We Introduce You To The Hautlence Vortex (Live Photos)
Last week I traveled to La Chaux-de-Fonds in Switzerland to witness the pre-introduction of the Hautlence Vortex. Founder & CEO Guillaume Tetu did the introduction of the Hautlence Vortex in front of a small group of watch journalists and showed us the workshops where the watch makers are working on Hautlence timepieces. Hautlence is a small independent watchmaker that gained a lot of respect from watch collectors all over the world with their?Concepts d’Exception timepieces with HL2.x movements.Hautlence VortexThe new Vortex also belongs to the Concepts d’Exception collection and the movement is based on the HL2.0 movement.The typical construction of the chain for the indica...
Hublot: Changing straps more easily
Did you hear the click?Hublot’s watch cases are not only famous for the special material used in them, they are also renowned for their unique strap attachment system.In the following video, we cover the mechanisms in Hublot's watch cases, from the opening zone to the pusher of the mechanism, which allows the owner to have several straps in different colors and to change it himself.Want to know more about the assembly of the world's finest timepieces? Subscribe to our YouTube Channel, IBG Worldwide.IBG Worldwide is a video platform dedicated to demonstrating how the finest timepieces are really made. It hosts our documentaries that educate collectors in the many techniques used in the ...
Seiko Spacewalk Spring Drive SPS005 My Daily Watch
Seiko Spacewalk – A short introductionBefore I start writing about the Seiko Spacewalk as a daily watch, let’s do an introduction first. On the Seiko SpaceWalk but also on Seiko and Space in general.Richard GarriotIn 2008, Seiko introduced the Spacewalk Spring Drive watch during BaselWorld. It was made for astronaut Richard Garriot. Garriot, who?started developing video games in the 1980s together with his brother, sold his company to Electronic Arts in 1992. In 1997, he designed one of the most famous RPG games ever: Ultima Online.Anyway, his father was an astronaut (Owen Garriot) and all his life he dreamt about traveling to space. In 2008, this became reality. He was the sixth...
Europa Star Archives: Treasure Trove For Watch Lovers
Our world is moving at a pace faster than people flipping their watches. Things come and go as easily as your Tinder swipes. Longevity is a rare quality.The word didn't exist in my dictionary until I fell into the watch world. My then boss lectured me on longevity'. Without grasping the meaning, I brushed it off.Guess what, over a decade later, I'm still in watches. Now I get to work with Robert-Jan and the Fratello ring leaders who are trusted old friends and go way back, from the site's inception. We don't need to start counting. Longevity sounds better, doesn't it!? Fratello in its very early days. A screenshot from 2005, via the WayBack Archive. Fratello today, celeb...
Podcast: Fratello On Air Episode 3
This Episode 3 of Fratello on Air is about the Marlon Brando GMT-Master, the sense and non-sense of Limited Editions, Special editions etc. as well as answering a listener’s question about our most un-boring watch.The Fratello on Air podcast is available on Apple’s Podcast, Google Podcast, Soundcloud, BuzzSprout, Spotify and via RSS. You can also read/listen our Episode 1 and Episode 2.Fratello on Air – Episode 3...
Hands-On Review Seiko Prospex SPB143, 145, 147, And 149 Diver's Watches
This year Seiko is celebrating the 55th anniversary of its first-ever dive watch. Besides the indispensable special and limited editions to celebrate the event, we were happy to see some spectacular models in the regular Seiko dive watches line-up as well.Back in March, Michael Stockton informed you about the three significant releases Seiko presented to celebrate its underwater beginnings. And, recently, Jorg dived deeper into one of them, the ?SLA037. That model - which hit the market with an intimidating price tag - was the subject of this week’s Sunday Morning Showdown between Balazs and Rob. If you haven’t already, why not head over to the article and cast your vote??While b...
Grand Seiko 60th Anniversary New Hi-Beat SLGH002 Watch Review
The Grand Seiko Hi-Beat SLGH002 watch is the latest in a long line of rootin’ tootin’ anniversary release from the hyperactive Japanese brand.And I love it. In fact, I take that back. I?adore it. And when you see the hands-on pictures we took of this baby when it passed through our headquarters in the Hague, I am sure you will too. But don’t be distracted by the “movement”. The watch we received to photograph was a pre-production non-working sample. The movement that will feature in this watch is a princely caliber, but, for now, we had to make do with a sweet sticker on the inside of the sapphire display window. I thought that was worth mentioning right off the...
