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 her

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 actuall

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 on

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 partne

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 mak

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 m

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 h

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

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

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 sm

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 da

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.

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

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 possibl

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 w

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 A

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,

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

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

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 or