Starting Our Collections Over With A Pot Of Money
Fratello On Air is back with another rip-roaring episode. This time, we talk about what starting over would look like for our watch collections. Of course, we give ourselves all the funds that we’ve used in the past for watches and are armed with the knowledge we’ve picked up over the last decade or so. We hope you enjoy it!...
How To Treat A Mechanical Watch To Avoid Damage
In this installment of our Back To Basics series, we are truly going back to the fundamentals of the hobby. This time, we ask ourselves: how should you treat a mechanical watch to avoid damage? Again, this may be obvious if you are a seasoned watch enthusiast. But if you are new to the game, you may learn a thing or two that could save you some headaches and money.The following is almost all heavily generalized. Many modern movements are protected from the issues described. Still, it is wise to accustom yourself to treating all watches this way. Better safe than sorry, as they say, since it’s easy to make a mistake while mindlessly adjusting your watch one fateful early Monday morning....
Introducing: The Return Of The Farer GMT Bezel Collection
Today, after a two-year absence, Farer reintroduces the new GMT Bezel Collection. Four watches comprise the lineup. They include two diameters and several color options. Automatic movements, a healthy spec sheet, and affordable pricing make the return of these watches a welcome one.While Farer continues to offer different styles of GMT watches, the GMT Bezel Collection has been missing from the brand’s core lineup. Now, though, it’s back, and with two size options to consider, the watches should work on a wide range of wrists. Plus, as mentioned, during a time of optimistic prices from many watch companies, Farer continues to offer its wares for fair sums.The Farer GMT Bezel Coll...
New: Blancpain Swatch Scuba Fifty Fathoms Pink Ocean
Last January, Swatch introduced the crowd-pleasing, all-black Scuba Fifty Fathoms Ocean of Storms. Just one month ago, in early December, the Blue Lagoon model made its debut. In 2025, Swatch is looking at life through rose-tinted glasses as it introduces this latest iteration in the SFF lineup. Meet the bright and bold Blancpain Swatch Scuba Fifty Fathoms Pink Ocean.We often ask ourselves, “Will we see new MoonSwatch or Scuba Fifty Fathoms models? What will the folks at Swatch come up with next?” And though the pace has certainly slowed down recently, you can’t fault the brand for its lack of fear of trying new things. In January 2024, the FFS entered its emo phase with th...
The Updated Christopher Ward C65 Dune Aeolian Collection
For its first release of 2025, Christopher Ward decided to give the Dune collection a facelift. The English brand is introducing new dials for the Dune Automatic models in stainless steel and bronze. Additionally, Christopher Ward adds its third Dune GMT model to the lineup. After the inaugural black-dial limited edition, last year saw the release of a sand-dial version, the first permanent Dune GMT. This year, Christopher Ward adds a blue-dial variant to the lineup. Let’s take a look at the updated Christopher Ward C65 Dune Aeolian Collection.It is no secret that I have a soft spot for Christopher Ward’s Dune line. The vintage-inspired field watches in it are great examples of a...
Historically Accurate Alternatives To IWC's Modern Mark Series
In December 2024, we published a review of the IWC RAAF pilot’s watch. This is a special timepiece that is only available to members of the Royal Australian Air Force (hence, RAAF). The overwhelming feedback I got through private messages as well as some of the comments on the article revealed a genuine frustration among IWC fans. This was specifically regarding the design language used in the modern Mark series of pilot’s watches.Image: Watches of KnightsbridgeSome background on the IWC Mark seriesFor those who aren’t familiar with the context, let me explain. IWC’s Mark series of watches was born in the last embers of World War II. During that conflict, 12 manufactu...
Fratello Talks: Splurge On Many Or Save For The One?
Welcome back to Fratello Talks, folks! What’s the best way to spend your hard-earned cash as a watch collector? Should you splurge on many or save for one special piece? One method satisfies curiosity and is fulfilling for some, but it can also leave you with your head spinning, a full watch box, and an empty wallet. The other limits you to fewer watches, but those can, in turn, be more expensive, rare, and “special.” This is the topic of discussion for today’s podcast. Nacho is joined by Daan and Thomas, who provide their thoughts on the matter and share their experience. If this dilemma has ever haunted you, be sure to tune in; this one’s for you. If you have ...
