Linde Werdelin's New LW Auction Platform
Linde Werdelin aims to push boundaries in the industry with the launch of its new LW Auction facility. As the pioneer of this innovative approach, Linde Werdelin is proud to offer customers an unprecedented opportunity to participate in a transparent and market-driven pricing process. The brand intends to focus on producing special unique pieces for its fanbase, albeit with a slight twist.Brand-owned auction facilities are nothing new per se. However, with the introduction of the LW Auction, the leaders of Linde Werdelin seek to redefine the traditional pricing model for their exceptional one-of-a-kind timepieces. This builds upon the success of the brand’s certified pre-owned platform...
Gerard's GADA Watch: G-Shock Square GW-M5610U-1
Go anywhere, do anything… Please rethink that. Honestly, what watch would be suitable to literally go anywhere and do anything a person could go and do? There are very few watches that you can use anywhere, in any situation, and for any purpose. And I even think there’s only one. But the expression, although nicely coined, often isn’t used literally. Many in the watch community use a more general meaning.So this article isn’t about an ancient Indian mace made of wood or metal, nor is it about an indigenous democratic socio-political system of the Oromo. Instead, it’s about the watch I’d wear in situations where my watch is likely to struggle.Gerard's ̶...
Longines Spirit Zulu Time Vs. Tudor Black Bay GMT S&G
Welcome to his week’s Sunday Morning Showdown. Imagine yourself flying from one time zone to the next. You are an international person of mystery, traveling in style. You find yourself moving from boardrooms to beaches and anything in between. So what do you wear? Well, how about a steel and gold GMT watch to suit your globetrotting, fashionable lifestyle? How about a Longines Spirit Zulu Time or a Tudor Black Bay GMT? Which of these smooth travel watches would you pick?In today's Sunday Morning Showdown, Longines faces off against Tudor. Thomas will defend the Spirit Zulu Time as Jorg takes the side of the Black Bay GMT S&G. But first, let's have a look at the results of last week...
A Dial For Diving The Singer Divetrack
Singer Reimagined had quite a surprise in store for us with the introduction of the Divetrack chronograph. It's not a typical dive watch and even goes beyond the dive watches we already find unusual (okay, the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms X Fathoms might be an exception to a certain extent). The Divetrack offers a dial that is all about diving. If you want to read the time, you’ll have to look somewhere else.Singer Reimagined DivetrackAfter running Fratello for exactly 20 years this month, I must admit that it's not always easy to feel excited about every watch release. It's not that we see that many bad watches, but there are often no real surprises anymore. A surprise doesn't have to be a...
Patek Philippe Calatrava Showdown 6119G Vs. 5212A
There is so much to say about Patek Philippe, arguably the most significant and venerable watchmaker in high-end Swiss watchmaking. The brand certainly displays a mastery of complications. Perhaps even more relevant to today’s watch industry, Patek Philippe also expertly balances tradition with modernity. While the brand is famous for creating traditional, subdued, understated luxury, it has historically been at the vanguard of technical innovation. Patek Philippe invented and patented the stem-winding/keyless system (1845), the first perpetual calendar wristwatch (1889), the annual calendar watch (1996), the first quartz electronic clock with no moving parts (1952), and countless othe...
The Power Of Fonts On Watches
At long last, Fratello On Air has decided to address a request from one of our faithful listeners. The topic of fonts on watches has come up as a suggested topic many times. Does it sound mundane? Perhaps, but that couldn’t be further from the truth. Our watch content begins after 15 minutes....
Hands-On: The Full-Gold Cartier Santos 2024
A golden version of the Santos de Cartier is nothing new. Following Cartier’s two-tone revamp of its previously long-dormant pilot’s watch in 1978, several full-gold versions followed before the Santos collection’s discontinuation in 2016. Then, when Cartier brought it back in 2018, it came in steel, two-tone, and full gold. There have also already been versions with a gold-colored dial, but I don’t believe they’ve ever had an all-gold case and bracelet. This version that we’re looking at today debuted during the last edition of Watches and Wonders in Geneva.You probably already know I’m a big fan of the Cartier Santos. My Santos Galbee XL is one of ...
