A Blue Breguet Classique Tourbillon Extra-Plat Automatique Watch Hits The Shelves
The Breguet Classique Tourbillon Extra-Plat Automatique 5367 is not new. Nor, as you may have noticed if you live in a clement part of the world, is the color blue. However, these two staples of daily luxury life have never been brought together. That is until now…There are few brands in the industry that have the name-power of Breguet. It isn’t just that the modern iteration of the brand is renowned for high-quality timepieces often flaunting a timeless elegance others struggle to match, but it is also the weight of history attached to the founder’s name. Abraham-Louis Breguet was not just a watchmaker. He was arguably?the watchmaker. In his lifetime, Breguet was a celebri...
MeisterSinger Neo Zeigerdatum Is A New Watch With An Old Heart
For MeisterSinger, one hand is the norm. Apparently, no one told the MeisterSinger Neo Zeigerdatum. Yes, we’ve seen multi-hand dials before, but not like this. A second pointer gives this new member, available in two sizes, a character of its own.Everyone likes breaking the rules, right? Tearing up the book and trying something new is fun. And while MeisterSinger remains dedicated to its single-hand concept, experimenting with subtle tweaks should probably be encouraged.I think the crucial aspect of this design is that the second pointer (that stubby little red/black thing poking out beneath the large central hand) does not play any part in indicating the time itself, only the date. Fo...
#TBT Saving The Iconic Heuer Monaco 73633B
The original Heuer Monaco from the 1970s is a big deal. That’s true, no matter your approach. Whether it's the innovative case size and style, the movement, the dial design, or today's pricing, this watch is truly something.? ? ??The Heuer Monaco is not a watch that many will be enamored by when they first see it. It takes time for many collectors to become “mature” enough to appreciate it. I know collectors that are very aware of the watch but feel like it's not a fit for their wrist. Despite that, most of them want to have one. I was generally quite indifferent to it. That is until I met this manually wound full set Heuer Monaco ref 73633B in real life, presented to me by...
Hands-On With The Chopard Alpine Eagle XL Chronograph
Given the current situation, you could be forgiven for having forgotten what it's like to travel. On the other hand, not flying out on a near-weekly basis, helps remind you where you actually went and when. It was last August that we went to Switzerland for the Geneva Watch Days event. Back then, there were a lot of watches that were still under embargo and the Chopard Alpine Eagle XL is one of those.?The atmosphere at Chopard was amazing and relaxed as we had plenty of time to look at all the novelties. Right next to a well equipped private bar we got a first glimpse of the new Alpine Eagle XL chronograph watches. All three models were available, two in steel, and one in gold and steel.Chop...
Hands-On With The REC Watches P-51 Limited Editions
The concept of integrating the car world into the world of watches is nothing new. But few watch brands take the task as literally as REC Watches from Copenhagen in Denmark. The brand is known to integrate parts of iconic vintage classics into its watches. For its latest project, REC founders Jonathan Kamstrup and Christian Mygh integrated parts of two legendary Ford Mustang prototypes to come up with two very special dials. Time to go hands-on with both and find out more about the story of these REC P-51 Limited Editions.Copenhagen is one of my favorite cities in the world. Over the last couple of years, I have visited the city every year. Last year was an unwelcome break from that traditio...
Finding The Best GMT Watches Under $5000
Here at the Fratello offices, we get a lot of questions from you, our readers. Probably the most-asked questions are centered around the topic of what to buy for different budgets. The most popular budget question is what watch to buy for under $5,000 in different watch categories. That’s why we decided to set up a small series of articles focusing on the best watches that you can buy within that budget. In this first installment of the series, we will look at the best GMT watches available for under $5K. Let’s find out what some of your potential best travel companions are.With the world opening up again, it’s time to travel! With two years full of quarantining and travel ...
Video: Grand Seiko White Birch SLGA009 Hands-On
Last year’s Grand Seiko White Birch SLGH005 receives some serious competition from the new White Birch SLGA009. A new variation on the existing theme, it features a slightly different dial finish and a Spring Drive movement.In this video, RJ talks you through the new Grand Seiko reference SLGA009 from the new Evolution 9 collection. More background information can be found in his recent hands-on article as well.SLGA009Inside the new Grand Seiko SLGA009 is caliber 9RA2. It’s a fairly new movement in the Grand Seiko collection, ensuring an incredibly impressive accuracy of just 10 seconds per month. This new movement has been reduced in height, enabling Grand Seiko to make its wat...
