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Happy New Year from Fratello On Air! We're back with a new episode, and we're going shopping. Well, maybe. One of us has his eyes on several pieces while the other is taking a wait-and-see approach. Enjoy our 2026 kickoff!

Yes, we're back for another year, and it's great to be here! With a new year, we usually make resolutions. However, last year's resolutions didn't go so well. In particular, Mike failed miserably on his plan to sell watches. He was simply too lazy. So instead of making these types of predictions, we've opted to talk about what's on our shopping lists.

Handgelenkskontrolle

We kick off our show with a discussion about Kith, which some of you may recall from the controversial TAG Heuer Formula 1 × Kith collaboration in 2024. The brand just opened a new store in London, which is worth visiting if sneakers are of interest. For the Handgelenkskontrolle, Balazs is wearing his trusty G-Shock GW-B5600-2ER, a watch that seems to give him good luck when traveling. Mike is wearing his Synchron Military, a fun piece from 2021. This segues into a conversation about the Synchron Sealab Ti300M, a new titanium diver with many similarities to the Doxa Sub 300T.

Shopping in 2026

For 2026, we're taking a more reserved approach to collecting — sort of. Mike has a trio of expensive watches on his radar and will struggle to land any of them. However, he has vowed to stay away from accumulating more lower-priced pieces. Balazs, on the other hand, has less specific desires. He has just ordered a microbrand watch from Japan but is keeping mum on the name until it arrives. A watch that Mike is hot on is the Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF 36 in Stone Blue. This probably isn't a surprise, as it comes up now and again on episodes, but make no mistake, the desire is real!

Balazs has come close to completing his Angelus collection, but he'd love to add a vintage minute repeater. For the second year in a row, Mike also has a certain vintage watch on his list. The "large" Cartier Tank Normale is still a lustworthy piece, but it's expensive. With its 23mm by 30mm case, this little beauty has real presence but a hefty price tag. Balazs is taking some small steps to fund potential acquisitions by selling a few of his Angelus duplicates, which bodes well for his piggy bank. Finally, while adding another Rolex to the collection wasn't planned, a '60s gilt-dial Rolex Submariner 5513 would be amazing. Our friend Eric Wind of Wind Vintage often finds great examples. There's just something special about the warm font!

We hope you enjoy today's episode and look forward to the upcoming year. Let us know what's on your shopping list for 2026 and, while you're at it, what else you'd like to hear about in future installments.

Happy New Year, dear Fratelli! We are following up on our kick-off to this new lap around the sun with a fresh new episode of Fratello Talks, where we're discussing our watch wishes and predictions for 2026. RJ, Thomas, and Nacho are here to express some of what they'd love to see more of in the new year from watch brands, as well as to make specific predictions. They also go over some anniversaries taking place that may reveal some of what we can look forward to in 2026. 

Welcome to the fourth season of Fratello Talks! To kick off the new year, we're discussing some of the best entry-level watches to start a collection in 2026. Daan, RJ, and Nacho come together to present some of their favorite options available today. Many of the watches discussed are great if you're looking to start a collection. However, they also serve as a fun purchase, even for seasoned collectors. So tune in, check out our picks, and let us know which ones would be yours. 

Hello and happy holidays from your Fratello Talks team! Today marks the final episode of 2025 and the end of our third season of the show. What better way to round out the year than by looking back at some horological highlights of 2025? RJ, Daan, and your host, Nacho, join forces to discuss some of the most remarkable moments of this past year. Consider this final episode of the year our gift to you this holiday season.

Merry Christmas and welcome to another episode of Fratello On Air! We're back with an episode on Christmas Eve, and we're talking about our favorite Seiko watches of all time. That's a tough mission, but like Santa's job of delivering toys to all the children, we're up to the task! Grab some mulled wine, settle in by the fireplace, and enjoy the banter.

Folks, we've been on the road for the last few weeks. America, Japan, and Germany are just some of the places we've been. However, we're back just in time for Christmas, and we're excited to talk about one of our favorite brands. Seiko has an impressive history and has made significant contributions to watchmaking. In this episode, we discuss our six favorite Seiko references. It wasn't easy, but we've somehow whittled it down to a handful and a thumb!

Handgelenkskontrolle

To kick things off, we return to sneakers. We've been a little disappointed in the Nike and New Balance releases leading up to the holiday season. Balazs brings up a set of Chicago Bulls championship rings that sold at Sotheby's on December 12th for over $400,000. Mike then discusses the Imperial Fabergé Winter Egg that recently sold for $30.2 million at Christie's. It was on preview at Christie's in London before going under the hammer earlier this month. For the Handgelenkskontrolle, Balazs is wearing his lovely Rolex GMT-Master reference 1675. Mike is still addicted to his Ming 37.11 Odyssey on the Polymesh bracelet.

