Hands-On With The Beaufort Seatrekker
When I feel my appetite for retro filling up, something catches my eye in a typical fashion. A good degrade dial does that to me, and green is supposedly the color of 2024, right? Combining this with a busier-than-usual Super Compressor-style dial sounds like too much, but the Beaufort Seatrekker might prove me wrong.I'll also be honest about the concept of two crowns. I haven't been the strongest ambassador for the twin-crowned cool of the Super Compressor look as I'm more of a one-crown purist. But as with every design, good alternatives seem intent on proving me wrong, and this brand has that potential.A solid first impression from BeaufortI had two watches sent to my Arctic office from f...
Glycine Airman SST 06 Re-edition
Glycine introduces a re-edition of the Airman SST 06 wrist watch. The original version of the SST 06 was released in the 1960s. The first Glycine Airman ever was released in 1953.This watch features this orange??24-hour??bezel. Also available in black or blue. The movement is based on an ETA 2893-2 movement, which is a 2892 based movement with GMT (extra timezone) feature.??The diameter of the watch is a stunning 44 mm and is water resistant to 200 metres. Buyer can choose between a leather strap or a stainless steel bracelet. Prices vary between 1600 and 1800 Swiss francs.This watch has been topic of discussion couple of times at the Glycine Forum at WatchUseek.com watch portal. I have been...
#TBT Seiko 6139 Pogue Chronograph
Pogue ChronographIf asked by a vintage watch collector who mainly focuses on Swiss watches for a recommendation on one Japanese chronograph to add, my answer is always the same and without hesitation: a Seiko 6139 Pogue. Astute collectors of the brand might find that a little surprising amongst so many well known and, in certain cases, more traditionally styled watches that I opt for a very 70's looking chronograph. Of course I have my reasons and let's get into themit's #TBT time!The yellow dial of the Seiko 6139 Pogue truly radiates in the lightSeiko 6139 – A Landmark ChronographThe 6139 was Seiko's initial foray into the automatic chronograph game and actually debuted in 1969 alongs...
Christopher Ward Launches Two New Limited Editions
It is no secret we love affordable watches. Some times we look for them in the vintage market, like we showed you in this article, but we also keep an eye on new interesting propositions. Like these two limited editions from Christopher Ward for example: The?C60 Trident Pro COSC Limited Edition and the C60 Trident Day Date COSC Limited Edition. Trident Day Date Trident Pro (Date) Christopher Ward launch them today (right now actually), the C60 Day-Date and the C60 (Date), both with chronometer certification by the COSC. This will ensure an average deviation of just -4 and +6 seconds a day on average. The C60 Trident Pro uses a chronometer rated Sellita SW200 moveme...
Hands-On Omega Speedmaster Caliber 321 Review (Including Video)
Here it is (finally), the hands-on Omega Speedmaster Caliber 321 review. Exactly six months after its release date (January 7th), I picked mine up at the new Omega Boutique in Biel.We recently touched upon this watch in our Sunday Morning Showdown section, where Jorg and Ben sent this Omega Speedmaster Calibre 321 in steel and the Daytona 116500LN into battle. If you haven’t read it yet, please go check it out.A few days later after the publication of that article, I was able to pick up the Omega Speedmaster Calibre 321. I received the message that my watch was ready to be collected and I realized that I would be one of the lucky guys to receive it so early. I’ve been wearing th...
Hands-On With The Christopher Ward C60 Sapphire Dial Watch
It looks like a sapphire crystal is not enough today. Christopher Ward is moving the bar a bit higher and introduced another innovation for its C60. A mysteriously blue-tinted translucent dial made of sapphire. I was not in particular excited when I saw the press release. But true to the profession, when there is anything slightly innovative jumping from the crowd, I never hesitate to see it in flesh. Three seconds after I unboxed Christopher Ward C60 Sapphire, I?liked it. It's one of the watches that looks much better in flesh than it does in pictures.Christopher Ward C60 Sapphire‘The first week-end of lockdown at the end of March saw a big drop off in sales but since then we have bee...
Hands-On With The Seiko Presage Automatic Enamel Dial Watch
We head to the local Seiko boutique and find undiscovered gems in the Presage automatic enamel dial models.I can’t help but mention again that your - hopefully - local Seiko boutique always has some fantastic models that often escape our attention. We spend most of our time on the divers, Grand Seiko, and limited edition offerings. But what of the rest of the collection? Seiko produces a jaw-dropping number of regular pieces each and every year. Today’s Presage automatic enamel dial pieces are great examples.Released in late 2019Reference SPB113J1 (white) and SPB115J1 (deep maroon) aren’t new watches. In fact, they were released during late 2019 and I stumbled upon them in ...
