Hot Take: H. Moser & Cie. Streamliner Flyback Chronograph
The first time I saw the new H. Moser & Cie. Streamliner Flyback Chronograph was during Dubai Watch Week, just a few months ago.I think it was my main man, Lukasz, from Ch24.pl, who drew my attention to that quirky steel thing that Edouard Meylan, CEO of H. Moser & Cie.) was trying to hide under his cuff. Without much success, I must add. A Moser on a bracelet? This has to be something new. I had to check it out. After a short persuasion, Ed finally gave in, took the thing off, and handed it over. First impression: WOW. Second impression: This does not look like a Moser at all. Third impression: Wait a minute; it is indeed a Moser, but with a twist. The reason for my initial confusio...
Hands-On With The Formex Essence ThirtyNine Suspension Watch
And with the start of the new year, there is always the first watch to arrive on your desk. This year it was something new and rather funky. Upon opening the box, the bright green catches your attention instantly, followed by some odd shapes. Hello Formex Essence ThirtyNine.To me, this brand is new and I've never had one in my hands before. And to be totally honest, at first sight, there was quite a lot going on. The bright green dial and interrupted bezel are the first things to notice and the latter is not something I generally like. However, after spending a bit of time with the Formex ThirtyNine and understanding the method behind its odd visage, I started to come around to the technolog...
This Week In Watches: January 9, 2021 Happy New Year!
As the new year begins, so too does the machine that is the wonderful world of watches. I hope everyone had a good break over Xmas and New Year. We saw very little in terms of new releases and news over the break, but slowly life begins again, and we have a few bits and pieces to talk about today!Top of the list has to be the almighty Omega debuting the much-hyped and worst kept secret: the new Moonwatch. At Fratello, we are big on all things Speedy, so you can imagine how excited we were! One of my favorite silhouettes from Zenith also received a facelift - I like what the brand has been doing with the Chronomaster revivals of late! Our good friends at Ace Jewellers Amsterdam are also back ...
Dear IWC, Bring Back The Ingenieur SL "Jumbo" Ref. 1832
Every watch enthusiast can think of a great discontinued timepiece that should return to the spotlight in a more modern version. At the Fratello offices, we are no different. It inspired us to come up with a series about watches that the Fratello editors would like to see make a comeback. Some of the watches are iconic, some of them are less popular. But all of them are loved by at least one of our editors. Let’s look at some of our favorites in this series. Jorg kicks off with the IWC Ingenieur SL “Jumbo” Ref. 1832.In Fratello team discussions, we regularly dive deep into the archives of a brand to talk about some of the watches from the past that we love. As a result, the...
The Aevig Thor A Modern Linen-Dial Dress Watch
Aevig is not a brand located inside the Arctic Circle or in Valhalla itself. Nope, Aevig is the brand of Chip Yuen, and he's based in the Netherlands. Chip, with a background in arts, design, filmmaking, and Chinese food - that's the family business - founded Aevig in 2013. His love for watches from the 1950s, ’60s, and ’70s shines through in every Aevig timepiece. Aevig is the ancient Norse word for “eternal”, and it represents Chip’s never-ending pursuit of perfection on his way to Valhalla. My first encounter with Chip's watch vision resulted in a hands-on with the Aevig Thor, a linen-dialed dress watch of modern proportions.My first impression of Chip was th...
How The Oris Divers Sixty-Five Fratello LE Came To Life
After the announcement of our second collaboration with Oris last week, the watch went live for sale this past Tuesday. I am so happy to see so many great responses to this special edition of the Divers Sixty-Five. Some of you asked us to give some more insight into how this watch came to life and the steps that needed to be taken during the design process.Oris is a great brand, and we were incredibly happy with the collaboration on the Big Crown Pilot watch in bronze that we did in 2020. But to do a second collaboration, there needs to be a solid foundation or reason to do so. And for that, we need to leap back in time.The 2015 resurrection of the Oris “Waterproof”When Oris intr...
Hands-On: Omega Seamaster 1948 In Platinum
Recently, I spent some time with the Omega Seamaster 1948 in platinum. This is a style of Seamaster that I am very familiar with. In fact, I own two from the 1950s in the same case shape, and I absolutely love them. So what if you take that recipe and execute it to modern specs with a healthy serving of platinum? Does that make the ultimate Seamaster? Or does the magic get lost in the process? Let's find out!This is the 70th-anniversary Omega Seamaster 1948 limited edition in platinum. It was introduced in 2018, and it is limited to 70 pieces worldwide. Interestingly, there are still some available. But, then again, it is a niche product at an even more niche price point of $47,800.The Seama...
