Five Great Big Brand Choices For Under $10,000 (2021)
The chronograph is easily one of my favorite watch types. Unlike a diver or field watch, the chronograph is a tough one to master. There’s lots of info on display and the wrong design choices can lead to a visual mess. And then there are the movements; buyers LOVE to talk specifications. Thankfully, the big brands now offer some really compelling choices.With watches, we often talk more about what we don’t have instead of pausing to examine the current landscape. We say things like, “that’s great, but,” or, “I wish brand X would have done such and such instead.” Honestly, the complaints now border on the ridiculous because, at the risk of sounding cr...
Hands-On: The Neotype LM01
This is just a personal observation, but it seems that independent brands struggle to be different. What has become the norm is to add funky colors or textures to a watch’s dial. For example, fuchsia or neon green for the colors, and cobbles or nature-inspired shapes for the textures. While these trends were new and exciting three years ago, now, too many brands follow them. So how can a brand create novelty? In designing a new type of case shape. The Neotype LM01, a brand-new model from a brand-new French brand (phew!), offers a pebble-shaped case which is perfect for this type of watch.Wouldn't you say it's nice to see something new once in a while? Fratello covers some interesting n...
Best Watches Under $2,000 Today: Jorg's Pick From Aquastar
When Nacho asked me to write this article, I was genuinely torn between two different thoughts on how to spend my hard-earned $2,000. That’s why I decided to write this article and detail the process that took place in my mind. Truthfully, I think it’s a process that many of you will recognize when presented with the same choice. Whether I came up with the right choice for YOU remains to be seen. But my pick for the best sub-$2,000 watch is the Aquastar Deepstar II.When asked the question of what to buy for a $2,000 budget, my first thought was, “What can I get brand new?” It’s not really unfamiliar territory at all because, in the spring of this year, I wrote a...
TAG Heuer Monaco Purple Dial Limited Edition (2022)
As conventional wisdom attests, one of the keys to longevity is rejuvenation. The most iconic square-cased sports watch, the TAG Heuer Monaco, is living proof of that. Since 1969, the racing chronograph immortalized on the wrist of Steve McQueen has gone through a plethora of new wardrobes, facial reconstructions, and even a heart transplant two years ago. Keeping its maverick spirit alive, the Swiss watchmaker has administered an injection of a bold new color to the latest Monaco. Today, TAG Heuer is releasing the Monaco Purple Dial Limited Edition in a run of 500 numbered pieces.Before you gasp, let us recall the glorious case for purple watches here, which Brandon put forth this time last...
Summer Splash The Final Showdown: Tudor Vs. Serica Vs. Seiko
Ladies and gentlemen, my dear Fratelli! The time has come for the Summer Splash 2022 final! Over the past four weeks, you have followed along, made your suggestions, and cast your votes for your favorite watches. Now, it's time to see which one will be your true summer champion. However, this won't just be any old final. Not at all. In fact, this showdown finale will see three watches go head to head - the Tudor Pelagos FXD, the Serica 5303-3, and your wild-card pick. That's right, it's a three-way battle for the Summer Splash 2022 title. And after compiling all of your picks for the wild-card contestant, there was only one watch that was agreed upon the most. But which of the many brilliant...
Grand Seiko Adds The SLGH017 "Night Birch" To The Collection
We have discussed the Grand Seiko Evolution 9 collection quite a lot here at Fratello. The Japanese brand’s collection of modern timepieces with new case designs features quite a few remarkable releases. My personal favorite is the SBGE285 Mist Flake GMT. Another much-talked-about release from the same collection is the SLGH005 “White Birch”. It was followed by the Spring Drive version nicknamed the “White Birch II”. Today, we see the release of the black-dial SLGH017 “Night Birch. The twist to this new release is that it is executed in titanium.It has been interesting to see all the different Grand Seiko Evolution 9 releases. The combination of modern des...
#TBT A Wine Tasting With Accurate Form Straps
It was a wild card in my selection of six straps from the Japanese manufacturer Accurate Form. And as sometimes happens, wild cards can surprise us and steal the show. Well, I can say without a shadow of a doubt that this wine-colored Japanese cowhide strap completely stole my heart.Let me give you a little context. About 95% of my watch collection consists of vintage watches, so understandably, I am always on the lookout for the best straps to fit my 50-plus-year-old timepieces. Over the years, I’ve discovered two strap makers whose products most closely represent my idea of the best vintage watch straps. The first one is Torre Straps, especially the box-stitched pigskin strap with a ...
