Girard-Perregaux Richeville Buying My Own Arguments
This might not come as a surprise, but my enthusiasm for watches is very real, even if it gets me in trouble occasionally. You might have read my story on how to consolidate a collection, and yes, that was an autobiographical tale. This is not the New York Times, so I am allowed to have a slightly colored, subjective viewpoint. I do try to put myself in other watch buyers' shoes though, as a watch can be a knock-out even if I find it slightly odd myself. This certainly applied when discovering the quirky Girard-Perregaux Richeville for an article. But then I had a second look.My personal challenge is having diverse tastes. This simply means that I do get tempted (a lot!), hence the need for ...
Vintage King Seiko Get One While You Still Can!
King Seiko is back on the minds of watch buyers once again. With the recently announced King Seiko Collection, I hear more and more folks talking about vintage references from this sub-line that first existed from 1961 to 1975. Let’s spend a few minutes on King Seiko, go over some do’s and don’ts, and talk about why they’re worth collecting (for some people). I’ll also touch on some of my favorite models and where to take your King Seiko for service.Unless one is a real Seiko buff, the King Seiko “brand” might come off as somewhat confusing. I’d invite you to scour our pages for some more history along with the work done by the folks over at Be...
Now Available: Fratello REM Lunar Rover Strap
Last month’s Fratello REM strap for the Speedmaster (the Lunar Lander) was a huge success and received an incredible amount of interest. Today, we introduce to you our second collaboration, which is based on the Apollo 15 mission. However, you don’t need a Speedmaster Apollo 15 limited-edition watch. This strap will fit any Moonwatch with a 20mm lug spacing. We also took your feedback on the quick-release pins seriously and asked REM to make it happen for this and the upcoming Speedmaster straps for 2023. As we wrote for our January release, there will be a Fratello REM strap for the Speedmaster every month this year. This will include (later on) a 19mm version for the straight-l...
Hands-On: The Christopher Ward Dune Collection
Ah, Christopher Ward - the British brand that Fratello has written more than 15 articles about, highlighting the brand's unbeatable quality/value ratio. Each article highlighted something good that the brand did, and it seems the team behind it is not about to stop. Each new release seems to be more unique, intriguing, and better specced than the previous one. Either that or it espouses a different type of horological experience - smaller and better cases, new dial layouts, or higher value. In that vein, the latest of the latest from Christopher Ward will please those who are into smaller watches. And a different type of adventure. Indeed, the Dune collection's major highlight for me is the ...
Fratello Editors Share Their Seiko Stories: Daan's Search
Almost all watch enthusiasts out there have their own history with Seiko. For many, a Seiko was even their first watch or at least their first diver. Others might be more into vintage Seiko. And what we noticed in the Fratello office is that almost every single one of us owns one Seiko watch or more. That’s why we decided to start this new series on our very own Seiko stories. We’d like to share with you where our love for Seiko comes from and what kind of role the brand plays in our current collections.My history with Seiko started when I was still in high school. I was working Thursday evenings and weekends at a Tommy Hilfiger store in Amsterdam at the time, mainly to finance m...
Hands-On: Casio G-Shock GM-B2100GD
It’s been only a few weeks since I reviewed the Casio G-Shock GM-2100C Utility Series. I was highly impressed by the presence of the brand’s different “CasiOak” models in combination with the straps that they come on. The versatility in the look of the four watches was a nice surprise, and seeing and wearing the full steel-colored GM-B2100D-1AER made me want one. But we might have a new contender on the other end of the spectrum. The new full-metal G-Shock “CasiOak” GM-B2100GD in yellow gold tone is quite the statement. Over the top? Most certainly not!I’ve said this many times, but I’ll gladly repeat it: there’s something magical about t...
Carl Suchy & Sohne Presents The Waltz N1 Moll
It’s probably been five years since I first went hands-on with one of Carl Suchy & Sohne’s watches. It was a memorable experience because the watches struck me as modern yet somehow traditional. On the Waltz N1, classic dial elements came together with a unique seconds display and an elegant, contemporary case. When the press release for today’s Waltz N1 Moll arrived in my inbox, I quickly volunteered to cover it.There aren’t too many novel takes on the dress-watch genre, but the Carl Suchy & Sohne Waltz N1 has always struck me as a fairly distinct proposition. With its organically smooth case design that brings together both polished and media-blasted elem...