Wrist Game Or Crying Shame: IWC Big Pilot 5002 Transitional
Hey there, it’s time for Wrist Game or Crying Shame where you get to play a little pick ’em choose ’em. This week, we super size things with an IWC Big Pilot. But first…Last week, I showed you a modern-day Omega Speedmaster Mark II Co-Axial with a racing dial for just under $3,600. You gave this one the checkered flag as it motored to a 78% Wrist Game win. I’m pretty happy about that one, but I wonder if you’ll be happy with today’s IWC Big Pilot.Do you remember big watches? Well, back in the early 2000s, let’s just say they were a, um, big thing. You can lay a lot of the blame or credit on a then pluckily resurging brand called Panerai. But th...
#TBT Unusually Common And Forgotten Skin Diver Breitling Ref. 3865
Have you noticed these four lines of text above the 6 o'clock on the Breitling ref. 3865? This -like fairytale read amuses me each time I see it. And trust me, I can't help but notice it each time I look at the dial. It is truly awesome and something I’m very happy to share with you today.When one says Breitling, most see pilot chronographs. Divers watches come to mind only later. I bet any diver that does jump to mind is somehow unusual. Let me guess, you see the spectacular “slow-motion” SuperOcean ref. 2005 or the true collectors grail Breitling ref. 1004. I doubt you, the Fratell, thought about the modest but equally interesting skin diver Breitling ref. 3865.Meeting Br...
I Want To Wear The Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Limited Edition 1858 Upside Down
Earlier this year, I had an online talk with Montblanc's new Managing Director Watch Division, Laurent Lecamp (43). Amongst other things, I asked him about his favorite new watch in the collection. That must be the new, bronze 1858 Geosphere Limited Edition 1858, he answered. This new Geopshere is inspired by a 2,000 kilometer solo journey by legendary mountaineer and adventurer Reinhold Messner in 2004 through the Gobi Desert. The watch reads like a logbook of that adventure thanks to the colors used, different details and the laser etching on the back. I had to find out more. And now I want to wear the Montblanc 1858 Geosphere Limited Edition 1858 upside down.I didn't just talk about the l...
How Watches Work: Our Definitive Guide to Chronograph Scales
How many chronograph nuts do we have in the house tonight? Judging by our loyal following of Speedmaster fans, I'd venture to guess quite a few. But whether you love you some sub-dials or just prefer a nice three-hander, we all know what a chronograph's main job is: to record elapsed times.When you think about it, this fairly obvious function that unites all chronographs is nevertheless rather remarkable in the swath of its utility. Need to time something? Anything? It's got you covered. 100m sprinter Jesse Owens's 10.3-second Olympic victory in 1936? Check. A life-saving 14-second fuel burn during the Apollo 13 mission in 1970? Double check. My 6th-grade science teacher's record-setting tri...
Tissot PRX Automatic Chronograph Video Review
Tissot struck gold when it released the sharp and crisp PRX Powermatic 80. The Tissot PRX Automatic Chronograph is another retro-powered creation that strikes love into the hearts of watch lovers. And you guessed it right, the watch strikes fear into the hearts of the competition. What makes this first-ever PRX in chronograph mode so impressive and attractive? The video explains everything.The hard facts are that the Tissot PRX Automatic Chronograph measures 42 15.4mm, but that doesn't explain the watch's desirability. The price of $1,795 already clears things up a bit more. In the video, I will take you back to the origins of the new PRX, a watch that is based on the 1970s Tissot Seastar Qu...
Best New Dive Watches Today: Seiko, Doxa, Longines, And More
Summer is underway, and people are leaving to enjoy a couple of weeks of vacation. On trips like these, the chances are pretty high that you will pack at least one dive watch. Dive watches are versatile in their appearance and can withstand any activity you might undertake. Whether on land or in water, dive watches can take a beating. On top of that, they often come in stand-out colors that fit the summer vibe. All these factors combine to make a dive watch the perfect summer companion. For this list, we picked ten of the best recent releases that could grace your wrist during those long summer days. Let’s jump in!It’s been only a week since we had the grand finale of our Summer ...
