Fratello On Air: The Status Of Our Collections

Where we're headed with watches

November 07, 2023

comments 20

After a three-week hiatus, Fratello On Air is back with a new episode. This week, we’re talking about our collections, what we are currently wearing, and what’s on our radar. As always, it’s a recording with plenty of diverse topics. We invite you to kick back and enjoy the show.

We’ve been on the road for the past several weeks, and we apologize for the lack of new episodes. However, we’re back and talking about our collections. That’s a large topic, so we’re focusing on what we’ve purchased recently, what we’re wearing more than ever, and where we’re looking to bring in new pieces. But first…

Handgelenks Kontrolle

I won’t kid you, we kick off our episode with about 15 minutes of random chatter. After all, we haven’t spoken in quite some time! Ultimately, we decided to bring back the Handgelenks Kontrolle in favor of the Kettle Kite. Balazs kicks things off with his Omega CK2451 from 1949 with its 27CHRO movement. This is a fantastic chronograph with loads of radium that has acted upon the dial. Mike, on the other hand, is wearing his blue Ming 17.09 on a Jean Roussea Alcantara strap.

The status of our collections

We move on to our collections and spend some time talking about why both of us have slowed down our purchases. We’ve become more selective about what should enter the fold. If we consider recent interests, we’ve gone in slightly different directions. Balazs has been wearing larger, more modern watches. Mike continues his return to the 36mm-and-below realm. As far as future interests, Balazs still has a Submariner 5513 or 14060 on his mind along with the Grand Seiko 44GS. Mike will continue to focus on the ’40s and ’50s while seeing what randomly comes his way.

We hope you enjoyed our return to the airwaves. As always, if you have future ideas for the show, feel free to let us know!

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Fratello On Air: The Status Of Our Collections

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DG
GoldenYears says:

Nov 07, 2023 at 10:27

Over the past few years, my wife and I have slowed our purchases of new watches too. Mostly because we already have way too many watches and we’re in the process of gifting them to our nephews and nieces.

But also because we don’t like 95% of what’s currently out there and the rest is just too expensive for us pensioners.

Yes, we’ve gotten very selective and like Mike we’re focusing on smaller, more subtle watches.

We’re excited about 2024 and all new references! ? Soon, we’ll get to our “exit” watch as some call it. My wife said she doesn’t believe in this so called “exit theory” but we’ll see ??

Reply
1. Warky says:
  
  Nov 07, 2023 at 12:00
  
  Looking back over your collecting years GY, do you see any patterns?
  
  Have you been at this point before where you don’t see anything you like in new releases/current catalog pieces?
  
  I am definitely there at the moment with you and I don’t know if that is because my tastes are developing along a well trodden path – or that the new releases are both not very exciting and overpriced ?
  
  There seems to be very little that is genuinely new coming out – especially in the mainstream. On the other hand there are a lot of (particularly neo vintage) pieces that tickle my fancy and are available at very attractive prices compared to the retail price of their modern equivalents.
  
  Reply
  1. DG
    GoldenYears says:
    
    Nov 07, 2023 at 14:06
    
    Hi Mr. Warky,
    Patterns? Hmm. Thanks for asking. I’d have to think about that question for awhile. I do have some themes.
    
    I tend to be very conservative, careful and traditional in my watch purchases. Of course, there was always the random watch that followed no rules. Over time, I also get tired of wearing most all of my watches no matter the brand or cost.
    
    I can forget about beater watches. I don’t keep any watch under 1,000 CHF for very long. I usually give them away to one of our nephews, nieces or family friends kids within a year. In all my years of collecting watches, I’ve only managed to keep two beater watches longer than a year.
    
    My wife has been a good watch partner for me for these past decades. Not only has she “inherited” many of my watches, she has also been providing guidance and a sounding board for me. It’s easier to keep buying watches when your partner is also supportive and thinks she helped chose the watch ?
    
    We’ve been going to a lot of funerals and weddings lately. I can’t help but notice the difference in watches between the older group and the younger group. My wife said it’s time I start buying boring “grandfather” watches and leave the younger watches for the younger generation. For me, this excludes entire brands.
    
    I’m slowing down the rate of my purchases and reducing my budget. I do think watch prices have outpaced what one gets in return.
    
    And yes, generally I don’t see anything in current catalogs and boutiques that I would be interested to buy at these high prices. Most of the watches I want don’t exist yet. And I can only think of one watch I want that is a current release – a Grand Seiko. I’ve never bought a Japanese watch before so this is a new experience for me.
    
    How about you? Any patterns among your acquisitions?
    
    All the best to you and Mrs. Warky!
    
    Reply
    1. Warky says:
      
      Nov 07, 2023 at 20:24
      
      Awesome – thanks for the insight!
      
      I’ve not been doing this long enough to discern any real patterns. The only one I think is emerging is a preference for watches that are/were made in very small numbers.
      
      I like the idea that I will probably never encounter someone else wearing the same watch – which is probably the main reason that I have moved on and intend to sell more of my remaining “mainstream” watches.
      
      I hope you and your good lady continue to enjoy yours in good health for many years?
      
      Reply
      1. DG
        GoldenYears says:
        
        Nov 07, 2023 at 21:24
        
        Thanks for sharing. ? Understand totally. As I recall, you have some really expensive and special watches. Hope you keep some of the gems for yourself.
        
        Reply
  2. DG
    GoldenYears says:
    
    Nov 07, 2023 at 14:19
    
    In regard to your question – Have you been at this point before where you don’t see anything you like in new releases/current catalog pieces?
    
    Yes, many, many times! ?
    
