After a two-week hiatus, Fratello On Air is back with an episode about how to research a watch before you buy it. This is probably a suggestion from a listener from the southern United States. We know this because the message included the word “everyone.” Well, it’s finally time to discuss some important tips, and I’m giddy. For listeners, your viewing content will begin in 20 minutes.
Specifically, our listener Adam emailed us to ask how we research watches with little published history. He is particularly interested in how to approach brands that have been dormant for a long time or that only exist in name. We’ve been dancing around this subject, but now it’s time to tackle it head-on and share it.
hand gear control
Mike is in the middle of a move, so I missed last week’s episode. I’m sorry. I’ve lost the shared file, so I’d appreciate it if you could send me your episode ideas. The episode begins with Balazs talking about Sneakerness, a sneaker event he recently attended in Budapest. Next, I’ll discuss the recent PAM01655 and my discomfort with overwhelmingly moving displays. In hand gear control, Balazs is wearing the new Nivada Grenchen Antarctic GMT. Mike wears his trusty Rolex Submariner 14060M.
How to research watches
There is no perfect answer when it comes to watch research, but we have a lot of ideas. First, ask someone who knows about the watch. The important thing is to do this before purchasing. Next, I highly value reference sites like Ranfft and other research-specific blogs. Old advertisements and catalogs are fine, but be careful if they include hand-drawn illustrations. Sites like eBay and old auction results can provide useful information. I also like Google Images and Instagram. Even if many images disappear, important details are preserved in the forum. Finally, YouTube is a new medium that is becoming more and more useful. The reality is that researching vintage watches, especially obscure models, can be difficult and time-consuming. Again, the key is to do this before purchasing.
Thanks for the suggestion, Adam, and thanks to everyone who listened. Again, if you have ideas for future shows, please send them to us.
