Jaeger-LeCoultre's 2024 Master Ultra Thin Perpetual Calendar
Today, we look at the new Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Perpetual Calendar. This is one of my favorite models from the brand and certainly warrants attention whenever it’s updated. It’s never easy to cleanly pack in so many complications, but JLC seems to have pulled it off again.You can call me a heretic, but I have little love for highly complicated watches. I love chronographs, but that’s an exception because I normally enjoy an unadorned, simple dial. The Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Perpetual Calendar is a bigger exception, though. I blame Gerard because of his ’90s Master Control version of this model. It’s classy without looking too busy. The n...
The Jaeger-LeCoultre Duometre Returns
Jaeger-LeCoultre is a great watch brand, but Le Grand Maison from Le Sentier is arguably an even greater movement maker. There's an impressive wall in the manufacture that brings to life the brand's incredible tradition of creating innovative movements in all shapes and sizes. One of JLC's latest movement highlights was the Duometre concept, which debuted in 2007 in the shape of a chronograph. A Duometre movement features two separate barrels and two independent gear trains. Both link to a single escapement, ensuring that the complication doesn't negatively affect the time-keeping function. For some reason - was it because of price or complexity? - the Duometre faded away not too long after ...
New: Vacheron Constantin 39mm Patrimony Manual-Winding
What can we expect from Vacheron Constantin when it comes to new introductions? A new version of the 222, maybe some new Overseas variations, and a small number of super complicated pieces that show the brand’s intricate craftsmanship wouldn’t be unreasonable. How about a series of super clean Patrimony models that bring us back to the 1950s? There is something incredibly interesting about the new Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Manual-Winding and Patrimony Moon Phase Retrograde Date. These three watches shine because of their minimalist approach and may not stand out immediately. But they might be the humble stars of the brand’s new introductions.When I first saw the two new...
Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Tourbillon Chronograph
Every year at Watches and Wonders, Vacheron Constantin graces us with one or two exceptional pieces that show the brand’s magnificent watchmaking tradition. This year, the brand releases the brilliant Traditionnelle Tourbillon Chronograph that is part of the exclusive Collection Excellence Platine. This 50-piece limited edition was created specifically for collectors. It’s a very exclusive edition of the Traditionnelle Tourbillon Chronograph that first came out in 2020. It combines a tourbillon with a monopusher chronograph for stunning results.The Vacheron Constantin Collection Excellence Platine is an exclusive collection of platinum versions of some of the brand’s best t...
New: Vacheron Constantin Overseas With Green Dials
At this year's Watches and Wonders, we get to see new additions to Vacheron Constantin's popular Overseas collection. The integrated-bracelet sports model receives additions in pink gold with green dials as well as a full-titanium tourbillon model with a blue dial.The new green dials come in four Overseas variants. There is a 41mm Self-Winding version, a 42.5mm Chronograph, a 41mm Dual Time, and a 35mm Self-Winding version with a diamond-studded bezel. A single titanium tourbillon reference brings the total to five new Vacheron Constantin Overseas models. Let's have a closer look!Vacheron Constantin Overseas 101The Vacheron Constantin Overseas can trace its roots to the mid-1970s. Many of th...
Fratello Talks: A Guide To Gifting Watches
Hello there! Welcome to a new episode of Fratello Talks. This week, we have decided to discuss a topic we often get asked about - gifting watches. Nacho, RJ, and Daan explore the topic, discussing to whom you should gift a watch and when it’s appropriate to do so. Of course, they also provide some examples from their experience and share some stories of times when they have given and received watches as gifts, the former being the more common occurrence. Finally, they also provide some recommendations for the kinds of watches you should consider if looking to give someone this special gift. After all, a watch is an exceptional gift that could potentially last someone a lifetime. So tun...
The 5 Most Significant Releases From Watches And Wonders 2025
Another Friday, another list! After a week without a Top 5, we are back with a new one. Watches and Wonders 2025 is over. Now that the dust clouds have settled, it’s time to talk about favorites and the best of the show. In our current Fratello Favorites series, you can read all about our writers’ highlights from the event. In this week’s Top 5, we will stick to the most significant watches based on horological developments and trends that we saw during the fair in Geneva. Let’s find out what they are!Just to elaborate a bit on this list, it’s not a selection of favorites. This list is based on the relevance of the timepieces in a wider context. After a long wee...
