When you sit down and think about it, the beginning of the year is an arbitrary time to think about goals. Sure, the calendar changes, but plans can be made anytime. For a collector like me, though, the beginning of the year is as good of a time as any to set resolutions. It forces me to take action.Last year, I was clear with my resolutions. I focused on smaller, simpler watches and a pocket watc

Today we present the Peter Speake-Marin Immortal Dragon, a piece unique featuring a superbly detailed relief hand engraving by the noted (Dutch) Kees Engelbarts. The case is in platinum with diamond bezel, and the movement is the SM2 caliber decorated with model-specific engraving. Although much more a fine art or jewelry piece than something to appeal to the fans of haute horology, the movement i

It’s Speedy Tuesday! Ever since we saw the new Speedmaster ’57 Caliber 9300 models – but especially after a couple of weeks of wearing it ourselves – the Fratellowatches team is in love with this particular model. In case you missed it, read our thorough hands-on review of the Speedmaster ’57 Caliber 9300 here. This week, we show you the stainless steel Omega Speedmas

Seiko MarinemasterLast year, I bought a handful of Seiko watches. Mainly just for the fun of it, but I quickly learned that these are quite serious watches in terms of what they have to offer. I bought a Seiko ‘Baby Tuna’ SRP231 after I saw it for the first time in the Seiko boutique in Amsterdam. I decided to ‘import’ it myself to save a quick buck (but FedEx did a friendl

Normally Michael Stockton takes care of our weekly recurring TBT feature, but due to extensive traveling he was unable to this week. To keep this installment of TBT true to him, I would like to talk about the Seiko 6159-7010 Tuna that I bought a couple of months ago. Lately, Mike is blaming me for his shopping spree concerning vintage Speedmaster watches. I actually delivered his latest (as far as

SIHH is all about glamour. Thick carpets, free champagne and beautifully dressed people who have not a single problem in the world socializing with each other that's what many people think about the watch exhibition hosted by the Fondation de la Haute Horlogerie in cold Geneva.While it is undeniable that SIHH has a certain chic compared to Baselworld the scenario I painted above is hardly the case

Back in December last year, Oris invited us to Zermatt for a presentation of their 2019 models. And not only for a presentation, however, for a marvellous day of skiing as well. So far for our writing being totally unbiased.While most of the models are under embargo and will be presented during Baselworld this year, one model was already introduced publicly by Oris two weeks ago. The?Oris ProDiver

ABOUT ARTISANS DE GENVE – OF INDEPENDENT CRAFTSMENArtisans de Genve is a watchmaking Maison based in Geneva, Switzerland. We offer an exclusive service of watch modification based on styles we propose. Our modifications are made exclusively upon request on a very limited number of timepieces,? in our workshops in Switzerland, by independent and highly skilled craftsmen. Artisans de Genve

If there’s one thing I’ve learned in all these +20 years of collecting Speedmasters, it is that ‘we’ also like to collect everything associated with these watches and the Moon program (or space). So for anyone looking to spend some money, here’s a list of cool Moonwatch Accessories.If you’re like me, there is a limitation on how many watches you can buy. I would

Whenever people I meet struggle to understand why I love the world of watchmaking so much, I will, from now on, show them an image of the Konstantin Chaykin Mouse King. It will save me a lot of time and effort explaining the simple joy complicated machines can sire.It may be the year of the rat, but it is the week of KC. With the Kansas City Chiefs suiting up for their first Super Bowl appearance

Red is one of the most celebratory features for the Chinese New Year. As we step into a new Lunar year of the Rat, it’s time for a bold creation for good luck and prosperity! The Vault V2+ Red CC is happy to oblige.The new Vault V2+ Red CC is a piece of mechanical art. It is a unique piece introduced by Vault, as a precursor to their upcoming new range V2. The V2+ showcases the brand's bespo

I never really cared about wearing the Tissot PR-516. I bought it because I just liked the look of it. It was only after I started looking into the background of this watch for this #TBT article that I discovered it was connected to Roger Moore and the Bond movies. How exciting to see a Tissot worth a few hundred? Euros next to the legendary Submariner reference 5513!I?have a?lot of brochures, pr

Personally, I like the idea of a limited edition release. But I have started hating the frequency with which brands like to use the words “limited edition.” And thankfully, some brands have taken a step back and realized they might have pushed the limits of the credibility of these two words.? But it does not necessarily mean there are no worthwhile limited editions anymore. We saw som

So you've just bought your first luxury wristwatch. For the sake of argument, and being this is Fratello, let's make it one of the brand new Master Chronometer Omega Speedmaster Moonwatches. To a lower level of detail, let's say this is the Hesalite version with a matching steel bracelet. Quite a nice catch - perhaps it was a gift to yourself for reaching a milestone or just something you always l

I’m the eldest of three. I have a great relationship with my parents and siblings, but it would be easy to paint me as the odd one out. I wouldn’t say I’m “unloved” (although I’m sure my family members would), it’s just that my younger brother and sister always seemed to “fit” a little bit better. They have certainly been responsible for fewer

It took me a while to get this one done. I received the new Nivada Super Antarctic lineup before the holiday season. I say “lineup” because the box had one of each of the three iterations. No problem, I thought, it should be a walk in the park. Then the end-of-year dinners started to roll in, preparing for my time off work, and finally COVID… As in me getting COVID. And this is e

Today, I sit down with Pim Koeslag. He’s the CEO of Ateliers de Monaco and technical director of both Frederique Constant and Alpina.Perhaps the highlight of the exchange is the conversation surrounding Frederique Constant’s innovative high-frequency oscillator. The “monolithic” oscillator is created from a single piece of silicon and has an operating frequency of 40Hz. Thi

The lion’s share of new watches you buy will drop in value like a rock the instant you put them on your wrist. Is that a bad thing? Not if you love the watch, wear it with pride, and start adding emotional value to it. But that will be worthless once you want to resell your watch. Is it the price you pay for losing interest in your former horological lover? “Your poor choice from the h

It took me a long, long time to get into chronographs. The first few years of my watch collecting were focused on divers, then field watches, and then exploration watches. But a good friend of mine (and a proper watch nerd) was into chronographs and convinced me to take a look. So I did. I started by reading about classics such as the Speedmaster, El Primero, and Daytona. It became clear that chro

The massively domed Bubble legend by Corum seems to exist in a time vacuum, and I respect it; what can I say? Nothing except a dome-topped MB&F or bling-fest Jacob & Co gets close to the mad side view of the Corum Bubble. Would I wear the new Bubble 47 Central Tourbillon? Maybe not. It depends on the actual size. I’ve got neither high hopes nor the requisite fat wallet, but that̵