Frederique Constant & Christiaan Van Der Klaauw Tourbillon Planetarium
Only Watch auctions never cease to amaze. The auction brings some of the biggest names together to create horological marvels, all in the name of charity. For the tenth edition of this biennial auction, the catalog boasts several intriguing collaborations between brands. However, for Fratello, as a Dutch company, one of these collaborations hits a little closer to home. In an extraordinary display of cosmic artistry, Frederique Constant teamed up with Dutch independent brand Christiaan van der Klaauw to craft a one-of-a-kind masterpiece - the Tourbillon Planetarium Only Watch 2023.The partnership between Frederique Constant and Christiaan van der Klaauw goes beyond creating a watch. It also ...
Hands-On With The Eccentric Lebond Siza
Not too long ago, I wrote the introduction article for the eccentric Lebond Siza, a watch designed by the 89-year-old Portuguese architect lvaro Siza. The famous architect used one of his earliest works to come up with a watch that is anything but ordinary. It walks a fine line between a functional wristwatch and an extravagant design object, making it an intriguing debut piece for Lebond Watches. The Barcelona-based brand produced a unique timepiece and gave us the chance to go hands-on with it too.The power of great architecture is that it is so much more than simply functional buildings to live or work in. A tremendously designed and constructed piece of architecture conveys emotions sim...
Are Conglomerates Eroding The Origins Of Luxury Watchmaking?
Let's start with a bit of mindfulness before we answer the question of whether conglomerates are eroding the origins of luxury watchmaking. The ultimate luxuries in life are gratefulness and contentment. You can't buy them, yet their availability is unlimited for those who are open to them. Material luxury, on the other hand, is the absolute opposite. Its accessibility is extremely limited, and only money grants you excess. But luxury is big business for the masses nowadays, and the large luxury groups are mass-producers of watches, for instance, that can be debated on their merits. The term luxury and, therefore, the classic craft of luxury watchmaking are under pressure.The word luxury is ...
Alternative Rectangular Cool: Five Great Options
Cartier’s resurgence is massive, with the brand riding a Kanagawa-sized wave of sales and praise. And yes, along with the Tank, we also love the JLC Reverso and its flippable charms. But what if your budget is a lot less or you simply don’t love those watches’ looks? Trust us, for your wrist, there’s a lot of alternative rectangular cool out there.Even if you don’t want to spend more than $1,000, cool rectangular watches are still out there. Maybe you’ve only worn circular wristwear and just want to dip your toes in the water. The choices I’ve put together here are a sweet mix of Art Deco classicism and small brands along with a pre-owned wild card p...
Road-Testing The Tudor Pelagos FXD Chrono "Cycling Edition"
What's the best way to test the Tudor Pelagos FXD Chrono Cycling Edition to the fullest? You take it out for a spin - a long one from Bern to Zermatt, for instance. The Chasing Cancellara BernCZermatt cycling event is a 310km endurance race that also has its participants overcome 5,000 meters of climbing. Fabian Cancellara is the Swiss cycling legend who now owns Tudor Pro Cycling, and this event brought the worlds of cycling and watches together most spectacularly. I strapped on the carbon fiber cycling chrono and went for a ride that led my teammate and me through the Gantrisch natural park, over the passes Mittelberg and Col du Pillon into the lower part of Valais to reach Zermatt in the ...
Glashuette original senator
Marcus Hanke wrote a review/posting on the new Senator series, introduced at Basel 2005.“About four years ago, Heinz W. Pfeifer, then president of Glash?otte Original, mentioned a new automatic movement, designated cal. 100, to be in development. Of course, this stirred some unrest among the fans of the brand, and many hesitated to purchase a watch with a movement that seemingly would be replaced within some months or so.However, the years passed by, and the cal. 100 remained unseen. We knew it would eventually come and replace the traditional GO standard movement, the cal. 39, but the exact date of its release was unclear.Finally, at the Basel fair 2005, Dr. Frank M?oller, now the man...
