch-release season with LVMH week in full swing! First, though, it's time for a Handgelenks Kontrolle and Balazs is sporting a pair of light blue DOXA watches — the SUB 200 and SUB 300 — while Mike is enjoying his new MING 17.09 in blue (everything runs well, thanks for asking).

 Some news and onto precious metals

The news was fast and furious over the past week. We discuss the King Seiko Collection and how, in the end, we are fans of these reasonably sized watches. Then, it's time to discuss the new Zenith Defy Skyline. We see it as a great entrant in the integrated bracelet game and remark how Zenith is on a roll in general.

When it's time to discuss precious metals, we admit that our interest in gold has grown over the past several years, We also talk about how it feels in the wrist and, oddly, how it even sounds different! Regarding some picks, Balazs mentions the Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight 18K along with the Grand Seiko SBGW252. Mike also brings in a Grand Seiko with the SBGW264 and throws in a '90s crush with the Patek Philippe Gondolo 5014G. Then it's time to "flatten 'em with platinum." Platinum is a stealthy and expensive material, but it's like getting a free arm workout! Balazs discusses the eye-watering Patek 5970P Perpetual Calendar Chronograph along with the Omega Speedmaster Moonphase Chronograph — both mortgage-worthy timepieces. Mike discusses one of his favorite all-time watches, the Patek Calatrava 5196P, and ends the discussion with a 36mm Rolex Day-Date.

As always, thanks for tuning in to Fratello On Air! Feel free to let us know if there's anything you'd like us to cover in a future episode!

Today, I sit down with Pim Koeslag, the CEO of Ateliers de Monaco, and technical director of both Frederique Constant and Alpina.

Perhaps the highlight of the exchange is the conversation surrounding Frederique Constant's innovative high-frequency oscillator, the "monolithic" oscillator, created from a single piece of silicon. With an operating frequency of 40Hz, this affordable regulating organ (installed in pieces starting around €5,000) looks to change consumer expectations in regards to accessible accuracy from a mechanical watch.

The conversation strays into the philosophical as I ask Pim what it is that defines the line between tradition and innovation and what brands and watchmakers, and the surrounding innovators themselves, must do to stay on the right side of it.

If you enjoyed this podcast, you can learn more about Alpina here, Frederique Constant here, and Ateliers de Monaco here.

You can follow me on Instagram @robnudds.

Exotic materials — titanium, ceramic, and carbon. What do we think of them for our watches? Tune in to the latest episode of Fratello On Air to find out what Balazs and Mike have to say.

What happens when two vintage watch lovers come together to discuss exotic materials? Well, we had to open our minds and consider alternatives to our beloved stainless steel. In the first of a two-part series, we talk about materials that find their way to watch cases. Titanium, ceramic, and carbon are in play and while they aren't our favorites, we come up with some suggested models.

Getting into exotic materials

As always, we begin with the Handgelenks Kontrolle and Balazs is rocking his vintage Heuer Montreal and Mike has his (titanium) Seiko Marinemaster "Emperor Tuna" SBDX011. Then, we chat a little about TV shows as Mike expresses his boredom related to the movie, The Eternals. Balazs gives some watchable suggestions to help get past those winter blues including Endeavour, Grantchester, Broadchurch, and Bodyguard.

When we come to the main event related to exotic materials, neither of us is truly in love with titanium, ceramic, or carbon, but that doesn't stop us from providing some suggestions. Regarding titanium, Mike brings up the trusty Tudor Pelagos, while Balazs discusses Zelos. Ceramic brings to mind one of Mike's favorite all-time review pieces, the Omega Speedmaster Grey Side of the Moon. Balazs chimes in with some wild card suggestions such as the Bell & Ross like the BR 03-92. Finally, we discuss the fanciest material: ceramic. We discuss the ultra-pricey such as the Zenith Defy Classic and the Panerai Luminor Marina PAM1661. Balazs mentions a crowd pleaser with DOXA SUB 300 Carbon (a watch both of us would love to own) and affordable options from Tempest.

Enjoy the show and, as always, feel free to let us know if there are any topics you'd love for us to discuss on a future episode!

Fratello On Air returns with what we think is a fun episode. We talk about large watches that work for smaller wrists and small watches for larger wrists. Balazs and Mike exist on both sides of the wrist border, so there's plenty of personal experience on this subject.

Balazs and Mike are here to talk about large watches for those with small wrists and vice versa. It's a show chock full of ideas and, thankfully, watches. Some other topics weave their way in as well.

"Handgelenks Kontrolle" and Sneakers!

Before hitting the main topic on large watches for small wrists and the reverse, though, Balazs talks about one of his favorite other subjects: sneakers. First, there's a "Handgelenks Kontrolle" that sees Balazs rocking an Angelus Dato 12 and Mike with his Seiko SBCM023 Perpetual Calendar,  The Jordan 12 Playoffs are back again and the Air Jordan 13 "Court Purple" has already come and gone. We briefly reminisce about retro shoes, Stan Smiths, and then get into the main topic.

