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!

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 heavi

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 br

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, “

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 G

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 t

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 expe

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 div

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 (SIHH201

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 notice

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

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-c

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-c

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.

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,

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 (

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 understatemen

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. T

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 e

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