Have you ever wanted to know what it’s like to enter the space where the watch is made? These very realistic places remain abstract ideas for most people, and are passionate like about objects that spend their time on the wrist. You can read about them, watch images and videos, and hear everything about them, but it only offers a two-dimensional view. With the media talking in this field, we have been given the immersive experience of visiting Swiss watchmaking often. Today, Nacho, Rex and Thomas gather together to recall and share the experience and impressions of visiting these places. They also talk about how branded facilities differ, touch on non-Swiss manufacturers and advise on how to experience the pilgrimage to Switzerland for yourself. But first, it’s time to check your wrists.
Wrist check
We start with Thomas, who is back to his old tricks. As the founder, CEO, president and official list model of VPC, it’s not surprising that he wears the brand’s only production model (for now). The Type 37HW only has room on his wrist when he is working on a practical review of another watch, and this week there is nothing else on the chopping block, so that remains.
Rex returned to town and visited from the newly adopted Geneva postal code. We thought it was only appropriate to put him on a podcast. As you can see, he prepared with his Omega Speedmaster ’57 Broad Arrow “Replica” (Reference 3594.50.00). Lex is not a habitual strap swapper, so if you find a combination that will work (and fits in with your pants), he’s not in a hurry to change it.
Finally, Nacho stood up in a bit of surprise. I’ve heard all about this in many previous episodes. It was recently mentioned as one of my favourite chronograph nacho picks of 2025. This is an Aquastar Airstar chronograph, especially a variant with a bare stainless steel case. This is a reissue of the mid-century skin diver chronograph of the same name by Aquastar, and is undoubtedly something that does the original justice.
Fratello Talks: Experience visiting Swiss Watch Manufacture
if You have been a long-time reader of Fratero, you may be familiar with our field reports on visits to Swiss watch manufacturing.. You probably even saw our articles about a few non-Swiss production facilities. But reading what we write and looking at the images we share gives a limited impression of what the tour is like. Today, the podcast discusses the impressions of visiting these fascinating places. We touch on the workshops on the watchmaker’s space, the scale of unexpected operations, and measures to prevent the smell of oil and lubricant from entering the watcher’s space.
Finally, I recommend visiting! We think about and discuss watches, we think about and discuss a lot of money in the watch itself, but what is the better experience than investing in a tour of a Swiss manufacturer? It is possible to do so at a lower price than the price of your next large watch purchase. And we know that many of you live far from Europe, but that’s still something you would recommend making time if you visited. Several brands such as Zenith, Jaeger-Lecoultre, Panerai, and Audemars Piguet offer guided visits. Others like Omega, IWC, Patek Philippe have It also opens the door to the public.
Have you ever been lucky enough to be able to visit watchmaking? If so, what was your impression? Please let us know in the comments below. And check out the new episodes of Fratello Talks next week.
