Shape up The past, present and future of Cartier's case designs
However you look at it, Cartier has always been the creator of shaped watches and the brand never renounced their past. Their creations from the twenties and thirties are still a returning theme in the collection, as they often have obtained an iconic status. Stunning examples of Cartier’s shaped watches are the curved cases of the Tank Americain and?the?Tank Cintree?and?Tonneau?pictured here.These are watches that fit like a glove on the wrist and look so handsome halfway under the cuff. This is what most of us probably see as shaped cases. ?But there are less well-known examples, produced in very small quantities, that are even more extreme when it comes to case design.1923 For insta...
#TBT Seiko 7549 Golden Tuna In Love With a Quartz Diver
When given the choice, I'd choose a mechanical watch over quartz every time. For readers of a site like Fratello Watches, my opinion rests within the majority, but it's most certainly in the minority when viewed from almost any other lens. The advent of the quartz movement was so disruptive and, let's be honest, so superior from a timekeeping perspective versus anything else before it that actually deserved to win out when compared to most of its competition. Of course, the problem with quartz movements is that they're often machine made, lack soul, and are almost too good. What I've come to realize though, and granted this is still infrequent for me, is that a quartz watch can be a nice thi...
Hands-On With The New 1500 Euro Swatch Flymagic
Swatch did not only save the entire watch industry in the 1980s, but it also played a key role in my youth and might be to blame that I am working full-time with watches today.I remember (and still have) my first Swatch watch (1991!) and many were to come. And I still purchase a Swatch once in a while, especially when there's some kind of special edition (both Mickey Mouse editions were my last ones) or when there's a country or city-specific edition that I see during a visit, consider the deal one. I also remember quite vividly that I added a Swatch Automatic watch to my humble collection of watches. I actually think it was my first automatic watch anyway.Swatch FlymagicA few years ago, whe...
This Week in Watches February 22, 2020
Compared to last week, week #8 was relatively easy on the news. But still, there was enough to fill this TWIW episode, let’s dive into it.IWC Portugieser Hand-Wound MonopusherIWC Schaffhausen has unveiled the Portugieser Hand-Wound Monopusher Laureus Sport for Good?Edition. With this limited model, the Swiss watch manufacturer continues its?support of social sports projects run by its partner. IWC?has been a partner of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation since 2005.?The Portugieser Hand-Wound Monopusher bears reference 515301 and is IWC’s?14th Laureus special edition watch. You’ll find our review of one of the earlier editions, the Da Vinci Chronograph Laureus,?here.This ...
CWC Mellor-72 Mechanical Is A Treat For Military Watch Fans
I am an absolute sucker for military-inspired timepieces - I don’t know why. I care very little about tanks, guns, or trenches, but I love the watches that call that environment home. This CWC Mellor-72 has never seen a battlefield, but it spent a week on my wrist and certainly left it victorious.Don’t get me wrong: This watch is not perfect. There are a few simple fixes that could make this, in my opinion, just about as flawless an effort as one could hope to find at under 500. I’m not going to ignore those flaws. I’m going to dissect every little detail. Why? Because when it comes to heritage-inspired pieces of this nature, details really matter.A shade for all sea...
The Remarkable Journey Of The NOMOS Glashutte Collection
As well you all know by now, my ties to NOMOS Glashutte run deep. For three years, I lived on the road for the brand, explaining its ever-evolving catalog to retailers and watch lovers all over the northern hemisphere. As a watch lover first and watchmaker second, this role gave me an unusual insight into the development of a brand as it transitions from a small, plucky independent to one of the most major players in its country’s watchmaking landscape. As we prepare for a new release this week, I thought now would be a good time to reflect on that transformation and how it came to pass…When NOMOS watches first went on sale in the early ’90s, the brand was known for being a...
Introducing: OMEGA's Seamaster Diver 300M Chronograph America's Cup Watch
Already last May, Omega announced its partnership to the 36th edition of the America’s Cup in 2021. It was celebrated with a beautiful Seamaster Planet Ocean watch. Today, another America’s Cup edition is being introduced: the Seamaster 300M Diver America’s Cup.Omega has been involved in this prestigious race since 1995 and I wrote a lengthy article on last year’s edition here. Our contributor Paul Dezentje wrote a very cool article on Omega and the America's Cup in our Seamaster 300M Magazine. This magazine is available for (free) download here.For today, I just want to focus on the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Chronograph America’s Cup watch, as it deserves this...
