Introducing The Swatch Half <3 Watches For Valentine's Day
Valentine’s Day is upon us once again. And if you’re looking for the perfect gift for that special someone, Swatch has you covered. Whether you want to declare your love to your crush with a grand romantic gesture or to celebrate the day of love and romance with your significant other, nothing quite says “I love you” like offering someone half of your heart. No, not your actual heart! And I’m also not talking about one of those half-heart necklaces (they’re just a tiny bit passe). I’m talking about a wonderful ticking piece of Swiss watchmaking in the form of the new Swatch Half <3 Red and Half <3 White!To celebrate this year’s loveliest ...
Genteel Handmade Rally Strap For Omega Speedmaster MKIV
As watch reviewers, we are exposed to some of the most luxurious accessories with which one may pamper their collection should they so please. Finding the companies that can take an already privileged hobby and add that extra personal touch to it is a real joy. Discovering Genteel Handmade (which I also did through the pages of Fratello) was a treat. I must say, however, that it is a relationship that has benefited not just from time, but also a hands-on experience of the products and what to consider when designing the perfect strap for oneself.You might think it’s easy. Perhaps, you think it’s obvious. I certainly did. I was wrong. That in itself is nothing to write home about,...
Thomas's Favorite Speedmaster References Of All Time
For today's Speedy Tuesday, I will go on a sentimental journey through Omega Speedmaster history. I will share my absolute favorite versions of one of my favorite lines of watches. It’s not an easy task as there are so many to choose from. So let's get stuck into it.In random order, these are my absolute favorite Omega Speedmasters to date.Omega Speedmaster ref. 145.022-69 220 bezelI cannot possibly start anywhere else than with the one that I own. I will not go into too much detail about the watch itself as I have covered it extensively in this previous article. But I can tell you why I love it so much.To me, this Speedy represents a bit of a sweet spot. It is a transitional model fro...
WatchIt! Watch Fair Is On This Weekend Feb. 18th, 2023
Taking place this weekend near Birmingham, UK is WatchIt! Watch Fair, presented by 12&60. WatchIt! is a free one-day event where you can view, handle, talk, and buy watches in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere.Boasting some of the best that Britain has to offer, WatchIt! is a gathering for enthusiastic watch lovers and like-minded individuals. Whether you're serious about watches or only just getting into them, everyone is welcome.WatchIt! is free to attend and open to all, and its central location makes it accessible across the country. WatchIt! showcases British watches that you mainly only see online, making it an excellent opportunity to get hands-on with some of the most exciting ti...
Three Complicated Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Models
It’s been ten days since Audemars Piguet unveiled its mindblowing Code 11.59 By Audemars Piguet Ultra-Complication Universelle RD#4. The watch introduced a new movement that is nothing short of stunning. Add the ingenious usability and the friendly size, and the watch became one of the undisputed highlights of this new watch year. But it did something else too: it put the Code 11.59 collection in a different light for many watch fans. We did not cover the remaining complicated Code 11.59 models in all the AP madness. With all the dust clouds gone, let’s look at them now and see what they add to the Code 11.59 collection.A little over a week has passed, and that beige-dialed Code ...
The Best Japanese Watches Under $500 Thor's Picks
That's right, I changed the series title to include the word “Japanese” to suit my own agenda. Well, that’s not quite true. I freely admit to having a few faves on both Jorg’s and Thomas’s lists, so I focused on my own watch-collecting origins. After fashion watches and vintage divers, my first new big-brand mechanical watch was a Seiko, and I was blown away. So this pivoting story is about finding the best Japanese watch under $500.Yes, the Swiss are amazing watchmakers, but starting out, you can't go wrong with Seiko, Casio, and Citizen. Sure, microbrands are equally cool, but for peace of mind and full factory guarantees, not much can beat Japanese watches at...
Hands-On: Casio G-Shock GMW-B5000TCC
Last week I wrote about the colorful G-Shock Frogman 30th Anniversary “Poison Dart Frog” that we had in the office. While that exotic watch was with us, we also received the G-Shock GMW-B5000TCC. At first sight, it might be less impressive than the standout Frogman, but take a closer look, and you’ll understand that some important things make this model stand out. First, this new G-Shock “Square” is as light as a feather thanks to the new titanium alloy that the brand uses, TranTixxii. Second, the watch is decorated with a special pattern inspired by the circuitry of the no. 3459 module that powers the GMW-B5000 series. The combination makes for a new, very spec...
