Approaches To Buying Your First “Serious” Watch

For many of us, there’s a clear line between the watches we liked and the first one we considered “serious.” Maybe it was the first mechanical piece we bought with our hard-earned money. Maybe it was the first watch that required actual research, comparison, and a deep breath before hitting “confirm order.” In today’s episode of Fratello Talks, Thomas, RJ, and Nacho discuss the different approaches to buying that first “serious” watch. Should you go safe and classic? Should you follow your heart? Or should you stretch the budget? And perhaps most importantly, what does “serious” even mean? As always, we kick things off with a quick wrist check.

Wrist check

RJ is wearing a watch that’s not likely to be anyone’s first, the new Breitling × Aston Martin Racing Navitimer in titanium. With a bold forged carbon dial accentuated with the F1 team’s colors throughout, it’s a lightweight take on Breitling’s classic pilot’s chronograph. You can read all about it here.

Up next, Thomas has opted for something out of the Fratello safe, the RGM Model 222RR. It features a Ferguson-style enamel dial and a classic pocket-watch caliber inside, with the twist of a driver’s watch. It’s certainly a charmer, and if you want to find out more, you can read a hands-on review here.

Nacho is also wearing a titanium Breitling today, but in this case, it’s his Aerospace F65362. One of the sketchiest Breitlings out there, it keeps him coming back. If you’re looking for a lightweight, multifunctional watch with a lot of street cred, you should look no further than the classic Aerospace models from the early 2000s.

Fratello Talks: Different Approaches To Buying Your First “Serious” Watch

Buying your first “serious” watch isn’t about finding the objectively best option. It’s about choosing a starting point that leaves room to grow. You can begin with a humble cult classic, a carefully researched vintage piece, an expressive microbrand, or a full-throttle grail. Each approach has its merits and risks. The key is intention. Do the research. Understand why you’re buying. Accept that you’ll pay some learning money along the way. That’s part of the journey. In this episode, we explore a number of different paths in detail and share a few personal stories of early purchases we’d approach very differently today.

Now we’re curious: what was your first “serious” watch, and did it shape your collection the way you expected? Let us know in the comments below. And remember to tune in next week for a new episode of Fratello Talks.