Our favorite Seiko watches

If you haven't figured it out, Seiko is one of our favorite brands. When reviewing its back catalog, the number of significant references is mind-boggling. There are an incredible number of amazing watches in so many genres. Somehow, we've boiled our list down to six favorites. Some are surprises, and some are not. Still, all are fun and worth mentioning. Our picks are:

• The 6139-7070, a fantastic reference showcasing Japan's first automatic chronograph
• The Grand Seiko 44GS, 4420-9000, is one of the most significant designs from the brand
• A King Seiko 5626-7000, a Hi-Beat legend still available at an amazing price
• Seiko's Champion Alpinist J13043, an incredibly distinct model with a stunning dial
• Grand Seiko's modern collection, one of the most gratifying and well-designed lineups on the market today
• The Seiko 6215-7000, a watch that broke boundaries for the brand and set a design standard that persists to this day

We hope you enjoy today's episode, and while we expect some controversy from our discussion, we'd love it if you would contribute to the comments section with your favorite Seiko references. Most of all, we wish you a safe and joyous holiday period and thank you for your endless support. We look forward to our next episode!

As 2025 draws to a close, it’s a natural moment to pause, take stock, and look ahead at what the coming year may hold for the watch industry. In this week’s episode of Fratello Talks, Nacho is joined by Daan and Lex for an in-depth conversation about the various factors and forces that are actively reshaping the watch world. The discussion covers a broad range of topics, from emerging players in traditionally untapped markets to shifts in design approaches and production methods, as well as evolving expectations from collectors who increasingly seek connection, personalization, and originality in the pieces they acquire. Nacho, Daan, and Lex explore how these changes might influence both independent and established brands, and what they could mean for the broader industry landscape.

As 2025 winds down, it's the perfect time to reflect on some of the standout microbrand watches released this year. That’s precisely what we’re doing in this week’s episode of Fratello Talks. Nacho, Daan, and Thomas are back in the studio. Each has brought a list of three personal favorites — plus plenty of honorable mentions — for a lively discussion. If you appreciate the creative, unconventional, and often boldly experimental world of microbrand watchmaking, this episode is one you won’t want to miss.

There's something special about gold watches that goes beyond the opulent, warm tone of their shiny exteriors. In the past, they served to mark significant milestones, special occasions, or outstanding achievements. These are often immortalized with an engraving on the case back. Today, on Fratello Talks, we've found inspiration to revisit the topic of gold watches. Several new releases from Nomos with solid-gold cases, including three new Tangente models and two new Ludwig references, prompted this. The guys touch on those but also discuss their feelings about watches cased in this precious metal. They also share personal experiences with gold watches and discuss the meaning they hold for them.

Welcome to another episode of Fratello On Air! With Thanksgiving barely in our rearview mirrors, we decide to spend time giving thanks to the watch hobby. In this installment, you'll hear what we love so much about this addiction and why. Settle in for this candid chat.

In honor of Thanksgiving, we figure that giving thanks is well overdue. Today, you'll hear a lovable Balazs talk about all the things he enjoys about collecting watches and the industry. Mike chimes in with a few of his thoughts. If you were expecting another list, don't worry; we'll be back soon with more controversy. For now, we're feeling festive, and we hope you enjoy it!

Handgelenkskontrolle

We kick off the episode with a chat about television shows. Mike has finally started the legendary British series Foyle's War and is enjoying it immensely. Balazs brings up another long-running classic, Endeavour. There's something special about these types of productions that feels very different from American programs. For the Handgelenkskontrolle, Mike is wearing the Panerai he bought in 2002, the 40mm automatic PAM00048 Luminor Marina. Once again, Balazs is sporting his fantastic Rolex Submariner 5513. Yes, folks, larger watches are slowly making their way to our wrists!

Giving thanks

We kick off our main topic about giving thanks in a natural spot. The community is where we begin, and while we mention it frequently, both of us feel more grateful than ever before. Wherever we travel, we seem to bump into listeners, watch fans, and genuinely friendly folks who are happy to grab a beer or a bite. You've made us feel welcome everywhere, including online, and it's part of what keeps us so excited about the hobby. Next, we talk about a rather childlike feeling that still drives us to stay involved. Frankly, we love the connection we have with brands and the ability to see models before they're released. It's probably not a surprise, but seeing watches before and after they've gone on sale is still a thrill.

Another reason to be thankful is for the general creativity behind watches. Sure, some are better than others, but as vintage collectors, we constantly marvel at the aesthetic solutions found on our little marvels. In particular, our love of chronographs is mainly driven by their designs. The next reason for giving thanks may induce a groan, but we are deeply thankful for Rolex and Seiko. In many ways, these brands couldn't be more different, yet they're oddly very similar too. Most of all, each company deserves a lot of credit for keeping people interested in watches.

Our final dose of appreciation relates to our love of microbrands and independents. We rarely talk about micros, but these companies are driving enthusiasm, innovation, value, and showing agility. Indies, on the other hand, are pushing boundaries technically and aesthetically. Plus, most are incredibly friendly, which is a lovely attribute.

As always, thank you for listening! If you have any thoughts on future show topics, please feel free to let us know!

Over the last few weeks, we've seen an unseasonal deluge of watch releases, with brands big and small unveiling fresh pieces at an incessant pace. Today, on Fratello Talks, we're taking a moment to look back at some highlights and reflect on what stood out to us. Nacho, RJ, and Thomas are on the microphones to break down a diverse array of novelties and share their thoughts on emerging trends. Notable launches include several debuts tied to Dubai Watch Week 2025, which displayed the biennial event's growth in scale and relevance. We’re also exploring the new fourth-generation Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean models, which introduce meaningful updates to one of the brand’s most recognizable collections. With so many intriguing pieces arriving at once, there’s certainly plenty to discuss.