New: Breitling Top Time B01 Fausto Coppi And Gino Bartali LEs
Fausto Coppi and Gino Bartali were each other's opposites. Coppi was an assertive, ascetic, and ambitious athlete, while Bartali was a calm and devoted Catholic who enjoyed a glass of wine with his pasta. Coppi's nickname was Il Campionissimo, which translates to Champion of Champions. Bartali was called Il Pio, meaning The Pious. The great rivalry between the two cyclists who competed against each other in the 1940s and 1950s never stood in the way of deep respect for each other that later turned into a friendship. Their duels on the road were mythical clashes that enchanted and inspired a nation. The Breitling Top Time B01 Fausto Coppi and Gino Bartali limited editions aspire to catch the ...
Louis Vuitton Watch Prize: Only A Few Days Left To Apply
Independent watchmakers can apply for the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize until April 15th. It will be the second edition of this competition that takes place every other year. For the last edition, more than 1,000 artisans submitted their creative projects. In the end, the jury selected the Regulateur Detente RP1 watch from the Swiss Ral Pags. This watch with a pivoted detent escapement was crafted and finished entirely in-house by Pags. Regulateur Detente RP1 by Ral Pags Regulateur Detente RP1 Louis Vuitton Watch PrizeThe invitation to apply for the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize is open to independent watchmakers worldwide. A dedicated team, in close collaboration ...
A Top 5 Of BaselWorld 2011 Watches
Actually, there are two Top 5s. One with watches in the more affordable range and one with watches that should be considered ‘extreme haute horlogerie’. Since I joined Ernie Romers of Watchuseek during BaselWorld, I’ve put both Top 5 lists in the BaselWorld forum at Watchuseek. Click here to go there.Here are two teasers from both lists. In the ‘extreme haute horlogerie’ list, I only picked two established brands and one of them is Patek Philippe with their Perpetual Calendar Chronograph ref.5270. With a price tag of approx. $155,000.- USD definitely not for everyone, but for those who can : You need this watch. Period.In the other Top 5, I picked Omega as one o...
IWC TOP GUN Collection Launched At Airport Eelde In The Netherlands
Yesterday, IWC introduced their new Pilot collection of watches at Airport Eelde in The Netherlands. Besides the product presentation, done by their Head of Design, there was also one of the TOP GUN pilots explaining to us how important time is for a pilot.In the picture above you see RJ pretending he is a TOP GUN pilot in a jet. In fact, the watch on his wrist is the actual watch of the TOP GUN pilot that was present during the event.IWC restyled a hangar, with two very nice planes (a Spitfire and a L39 jet), lovely stewardesses and a great bar and a long table with room for everyone to enjoy a superb lunch. Friend of the brand Michiel Borstlap (proudly wearing a Big Pilot) made sure there ...
WWL Top 10 Omega Speedmaster References
It's weekend! We decided to come up with some easy-to-digest content for the weekend, as you've probably been doing enough reading all week. From now on, we will publish our Weekend Watch Lists feature every weekend, to show you overviews with information about the consumer watch market. Our overviews are based on data from on-line watch consumers. Per list we will indicate the countries from which we used the data, as this will vary to keep it interesting. It will be interesting to see how much taste in watches can differ per country and continent. Data is retrieved from Chronolytics.ch, watch market research company that operates under the flag of Ebner Verlag (publishing house of magazine...
Watch Spotting At BaselWorld 2017 Which Watches Were The Visitors Wearing?
Like every year, we visit BaselWorld to report to you about watches. It is our job. However, we are watch collectors and enthusiasts above everything else. So we always keep an eye out on what other people are wearing. Here is an overview of what we’ve seen at BaselWorld.Watch SpottingSpotting watches on other people’s wrist is something ‘natural’ to do for us watch geeks. Depending where you live, a city or a village, what you do etc. you will come across some interesting watches (from interesting people) every now and then. In Basel, where the biggest watch trade show in the world takes place, it is no big deal to find and discover nice watches. However, there is a ...
