Welcome, one and all, to the first round proper of March Mania 2021, here on Fratello. Are you a watch maniac like we are? If so, you’re sure to love our month-long feature. 96 watches reviewed last year line up for a battle royale like nothing that’s gone before. We need your votes. We want your comments. Help us decide the champion and share in its glory! Let the games commence…In this first round proper, your task is a bit different from your task in the preliminaries. Below you will find the eight remaining timepieces of each of our Fratello competitors in four head-to-head contests of two timepieces. The seedings in the preliminaries dictate the match-ups. So it’s number 1 vs. number 8, number 2 vs. number 7, number 3 vs. number 6, and number 4 vs. number 5. Vote for your favorite in each of the matchups.The remaining eight watches per competitor represent your favorite watches that we covered here on Fratello throughout 2020. Why not refresh your memory by clicking the links and reading those eruditely penned odes to wrist-wear? Once you’ve made your selection, vote using the poll form below. Every vote counts because only the top four will make it through to the next round.Login to your Fratello account and drop us a comment. Who did you vote for and why? What’s your prediction for the later rounds? Will the Omega Speedmaster 321 triumph once again… Who knows? You decide!(1) Breitling 765 AVI Vs. Longines Heritage Military Marine Nationale (8)Breitling 765 AVIGroup five within March Mania kicks off with its number one seed and that’s the Breitling 765 AVI. This limited edition of 1,953 pieces launched with high levels of praise and you hoisted it on your shoulders and brought it to victory in the prelims. The chronometer-rated hand-winding B09 caliber powers this incredibly faithful reissue of an all-time classic. Hand-applied lume, a robust 41.1mm case, and an acrylic crystal help make this $7,800 watch a proper stunner. I’d call it a classically good-looking alternative to some more typical big-name chronographs and that just might help it advance through the rounds. Boom boom Breitling!Longines Heritage Military Marine NationaleThe Longines Heritage Military Marine Nationale was on the bubble, but squeaked into March Mania and takes the eighth seed. Just looking at this watch, I think it’s actually a tough matchup for the big Breitling. This 38.5mm watch brings its own retro flair with an aged dial, a big signed crown, and the highly desirable “sei tacche” screw-in case back. True, Longines chose an automatic instead of the historically correct manual movement, but the brand thankfully excluded naming this detail on the dial. It’s a really well done and relatively affordable option at $1,900. If the Longines topples the Breitling, it would register as a significant upset, but would it truly come as a surprise? March Mania: First Round Proper - Round FIVE - (1) V (8) Who moves on?Breitling 765 AVILongines Heritage Military Marine Nationale Δ