Why I Bought The Girard-Perregaux 1966 40mm With Gradient Dial
Now and then, you come across a watch that awakens the desire for a feature that is missing in your collection. That may be a particular design, a certain complication, or… or a dial color.Although a constant flow of watch news washes up Fratello’s shores, I, like you, can hardly get enough of that. When I’m passing shop windows of jewelers, I cannot resist checking what they currently offer. Which novelties have finally arrived in the shops? How do the watches I did not have the chance to see live before look in real life? Is there anything I missed?To the latter category belongs Girard-Perregaux‘s 2018 edition of the 1966 40mm in steel with a gradient gray dial. The...
Which Modern Speedmaster Is Closest To The Original Moonwatch?
We receive quite a number of questions regarding the Speedmaster, and some of these messages are very similar. One of the recurring questions we receive about the Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch is in regards to its Moon heritage.One of the Fratello readers asked us the following question: Which modern Speedmaster is closest to the original Moonwatch?We do get this question quite often indeed, so today, we’ll share our answer (or opinion, as you wish). The number of different Speedmaster models in the current Omega collection can be a bit confusing for people. The Moonwatch is, by definition, a hand-wound watch, but not all hand-wound Speedmasters are considered Moonwatches. T...
The New Bamford Peanuts "Joe Preppy" GMT Limited Edition
It’s been a little under a year since Dave wrote about the Bamford Revolution GMT Joe Cool Limited Edition. In the article, Dave made the great claim that we need more fun watches! I wholeheartedly agree with that statement. After all the exquisite horological madness and serious discussions about the latest introduction at Watches and Wonders, we can use a bit of fun. What better way than to have a bit of fun with another Bamford Peanuts collaboration timepiece? This time, Bamford hooked up with our good friends across the pond to create the Bamford Peanuts “Joe Preppy” GMT Limited Edition For Hodinkee. Get ready for some London meets New York preppy style.Last year’...
The New Baltic 5th-Anniversary Aquascaphe Dual-Crown LE (2022)
Five years ago, Etienne Malec and two other collectors (Paul Bienstman and Clement Daniel) came together to create Baltic watches. Since then, the brand's creations have captured the imagination of enthusiasts and seen an incredible rise in popularity. The latest MR-01 model made waves on social media. For a few weeks when it came out, the watch and its stunning micro-rotor movement absolutely dominated my Instagram feed. Baltic's classic designs are inspired by its founders’ love for the classic and analog. These classic designs are undeniably appealing. And thanks to the brand's direct-to-customer sales model, the pricing for the watches is more than fair. The brand's success, theref...
Which Modern Speedmaster Is Closest To The Original Moonwatch?
We receive quite a number of questions regarding the Speedmaster, and some of these messages are very similar. One of the recurring questions we receive about the Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch is in regards to its Moon heritage.One of the Fratello readers asked us the following question: Which modern Speedmaster is closest to the original Moonwatch?We do get this question quite often indeed, so today, we’ll share our answer (or opinion, as you wish). The number of different Speedmaster models in the current Omega collection can be a bit confusing for people. The Moonwatch is, by definition, a hand-wound watch, but not all hand-wound Speedmasters are considered Moonwatches. T...
The New Cartier Tank Louis Cartier In Yellow Gold And Black
There is no question that Cartier is hot property at the moment. In the last two years especially, things have gotten rather crazy. And rightfully so! If you look at the sheer number of great Cartier releases, you can see why there are many fans of the brand. In all honesty, though, I wasn’t one until this year. Don’t get me wrong. I have great respect for Cartier, and I love what the brand stands for. But up until recently, my respect never turned into a great love for one of the brand’s timepieces, no matter how much I wanted it to. But during Watches And Wonders 2022, that changed. The new Cartier Tank Louis Cartier in yellow gold and black represents all I love about Ca...
The Omega Swatch Speedmaster MoonSwatch: Mission to Saturn
When joining Fratello at the beginning of this year, I knew I was entering a Speedmaster-enthusiast stronghold. Quickly after joining and trying on the 2021 Speedmaster Professional in the office, I was convinced and swapped my First Omega in Space for one. And now, only about a month later, I’m adding yet another Speedmaster to the collection. Not just any Speedmaster, though. It’s the Mission to Saturn Speedmaster MoonSwatch, launched about two weeks ago. And boy, is it a joy to wear!But before we get into it, I’d like to suggest a soundtrack for while you’re reading this hymn to the MoonSwatch. Is anyone familiar with Gustav Holst’s orchestral suite called Th...