#TBT The Elusive Seiko 7A28-7090 Yacht Timer Chronograph
We don't get hate mail often at Fratello Watches, but we did get it when I wrote an article about the 1978 Seiko 7549 Golden Tuna. I was awfully enthusiastic about it and still am but there were those who felt the need to share some vitriol related to my love for a watch with a battery or, more generally, how I waxed on and on about how a watch can or can't have character. So be it. On the latter point, if you don't like hearing about connecting with one's watch, go and read the Economist or Consumer Reports. Related to this, when it comes to Quartz movements, while they may lack the need for the owner to interact with the watch on a near daily basis, they have their place in watch history a...
Sunday Morning Showdown: Cartier Santos De Cartier Large
In this Sunday morning column, 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. This week, one of the classiest classics is up for discussion. We give you, the Cartier Santos De Cartier Large.Who would have thought it? The Cartier Santos is becoming a regular player on the Fratello rotation. I for one think that makes for an interesting conversation topic. But not all Santos watch...
Submariner Historical Overview Of A Diving Legend
The design of the Submariner 114060, is unmistakably , despite the size and use of modern materials such as ceramics. Compare the modern 114060 to the 1953 Submariner 6204 and you will immediately notice that these watches share the same DNA.Owning and wearing a Submariner is one thing, but to dive into the history of this watch is quite a task. To make it somewhat easier for you, we hereby show you the history of the Submariner in a nutshell, including a table with most important references since 1953 till the current line-up of Submariner watches.Diving Into SubmarinerThe Submariner is a watch with an interesting story. Introduced over 60 years ago, the current Submariner model (updat...
Submariner Historical Overview Of A Diving Legend
The design of the Submariner 114060, is unmistakably , despite the size and use of modern materials such as ceramics. Compare the modern 114060 to the 1953 Submariner 6204 and you will immediately notice that these watches share the same DNA.Owning and wearing a Submariner is one thing, but to dive into the history of this watch is quite a task. To make it somewhat easier for you, we hereby show you the history of the Submariner in a nutshell, including a table with most important references since 1953 till the current line-up of Submariner watches.Diving Into SubmarinerThe Submariner is a watch with an interesting story. Introduced over 60 years ago, the current Submariner model (updat...
Blast Hourstriker By Ulysse Nardin A Minute Repeater Reinterpreted
Minute repeaters represent the very pinnacle of watchmaking along with other major complications like the perpetual calendar. The idea that you can hear time as well as (or instead of) seeing it comes from a period before the first wristwatch was even a thought.Every medieval city had a clock in a church tower (or otherwise), that chimed the time to its citizens. With the new Blast Hourstriker, Ulysse Nardin is trying to “upgrade” this illustrious complication by combining the old idea with modern materials and technology.Blast HourstrikerUlysse Nardin’s latest creation is an innovative, striking timepiece that oversteps barriers in sound technology. However, for the brand ...
The MING 17.09 Brings Two Flavors And A New Ordering Process!
We’re always ready for a new MING release and today just happens to be the day. The new MING 17.09 is the last of the well-loved 17 series and it brings two colors as well as details from more expensive models. Best of all, there’s a new ordering process that should help fans secure one of these pieces.The MING 17.09 is here and like some of the brand’s prior releases, it comes in two flavors. It also marks the end of an era because this will be the last of the 17 series of watches. We take a brief look at these watches from afar, but don’t fret because we’ll go hands-on in the next month.The MING 17.09Before we begin, I should mention that the first MING I ever...
Watches & Wonders 2021: The Zenith Defy Extreme, A Watch That Lives Up To Its Name
Zenith has been showing a lot of love for its DEFY family over the last month or so. We’ve seen some colorful new additions, all designed to show off a different side of the advanced chronograph’s character. Now the Swiss brand has released a new iteration of the DEFY’s identity. Today we welcome the Zenith DEFY Extreme to the family!Zenith likes to be creative with the DEFY collection; just look at the DEFY 21 Felipe Pantone or the DEFY 21 Ultrablue. The Extreme name does give a pretty good indication of what the new watches entail. I saw the name before I saw the photos, and I immediately thought it would be a rugged upgrade. I was correct! Think of the robust armor upgra...