OMEGA Speedmaster Professional Gemini IV Limited Edition
Omega Speedmaster Pro Gemini IVSpeedy Tuesday is here and this time with a Speedmaster Gemini IV limited edition of 2005 that commemorates the mission of 1965. During this mission, the first space walk of a NASA astronaut was performed by astronaut Ed White. Ed White was wearing his Speedmaster pre-Professional (ref.105.003) during the EVA and therefore the Speedmaster is considered to be the first watch into outer space.The blue dialed Speedmaster Professional Gemini IV not only has a dial and bezel that stands out, it also has a very nice caseback that commemorates the first space walk by Ed White. As you can see below, Omega has put the red NASA mission patch on the caseback of the watch,...
Hanhart Pioneer MonoScope Reviewed
Chris Beccan of Bexsonn, a blog based in The United Kingdom about watches and whisky just performed a review on the Hanhart Pioneer MonoScope timepiece. A mono-pusher chronograph from a Swiss-German watch company or better yet, a chronograph company. This +130 year old company which has firm roots in pilot chronographs, being one of the first manufacturers that used a column wheel chronograph movement for pilot’s watches.The review on Bexsonn gives some company background first, including some trivial information about their historical chronograph movements and why Hanhart uses the red pushers on their chronographs. Besides sharing his opinion about the Pioneer Monoscope, Chris also sh...
Insider's Story on the Girard-Perregaux Gyromatic Chronometer HF Calibre 32A
From now on, Fratellowatches will feature an Insider’s Story once in a while, where a collector or subject matter expert will tell you about a special watch, technical concepts or specific movements. This first Insider’s Story is written by Tim Siragusa from Australia. He shares his expertise on the Girard-Perregaux Gyromatic Chronometer?HF (High Frequency) caliber 32A. His never-ending enthusiasm for this chronometer rated caliber 32A movement has led him to write a story on this item.Click the link below and enjoy!Insider’s Story on the Girard-Perregaux Gyromatic Chronometer HF by Tim Siragusa...
Toolwatch Just Got Better
Remember we introduced you to Toolwatch? An initiative from a few guys who work in the watch industry and decided that it was time for an on-line tool to measure the accuracy of your your watch. In case you missed it, click this article for a more thorough introduction on Toolwatch. In the meanwhile, they have 1500 watches measured!Measuring the accuracy of your watchAn accurate mechanical watch is not something to think lightly of. Your mechanical watch is a complex piece of work and it is not a given fact that it will keep perfect time. Bumps, shocks and magnetism, it can all influence the accuracy of your watch. Although you will see the Witschi equipment on many watchmaker’s benche...
Exploring the Gavox Aurora
The Gavox Aurora is a pilot design based multi function quartz watch, of which Gavox claims it to be ‘the world's first watch that handles all geographical and political time zones’.The Aurora keeps track of UTC and a local time with an offset by increments of 15 minutes. By this it’s able to handle non-standard time zones with a difference of 15, 30 or 45 minutes.Gavox informed us that ‘as much as 20% of the world's population lives in non-standard time zones’. Although I doubt the use of watches in this league in the countries involved.On first sight the Gavox Aurora is a very attractive watch already. Clearly readable with the high contrast of a black dial, w...
Mondaine stop2go, ref. A512.30358.16SBB 52Mondayz, week #28
Holiday time has officially started, many people left to find out if the grass is greener indeed at the other side of the fence. Expecting many of you readers being watch lovers, Switzerland might be a good destination for your journeys.Switzerland isn’t only well known for their watches, cheese and chocolate though. Their official Swiss railway station clock is something which at least every watch lover should be able to draw with their eyes closed as well.The Mondaine stop2go on my wrist this weekMondaine stop2go, ref. A512.30358.16SBB 52Mondayz, week #28The design of the, originally Mobach, official railway station clock was adapted by Mondaine for the design of their watches long a...
Speedmaster Speedy Tuesday 2 Ultraman Out Now! (Live Pics and Video)
Rumours couldn't be stopped, some people already knew what was coming: the Omega Speedy Tuesday 2 Ultraman. The big questions were just: how will it look and when will it be released. This is it, the ST2 Ultraman. A design inspired by the 1967 Speedmaster Ultraman (We covered it here).Speedmaster Speedy Tuesday 2 UltramanThe ST2 Ultraman is a tribute to that 1967 watch, and especially to the key character in the Ultraman series. The first Speedy Tuesday edition was inspired by the original 1978 Project Alaska III watch that landed on our desk in 2012, with the stunning radial subdials. There, we also decided not to come with an exact replica but added a reverse panda for example, amongst som...
