Download the Toolwatch App
We’ve been following the Toolwatch guys since their early start and they did a great job in creating a ‘tool’ to measure the accuracy of your watch. First via their website, but now there’s also the Toolwatch app available in the Apple Store and Play Store (Google).Checking the accuracy of your watchFor most of you watch enthusiasts out there, accuracy is an important aspect of your mechanical watch. The chronometer (COSC) standards is one way to guarantee the accuracy of a watch (down to -4/+6 seconds a day on average), but it is only valid for 5 years and perhaps -4 seconds a day still isn’t good enough for you. Also, the chronometer testing and certification ...
Seiko 9983-7000 Superior 52Mondayz, week #52-2019
Seiko's persistent devotion in the 1970s to chase precision down to just a few seconds a year is pretty fascinating. Meet the Seiko Superior 9983-7000. Making new friends is a part of the watch collecting passion that I truly enjoy. When I get a message from a fellow collector in Slovakia, the small country where I live, the joy is even greater. That's how I met Michal too. He dropped me a line a few months ago and added a few snaps of watches from his collection. A couple of days ago, when he came to Bratislava, we finally had lunch together and, unsurprisingly, talked watches. What was surprising though, was that he trusted me enough to lend me one of his favorite watches for a few weeks, ...
Podcast: Fratello On Air #9 The Best 5 Watches of 2019
Our 9th episode of Fratello on Air is about the 5 best watches from 2019 according to Michael Stockton and Robert-Jan Broer.After the mandatory wristcheck (see below), Michael and RJ discuss their best 5 watches of 2019. Watches that have been introduced in 2019 and that made a lasting impression on them. Also in this episode, an interview with Lebois & Co founder Tom van Wijlick. We talk about his passion for watches, founding the Lebois & Co brand and their latest Venturist watch with special certification. Our Fratello-on-Air podcast can be played via?Apple,?Soundcloud,?Spotify,?Google podcast, and?Buzzsprout....
CODE41 ANOMALY 01
The Anomaly 01 was born from the desire of three enthusiasts to offer a quality watch at a fair price, while observing “total transparency on origin” (TTO). The 01 is a mechanical spectacle. It’s the result of community voting on the brand’s website, a decision made by the creators, who wanted to work directly with their customers. The result is a timepiece with strong DNA, meticulously constructed and perfectly finished. A success that exceeded all expectations; an ambitious yet successful gamble!CaseIts 42mm 316L steel case, with black PVD coating and modular construction, graces the watch with all of its character. In addition, the PVD (Physical Vapor Deposition) i...
Wrist Game or Crying Shame: Cartier Tank Basculante 2390
Welcome back to Wrist Game or Crying Shame. This week we put on our fancy duds with a look at the Cartier Tank Basculante 2390. But first…It turns out that the once unpopular Omega Dynamic Chronograph is a rip-snorting cultish success these days. Despite its initial sales flop, a full 69% of you favored this low calorie Omega. If those 800 or so positive voters had only bought one of these watches, perhaps it would still be in the lineup today. This week, we are moving onwards and way upwards with a look at a watch from one of the most luxe brands arounds: Cartier. Enter the Cartier Tank Basculante 2390.Visiting a Cartier boutiqueI often talk about my formative years in South Florida. ...
Hands-On With The Tudor Royal In 41mm
As soon as I saw the Tudor Royal, I thought “OysterQuartz”. ’s quartz watch with an integrated bracelet produced from 1977 (a very good year) till 2003.And before you ask, I think that’s a good thing. Watches with integrated bracelets are hotter than ever? - except for the 1970s - and I have a weak spot for the OysterQuartz. In the early 2000s, I had a OysterQuartz Datejust and I enjoyed it a lot. Tudor seems to be on the ball when it comes to watches that appeal to collectors and enthusiasts. Does their Tudor Royal have this effect as well? Let’s see. I picked the 41mm reference m28600-0005 with sun burst blue dial.Tudor Royal 41mmThe Tudor Royal 41mm has a da...
