Fratelli Stories: Dan’s Connection To His Grandfathers Through Their Watches

In this latest edition of Fratelli Stories, Fratello reader Dan speaks about the three most special watches in his extensive collection — a Citizen, Seiko, and Edox. These three watches help connect him to warm memories of his two grandfathers.

One of the best elements of this hobby has to be the people. I don’t know about you, Fratelli, but the social component of watch collecting/enthusiasm is what keeps me very much connected to it. Fratelli Stories was conceived to celebrate part of that spirit, and we always welcome comments and ideas for the next chapter in the series. This time, though, I got to sit down and talk to a long-term Fratello fan, who has been reading our articles for years. Dan Tubman is a 20-something-year-old with a passion for vintage watches, vintage cars, and all things in between. Although he has an extensive collection, including a Rolex Submariner and a newly acquired vintage TAG Heuer Formula 1, his most special watches are a trio inherited from his grandfathers, Ray and John. I sat down with Dan to learn more about the backstory of these three watches.

A young collector’s journey

Henry Black (HB): So, Dan, what got you into watches originally?

Dan Tubman (DT): I got into watches at the age of about 13 when this company called Eaglemoss brought out a magazine called Military Watches, which came with these little quartz recreations of important vintage watches related to specific military units. I got about 10 of these and would wear them to school. Having been born with the collector gene, I started reading up about Rolex and the heritage of some brands. Then, after falling down the rabbit hole I decided that I needed to get a “real watch,” meaning something automatic, and I hit my parents up for a Seiko SKX007, which I ended up getting for my 14th birthday. Ever since, I have been on a slippery downhill slope.

Dan’s grandfathers, Ray and John

Inheriting his grandfathers’ watches 

HB: Tell me about your grandfathers. What did they do, and how did they play a part in your life?

DT: Both of my grandfathers were very mechanically capable. My nunu John Abela was a Maltese immigrant who moved to Australia in search of a better life for himself. When he got here, he worked in a mattress factory in Alexandria for 40 years, both fixing the machines and laboring. On my dad’s side, my pop Ray Tubman worked as an electrician at the Steel Works before becoming an electrical inspector for the public works department.

I was very lucky to grow up with both sets of my grandparents in very close proximity, with them either just next door or in a granny flat at my parent’s place. Having them both so close meant that hobbies, passions, values, and behaviors were passed directly on to me. Honestly, I believe that I’m the sum of their influences on me, both directly and via my parents. I attempt to embody their kindheartedness, unbreakable work ethic, and passionate character traits each day.

Connecting to a grandfather’s watch

HB: Talk me through these three watches that belonged to your grandfathers. What are they, and who owned which?

DT: Sure. The Edox and the Seiko are my pop’s watches. The Edox Delfin is a late-1960s dive watch that was a gift from his mother and purchased on a cruise. The Seiko 5 is from the mid-2000s. This was a watch that he purchased for himself, and it was his daily for around 15 years. The Citizen was my nunu’s watch, which he purchased in the 1990s and wore occasionally at first, but when he retired, he wore it every day. I don’t think he ever resized the bracelet, but he always wore the watch on the underside of his wrist and didn’t mind the loose fit. I think that is how it got more wear on the crystal than usual.

HB: The Edox and Seiko look particularly beaten up and like they lived rough lives. Tell me more!

DT: As you can see, he wore the Edox almost every day and did everything with it until he bought the Seiko. That Seiko 5 was the only watch that I ever saw him wear, and he wore it doing everything. Whether working on his old Humber or creating some gorgeous piece out of wood, it was always on his wrist. I’m lucky enough to have one of the wooden clocks that he made in my apartment. He saw watches as a tool for the primary purpose of telling the time.

Remembering role models 

HB: How does it feel to have that connection to your grandfathers through their watches? Do you have any specific memories of seeing these watches on their wrists?

DT: It’s a real privilege to have a constant reminder of two of my biggest role models whenever I wear these pieces. I don’t wear them that often as I will always see them as not truly being mine. It’s more as though I’m borrowing them for a day. These watches reflect each of my grandfather’s broader outlook on life to me — my pop’s utilitarian, mechanically minded outlook on getting things done and enjoying the process and my nunu’s adaptive and appreciative attitude to the little things, like a cup of tea or an early morning football match.

I vividly remember seeing these watches on their wrists. That Citizen was the only watch my nunu ever owned. I remember asking him at around seven or eight years old if I could try it on and why he was wearing it the “wrong” way. He said something like that was “just how it fell.” I remember seeing the Seiko 5 throughout my teenage years, such as when we were working on a wooden box to hold my collection of decks of cards when I was about 10 until he passed away a few years ago.

An evolving passion for watches 

HB: How would you describe your tastes or what you find interesting in watches? And tell me about your latest watch, a Grand Seiko.

DT: At this moment, my tastes lean primarily toward vintage style cues and important pieces from brands as well as some interesting historical oddities. Watches that are representative of an era or brand usually grab my interest. I love pieces from the 1980s and 1990s at the moment as they are so indicative of the design aesthetics of those decades. I always find it difficult to describe my tastes in watches as I collect pieces 30–43mm in size and spanning from the 1940s to today. But I think the thing that they have in common is that they are beautiful from a technical or design perspective — sometimes both and sometimes one or the other.

I was lucky to pick up this tobacco-dial Grand Seiko SBGE227 from my close friend Brian, who picked up some great stories while wearing it. To me, this piece covered all of the things that are intrinsically Grand Seiko. That included the applied hour markers and gorgeously finished dauphine hands with the Spring Drive movement. And the smoothest-sweeping seconds hand completely enamored me. Having grown up with most of my extended family owning Seikos, it struck me as a logical next step in continuing this tradition. Grand Seiko watches interest me because of the beauty of their finishing. At the price point, it is unrivaled by any other mainstream brand.

A Fratello #TBT fan

HB: Finally, what sort of stories (specific stories or themes) do you like to read on Fratello, and why?

DT: I adore the #TBT section of Fratello because of the vintage coverage. I also enjoy the coverage of the newer independents, such as Anoma, SpaceOne, Baltic, Furlan Marri, and Serica. The vintage coverage appeals to me as that is the bulk of my collection. That includes things that I’m always trying to learn more and more about. But the new releases from these independent watchmakers are always interesting to keep an eye on. The reason for me is that they work within budgetary limitations. They also often deliver fantastic value for money and a unique approach to watch design.

Closing thoughts

A big “thank you” goes out to Dan for sharing his time and this story! Connecting with our readers through this shared love of all things watches is wonderful. Please let me know if you would like to be featured in this series or if you have suggestions for a good candidate, such as a friend! You can also send me a message on Instagram.

Finally, I hope you enjoyed this story. Let me know if you have any special watches and stories from your grandfather(s) or perhaps another relative. I would love to read about them in the comments!