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Rob dials in Maurice Lacroix HQ to speak with Thiébaut Bentz, International Product and Marketing Director of the brand to discuss Friday's release of the Aikon Venturer GMT. A short and snappy episode, tune in to stay on top of this week's watch news.

We touch on a topic that's top of mind for many watch collectors and that's this idea of rare and exclusive watches. We have so many questions! Is it foolish when we call a watch such as the Submariner "rare"? Would we snap up a steel Rollie at retail? Do we think this current trend of finding scores of supposedly unobtainable watches on the grey market is a bit ridiculous? What do we think about burgeoning brands like MING or Unimatic that purposely limit production? And finally, how does early aughts rapper Fat Joe come into this?

Before hitting the main topic, the trio review the cornucopia of watches on their respective wrists.

• Jorg brings his "grab and go" Unimatic Modello Uno U1-F, a watch from a brand that only makes limited editions
• Balazs is sporting his vintage Rolex GMT-Master 1675, a watch always said to be rare and exclusive!
• Mike goes unconventional with this Seiko Think the Earth Wn-1, a wild 45mm watch from all the way back in 2006

We touched on the upcoming Watches & Wonders to be held on April 7 — 13 to be held on a computer screen near you and not in Geneva. We'll get to see all the new releases from the likes of Rolex, Patek, and more. This derailed us a bit and set up our main topic on supposedly rare watches, but not before we discuss the fact that none of us are enthralled with the current Explorer II.

Thanks for listening and if you have ideas for new shows, don't hesitate to contact us. And remember, don't lick your sneakers or your watches!

This (somewhat raucous) episode sees Arcanaut co-founder and chief designer Anders Brandt join Rob and a particularly feisty Black Badger (James Thompson) in the virtual studio. This trio of horophiles discusses the background of Arcanaut, why everybody loves Canada, and whether or not creating a watch that tells the time on Neptune is of any use to anybody at all...

Rob invites James Thompson, AKA Black Badger, into his Dresden-based den for lockdown laughs. The pair chat about James's experiences in the industry, what he's got on his plate right now, their failed gridiron careers, and a whole host of other nonsense.

That's right, vintage chronographs are in focus yet again, but this time we talk about the pieces on our wish list with some cool anecdotes thrown in for good measure. We don't own these, but would love to acquire them if funds allow.

Before hitting the main topic on vintage chronographs, we roll through our customary "Handgelenk Kontrolle". Mike comes prepared in his vintage 38mm Excelsior Park "Tuxedo Dial." Balazs turns back the clock with his fetching Eterna Caliber 852 and its unique case back.

The gents move on to some news and regret the fact that the latest James Bond movie has been pushed out yet again until October due to a certain pesky virus. The big topic, however, is the new Zenith Chronomaster Sport with its new El Primero 3600 caliber. There's no doubt that this watch boasts some serious technical chops. However, both love Zenith vintage chronographs and are a bit unsure about the highly familiar styling of this new piece.

We ease into our main topic where Balazs and Mike go back and forth on vintage chronographs that would receive a warm welcome in each's respective collection. Here are the watches that made the grade:

Balazs:

• Hamilton Chrono-Matic Caliber 11
• Longines 13zn
• Junghans J88 Bundeswehr

Mike:

• Movado Super Sub-Sea
• Breitling 777 Premier in 18K gold
• Jardur Bezelmeter

If you're thinking of getting into vintage chronographs, but are concerned that you've missed the boat, don't fret! There are still some wonderful options with great names and movements out there at very reasonable prices. Here are some of the options:

• Anything with the venerable Valjoux 7733, 7734, or 7736.
• A Roamer Stingray with a Valjoux 72 or other Valjoux movement
• One of many vintage chronographs using the Angelus 215 movement
• A vintage Vulcain chronograph

As always, we thank you for listening to our latest Fratello on Air podcast. Keep the questions and ideas flowing — we'll be back!

Balazs & Mike return with a new episode and we talk vintage Chronographs!