The Lapinist Sapphire Crystals For Vintage Grand And King Seiko
The Lapinist Watch Studio is a well-known source for case restorations of vintage Grand and King Seiko watches. Aside from his work, Kamil Rybarczyk, the Lapinist himself, also handcrafts display backs for these watches. Today, we’re pleased to report that his newest project is ready, and it should be sweet music to the ears of collectors. Sapphire crystals are now available for select vintage Seiko models.The Lapinist Watch Studio, located in Poland, does some incredible work on intricately shaped vintage Seiko watches. More impressively, he has developed a technique that mimics the incredibly flat Zaratsu polishing found on so many of these pieces. In 2021, Kamil expanded and began m...
Sinn Extends Its U50 Lineup: Three Regular Models And An LE
Last year, we were treated to the brilliant Sinn T50 series. After trying the three watches out, I became an instant fan of the full-titanium, Goldbronze, and two-tone versions, and the last one made a particularly lasting impression. This time around, the German brand is extending its U-series of dive watches with four new models. Three new U50 versions feature the brand’s Hydro technology (essentially, an oil-filled case). Consequently, these new U50 models follow in the footsteps of their bigger brother, the Sinn UX. On top of that, the brand is also releasing a limited-edition U50 with a luminous dial. It seems like this year is the year of the popular Sinn U50.The U50 was first in...
A Look At Miyota's 8-Series Movements For Microbrands
Last year, Thomas gave an introduction to Citizen’s Miyota operation, with a focus on the Miyota 9-series movements and their use in many microbrands we are familiar with. The consensus is that this popular family of automatic calibers offers plenty in terms of specifications, variety, customization, and value. Today, I’m looking at the 8-series movements, and it’s hard not to draw the same conclusions.It’s tough to pinpoint precisely when the microbrand scene took off. Still, if you were there in the late 2000s or early 2010s, you will likely be familiar with the Miyota 8215. At that time, it was the standard choice for limited-production automatic watches. When Miyo...
Hands-On: Three New Hublot Big Bang Meca-10 42mm Watches
Some watches mimic an early morning sky in April; these three new Hublot Big Bang Meca-10 42mm watches have a playful backstory involving toys. When he was young, former Hublot CEO Jean-Claude Biver used to build stuff with Meccano, a toy construction system invented in 1898 by Englishman Frank Hornby. I happen to be a Lego man, but I know people who started playing with Meccano in their youth and continued building all kinds of complex constructions when they became adults. To construct a watch movement out of Meccano was a dream Biver had for ages. When he became Hublot's boss, his dream came true in 2016 when the first edition of the Meca-10 debuted. The three new iterations of the toy wa...
Miyota Celebrates 50 Years Of The Caliber 82 Series
Miyota is synonymous with high-quality, affordable mechanical movements. Collectors of independent and microbrand watches know the name well. This year is special for the brand because it marks the 50th anniversary of the popular Caliber 82 series. To celebrate this automatic movement’s success, let’s examine its core elements.In a world where small, creative watch brands wish to equip their wares with a robust and affordable automatic movement, the Miyota Caliber 82 series looms large. The original 82 was introduced in 1975 by Miyota, a division of Citizen Watch Co., Ltd. Ironically, it was an answer to Citizen’s affordable quartz movements that were dominating the watch l...
Hands-On: The Mitch Mason Maelstrom Tales Of The Sea
It has been a few years since we last featured Mitch Mason on Fratello. We reported on the brand’s Maelstrom dive watch series, which has been quite a success for the Singaporean brand. The new Maelstrom Tales of the Sea is an updated version of the initial Maelstrom. It features a revised dial with a lot more depth and detail. This gives the Maelstrom renewed relevance, so it is time for us to find out more about this newest Mitch Mason release.We first wrote about Mitch Mason five years ago when the brand’s Chronicle debuted. Considering that Benedict Ong founded the brand in 2019, he was quick to release his first model. Fast-forward a year, and that’s when the first Mae...
