Jaeger-LeCoultre Now Sells Restored Vintage Watches Too
Watch brands are like car dealers nowadays. You sell a new car to a customer, you make money off servicing the car, and after a certain amount of time, you buy the car back. After hopefully selling another new automobile to the same person, you refurbish the old one and sell it for the second time. Replace the word car with watch, and you see what I mean. There are similarities, but there are also great differences. We're not talking mass-produced, five-year-old hatchbacks here. We’re talking real vintage watch gems - collector's items, rare pieces, and complicated creations with historical value. Longines and Vacheron Constantin already offer a curated selection of historical timepiec...
Grand Seiko GMT Battle: SBGE283 Vs. SBGN027
It’s time for another Sunday Morning Showdown! It’s that day of the week when two of the Fratello writers go head to head in a heated battle defending watches they love. In this week’s showdown, Nacho and Jorg decided to set up a battle between two different Grand Seiko GMTs. Both represent the Japanese brand’s quest for watchmaking excellence at separate price points with different movements and different designs. Which of these two brilliant timepieces would be your pick in this week’s battle of the Grand Seiko GMTs? Will it be the Spring Drive SBGE283 or the quartz SBGN027? Time to find out!This week’s matchup is an indirect result of Jorg’s artic...
Three New Hublot Watches For LVMH Watch Week
Boisterous watch fans, rejoice! These three new Hublot watches will scratch your itch for color instantly. And apart from the colors, the watches are out of the ordinary in every possible way. The Big Bang Unico Green Saxem, for instance, features a case made of a brightly colored, transparent, sapphire-like material. And the Classic Fusion Tourbillon Orlinski comes in two very vibrant shades of ceramic - Sky Blue and Yellow MagicSay what you will about Hublot, but the brand does use some very interesting materials for its watches. Steel is the odd one out in a collection where titanium, ceramic, and sapphire take center stage. In the case of the Big Bang Unico Green Saxem, Hublot introduces...
Zenith Extends The Chronomaster Sport Line
Zenith has been very consciously adding new models to its Chronomaster Sport lineup. Last year, the brand released the first two models with a stainless steel bezel, which looked very nice. Additionally, Zenith released the Aaron Rodgers limited edition. Besides having a green dial and bezel, it was also the first Chronomaster Sport with Arabic numerals for the hour markers. Zenith is following up on that release with a regular green model this year. The brand is now also introducing a new rose gold Chronomaster Sport with a meteorite dial and a gem-set bezel. What’s not to love?Last year’s Zenith Chronomaster Sport Aaron Rodgers was a limited edition of just 250 pieces. The reac...
Zenith Introduces The Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar
These are exciting times at Zenith. With former Zenith CEO Julien Tornare moving on to TAG Heuer and new CEO Beno?t de Clerck taking over, it will be interesting to see what is next for the brand. What Tornare and his creative team of Romain Marietta and Sebastien Gobert achieved was quite wonderful, meaning that the new CEO De Clerck has some pretty big shoes to fill. Though it was developed while Tornare was still at the helm, the new Zenith Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar is the first important release that De Clerck will present. And at first glance, it is the perfect next step for the Chronomaster Original line. Let’s find out more!A Zenith El Primero Triple Calendar is not ...
Hands-On: The New TAG Heuer Carrera Dato Chronograph
After introducing the Carrera Glassbox models in 2023, TAG Heuer unveiled its latest addition to this collection during LVMH Watch Week in Miami. Meet the TAG Heuer Carrera Dato Chronograph with a teal dial. Based on the 1968 Heuer Carrera 45 Dato, this Carrera has a date window at 9 o'clock.In 2021, TAG Heuer reintroduced the Dato in collaboration with our friends at Hodinkee. But, of course, that model did not feature the Glassbox crystal and curved flange around the dial. Today, TAG Heuer reveals the new Carrera Dato Chronograph with both of those elements plus a striking teal-green dial. According to the brand, this combination pays homage to a rich history while embracing a vibrant futu...
Introducing: Hublot MP-10 Tourbillon Weight Energy System
Today, Hublot is releasing a fascinating timepiece, the likes of which most of us have probably never seen. According to CEO Ricardo Guadalupe, I gave our designers and watchmakers carte blanche, and this is the fruit of their labors. Well, they certainly didn't hold back! Let me introduce you to the Hublot MP-10 Tourbillon Weight Energy System, the latest watch from the Manufacture Piece skunk works of Hublot.This is a limited edition of 50 pieces with a theme - verticalization. Yes, that's a word. Let's have a closer look at the madness that is the Hublot MP-10.Hublot MP-10: A vertical approach to watchmakingNormally, you have a handset pointing out the time on a horizontal dial. Also, on ...