Wearing Omega's Latest James Bond Tribute Seamaster
I wonder if any active MI6 agents feel attracted to the new Omega Seamaster Diver 300M James Bond 60th Anniversary. Maybe the Chief of the Secret Intelligence Service (SIS) Richard Moore, or C, has issued a memo to not just spies but to all working at the service to not buy the watch because it is a dead giveaway. In that case, Omega misses out on 3,644 potential buyers. Luckily, the new Seamaster Diver 300M that was introduced last November in London will reach numerous watch and James Bond fans to make up for the missing MI6 staff. I had a brief encounter with the watch and scribbled down my first impression of it. You will also find notes on the naughty #FR2NCK MULLER Vanguard featuring t...
The Omega Speedmaster Alaska Project Story
One of the most coveted Omega Speedmaster watches is the Alaska Project model from 2008. Surrounding it is a myth about the original white-dial Speedmasters that Omega designed for NASA, but it also stands out because of its stark white dial with rocket hands and a red chronograph seconds hand.The 2008 Speedmaster Alaska Project with and without its red anodized outer caseCodename Alaska ProjectWhen Omega introduced this Speedmaster Alaska Project in 2008 as a limited edition of 1,970 pieces, Speedmaster watches were in a different place than they are these days. Even the limited editions that are highly desirable now took some time to sell back then. Today, the 2008 Speedmaster Alaska Proje...
IWC Pilot's Watches Which Size Is Right For You?
What if a watch brand offered an iconic watch design in three different sizes? And what if all of those sizes were well done and properly proportioned, and no odd artifacts or compromises were made during the resizing design process? If you follow my writing, you know that I feel this is quite rare. I usually find that there is a specific size at which a certain watch design clicks. Well, not with the IWC Pilot’s Watch! I have three in front of me with six millimeters between them as I write this, and, boy, there is a lot to unpack! How do you choose the right one for you? Let's find out!I am limiting myself purely to the sizes and proportions and their ramifications for the wearing ex...
New: The Seiko Prospex SPB439 GMT Save The Ocean LE
In March of last year, Seiko unveiled the first mechanical GMT watches in its Prospex collection. The SPB381, SPB383, and SPB385 were “Mini Marinemasters” in green, black, and ice blue. Seiko calls this model the 1968 Diver’s Re-interpretation. Before, it was available as a dive watch only, but since last year, it’s also available with a GMT function. Now the Japanese watchmaker is introducing the Seiko Prospex SPB439. This new limited edition of 1,500 pieces features a textured white dial and supports its Save the Ocean marine conservation program.This watch is no surprise to us all here at Fratello. As Lex already said, 2024 will be the year of GMT watches, and Seik...
[Video] Inside A Speedmaster Movement With The Slow Mo Guys
An incredibly cool video went online the other day on The Slow Mo Guys’ YouTube channel. The guys (Gav and Dan) used insane equipment to get the frame rate to 10,000 per second and the magnification to 10 for some seriously close and slow footage inside the miniature marvel of Omega’s caliber 1869. That’s right - they used the Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8 as a subject for their slow-motion video.The video shows you how the gears of the caliber 1869 engage, with and without the chronograph activated. It’s stunning!Check out their other videos as well here.*The header image is a still from the Slow Mo Guys video....
Panerai Goes Back To Its Roots With The New PAM01628
If you follow my writing, you may have noticed I have a complicated relationship with Panerai. On one hand, I adore the brand and its design language. On the other hand, I often fail to see the logic in modern Panerai releases, including the brand’s design choices. I have often lamented the odd designs of modern Panerai watches using exotic materials, flashy colors, and mechanical complications. I keep calling for more classical Panerai releases. Well, today is the day! Have a look at this lovely archetypal retro Panerai Luminor Tre Giorni PAM01628. Could this be what the doctor ordered? Or do we perhaps have more odd decisions lurking under the surface? Let's dive in and find out!The ...
