Hands-On With The Junghans Worldtimer 027/43010.02
When someone says worldtimer I usually imagine busy or - pardon my French - downright messy dials. We have seen maps, bezels, and inner bezels visualized in a billion ways by now. In contrast, the Junghans Worldtimer is shockingly clean. In the blue/grey color, it feels almost cold and reserved, but somehow, through the sheer weight of its smart design, it still gets under your skin. I have followed the production of German brand Junghans very closely since I bought a Meister Classic model in 2013. It is the cleanest three-hander you can think of. The Junghans design language is very consistent, only going slightly off-piste when it comes to motorsport-inspired models. I love those too by th...
Gerard's Top-5 G-Shock Squares For Daily Wearing
Over the years, we’ve covered a fair few G-Shock models here on Fratello Magazine. And it’s no news that we love the Square models best. But which models would you choose to wear on a day-to-day basis? I have my preferences. So here’s a list of my preferred G-Shock Squares. They’re my go-to watches when nothing but the toughest will do.There are reasons for all of my choices, so I’ll try to explain that a bit as well. Be aware, though, that my reasons are personal and are not necessarily empirically grounded. In the comments below, I’d love to hear your reasons for wearing a G-Shock - or why you wouldn’t wear one - and which models are your favorites...
#TBT Oriosa Superautomatic The Real Snowflake
On today’s #TBT, I’d like to share this beautifully aged Oriosa Superautomatic with its really unusual “snowflake” hour hand. If only it had a nice bezel, it would definitely be one of the shining stars in my collection. You regularly ask me privately where and how I go fishing for watches. Well, this Oriosa, which I had never heard of before I saw it, is a good example of one of my wish-list expansion techniques. Some auction houses allow you to save your searches and will notify you by email when a new listing that fits your keywords is added. You have to think carefully, though, because many auction sites limit your searches and you can’t have an unlimited nu...
Strap Check: Chestnut Calfskin By The Strap Tailor On A Speedy
Welcome to Strap Check, a new column on Fratello where our editors showcase their favorite watch/strap combinations. We all know the feeling. When you've been wearing a watch for weeks on the same strap, there comes a time when the excitement starts to fade a little bit. Maybe that's the time when you start looking - but looking for what? A brand new watch? Sometimes the answer lies not in the watch, but the strap on which you wear it! From the classic to the unique. From cheap NATOs to bespoke leather and special bracelets. This is where we get excited about perfect combinations that make you feel like you've got a brand new watch on your wrist. So tune in every week for a new combination. ...
Grand Seiko White Birch Spring Drive SLGA009 The One For Me
When I saw the introduction of this new Grand Seiko White Birch watch last month, my initial response was mainly one of surprise. It was the same watch as last year's Hi-Beat SLGH005, but with a Spring Drive movement. What in the world…But it wasn't just the switch to a Spring Drive caliber that separated the new SLGA009 from the SLGH005. The dial also changed, and upon further inspection, there were also several changes in the hour markers, the lugs, and the bezel. These changes only became apparent to me when seeing the new White Birch in real life.The Grand Seiko White BirchLast year, upon receiving the watch in our office for a review, I concluded that the Grand Seiko White Birch S...
Fratello's Top 5 Tudor Submariner References Ever
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 pick is our Fratello favorite that takes the current market price and collectability into account, potentially making it a sleeper reference. As such, the last pick could be described as our wild card. In this new installment of the series, we will look at the Tudor Submariner. What are the top five re...
Finding Love In 36mm: The Best In Sweet-Sized Chic
I know the feeling of invincibility that comes from rocking a big, boisterous tool watch. But let’s face it, many of us are stuck behind a desk, traveling, or in meetings on and off camera. An over-44mm, 250g diver is not conducive to comfort, so why wear one every day? Have a look at vintage images of watches and Don Draper in Mad Men wearing a 34mm Omega Seamaster. Even Mafioso Tony Soprano wore a 36mm wrist-babe in gold, not a 46mm monster (but he was one…).Your extreme adventuring might be limited to streaming Cliffhanger, but even lifting the remote control is better with a smaller watch. And if you're a specs geek, you'll notice that divers now get proper depth ratings even...