Marathon Military Navigator My Most Affordable Watch
It is not all about the money! Not always, anyway. In a new series entitled “My Most Affordable Watch”, Fratello editors will show their least expensive watches. Sometimes, less is just more. Like how Clarkson, Hammond, and May prefer a cheap hot hatch over many supercars, sometimes an inexpensive watch can bring us immense satisfaction. The wearing experience can be less worrisome, and watches like these can still be surprisingly capable. Today, Thomas shows us his Marathon Military Navigator.Quartz, plastic, and cheap. It is not a recipe that will typically trigger the fancy horologist. Add mil-spec to that mix and you may garner a little more attention. Throw in a beautiful de...
Tissot T-Touch Connect Solar A Connected Watch, And More
The T-Touch has come a long way since it was touted by Tissot as the world's first tactile watch in 1999. The revolutionary ana-digi wristwatch was equipped with a sapphire crystal that acted as a touchscreen. More than two decades on, those deft little taps on the screen not only allow you to activate outdoor functions but also connect you to the greater world. Having gone through evolutionary breakthroughs in both its hardware (solar) and software (connect), the latest T-Touch Connect Solar is all about amping up its smart-connectivity features.Primarily catered to the active and adventurous wearers, the T-Touch has remained competitive in the tough premium space. Being Swiss-made and back...
Grand Seiko 62GS A Masterstroke Of '60s Design
The Grand Seiko 62GS is a well-known reference for old and new fans. As a vintage piece, it was the sub-brand’s first automatic model. Today, Grand Seiko is a standalone name and the 62GS has its own place in the Heritage collection. In this article, we’ll go hands-on with the original and discover why it’s so unique.It’s hard to believe that after writing so many articles on Seiko and Grand Seiko, I’ve only owned one of the latter. That’s right. Despite a deep-seated admiration for all things Seiko, the lone Grand Seiko in my collection was the 44GS reissue from 2013 (reference SBGW047). You see, dressier watches aren’t part of my daily routine, and...
Weekend Read: Why I Love Omega Watches
I am not a mono-brand collector, although sometimes it does seem that way. I have watches from all sorts of brands, but the majority are indeed from one brand - Omega.Although I’ve touched upon the topic of Omega and its connection with my family before, I thought I would freshen up a story that I wrote a few years ago.Why do I love Omega?I am often asked why I only buy and wear Omega watches. Well, that’s not entirely the case of course. I also own watches from other brands like Oris, Breguet, Nomos, , Hamilton, Seiko, Chronoswiss, Breitling, Swatch, G-Shock, and a bunch of other perhaps lesser-known ones. And in the past, I've owned IWC, Sinn, Audemars Piguet, Linde Werdelin, a...
Interview: Wimbledon Doubles Champion Matthew Ebden
The tennis world hosts as many watch enthusiasts as it does brand ambassadors. I recently had the privilege of sitting down for an interview with someone who is both of those things. I’m referring to Matthew Ebden, of course. Two-time Grand Slam winner, the Australian most recently gained the title of 2022 Wimbledon doubles champion. In our interview, we delved into both his watch journey and his partnership with Bremont. Our paths first crossed on Instagram, where we connected due to our shared appreciation for the Bremont S302 GMT. Little did I know that this digital connection would eventually lead to an in-person meeting after Matt graciously invited me to attend the ABN Amro Open ...
Hands-On With The Ressence Type 1 Round
As people who write about watches, we at Fratello are lucky to have the chance to handle many of them. Sometimes we don’t have a special bond with a watch, while others make us wish it was ours from the moment we put it on. For me, Ressence watches come very close to the latter category. I find the brand’s way of displaying the time quite fascinating. It’s different from what we usually see on most watches, yet it’s a very intuitive way of presenting what time it is. I finally got to spend more time with the Ressence Type 1 Round, so let’s see what it’s like to wear a watch like this for a little longer than just a quick try.In between all the vintage-ins...
Weekend Read: Why I Love Omega Watches
I am not a mono-brand collector, although sometimes it does seem that way. I have watches from all sorts of brands, but the majority are indeed from one brand - Omega.Although I’ve touched upon the topic of Omega and its connection with my family before, I thought I would freshen up a story that I wrote a few years ago.Why do I love Omega?I am often asked why I only buy and wear Omega watches. Well, that’s not entirely the case of course. I also own watches from other brands like Oris, Breguet, Nomos, , Hamilton, Seiko, Chronoswiss, Breitling, Swatch, G-Shock, and a bunch of other perhaps lesser-known ones. And in the past, I've owned IWC, Sinn, Audemars Piguet, Linde Werdelin, a...