First, it's a "Handgelenk Kontrolle" where Balazs is sporting a '70s Seiko 6139-7070. Mike is donning a 1960 Gruen Ocean Chief.

News-wise, the gents discuss the new Omega Speedmaster Professionals, the recently announced 2021 European L.E.  Seiko Alpinist SPB201J1, and the MING 27.02 and Mike reveals a guilty confession..

Our main topic focuses on vintage Chronographs — the favorite style of watch to collect for both Balazs & Mike. It wasn't easy for each to pick their three favorites, but here they are!

Balazs discusses the following three pieces:

• Omega Speedmaster Mark II with Racing Dial, an attainable watch that both of us own!
• Angelus Chronodato, with its unique display. He also touches on the 215 with Hungarian Air Force provenance as well.
• Lemania 27chro, a watch that's worth knowing because of its tie to our favorite Moonwatch.

Mike takes his turn on vintage chronographs and heads to the '60s:

• Breitling 765 CP "Jean-Claude Killy", which ranks as one of the favorite watches in his collection.
• Heuer Autavia 2446 "Jochen Rindt", an absolute classic that harkens back to the good old days of motor racing.
• Omega Speedmaster Professional 145.012, an all-time classic that looks just as good today as it did back in 1967.

We close out the show with some talk on Tritium dial Speedmaster models and a promise to return with vintage chronographs we'd like to buy. Enjoy the show!

Alon Ben Joseph has been a Bvlgari dealer for six years. He's been a Bvlgari owner, however, for three. He finally decided to pull the trigger on a model from the famous Italien brand when the Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Automatic (in titanium and on a titanium bracelet) was released at Baselworld 2017. Now, three years on, Rob wants to know what he makes of it.

Yesterday was the big day for Speedmaster fans all around the world! The introduction of the new Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Master Chronometer. 

Four new models basically, two steel variations and two in gold. You can read all about the new Moonwatch here. Rob and I decided to host a podcast on the new Moonwatch and answer some of the hottest questions we've read in the comments and on social media.

In this podcast, Balazs and Mike sit down on the very last day of 2020 and hit upon a couple key topics. Collaboration watches and rerelease hope for 2021 are in store in this latest episode.

The Handgelenk Kontrolle

Mike kicks things off with this newly received MING 18.01 H41 Diver.
Balazs goes vintage cool with his funky and unusual Omega Genève Dynamic.

News Update

We then hit the news and talk about the Speedmaster World Cup and our favorite Speedmaster models from the competition. Balazs talks about the recently completed "Watch On Your Wrist? Instagram Photo Contest". Finally, before we move on to our main topics on collaboration watches and 2021 wishes, we discuss the new Fratello App  for iOS (hint: it's cool and flawless to use) and our new website design!

Collaboration Watches

We talk about collaboration watches in general and then walk through six of our favorite "teamwork" pieces. Some of these will surprise you!

• Sinn x Manufactum 103 St OU "Tachy Chrono"
• Sinn x The Rake x Revolution 155 Bundeswehr "Dark Star"
• Oris x Hodinkee Divers Sixty Five
• Squale x AWCo Special Editions
• Christopher Ward C65 Sandstorm Chronometer x Worn & Wound
• Casio G-Shock x Wu-Tang Clan DW-6900

2021 Rerelease Wishes

After hitting on their favorite collaboration watches, Balazs and Mike discuss their rerelease wishes for 2021.

• A new take on the Seamaster DeVille 145.018 with the METAS Chronometer-certified 3861 movement
• The Rolex Submariner 6538
• A quartz powered Seiko 5 Sports "diver" like the vintage 7548
• The 321 movement is back, so why not bring back the Valjoux 72 and the Exclesior Park 40?

Thanks for your collaboration!

Speaking of collaboration, we end the show with a hearty thanks to all of you for listening and wish you a very safe and healthy New Year!

In this podcast, I talk with OMEGA's Mr. Andreas Hobmeier, Vice President of Production and Procurement, about Master Chronometer and the role of METAS. We speak about all the facets of Master Chronometer, and why precision and anti-magnetism is such an important topic.