Building A Watch Brand Episode 4: The Watch Concept
After three episodes of Building A Watch Brand on plans, strategy, and finances, it is time to talk watches! Thank you all for sticking with me through the initial introduction. I am humbled and honored by the many supportive messages I get via the different channels! It seems that something of a VPC community is already emerging, which is awesome. So now it is time to start talking about the crux of the matter - the actual debut watch for VPC.This is easily the scariest episode of Building A Watch Brand that I have published so far. After all, I am deeply invested in this concept, not just financially but especially emotionally. I am pouring my heart and soul into VPC, building the brand an...
A Tour Of Mr Jones Watches And Interview With Crispin Jones
Mr Jones Watches is an indie, artsy watch company on the rise. It’s not hard to see why. Playful dials thumb their noses at convention in watches decidedly not for telling time. In the digital age, when watches are obsolete, Mr Jones Watches celebrates disconnecting from the matrix and having a little fun. I had the opportunity to get a tour of Mr Jones Watches’ manufacturing facilities as well as interview Mr. Jones himself, Crispin Jones. Needless to say, it was a fun afternoon.I made the most of my time (pun intended) on my recent trip to London. I got to see many horological highlights, which you can read more about in my time tour of London. Not mentioned there, however, was...
Introducing: The Limited-Edition Sinn 103 St Ty Hd
The Sinn 103 is one of the oldest models in the brand's catalog. It is a classic pilot's chronograph that has been around since the 1960s. Today, the 103 is equipped with an automatic movement. However, some early versions came with hand-wound calibers. This latest limited edition follows that template. Let's have a closer look.The Sinn 103 St Ty Hd is priced at $2,590 and limited to 1,000 units.Sinn 103 St Ty Hd specificationsAt heart, this is a pilot's chronograph. Sinn uses a 41mm steel case that normally measures 15.9mm thick. However, this new hand-wound version reduces that to 14.8mm, including the domed acrylic crystal. The push-pull crown and non-screw-down pushers also utilize Sinn&...
Hands-On: The Holthinrichs Signature Ornament In Two Versions
Michiel Holthinrichs, an architect turned watch manufacturer, made a name for himself and his brand by introducing the world’s first watch with a 3D-printed stainless steel case in 2016. State-of-the-art technology and machining processes created cases with swooping lines and sensual curves, but the human touch made the watches sexy; the machines could only do so much. It takes artisanal manual craftsmanship to finish them immaculately and make them look and feel desirable. As you would guess, this type of manufacturing is costly, which the price reflects. To allow more people to enjoy the fascinating shapes of his creations, Michiel decided to use CNC machining to create a more afford...
Louis Vuitton Introduces A Trio Of Tambour Watches
Since its launch in 2023, the redesigned Louis Vuitton Tambour has led a watchmaking renaissance for a marque best known for its handbags and trunks. The iconic Parisian fashion house isn’t new to watches, but the focus on upscale pieces that compete with traditional watchmakers began in 2011 with the purchase of La Fabrique du Temps. While limited and dear, these latest creations cement a strong argument for Louis Vuitton’s place among the top brands.The current Tambour is not even two years old, but it has brought bona fide watchmaking credibility to Louis Vuitton in this brief period. The round 40mm case with an integrated bracelet offers a different take on this increasingly ...
How To Size Your Watch Bracelet
Back to Basics is our series aimed at newcomers to our lovely watch hobby. In this installment, we will delve into bracelet sizing. Maybe you just got a brand-new watch as a gift, or perhaps you ordered one online. In any case, you now have an oversized watch bracelet in your hands and are wondering how to get it to fit.Well, fear not; Fratello is here! In this article, we'll go over the common types of bracelets and how to size them properly. Let's jump in!General tips when trying to size your watch braceletLet's start with some basic tips that apply to all bracelet types, starting with how to know how many links to remove. The easiest way is to put the watch on, then fold a part of the bra...
James Bond vs Daniel Craig
James Bond nowadays wears an Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600m, but in the past he had all kinds of watches, among them a number of watches. The famous James Bond is of course the Submariner, although Ian Fleming wore a Explorer himself and was probably referring to this Explorer as well in his books. Dell Deaton wrote an excellent article, including some nice photographs of Ian wearing his Explorer, for the US based magazine WatchTime.However, it seems that Daniel Craig doesn’t take this Omega sponsorship (for EON movie productions) too seriously, as he has been repeatedley spotted with watches from his personal collection. Besides his vintage Submariner 6538, identical to the on...
