Linde Werdelin Hard Grey DLC US Limited Edition Of 11 Pieces
Linde Werdelin, friend of the show, introduces a new model based on their (already) classic ‘The One’ for the US market only. The Hard Grey DLC will be limited to 11 pieces and have a price tag of $7,300.- USD. These timepieces are only available through pre-order and Linde Werdelin expects to deliver them before this coming Christmas.The Hard Grey DLC is, as the name already implies, a DLC coated timepiece with a grey (microbille) finish. A microbille finish (executed before the DLC process takes place) ensures a tougher coating. Practically indestructible, this new Linde Werdelin timepiece.Linde Werdelin throws in two straps, a folding buckle and an ardillon buckle. A grey full...
80th Anniversary Lebois & Co Resurrection Of An Old Brand
On the 14th of December 1934, exactly 80 years ago today, watch manufacturer Lebois & Co was founded by Raymond Dodane. This French entrepreneur and watch manufacturer was the third generation of the famous Dodane family, who are best known for their watches using the family name on the dial.Although Lebois & Co was sold to an Italian import company in 1947, the watches were?still being produced and sold (mainly to Italy). The watches were?made in the Dodane factory as well as a number of?Swiss watch manufacturers.In 1972 Lebois & Co ceased the production and distribution of watches and the name disappeared from the watch industry landscape for a long time. Some collectors of vin...
Explaining Watch Collecting
Last weekend we received an e-mail from one of our readers, Sammy. He is a watch collector from Germany and in University (studies English and Latin). Recently, one of his lecturers have him the task to write an essay about a topic of his own choice. Sammy chose to write his about the question whether watch collecting is an actual hobby (predictably coming to the conclusion that it is).An interesting topic, as we – probably like yourselves – still have to explain once in a while to someone what watch collecting is about. In the short essay below, we used Sammy’s own photos of some of his private watch collection. Have a read and let us know in the comments (below) what you ...
Hands-On Sinn 6052 Review The Frankfurt Financial District Watch
We always had a slight preference for Sinn watches that we would categorize as tool watches: the 140/142, 103, EZM series, 358, 756, 856 and so on. However, there’s more to Sinn than these watches for professional use only. They also have collections like the ‘Klassische Meisterwerke’ (dress watches basically), ladies’ watches and of course, the Frankfurt Financial District collection. Or Frankfurter Finanzplatzuhren, if you want to come correct.Frankfurt am MainAs you might know, Frankfurt am Main is the financial capital of Germany. If you’ve ever been there, you will know about the city’s center, a combination of modern skyscrapers and beautiful old bui...
Hands-on with the new Seiko Presage Blue Enamel Limited Edition
Ah Seikoa brand that almost all of us on the Fratello team follow avidly. We meet with them often, whether in the Netherlands, Frankfurt or Basel. We've traveled to Japan to see their works and a few of us avidly hunt down their vintage releases. So, yes, you could call us fond. We've also watched the highly conservative brand slowly transform by offering pieces globally that would have been relegated to the JDM-only classification as recently as 4 years ago. But let's just say that some secretive, enigmatic measures remain and that's exactly what led me to going hands-on with the newly released, Seiko Presage Blue Enamel Limited Edition.Officially released from embargo on December 7th, the ...
Celebrating Three Years Of Lebois & Co Past, Present and Future
Exactly three years ago today, we introduced to you the rebirth of an old brand, Lebois & Co. Exactly 80 years after the brand was founded actually, on December 14th 1934. Since that day in 2014, Lebois & Co released three watches, called the Avantgarde Date. We even gave one away to one of our readers in the United States.Lebois & Co: Past & PresentOver 150 investors made it possible for Lebois & Co to re-launch the brand with these three Avantgarde Date watches. In total, over $190.000 was funded for these three models, using Kickstarter as a platform. Three campaigns for three watches, and each were completed with a dinner where all backers were invited to join. During...
10 Watches That Look Good in Bi-Color
True Story. On an evening at the beginning of 2018, I was sitting on the couch at home after a full day of being a watch journalist. The doorbell rang and my wife opened the door for one of my best friends. He entered our living room and the first thing he noticed was the watch I was wearing. The conversation went a little like this:-HeyHey-What is that on your wrist? (my wife starts to sigh at this point)Cool eh? It just came in today, it is the first Omega Constellation Manhattan' from 1982 in bi-colour. I have been looking for one like this for ages, and now I found one complete with box and papers. (my wife leaves the living room)For a moment, he just stared at me and I thought he was ju...