Jaeger-LeCoultre Mark 11
Most of you will know the IWC Mark series, however, Jaeger-LeCoultre has produced a similar watch in the past. The British Military of Defense (MoD) issued watches to navigators in the RAF and later on, also in the Australian RAAF. These watches have been produced by both Jaeger-LeCoultra and IWC. And as you can see below, they appear to be very similar.With some help of Dale, I stumbled across a site called MarkEleven.com, that give a lot of background on the Jaeger-LeCoultre Mark 11 and tries to track them. A very interesting site, and project!...
Henri Germain Delauze Founder Of COMEX Passed Away
Henri Germain Delauze, CEO and founder of COMEX passed away today at the age of 83. The diver watches everyone is craving for bear the name of this famous diving organization, also known for being the NASA of the sea.Although I’ve seen an OMEGA PlopPof COMEX edition just recently in the OMEGA museum in Biel,?we know watches best for being the choice of COMEX. Shown below, are two fine examples of COMEX diver’s watches by .? COMEX diver’s watches are one of the most sought-after models from this Geneva brand.The joint venture between and COMEX is there since the early 1970s and word is that they had a lot of influence when developed the Deep-Sea Sea-Dweller watch.Thanks t...
Panerai Radiomir 1940 3 Days Oro Rosso (PAM00515) | Fratellowatches
Revisiting a piece of Italian naval historyNature can be cruel. I was born in Lancashire where the local dialect lacks the seductive timbre of an Italian accent.I could try to affect the ristretto flavoured vernacular of a Milanese resident but I would still lack the stylish coiffed locks, sun-kissed complexion and catwalk- worthy attire.To be Italian is to be bestowed with an intrinsic appeal, few females can resist.Panerai watches are blessed with the same aesthetic appeal as the alpha-males who populate the land of opera, fast cars and Barolo. They have passion, romance, style and culture running through their veins.Panerai have sought their own approach to watch design. They have not emu...
New Xetum Timepieces In The Mandalay Bay Hotel | Fratellowatches
A word from one of our sponsors. We just received an e-mail from Jeff Kuo, CEO of Xetum. A San Francisco based watch company that we’ve been following since the early start.The new automotive-themed Xetum timepieces will be officially introduce by the end of March. Xetum gives you the opportunity to have a sneak-preview at the Mandalay Bay hotel in Las Vegas on February 19 and 20!Click here for more information about Xetum timepieces...
Tudor Submariner: 94110 Snowflake and 94010 Lollipop
Ask watch lovers which brand has been on the biggest roll over the past several years and there's a good chance they'll say Tudor.Since 2010's breakthrough introduction of the Heritage Chrono, Tudor has continued its streak by releasing exciting pieces such as the Black Bay, Pelagos, Advisor, and the Ranger.? Coinciding with these new models, Tudor has also upped its marketing game by actively reaching out to passionate collectors (especially versus its parent), sponsoring a racing series and, more importantly, reentered the high profile US and UK markets.Above, a snippet of the Top 50 most requested brands between $ 1000 and $ 3000 Euro in the United Kingdom, based on Chronolytics’ wa...
Watch Strap Review Part 18. Strapped Watch Co.
It is February and we have yet another Watch Strap Review for you. Even though we try and find strap makers from around the world we also have to give space for guys coming from the same country, especially if we’re talking about countries like the US or Italy where many craftsmen are dealing with leather goods. Don't worry, we will widen our map with a new country again but for now let's talk about a strap maker based in the US. It is a very sympathetic company that has a great potential to be one of the best around with a friendly attitude and a professional execution when it comes to straps. Ladies and Gentlemen please meet: Strapped Watch Co.Strapped Watch Co.From now on let me cal...
Straton Syncro Chronograph A Micro Brand's Third Watch
We rarely cover watches promoted on the crowdfunding source Kickstarter, but today we'll take a look at what I'd consider to be a very well executed retro racing inspired piece, the Straton Syncro. I think that what you'll see after reading this is that we are in a new era of flexible manufacturing and this allows for near limitless customization. Think of these micro brands as semi-analogous to craft beer because they answer the call for so many watch collectors and buyers the desire to buy something off the beaten path that's made to an individual's tastes. These small brand products are something that large companies with large management structures and other internal requirements struggl...