Hands-On With The Fears Brunswick Salmon Cushion-Shaped Watch
It was only back in September that I sat down with Nicholas Bowman-Scargill, the 4th managing director of Fears watches. After a long chat about the challenges in the early part of the year, Nicholas finally broke out his Globe-Trotter watch case. Awaiting inside were four Brunswick models in various styles - two from previous years with the original Brunswick and 2019's Brunswick Blue. But also two brand Brunswick watches including today's subject, the Brunswick Salmon.Flashback to this time last year, I went hands-on with the predecessor to the latest Brunswick variation. The Brunswick Blue seemed like a perfect companion for a Barbour jacket/Hunter wellies country walk. At the time, I had...
Hands-On With The Chris Ward C65 Chronograph
If the 1970s Daytona took the 1970s Heuer Skipper on a romantic trip to a desert island, the latest Christopher Ward’s C65 Chronograph is probably what they would bring back as a memory of their passionate encounter…Christopher Ward (the brand, not the man) fought COVID last year with a bold diver release that introduced a thick transparent sapphire dial. At the end of last summer, CW revived the legendary EPSA cases with inner rotating inserts operated by an extra crown. Today's C65 Chronograph is the most recent Christopher Ward release that caught my attention. Do they succeed in getting yours?The C65 Chronograph. Original or not?To be honest, I was instantly intrigued when i...
The Top 25 Articles On Fratello In 2020 Omega, Seiko, Grand Seiko, Casio, , And...
We can’t wait to step into the new year, for obvious reasons, but we do reflect on 2020 as well, of course. It was the weirdest year ever, with no real events taking place, no get-togethers with our readers, not able to travel to Switzerland and talk to brands, to see what’s new. And yet, despite that, we’ve had a lot of fun writing for the Fratelli. Below, you’ll find our Top 25 articles of 2020 in reverse order.It is interesting to see which articles performed best in 2020. It doesn’t necessarily reflect one’s personal interest in certain watches or brands, but it does indicate what the majority is most keyed-in to. So here it is, our Top 25 most popular...
Hands-On Review: The RZE Fortitude Pilot's Watch (2021)
This year has been a year of many changes that we’ve all slowly had to get used to. On a personal level, I’ve noticed two distinct changes to my watch-collecting tastes, and they’re ones I wouldn’t have expected as 2021 first rolled in. First, I’ve finally converted to the dark side and embraced a love for titanium watches. Second, I’ve found a new appreciation for pilot’s watches when undertaken in a more modern style. Today, I am looking at the RZE Fortitude, a watch that combines these two features into an interesting proposition.I feel that, with enough time, I may have eventually embraced titanium watches anyway. There are too many positives to ...
[Video] The Fratello Team Talks G-Shock
A few months ago, we did a podcast in which some of our team talked about their favorite G-Shock watches. We received quite a few messages based on that podcast, so we decided to do another talk about G-Shocks This time, however, we did it on video.Rob Nudds talks with Lex, Nacho, and RJ about their favorite G-Shocks and how they got into buying their Casio G-Shock watches. Lex brings his JDM G-Shock model in navy blue, while Nacho talks about his first Casio and the DW-5600E he picked up. RJ talks about buying his first Casio back in 1986 and his 2003 G-Shock 5000SP 20th anniversary edition.Lex’s GW-M5610NVLex, who is old enough to vividly remember the introduction of the G-Shock in 1...
A Big Thank You From Fratello 2021 Was An Amazing Year
When I started Fratello in 2004, there was no bigger plan or strategy at hand. It was all about having fun! And now, almost 18 years later, we have many plans, but it is still about having fun.Back in 2004, there was no Instagram or even Facebook (I think it opened up to the public in 2006). If you wanted to “blog” about watches, you had to buy server space, a domain name, and install a CMS (Content Management System). And that’s what I did because I was bored at work (sorry, former employer). Rather than putting a lot of time and energy into the forums that existed then, I’d invest it in something that I owned myself.Rob and Gerard in front of our office buildingIt w...