Nerdy or Nice: Is An Apple Watch A Good Christmas Gift?
As Christmas is getting closer every day, the annual rush to find a great present is about to begin. Of course, I buy a lot of socks (classic) but since I recently got into watches, I figured that my beloved husband deserves something classier than boring old stockings. No, this year, I have my heart set on a watch for him; not any watch but a watch that expresses appropriately how I feel about him. The only problem? He wants an Apple Watch…So, I am wondering if an Apple Watch can do the job of an emotionally loaded timepiece that symbolizes eternity, love, belonging, and family? Imagine him in about 50 years, in 2080, giving his grandchild a rather exceptional present for a birthday: ...
Hands-On With The Oris Divers Sixty-Five Sunset Brown Watch
Under the haze of dusk, Oris snuck in a Divers Sixty-Five in October. No fanfare or press release that usually accompanies a new configuration. Instead, just a quiet assurance that this watch was available by listing it on the website. But don't think this smooth criminal will get away with its stealthy strike. The sunset gradient brown dial has rekindled my interest in the Sixty-Five range, and I'm here to tell you why.Before I backtrack, let me jump straight to the action. New for 2020 is the 40mm Divers Sixty-Five with what Oris calls the Brown dial. For me, this sells it short as the gradient from the black aluminum bezel to the golden center takes you on a journey of color. It reminds m...
Certina DS Chronograph Automatic Hands On Watch Review
2020 is finally coming to an end. However, I have one more watch to talk about before. In the past, when I spoke about Certina, it was either about a sport or a vintage watch. Rarely do we see a classy, vintage-inspired timepiece from the brand. The DS Chronograph Automatic is filling this void, though.If you need affordable Swiss Made sports to watch, prominently divers, Certina is a brand you definitely should check out. But they have a rich history that includes classy pieces,?chronographs, and other models as well. And don’t even make me start talking about?Grana. Certina watches of the pastThere are brands we talk a lot about, Certina included, but we mainly focus on their?current...
Hands-On With The Glashutte Original SeaQ Panorama Date
Over the last year or two, Glashutte Original has slowly been expanding the SeaQ family of watches in a careful and well-executed manner. The original model has since had slightly new dial designs, diamond bezels, and now it has grown in size, had a larger panorama date' complication and received the precious metal treatment. It is these larger, panorama models I am taking a look at today.Before I start, I want to say that I like the basic SeaQ looks. I think it is a handsome heritage design (originally known as the Spezimatic) and, with the current industry trend showing the popularity of reissues, an obvious choice to focus on for the brands dive watch offerings. According to the Glashutte...
Hamilton Christmas Round-Up Is Full Of Festive Cheer
Ho, ho, ho, what a year it’s been for Hamilton! Overall, the Swatch Group has had a surprisingly impressive 2020. Despite challenges that no one saw coming and several circumstances beyond anyone’s control, SG brands have been turning out the goods on a regular basis. Hamilton has had a particularly strong 12 months, as you can see from the festive selection below…Fratello is a broad church. We like all kinds of watches. We enjoy covering extremely high-end horology just as much as we love covering new and exciting microbrands. But above all, we like well-made, reasonably priced steel sports watches. There is room for an all-gold piece in anyone’s collection, of cours...
Hands-On: The Retro-Styled Titoni Heritage 83019 S-639
I’m going to say that sometimes the number of new watches that come out is overwhelming. Overwhelming up to the point that you tend to forget about a lot of a year’s releases. Or watches hardly leave an impression. But sometimes you get surprised by a watch with great charm that is a joy to wear when you have no expectations whatsoever. The Titoni Heritage 83019 S-639 is the perfect example of a watch that has great style, offers great quality, and comes at a great price.The story of this Titoni starts earlier this year. In the spring of this year, Rob reviewed the Titoni Heritage 83019 S-ST-638, and I still remember when we had that watch in the office for review. Its charming s...