Large watches for small wrists and vice versa

We have a lot to say about large watches for small wrists. Watches like the Omega Ploprof, the Speedmaster Professional, and the Breitling Navitimer all make sense with their large diameters and short lug to lug measurements. The Rolex Submariner makes a guest entrance and the Seiko Turtle offers an affordable option. No matter what, we suggest trying these watches on and, importantly, trying different straps to make a watch more comfortable or to look larger or smaller.

For small watches, there are loads of great options for the thick wristed! The 36mm Rolex gets a brief mention while the gents spend more time on the 39mm Omega Railmaster 2503.52.00. The vintage Universal Geneve Polerouter, modern twin crown Seiko Alpinist, and Hamilton Khaki Mechanical all receive a discussion.

Finally, Balazs mentions a great YouTube channel called Wristwatch Revival - it's worth watching!

That's right, we're trying to do keep our podcast on a tight weekly schedule! Fratello On Air returns and this week, Balazs and Mike talk about some wishes for 2022. This isn't a pure recap of a recent 2022 Watch Wishes article, so tune in for new content!

Balazs and Mike are keeping the microphone hot! Both return and while Balazs is not feeling his best, they're here to talk about what they're looking forward to in 2022. Some of those wants are realistic, while others are hopeful thinking.

The "Handgelenks Kontrolle" kicks things off with Balazs wearing his bi-color Datejust 16013 and Mike sporting his Breitling Superocean Heritage '57.  Then, we talk about a few movies that we're excited to see in 2022 with the hopes that cinemas remain open for the whole year. Batman, Death on the Nile, Operation Fortune, Mission Impossible: 7, and Top Gun: Maverick make an appearance. We are a watch podcast, however, so, we move on to the main part of our episode.

Mike kicks things off with an unlikely wish about a proper reincarnation of Universal Geneve. Balazs talks about Nivada and what they will likely do next. Will we ever see a Nomos chronograph? Will Tudor add a new color for their GMT? What will Omega come with during 2022 after the Speedmaster 65th Anniversary launch?

Finally, we mention the upcoming Vintage Rolex Datejust Buyer's & Collector's Guide that is still available on Kickstarter. We can't wait to read this one!

We're back with more block rockin' beats — errrr, talk! Balazs and Mike return (quickly) to talk about vintage watch opportunities in 2022. If you love the old stuff and are looking for value, tune in and relax!

That's right, the dastardly duo of Balazs and Mike are back and we return to one of our favorite subjects: the vintage watch market and where to find opportunities. As we know, there's little out there that hasn't been uncovered. However, that doesn't mean that value doesn't exist. There's no highfalutin talk during this podcast, so your trust funds are safe!

Vintage watch picks for 2022

After a bit of a "Handgelenks Kontrolle," we head off into our vintage watch picks for 2022. Balazs talks about Angelus, the Certina DS, and even the ubiquitous 7750 (respect due for this nearly 50-year-old movement!). Mike brings up '60s Omega Seamaster models with fat lugs, 34-36mm Rolex such as the 6694 Precision, and (gasp!) '90s IWC.

As always, thanks for tuning in to Fratello On Air! If you have any thoughts on what you'd like to hear next, feel free to let us know!

Fratello On Air returns with a seriously focused episode as our resident Seiko nut, Mike, speaks with Nick Ferrell, the owner of DC Vintage Watches. If you're a Seiko fan, you won't want to miss this!

Nick Ferrell is the owner and founder of DC Vintage Watches, a site that not only sells vintage Seiko, but will help clients find the watch of their dreams. Nick is a seriously nice person to speak with and, together with Mike, they go in many directions related to vintage Seiko. Whether it's the JDM scene in Southern California (where Nick now lives), favorite "hidden gems" in the vintage Seiko world or a number of helpful tangents for collectors, this is a podcast you won't want to miss. 

A big thanks to Nick for joining and sharing so many stories about one of our favorite watch topics here on Fratello. Vintage Seiko - we just can't get enough!

Welcome to another episode of Fratello On Air! Finally, Balazs and Mike got their collective acts together and are back with a return engagement! Settle in and enjoy the banter about our favorite watches from 2021 along with a healthy rant for good measure!

Folks, we're back and better or worse than ever! Balazs and Mike come together at the end of 2021 to talk about some of their favorite watch releases from another wild year. We won't give away everything, but the list is heavy on dive watches and chronographs. Seriously, what else do you expect from these two?

Tudor, Breitling, Synchron, Excelsior Park, and Omega make the last along with a few more. Plus, the dynamic duo shares some recent encounters in the outside world at AD's. Finally, there's a healthy dose of crankiness when Mike kicks off a rant about the current behavior in the marketplace. Tune in and enjoy!

Today, I am is joined in the studio by Monica Porracin, the founder and director of The Blue Company, based in London. The Blue Company manages the interests of seven popular brands in the UK, working as a distributor for some and an agent for others.

Monica  represents Doxa, Junghans, Meistersinger, Maurice Lacroix, Mühle Glashütte, Scatola del Tempo, and SwissKubik in the UK and at events all around the world. Her tireless championing of brands she seems united by a mutually strong design DNA has earned her the respect of her peers.

With over ten years of specific experience in this sector of the industry (the Blue Company was founded in 2008), she has amassed a broad knowledge of not just her own brands, but also those competing with them. Jump into the conversation to find out exactly what we talked about.

Follow me on Instagram @robnudds