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...
A Philosophical Guide to The Perfect Watch Collection
Three is the magic number - or so they say. Many a watch enthusiast has boldly claimed that all you will ever need is the minimalist and perhaps mythical three-watch collection. While I do see the logic behind this, I struggle to accept that an arbitrary number should define my collection without at least trying to understand its justification. To answer this, I needed a real deep dive into what inspirational forces motivate enthusiasts to finally surrender and assign numerical endpoints to their watch collections. The solution to this required solitude and a remote, peaceful location to provide a deserving investigation into this most puzzling of questions.Solving this horological conundrum...
Hands-On: Bravur La Grande Boucle IV
At Swedish watch brand Bravur, they're really into cycling, and that craziness has materialized in plenty of watches with a cycling theme. The new Bravur La Grande Boucle IV is a steel chronograph in the long-running Grand Tour Chronograph collection. This chronograph subtly tries to capture the spirit of the Tour de France, nicknamed La Grande Boucle, French for “The Big Loop.” The result is a stylish and functional timepiece that pays homage to the biggest bicycle race in the world. But is it an instrumental race watch or a good-looking one you wear on the rest day or while watching cycling?Bravur and I have two things in common - everlasting and unwavering passions for both wa...
Citizen Tsuyosa Automatic Wise Guys By IFL Watches
The Citizen Tsuyosa Automatic has quickly become a welcoming canvas for the creativity of the IFL Watches team. For its newest the creation, the brand was inspired by the “three wise monkeys” and the timeless proverb they depict. In great IFLW tradition, the colorful dial is modified to portray the proverb in a fun way. It makes this Citizen Tsuyosa Wise Guys Concept another colorful limited-edition release that will only further the Stockholm-based brand’s success.IFL Watches has been knocking out one great release after another. If you blink, you might miss one or two. As I explained in previous articles, I am a big fan of the abstract dials that the brand creates. The so...
The Best Summer Watches At Three Price Points: Jorg's Picks
With the summer holidays approaching, it’s time to talk about summer watches. Thomas started this series with his three favorite summer watches at three different price points. We are looking for one pick under $1,000, another under $10,000, and an unlimited-budget option. It seems like a fairly straightforward task, but as it turns out, it’s not that easy. Still, I managed to create a list of three proper summer watches I would love to wear wherever the Sun shines!We’ve made lists like this before, so it shouldn’t be that hard, right? Well, the two higher-budget options, in particular, can lead to much internal debate. At those price points, it’s easy to go for...
New: Forstner Model J And Model O For The Seiko SKX
The Seiko SKX is one of the most popular entry-level mechanical watches ever. There is a good chance that you, as a Fratello reader, have owned one at some point or still do. In any case, this is true for me. However, the original bracelet of that watch has always been controversial. It is infamously rattly, which people either love or hate. I happen to love it, but what if you don't? Well, Forstner now offers new aftermarket options.I got a chance to go hands-on with the new SKX-specific Forstner Model J and Model O. Now, I will let you figure out what those letters refer to, but I am sure you will know which one is which. Join me for a closer look at these new bracelets.Upgraded specs on t...
Speedy Tuesday Omega Speedmaster Legend
Omega Speedmaster LegendIt’s Speedy Tuesday! As you probably know, when the Speedmaster was being introduced in 1957 there were no signs of a role in the space program yet. The Speedmaster was essentially meant for sports people and race car drivers. Once in a while, Omega still grabs back to the heritage of car racing and introduces a Speedmaster that has a link with racing.Michael Schumacher was ambassador for Omega for a long time before hopping over to Audemars Piguet. However, when he won the world title in F1 racing for the 6th time (2003), Omega decided to introduce a Speedmaster broad arrow model to commemorate this accomplishment by the German F1 pilot. The Speedmaster Legend ...