The New Grand Seiko Heritage Collection 44GS LE SBGW289
Japan is a place of great natural beauty. It is also a country with a fascinating culture, excellent cuisine, and a deep-rooted passion for watchmaking. Two of these elements come together within the walls of the Grand Seiko HQ in northern Japan. Excellence in watchmaking is the brand’s primary purpose. But showcasing an expression of the country's natural beauty through said watchmaking is just as important. Textured dials inspired by very specifically observed natural phenomena add a sort of quiet poetic beauty to Grand Seiko's creations. And the new Grand Seiko Heritage Collection 44GS 55th Anniversary LE (ref. SBGW289) is no exception. It celebrates the springtime blooming of the c...
Montblanc 1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen The 8000 Models
Do you ever think about oxygen? The chances are you don't really. I mean, under normal circumstances, you breathe the stuff subconsciously and automatically, and that's it. But when you're ascending the highest mountains on earth, oxygen is definitely on your mind. Or rather, the lack of it. The now-retired famous climber Reinhold Messner and the man who followed in his footsteps, Nimsdai Purja, managed to climb the world's highest peaks without supplementary oxygen - something they thought long and hard about beforehand. Two new Montblanc 1858 Geosphere 0 Oxygen watches in the 2023 collection also do without oxygen. And that is not just for show.During Watches and Wonders 2023, two new Mont...
Watch Prices Are Rising Will Greed Ruin The Industry?
How much further can watch prices rise before buyers walk away? This year's Watches and Wonders confirmed an ongoing development: watch brands are increasing their prices at an accelerating pace. On the one hand, it makes sense because sales in numbers seem unaffected, so the brands just take home a larger chunk of the market value of their watches. On the other hand, aficionados are turning away already. Could that be a sign of impending doom?Watches and Wonders 2023 saw the introduction of many desirable watches. Many, however, left us in shock about the accompanying price tags. Time to have a look at what is happening to watch prices and what it may imply for the future.Some recent watch ...
A Detailed Look At The 2023 Tudor Black Bay Design Update
Two weeks have passed since Watches and Wonders 2023. And now we enter the territory where only the most remarkable of watches remain top of mind. Of course, these will vary from person to person. But for me, it’s namely two novelties in the Tudor Black Bay line that occupy that spot. In a digital age when we’re all thrust into a fast-paced news cycle and serotonin-chasing scroll frenzy on social media, it’s worth noting those things that do manage to cling to our rapidly degenerating short-term memories. But before these thoughts slide into oblivion to be replaced by funny animal videos, flexy semi-nude influencers, and an incessant stream of wrist shots, I thought I’...
New: Montblanc Iced Sea 0 Oxygen Deep 4810 & Iced Sea Autos
Sometimes when you're successful, you get a street or a park named after you. When a watch becomes a bestseller, it gets its very own collection. Well, that's what happened at Montblanc, anyway. In 2022, the brand introduced the Iced Sea dive watch in the 1858 collection. Now the coolest of divers stands on its own. And there are three new models in the collection. The most impressive is the Montblanc Iced Sea 0 Oxygen Deep 4810, a chronometer-certified diver that can brave depths of 4,810 meters - as deep as Mont Blanc is tall. Two more new additions are the Iced Sea Automatic Date with a bronze case and a steel version with a burgundy dial.Do you want the full spec list or the story-tellin...
New: Nivada F77 Titanium Meteorite, F77 Lapis Lazuli, And More
Since its release, the F77 has become a polarizing model. Nivada fans love it, but others may not be enthusiastic due to its integrated-bracelet look. I won’t get into that debate. This new F77 is a mere re-edition of a vintage piece, and I find the watch a beautifully executed reinterpretation of the 1970s model. So far, though, the number of variants has been limited. That is now over. Nivada is releasing the F77 with an all-new titanium case and bracelet some beautiful new dial variants.About a year ago, I took a closer look at the F77. You can find my thoughts on the watch here. Everything I needed to tell you about the model is in that article, so I will avoid repeating myself. In...