Fratello Talks: LVMH Watch Week 2024 Special
Welcome to this special episode of Fratello Talks for LVMH Watch Week 2024! You join Nacho, Timo, and RJ, who run through the list of releases from Bvlgari, TAG Heuer, Hublot, and Zenith. It may still be early in the year, but we’ve already seen a ton of new watches. These brands have also given us more than a handful of new releases to be excited about. Among the novelties, you’ll find contemporary takes on classic designs, from Zenith adding a classic complication to a fan favorite to TAG Heuer bringing back the Dato dial in the Glassbox formula. Additionally, Bvlgari has dropped a couple of new, bold colorways for the Octo Finissimo, and Hublot is flexing its technical chops w...
Citizen Tsuyosa Automatic Space Surfer By IFL Watches
IFL Watches is one of the remarkable success stories of the past few years within the world of watches. I vividly remember seeing the brand’s Tissot PRX Arctic Sky and Midnight Sky models for the first time. At the hands of IFLW’s artists, the PRX had transformed into something even more unique with beautiful handpainted dials. I even thought of buying one before a regular PRX. Ever since then, I have been watching all the different releases that the Stockholm-based company has created. We have seen several models from G-Shock, Tissot, Oris, Timex, and Seiko, but the newest brand to join that list is Citizen. IFL Watches made a special custom version of the brand’s popular ...
Things That Have Improved And Things That Haven't In Watches
One of the many things I love about a good watch is its permanence. A properly built watch, well maintained, will not expire. This has been the case for decades now, but it is particularly evident these days through its contrast with our quick-consumption habits. However, although watches have long been made to last, some things have changed. Today, I examine a basic question: what has improved and what hasn't in terms of watch design and manufacturing?It is interesting to see how watches are still changing as it is such a mature product category. This isn't fringe technology that is in rapid development. Watches are also products that were arguably perfected a long time ago, so changes tend...
The Evolution Of The Artem Loop-Less? Sailcloth Strap
Over the past few years, I’ve gone on a journey of discovery with straps from Artem. With its name coming from the Latin phrase ars est celare artem (loosely translated, “true art conceals the means by which it is achieved”), the brand has steadily evolved and refined its products. From the initial black pin-buckle and two-piece sailcloth straps to Hybrid FKM and NATO options, Artem has a lot to offer. The standout strap selection is the Loop-Less? sailcloth, which has gone on to replace official OEM straps in my watch collection. Now available with an XS strap length (73/87mm) and widths ranging from 18mm to 21mm in five colors, the time has come to check out the Artem Loo...
New: Panerai Submersible PAM01676 Mike Horn Edition
Mike Horn is one of the greatest explorers of our time. Just going through a list of some of his biggest adventures gives you a pretty good idea of the seemingly limitless world that Horn lives in. His accomplishments are impressive if not stunning. During the last two decades, Panerai has been Horn’s steady partner. They’ve teamed up to raise environmental awareness, and the South African-born Swiss professional adventurer wears the brand’s watches, of course. Their latest collaborative effort is the Panerai Submersible QuarantaQuattro PAM01676. This new model is the perfect watch for Horn’s escapades. Let’s find out more.If you are unaware of Mike Horn’s...
Seven Reasons To Buy A Microbrand Watch
Here at Fratello, we’re fans of microbrand watches. There’s something about these watches, often from younger, smaller brands, that the heritage brands can’t offer. We write about many of them. Thomas even started a microbrand of his own, and even RJ occasionally admits to appreciating them from time to time. But what makes these microbrand watches so different from those offered by more mainstream brands? Why would you choose to buy a microbrand watch instead of one from a possibly more trustworthy and better-known brand? That’s exactly what we’re going to address below.I know the word “microbrand” can be a bit confusing. Everybody seems to have a d...
Introducing: The Urwerk UR-100V Hunter Green
Urwerk is confused. The brand doesn't know if its new watch has a green or gray face, and a compromise entered the name. The Urwerk UR-100V Hunter Green is sober green with hints of cool gray. Hunter green - Hex code #2c5f34 - is a lush, cool-toned green color between blue and green. If you want to mix the color yourself, you'll need 17.3% red, 37.3% green, and 20.4% blue. Once you've done so, the color might evoke feelings of balance and peace like you feel when standing in a vast forest. What happens when you put on the Urwerk UR-100V Hunter Green, I wonder…Urwerk befuddles me. First, the press release talks about how its new UR-100V Hunter Green shifts colors between gray and green ...
