Watches & Pencils #12 Use of Color in Watches
Before we enter the next story about color I would like to say something about the past period of Watches & Pencils on Fratello Watches. It all started pretty small with a quick sketch and a few lines (view the very first post about the Bullhead' here). After the launch W&P quickly evolved to a feature with long intense stories accompanied by complex artwork. The Sandwich'-post or the previous post about the Submariner' for example. To maintain focus, quality and give the cartoons and stories the attention they deserve, we've decided to split up those two ‘types’ of content. Expect one cartoon with a few lines and one longer?story / review with photos from now on. That sa...
Hands-On IWC Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Chronograph
In the 1990s, when my interest for mechanical watches sparked, one of the most complicated watches I’d ever seen was the IWC Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar. I was fascinated by the fact that a mechanical timepiece could be ‘programmed’ to have a calendar that won’t need any corrections until a certain year. The Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar was introduced in 1985 and now, IWC decided it was time for a new and improved version. Let’s have a look.IWC Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar ChronographThose old round IWC Da Vinci models (reference 3750) were clearly the inspiration for this new IWC Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Chronograph reference? IW392101 and IW392103. What can I...
Chrono24GTG Event Report
Last weekend we joined the Chrono24GTG Event in Germany. Chrono24 is best known to be the world leading watch market platform with 10 mio visits per month, offering new & pre-owned watches from over 16.000 sellers world wide. Both professional and private. We don’t need to introduce them, as you are probably well aware of their website.To show that there’s more to this company (with over 130 full time employees) than just a website, and show that they care about watches and watch collectors, they organized a get-together for them in their headquarters in Germany. All guests (slightly over 30 people) were welcomed by their CEO Tim Stracke, who acquired Chrono24 in 2010 with tw...
Up Close With The A. Lange & Sohne Zeitwerk Date
When A. Lange & Sohne present their novelties they always do so with a modest amount. This year was no exception apart from the fact that they announced to launch a new Lange 1 each month up to its 25th anniversary in October. But as those are yet to be released, so let’s have a look at their other novelty, the new Zeitwerk Date.Another anniversary for A. Lange & SohneBesides the Lange 1 there is another occasion for A. Lange & Sohne to celebrate. This year is the 10th anniversary of the Zeitwerk, which was first launched back in 2009. Where A. Lange & Sohne is known for their big date, the Zeitwerk is one of the few watches out there which comes with a large digital ti...
This Week in Watches: February 1, 2020
Hey ?it’s time for This Week in Watches for February 1, 2020. We’re in the midst of some rather gray days here during Winter; let’s see if we can brighten things up a bit!Aquadive Bathyscaphe 100 in Hardened SteelFirst up on This Week in Watches is the new Aquadive Bathyscaphe 100 in hardened steel. This 500-piece run of watches brings the same classic 42.9mm x 49mm long c-case to your wrist but with a hardened 316L case. From pictures, the case looks to be a darker gray than normal. Aquadive also mentions larger lumed indices, but I struggle to see the exact differences in comparison to former models. Either way, this piece is powered by an ETA 2824-2 and comes on a stand...
Montblanc 1858 Split Second Chronograph
At last year's SIHH Montblanc presented the 1858 Split Second Chronograph, providing a complication that is also known as a Rattrapante. This watch comes in a vintage design and with a movement in a typical traditional layout. The finishing of this movement is breathtaking. The actual sensation about this watch is its price.If you lurk around watch forums you frequently read about grail watches or even exit watches. Some unfortunate watch addicts try to make you believe that if they were able to obtain that one specific (and only) watch, they would be happy for the rest of their life without needing any other watch. Unfortunately, the nature of addiction is a different one. You know what I m...
Watch Giveaway: Avi-8 Flyboy Sydney Automatic Watch
If you’ve been looking for a go-anywhere, do-anything, super legible, satisfyingly robust, everyday timepiece for absolutely no money at all, you’re in luck. In our second watch giveaway of 2021, Avi-8 has kindly donated the Flyboy Automatic, Sydney edition for your pleasure.I love free stuff. Who doesn’t? Unfortunately, an irksome little thing I like to call journalistic integrity prevents me from keeping a lot of the nice things that would otherwise call my watch box home. That’s good news for you lot, though! Last week, we gave away the handsome Zelos Nova to our worthy reader Luka. This time around, we have another interesting texture on the dial but, beyond that,...
