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!This podcast player is blocked because you did not accept marketing cookies. Change cookie settings 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 ...

You cant put a price on fun, but the best fun is often had during a vacation, and you can put a price on one of those. You can go camping in a two-person tent on the cheap or spend your downtime in a private villa with butler service on a tropical island for a lot more. My summer watch picks for this year share a colorful and fun vacay spirit but differ in price. Therefore, I assigned them three levels - Bronze, Silver, and Gold. If youre missing a Platinum Level summer watch, continue reading to the very end and be surprised by how affordable this ultimate level is.There is no moral judgment here. Camping is neither objectively superior nor inferior to doing nothing in a hammock between two...

Sometimes, a watch that needs some time to sink in lands on my desk. When I first laid my eyes on the Makina Azazel_I, I knew it was one of those. You can immediately see that it s a futuristic watch created with an unapologetic concept at its core. The design combines a remarkable case and an abstract dial, resulting in a watch that people will probably love or hate. After letting the looks sink in for a bit, I took the Makina Azazel_I for a spin to find out more.When I first saw the watch, it reminded me of the Makina Mephisto_III GMT models that I reviewed earlier this year. While I vividly remember the inaugural watches from the Filipino brand, they weren t as extravagant as the Azazel_I...

I was all ears when news broke that Stockholm-based brand Nezumi would be releasing optimized versions of its Aviera GMT. About a year ago, I had the chance to go hands-on with the second generation of the popular Swedish brand s travel watch and thoroughly enjoyed that. Back then, I reviewed the Aviera GMT as part of the brand s Adventure Pack, a stylish trio of tool watches that could be perfect travel companions. This time, we get a third-generation trio of Aviera GMTs, each featuring an optimized case and crystal. On top of that, two of them are limited editions that take a step away from the Explorer II look that defined the Aviera up until now. This is more than enough reason to find ...

It s summer in the Northern Hemisphere, so it s time to dust off your colorful watches. If you haven t got any colorful options in your watch box yet, look at the new Marina Chronograaf collection by Batavi. As always, the Dutch brand offers surprising color combinations, and the modest pricing turns these models into perfect bonus watches. Of course, if you re just getting into the hobby, one of these pieces could also serve as a vibrant and affordable first mechanical watch.I have already handled quite a few Batavi watches. They re often original takes on watches with classic complications or specific design features. First, there was the Kosmopoliet GMT, and then came the Architect, which...

Los Angeles-based brand J.N. Shapiro Watches has achieved a somewhat mythical status since Josh Shapiro founded it in 2018. The watches are elusive and exclusive creations that dent your budget and test your patience. What if you dont have US$75,000 to spend and/or lack the mental stamina to wait around three years for your watch? Josh Shapiro to the rescue. Introducing the J.N. Shapiro Infinity Series Pure, two watches at a third of the aforementioned price. Availability might still be problematic since just 18 pieces of each will be made, so you could still call these watches mythical and elusive. And with deliveries slated for the fourth quarter of 2025, people looking for instant watch g...

IFL Watches has been using the Bulova Super Seville as a canvas for some of its latest dial creations. I love Bulova s retro Super Seville, so I welcome the creative takes that the team at IFL develops. For this latest limited-edition release, the artists at IFLW came up with a special hand-painted honeycomb dial. The dial is a tribute to the honeybee, nature s ultimate precision worker, and it comes with a custom bee-inspired seconds hand. The result is a fun take on Bulova s Super Seville that will be available in a limited run of 500 pieces. Let s check out what the watch is all about.You might be wondering why the team at IFLW created this special honeycomb dial. Is it a tribute to the v...

The Tank Americaine is easily one of my favorite modern Cartier wristwatches. The long, curved case wears beautifully and provides ample space for an attractive dial. The serial-production watches are available in three sizes, along with a variety of movements and materials. Occasionally, the watch acts as a platform for a special release. Today s new piece falls under that category as a European LE.Despite a relatively quiet watch market, Cartier continues to buck the trend. The brand is hot, and based on a recent visit to an authorized dealer, it s difficult to obtain certain pieces. The new Tank Americaine European Limited Edition will probably be nearly impossible to find, but it s worth...

It s Sunday morning, so it s time for a cup of coffee and a new installment of our Sunday Morning Showdown series. We ve selected two platinum dress watches introduced during Watches and Wonders 2025 for this week s battle. Mike s pick is the brilliant Patek Philippe Calatrava 6196P. The widely praised return of the classic Calatrava was one of the show s highlights. Jorg s pick is the equally brilliant platinum version of the Chopard L.U.C Quattro Mark IV. While it might not have received as much praise as the Patek, many hardcore watch fans declared it another highlight of this year s Watches and Wonders. Which of these watches will win today s battle?This year is proving to be great for d...

I don t know about you, but part of the whole appeal of watches for me is the notion of longevity. The concept is that, if taken care of and serviced, a watch should last a very long time indeed. However, a recent experience with Seiko has left me a little troubled.?The concept of longevity is closely tied to our horological hobby, just as it is to old Toyota pick-ups or vintage BMW motorcycles. There s a famous video series on the UK car show Top Gear. In that series, they try to destroy a Toyota truck using increasingly elaborate means. This includes having the car parked on the top of a high-rise before it s flattened by explosives. Remarkably, the Toyota keeps running after it s pulled f...