#TBT Breitling 765 CP "Jean-Claude Killy"
I'm going to apologize in advance because I'm going to give you some fairly useless advice. You should have bought the subject of today's #TBT about 6-8 months ago before prices started to rocket. Yes, the cat is out of the bag, as some might say, on this piece. Before, this piece was known primarily to serious collectors, but it received a boost due to the never-ending power of the internet and social media. Well, that and the fact that great looking, credible vintage chronographs are super hot. No, this piece isn't affordable, but I hope you'll enjoy the read. This is a big, bold vintage chronograph that also happens to mix in a celebrity connection; #TBT is here with the Breitling 765 CP ...
Join Us At The Watch Collecting GTG In London
Nothing beats a nice watch GetToGether and this coming Friday there will be another one that you don’t want to miss. This time in London. If you have not been to a get-together, you are in luck. Chrono24 will host their second GetToGether (read our report of the first one here) in London this Friday.Free entry and no sales talk, promised. It is about watches and the collecting community. Roger Smith also accepted the invitation of the Chrono24 Organizing team and will hold a shot presentation. Member of other watch media (print and online) will be on site, for example, Bert and Balazs from the Fratello will be there as well. The event will be a casual gathering for watch fans of differ...
Swatch x Rijksmuseum Collaboration Available Now!
Rembrandt, Vermeer, Van Gogh, to name just a few of the painters of which you can admire their work in the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. One of the main attractions of Amsterdam for sure, especially if you are into art. Swatch decided to collaborate with the Rijksmuseum and comes with three watches that are available as of now. These three new watches are inspired by art from the museum and are part of the Worldhood Autumn/Winter collection from Swatch. These watches are the Swatch Dutch Skies, Swatch Pink & Versa and Swatch Lady Buzz.For the introduction of the Dutch Skies, Pink & Versa and the Lady Buzz, we have been invited to the Rijksmuseum in Amsterdam. In all honesty, if you’...
Hands-On: The Seiko Prospex LX SNR033 GMT
A GMT with a blue and black bezel is one of the most sought-after watches in the world right now. We’re pretty sure that although it is not the reason why Seiko chose for this combination, it is pretty convenient.Take that with a grain of salt (or two), of course. It is just something that immediately came to mind when picking this watch up for a closer inspection. The comparison with the GMT-Master II “Batman” stops with the use of these two colours and the extra timezone complication. The Seiko Prospex LX GMT (reference SNR033) is a very different watch.Seiko Prospex LX SNR033The new Prospex LX collection was introduced last Baselworld, and the conference room that Seiko...
How the Speedmaster became the Moonwatch
This year we celebrate the 50th anniversary of the Moon landing, and with that, also the 50th anniversary of the Speedmaster Professional as the Moonwatch. Time to recap once more how the Speedmaster became the Moonwatch.Exactly 50 years ago, on July 16, the Saturn V rocket was on its way to the Moon (and back) as part of the Apollo XI mission. On board were fearless astronauts Neil Armstrong, Buzz Aldrin and Michael Collins. On their wrists, but probably the least of their concern, the Omega Speedmaster Professional.On July 20th 1969, the Apollo 11 Lunar Module put astronauts Neil Armstrong and Edwin Buzz Aldrin on the surface of the Moon. Michael Collins stays in the Command Module. On Jul...
#TBT 1940s Heuer Ref. 349 Watch Discovered In A Cellar
Imagine you had this watch in your cellar for 15 years and you had no clue. Simply because the day you bought the flat, you moved all the old stuff belonging to the previous owner there and you haven't found the time to go through it. That was until last month and the day you discovered this stunning Heuer ref. 349 in an old box…A true story. Katarina, a young archeologist from Nitra in Slovak republic contacted my watchmaker, asking if he would be able to identify the watch she found in a cellar and bring it back to life. When I saw this Heuer with heavily cracked and yellowing plexiglass a few weeks ago, I was sure there would be an untouched dial hiding beneath it. Last weekend, my ...
Top 4 Summer Watches for Women Fratello Watches
Transitioning to beach season calls for the perfect watch - one that will not only make you like a “vacay goddess” but will also be your true partner in crime. Can you picture yourself in Zakynthos lying on the white sands of Navagio beach, with its breathtaking cliffs? Perhaps you're jumping into the blue waters of Capri or surfing in Portugal? For fun in the sun, all you need is a timepiece that looks gorgeous and is made for a special purpose: playing in the water or with your kids.?Here are my Top 4 summer watches for women who want to give their own beach look a sharp, contemporary twist - one that celebrates and epitomizes the ultimate vacation.?Chanel J12What could be more...