Hands On: The Linde Werdelin Black Badger Oktopus Blue Sea
2020 was a dark year. Thankfully, however, some things brought light to what was otherwise a rather bleak affair. One of those things was light in its literal form. Enter, the Linde Werdelin ?Black Badger Oktopus Blue Sea. What a wonderfully cheesy, yet apt, segue!I have been a fan of Linde Werdelin for a while now. Visually, the brand's watches have always struck a note with me. Modern, and, somehow, “organically angular”. I also admire the brand's strong DNA that runs through its designs. Each of Linde Werdelin's model families (3-Timer, Spido, and Oktopus) cases follow the same base shape. Sure, the 3-Timer has a rotating bezel, the Spido case is partially skeletonized, and t...
Hands-On With The New Hamilton Ventura Elvis80 Skeleton Watches
The Hamilton Ventura is one of those watches that pretty much every watch enthusiast knows. The Ventura takes all the classic conventions of what a watch should look like and throws them straight out of the window. The most famous wearer of the Ventura was without a doubt, Elvis Presley. Back in 2015, Hamilton launched the Ventura Elvis80 collection on what was to be Elvis’s 80th birth year. Almost six years after that, the latest additions to the collection are the Hamilton Ventura Elvis80 Skeleton watches. Are these two watches still the classic that Elvis wore? Let’s find out!It’s remarkable how I managed not to review or even wear a Hamilton Ventura before. As someone t...
Titoni A Long-Standing Brand Holds Treasures Untold For The European Market
Titoni Ltd. is a Swiss watch manufacturer headquartered in the city of Grenchen. Two years ago, the family company, which holds a unique position in the Swiss watch industry in many respects, looked back on 100 years of watchmaking history.The company was originally founded as Felco (later Felca) Ltd. by the grandfather of the current CEO, Daniel Schluep. In the early 1950s, the traditional Swiss watchmaking company expanded its business networks to Asia and began producing watches under the name Titoni. Today, Titoni Ltd. is one of the very few remaining independent watch companies in Switzerland.In-house manufacturingThe independent, family-owned company has a long tradition of producing c...
Genteel Handmade Shell Cordovan Watch Straps Made To Last A Lifetime
Shell Cordovan watch straps enjoy a special status in the watchmaking world. A material that was, not so long ago, more associated with shoes or bags, is now one of the most sought after leathers in the industry. It is notoriously difficult to achieve bright colors with Shell Cordovan given the natural vegetable tanning process favored by the world’s best producers. However, as techniques evolve and demand grows, the very best of the best have set their minds to broadening the scope for the rest of us. Genteel Handmade, one of our favorite strap makers, is a direct beneficiary of this movement…Every single shell cordovan watch strap created by Genteel Handmade - and I mean every ...
New Release: The Bremont S300 RFU Limited Edition
Time to brush the dried mud off your cleats and kit up - Bremont has just announced the release of a new limited edition watch in partnership with the RFU. The Henly on Thames brand proudly presented its latest release today: the Bremont S300 RFU. A watch that adopts the kit colors of England Rugby, as well as the signature, rose logo, subtly incorporated onto the crisp white dial. Bremont not only acts as the official timing partner to the RFU, but it also brings you all match day content taking place in Twickenham stadium. If you're lucky enough to make it to a match, you'll see a number of branded match clocks in the stadium as well. So, if you are a fan of Rugby, Bremont, and all things ...
How A Regular Omega Speedmaster Became My Grail Watch
I found my grail watch! In this series, each Fratello editor will share their grail watch. It’s the watch they want the most, and sometimes it’s their exit watch. Here’s my story.The word grail, of course, relates to the Holy Grail or the Holy Chalice, the cup that Christians believe Jesus drank from at the Last Supper. The quest to find the Holy Grail made its way from religion to fictional literature, cinema, and video games. Today, many places around the world claim to be the home of the Holy Grail. Whether or not the cup is real, whether it (still) exists, and where it’s precisely located are heavily debated questions. Valencia Cathedral in Spain is one place clai...
MB&F: The First Fifteen Years The Ultimate Guide To MB&F
There is something special about books. In today’s online world, books are a tangible piece of magic. For me, nothing beats the sight and the smell of a book that comes fresh from the printers. I grew up in the age of print media, so books will always have a special place in my heart. Watch books are often visually stunning, but they turn into static decorative objects on the coffee table. I love it when a book is more than that. The best books are the ones that look great but also serve as the perfect reference material. That’s exactly what MB&F has done with the creation of its new book MB&F: The First Fifteen Years. It is a great testament to the first fifteen years of...