    Reply
    1. MB
      MarkBu says:
      
      Nov 08, 2023 at 10:57
      
      I see a lot of watches I like, but am struggling to see any I really feel I need.
      
      Reply
      1. DG
        GoldenYears says:
        
        Nov 08, 2023 at 11:19
        
        Yes. I see a lot of watches that are attractive and nice but I feel their appeal is fleeting and I wouldn’t want to spend the money to buy them when I know I will get tired of them shortly after buying them.
        
        Reply
RW
Richard Warren says:

Nov 07, 2023 at 15:29

Well done, guys. I don’t care what anyone says, I enjoy the banter at the beginning of the podcasts. It’s a chance for you to convey your personalities to the listeners. I’d definitely go schnitzel over Sunday roast. Definitely a Barbour guy, although I think Belstaff look great.

As for me, I keep a list of roughly 20-30 watches that I am interested in, and include both their new and used prices. Although I have no intention of buying all 30 of those watches, they help me focus on what I want, why I want it and whether it will advance the goals of my collection. I’ve found that, every few months, I will look at that list and wonder why I even added some watches to the list in the first place. It’s a good lesson to not move too quickly when purchasing new watches.

I have two goals for my watch collection – one short term and one long. The short term is to add a Pelagos 42 to the collection. And the long term is to find a nice, used early 2000s Vacheron Constantin Overseas to add to the collection.

Reply
MB
MarkBu says:

Nov 07, 2023 at 17:34

My acquisition is slowing down to a crawl. I’ve got too many as it is, don’t feel a terrifically strong urge to move any of them on and all my wearing ‘slots’ are filled, some several times over. To make genuinely useful improvements, I’d have to spend more per watch than I’m currently interested in doing. There’s nothing on the ‘probable’ list and the watches on the ‘possible’ list are enough above my usual budget per watch that I can only see myself getting one or two over the next couple of years. Still, that gives me plenty of opportunity to enjoy the watches I have.

Reply
Brian-Waller says:

Nov 08, 2023 at 05:59

I’m in a natural pause having just taken delivery of a new (to me) watch. I gushed over another and my wife asked me if I was going to purchase. No, I need to take time with the latest, integrate it into the rotation. And as I find myself pushing “upward” so comes even more thought and research along with finding watches that bring something truly different in a fairly narrow range. I prefer time only/maybe a date dressier watches within certain specs, size and performance-wise. I’m also not connecting with many of the new releases. I see a lot of perfection but it feels sterile. So I don’t know where I’m going but I’ll get there. For reasons I can’t quite explain I bought a Citizen Eagle 7 while picking up a deployant clasp this morning.

Reply
Sivari says:

Nov 08, 2023 at 12:08

I really enjoy your podcasts, I have listened to each one of them.?

I’m into vintage watches mostly. But recently I purchased a Farer Discovery II, I think one of the nicest recent purple releases.

Another that I truly love is the Fratello Minase, but unfortunately missed it.

Greetings, Simon

Reply
1. MB
  MarkBu says:
  
  Nov 08, 2023 at 12:30
  
  The Fratello Minase is one I thought pretty hard about; it’s an absolutely stunning watch. In the end though, the combination of price, short decision time and long wait time made it a ‘no’. It seemed too much like a ‘Act in haste, repent at leisure’ situation.
  
  Reply
2. DG
  GoldenYears says:
  
  Nov 09, 2023 at 12:30
  
  I looked at the same watch. If that purple dial came in 36mm, I was thinking of buying it for my wife. The current 36mm version is red. Purple is one of her favorite colors. Anyway, enjoy your new watch. Looks great!
  
  Reply
  1. Sivari says:
    
    Nov 09, 2023 at 17:55
    
    Thanks a lot!
    
    If there was a 36mm I would have bought that one, since most of my watches are vintage Omegas around 34/35mm. Still I’m very happy with this one, and the size is perfectly fine. ?
    
    Reply
3. Mike Stockton says:
  
  Nov 09, 2023 at 15:57
  
  thanks for writing in Sivari and for listening! Great call on the Farer – they’re doing some fantastic work with colors!
  
  Reply
Dan Trelford says:

Nov 08, 2023 at 23:06

Thanks again Mike and Balazs – we have missed you, and this was a very interesting episode. I am very happy Balazs is coming over to the ‘Dad Side’ with his growing New Balance collection. Simple but very refined time only watches from the 1950s and early 60s (I’m looking at you IWC, Longines, Omega) is where the value has been at for a while … look forward to seeing you at T4P!

Reply
1. balazs says:
  
  Nov 09, 2023 at 09:02
  
  But Mike is still not an NB guy…this needs to change, and fast 🙂
  
  Reply
EK
Evan says:

Nov 09, 2023 at 15:36

Loved this episode.
I find my interest switches between vintage and modern about on a half-yearly basis. I’ve started more seriously collecting vintage Bulova in the last year or so, as I love the variety of designs, the quality is quite decent, and as an amateur watchmaker I like the challenge of repairing and servicing them myself. Also the average of what I spend on a vintage watch comes out to about 1/6 the average I would spend on a modern watch, so I can get a lot more enjoyment for my dollar with my vintage collection.
Keep up the good work, guys!

Reply
Chuck says:

Nov 12, 2023 at 19:29

Gents, I was listening to your discussion of the CK2451 and its 27CHRO movement and thought that I’d like to hear your thoughts on the Seagull ST19. I’m fascinated by its Venus 175 roots. The fact that it’s still in production makes it sort of a historical oddity. I know that it’s generally thought of very poorly, but I’m curious if you think that’s because it is an intrinsically bad movement, or just because its current production has poor quality control. Thanks in advance! P.S., please go back to using ‘Handgelenks Kontrolle’.

Reply