Why Don't Some Watchmakers Like To Service Vintage Watches?
A good, reliable watchmaker with reasonable rates who is willing to accept any vintage watches you bring to their workbench is a rare specimen. I dare say I value my watchmaker more than any of my highly regarded watch dealers. If there is a question I get as often as, “Where did you get that watch?”, it would be, “Where did you get that watch serviced? Servicing vintage watches is not only a delicate task but also a delicate topic. When I say delicate task, I think of all the painfully butchered watch cases that collect more scars from one visit at an incompetent watchmaker than after five decades of wrist time. I'm not whining about one unfortunate slip of a screwdriver t...
Certina DS Super PH500M A Great Summer Watch (2021)
I fear that if Certina keeps on doing what it’s doing right now, soon I’ll run out of superlatives to describe the brand’s watches. About a year ago, Certina’s new DS Super PH500M VDST was introduced to the market. In 2021 we have yet another DS Super PH500M to drool over, and this might even be better than its sister model.?I mean that in the sense that it’s much more of an “ordinary” watch. There is no connection to an association and no orange dial. What we have is a simple yet functional diver for a fantastic price. So without further ado (and to use a cheesy pun from my dear Rob): let’s dive in.?Vintage DS Super PH500MWhen the VDST version...
Hands On With The New Bohematic Minor Titanium Chronograph
In 1949, an unknown Czech car called the Aero Minor Sport shocked the world's best racers. It came second at the 24 Hours Le Mans race, right behind the winning twelve-cylinder Ferrari. Meet the Bohematic Minor, a titanium-cased chronograph with an unusual mesh dial that pays tribute to this successful race car.It's a fascinating story. Only two prototypes of the racing car Aero Minor were ever made and both raced the same 24 Hours Le Mans race. Out of 60 racing cars, only 19 made it to the finish line, including both the Aero Minor cars. Not only did the Czech drivers Krattner and Sutnar come in second after the Ferrari, but their average speed of 99.664 km/h was also the absolute best perf...
The 7 Vintage Watches I Would Buy If They Were Affordable
As soon as you enter the world of mechanical watches, it seems like you enter an alternate reality at times. Especially when you have the privilege to write about luxury timepieces, watches that cost thousands and often tens of thousands of Euros are not uncommon to end up in your hands. While experiencing expensive timepieces from up close is absolutely amazing, there is always the reality that most of them will never be a permanent part of my life. But it’s time to dream a little and come up with a list of vintage watches I would buy if they were affordable.When it comes to the question of what is affordable, it’s obviously very personal. It has as much to do with your spending...
A Hands-On Look At the Traska Seafarer
What's great about the independent watch market is that we have options. I like options. We can choose between original designs and homages, and between inexpensive quartz watches and high-end mechanical timepieces. Just pick whatever floats your boat, and you will find it. If you are like me, you like a good sports watch under $1,000. Alas, there aren't that many options in this specific segment of the independent watch market. There are maybe five brands that I could recommend. In this article, I'll be reviewing the Seafarer, the fifth model from the US-based brand Traska and one of the five brands that are doing something right - according to me, at least.I recently reviewed the French Ne...
The Best Watches Under $2,000 Today Nacho's Pick From Sinn
When we embarked on the quest to find the best watches under $2,000, we didn't quite realize just how difficult it would be to find our favorites. The sub-$2K price point is over-saturated with the presence of microbrands but is also a space in which certain brands shine. As tempting as it might be to pick something like the Seiko SPB143J1 and be done with it, there's a desire to get as close to the price limit as possible. Frustratingly though, many watches that used to occupy the space have now crawled over the $2K mark. There are also some watches that are a bit too obvious. And though my first choice, the Tissot PRX Chronograph, was definitely that, a little bit of time and hunting revea...