Every Watch Brand Sponsorship For The 2024 Formula 1 Season
It’s hard to believe the 2024 Formula 1 season kicks off next month. Coincidentally, we have 24 races to look forward to this year. The preseason build-up has already witnessed surprising changes in team lineups. Affectionately known as “silly season,” these driver swaps do not go into effect until post-season. For now, we can enjoy the anticipation of what these 24 races can bring and, importantly for here, the watch brands sponsoring each manufacturer. Some F1 teams have rebranded this year and are yet to announce their respective watch sponsor. As the season progresses, I’m sure we’ll find out about new timing partners. But for now, I will cover each team and...
New: Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 Damian Lillard Special Edition
This question has an affirmative answer, and this baller PRX even makes me forget my preference for the 35mm models. Yes, it might be that good, with just the right glitz in an already accomplished package. Is the Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 Damian Lillard Special Edition the start of the brand showing us a new side to its hit watch?I’ve had a PRX, the 40mm quartz version, and we all remember the massive wave of popularity that washed over Tissot when the PRX Powermatic 80?appeared, right? But have you asked yourself why? Not everybody knows about the grail watches from Genta, Jorg Hysek’s Overseas, or even the understated GP Laureato. We watch nerds love the PRX for its closeness t...
Hands-On: Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Black Ceramic
Finding your favorites in a single model range can be challenging, especially with an extensive collection like the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M. The latest generation of Omega’s popular diver has been around since 2018. Ever since then, we have seen the brand add models to the lineup with different colors and especially different materials. One is the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Black Ceramic, introduced in 2019. Back then, it was a natural progression from the stainless steel models. But how does this lightweight Seamaster hold up in 2024? I had a chance to find out.When it comes to Omega’s Seamaster Diver 300M, there are quite a few models that I love. The first that comes to min...
Fratello's Top 5 Modern Zenith Models
Another Friday, another list! This week and next, I will be putting the spotlight on Zenith. To be a bit more specific, for this week, I picked my top five modern Zenith watches. Next week, I will put the spotlight on some of the brand’s best vintage models. These are somewhat self-indulgent lists because I love Zenith. The combination of great heritage and tradition, amazing watchmaking skills, and eye-catching design makes the brand stand out in today’s watch landscape. However, Zenith does not always pop into conversations where I think it should. That’s why I picked five watches I’d add to my collection that show what makes this watchmaker from Le Locle so great t...
The Nomos Club Campus Starlight And Night Sky
Nomos released the original Club Campus in 2017. The watches are inspired by the age-old tradition of purchasing or receiving a mechanical watch to symbolize a significant event or achievement. The German brand even offers to engrave the bare case back as part of the sale. Today, two new colorways, Starlight and Night Sky, join the collection, giving more choice to celebrators.I have a soft spot for Nomos for several reasons. A focus on modern yet timeless designs means that the watches always look fresh and usually work in any situation. Most importantly, I love how the brand has focused on in-house mechanical movements. Nomos now makes six hand-wound calibers, many with the company’s...
Introducing: The Sinn 613 St And 613 St UTC Dive Watches
In a world where dive watches increasingly serve as crossovers between daily timepieces and backups for dive computers, Sinn doubles down on hardcore tool divers. The press materials for the new Sinn 613 St and 613 St UTC read like a very serious proposition for a clientele wielding underwater welding equipment rather than a snorkel and a ticket to the tropics. But hey, Sinn is all business, and we wouldn't expect anything else.Today, we see the introduction of two new diving chronographs. Ref. 613 St features a day-date complication, while 613 St forfeits the day for a second time zone. Both come with the familiar elapsed-time bezel and many of Sinn's technical features. Let's dive in! I ap...
New: The Bremont Terra Nova Bronze Collection
What's better than steel? You don't know how to answer that? I get it. Let me answer the question myself. Bronze is better, and the Bremont Terra Nova Bronze collection proves me right since it outshines the initial steel models introduced last year. And do you know what's better than plain old bronze? CuAl7Si2 is. This is the high-strength cupro-aluminum alloy Bremont uses to create cases and bracelets. Pre-Watches and Wonders 2025, the British brand introduces three new modern field watches in that alloy - the Terra Nova 40.5mm Date Bronze Green, Terra Nova 40.5mm Turning Bezel Power Reserve Bronze Caramel, and Terra Nova 42.5mm Chronograph Bronze Green.I bet you remember last year's intro...