SIHH 2009: Jaeger-LeCoultre Navy Seals
Marc Menant from Jaeger-LeCoulte mailed me some information on their new Master Compressor Diving Navy SEALs watches. The grade 5 titanium cases with unidirectional bezel and water resistancy of 1000 meters meet the most stringent requirements for the United States Navy SEALs diving watch. Jaeger-LeCoultre consulted snorkelling record holder Patrick Musimu about the relevance of Jaeger’s diving watch innovations.The Master Compressor Diving models have a shot-peened ceramic bezel and are engraved with the Navy SEALs emblem. Before paying thousands of dollars for a vintage COMEX diver from , you might want to investigate these new three models from Jaeger-LeCoultre.Jaeger-LeCoultre intr...
Jaeger-LeCoultre's Atmos Marqueterie Paille A Clock That Would Fit Me Perfectly
In 2008, Jaeger-LeCoultre celebrated the 80th anniversary of their famous Atmos clock. As you might know already, Atmos clocks keep ticking because of temperature changes in the environment. I did a write-up in its 80th anniversary year where you can read more about the Atmos’s background and workings (click here to read it).Now, in 2011, Jaeger-LeCoultre did not only steal the show (SIHH2011) with regards to wrist watches, they also introduced a new Atmos clock. The Atmos Marqueterie Paille.Restricted to 28 pieces only, the Atmos Margueterie Paille (or straw marquetry) is celebrating an ancient decorative technique that was revived by interior designers during the 1930s. The transpare...
#TBT Seiko 6139 Versus Zenith El Primero A386
Hot on the heels of the Fratello team's visit to Zenith in Le Locle, it's time to talk more Zenith.A joke, you say?? It's not April 1st and this isn't a comedy site.? So, really, does your author truly have the audacity to bring the commonplace Seiko 6139 chronograph into the ring against the legendary, and FAR more valuable, Zenith A386 El Primero?? Well, if you clicked on this, you likely noticed loads of prose.? So, the simple answers are: this is no joke and I will attempt to convince you that these two timepieces are worthy of a battle royale.? In the end, though, you'll likely want both in your collection.First, let's discuss a little history.? In the 60's, with a large shift to automa...
Speedy Tuesday Speedmaster Radial Dials
Since the successful launch of the Speedmaster ‘Speedy Tuesday’ limited edition, quite a bit of people asked us about the radial dial. Although Omega already had a radial dial in one of their watches in 1966, it wasn’t used in the Speedmaster Professional until 1972 with the Alaska Project II. Let’s have a closer look at the radial dial models since then.Speedmaster Radial DialsIn short, you could say that – with the exception of the Speedmaster Speedy Tuesday limited edition – that the radial dial lay-out was only used in watches dedicated for NASA purposes. In 1972, Omega came up with their Alaska Project II, using the radial dial in the Speedmaster Prof...
Hands-on Oris Big Crown ProPilot Calibre 111 Review
Oris is a sympathetic brand in my opinion. Independent (but not small) and very strong in the sub $2000 price range. We covered their Aquis and Sixty-Five Divers watches a number of times, as these are great value propositions. What also helps for us watch journalists, is that the people behind Oris are also sympathetic and real watch enthusiasts. That doesn’t help or mean much for the end-consumer perhaps, at least not directly, but believe me, it does for us when the people behind a brand share the (true) love for watches. However, being very strong in that $1000 to $2000 segment, what happens if a brand like Oris creates a watch that retails for nearly $5000?For that kind of money, ...
Hands-on Oris Big Crown ProPilot Calibre 111 Review
Oris is a sympathetic brand in my opinion. Independent (but not small) and very strong in the sub $2000 price range. We covered their Aquis and Sixty-Five Divers watches a number of times, as these are great value propositions. What also helps for us watch journalists, is that the people behind Oris are also sympathetic and real watch enthusiasts. That doesn’t help or mean much for the end-consumer perhaps, at least not directly, but believe me, it does for us when the people behind a brand share the (true) love for watches. However, being very strong in that $1000 to $2000 segment, what happens if a brand like Oris creates a watch that retails for nearly $5000?For that kind of money, ...