Wrist Game Or Crying Shame: TAG Heuer Carrera Telemeter
Wrist Game or Crying Shame is here with a look at the TAG Heuer Carrera Telemeter. It’s a watch that gave us a window into at least part of the brand’s future. Will you fall for its trailblazing ways? Before we get to that…Last week, I shared the IWC Fliegerchronograph IW3706 with you and all I can say is, “WOW!” You fine folks brought this one onto the runway with an 83% Wrist Game landing. I know these were popular, but this blew me away. Do we have a future collectible on our hands? Perhaps, but that’s a discussion for a different time. This week, after only a week off, we go right back to talking about the Carrera. However, this TAG Heuer Carrera Telem...
Gorilla Watches Releases The Fastback Thunderbolt Chronograph
Gorilla Watches does not release new watches too often. But whenever the brand announces a new model, I’m always keen to find out what’s next. Gorilla’s newest release is the surprising Fastback Thunderbolt Chronograph. The brand takes inspiration from vintage muscle cars and race cars, so a chronograph makes sense in that daylight. But the Fastback Thunderbolt Chronograph is a very surprising watch. It breaks new ground for the brand in multiple ways.When Gorilla Watches first announced the Gorilla Fastback in 2016, I was interested in finding out what the brand was all about. A brand founded by former Audemars Piguet designers Octavio Garcia and Lukas Gopp obviously came ...
Schofield Beater B4 Is Made From Japanese Bronze (2021)
It’s a well-known fact among the watchmaking community that I’m a Schofield fan-boy. Despite this consistent fandom, I always do my best to take a step back from the novelty in question and ask myself how I would feel if I were coming to this brand cold? My relationship with Schofield started when I was at the British School of Watchmaking. Giles Ellis, the brand’s founder, had blazed a trail I wanted to follow. As such, my connection to the brand is very emotional and knotted up with my own personal history. Putting that to one side as best as I can, however, I can say right off the bat that I think the latest addition to the Beater family might just be the brand’s b...
Japan's Worst Kept Secrets: Casio, Citizen, And Seiko (2021)
From G-Shock to High Accuracy Quartz, the Big Three of Japan - Casio, Citizen, and Seiko - are constantly disrupting and contributing to the watch industry. But though their watches may be unique, they make sure to reserve some of the best exclusively for home, the Japanese Domestic Market (JDM). These pieces, like “Oceanus” and “The Citizen”, are unknown to most non-Japanese and rare in that they can only be sourced through specific channels. Let’s look at an example from each company that captures the essence of what Japan decided is too good for the rest of the world.Japan, specifically its industries, has been ubiquitous for more than a half-century for exce...
#TBT Seaboard-Yacht Get Ready For A Comeback
Seaboard Marine Supply Co. was a manufacturer and distributor of fine sailboat gear. That included a yachting chronograph with three beautiful executions over the years. Today we will look at the last one, the Seaboard-Yacht.This watch combines all the best of what vintage-watch collecting is about. It’s not a typical Instagram attention grabber, but it has its audience. The strong visuals suggest it’s not a random generic watch, but rather, a carefully designed tool. The mystery of the watch’s story and the huge gaps in its background only bring more and more curious eyes. The recent $4,000-5,000 price range confirms high collectability potential. That’s pretty impre...
A. Lange & Sohne Introduces The 1815 Rattrapante In Platinum
Earlier this year, I had the pleasure of wearing the A. Lange & Sohne 1815 Rattrapante Honeygold Homage to F. A. Lange. That magical timepiece is my grail watch. It is my unmatched Mt. Everest of watchmaking and an incredibly special version of the 1815 Rattrapante. The only thing is, there was no regular version of the 1815 Rattrapante. That is, until now. Today sees A. Lange & Sohne release the 1815 Rattrapante in platinum. It’s the first “regular” production model of the 1815 Rattrapante. But, as you will have guessed, there is nothing regular about this watch. Time to find out more.Watches come and go during the year. Working at Fratello is an absolute joy becau...