Hands-On: The Crafter Blue Mechanic Ocean Mark II Dive Watch
The new Crafter Blue Mechanic Ocean Mark II looks like a million bucks. Not literally, of course, but it does look way higher-end than the price tag would suggest. US$449 buys you a watch that punches well above its weight. This intro might read like a conclusion, but there is more to say about this robust yet sophisticated-looking diver than simply stating that it's an excellent bang-for-the-buck watch.Initially, there were three versions of the Mechanic Ocean Mark II available. The reference MO2SS007.HK, limited to just 30 pieces, is already sold out. The black-dialed reference MO2SS001 and the reference MO2SS007 with a gradient gray dial remain. The latter is my favorite and the one I wor...
Fratello Talks: Our New Year's Watch Resolutions 2025
Hello, and happy New Year! What better way to venture into another trip around the Sun than by setting yourself up with a solid set of New Year’s watch resolutions? In today’s episode, Nacho, Daan, and Lex discuss theirs for 2025. They include everything from pondering potential future purchases to considering consolidating comprehensive collections. The guys also reflect on some of last year’s resolutions and report on how they managed to (or didn’t) stick to them. Finally, they also share a handful of non-watch-related resolutions they have set for 2025. We encourage you to share your New Year’s resolutions (horological and otherwise) in the comments section b...
Speedmaster Club
Like I wrote on the 21st of December here, we decided to revive the Speedmaster Club and make it an international happening. We are now busy translating the website for the English speaking part of the world ??However, the forum is already open and people can sign up for a membership already! Not only for the Dutch anymore that is. There is already some traffic on the fora, thanks to some of you Speedmaster enthusiasts who found it already!So, Speedmaster owners or soon to be Speedmaster owners, join the club!Click here to visit the Speedmaster Club site...
Interview With IWC's Creative Director Christian Knoop
2012 was IWC’s year of their Pilot’s watch. The introduction party of the new Pilot collection during the SIHH in Geneva last year has been topic of several discussions. Whether it was positive or not, at least IWC got everyone’s attention for the Pilot collection. Here in The Netherlands, we had our own introduction day of the new IWC (TOP Gun) Pilot collection. A report of that day can be found by clicking here.Just before IWC is ready to launch the new Ingenieur collection in the next coming weeks at SIHH 2013, we look back at the Pilot collection with IWC’s Creative Director, Christian Knoop. I sat down with Mr Knoop in the Dylan hotel in Amsterdam and asked him t...
A Factory Visit To Richard Mille
Somewhere last year, I was invited to come over to Richard Mille in Switzerland to visit their watch case factory and their HQ in Les Breuleux, Switzerland. With a small group of watch journalists, we arrived at the Richard Mille boutique in Geneva to have a look at all the (new) models they have. A great way to start the factory visit, as I have to admit that I wasn’t familiar with most of their models or reference numbers. Although I witnessed their presentation of the Richard Mille collection in SIHH, the brand wasn’t really on my radar. After this visit to Richard Mille in Les Breuleux, I have to say that they are definitely on my radar. Keep on reading.In the Geneva boutique...
OMEGA Speedmaster Speedy Tuesday Limited Edition
It is with great pride that we introduce you to the Omega Speedmaster Professional Speedy Tuesday limited edition to commemorate the 5th anniversary of Speedy Tuesday. Limited to 2012 pieces, referring to the year when it all started. For the very first time, Omega is offering this watch only via their own website. What better way to do this with the Speedy Tuesday limited edition Speedmaster, an initiative that started on-line as well.Speedy Tuesday – How it all beganWe've been asked very often how Speedy Tuesday started. The story is quite simple, I took a wristshot of my Speedmaster Professional somewhere in May 2012, put it on Facebook and only wrote Speedy Tuesday', as it was on a...
The New Ressence Type 2 (With e-Crown)
The mechanical watch just got a bit smarter, with this new Ressence Type 2 watch with e-Crown.?Belgium based independent watchmaking brand Ressence comes up with a new Type 2 watch, just before the SIHH 2019 will be hosted next week. It will be there where we can see and try the watch ourselves, so for now, just a few highlights of this Type 2 with a touch of magic.Ressence Type 2When you are not familiar with Ressence at all, let me suggest you take a look at some of the articles we did in the past about them, like this hands-on review of their Type 1 and Type 3 watches. Interestingly enough, Ressence is one of the very few independent watchmakers that I’ve come across in the flesh a ...