#TBT The Unstoppable Tissot Mediostat Chronograph
In today’s edition of #TBT, we’ll focus on a unique chronograph, the Tissot Mediostat.? We’ll do our best to keep up the good work on Tissot, so consider this as a follow-up to our earlier #TBT on the Tissot Antimagnetique and the modern reissue, the Heritage Petite Seconde. ? It was only recently that I?heard Mr. Biver dropping a seemingly irrelevant note in a?podcast interview. While sharing his stories and ideas with a passion genuine to only him he mentioned that he wears his chronograph watches with the chronograph always running. I?had to stop the interview for a?while as I?was so amused by this concept. I?had never thought about wearing my chronograph watches always ...
Richard Mille RM 61-01 Is The Last Of Its Kind
Richard Mille struck gold when they teamed up with former World Champion, Yohan “The Beast”?Blake. But now, the Richard Mille RM 61-01 will be the last of its kind.Yohan Blake burst onto the scene as Usain Bolt's charming teammate, winning legions of fans through his affable persona, ferocious alter-ego, and blistering performances on the track. He announced himself on the world stage, winning the 2011 world title in Bolt’s absence. A year after that promising win in Daegu, he buddied-up with Richard Mille. For the London 2012 Olympics, he donned a prototype model while the brand developed its first piece for “mass” consumption.A sleek and stylish reinterpretati...
Hot Take: The New Omega Constellation Gents 39mm
Finally, the Omega Constellation received some necessary attention! In 2018 we saw the introduction of the new ladies' models, but now the gents' version has also been updated. Officially, it's Omega's 5th generation of this type of Constellation (although I disagree with that and believe it to be the 6th). Let's have a closer look.But first, let me tell you why this collection means a lot to me (I also wrote it here on Fratello Magazine). It might surprise you to learn why I’m so excited about a watch that hasn't been featured much here. The Omega Constellation is the first serious watch I ever received. It was back in 1998 when I graduated, and my mother knew I’d been deeply in...
Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical Bronze Vs. Steel
Some watches are just more memorable than others. The brand puts them onto the market, creating a massive buzz for some reason. So far, so good. Then, after the initial reactions, they stay in the public consciousness and never leave. When Hamilton released the Khaki Field Mechanical, this is precisely what happened. To say that it received critical acclaim from the media would be an understatement. The Khaki Field was praised by almost every media outlet that featured it. It was only logical for Hamilton to strike while the iron was hot. Many newer, different variations of the Khaki Field Mechanical have come, but none have had more impact than the bronze version.I felt it was logical to co...
The Best Monochrome German Watches: Laco To Lange And More
Sometimes I feel slightly schizophrenic, probably a normal feeling for a horological obsessive. Some days, I feel like only wearing patterned, bright-colored socks (well, that's every day) with a searingly yellow Doxa. On other days, I hanker after the crisp monochrome, graphic panache of a matte black dial. Tool-zen, if you like. This story is my take on the best German monochrome watch design. There’s an emphasis on functionality and tool watches, no matter how used-up that term might seem in 2022.To be fair, here at Fratello Watches, the Speedmaster is the king of monochrome. But this is about Germany’s best. There is a reason we associate pilot's watches with Germany, whether...
Royal Oak Turns 50 The "Jumbo" Journey
The story of the Royal Oak didn’t start in 1972. Rather, it began two years before, right before the Basel watch exhibition of 1970. At the time Audemars Piguet produced about 6,000 watches per year. They were mainly small dress watches, some jewelry pieces, some extraordinary watches with complications, and of course, a lot of extra-thin watches. At the time, Audemars Piguet had around 70 employees.But the future of the brand was about to change, and in ways that few back then would have probably thought possible. The Royal Oak would alter AP’s destiny forever, becoming an icon in the truest sense of the overused word. This year, the Royal Oak turns 50 years old, so I’d li...
Hublot Big Bang Integral Time Only A New 40mm Eyecatcher
Whenever Hublot announces new additions to its extensive collection, the first expectations are that we will have some extravagant timepieces. I can say that this year, the Nyon brand yet again does not disappoint in bringing some colorful timepieces. But the main eyecatcher for 2022 is the unexpected but completely logical Hublot Big Bang Integral Time Only in 40mm. This new release could become a very popular one for the brand. Next to that, Hublot also introduces the impressive Yellow Gold Collection and three new Sang Bleu II timepieces. Time to find out more.Hublot doesn’t shy away from shocking us with its new releases. Over the years, the brand has proven that creating timepiece...