Who Wore It Better? Seiko Astron SSH077J1 Vs. Prospex SPB187J1 Dive Watch The Battle Of The Blues
Blue dials have been incredibly popular in our industry since mechanical watchmaking burst into life once more in the late ’80s and early ’90s. Today, we take a closer, side-by-side look at two blue dialed variants of watches we’ve covered separately earlier this year in their more muted skins. And I need your help deciding which one wears it better. Allow me to welcome to the stage, the Seiko Astron SSH077J1 and the Seiko Prospex SPB187J1 dive watch.Here on Fratello, we love Seiko. And if you’re looking for an article that sums-up why, this may well be it. Here we have two completely different 2020 releases. Both of these watches are well made. Both are reasonably pr...
#TBT The Complete Tourist Everlight Family Christmas Get-Together
Shiny, tiny, and colorful light bulbs contribute big time to a Christmas mood. It’s one of the many reasons I wear my Tourist Everlight often in the winter. After a long search, I managed to gather all models of the world's first electrically lit watch from 1957.As merry and bright as Christmas can be, it has also another face. Some people enjoy it, and some do not. I don't know what part of the globe you live on, but where I live, the winter means literal darkness. When I wake up in the morning, it's totally dark outside. And when I am leaving the office not late in the afternoon, it's already dark outside. There are no lamps in the parking lot behind our office. When I approach my 19...
What Watch Brands Do To Turn You Off
Do you know Toby Young's book How To Lose Friends And Alienate People? And if you don't, you might have seen the movie with the same title, starring Simon Pegg as Toby and Megan Fox as the woman he so desperately wants. Toby is the most obnoxious man ever. He's rude and vulgar and rubs everyone the wrong way. And you know, sometimes watch brands act just like Toby. So, what do watch brands do to turn you off? Let us help you answer that question with a few issues we have ourselves.To be honest, we don't know the exact watch-brand equivalent of Toby Young. Let us quickly tell you the story of the high-flying British journalist that left London in 1995 for New York to become a contributing edi...
Nacho's 5 Best Watches of 2021: Doxa, Cartier, Hamilton, And More
As the year comes to an end, some of our editors will be highlighting their favorite watches released this year. I think you'll agree that narrowing it down to just five watches is no easy feat, especially as this year saw so many special releases from big and small brands alike. From an update to the Omega Speedmaster and new Explorer models, to classics like the Patek Philippe Nautilus receiving a splash of color on its dial. Even microbrands kept busy this year, launching almost too many exciting watches to count during the past 12 months.So, needless to say, I was dreading making my list. Having spent far too much time slotting brands and in and out of the list, I feel confident in havi...
Mr Jones Watches Opens Store In London's Covent Garden
You cannot make this up: Seven Dials is an area in the vibrant district of Covent Garden in London. Mr Jones Watches has just relocated its brand store to this aptly named, fashionable destination right in the heart of England’s capital. This move marks a new chapter for the British cult brand after 15 years in business. The store now opens daily to offer you an unforgettable discovery of its watches. For gift shoppers, there are certainly a few ideas to make giving as much fun as receiving.Unusual watches made in LondonThe new store has a playful and colorful interior to reflect the essence of Mr Jones Watches. It promises to surprise and engage visitors who have not seen the brand be...
Hands-On: Herms H08 Blue Edition
When writing about a timepiece made by Herms, it is legit to ask yourself fashion-related questions. At the same time, the French maison’s recently released pieces rise way above the level of fashion watches. The Herms H08 Blue Edition is a timepiece with a fascinating color scheme. It pairs blue PVD-coated titanium with black ceramic, and a touch of archetypical Herms orange is also present. This is a seriously good-looking watch with some very serious features. Find out how this dressy sports watch in the colors of FC Internazionale Milano performs in this hands-on review.Herms is not a Fratello regular, but whenever a timepiece from the brand comes along, it makes an impression....
Fratello Favorites: Best Watches Of 2022 Balazs's Picks
What a year 2022 has been. After waking up from the two-year hibernation that COVID put us into, we kicked back into gear this year. And by we, I don't only mean me or us at Fratello but the industry in general. There were Watches and Wonders, Geneva Watch Days, and many events hosted by brands to showcase their latest releases. I’ve picked my five most memorable timepieces from 2022. These are not the only ones that I particularly wanted to own, but rather pieces with which have a personal connection to share with you.My collection is eclectic and spans from super affordable to, well, not so affordable. But this is not why I picked them. It was so much fun to look back and relive some...
