Chronoswiss kicks off its Watches and Wonders showing with the new Open Gear ReSec Paraiba, a limited edition model with a dramatic handmade guilloche dial.Whenever I see a new Chronoswiss, I must admit that two distinct memories come to mind. Firstly, I think about seeing Chronoswiss watches from the ’90s with their massive crowns and how my Dad almost bought one. My next and final recollec

Sure, the new Vacheron Constantin Historiques American 1921 watches mark the 100th anniversary of a watch nicknamed American 1921, so it’s time to welcome another version of VC’s classic driver’s watch to the paddock, this time in ice-cold platinum… But will it be a success 100 years after it first saw the light of day??The very first wristwatch was reputedly invented in 18

One of the exciting experiences during watch fairs is the encounter with rare super complication watches. A few brands demonstrate what they are capable of continuously stretching the limits of what is considered possible in watchmaking. In 2003 Jaeger-LeCoultre presented the first model of their Hybris Mechanica family. Since then, the brand adds one spectacular family member after another. Each

Jaeger-LeCoultre’s original 1931 reversible case served to protect the fragile glass on the dial side by flipping the case on the wrist. With the steel case-back facing up, the glass beneath was less prone to damage. The necessity for this design was born out of British polo players wanting to track time without damaging the crystal during polo matches in post-war India. It’s a well-kn

For over the last 170 years Cartier has influenced the fine jewelry styles as well as the watch industry. Some of Cartier's most iconic pieces of jewelry and watches resemble the elegant and powerful panther. The Panthre motif was Jeanne Toussaint's excellent idea. Back in those days, Toussaint, as Head of Creation at Cartier, designed the Panthre wristwatch with wildcat print made of gold and b

In 1920, Cartier released a bell-shaped watch called Cloche de Cartier. It was original yet a bit quirky. The Cartier Prive collection is growing with new models inspired by this asymmetrical watch.?The Prive collection is a line that draws attention to the Cartier’s much-vaunted past. Last year the French Maison presented the Tank Asymetrique, today we can get acquainted with the renewed Cl

Known for its streetwear credentials and monogram bags, Louis Vuitton is known for being ahead of the curve, and it has been since its foundation in 1854. With its new Tambour Carpe Diem watch, Louis Vuitton continues to make a bold statement.The Calaveras motif has become a popular contemporary motif in art, design, and fashion. Previous years showed it is no different with watches. This year the

Once upon a time, it was easy to get brands’ new pieces in your hands on the day of their release. We used to have physical fairs to enjoy, but the global pandemic has put paid to that for many of us. Nowadays, seeing novelties on or before release is very difficult so we were thrilled when IWC made a special effort to send us the Chrono 41 model so we could put it through its paces in advan

As one of the most recognizable luxury watches, the Cartier Tank's sleek design adorns the wrists of many of this French Maison’s followers. Today, Cartier revealed the return of the legend - let's give a warm welcome to the Cartier Tank Must!In the 1970s, Cartier created a new line of watches: Must de Cartier. The original Must was controversial yet legendary. While its form paid homage to

Setting quite substantial watches with diamonds is always a bold idea. The square shape, solid bracelet, and prominent steel screws are what define the Santos de Cartier. I have this feeling that to make the entire design even more outstanding only diamonds were missing. That was, of course, until now…New Models From The Santos de Cartier CollectionThe French brand expands its Santos collect

When, last year, Cartier announced the reintroduction of its Pasha collection, it was something of a special treat for the enthusiast. During the virtual Watches & Wonders 2021, the French brand has launched new variations: the 41 Pasha de Cartier Chronograph and the 30mm women's version. For those who missed the sporty Chronograph, or wanted to get a smaller version, it's a real treat!?Well-k

Watches & Wonders is here, and as you may have seen, it has announced itself this morning with a glut of new releases from a multitude of brands. It may take you a while to get through all of the new release articles here on Fratello, but don’t skip by this one, as Piaget’s Novelties are gold! Yes, I entirely meant that terrible pun, and I stand by it.Piaget has given us new takes

New watch releases are buses. You wait around for ages with no luck, and then you get ten all at once. OK, the saying is slightly different from that, but in Panerai’s world, it’s not. The brand has indeed just dropped ten new watches. Those ten watches are broken down into six different model families. Let’s take a quick look at them all!Panerai?Submersible eLAB-ID PAM01225First

To wear a special yachting chronograph wristwatch in the ’60s was like driving a Porsche 911. We take a wristwatch for granted today, but back then, racers used mostly stopwatches hanging on a cord around their necks. “Other people often wanted to see my Gallet Multichron Yachting working and try it. They could not believe it was waterproof,” says Roger Witts, an original owner,

Picking your favorite watch from a show like Watches And Wonders is something that you simply cannot rush. It's kind of like making a perfect cup of tea. Your head is a teapot, freshly filled with boiling water. The releases are the tea, which is immersed in the water and must be allowed enough time to fully steep before a perfectly brewed cup can be poured out. If you pour too soon, the tea will

I remember getting my Seiko SPB143J1 about two years ago. Its well-balanced design, brushed steel bezel insert, and gray sunburst dial really spoke to me. But I knew it was going to be a chunky and heavy watch, especially on the bracelet. So by the time it arrived, I had already gotten some straps for it. I got myself some single-pass NATOs and a Tropic strap, but the best match for me was a green

Another Friday, another Top 5! In this series, we take one classic watch and choose our five favorite references ever produced. Four of these references will be based on the historical importance of the specific watch in the grand scheme of things. Though there may be some overlap, it's not a question of which references are the most collectible or of the highest value on the market. The fifth pic

Watches and Wonders this year was a striking return to form and a glorious spectacle for the senses. It was like the pandemic never happened, and here I was stuck at home in the never-ending winter of the Nordics. To be honest, I'm glad in a way because most of my favorites were way above my pay grade, even if I sold all of my collection to fund them. But that's what it's all about, isn't it? As u

Can watch brands force-feed us collectibility? It is a genuine question that emerged during our first editorial meeting after Watches and Wonders 2023. Many of my colleagues noticed how brands announced watches as for collectors. That may sound logical, but is it? Who determines whether a watch is collectible? And what does it say about current watch marketing that brands try to determine this for

All artisans draw inspiration from their environments, but Japanese craftspeople are particularly well known for this, as we witness in the exquisite creations of Minase. Launched in 2005 and named after its home village in Akita Prefecture, Minase offers handmade timepieces imbued with Japanese traditions. The independent brand demonstrates its horological pinnacle with the Masterpiece collection