VP-Day USA
Over at ViaPaneristi (the other Panerai site) I noticed the invitation for the USA VP-Day event!So if you live in the USA, and couldn’t make it to P-Day #3 in Frankfurt, you better check their website....
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo 15202ST A New Version Introduced At SIHH 2012
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ‘Jumbo’, or ref.15202ST has always been one of our favorite – perhaps even the favorite – stainless steel luxury sports watches. Designed by Genta, this watch already has seen a lot of coverage here at Fratellowatches (most popular topics here, here and here). During the SIHH 2012 in Geneva, Audemars Piguet introduced an appropriate successor of the current ‘Jumbo’ ref.15202ST, the ‘Jumbo’ ref.15202ST. That’s right, nothing changes in the naming or reference number, only the watch itself changes a tiny bit.Changed in a good way, as a lot of collectors and enthusiasts have longed for these changes for quite so...
TAG Heuer From Mars To Saturne
TAG Heuer is introducing [in Geneva] a new milestone in the history of mechanical regulation and high-speed frequency movements. You will certainly remember, that almost one year ago, the Mikrotimer, ?the world's first-ever mechanical chronograph to measure and display the 1/1,000th of a second, making it 125 times more accurate ?than most existing mechanical chronographs on Earth.This year, TAG Heuer went beyond and presents the Mikrogirder....
OMEGA Announces A New Anti-Magnetic Movement Caliber 8508
Magnetism, it is actually one of mechanical movements’ biggest enemies. That, and dropping your watch on the tiles in the bathroom. Numerous brands have tried to take precautions and some of them took it to another level. We’re sure you know about the IWC Ingenieur and the Milgauss. The latter one even has this lightning-shaped second hand to indicate it’s very very anti-magnetic.Perhaps you haven’t heard about the Railmaster before. Or perhaps you did, but didn’t link it to anti-magnetic watches. However, the first Railmaster that was introduced in 1957 had a double case to prevent it from being influenced by magnetic fields. Especially designed for scientists...
Introduction Gronefeld One Hertz Techniek Nocturne Live Pictures
It is with great pride that we introduce the latest and last version of the Dutch made Gronefeld One Hertz. We’ve been a fan of the Gronefeld One Hertz since the day it was introduced to us in stainless steel, red gold and since last year, also in titanium (Fire and Ice editions) and platinum. And now, here it is, the latest and last edition of the Gronefeld One Hertz family: Techniek and Techniek Nocturne. All pictures can be clicked-on for high resolution images.The Gronefeld One Hertz Techniek has – of course – the same complication as the other One Hertz editions, which is a ‘seconde morte’ or dead beat complication. The Techniek comes in two different flavo...
H.Moser & Cie: Novelties of SIHH 2017
H. MOSER & CIE. HONOURS ARTISAN WATCHMAKING WITH THE HERITAGE TOURBILLONWith the Heritage Tourbillon, H. Moser & Cie. pays tribute to exceptional artisan watchmaking.This exceptional timepiece links tradition and modernity, two elements which coexist in all creations by H. Moser & Cie. The Heritage Tourbillon is a salute?to watchmaking past and present. It is the distillation of H. Moser & Cie.’s 187 years of watchmaking expertise.Heritage Tourbillon: Reference 8802-0400, 5N red gold model, pocket watch-type case, blue alligator leather strap, limited edition of 10 pieces.H. MOSER & CIE. HERITAGE PERPETUAL MOON: POETIC CLASSICISMWith the Heritage Perpetual Moon, H. ...
SIHH 2017 Girard-Perregaux Laureato in 42mm
The Girard-Perregaux Laureato is back. Of course, there was an introduction last year as well, but this year we see that GP is offering a full range of these 1970s marvels. Sizes 34mm, 42mm and a tourbillon in a whopping 45mm are being presented at the SIHH 2017. We have a look at the one we like best, the 42mm Girard-Perregaux Laureato.Girard-Perregaux LaureatoI won’t lie to you, the price is a bit steep in my humble opinion (10.370 Swiss Francs excluding 8% Swiss sales tax), but this watch surely is one of the neat surprises here at SIHH. That is, if you fancy those 1970s Genta-like designes pieces. The Laureato was introduced originally in the mid-1970s?and was in the collection for...
