In the latest edition of Fratelli Stories, Fratello reader Dan talks about three of the most special watches in his vast collection: the Citizen, Seiko, and Edox. These three watches help connect him to warm memories with his two grandfathers.
One of the best parts of this hobby is the people. Fratelli, I don’t know about you, but the social element of watch collecting/enthusiasm ties me strongly to watches. Fratelli Stories was designed to celebrate some of that spirit, and we always welcome comments and ideas for the next chapter in the series. But this time, we had the pleasure of sitting down and talking with a longtime Fratello fan who has been reading our articles for years. Dan Tubman is a 20-something with a passion for vintage watches, vintage cars, and everything in between. He has an extensive collection, including a Rolex Submariner and a newly acquired vintage Tag Heuer Formula 1, but his most special watches are the trio he inherited from his grandfathers, Ray and John. I spoke to Dan to learn more about the backstories of these three watches.
A young collector’s journey
Henry Black (HB): So Dan, how did you get interested in watches?
Dan Tubman (DT): I first became interested in watches when I was about 13 years old, when a company called Eaglemoss published a magazine called Military Watches. The magazine was accompanied by small quartz reproductions of important vintage watches associated with specific military units. I bought about 10 pieces and wore them to school. Born with a collector’s gene, I started reading about Rolex and the heritage of some brands. And after falling down the rabbit hole, I decided I needed to get a “real watch” – an automatic one, so my parents bought me a Seiko SKX007, and I finally got one on my 14th birthday. I decided to buy it. Since then, I’ve been walking down a slippery slope.
Dan’s grandfathers, Ray and John
Inherit your grandfather’s watch
HB: Tell me about your grandfather. What did they do and what role did they play in your life?
DT: Both of my grandfathers were very good with machines. My nun John Abella was a Maltese immigrant who moved to Australia in search of a better life. After coming here, he spent 40 years in a mattress factory in Alexandria, doing both mechanical repair and labor. Ray Tubman, on his father’s side, worked as an electrician in a steel mill before becoming an electrical inspector for the public works department.
I was very lucky to grow up with my grandparents very close to me, either right next door or in my parents’ grandma’s apartment. Their closeness meant that their tastes, passions, values, and behaviors were directly passed on to me. To be honest, I believe that I am the sum total of the influences I received from my parents, both directly and through them. I strive to embody their kindness, unyielding work ethic, and passionate personality traits every day.
connect to grandpa clock
HB: Tell us about the three watches your grandfather owned. What were they and who owned which?
DT: Yes. Edox and Seiko are my favorite watches. The Edox Delphine is a late 1960s diving watch that was a gift from his mother and purchased on a cruise. Seiko 5 is a model from the mid-2000s. This is a watch he bought for himself and has been wearing it every day for about 15 years. The Citizen is my nun’s watch, which he bought in the 1990s and wore occasionally at first, then every day after he retired. I don’t think he ever changed the size of his bracelet, but he always wore his watch on the underside of his wrist and didn’t mind the loose fit. I think that’s why the crystal wore out more than normal.
HB: Edox and Seiko seem particularly beaten down and seem to have had rough lives. Please tell me more!
DT: As you can see, he wore Edox almost every day and did everything with Edox until he bought the Seiko. That Seiko 5 was the only watch I ever saw him wear, and he wore it with everything he did. The Humber was always on his wrist, whether he was working on an old Humber or creating gorgeous pieces out of wood. I’m lucky enough to have one of his wooden clocks in my apartment. He considered the clock to be a tool for the primary purpose of telling time.
remember your role models
HB: How does it feel to connect with your grandfather through watches? Do you have any special memories of seeing these watches on your wrist?
DT: It’s such an honor to be constantly reminded of two of my biggest role models every time I wear these pieces. I don’t wear it very often because it always looks like it’s not my thing. It’s like renting it for a day. These watches reflect to me my grandfather’s wide-ranging outlook on life. It reflects my pop’s utilitarian, mechanical mindset of getting things done and enjoying the process, and my nun’s adaptability and appreciation for the little things, like a cup of tea or an early morning. Masu. football game.
I vividly remember seeing these watches on their wrists. That Citizen was the only watch I ever owned that was owned by a nun. When I was about seven or eight years old, I remember asking if I could try it on and why I was wearing it the “wrong” way. He said something like that was “exactly what happened.” I remember looking at the Seiko 5 throughout my teenage years, including when we were building a wooden box together to hold my playing card collection until he passed away a few years ago. .
Passion for evolving watches
HB: How would you describe your taste in watches and what you find interesting? And tell us about your latest watch, the Grand Seiko.
DT: At the moment, my tastes lean mostly toward vintage style cues and branded key pieces, as well as some interesting historical oddities. Watches that represent an era or brand usually interest me. At the moment, I love works from the 1980s and 1990s. Because they really represent the design aesthetic of the time. Having collected watches ranging in size from 30 to 43 mm from the 1940s to the present day, I always find it difficult to explain my watch preferences. But I think what they have in common is that sometimes both are beautiful, sometimes one or the other, from a technical or design perspective.
I was lucky enough to get this tobacco dial Grand Seiko SBGE227 from my good friend Brian. Brian told me some great stories while wearing it. For me, this piece encapsulates all the essence of Grand Seiko. This includes applied hour markers and gorgeously finished dauphine hands with a spring drive movement. And I was completely fascinated by the smoothest moving second hand. I grew up with most of my extended family owning Seikos, so it seemed like an obvious next step to continue this tradition. What interests me about Grand Seiko watches is the beauty of their finishing. In terms of price, it can’t be beat by other mainstream brands.
Fratello #TBT fan
HB: Finally, what kind of stories (specific stories or themes) do you like to read in Fratello and why?
DT: I love Fratello’s #TBT section. Because there are vintage reports. We also enjoy coverage of new independents such as Anoma, SpaceOne, Baltic, Furlan Marri and Serica. Vintage press is a big part of my collection, so it’s really appealing to me. That includes things I’m always trying to learn more about. But new releases from these independent watchmakers are always interesting to watch. The reason is that you can work within your budget constraints. They also often offer great value for money and a unique approach to watch design.
lastly
A big “thank you” to Dan for sharing his time and this story. It’s great to connect with our readers by sharing our love for all things watches. If you would like to appear in this series or have suggestions for suitable candidates, such as friends, please let us know. You can also send us a message on Instagram.
Finally, I hope you enjoy this story. Please tell us about any special watches or stories from your grandfather or other relatives. I’d love to read about them in the comments!