Omega Hour Vision For Little Money
Since Omega started making in-house movements (again), you could say that they stepped up a bit on the horological ladder. Their Hour Vision is a very interesting watch, not only because the caliber 8500 movement, but also because of the classic case design that resembles their 1960s models. Furthermore, their Hour Vision has this nice sapphire centre part in the watch case, enabling you to look at the movement when wearing the watch.I just noticed that there is one for sale via one of the Dutch watch forums (DeZinVanLuxe) and Chrono24 for just over 2500 euro. The sellers asks more through Chrono24, but that gives you some room to bargain, I guess. Perhaps because the local (Dutch) forum see...
OMEGA And The 2012 Olympic Games In London
This year, it is 80 years ago that Omega became the official timekeeper at the Olympic Games in Los Angeles in 1932. During these 80 years, Omega has been the official timekeeper 25 times.The Games will start at the 27th of July and will go on for 17 days. Over 10,000 of athletes and officials from over 200 countries are participating in the Olympic Games in London. Omega's count down clock has been put in place in March last year and is rapidly approaching the start of the Games.Watch enthusiasts over the world are probably most familiar with the special edition watches that Omega has been introducing over the last few years. However, for the 2012 London Games, Omega did something really sp...
Hands-On Laurent Ferrier Galet Classic Tourbillon
Laurent Ferrier Galet Classic TourbillonBefore we start our hands-on?Laurent Ferrier Galet Classic Tourbillon review, I’d like to spend a few words on the watch maker first. Laurent Ferrier has come a long way, but was able to put himself on the independent watchmaking map quite rapidly. Founded in 2008, ?Laurent Ferrier managed to win the Best Men's Watch award only two years later at the Geneva Watchmaking Grand Prix in 2010. The jury, consisting of international experts, was impressed with the innovative yet classic design of the Laurent Ferrier?Galet Classic Tourbillon. Featuring a double balance spring. Laurent Ferrier will enter the books as the?youngest brand ever to win this pr...
Speedy Tuesday We Have A Look At The New Ceramic Speedmaster Collection
Omega introduced the Dark Side of the Moon in 2013 and a year later, the Grey Side of the Moon was shown to the public during the BaselWorld exhibition. The Dark Side of the Moon has been extremely successful to Omega in the meanwhile. Reason for Omega to introduce a couple more ceramic Speedmaster watches in 2015. Have a look at the new ceramic Speedmaster collection in this week’s Speedy Tuesday article and read some of my thoughts about these watches.I have seen them a couple of times now, in BaselWorld of course, but also during the Speedmaster Event in Houston as well as a preview at the Omega Boutique in Cannes where I was a few weeks ago. So often enough (with some time in betwe...
New Linde Werdelin Model LW10-24
Linde Werdelin – 10 years of watchesAlthough the Linde Werdelin company is older than 10 years, they introduced their first watch in 2006. Jorn Werdelin and Morten Linde, old friends (40 years of friendship) that went into different directions (professionally) but shared the same passion for watches. In these 10 years, we’ve seen them launching the Biformeter models via the 2nd generation of Linde Werdelin watches like the Spido and Oktopus collection to what I will show you in this article: The LW10-24. The decoding of the LW10-24 is fairly easy, but?explaining?the complexity of this watch is not.LW10-24Commemorating 10 years of Linde Werdelin watches and a GMT function. That...
#TBT Glycine Airman Special
Today on #TBT, we'll take a look at one of the more legendary tool watches in the Glycine Airman. It's a watch that I've always desired, but, for one reason or another, never purchased until only recently. Even then, I wound up with the watch before you by accident more on that later but boy am I glad I did. The Airman is a great watch and for a piece so well known, it's still relatively easy to find and shhh it's downright affordable! Let's take a lookThe Glycine Airman Special advertisement (photo credit: forums.watchuseek.com)History of the Glycine AirmanMuch has been written about the history of the Glycine Airman, so I won't recount the gory details. The long and short of it, though, is...
Sign-up For The Exclusive Grand Seiko Experience With Fratello Watches
Ever wondered why watch connoisseurs are praising Grand Seiko? Or perhaps you are already a Grand Seiko fan and want to learn more about this Japanese manufacture.Together with Grand Seiko, Fratello Watches organizes an exclusive reader's trip to Japan from September 23 to September 29. We visited (Grand) Seiko ourselves at the end of 2015, which not only opened our eyes to high-end watchmaking in Japan, but also remember it as one of the best experiences ever (and we've seen many manufactures). This led to the idea to do a very similar journey for our readers, together with Robert-Jan Broer of Fratello Watches and Grand Seiko.You will be able to see with your own eyes how precise and commit...