Crossing boundaries has always been part of the excitement of watch hunting, and for this #Tick&Talc edition we visited Italy. We spoke with Fabrizio Bonvicino, co-founder of the blog Italian Watch Spotter. Official Instagram The profile, with nearly 500,000 followers, has become a reference point for collectors and enthusiasts around the world, spotting trends, uncovering stories and connecting people who live and breathe watches.
In our conversation with Fabrizio, we commented on the modern watchmaking community, the role of social media in shaping collectors' tastes, and the personal stories that make watch collecting so appealing.
You can read more exclusive interviews about watches HERE.
Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?
Fabrizio Bonvicino: Hi, I'm Fabrizio Bonvicino and in 2017 I founded IWS to create a hub for our generation of watch enthusiasts and collectors, making watches easier to understand and, most importantly, genuinely cool for people our age.
How did your journey with vintage hours?
Fabrizio Bonvicino: I was about 16 when my dad told my brother that he was going to give his watch to him, not to me. At the time, I wasn't particularly interested in watches, but it sparked something and I started to notice his watch more and more. My dad would always tell us:
“Look, a 30-year-old clock, never serviced, and still keeps accurate time. This is Rolex.”
From that moment on, I was much more attracted to them. vintage i neo-vintage watches.
Can you tell us more aboutItalian Watch Spotter-in?
Fabrizio Bonvicino: We started in 2017, when my friend and I were just out of high school and 18 years old. We were full of ideas, but also quite inexperienced. The goal was simple, to do something related to watches and share our passion and knowledge, although we didn't have much of either at the time. At that time, watches weren't a trend yet, but they were slowly becoming more and more popular. We launched Instagram and started publishing content, mostly watches we noticed on entrepreneurs, athletes, and celebrities. After about a year, we figured out where we wanted to go. We assembled a team, launched a website, and YouTube channel and started creating your own content from scratch.
Fabrizio mentions that, except for his father's Submariner, the watch that has the most personal meaning to him is the one he first bought. Interestingly, he also says that he is often so fascinated by stories about other people's watches that he rarely thinks about his own.
His first hour was Tudor Ranger Ref. 9050, purchased with his own savings when he was around 18 or 19. It quickly became a part of his everyday life, following him through his final years of high school and the beginning of college.
Over time, his watch fell out and became damaged, causing it to stop working and fall out of his daily use. He tried to repair it himself, even though he had no watchmaking experience, which, as expected, did not end successfully. Today, it sits in a drawer and is not used, but it is not forgotten, as it still holds memories of the period that, as he says, make it perhaps his favorite watch.
Favorite watch brand?
Fabrizio Bonvicino: I would say that it will Patek Philippe i Breguet will always be my favorites. There are also many independent brands that I appreciate, so the list changes often, but I would single out FP Journe, MB&F, De Bethune.
Do you prefer leather straps or metal bracelets and why?
Fabrizio Bonvicino: I developed my passion thinking that metal bracelets were always the right choice. Now, after a few years of wearing them, I choose leather straps. The feeling on the wrist is incomparable, but it has to be the right one, the one “"soft as butter"” when you put it on your hand.
Your first watch, your current favorite watch and your dream watch?
“"My first class was Tudor Ranger Ref.9050 which I bought with my savings. My current favorite watch is Jaeger-LeCoultre Reversowith a white dial, a timeless classic, while my dream watch is or Patek Ref.5004orRef.5316.” – Fabrizio Bonvicino
You have an unlimited budget, which watch would you choose?
Fabrizio Bonvicino: I would buy two. FP Journe Chronometre a Resonance i Tourbillon Sovereign.
Code vintage There is a common saying about watches: “dial is king.”Do you agree with that?
Fabrizio Bonvicino: I would say yes. In the automotive industry they say “colors make cars” and it’s pretty much the same with watches. The dial also shows a lot about what the watch has endured over the years, has it been exposed to sunlight? Water? Dust? A good dial will also make a big difference in price. Lately I would say I’ve been looking more at the case of the watch than the dial itself. Personally I like a sharp and unpolished case.
If someone is starting with a budget of €300–600, which model would be an ideal first choice? vintage hour?
Fabrizio Bonvicino: In my opinion, the best are Omega i Longines because there are very good opportunities to find classic models in that price range.
When looking for a new watch, Fabrizio usually starts where he finds most inspiration these days, on Instagram. He follows select retailers he knows or has come across over time, letting the algorithm guide him and shape his taste along the way.
From there, his search becomes more focused. He often turns to Chrono24, where he filters options using specific parameters like case material, dial color, or country of origin, narrowing down the selection to pieces that really catch his eye.
Travel, however, remains an essential part of the experience. Whenever he visits a new city or country, he strives to find the best local watch shops, often spending hours exploring them. For him, it's not just about finding a watch, but also understanding the local offerings and discovering how each place approaches watch culture.
What three things do you never leave the house without?
“AirPods, my watch and my car keys.” – Fabrizio Bonvicino
Looking ahead, what is your vision for Italian Watch Spotter in the next few years?
Fabrizio Bonvicino: We love to spread passion and we want to continue doing so. Our goal is to find new stories, new lessons and new people to talk to. We have slowly started to put together a selection of carefully selected vintage pieces on our website page, so now you have the opportunity not only to read stories, but also to buy a watch with a story.
Source: DART.hr
Photos: Fabrizio Bonvicino, Perusia watches, Bezl magazine