Quartz movements took a next step when light started charging the power source. Tissot started using light as a fuel in 2014 when it introduced the T-Touch Expert Solar. This year, the brand from Le Locle presents the next technological step in the shape of the Lightmaster solar quartz movement. The movement is the heart of Tissots most important release of 2025, the sporty-chic PRC 100 Solar Quartz. This next-generation quartz watch doesnt have photovoltaic panels on the dial. Instead, theres a barely visible grid of thin, tiny hexagon-shaped solar cells to absorb the light. This means, for instance, that dial design has no restrictions. Fratello went behind the scenes at Tissot and visited...

While many brands attempt to move up the pricing ladder, it s nice to know that some continue to focus on high-quality, affordable watches. Hanhart may not qualify as a high-street brand available in every city, but the historic company s watches are worth serious consideration. Today, we ll briefly look at the new 415 ES Panda and Reverse Panda models. I hate to spoil the ending, but after reviewing the details, these watches are hard to argue against.Hanhart may be best known for its red-pusher pilot s chronographs, but the brand produces a host of other watches. The 415 ES is just one of the model lines, and instead of planes, these watches are inspired by cars, specifically, the style of...

When Norqain launched in 2018, larger watches were still the norm for many consumers. Fast-forward seven years, and buyers now enjoy the option of a moderately sized timepiece. Additionally, brands are now offering watches that may appeal to women. Norqain isn t ignoring the shift to smaller watches. This March, a 39mm Wild One, the biggest seller in the catalog, debuted to great reviews. Now there s a new Independence Skeleton 40mm, which offers a downsized option compared to the 42mm version.As a vintage-watch nut, it has taken me years to warm up to the idea of an openworked dial. I m not sure why, though, because I love mechanical items. Regardless of my past concerns, I understand the i...

It s Friday, so it s time for another list. Last week, we kicked off the series of lists looking back at the best releases of the first half of 2025. This week, it s time for the second installment of the series. For this list, we picked our five favorite dive watches that were released between January and June.Besides being the most popular genre, dive watches have also seen some interesting takes on the formula in recent years. Just think of 2024 s Singer Divetrack, a piece that reimagines what a dive watch can be. And what about the full-gold Deepsea, a bonkers full-gold take on a proper deep-sea dive watch, or Christopher Ward and seconde/seconde/ s whimsical C65 Desk Diver? Those are j...

Timing is everything when it comes to surfing and buying limited-edition watches. That s doubly true when it comes to buying a surf-themed LE timepiece. So stop slacking and pay attention because heres the Zenith Time & Tide Defy Skyline Skeleton White Surfer Ceramic. This is the third and final Surfer limited edition, and Zenith will produce just 100 pieces. If you dont catch that wave now, you will forever be remembered as the one who wiped out three times in a row. The white ceramic watch with the blue gradient open-worked dial hits you like a refreshing wave.After the microblasted titanium Defy Classic Skeleton Night Surfer in 2021 and Defy Skyline Skeleton Night Surfer El Primero ...

If youve read my writing for any length of time, youll know Ive got a soft spot for independents - the Urwerks, WRK Timepieces, and Armin Stroms of the world. These are the brands that, in my opinion, tend to push the envelope and take risks that most others wouldnt. It was through a mutual love of independent watchmaking that I first met Lukas Young, one of the co-founders of Fam al Hut. After being a collector for so long, Lukas had long wanted to launch something of his own. That something is the Fam al Hut Mark 1 M?bius, and its a debut that doesnt just feel like a warm-up act.The M?bius doesnt tiptoe into the market; rather, it charges in headfirst with a biaxial tourbillon, retrograde ...

Just in time for summer, Clement Gaud presents us with the lightest and smallest Laventure watch to date. The Marine Type 3, available with either a black or full-lume white dial, features a case crafted from Grade 23 titanium. Like all of Clement s watches, the Marine Type 3 s design takes inspiration from vintage timepieces. This time, we find design cues from 1980s marine chronometers by Omega and Patek Philippe. However, not only is the design well thought through, but the new Laventure Marine Type 3 is also a very capable sports watch with a 300m depth rating and an antimagnetic soft-iron cage. Patek Philippe Naviquartz - Image: Collector Square Omega Megaquartz - Image: Royal Museum...

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. But now, let s get to wrist check!This ...

This watch might not be for field-watch purists. But for those who are more open-minded and dont mind chill frivolities, this icy-cool Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical 38mm might be just the watch theyre looking for. It will involve a bit of traveling, though, because this frosty-dial watch is only available in Zermatt. You will have to head to one of Switzerlands most famous and beautiful ski towns, which is also worth a visit in summer. That s because of the famous, characteristic mountain just outside town, the Matterhorn. When you buy the watch in the Alps for CHF 595, you get a second reward and souvenir - an engraving of the most photogenic of mountains on the back of the case.Hamilton ...

Straight off the bat, I want to be upfront and let you know that these watches have sold out since they were first announced last year. So why do a review? It s quite simple. The two Vero Open Water 38 models are the perfect opportunity to get a feel for the watches from the young American brand. Also, Vero still offers the Open Water in a 41mm case, so there s plenty to discover about these two remarkable Open Water 38 models. Let s see what makes the Vero Open Water 38 Off-White and Emergency Yellow special beyond their colors.When I first saw the Vero Open Water 38 models last year, the bright yellow Swell model instantly caught my attention. It has a similar yellow color to a tennis ball...