Fratello.com

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.

Welcome back to another episode of Fratello On Air! We've been away for a couple of weeks, but we're now back (sort of) and have taken the time to record. This week, we're talking about the watches that got away. Yes, this is a sad episode, but not really. The fact is that both of us have been very lucky while collecting, but that doesn't mean that there weren't moments of heartbreak and regret. Enjoy the show!
Since we last spoke, Mike has been in Brazil, back in America, and on a long weekend in Surrey to celebrate an anniversary. Meanwhile, Balazs has been in Hungary and Chicago before returning to the Fatherland. Yes, we've been keeping the road hot, but we've also been keeping our eyes peeled for watches.
Handgelenkskontrolle
We kick off our show with some travel talk. Mike fared well at Heathrow while Balazs enjoyed the typical antics at Frankfurt airport. We also discussed how America seems to have its passport control process in line now. Regarding shows and movies, we mentioned Crime 101, We Own This Town, Reacher, The Handmaid's Tale, and Lioness. Regarding the Handgelenkskontrolle, Mike wore his Patek Philippe Calatrava 570 all weekend for the anniversary. Sadly, it needs a service after stopping in certain positions overnight. Balazs is sporting a more robust choice: his Rolex Submariner 5513.
The watches that got away
Regrets, we have a few. But, as mentioned, we've been extremely fortunate during our collecting journeys. We've found amazing watches along the way, but the misses always surface. Today, we each mention a few of the pieces that we didn't buy or sold and wished we'd kept. Mike kicks it off with a very rare Citizen. The Jet Para Water Professional reference JT1307051 is a unicorn among rare JDM pieces. Roughly six years ago, Mike was locked in a Yahoo! Japan battle for hours before backing down at roughly €4,500. Yes, that's a lot for a watch no one knows, but the fight was addictive. Sadly, it went on too long, and the price reached an uncomfortable level. Since then, maybe one other has come up for sale.
Balazs recalls 2010, when he was first out of university. At that time, he came across a reverse panda Rolex Daytona 6265 for $18,000, and it was sadly all the money in the world for him. Now, life begins at $50,000 for a similar example. Mike also dredges up a story about a vintage chronograph. A 60s reverse panda Movado M95 with terrible pictures was listed on eBay with a $0.99 starting price. He sought help from none other than Fred Mandelbaum, who told him to tread carefully. In the end, he lost it for roughly $2,100. Today, these watches sell for much more.
The Heuer 2446 makes Balazs' list of regrets. He was in a small group in the early 2010's with a weekly Excel file of watches for sale. The so-called Jochen Rindt was available for €4,500, but he wasn't educated enough about the watch to make a decision. Today, expect to pay roughly €15,000 for the racing-inspired timer. Mike brought up a Rolex Day-Date 1803 in white gold with a chalky blue dial. In the podcast, he incorrectly remembers it as a Buckley dial, but in fact, it was a normal piece with baton indices. Still, the watch was stunning, and it was gone within 12 hours. It was available for too short a period for him to sleep on the decision. Alas!
Finally, Balazs mentions a watch he once owned but sold, which he wishes he had back in his collection. The Nivada Grenchen Datomaster is a rare beast with a stunning color combination. At one time, Mike, Balazs, and Chase (from Oak & Oscar) all owned one and shared a picture in Basel with the three pieces together. Perhaps Balazs will obtain one again someday.
We hope you enjoyed today's episode, as it was a personal look at our collecting journeys. As always, thank you for listening, and feel free to let us know if you have any ideas for future shows.

Two watches should be enough — at least in theory. If you had no budget limitations and could own only two watches, which would you choose? The challenge isn't simply to pick two favorites. With only two spots available, both watches need to earn their place. In this episode of Fratello Talks, Nacho is joined by Lex and RJ for a hypothetical collecting exercise. They each have to build a two-watch collection from scratch, without a budget limit, while keeping versatility in mind. That means considering everything from daily wearability and different occasions to the types of watches that complement each other rather than simply doing the same job. It's a deceptively difficult challenge. After all, choosing two great watches is easy. Choosing two that actually work together is another matter.