Ulysse Nardin GMT Perpetual in 18k rose gold for 52Mondays week #52
This 52Mondayz episode is more or less on a Sunday, it’s Christmas! However as the calendar indicates that Christmas is on a Monday this year, here we are. The last 52Mondayz of 2017, it had to be a special one. And as next week Monday will be January 1st 2018, I want to wear a perpetual calendar to see all that happen. The Ulysse Nardin GMT Perpetual is my weapon of choice.The Ulysse Nardin GMT Perpetual on my wrist.Ulysse Nardin GMT Perpetual in 18k rose goldIn 1999 the Ulysse Nardin GMT Perpetual was the successor of the Perpetual Ludwig, which was introduced in 1996. The Perpetual Ludwig was a totally new type of perpetual calendar watch. While perpetual calendars at that t...
Playing with the Devil Patek Philippe Ref. 5960
The Patek Philippe reference 5960 annual calendar in stainless steel stirred BaselWorld during its introduction in 2014. Today, we find the reference 5960 available in platinum, rose gold, white gold and stainless steel.In the video below, you will find Thierry Stern’s explanation of how Patek Philippe deals with creations like the reference 5960 for example.Reference 5960 in Stainless SteelThe Ref. 5960/1 self-winding Flyback chronograph with Annual Calendar in stainless steel unites two extremely popular Patek Philippe complications and is available with an ebony black opaline dial and a silvery opaline dial. The face highlights the personality and uniqueness of this model with three...
LIMES: The new Ladies automatic watch Phara
With the new Phara LIMES offers again an automatic ladies watch, which is the successor of the beautiful Artemisia, manufactured from 2006 to 2012. The feminine, elegant timepiece is available in two dial versions, with fine leather straps in black, brown, pink and light blue and a smooth steel bracelet.The silky natural Mother of Pearl dial is decorated with 8 genuine diamonds and shimmers according to the lighting conditions in various shades. Each dial is a bit different to the other. So, every Phara mother of pearl is a unique timepiece with beautiful play of colors – no matter what time of day.The LIMES Phara is also available with a noble silver or two-tone Guilloch dial. The nic...
Fratello Christmas Special The Omega Speedmaster Rising Sun
First off, for those who are celebrating, the Fratello team wishes you a very Merry Christmas.? If not, happy Speedy Tuesday! We do our best to publish new content on Christmas day because, after all, it's a decent day to laze on the couch and relax. So let's get into what has to be one of the most surprising and attractive Speedmasters to date, the Omega Speedmaster Rising Sun.A Speedmaster QuintetIt was late July this year when Omega dropped news of a quintet of Speedmasters to be released for the Japanese market in commemoration of the upcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympics. As a set (55 boxes), but also as separate watches. With 2020 pieces of each model (and the 55 sets), the watches started ship...
Omega Speedmaster Apollo 11 and the Breitling Navitimer 806
It's time for our annual Fratello Christmas Special, where we take a long look at a special watch.? This year, we choose two with the Omega Speedmaster Apollo 11 50th Anniversary in gold and the Breitling Navitimer ref.806 1959 Re-Edition.We're well aware that both the Omega Speedmaster Apollo 11 and the Breitling Navitimer have been reviewed ad nauseam during 2019, so why have we returned to such a well-trodden subject?? That's an easy one to answer because we happen to have both side by side and your author has worn both extensively for well over a month.? Consider it a chance to hear the specs once more, if only briefly, but to hear more about what it's like to live with either of these i...
Hands-On With The Tissot Alpine On Board Automatic Chronograph
Well, this is an interesting one. A few months earlier, I received the press release about the then-new Tissot Alpine On Board Automatic Chronograph.I must say I was a bit surprised. Is Alpine still in business? Like most men, I like cars. As a matter of fact, I probably know more about them than the average, but I'm by no means an expert. I've also had my fair share or racing events in the past, whether it was a WEC race (like this one or this one) DTM or GT Masters. Though I never saw any Alpines in the pit. This out of the blue Tissot collaboration was new to me. Renault didn't only bring back Alpine they also secured a deal with Tissot. Sounds interesting, I must say. So, when I was offe...
