Fratello On Air: In-Depth Watch Research And Myth Busting

Talking about the effort and reward of poring over the details

September 24, 2024

comments 6

We’re back with another episode of Fratello On Air! We apologize for missing last week, but travel and visitors got in the way. This week, we’re discussing watch research, the time it takes, and the self-satisfaction obtained when uncovering a new fact. It’s another nerdy episode, but recording was a lot of fun. For our listeners, the watch content begins after 22 minutes.

Watch research sounds like a decidedly dull topic. However, this couldn’t be further from the truth because there is plenty to uncover deep in the digital library stacks. We discuss the effort and time it takes to scour the internet for information and the feeling of joy when something interesting is discovered.

Handglenkskontrolle

We are back in good form, and before we move on to the main topic of watch research, we discuss travel, shoes, and more! It has been two weeks, so we have much to chat about during the beginning of this episode! We move on to the Handgelenkskontrolle and Balazs is enjoying a beachside holiday in Turkey with his Ming 17.09. Mike has unearthed a late ’90s Junghans Max Bill hand-winding model he bought on his first business trip to Germany in 1999. It’s a lovely 34mm stainless steel watch that is finally seeing some use 25 years later!

Watch research

Mike leads off with a quick synopsis of his recent in-depth article on the Movado Museum Watch. A sizable amount of watch research led to the debunking of a couple of myths surrounding these timepieces. We discuss the power of digital archives, such as the Library of Congress, newspaper archives, legal cases, and more! The work wasn’t easy or fast, but it allowed Mike to publish new information. Of course, several people helped along the way. We compare this recent research to a collector’s guide on Angelus military vintage chronographs that Balazs wrote about in 2019 and how information sources have changed. Finally, we bring up the official new Submariner book and how it mentions production totals. What could it mean for Rolex information in the future?

We hope you enjoy this latest episode, and thank you for listening! As always, if you have ideas for future shows please let us know.

Home
Watch Brands
Angelus
Junghans
Ming
Movado
Rolex
Fratello On Air: In-Depth Watch Research And Myth Busting

Read next latest →

Alcadus Quantra Type 02 Anthracite And Type 01 Silver header image

Hands-On With The Charming Alcadus Quantra Type 01 And Type 02

Dave Sergeant

Hands-On With The New Yema Wristmaster Slim CMM.20 Limited Edition

Thomas Van Straaten

best affordable watches of 2024 article header Echo/Neutra Rivanera

Fratello’s Top 5 Affordable Watches Of 2024 — Featuring Seiko, Echo/Neutra, Nodus, And More

Jorg Weppelink

6 Comments

Leave a comment... Join the conversation

Post with fratello account
Login

Don't have an account yet?
Create one here, it'll only take 20 seconds

AV
Avarikat says:

Sep 24, 2024 at 10:57

Love that watch on Mike’s wrist. The Max Bill is one of my all-time favourite watch designs. I sometimes wear a similar 34mm watch, though mine is automatic with a date – which does not look as nice as Mike’s.

I also have a 38mm version that looks almost identical to the one Mike is wearing It is a very versatile watch, and with appropriate straps, works well in both formal as well as more casual situations.

Reply
JB
MADDER says:

Sep 25, 2024 at 01:46

Nothing like going down the rabbit hole with any watch, car, music research!

As for airport celebrity spotting…

Waiting to board a domestic Australian flight, wondering why the hold up?

Next thing a motley looking crew come along, led by a chunky blonde guy, followed by a dark, doubled-over figure in a long coat shuffling behind, clinging onto the first’s jacket. The rest trailed along, long-haired, scruffy, leather and denim. They slowly disappeared down the ramp to the plane. We were allowed on a few minutes later.

Of course they were actually a Crüe!

Reply
Richard says:

Sep 26, 2024 at 20:38

Now this was a proper Fratello on Air episode! Sneakers, weather, running and airport stories. My comfort podcast zone.

I’m only halfway through the episode, but I’m nominating Balazs’ quote – “douches by the pool” – as either your next t-shirt, or an excellent band name. Haha.

Take care, guys!

Reply
1. Roy-65 says:
  
  Sep 27, 2024 at 08:26
  
  I’ll buy the T-Shirt together with the handgelenk’s T-Shirt
  
  Reply
Roy-65 says:

Sep 26, 2024 at 23:13

It was another wonderful long podcast. It took me two days to finish, and I really enjoyed it.
To get straight to the point about the podcast’s topic, the Movado Museum watch. I respect the effort and research that Mike put into uncovering the true story of this watch.

I remember (back in the days) the design being very popular, and many people had such a watch.
A story about a watch can add value and make the watch more interesting. But I doubt that’s the case here. Mike was surprised that a patent was filed for the design and that it was accepted. A watch with an entirely black face and a thick dot at the 12 o’clock position.

I was under the impression that an object can only be “museum-worthy” if it has no function other than to exist. As soon as it has a practical function, it does not belong in a museum.

I know of two exceptions: The Ducati 916 Superbike has been exhibited in various museums of modern art, as well as the Hermes Kelly handbag.
The performance of the Ducati is phenomenal. The story of the Kelly is beautiful in its drama. What both have in common is an incredibly beautiful design. No line is wrong, and the proportions are perfect. They are beautiful objects you could place in your living room just to look at.

Then my opinion about the Movado Museum Watch. I really have no idea what this watch is doing in a museum. The design is boring, and I don’t understand the face. Maybe it’s the night with a full moon. In this case, the story around the watch is better and more exciting than the watch itself.
But we still have the stories…

Idea for a new podcast. In Amsterdam I notice that more and more young adults are wearing small vintage watches from their grandparents. I spotted some Omega’s and even a “homage” Piaget polo.
Is the watch community getting younger?

Reply
1. Roy-65 says:
  
  Sep 27, 2024 at 10:05
  
  Oops, I should have read the article first before commenting here 🙂
  
  Reply