Bvlgari Releases From Watches And Wonders 2024
Watches and Wonders 2024 has been filled with new releases. Bvlgari is no stranger to the event and came with several offerings. This year, the brand focused on thin watches and set a record. Yes, the Octo Finissimo took a leading role, but other releases were worth covering.Bvlgari makes some seriously attractive watches, and while the Italian house tends to focus on more progressively styled pieces, the design language has persevered. The Octo Finissimo, for example, is a popular watch and deserves ample credit for its unique looks and quality finishing. This year at Watches and Wonders, Bvlgari brought true innovation to the event. Yes, Bvlgari was originally a jeweler, but that doesnR...
Introducing: The Parmigiani Tonda PF Micro-Rotor No Date
I don’t know exactly why, but Parmigiani Fleurier isn’t a brand we often discuss in the Fratello office. For some reason, the brand often passes just below our radar. Maybe it simply has something to do with the fact that its watches are out of budget for most of our team members. However, whenever we see one or write about a new release, the watches always impress us with their looks and refinement. That’s certainly also true of today’s novelty, the Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Micro-Rotor No Date.At last year’s edition of Watches and Wonders, Parmigiani Fleurier expanded the Tonda PF collection with six new models. This year, however, only two new versions joi...
The Updated Oris Aquis Date Range
In 2013, Oris released the Aquis Depth Gauge, which spawned a new collection of modern dive watches. This deep diver had a unique mechanical depth gauge, highlighting the brand’s ambition to create practical applications rather than superfluous complications. The Aquis was made a bona fide collection when the core design cues of the Depth Gauge were later separated into a bespoke dive range. A subtle facelift in 2017 introduced even more angular design cues, cementing the Aquis as Oris’s best-selling watch across all regions. For 2024, Oris has updated the Aquis for a new generation looking for contemporary designs and high performance.I've always enjoyed the Oris Aquis due to it...
Vintage Cool: The Orfina Porsche Design Chronograph 1
An all-black vintage chronograph with the design chops of Ferdinand Alexander Porsche makes for an intriguing vintage option. Today, we’re looking at the Valjoux 7750-powered Porsche Design Chronograph 1 by Orfina.I love blacked-out watches. There is something particularly cool about them. The IWC RAAF with its black ceramic case has been a personal favorite recently. Today, though, I’ll highlight one of the first blacked-out watches. This Orfina Porsche Design Chronograph 1 watch is not only an attractive and sturdy chronograph from the 1970s but also an important piece of industrial design history. Recently, I had the opportunity to spend some time with a vintage example and wa...
The Best Watches And Wonders 2025 Releases: Nacho's Picks
Though it seems like an age has passed, Watches and Wonders 2025 closed its doors just less than a week ago. The intense week-long event sees media, retailers, and other interested entities tread thousands of steps onto Palexpo’s uncanny light brown carpet as they flock from appointment to appointment. This is where we first get to lay eyes and hands on the hundreds (if not thousands) of new watches. After the week is over, we go back home for a bit of R&R and let it all sink in. As tradition dictates, we then take turns picking our favorites. You’ve already seen those of a few of my colleagues, and now it’s my turn to lay the cards down on the table.This year, I’...
Rado V10K
Jeremey O’Kelly emailed me the following link on the new Rado:Rado V10K at GizModoThe official Rado V10K page is here....
Speedmaster Missions Case #34 Up For Sale
This week’s MotoringExposure article on watches is about Omega’s Speedmaster Missions case. There is one (#34) up for sale on eBay for $145,000.- USD and as this is a very rare occasion, I thought it might be well worth blogging about. Of the 50 cases produced in total (in three batches of 40 and another 5 in 1997 and yet another 5 in 1998), this Missions case belongs to the first batch. These cases consist of 22 Speedmaster Mission models (with NASA mission patch at 9 o’clock) and 1 Speedmaster Replica to honor the first Speedmaster CK2915 of 1957. So, in total, $145K USD will bring you 23 timepieces, a loupe, a spare caliber 1861 movement and a nice case.Click here to go ...