Hunting Down The Dirty Dozen Pre-Owned Spotlight
The Dirty Dozen is a series of - you guessed it - twelve watches produced for the British MOD at the end of WWII. These watches obviously carry great historical significance. So much so, in fact, that I think they should be treated and collected with some reservation and humility. These are no status symbols or fashion statements. These are a silent nod to the brave people who gave their lives for our freedom.Yes, that is more serious than you might be used to reading from me. But with the end of the year in sight, this might be the right pensive time for it. The Dirty Dozen is an amazing set of watches that represent something much bigger than mere time-telling devices. In my pre-owned pick...
The Rise Of Mono-Brand Watch Boutiques
It’s not just watches themselves that can be polarizing. Watch stores can be as well. I recently went to the opening event of the new (and world's biggest) IWC boutique on Amsterdam's P.C. Hooftstraat, and before arriving there, I counted numerous mono-brand stores with the logos of competitors. There are also a couple of multi-brand stores around, but the current trend in watch retail is most definitely mono, not multi. As a watch enthusiast/collector, what is your take on the continuous rise of mono-brand boutiques all clotted together on one shopping street? Is it your idea of watch heaven or watch hell?Allow me to paint you an image of the current situation on Amsterdam's most luxu...
The Best Watches Of 2023 Nacho's Picks
The time of year is upon us once again. Yes, it’s time to pick the best watches of 2023 - or, at least, my favorites. It seems like only yesterday that I was putting my 2022 list together. But another 365 days have passed, and many more watches have been released. Narrowing it down is never easy, especially with so many memorable introductions. These days, we truly are spoiled for choice. Regardless of personal preference when it comes to new watches, there are bound to be a handful of releases that’ll suit just about anyone’s taste. I find that I can’t shake the appeal of watches that meet two specific criteria. The first (and a rather subjective one) is that they ra...
The Best Watches Of 2024: Jorg's Picks
Lists - don't you love em? Well, I do. Unlike Lex, our resident Grinch, I love a good list. That should come as no surprise, though, as I am Fratello’s in-house list fanatic. It was interesting to read that Lex likes to look forward to what’s to come rather than looking back at what has been. If there is one thing I’ve learned this year, it’s not to live in the future but to enjoy the present and nurture a love for the past. So I am always happy to share a best-of list. Here is the list of my favorite watches of 2024.Before I get into it, though, I have to say that I thoroughly enjoyed the past 12 months in the horological world. It has been an absolute joy to see the...
Reunited With My Grand Seiko Tough Quartz SBGX341
Sometimes the little chores in life feel like herculean tasks, don’t they? I'm not just talking about lubricating that squeaky hinge on the front door; I'm also referring to taking your beloved watch to a watchmaker for some love and attention. I know what I'm talking about. Not only does the hinge of my front door sound like an evil witch on acid whenever I go out and come back home, but I also have a watch that, although it’s one of my absolute favorites, desperately needed a revitalizing treatment. I denied that watch this treatment for several months, but not so long ago, I managed to set the wheels in motion and brought the watch in for a new battery and some cosmetic touch-...
Speedy Tuesday Omega Speedmaster Straps
It’s Speedy Tuesday! When you buy a new Omega Speedmaster (Professional), you can either choose between a stainless steel bracelet or a leather strap. However, there are many more ways to wear your Speedmaster in a cool way. From simple NATO straps to high-end alligator straps or even using a NASA-like velcro strap. In this article we show you how you can wear your Speedmaster. The straps can really change the entire appearance of your Speedmaster, giving a new Speedmaster a vintage look or make it a very classy watch using an alligator strap.Omega OEM calf strapWe kick-off with a brown calf strap from Omega. This strap (reference 98000195) is also issued with the chocolate brown Speed...
Grand Seiko SBGV009 Review
A Grand Seiko is still quite uncommon in this part of the world. A pity actually, as they have wonderful timepieces in their collection that can easily compete with some Swiss and German counterparts. Although I am not particularly a fan of quartz watches, with a few exceptions, I was offered to have a go with this Grand Seiko SBGV009 that has a quartz (caliber 9F82) movement.I asked Seiko how come they had a couple of these Grand Seiko quartz models in stock for our market and they told us it is because they had quite a bit of demand for them. Now I understand that my opinion does not reflect everyone’s opinion and that there might be a gap between what you and I think are the most in...