5 Pre-Owned AP Royal Oak Offshore Watches RJ Likes
My recent article on the new Royal Oak Offshore made me curious about the pre-owned market for these models. Spoiler alert: don’t expect anything cheap here. But, I am also happy to see that some of the prices are rather sane. Making some of the AP ROOs more interesting than a new over-retail .I never have owned a Royal Oak Offshore watch. At the time, when I purchase my Royal Oaks, I was just more into those than the Offshores. That said, one of the first APs I ever saw was Gerard’s Royal Oak Offshore triple date model (reference 25808ST). If I am not mistaken, he disliked the white date hand so much, he bought a little bottle of Revell paint and made it anthracite. Unthinkable ...
The Book Review: Retro Watches
You will probably be surprised by all the different kinds of shapes that can be found in this selection of over 100 watches from the late 1950s, 1960s, and 1970s. Retro Watches is quite a?unique book. It brings together all the most avantgarde, bold and eccentric watches you might have ever seen. In Retro Watches, I even?found a?watch that I?saw years ago but was hesitant to pull the trigger on. When I?got back to the listing a few days later, someone else had already bought the Desotos chronograph. I?regret that I let it go. An asymmetric case is nothing unusual and many watches have, mostly to protect the crown or pushers. But not a single one is as asymmetric as this Desotos, which looks ...
Surprising Santa Watches That Were Not On Your List Omega, Bvlgari, And Seiko
There is no way around it, 2020 has been a weird and eventful year. Looking back at this year, it might be wise to remind ourselves of the amazing releases to which we’ve been treated. Some of them defined the year in watches, and some of them you might have forgotten about. It’s the latter that could make for a nice Santa gift. Perhaps you neglected to put them on your list, but Santa stepped-up and scribbled them down on your behalf. Why? Because Santa knows best. So let’s find out what gifts he came up with that weren’t on your list.Before we get into Santa’s list of treasures, just a quick look back at watch releases in general for 2020. As per usual, we hav...
Buying Guide: The Best Seiko Watches From The 2000s
We like to talk about vintage watches a lot within the Fratello team. Though most of what we write about is largely focused on the most recent releases and developments, for many of us, a lot of the fun can be found in the sometimes weird and often wonderful world of vintage watches. It’s a world full of history, remarkable watches, incredible stories, and quirky details. It inspired us to come up with a series of articles focusing on the best watches per decade from a select group of brands. Some of them are priceless, some of them are still affordable. In this installment, we will take a look at the best Seiko watches from the 2000s.By the turn of the millennium, Switzerland had prou...
Dear Omega, Bring Back The Seamaster 166.010
How I would love to see a brand-new 166.010! A while ago, I tested the Omega Aqua Terra 38mm. I really liked it but felt it was a bit too complicated aesthetically. A bit nerdy, even. I could not help but long for the simpler-looking alternatives from . Interestingly, Omega has a potential Datejust killer sitting right there in its back catalog. A properly reimagined 166.010 has the potential to be the ultimate do-it-all Omega watch. Let's explore that idea.You may know that I have a thing for smallish do-it-all watches. In my vintage-dealing days, I came across these Omega 166.010 models and similar references on a regular basis. They fit the bill perfectly. They are well-built and stylisti...
?The Zenith El Primero Retrotimer. Hands-on With A rarity
Many years ago, my first premium watch was going to be a 42mm El Primero, now known as the Chronomaster. By some twist of fate, it ended up being something very different, mainly because I didn't manage to save up the considerable sum before my round-numbered birthday. Now, I'm not going to tell you what round number that was in 2010, but the watch in question was the Open Power Reserve model. It has somehow eluded me since, but it got back on my radar after my fellow editor Dave bought the very same one a few months back. But I never knew about the rare El Primero Retrotimer.After Dave’s purchase, I was inspired and back on Chrono24, the danger of writing about watches unless you deta...
Tudor Black Bay Pro Vs. Seiko 5 Sports SSK005 GMT
It’s time for the last Sunday Morning Showdown of this year. After taking a break for almost a year, our Sunday Morning Showdown series returned in April 2022. And what a year it has been! We have seen some great battles, surprising results, and sharp comments. Overall, we had great fun reinstating the series, and it seems to be one of your favorites as well, dear Fratelli. For this last Showdown of 2022, Nacho and Jorg battle it out over the watches that are on the top of their wishlists. As it happens, they are among the top picks for the best watches of 2022 for many readers as well. In this battle, it’s the Tudor Black Bay Pro versus the Seiko 5 Sports SSK005 GMT. Which of th...
