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Vintage watches can seem intimidating when you first start looking. There are unfamiliar references, decades of production changes, questions about originality, and the ever-present possibility of an expensive service bill. But you don't necessarily need a huge budget to get into vintage watches. In fact, €5,000 opens up a surprisingly broad selection. In this episode of Fratello Talks, Nacho is joined by Daan and Max, the latter of whom usually spends his time behind the camera but joins the podcast for this episode. The three discuss the vintage watches they would consider buying with a €5,000 budget. Each participant has selected three watches, with a few honorable mentions along the way. As always, the aim isn't to create a definitive buying guide. Instead, it's an opportunity to explore some options at this price point and explain what makes them interesting.

Welcome back to another episode of Fratello On Air! This week, we're both back home. Balazs has returned from Geneva, and Mike has come in after three weeks of being on the road. In this episode, we review the overarching trends at Geneva Watch Days 2026 along with the top releases. Enjoy the show!
Well, another month has gone by, and the year's final big show in Geneva has passed. Geneva Watch Days is now in the rearview mirror, but were there any common trends among the many participating brands? We discuss that and more today.
Handgelenkskontrolle
We kick off our show with more travel fun. This time, our beloved Frankfurt Airport is back in focus. Sadly, it's not for the best reason. Despite the recent trends of trouble-free travel, the big transportation hub struck again! Next, Balazs shares news that Daniel Craig auctioned his 1959 Land Rover 109 Series II for $56,000. On television, we've been watching Lanterns, Lioness, Reacher, and Silo. Then, for the Handgelenkskontrolle, we've got a fun assortment. Mike is wearing his 2022 Sinn EZM 1.1 S, a limited-edition black-coated piece. Meanwhile, Balazs is wearing the first release from the Donut Watch Co., the Glazed. This fun watch was designed by Ming but shouldn't be confused with a Ming!
Trends at Geneva Watch Days 2026
This year, Balazs traveled to Geneva Watch Days 2026 while Mike spent the week working in Germany. So, one was in person while the other read and viewed the happenings via social media and our website. Regarding trends, we noticed an uptick in jump-hour watches, with brands like M.A.D.Editions and Bremont adding new models. Also, stone dials still seem to be in vogue. Naturally, Dennison continues to play this card.
From a color perspective, is deep red this year's purple? Bremont and Doxa certainly think so! Finally, smaller, thinner watches continue to be all the rage. Regarding some of the key releases, we mention the Gallet launch. Then, Balazs was quite taken with the Alpina Startimer Solar Pilot Solarmetre. Frederique Constant also has a strong lineup with the Moneta Handwinding and the Highlife Moonphase. Finally, we mention the new Zenith Chronomaster Solo Sport.
We hope you enjoy today's episode and thank you for listening. As always, feel free to let us know if you have any topics you'd like us to discuss in future shows.

We're already well into 2026, and the watch industry has given us plenty to talk about. From major releases by established manufacturers to smaller brands introducing watches that caught our attention, there has been no shortage of new things to discover. But which watches actually stand out? In this episode of Fratello Talks, Nacho is joined by Daan and Jorg to look back at the first part of 2026 and discuss some of their favorite watches released so far. Rather than trying to create a definitive ranking, the conversation focuses on the watches that made an impression and why they stood out. With several months still left in the year, there is plenty of room for the list to change. That makes this a useful moment to take stock of what we've seen so far.

Welcome back to another episode of Fratello On Air! This week, we're both back in our respective homes before traveling again. Our show is about modern watches destined to become classics. Now, before you accuse us of focusing on money, erase those thoughts! We don't care about value. No, we are talking about watches that will be interesting several decades from now.
Predicting the future is difficult, but we're here to try! This week, we're focused on modern watches that will command respect in the coming decades. As you'll see, we have some caveats. We chose relatively affordable pieces instead of haute horlogerie models. And we both chose three, for a total of six watches. We hope you enjoy the show!
Handgelenkskontrolle
We kick off our show with a bit of travel talk, but we quickly shift to the screen. Shows including I Will Find You, Lanterns, DTF St. Louis, and Half Man get mentions. Then, Balazs brings up an upcoming auction for the 1998 Game 3 NBA Finals jersey from Michael Jordan. It's listed on Joopiter and will be up for auction with an estimate of $10 to $15 million! We end our banter with a mention of Instagram user @dewesyy, who is filming the cobbling together of a Porsche 911 Targa from two rough beaters. For the Handgelenkskontrolle, Mike is wearing his trusty Rolex Submariner 14060M from 2011. Balazs is sporting his Ming 22.01 GMT Kyoto.
The modern watches we'll still be talking about in 20 years
We kick off our main topic by mentioning the one and only Bvlgari Octo Finissimo. While this watch may not fit every wrist, it's a stunning object. Perhaps Bvlgari will never take this watch out of production, or maybe it will evolve into something different. Still, there's no denying that the current watches are arresting. We think they'll still be grabbing attention in the long run.
For Mike's first pick, the original 42mm Tudor Pelagos in black, blue, or LHD still stands out as a landmark watch. More than the Black Bay, these were non-retro releases and were the first titanium "Rolex." Aside from moving to an in-house caliber, the watch has barely changed since its 2012 debut in 2012. We'd be surprised if the model doesn't change soon, but the original will always be special.
Next up, we mention the Ming 17-series. It's hard to believe, but Mike first reviewed a 17.06 Slate back in 2019. This started his love affair with the brand, and it was ultimately contagious. Now, Balazs is hooked too! The 17.09 was a watershed moment for both of us, as we each own one.
Technical powerhouses
From a technical perspective, it's hard to fault the Sinn EZM collection. These pieces are the brand's most focused and hardcore tool watches, made for specific jobs. Models like the EZM 1 are the most famous, but all of them are worth owning. Due to the innovation and design, we're confident that all of these editions will be discussed in the future.
Balazs brings up the Grand Seiko SLGH005 White Birch from 2021, a watch that created a craze for the upscale Japanese brand. People went nuts for the White Birch when it came out, and any time GS releases another silvery-white dial, there's a similar fervor. The 40mm steel reference comes equipped with the brand's satisfying and mesmerizing 9SA5 Hi-Beat automatic movement. Yes, Grand Seiko makes a lot of watches, but there will only be one original White Birch.
Finally, Mike suggests that the Nomos Club Sport Neomatik Worldtimer is one of the modern watches that will be a future classic. Honestly, we forget how impressive Nomos is with its in-house movements and escapements. The latest Worldtimer is a cool watch available in several flavors. With its thin caliber and multi-city display, this is and always will be a great daily (and global) accessory.
We hope you enjoy today's show, and thank you for listening. As always, if you have future show ideas, please let us know!

Microbrands have come a long way. What were once largely associated with inexpensive, enthusiast-driven watches have developed into a much broader part of the industry. Today, small brands are experimenting with materials, movements, manufacturing techniques, and design in ways that can make them serious alternatives to more established names. In this episode of Fratello Talks, Nacho, Daan, and Jorg discuss how microbrands have changed the game. The conversation looks at how quality has improved, how ambitious design has become a defining characteristic of the segment, and why the price of entry has also changed considerably. The result is a microbrand landscape that looks very different from what existed a decade ago.