Tick & Talk with Fabrizio Bonvicino: Co-founder of Italian Watch Spotter

Crossing borders has always been part of the thrill in discovering watches and for this edition of #Tick&Talk, we went to Italy. In the heart of a country that has long shaped taste, style, and horology itself, we talked with Fabrizio Bonvicino, the co-founder of Italian Watch Spotter. The official Instagram profile, with nearly 500.000 followers, has become a reference point for collectors and enthusiasts worldwide, spotting trends, uncovering stories, and connecting people who live and breathe watches.

Fabrizio’s passion is contagious: whether it’s the latest release, a hidden gem, or the subtle details that make a watch truly timeless, he sees beyond the surface. In our conversation, we explore the pulse of the modern watch community, the role of social media in shaping collectors’ tastes, and the personal stories that make following watches so compelling.

We spoke with Fabrizio as part of our Tick & Talk series. Here’s what we discovered.

Can you briefly introduce yourself to our readers?

Fabrizio Bonvicino: Hi, I’m Fabrizio Bonvicino and back in 2017, I co-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 watches begin?

Fabrizio Bonvicino: I was around 16 when I remember my dad telling my brother that he would pass his watch on to him, not me. At the time, I wasn’t particularly interested in watches, but it sparked something and I started noticing his watch more and more. Since then, he would always say:

“Look, a 30-year-old watch, never serviced once, and it still keeps perfect time. This is a Rolex.”

From that moment on, I became much more drawn to vintage and neo-vintage watches.

Can you tell us more about Italian Watch Spotter?

Fabrizio Bonvicino: We started in 2017, fresh out of high school at 18, full of ideas but quite naive. Our goal was simple: create something about watches and share our passion and knowledge, though at the time we didn’t really have much of either. Watches weren’t trending yet, but they were starting to gain traction. We launched an Instagram account and began posting, initially focusing on spotting which watches entrepreneurs, athletes, and celebrities were wearing. After about a year, we got a clearer sense of our direction, built a team of like-minded enthusiasts, launched a website and YouTube channel, and started creating all our content from scratch.

Fabrizio mentions that, aside from his father’s Submariner, the watch that holds the most personal meaning is the first one he ever bought himself. Interestingly, he admits that he is often so fascinated by other people’s watch stories that he rarely reflects on his own.

His first watch was a Tudor Ranger Ref. 9050, purchased with his own savings when he was around 18 or 19. It quickly became part of his everyday life, accompanying him through his final year of high school and into his first year of university. Over time, it gathered not just wear, but memories.

Eventually, the watch slipped from his hands and broke, bringing its daily run to an end. He attempted to repair it himself, despite having no watchmaking experience, which, unsurprisingly, didn’t go as planned. Today, it sits in a drawer, no longer in use but far from forgotten, still holding a collection of moments that make it, in his words, probably his favourite.

Your favourite watch brand/s?

Fabrizio Bonvicino: I would say Patek Philippe and Breguet will always be my favourites. There are also many independents that I appreciate, so the list changes quite often, F.P. Journe, MB&F, De Bethune.

Do you prefer leather straps or metal bracelets, and why?

Fabrizio Bonvicino: I grew my passion thinking metal bracelets were the way, always. Now that I’m a few years into it, I would pick leather straps. The feeling on the wrist is unmatched, but it must be a proper one, those that are soft like butter when you put it on you.

Your first watch, your current favourite watch, and your ultimate dream watch. Can you tell us about them?

“My first watch was a Tudor Ranger Ref.9050 that I bought with my savings. My current favourite watch is a white dial Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso, a forever classic, while my ultimate dream watch is either a Patek Ref.5004 or a Ref.5316.” - Fabrizio Bonvicino

If you had an unlimited budget, which watch would you choose?

Fabrizio Bonvicino: I would buy an early pre-souscription F.P. Journe Chronometre a Resonance and a Tourbillon Souverain, together.

There’s a common saying in vintage watches: “dial is king.” Do you agree, and why?

Fabrizio Bonvicino: I would say yes, taste wise. In automotive they say that “colours make cars” and it’s pretty much the same in watches. The dial also shows a lot of the watch has lived through the years, was it exposed to sunlight? To water? To dust? A good dial will make a big difference in price as well. Lately I would say I look more at the case of a watch, rather than the dial. I like a full, crisp and unpolished case.

If someone is starting out with a budget of €300–600, which brand would be an ideal first vintage watch?

Fabrizio Bonvicino: In my opinion the best are Omega and Longines, there are very good opportunities in finding classic and simple watches in that price range.

When looking for a new watch, Fabrizio usually starts where most inspiration happens today, on Instagram. He follows a selection of dealers 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 through options using specific parameters such as case material, dial colour, or country of origin, narrowing down the pieces that truly catch his attention.

Travel, however, remains an essential part of the experience. Whenever he visits a new city or country, he makes it a point to seek out the best local watch shops, often spending hours exploring them. For him, it’s not just about finding a watch, but about understanding the local offering and discovering how each place approaches watch culture.

Your everyday essentials. What three things do you never leave the house without?

“My AirPods, my watch and my car keys.” - Fabrizio Bonvicino

Looking ahead, what’s your vision for Italian Watch Spotter in the next few years?

Fabrizio Bonvicino: We love to spread passion, and we want to keep doing that. Finding new stories, new timepieces and new people to talk is our goal. We have slowly started to make a selection of meaningful and unique vintage pieces on our website, so now you have a chance not only to read, but to acquire a piece with a cool story. Eventually, with Milano Watch Week, we started bringing more and more people together from of our community, so stay tuned for the 2026 edition, this October!

Pictures: Fabrizio Bonvicino, Perusia Watches, Bezl Magazine