Top-5 Mechanical Watches To Choose From, Below Four Figures.
Mechanical watches are expensive. At least, that’s the general impression. But still, there’s a lot to choose from, even if your budget doesn’t exceed three figures. Let me propose five watches that won’t break the bank but do provide real mechanical watch pleasure.You won’t find any batteries on this list. Mechanics for the win. Each of these watches features either a hand-wound or automatic movement. This list features a new-school interpretation of the old-school. There are heritage-inspired pieces, pieces of genuine heritage, and a bit of sportiness thrown in for good measure. And, hey, let’s face it: who doesn’t love a bargain?Hamilton Khaki Pil...
Artem Straps Offer Unbelievably Comfortable Sailcloth Watch Bands
The best ideas often come from the heart. Artem Straps began its journey when its founders couldn’t find the watch straps they wanted for the watches in their own collections. And so, in the center of Adelaide, Australia, the brand was born. The remit was simple: attention to detail; a tireless pursuit of quality materials and execution; and sailcloth, sailcloth, sailcloth. Interested? Read on…We’re used to leather. We’re used to rubber. I’d wager a great many of you have steel bracelets in your collection along with one or two fabric straps, too, right? But what about sailcloth? It’s a material that has been gaining a lot of ground on its alternatives ove...
Omega Speedmaster 3511.50 The Coolest Speedy Under $2,000
An Omega Speedmaster under $2,000 - are you sure that's even possible? Sadly, this amount won't buy you a hand-wound Moonwatch anymore. Nevertheless, there are some Speedmaster variations that you can buy for around (or sometimes even under) $2,000. One of them is the Omega Speedmaster 3511.50.00 with its cool reverse-panda dial and automatic movement.Since the late 1980s, Omega has been making smaller variations of the Speedmaster that have come to know as the Speedmaster Reduced. They feature a smaller case, an automatic chronograph movement, slightly different design elements, and, of course, a more attractive price tag.Speedmaster 3511.50.00 - Image via ZeitAuktion.Omega Speedmaster 3511...
#DENIM: Jeans And Watches From Oris, Seiko, Hublot, And More
I feel like I’ve gone full circle. The wardrobe of my youth was filled with Levi’s jeans and denim jackets that seemed to last a lifetime. Before the pandemic, I only had suits and chinos, but now, I have seen the light once again. I’ve come around and now embrace #DENIM blues and indigo cool. Having said that, however, the image has changed. Gone are the 501s from my bachelor days. Instead, we have access to online bespoke cool from Sweden and the best denim from Japan. Like the grand value of mechanical Seikos (light pun intended), Nippon denim bears a mark of craftsmanship. The Japanese do love a good pair of jeans, but they have taken the US aesthetic and made it their ...
Fratello On Air: Balazs & Mike Talk Tissot
Fratello On Air kicks off a new series where Balazs and Mike discuss their six favorite watches of all time from a given brand. First up on the docket is Tissot, a historic Swiss brand with loads of options. Settle in and hear about some watches that you know and some that just might surprise you....
Tissot Seastar Collection Sees Two New Additions (2022)
The market for dive watches is very healthy. If a friend comes to me looking for recommendations for their first watch, I usually direct them towards this style of watch first of all. The reason is that aside from the fact dive watches are built to handle more than what the average wearer might throw at it, there’s also an incredible amount of choice. The chances are that nearly everyone can find a watch that suits their tastes. Color, size, shape, and more - the possibilities are endless. Tissot has thrown its hat into the ring once again with its new additions to its Seastar collection of watches designed to fit any wrist, any time, any place.Not everyone who buys a watch ends up as ...