Hands-On: Batavi Geograaf GMT And Wereldtimer
Most brands tend to stick to the usual black, white and occasional blue for their dials. Well, not Amsterdam-based Batavi! The brand’s previous Architect and Kosmopoliet GMT were known for the colorful dial options. And now, Batavi is taking to Kickstarter once again, launching the Geograaf in both a GMT and Wereldtimer (“worldtimer” in Dutch) version. And as we’d expect, all four options feature some funky color combinations. Let’s take a look at the third member of the Batavi family.Did you miss out on Batavi’s previous Kickstarter campaigns? Are you not yet familiar with the brand’s previous models? In that case, let me just tell you straight away...
The Top 5 Watches Spotted At Wimbledon
Another Friday, another Top 5! This week, we’ll dive into the world of tennis. With Wimbledon nearing its climax after almost two weeks, we have seen quite a few remarkable watches on the All England Lawn Tennis Club grounds. Many of the world’s top players have sponsor deals with watch brands. Some of them are unsurprising, while others are anything but. The -sponsored tournament always has its fair share of watches from The Crown, and we’ll mix those with some more exotic pieces. So without further ado, let’s look at some of the best of this year’s Wimbledon championships.Some of the Fratello team members are really passionate about cycling. Others prefer the ...
Look Ma, No Hands! Digital Grail Watches
You don't need pointing hands or hundreds of tiny gears to show off your horological street cred. This summer, your wristwear flex can play it by numbers and still lap up the compliments. If your impression of digital wristwear is based on Casio and Timex, prepare to have your mind boggled by these digital grails. From slender, weird-angled LED displays to mechanical satellites, the future is yours for the taking.Let's also make a point: digital watches are numeral-based time tellers with no traditional hands. Their displays can range from jump-hour windows to a dark future inhabited by the twisting, rotating satellites of an alien wrist-craft. Playing it by numbers has never been as cool as...
A Sterling Silver Vintage Longines That Could Scratch A Piaget Itch
I am not usually one to veer towards sterling silver watches nor the more angular cases of 1960s and ’70s dress pieces. So this article will feature not one but two new elements in a watch for me to explore. This vintage Longines has a charm that has gradually won me over.While I don’t generally gravitate towards dressier designs, when it comes to watches, vintage Longines is something I have long been fascinated with. Unfortunately, in my home country of Australia, there isn’t such a large market for vintage Longines watches. But any peak on social media will show you just how impressively vast the Longines back catalog must be.Vintage Longines is a wonderful rabbit holeLo...
Oris Aquis Calibre 400 Vs. TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300
Another Sunday morning, another showdown! This week, Thomas and Daan pit two popular dive watches against each other. Thomas fights for the Oris Aquis Date Calibre 400, while Daan defends the TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300 Date. These two watches are similar in price, function, and concept but are worlds apart in style and execution. Let's dive in!These watches share a 300m water resistance rating, ceramic bezel insert, date at 6 o’clock, and steel bracelet as well as rubber strap options. Even the prices are incredibly close. The Aquis Date Calibre 400 is $3,500, while the Aquaracer Professional 300 Date comes in at $3,750. With all of that similarity, let's see what Thomas and ...
Fratello Watches 10 Year Anniversary Great Giveaways
This year and month, Fratello Watches celebrates its 10th anniversary! It?started out as a funny little project in 2004 driven by the passion for watches. 10 years later, it has become a watch blog that?we work on with a team of passionate people on almost a daily basis. To celebrate this milestone, we have a number of great giveaways that were donated by OMEGA, TAG Heuer, MoonwatchOnly, WatchPrint.com and ourselves.We appreciate your visits every day and we still see the number of unique visitors growing every time. Even with all the new blogs, internet magazines, Facebook groups, Instagrams and tumblrs out there who cover watches, we are very happy to have you and keep you interested in th...
Introducing The Sinn T1 B (EZM14) and Sinn T2 B (EZM15)
Sinn introduces two new divers watches to their – already impressive – line-up of ‘taucheruhren’. The Sinn T1 and Sinn T2 – also known as EZM14 and EZM15 – are now also available with a matt-blue electroplated dial and a blue strap.These watches have high-strength titanium cases that have been treated with their Tegiment technology (we did an inn-depth story on Tegiment here) and have a very nice bead-blasted finish. The Tegiment technology, in short – but we advice you to read the article we did on this treatment – ensures the watch is scratch resistant. During one of our meetings with Sinn, they made us try to scratch the Tegimented watch cas...