Speedy Tuesday RIP Eugene Cernan We look back at 'his' Apollo 17 watch from 2012
Yesterday (about an hour ago), we read that Eugene Cernan, the Last Man on the Moon, passed way age 82. Eugene Cernan was in space three times, with Gemini 9A, Apollo 10 and Apollo 17. Apollo 17 being the last Apollo mission in 1972. Two Speedmaster watches were commemorating that particular mission. One in 2002, with which you received his Last Man on the Moon book, and the later 2012 edition with the coin dial.We wrote about that last watch in 2013 already, but thought it would be appropriate to publish it once more. We also recommend you to watch Last Man on the Moon, a beautiful documentary (Netflix offers it in some countries) about that trip.Speedmaster Professional311.30.42.30.99.002I...
Singer Reimagined Track 1 Geneva Edition
Singer Reimagined. A name that took the watch scene last year like a tornado with their Singer Reimagined Track 1 chronograph. This magnificent timepiece is a child of a collaboration between three worlds, three passionate experts in their respected fields. First Marco Borraccino, an industrial design specialist with many ties to the watch industry. Then there’s Rob Dickinson, a Porsche fanatic and owner of Singer Vehicle Design who hooked up over common interest in cars. The friendship evolved and the idea of a new watch was born. However, they needed someone to help them turn their idea into reality. They were still missing a crucial piece; a watchmaker. This is when Jean-Marc Wieder...
Panerai Luminor Base And Marina Logo First Look
Although the focus seems to be on the new Panerai Luminor Due this year, with a small diameter, I like to give some attention to the new Panerai Luminor Base Logo and Luminor Marina Logo. These watches used to be equipped with the Unitas/ETA movement, but now have the new caliber P.6000 movement. Developed and manufactured at Panerai in Neuchatel. Let’s have a quick look at these new watches.Before I start, let me tell you that all watches are water resistant to 10 bar (~ 100 meters) and have the P.6000 movement, that offers a power reserve of 72 hours. As you can see, the dials are not the typical sandwich dials, but instead have painted numerals.Panerai Luminor Base LogoThree new ref...
Piaget Polo 2019 SIHH Line Up Green and Diamond
Piaget is not necessarily known for their manly watches. Don't get me wrong, I love the brand. I think what they do is beautiful and classy. Especially their lady's collection. Though we can't complain about the men's line-up either. ?So, this time we will concentrate on those models and run through the 2019 SIHH Piaget novelties. We have 6 watches all together; 3 from the Polo collection and 3 from the Altiplano. This article we give you a bit of an insight into the Polo models.Piaget PoloAs the brand says, the 2019 Polo collection brings vibrance to the SIHH. Obviously, these are very special pieces in looks. One new Polo color and 2 pieces with heavy diamond sets. Let's start with the mos...
Sinn 1800 Damaszener In The Metal
Sinn, based in Frankfurt, Germany, is well-known for special purpose tool watches. They have developed a whole range of their EZM watches where EZM stands for Einsatzzeitmesser German for mission timer. But, next to their Frankfurt Financial District Watches, they also offer some clean elegant watches. And Sinn enjoys to introduce new case materials. Using anti-corrosive and non-magnetic submarine steel for dive watches is one remarkable example.Now Sinn’s second model made of Damascus Steel has become available. As watches made of Damascus Steel are quite rare such a model presented by a well-known brand deserves attention. We took a closer look.Sinn 1800 DamaszenerThe concept and des...
Vintage Review: Citizen 62-6198 Challenge Diver
We take a look at a popular watch with collectors, the Citizen 62-6198 Challenge Diver: a credible alternative to 70’s Seiko divers.I’ve patiently waited to write an article on any one of Citizen‘s 150-meter divers from the 1970s. You see, I picked up an example of today’s Citizen 62-6198 Challenge Diver nearly four years back from a friend here in Germany, and while it’s an excellent example, it’s a bit controversial due to some details I’ll share later. And so I did what most watch collectors do, and that’s hunt for a second example. I finally hit pay dirt sometime during 2019 and now felt like a good time to give you a peek at what I think r...