Hands-On: Breguet Classique Repetition Minutes 7637
It’s not every day that we receive a review watch that makes our entire team line up to give it a try. Breguet delivered the Classique Repetition Minutes (French for minute repeater) ref. 7637 and graciously allowed us to go hands-on with it for a while. I won't say it was the best time of my life, but wearing this watch certainly made me smile a lot.My appreciation for BreguetIt’s no secret that I am an admirer of Breguet. Not only did this brand and its founder play such a crucial role in many horological inventions and designs, but the craftsmanship of Breguet’s watches today is also incredibly impressive. My appreciation increased when I visited the Breguet manufacture ...
Patek Philippe Calatrava 570: A Fratello Christmast Special
First, a very Merry Christmas to those who are celebrating. I’ve had the honor and pleasure of occupying this slot several times before, and I’m happy to be back again! This year, I’m pivoting from my normal sports-watch tendencies and bringing something much different. I hope you enjoy it! They say the perfect watch doesn’t exist, and I suppose they’re correct (whoever “they” are). However, I maintain that the Patek Philippe Calatrava 570 comes asymptotically close. This is a watch boiled down to the absolute elements, and while it may seem overly simple at first glance, it keeps me coming back for more time and time again. It’s an extreme exe...
A Condensed Guide To Seiko Releases From 2024
At the end of every year, we like to reflect on all the watch goodness we have seen. In good tradition, Seiko has graced us with a consistent stream of new releases. So, as we do every year, it is time to look back at the Seiko releases from the past 12 months. This article will highlight the Seiko releases we covered on Fratello in 2024. While it is nowhere near a complete list, it gives a good overview of the great diversity of the brand’s novelties. Come along as we highlight some of this year's best Seiko watches!As most of you know, Seiko releases hundreds of new references annually. To me, this year initially felt like a relatively slow one for the brand. However, that was mainly...
The Best Watches Of 2024: Mike's Picks
It’s time for a look at the best watches of 2024, according to me! These lists can be challenging to compile because the year is long and sees many releases. I’ve managed to winnow it down to seven picks, though, so let’s begin.Choosing the best watches of 2024 marked a change for me. In the past, approachable watches dominated my lists. This year, it seemed that more affordable watches comprised dial updates and color changes. Therefore, my list contains more Haute Horlogerie than usual.The best watches of 2024 - The Lederer Triple Certified Observatory ChronometerWhy did the Lederer Triple Certified Observatory Chronometer get me so excited? After all, it’s a 44mm C...
TCStraps goes watches...
TCStraps always used to be a great source for Panerai straps, however… I just discovered that they have a great selection of Panerai watches now as well. Maybe I am just late, but I never saw so many watches for sale before on their web site.If you are in the fortunate situation to be able to purchase a (or more) vintage Panerai, definately take a peek over there.For the people who are longing for some White Dial Love, TCStraps (TC stands for Time Connection) also has this one (PAM3B) for sale for 4150 USD:...
Seiko Astron GPS The Novak Djokovic Limited Edition
Novak Djokovic has been the Seiko Astron GPS ambassador since 2014. Since then, Seiko didn’t stand still and kept developing the GPS movement. It became much smaller, more energy efficient and is capable of receiving information from 4 satellites. Just a while ago, Seiko introduced a new limited edition of 35oo pieces only, with a mother-of-pearl dial and a titanium case with rose gold color coating. Let’s have a look!Quartz MovementsQuartz powered watches remain to be a bit difficult to accept for us watch enthusiasts. They almost single-handedly killed the entire Swiss watch industry in the 1970s, “allowed” big brands to produce utter junk till far in the 1980s and ...
Zahnd & Kormann A Swiss Microbrand is reaching out for the world of Haute Horlogerie
Zahnd & Kormann to Launch biggest Swiss Made Watches Crowdfunding Campaign ever on KickstarterZahnd & Kormann watch brand was founded by Roger Zahnd and Florian Kormann in order to create and offer you high quality timepieces bearing the prestigious Swiss Made label, in a most transparent and modern way, aiming to change how Swiss automatic watches are sold to the customer nowadays. Based in Bern, the capital of Switzerland, we do have an easy access to the expertise and services offered by world renowned companies involved in the traditional watchmaking industry.For our debut watch collection ?ZK No.1 we have selected the legendary ETA Valjoux 7751 self winding calibre which offers ...