Hands-On: Praesidus Iwo Jima 80th Anniversary Black Sand Dial
Praesidus has quickly become the go-to brand for military-inspired watches. The company specializes in creating timepieces that recall historical military stories from different eras. On top of that, Praesidus offers incredible value for money. As a result, its watches have become popular storytellers and are hugely appreciated among fans. Last year’s D-Day 80th Commemoration series told one of history’s most remarkable military stories. The watches led to many requests for a similar tribute to the Pacific Campaign during World War II. With the Iwo Jima 80th Anniversary A-11 featuring black sand dials, the brand has created a fitting homage to the famous battle for the volcanic i...
The Giuseppe "Joe Bananas" Bonanno Watch up for Auction
Giuseppe Bonanno (January 18, 1905 ????? May 12, 2002), better known as Joseph Bonanno, was a Sicilian-born American organized crime figure who became the boss of the Bonanno crime family in 1931 until his retirement in 1968. Joseph Bonanno was instrumental in forming The Mafia Commission, which was designed to oversee all Mafia activities in the U.S. and serve to resolve conflicts between the Mafia families. Joseph was married to Fay and they got three childeren. Salvatore “Bill” Bonanno (who was quite a character himself as well), born 1932; Catherine, born 1934; and Joseph Jr., born 1945.Joseph Bonanno received this Patek Philippe ref.1516 from other Sicilian mobster Charle...
The first automatic winding chronograph chronometer
The First Chronograph ChronometerIn 1973, the people over at Omega decided to celebrate their 125th anniversary with something HUGE. The first automatic winding chronograph with a chronometer certificate. And not only that, the watch itself was also HUGE. Even for today’s standards, this chronograph chronometer watch is a massive piece of stainless steel. However, compared to today’s average large watches (mostly because of fashion), this watch has some interesting piece of engineering inside as well. The movement inside this watch, Omega caliber 1041 (based on Lemania’s caliber 1341) is still honored today by a lot of Omega and chronograph enthusiasts. The Omega Speedmaste...
Patek Philippe Nautilus 3700/1A The Grail
There is no such thing as a Grail when it comes to collecting watches. As soon as you think you’ve found one, the next Grail is arising. However, the Patek Philippe Nautilus is the Grail for many watch enthusiasts out there, especially those with a weak spot for Gerald Genta designs. One of our readers belongs to that category, and showed us his Patek Philipe Nautilus 3700/1A. After having his share of OMEGA, and Audemars Piguet watches, it seems that this stainless steel piece de resistance gives him inner peace with his watch collection. He’d like to share some of the pictures of his 1977 Nautilus 3700/1A with the readers of Fratellowatches.In the past, we’ve written an ...
Hublot: Visiting the carbon case production and discover how carbon cases are made!
Did you ever wonder what goes into the construction of a watch case and in particular a watch case made of high tech materials like carbon fiber? We got deeper insights into the Hublot carbon case manufacturing workshop in Gland, Switzerland to find out. We will follow the fabrication of one of the parts of the watch case from its arrival as a raw form, through its cutting, polishing and final assembly into the case. Our visit allows us to see the many hand steps, some of which resemble assembly of a watch movement, to create the complex Hublot Big Bang case. This includes a demonstration of Hublot's unique strap attachment system that allows the change of strap with a simple push of a butto...
Overlooked: The Caseback
The front side of a watch gets lots of attention in general. Often more than the caseback, so I've decided to write an article dedicated to casebacks and their designs. Besides some nice and extravagant examples, I will discuss some general facts and my personal way of analyzing and categorizing case backs. So please, sit back and relax.General introduction and layoutThe back of a watch, often referred to as a caseback, can reveal several hidden' parts compared to the front side. Hidden lugs or several parts of the movement for example. The front side of a watch is dedicated to display the time in a distinctive and legible way; it is the top priority. On the back side, generally speaking, th...