The Swatch Tiger Power 2022 Celebrating The Year Of The Tiger
Happy Chinese New Year, everyone! Today marks the start of the Year of the Tiger, and in Chinese culture, the tiger has a very special place. The majestic big cat is considered the king of all animals. The tiger is third in the twelve-year cycle of the Chinese zodiac. It symbolizes power, courage, confidence, leadership, and strength. Swatch's 47mm Big Bold is the right platform to create a watch with a look and character that matches the important star sign. Enter the Swatch Tiger Power 2022.The tiger is a special beast in Chinese culture, as it’s seen as an animal that expels all evil. It’s also associated with good luck, bravery, good health, and wellbeing. This year is the ye...
[Video] Hands-On With The Certina DS Action Diver 43MM Powermatic 80
In this video, our senior editor Lex Stolk takes a closer look at the stainless steel Certina DS Action Diver Powermatic 80, reference C032.607.11.051.00.This watch, with a retail price of $895, seems to promise a lot of bang for the buck. But does it deliver? Lex covers the watch’s specifications, which include the fact that it is able to withstand pressure up to 30ATM (~300 meters) and has been ISO 6425 certified. The ETA-based Powermatic 80 movement has a Nivachron balance spring. Certina’s DS Action Diver Powermatic 80 has a diameter of 43mm and a 13.1mm-thick 316L stainless steel case. It also features a ceramic bezel with a standard diving scale.Enjoy the video, and make su...
Ulysse Nardin Blast Moonstruck
Ulysse Nardin has developed a charmingly lateral position with the top-tier Swiss manufacturers. This is, without a doubt, a brand with a strong history, but it’s one that’s certainly not stuck in the past. With a strong focus on outre designs and high-tech horology, Ulysse Nardin watches are not for everyone. And in my opinion, this is all for the best.The world would be a dull place if every brand riffed on its past glories, and Ulysse Nardin is a forward-thinking brand with a vision. This past month, this became even more exciting, as Kering let go of its two watch brands. Both Girard-Perregaux and Ulysse Nardin were bought out by management, with Patrick Pruniaux of GP leadin...
Precious Metals In Watchmaking Fratello On Air
Fratello On Air is back! This time, Balazs and Mike come back to case materials and focus on precious metals. Specifically, we discuss gold and platinum along with some of our favorite examples. Before we get to the main topic…Precious metals are in play this week, but Balazs and Mike also pick up on the latest news and releases from the LVMH brands! First, though, it’s time for a Handgelenks Kontrolle and Balazs is sporting a pair of light blue DOXA watches - the SUB 200 and SUB 300 - while Mike is enjoying his new MING 17.09 in blue (everything runs well, thanks for asking).Some news and onto precious metalsThe news was fast and furious over the past week. We discuss the King S...
Chronoswiss Open Gear ReSec Jungle Hands-On Review
One of my favorite aspects of being a part of the Fratello team is getting to grips with watches that I may not otherwise get the chance to see up close. As we all know, the best way to get to know a watch is to see it and feel it in hand, tracing the case’s curves and seeing how it interacts with the light. There’s just no substitute, in my opinion. Photographs can only show so much of a watch’s character. Take the Chronoswiss Open Gear ReSec Jungle, for exampleHaving seen photographs of the watch, I had long adored the wonderfully mesmerizing and flowing colors of the dial as the light caught the intricate grooves of the guilloche pattern. I had this niggling feeling that...
A Brief History Of King Seiko: The Past, The Present and The Future
With Seiko’s recent relaunch of the King Seiko collection, I thought it’d be nice to take a look at the history of King Seiko, the Japanese watchmaking powerhouse’s “other son”. Historically, it was the rice to Grand Seiko’s fish, the two vital ingredients in Seiko’s finest horological sushi. However, King Seiko has lived firmly in Grand Seiko’s shadow in recent times. While Seiko dedicated a lot of effort to reestablishing Grand Seiko as its own entity (and has done a remarkable job), King Seiko was, until more recently, left by the wayside. Thankfully, Seiko has decided to rectify this, and we are now seeing some of the marvelous work of the ...