BOLDR And Nitecore Team Up To Release The Kraken!
If you harbor a healthy obsession with watches - especially those from the many microbrands out there - you are likely to be a fan of the EDC concept. EDC, or every-day carry are the accessories that are with you day-in, day-out. Whether in your pocket, in your bag, or at your desk, it's these highly functional items that make your life a little easier. The idea of EDC encompasses not only watches, but also pens, wallets, knives, torches, headphones, sunglasses, hats, and more. It's no surprise then that a brand, like BOLDR Supply Co., which goes beyond watches and also offers a range of EDC gear in its catalog, should kick off the year with such a perfect pairing in collaboration with Nitec...
Hands-On: The New MAEN Manhattan 37 Sleek '70s Glamour
Yes, I know what you are thinking. I have had the pleasure of trying on the Royal Oak, the Laureato, and the Nautilus, so I too understand where the inspiration is coming from. But even in a world of octagonal homage, the new MAEN Manhattan 37 brings its own style. Let's face it, we all love everything touched by the genius and sharp pencil of Gerald Genta, and we can't get enough.Just remember, Genta did not invent the fashion of octagons. The late ’60s and early ’70s had everything from octagon-patterned shirts to large octagonal sunglasses and yes, even houses. Genta was tapping into the zeitgeist of the time, and today, we are in the middle of a big renaissance. Thankfully no...
Hands-On: A Fortnight With The Bremont Supermarine S302 GMT
It has been over half a year since I joined the team here at Fratello. And as I slowly but surely close the gap to my 100th published article (I believe this is number 90), I decided that it was time to treat myself. Not to a new watch. Not yet! But rather, to review a watch that, though no longer new, has always caught my eye. I'm talking, of course, about the Bremont Supermarine S302. This watch combines my favorite watch style (diver) with what I consider one of the most useful complications, the GMT. Though there are many excellent dive watches and brilliant GMTs out there, there are nowhere near as many models that combine both functionalities in an ideal manner. After wearing the S302 ...
Goodbye Aging: Material Innovation Freezes Watches In Time
Are we done with aging? Strap a product to your wrist, and go about your daily business for 30 or 40 years. That product will endure a degree of torture that will keep even the best product designer awake at night. It will get banged into stuff, dragged over table tops of all sorts, and go through temperature changes, vibrations, magnetism, water, steam, dirt And what do we expect to come out at the other end? A functioning product that still looks great. We are a demanding bunch, wouldn't you agree? Even under considerate, careful use, a wristwatch takes massive abuse over the decades. Most will come out discolored, scratched, and dented. And I am only limiting myself to aesthetics for this...
What Does "Swiss Made: Mean, And Why Is It So Important?
Except for my Seiko SPB317 and my Autodromo Intereuropa, all of my watches are Swiss made. Admittedly, this is not actually something I consider when I buy a watch. I guess it’s just a coincidence that the watches I like tend to be this way. Or maybe it’s not a coincidence at all. Thanks to their long history in watchmaking, the Swiss certainly know how to make a good-looking and high-quality timepiece. But when is a watch actually considered to be Swiss made?That Autodromo Intereuropa, for example, has a (presumably) Swiss ETA 7001 movement inside but it doesn’t say “Swiss Made” anywhere on the case or dial. And that’s probably because there are some very...
A Universal Genve Microtor Dress Watch In 9K Gold
Today, we’ll take a look at a relatively nondescript Universal Genve Microtor dress watch. It’s worth a deeper look for several reasons, though. The condition, the case material, and the purpose for its existence all come together to create a lovely package. This is a lovely piece on its own, but why not explore the details?My current infatuation with well-designed, simple vintage watches is leading me down some very different paths. Over the last six months, watches from brands such as Eterna, Cyma, and Movado have all entered my collection. This is still a new space for me to explore, and I’m having tons of fun! Our subject today is another example of my latest kick. The...