Panerai Luminor 1950 Regatta 3 Days PAM00526 | Fratellowatches
Panerai News From The SIHH 2013Panerai was giving quite a performance during the SIHH 2013! One of the watches from the new collection that struck me most, was the Panerai Luminor 1950 Regatta 3 Days Chrono Flyback Titanio, or just PAM00526.Normally, I am more in favour of their Historic collection, where the focus is more on the hand-wound Luminor models. The classics, so to speak. However, this new Regatta Chrono Flyback PAM00526 in titanium is from Panerai’s Comtemporary collection. This collection is influenced by historical designs as well, but with automatic winding movements.This PAM00526 is something that really got to me, due to the Regatta complication (more later), due to it...
Omega Speedmaster Professional 145.022-69
It’s Speedy Tuesday! This week we have our friend and fellow blogger Christopher Beccan of Bexsonn?telling us about his vintage Omega Speedmaster Professional 145.022-69. This reference 145.022-69 was the successor of the caliber 321 Moonwatch (145.012) and – especially in those first years – available with a few different case backs.One of them is the one of Christopher’s watch, with straight text engraving. Then there is another similar case back with additional ‘Apollo XI 1969’ engraving and considered to be very rare. The other two are more common, the Seahorse case back without engraving (typically before 1970 but after October 1968) and the other one...
#TBT: The Top Five Vintage Sports Chronographs...and Five More
Top five vintage sports chronographs: sounds audacious, doesn’t it?? This week, on #TBT, I'll take a breather from reviewing an individual watch. Instead, I'd like to hopefully entertain you with some thoughts on building a nice collection of vintage 1960's, and maybe some 1950's and 1970's, chronographs. We all see these #sexpile shots and while they're often comprised of come as you are watches, you have those out there who think it's a good idea to focus on a specific genre or direction within one's collection. I'll play along with the latter, although I actually enjoy a lot of variety. Here's how it will work; I set some rules for this article and essentially boiled it down to five...
Breguet Classique 5177 Grand Feu Blue Enamel Dial
For many, the 18th century watchmaker represents the forefather of Haute Horlogerie. A visionary who, albeit was not born into a watchmaking family thanks to his stepfather picked up the trade and revolutionized it.In 1775, after marrying his fiancee, Cecile Marie-Louise L'Huillier the newlyweds set up their home and watchmaking company in Paris, at the Pont Neuf a stone throw away of the Notre Dame. Since that date, Breguet has been creating some of the most exquisite timepieces the watch world has seen. They are constantly breaking boundaries while keeping the elegance of each timepiece. Whether it's a highly complicated watch with tourbillon and perpetual calendar like the Classique Compl...
Lange 1 25th Anniversary By A. Lange & Sohne Hands On
If a book to be written about the history of German watchmaking from the beginnings until today, and a watch to be selected for the cover the result would be simple. Unequivocally the A. Lange & Sohne Lange 1 would take that spot. I can't think of any other timepiece that had such an impact on the industry as a whole than this one model.The Lange 1 was and still is the design inspiration for dozens of other brands. The technicality of the movement, albeit not the most complex, is the blueprint for movement designers. The status of the Lange 1 is unquestionable, and it just so happens that this very icon is celebrating its 25th birthday this year. Yes, only 25 years since the Lange 1 emer...
Speedy Tuesday with Bulang & Sons
Last weekend Gerard and yours truly went on a trip to the most southern part of the Netherlands for a get-together at Bulang & Sons. Speedy Tuesday was the main theme. Due to the nature of the event, the location was undisclosed with the request not to post anything on social media for the obvious safety reasons. So, in the early afternoon, we arrived with other watch collectors from various countries. Awaiting us was a smorgasbord of horological delights…Community-driven Speedmaster EventThose who have been at one of our Speedy Tuesday events have already know what they entail. Speedy Tuesday is mainly about the community of Speedmaster enthusiasts and therefore shouldn't only be ...