Hublot Big Bang MP-11 Red Magic Watch With 14-Day Power Reserve
Hublot’s ability to bring the primary colors into luxury watchmaking while retaining an air of sophistication is once again on display with the release of the Hublot Big Bang MP-11 Red Magic.It shouldn’t work. Although red has enjoyed a long career as the go-to accent color in horology (especially when it comes to sports models), it isn’t very easy to get right when deployed as the base color. There are very few brands that can apply such a bright and bold color to a case and pull it off.Going full, fire-engine red on a dial takes excellent execution to look anything other than cheapAt an entry-level price point, the most red you’re likely to see is when brands opt fo...
Podcast Balazs And Mike On Vintage Chronographs
Welcome back to another Fratello on Air Podcast. This time, Balazs and Mike talk about their favorite vintage chronographs.Balazs and Mike love vintage chronographs and are keen to share the top three favorite pieces within their collections. It’s a discussion of timers that spans the decades....
Sunday Morning Showdown: Omega Seamaster Ploprof 1200M Vs. Grand Seiko SBGH257
In our Sunday Morning Showdown, two of our writers go head-to-head in an epic showdown for the ages. Strong opinions and hysterical hyperbole are welcome (so feel free to join in with the fun in the comments section below). And don't forget to let us know which watches you'd like to see torn to shreds/effusively exalted next week. We'll try and feature as many of our readers' choices as we can. In today’s showdown, our writers get wet n’ wild with hefty professional divers. With such a mass of metal, you could even confuse them for diving bells. The Omega Seamaster Ploprof 1200M takes on the Grand Seiko SBGH257.I don’t know about you, but last week’s Showdown was a bl...
Unimatic takes their design to the next level with their new S-Series
How far can you push the boundaries of traditional watch design? Milan-based brand Unimatic has been pushing the boundaries of traditional watch design with its clever approach to aesthetics. As most of you will know, I really like the approach to design that Unimatic owners Giovanni Moro and Simone Nunziato have chosen for their watches. After several spectacular collaborations, it’s time for a new design step within Unimatic’s own collection of releases. The all-new Unimatic S-series takes the minimalistic approach even further. On top of that, the four models that make up the S-series are powered by Sellita movements.It’s no secret that I am a fan of Unimatic’s uni...
Zenith Chronomaster Revival Lupin The Third Final Edition (2022)
Fans of manga, anime, and polarizing watches rejoice: Zenith may have released just the watch for you! This Lupin The Third – Final Edition is the latest installment into Zenith’s highly successful Chronomaster Revival range. It is also the last piece in a trio of watches inspired by the Japanese manga and anime series Lupin The Third. The first two Chronomasters in this limited-edition series featured previously unproduced dials. The designs came directly from episodes of the anime series, and both had an overall classic aesthetic. For the final edition, however, Zenith went all out, combining the previous two dials for an eye-popping look.At Fratello, we’re big fans of th...
Genteel Handmade Now Offers Ready-To-Wear Straps
Over the past couple of years, Genteel Handmade has really been making a name for itself. In the world of watches, finding the perfect strap can often be a frustrating exercise. With so many options available, it seems unconscionable to suggest locating your dream watchband would be anything but a stroll in the park.However, it is often the case that too much choice can spoil the chooser! As such, the brand famed for its expansive range of customizations has taken it upon itself to design a new “ready-to-wear” collection based on its experience of what its customers lust over most often.While some strap seekers don't mind waiting for weeks for a bespoke watch strap, some like to ...
James Bond's Omega Seamaster When Hype Makes Sense
Merriam-Webster's definition of a perfect storm is “a critical or disastrous situation created by a powerful concurrence of factors.” That sounds bad. And if you saw Wolfgang Petersen's biographical disaster movie The Perfect Storm, you know what it literally does and means. The term “perfect storm” was first used in 1998, and besides being used for catastrophic situations, it can also apply to something that works out extremely well. A perfect storm is when hype makes sense, you could say - like James Bond wearing his Omega Seamaster 300M 007 Edition in No Time To Die. The man, the myth, the movie, and the watch together created the perfect storm.I started with a def...