Serica 6190 Vs. Studio Underd0g 02Series
Welcome to another edition of Sunday Morning Showdown! Grab a hot drink and settle in for a brawl between two affordable field watches. Like the upcoming Six Nations game, it’s France versus England, with Serica facing off against Studio Underd0g. Serica started its journey in watches by releasing the 4512 field watch, the predecessor of the new 6190 Field Chronometer that came out last year. For Studio Underd0g, the 02Series Field is the brand’s sophomore effort, which debuted last October after the success of the 01Series chronographs. Which country and brand will come out on top? As always, you all will decide the outcome of this battle, so let’s start this Sunday with a...
The 1994 Platinum Omega Speedmaster Skeleton By Armin Strom
Of course, you are familiar with Omega and, most probably, Armin Strom as well. But did you know that Armin Strom, founder of the eponymous brand, was once the artisan doing all the skeleton work for Omega in the 1990s?Skeleton watchesThe art of movement skeletonization is old, and we still see it today in various watches. Not all skeleton watches are the same, though, as some just remove part of the dial to allow a glimpse of the movement. Others have no almost dial left and show you the entire movement. But looking at a basic movement, especially from the dial side, is often not very fun (or interesting). Therefore, a good skeletonization job requires work on both sides of the movement.Fir...
Greubel Forsey: The Art Of Invention A Book By Michael Clerizo
How did this book land on my desk? Thomas, you wrote a watch book; why don't you review this one? - that’s how. To be fair, I am woefully unqualified to do so both because I cannot stand in author Michael Clerizo's shadow and because I usually review watches. I feel I must start with the specifications making up Greubel Forsey: The Art of Invention. The book has a 300mm diameter and a 32mm cover-to-cover thickness. It is out-house manufactured, and it wears rather uncomfortably. Okay, I don't see that going anywherelet me start over.Clerizo wrote this work to mark the 20th anniversary of Greubel Forsey. The house granted Clerizo unfettered access to its premises and Robert Greubel's fa...
Fratello On Air: Discussing Vintage Chronographs Part 2
Welcome back to Fratello On Air! This week, we tackle the second half of our discussion on vintage chronographs. We get into the weeds in this episode, so we hope you like it nerdy!...
IWC Big Pilot's Watch Shock Absorber XPL Toto Wolff
A couple of big questions are at the top of my mind ahead of the upcoming Formula 1 season. Will Max Verstappen once again become world champion? Can Lewis Hamilton fight for his eighth world title in a Ferrari? And also, will Mercedes-AMG Petronas be back on top after a few difficult years? One thing seems to be a done deal even before the first Grand Prix of the season. We know who will wear the watch with the longest name in the paddock. It's the man who has a watch with his name on it. Yes, it’s the Austrian guy wearing the Swiss IWC Big Pilot's Watch Shock Absorber XPL Toto Wolff Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team watch.The Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One Team is gearing up ...
Hands-On: The New Sternglas Tachymeter 2.0
Sternglas continues to evolve its watch lineup rapidly. Today’s new Tachymeter 2.0 is a great example because it replaces the original model after a short three-year production run. We like it when a company is not content to rest with its existing designs. The question, as always, is whether the newest watch is an improvement. Our off-the-cuff response is a resolute “yes!”The previous Sternglas Tachymeter combined a brushed stainless steel case with an external metal bezel and a Miyota quartz chronograph movement. The watches, while attractive, looked sober and very instrument-like. The new Tachymeter 2.0 infuses the same functionality from the original in a more upscale p...
Ryser Watches
After having worked for the Cantonales Technikum institute and at Rado Watches, Ryser Kentfield moved to the USA to start his Swiss Timepieces store in 1990. He tried his own brand at the JCK Show in Las Vegas, but as he says in an interview with Keith W. Strandberg (Europastar) “it’s very difficult because people want a known brand name”. Ryser Kentfield now tries to get retailers world wide, to sell his watches and to get a bit of attention for his brand name. He makes and sells 700 watches a year, but predicts it will be somewhere between 1000 and 2000 pieces in 2007. His watches start at 1100 USD and use an ETA 2824-2 self-winding movement. His website, https://www.ryse...