There is no theme of discussion quite as recurring as that of collecting watches here at Fratello HQ. Whether we're pondering how to expand or pare back our collections, talking straps, industry news, or discussing the more metaphysical aspects of our common passion, it all stems from the overarching theme of collecting. That’s why we couldn’t be more excited to kick off and welcome yo

I don’t get the logic behind introducing watches so close to Watches & Wonders - especially when you’re a brand participating in the show. However, Vacheron Constantin decided to do so anyway, with this new Overseas Chronograph 5500V/110A-B686 with a panda dial. And to be honest, if this is a preview of what Vacheron Constantin will release this year, I think we’re in for a r

These days, when you hear of a brand releasing watches in “new colors,” you probably think of the classic rainbow of bright hues that dropped with the Oyster Perpetual that countless other brands followed. Thankfully, Louis Erard is not so content to follow in other brands’ footsteps. With the launch of its new Excellence Petite Seconde models, we see three luxurious new colors

Dear Fratelli, despite what Bulova may have led you to believe in the marketing campaign for these watches, today and indeed every Tuesday is a Speedy Tuesday. Nevertheless, we are still interested in the three new timepieces that these two brands are releasing today. The first is the modern remake of the famous 1968 T version of the Accutron Astronaut. Bulova has also announced two new versions o

While I’ve long had an affinity for niche horology, plenty of people out there are just entering the deep rabbit hole of Swiss independents. From ADs to auction houses, the appreciation for halo brands like MB&F, Greubel Forsey, and De Bethune is rising rapidly, and I am rejoicing. Just like the traditional brands, MB&F has an evolved range, and ten years after its inception, the MB&

A billionaire walks into a store and walks out with a few items. He ends up loving them so much that he offers to fund the business. This may sound like a plot in a feel-good movie, except it’s not a movie at all. It is, in fact, how the story went, according to high-profile American investor Bill Ackman.Ackman has purchased a substantial minority stake in British watchmaker Bremont after bu

Fratello On Air comes at you with another brand-focused episode. This week, we're talking about Doxa, and the picks are a bit less diver-centric than you might think. Have a listen and hear about watches that, surprisingly, don't have a dive bezel.

What can you do these days to stand out from all the other vintage-inspired watch brands out there? Well, first of all, you can develop a watch with a design that’s 100% spot on. Then you can fit it with an actual vintage movement instead of one of the movements that everybody else uses. That’s easier said than done, of course, but it’s exactly what Stijn Busschaert from the Belg

If you follow my writing, you know that I am a bit of a Formex admirer. The Swiss brand offers specifications and value for money that are second to none. So when Formex teams up with a watch medium like Worn & Wound to create something special for enthusiasts, I pay attention. I was, however, completely unprepared for what these collaborators had concocted.Join me to have a look at the Formex

On February 1st, as usual, Patek Philippe communicated the new list prices to its authorized dealers. We also got the yearly list of discontinued models, which, not shockingly, includes more Nautilus references. On top of that, Patek Philippe decided to discontinue the popular Aquanaut Travel Time in stainless steel (ref. 5164A). While price increases are a fact of life, what do we think of the di

We know Urwerk as a laboratory for very high-end, off-the-beaten-path creations. The latest release from the Genevan brand does not disappoint in either respect. This is the Urwerk UR-100 LS with a rather exotic new complication for those who think beyond our little blue marble. This watch indicates the time required for a sunbeam to reach each of the eight planets in our solar system.If that is n

To be completely honest with you, when Nacho sent me the press materials for this new Seiko release, I had never heard of Nausica? of the Valley of the Wind. Actually, I’m not very familiar with any of Studio Ghibli’s creations. I figured it would be an insult to write anything about it without knowing what I was talking about, so I decided to watch the movie as it was available on Net

If a dog is a man's best friend, can a watch be his second-best friend? What boxes would this watch need to tick? Well, let's not idolize material goods quite to that degree. But still, having a watch that can confidently accompany you through everything life throws your way can certainly create a deep appreciation and strong connection with it.We have been looking for a watch that can accompany t

Another Friday, another list! This week, we look at the brilliant and rich history of Omega Seamaster dive watches. The lineage started in 1957 with the introduction of the first Seamaster 300, which was part of Omega’s famous trilogy along with the first Speedmaster and Railmaster models. After that, the brand released many iconic dive watches that have become fan favorites. For this list,

It’s no secret that I adore the classic Zenith El Primero A384 and all of its vintage and modern descendants. One of the most famous is the brilliant El Primero A3818 “Cover Girl” that graced the cover of Manfred Rossler’s popular Zenith book from 2009. The vintage blue-dial A3818 is an absolute beauty and has become a much-desired classic. In 2020, Zenith and Revolution br

Over the past few years, I’ve had the opportunity to sample most of the straps in the Artem catalog, and it's always good stuff coming from the guys Down Under. The Adelaide, Australia-based brand makes luxury rubber straps with a sailcloth finish in various colors. Alongside traditional straps is the brand's signature Loop-less?? design without keepers, providing a tidy appearance. Today, A

Along with New York, London, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Singapore, Frankfurt stakes its claim as one of the world's banking centers. With this distinction comes a large pocket of substantial wealth, which naturally makes luxury goods such as watches quite popular. As one who spends a lot of time in Frankfurt, I can tell you that it's a strange city as far as watches. Yes, there are a lot of high-end wat

The name Senfine is perhaps giving too much hope, meaning “eternally” in Esperanto, but this concept watch by Parmigiani is already showing some promising results when it comes to power reserve. Where your average mechanical watch has probably a power reserve of somewhere between 40 hours and 10-days (there are some exceptions, like the Rebellion T-1000), Parmigiani strives to get the

This is the first time I have an Aquadive Bathyscaphe 100 Bronze in my hands and I have to say it is a big watch. Even so big, that when I took off my Omega Speedmaster Mark III to strap this on I was taken aback by its size.Aquadive Bathyscaphe 100 BronzeIn pictures it looked much smaller, but the size is not an issue at all. After a few minutes I realized that regardless of its measurements, the

If you're at all active on Instagram, then you've likely noticed some things going on around the Breitling brand. First, a couple Saturdays ago, there was the #LegendaryFuture event where Breitling collectors posted pictures with their favorite chronographs from the brand. Alongside this, Breitling showed hints of an upcoming line on their feed. Then, last week, events in Asia debuted the new Brei