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Fratello Talks: The Role Of Microbrands Today

The concept of a microbrand is not new per se. Small independent watch brands were plentiful in the pre-quartz times. However, the term as we know it today has only been around in the watch world for the last two decades. Contemporary microbrands are a different beast altogether, and though they come in many shapes and sizes, one thing is certain: they have established themselves as key players in the broader watch industry. On this episode of Fratello Talks, Nacho, RJ, and Daan discuss the role of microbrands today. It's more multifaceted than some might imagine, from being agile and fearless in embracing trends to providing a value-driven entry point for new watch collectors and influencing big brands to offer features that have become commonplace for these smaller players.

Fratello Talks: The Best Watches Of 2025 So Far

In case you haven't noticed, the first half of the year is already behind us. What better time to look back at some of the best watches of 2025 so far? That's precisely what RJ, Daan, and Nacho are doing on today's episode of Fratello Talks. The past six months have hosted hundreds of watch releases from as many brands, meaning the guys won't be able to do them all justice. Still, they decided to pick five watches each to offer a decent selection and keep the episode from running over an hour. So, tune in and check out 15 of the best watches of 2025 alongside some honorable mentions.

Fratello Talks: Watch Brands And Sports

Timekeeping is a key element in most sports disciplines, so it should come as no surprise that the world of horology has long-standing ties to sports. In today's episode of Fratello Talks, the guys look at that link and discuss the presence and influence of watch brands in sports. Nacho is joined by RJ and Lex, who run through some of their most memorable watch brand/sport pairings. They also look at sponsored athletes and teams, official timekeepers, and the many other ways the watch world has made itself present in sports. Finally, they consider some hypothetical pairings that they would like to see.

Fratello On Air: The Biggest Myths And Misconceptions Of Watch Collecting

Welcome back to another episode of Fratello On Air! This week, we aim to debunk some of the most prevalent myths surrounding our beloved watch-collecting hobby. Some will be obvious, but some require some discussion. Enjoy the show!Misconceptions within the hobby have run rampant for as long as folks have been collecting watches. Therefore, it's time for us to challenge these beliefs. We can thank one of our longstanding listeners, thelostspringbar, for our topic. Specifically, he asked about "the top 5 myths or misconceptions about watch collecting."HandgelenkskontrolleWe kick off our show with a discussion about this year's Wimbledon tournament. Mike had the opportunity to attend for a day, and there were plenty of watches to be seen. This turns into a discussion about Boom! Boom! The World vs Boris Becker, a documentary on Apple TV. For the Handgelenkskontrolle, Mike is wearing a watch he rarely brings out of hiding. The Rolex GMT-Master 16758 escaped from the bank for a couple of days for a dinner outside the city. Balazs has a new release on his wrist. The blue Nivada Grenchen Aquamar (€1,095) is a lovely watch with a cool party trick in the way of changing lume.The top myths surrounding watch collectingThankfully, most watch collectors are good people. We've met loads of them, and 99% of our interactions have been positive. The problems, it seems, come when people are left to ruminate on videos, in forums, or on podcasts! All sorts of horror stories come out, and while there's likely truth behind the tales, many are overblown. We discuss some of the most common myths we hear and why you shouldn't believe everything you hear when it comes to watch collecting. The topics are as follows:Pre-owned and vintage watches are scaryOnly expensive watches are worth collectingThe Grail watch existsA large collection is required to be a serious collectorRolex is the only answer, or focusing on one brand is the only way to collectQuartz watches aren't collectibleWatches are always a great investmentWe hope you enjoy the show, and feel free to share the most popular myths you've heard related to watch collecting. Thanks for listening!

Fratello Talks: The Best Watches Under €5,000 In 2025

This week on Fratello Talks, we're looking at some of the best watches under €5,000 in 2025. The last time that Daan, Thomas, and Nacho discussed favorites was a few weeks ago. Back then, they discussed their favorites in the sub-€2.5k price bracket. Today, they're upping the ante and doubling the maximum price. This opens up their choice to countless more options, and you can bet they're taking advantage of it. This budget unlocks plenty of brilliant watches, including some from brands typically considered entry-level to mid-level luxury (including Tudor, TAG Heuer, Cartier, and many more). So, if you want to know their picks, tune in to this episode.