Lex's Vintage King Seiko That He Bought On A Bus
Everybody loves the underdog. Now, I could claim that I bought my 1972 King Seiko 5626-7111 because I prefer the underdog over the top dog called Grand Seiko. I won't. I will tell you exactly why and how I bought my vintage King Seiko.You probably know that in the 1960s, Seiko was producing watches in two different factories that competed against one another to create the best wristwatches possible. In the original Suwa Seikosha factory, the first Grand Seiko was built and released in 1960. In the Daini Seikosha plant, King Seiko was developed and released in 1963. The Suwa factory eventually won the? battle between the two, and thus, GS lived on, and KS was dismissed in 1975. What both GS a...
Hands-On: The New Longines Majetek "1935"
Longines has a long-standing history when it comes to aviation, and today's introduction is a tribute to one of the brand’s milestone watches from the past - the Longines Majetek reference 3582 from 1935. Today, we have a look at the new Longines Majetek, which has the same rotatable luminous triangle on the dial as the original.Longines Majetek “1935”Longines made the original watch upon commission from the Czechoslovak Air Force, who requested a rotating bezel with a triangular marker. Pilots could use this to mark a starting time, a crucial feature for aviators. Furthermore, it was luminous to allow proper visibility in low-light conditions.Longines registered the design...
Airain Drops Two New Type 20 Re-editions For Pre-Order
The Quartz Crisis was a difficult time for the watch industry. The advent of quartz watches led to a significant upheaval of the established order. I’m certain that we are all well-versed in the story and chain of events that led to the demise of many well-known watch brands of the time. One such brand was Montres Airain, which has returned with two new Type 20 watches for preorder.Montres Airain was founded in 1934 by the Dodane family, a well-known house in French watchmaking since the mid-1800s. Along with the Dodane brand, Airain became one of the selected suppliers of the Type 20 watch for the French Army in the 1950s and 1960s. Type 20 refers to a specification for pilots’ ...
Why The Humble Seiko Turtle Is A Future Collectible?
My watch journey began with a Seiko 5 SNZG11J1 in the jungles of Thailand and Myanmar (that will have to be another story), so it seems more than fitting that my first article with Fratello should reflect my relationship with this storied and legendary brand. Although I haven't always been a “watch guy,” the first watch that heralded my interest in the hobby was a Seiko 7002. However, just because you appreciate a brand does not mean you should not also consider it with a critical eye from an enthusiast’s and consumer’s perspective. Today, I’d like to explain why I feel that the humble Seiko Turtle is a future collectible, and part of that has to do with Seiko&#...
A Winter Trans-Carpathia Rally With A Speedy Tuesday 2 Ultraman
I had to count the years on my fingers like a little kid over again and again. I wanted to be sure that I got it right. I couldn’t believe that it has been nearly six years since the Omega Speedmaster Speedy Tuesday 2 “Ultraman” came to light! I was even more surprised to realize that it had been two years since it sat on my wrist for the last time…It was my second classic car rally. The country that it ran through was the same, and so was the car. The differences were the season, the weather, the “copilot,” and the watch on my wrist. If you want to get my full rally experience, here is a warm-up article about the summer rally. You can check the pictures t...
Hands-On: A Trio Of New World Timers From Farer
I am happy to go on record and say that a world timer simply makes more sense than a GMT. A GMT watch, particularly one with a quick-set 12-hour hand, is a true traveler’s watch. However, I spend countless hours sitting in my home office but communicating and collaborating with colleagues and friends worldwide. After calibrating a world-time complication to my home time, I can simultaneously read the time in any of the 24 time zones spanning the dial.The collection of watches I am looking at today is the new series of World Timers from Farer. Earlier watches from the brand with this complication sold out (on two occasions), so it’s no surprise to see an updated version eventually...
Supporting Orbis With The MoonSwatch Auction
Since 2011, Omega has been one of the partners of the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital. With ambassadors like Daniel Craig and Cindy Crawford, the Swiss watch brand aims to get more attention for Orbis’s initiatives.Omega ambassador Cindy Crawford aboard the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital - Image: OmegaThe Flying Eye HospitalOrbis is fighting against preventable blindness. Since 1982, this non-profit organization has had a flying hospital (starting with a DC-8), and today, Orbis uses an MD-10 airplane donated by FedEx. Once a cargo plane, it is now a hyper-modern hospital, training facility, and recovery room, all in one. This way, Orbis can both train medical staff and perform surgeries on locati...