Grand Seiko SBGJ255 Vs. SBGJ201
In 2022, Grand Seiko celebrates the 55th anniversary of its famous design language, known as the Grand Seiko Style. This particular style came to life in 1967 with the introduction of the 44GS case. This celebration calls for a limited edition from the Japanese manufacturer. Meet the Grand Seiko SBGJ255, the latest Hi-Beat GMT addition to the brand’s Heritage Collection.If this watch looks familiar to you, there’s a good reason for that. I had to look twice when the press release came in from Grand Seiko, as it looks a lot like the reference SBGJ201 that I bought back in 2018. Besides taking a closer look at the new Grand Seiko SBGJ255 limited edition, I will also do a side-by-si...
The Fratello Year In Review 2022
The time has come. You’ve reached the end of 2022 on Fratello. First of all, on behalf of the entire Fratello team, I would like to thank you for reading our articles, watching our videos, and following us on our social media channels and for your engagement. Believe me; it really gives us so much fun and inspiration to see your comments appearing under our articles, posts, and videos. Now, let’s look at Fratello’s year in review 2022!2022 was a year of opening up again after the global pandemic, traveling started again, and at some point, it was nearly too much to handle. All the watch brands were organizing events, press trips, etc. Sometimes more than two on the same day...
Hands-On With The Monta Skyquest
The Monta Skyquest entered its second generation earlier this year with some light updates. We’ve been following the brand since its inception in 2017 and are excited to once again go hands-on with a new piece. The Skyquest is a 24-hour watch with a rotating bezel. Sound familiar? We’ll see how it ranks versus its competition!Yes, it’s been quite a while since we’ve gone hands-on with a new watch from Monta. As one of the original Fratello members who met the brand in 2017 at Basel, I raised my hand when a new one was offered for trial. Monta has provided high-quality watches since day one, so what will this new model bring? Let’s find out…The Monta Skyque...
Video: 30 Years Of The Royal Oak Offshore
In this video, RJ and Timo sit down with Emmanuel Gueit to celebrate 30 years of Royal Oak Offshore history from Audemars Piguet. Join us as we talk about the creation of the Offshore collection and unravel some fun mysteries surrounding this refreshingly punk take on luxury watches.The Royal Oak Offshore no. 39 that once belonged to designer Emmanuel GueitIn 2023, Audemars Piguet celebrated the 30th anniversary of the Royal Oak Offshore, the (more) masculine version of the iconic Royal Oak watch designed by Gerald Genta. Back in 1993, Audemars Piguet introduced a 42mm version of the Royal Oak, bigger and bolder than ever before, from the hands of a young designer by the name of Emmanuel Gue...
The Best Watches Of 2023: Balazs's Picks
It’s almost a wrap for 2023, a year loaded with new watch releases. After a turbulent past few years, the industry has gotten back on track. We witnessed new releases almost every week. Some were weak, and others were ambitious. For the most part, however, we saw brilliant new timepieces pushed to the market, so putting together a subjective list of the best ones of the year was going to be relatively easy to do - or so I thought. Luckily, I got a bit of help.Just a few weeks ago, in one of the episodes of Fratello On Air, Mike and I shared some of our favorite new watches of the year. I will talk about those, but I have some more that I enjoyed seeing this year.The best watches of 202...
Sunday Morning Showdown Our Favorites Of 2023
Sunday Morning Showdown has become a Fratello tradition. Every Sunday morning, two Fratello writers go head to head, fiercely defending the timepieces of their choice. It’s become a favorite among Fratello writers, and you, the Fratelli, also seem to enjoy it a great deal. In this second overview of the year, we look back at some of the most remarkable battles of the second half of 2023. Thanks to your input, we were able to continue the series with some fresh perspectives. On top of that, it led to some pretty interesting battles. So let’s look at some of this year’s most heated Sunday Morning Showdown battles.While most Fratello writers are taking a much-deserved holiday ...
The Year In Review Fratello In 2024
As 2024 comes to a close, it's time for our recurring Year in Review article on the last day of the year. First, I would like to thank all of you for coming to Fratello and consuming your daily dose of watch content on the online magazine, our YouTube channel, or our Instagram page. It means so much to us! Also, a big “thank you” to those who commented on our articles, social media posts, podcasts, and videos. We enjoy reading your comments and often discuss them in the Fratello office.2024 - what a ride it was!Goodbye, 2024!I don't know about you, but 2024 passed in the blink of an eye. The first half was packed with traveling abroad for us as watch brands hosted many events bef...