Meeting My Grail: The A. Lange & Sohne 1815 Chronograph
Working at Fratello has its perks. One of them is that, on rare occasions, we get access to our absolute grail watches. I had such an experience just a few months ago when I spent time with a Submariner ref. 5508. Today, I get yet another such opportunity. It’s my pleasure to go hands-on with the A. Lange & Sohne 1815 Chronograph ref. 414.028.If you are looking for a highly critical review full of clever consumer advicelook elsewhere. I can already give away that the 1815 lives up to all my expectations, cementing itself firmly at the top of my list of dream watches. This, then, is more of an ode to the 1815 Chronograph. If you’re up for that, let's dive in!Some historical c...
BaselWorld 2009: Omega Speedmaster Professional 40th Anniversary 02:56 GMT
Some pre-Basel 2009 news from our friends in Bienne, Switzerland. Every 5 years, Omega introduces a tribute Limited Edition Speedmaster Professional for the original ‘Moonwatch’ that landed on the Moon 21 July 1969, on the wrist of Buzz Aldrin.This coming July 21st, it will be 40 years ago that Aldrin had his caliber 321 Speedmaster Professional strapped on his space suit and Armstrong left his watch in the Lunar Module because of a defect electronic timing system. Check my earlier post on the exact Speedmaster models used during this mission. You can find it here: https://www.fratellowatches.com/archives/2008/07/21/omega-speedmaster-it-is-39-years-ago/.As you might know, I am a ...
AskMen IWC Portofino Hand-Wound Eight-Days
Already mentioned a few posts earlier (about the SIHH), the IWC Portofino Hand-Wound Eight Days timepiece with hand made Santoni strap is something to look forward too. Although I am a bit skeptic about the quality / durability of their in-house movements, IWC knows how to design a watch. It seems that almost every model in their catalog is very likable, also by non-watch aficionados. Now, if they can crank up the quality of the caliber 50000 movements a bit (I’ve seen too much? 7 days power reserve models with troubles in the last few years), I might be interested in getting one myself as well at some point.The IWC Portofino Hand-Wound Eight Days is surely a timepiece that I would lik...
Baume & Mercier Clifton 8-Day Power Reserve
This watch was already shown as a pre-SIHH 2015 release a while back, but nothing beats to see a watch in the flesh. I suspect that this watch was chosen to be a shown to the public as a pre-SIHH release for a few reasons, one of them is that it is commemorating the 185th anniversary of the Baume & Mercier manufacture in 2015 and that it is a limited piece. So orders could be given in time. Another reason might be that Baume & Mercier’s SIHH 2015 presentation had a strong focus on the Classima collection. We will get back to the Classima collection soon, but first we’ll have a look at this Baume & Mercier Clifton 8-Day Power Reserve 185th Limited Edition watch.Baume &...
Hands-On With The New Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Extra-Thin in Yellow Gold
I am a huge fan of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Extra-Thin, or as it was called before 2012, the ‘Jumbo’. It was actually one of the watches that sparked my interest in mechanical watches in the mid 1990s. Today, I talk you through the new reference 15202BA.OO.1240BA.01, the yellow gold Royal Oak Extra-Thin in yellow gold to commemorate the 40th anniversary of the first model in this precious metal.Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Extra-ThinYou all know the story. Gerald Genta designed the Royal Oak for Audemars Piguet, based on the port holes of the HMS Royal Oak vessels. The name Royal Oak originated from the sacred tree that hid King Charles II of England and protected him from his ...
Speedy Tuesday An Interview With The Collector Who Bought The 2915-1 At The Bukowskis Auction
You might remember the Bukowskis watch auction from October last year, where two Speedmaster CK2915 watches were auctioned. One of them fetched the world record price for the Speedmaster,?$275,508 US dollars. This Speedmaster CK2915-1 from June 1958, was actually a very early model and had the correct?7077/6 bracelet as well. Last year marked the 60th anniversary of the Speedmaster, which Omega celebrated extensively (including the introduction of a 60th anniversary model of their Speedmaster). But what would be the best thing to buy in the 60th birth year of the Speedmaster? Right, a CK2915 watch.The buyer of the Speedmaster CK2915-1 watch from Bukowskis contacted us and was happy to answer...