The Citizen Homer Second Setting The Best $200 Vintage Watch Around?
We take a look at the Citizen Homer Second Setting an official Japanese railway watch from the 60's and 70's.If I were to tell you that there exists a prevalent vintage 36mm stainless steel watch with an in-house manual winding movement, a hacking feature, a wonderfully simple dial sans date, you'd probably point me towards any number of Swiss brands ranging from Patek Philippe, Longines, and even Omega.? But if I told you it was an officially issued watch, I'd bet that number would drop considerably.? And, finally, if I told you that something in the neighborhood of $200 could land this watch, you'd probably tell me to lay off the hard stuff.? I'll keep drinking my beer and bourbon – ...
Nadal, Federer, Djokovic, Who Is Winning The Wimbledon Whites?
I think it's very strict. My personal opinion: I think it's too strict, Swiss tennis great Roger Federer once said of the notorious Wimbledon dress code.You don't need Wikipedia to know that The Championships, Wimbledon is the only major tournament hosted by an actual tennis club, located in a low-key residential suburb of London, just like a century ago. Certain things are endearingly old school. There is no signage on the courts and no all-singing all-dancing entertainments during changeovers. It is also the only Grand Slam venue that has a Royal Box reserved for the royals and luminaries.With such eminence, there is little wonder the tournament has attracted a multitude of high-profile sp...
Pre-Owned Picks 5 Orange-Dialed Beast Watches
Last week, I claimed that when it comes to the Seiko Monster, it's go orange or go home. This week, I thought it only fair I bring orange lovers a few alternatives to the Monster. As such, allow me to introduce five more orange-dialed beast watches.While I cannot admit to owning any orange watches, I have always been drawn to the allure they offer. I scroll through listings imagining myself tanning poolside with a long drink in one hand and an orange dial diver affixed to the other wrist. Alas, I predominately find myself with a white, grey, or black dial watch in a matching suit or casual attire. Briefly, I was the owner of a Doxa Searambler Silver Lung, that had a silver dial and big ol' o...
Top 3 Most Surprising New Watch Models Of The Recent Past
The watch industry acts conservatively. Too much innovation is considered risky. Accordingly, many new watch models are, to a certain extent, predictable. As much as we love to be presented with what we hoped for, real surprises make our hearts beat faster. So, let’s take a look at those less anticipated novelties that made us sit up and notice. Let’s explore the three most surprising new watch models of the recent past.In 2020, watch brands are even more cautious than in 2019. Unemboldening sales numbers have slowed the flow of new models. The closing of facilities due to Corona has nearly stopped the delivery of newly produced watches.That was different in 2019. Remember the ri...
Video Review Of The Glashutte Original Sixties Annual Edition 2020 Models
Glashutte Original has created quite some waves with its annual editions. The craftsmanship in dial making has resulted in some stunning dials in previous years. In this video review, we’ll take an in-depth look at the annual models for 2020. The brand decided to tone it down a bit for this year but the results are equally striking.Back at Baselworld in 2018 Glashutte Original released the first annual editions to much critical acclaim. The annual models are the perfect showcase of the incredible level of “in-house” dial making. At Baselworld 2018 the brand introduced the Sixties and Sixties Panorama Date featuring a remarkable textured green dial. In 2019 followed by the s...
Linde Werdelin Releases The Spidolite Nord and Oktopus Nord
Last year, I had the chance to go hands-on with the Linde Werdelin 3-Timer Nord. This version of Linde Werdelin’s most successful model introduced a black to blue fume dial inspired by the North Sea’s colors. In a follow-up to that release, Linde Werdelin now releases the Spidolite Nord and Oktopus Nord. Time to find out if the characteristic fume dials have the same impact as on the 3 Timer Nord.Every time Linde Werdelin releases a new watch, I am all ears. Even when it is a rather straightforward introduction of a new dial color, I am always curious to find out what it looks like and if it beats my favorite versions the brand has released. But it’s not just seeing a new c...