The Magister Book on Speedmasters Now Shipping
Although we put a lot of care and work into our own Speedmaster archives here on Fratello, they are only available online (with the exception of the print publication we once did for the Speedmaster). Sometimes, it is nice to have something in print to enjoy on the couch with your favorite beverage. Books like Moonwatch Only, the Mondani books on , and now Magister are a nice way to spend a few hours in the evenings and weekends on your favorite watches.The Magister BookCollector and watch enthusiast Andrea Foffi released a special book on the Speedmaster topic. Meet the Magister book, covering 70 special Speedmaster watches from his collection. We already published about this book being in ...
NEW: Seiko Dresses Up The Alpinist With The SPB249J1 And SPB251J1
Neo-vintage? Vintage-inspired?? Take your pick with these new interpretations of the Alpinist. Rather dressy, aren’t they? I'm still riding the vintage wave - more like a tsunami at times - and I haven't had my fill of nostalgia just yet. Seiko has already given us a plethora of new references this year, and there seems to be no stopping the brand. We had a smaller take on the Alpinist last autumn, and the Seiko Prospex 1959 Modern Re-Interpretation this spring. Did we need more? Well, we got them. Here, Seiko dresses up the Alpinist range with the SPB249J1 and SPB251J1, in what could be someone’s elegant two-Alpinist collection.?Let’s address the virtual elephant in the ro...
The Fast And The Fratelli Semi-Final: Zenith Vs. Fortis
We’re just one day away from the finals of The Fast And The Fratelli competition. One of the finalists will be a Speedmaster, and the decision seems to be fixed that it is the Speedmaster Calibre 321 presented by RJ. The other finalist will be the winner of this race here - either Dave’s Fortis or Andreas’s Zenith. Which contestant shall go head-to-head with the mighty Speedmaster?Andreas - Zenith El Primero A368 RevivalSo it’s Dave’s Fortis that you Fratelli chose to oppose my Zenith in the semi-finals. Well then, let’s take a look at that opponent. Why does the Fortis B-42 always remind me of the B-52 Stratofortress? Is it the robust look or the generous...
Introducing The Lebois & Co Heritage Chronograph
Does the name ring a bell? If you consider yourself a true fan of vintage watches, perhaps it should! It’s a classic watch brand born in the mid-1930s in France and deceased along with many of its contemporaries in the early ’70s, yet another victim of the Quartz Crisis. But don’t break out the Kleenex just yet - this is not a sad tale. The brand was brought back to life by Tom Van Wijlick in 2014 - 80 years after it was originally founded. Today, after a number of successful Kickstarter campaigns, the brand continues to gain pace and impress with its ambition.As I said before, this is no tragic tale, but rather a comeback story. Stewards of the brand since its return in 20...
Hands-On: Seiko Prospex 1968 Diver's Modern Re-Interpretation
As 2021 comes to a close, Seiko brings two Seiko Prospex 1968 Diver's Modern Re-interpretation limited editions to the table that will break either your heart, the bank, or maybe even both. These diver’s watches borrow their looks from a vintage design, but are made using modern technology and materials. This is as you would expect, but the watches come with some design quirks. And the pricing of both watches could also take you by surprise.In the second month of 2021, Mike was philosophizing about both Grand Seiko's and Seiko's brand strategies and what would come out of them. He talked about his struggles with press releases that referenced inspiration from nature, and he also foresa...
Best Titanium Watches For Winter: Omega, Grand Seiko, And More!
It’s funny, as if you’d asked me my opinion of titanium last year, I’d certainly not have the same opinion as I do today. Having only really worn and collected stainless steel watches, I was a bit weirded out by titanium’s lightness when I first held it. It was a bizarre experience, and I wasn’t ready for it. Since that day, practicality and sense have come to rule, and I’ve learned not just to appreciate it but also love it!This innate lightness is not for everybody, and I get that. I sat on the other side of this argument for quite a while. So in an attempt to help convert some more folks over to #teamtitanium, I’ve put together a list of some of m...
An Interview With Megan Young Of The Watch Atelier
Anyone keeping up with news in the watch industry will have heard the name Megan Young. Born in Holland, Megan began her watchmaking career in Geneva. She gained experience and worked her way up through several renowned brands and retailers’ workshops. She is also an accredited watchmaker for more than a handful of the world’s most reputable watch brands, including , Patek Philippe, Panerai, Cartier, Hublot, Baume & Mercier, Montblanc, and Frederique Constant.Today, she holds the director position at The Watch Atelier, a state-of-the-art service center founded in 2015 as Xupes Service and rebranded in 2022. Megan and her team of watchmakers offer everything from a battery cha...