Five Watches With Colorful Dials To Light Up Your Winter Blues
For those in the Northern Hemisphere, this time of year is associated with cold and dark days! But fear not; it is a scientifically proven fact that bringing color into your life can cheer you up. Some colors, like yellow, trigger the release of serotonin in our brains, making us feel happy. Watches with colorful dials, therefore, are good for you!I can think of no better reason to consider buying a watch with a colorful dial than the idea that it will make me a little happier. This seems like as good a reason as any to consider a new watch purchase. Throw in the notion that this time of year is associated with gift-giving, and we have a powerful capitalist combination. So, without further a...
deployment buckle :-)
This poor guy who calls himself ‘rsg1’ really suffers on the Public Forum at TimeZone after he asked something about his deployment buckle. Ofcourse, we all know it is deployant buckle.To see the embarrassing thread (not for the original poster in the first place), click here.Maybe it is wise to speak about a folding clasp next time ??...
IWC's latest target audience
Just recently, an interesting thread at one of the Dutch watch forums regarding IWC was started. In short, the topic starter of the thread wrote that IWC was the new watch for the rich. Perhaps a bit exaggerated, but I drew that same conclusion a while ago as well. I define it as follows: IWC is the new . used to be, and perhaps still is, a watch that stood for a successful career, life and wealth. At least, that is the image that it is stuck with. For collectors and watch aficionados, this brand has another meaning, but you probably already knew that. Otherwise you wouldn???t be visiting this web site. Anyway, IWC Schaffhausen seems to be on a mission. With their new range of advertisement...
The Sophisticated Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Moon
Unfortunately, a 37mm looks kind of silly on my 7.5″ wrist. Otherwise, a Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Moon like Rob’s (friend of the show since 2004) would be a perfect timepiece for formal occasions. Although Jaeger-LeCoultre seems to have entered a different route to approach its clients since a while, with big bulky watches or with high-tech materials, this Master Moon with a diameter of 37mm and a height of just 10mm is a true classic that at least will look good on you in a few decades from now. Will the Compressor watches do to? I think not.For around 3000 Euro, you should be able to find a nice Master Moon (young occasion) in good condition, complete with box and papers. Make s...
OMEGA Speedmaster Co-Axial Chronograph Caliber 9300 My Personal Favorite Of 2011
The story of the Speedmaster began in 1957, when OMEGA’s Claude Baillod designed the watch for his manager, Head of Creation Pierre Moinat. The first few models (CK2915 and CK2998) had a symmetrical shape and were replaced by the a-symmetrical case as we happen to know it now, in 1963. When the Speedmaster was chosen by NASA to become part of the astronaut’s equipment, OMEGA added the wording ‘Professional’ on the dial in 1965. The rest is history and has been discussed and documented by many, including here at Fratellowatches.Besides the Moonwatch, OMEGA developed and produced a number of Speedmaster watches that were not part of the Professional series. We would say...
OMEGA Speedmaster Co-Axial Chronograph Caliber 9300 My Personal Favorite Of 2011
The story of the Speedmaster began in 1957, when OMEGA’s Claude Baillod designed the watch for his manager, Head of Creation Pierre Moinat. The first few models (CK2915 and CK2998) had a symmetrical shape and were replaced by the a-symmetrical case as we happen to know it now, in 1963. When the Speedmaster was chosen by NASA to become part of the astronaut’s equipment, OMEGA added the wording ‘Professional’ on the dial in 1965. The rest is history and has been discussed and documented by many, including here at Fratellowatches.Besides the Moonwatch, OMEGA developed and produced a number of Speedmaster watches that were not part of the Professional series. We would say...
Baume & Mercier Clifton 1830 Live Pictures
Baume & Mercier brought one of the biggest surprises during the recently held SIHH by introducing the Clifton. Although Baume & Mercier already had sent out press releases to announce this new collection, I didn’t want to say much about it before seeing it in the flesh.The Baume & Mercier Clifton collection grabs back to their watches from the 1950s. Elegant shaped cases, long lugs with perfectly beveled edges, a domed sapphire crystal and applied numerals and hour markers.The inspiration for the Clifton is clear. 1950s timepieces from their own collection from that era. During my interview (that will be published later on) with Baume & Mercier’s Alexandre Peraldi...