Wanna Buy A New Watch? Check The Vintage Alternative
The Tissot PRX has undoubtedly been a runaway hit for the brand. Both the quartz and Powermatic 80 versions have been met with popular acclaim. The positive reactions and reviews have often focused on quality, price, and design. Recently, I looked at picking one up, but in my search, I stumbled across a vintage alternative - a mechanical gem with a similar shape. This is a short tale of my experience in looking for a Tissot PRX and buying a vintage Tissot Seastar with a kindred vibe and a ton of character instead.Hooray for vintage; long may it last!As you may know, the Tissot PRX is not a new design. Rather, it is the successful reinterpretation of a historical model made by the brand in th...
IFL Watches Drops the PRX 35mm Arctic And Midnight Sky
If you’re a regular reader here on Fratello, you’ll have seen that we’ve written about the colorful creations spawned from the creative minds of IFL Watches on numerous occasions. An irresistible kind of magic ignites when two distinct forms of artistry come together. With the new Arctic and Midnight Sky Concepts from IFL Watches, that’s precisely what we have here today. The Swedish design studio has conjured yet another eye-catching release that’s set to be a surefire hit.Imagine this: take the quartz Tissot PRX 35mm, then reimagine its flat white and blue dials brought to life through the enchanting artwork of the Arctic and Midnight Sky Concepts. It’s ...
Visiting The SpaceOne Tellurium Atelier In Paris
A few months back, I had the distinct pleasure of visiting the SpaceOne Watches workshop on the outskirts of Paris. Guillaume and Theo, the men behind SpaceOne, were kind enough to show me around, explain the idea behind their latest creation, the Tellurium, and let me snap some shots during the visit. Enjoy the pictures and, of course, the watches.Getting to Paris from Karlsruhe, Germany is pretty straightforward. The legendary French speed train, the TGV, stops in my city, so it’s only 2.5 hours to reach the Gare de l’Est in Paris. From there, with a detour driven by Guillaume, we reached the workshop of Theo Auffret, the other driving force behind SpaceOne.The SpaceOne atelier...
New: The Venezianico Nereide Aureo
The Venezianico Nereide Aureo is the latest release from the small Venetian brand. It’s also a dive watch with interesting materials and processes that come together at an affordable price. Let’s check out this intriguingly colored watch.We’ve looked at several Venezianico watches on Fratello and have been impressed with them. Today’s Nereide Aureo uses the brand’s diver case but adds several upscale touches. It brings a different, unexpected look to a dive watch. I’m a fan of the colorway and am interested to hear your thoughts.The Venezianico Nereide AureoThe Venezianico Nereide Aureo is a 42mm by 49mm dive watch in stainless steel. It features a screw-d...
Hands-On: Christopher Ward C63 Sealander GMT
By now, you are probably aware that Christopher Ward is hard to beat in terms of affordable luxury watches. One of the brand’s most popular series is the C63 Sealander, and within it, the GMT models are particularly in demand. We never reviewed the watch, so it was about time that we did. But not too long ago, Christopher Ward introduced a 36mm version in addition to the 39mm model already in the collection. For many watch fans, it raises the question of the right model for them. We decided to get both sizes in the office and create a comparative review to find out more. We quickly found out that there was no way to go wrong with either one. But is there a clear winner? Let’s fin...
Hands-On: The New Squale 1521 Marina Militare LE
Squale is a brand that holds a warm spot in my heart. I sold Squale watches when I worked at Amsterdam Watch Company. I was involved in the marketing of a limited edition back then, and I have gotten to know the team. It is one of those sympathetic smaller companies that rely on personal relationships, which I love. I have owned several Squale watches as well, so whenever a new version of the bestselling 1521 comes out, it gets my attention.Now, this is not just any new Squale 1521. This is a limited edition and a cooperation with the Italian Navy, the Marina Militare. Squale will produce two batches of 250 watches each. There’s plenty to unpack, so let's dive in.Squale and the Marina ...
Hands-On With Three Casio G-Shock GD-B500 Models
What happens if you elongate the design of a G-Shock “Square”? You get the new GD-B500 series. No, I’m just kidding. That’s an unfair and cheeky observation. However, the G-Shock Square is an immediate association as it is such an iconic silhouette. As a result, it’s tempting to compare any square or rectangular digital watch to the Square. But that would be selling the new GD-B500 models short because they have a lot going for them that people will love. These new fitness-focused models present a slim profile and modest proportions that are perfect for both men’s and women’s wrists. That makes this an interesting series, and I had the chance to take...
Bell & Ross WW1 Chronographe Monopoussoir Heritage A Hidden Treasure?
During BaselWorld this year, photographer Bert and I were visiting the Bell & Ross booth and one of the watches that made us very enthusiastic was this World War 1 Chronographe Monopoussoir Heritage. I am sure you’ve seen it here or here for example.The kind people of Bell & Ross showed us the entire new collection, but we had our hopes for this one, the WW1 Mono pusher chronograph. Drop dead gorgeous with its wire lugs, large dial, yellow-ish numerals and a nice ‘new’ patina on the dial. With a retail price of approx $7500 USD it was quite firm for today’s critical buyer, or should I say buyer in critical times? Nevertheless an awesome watch that makes a grea...
Chopard Mille Miglia 2013 Hands-On
Mille Miglia 2013Chopard has been partner of this famous (and beautiful) Italian rally since 1988. Every year, Chopard introduces a sporty Mille Miglia limited edition to commemorate the rally. This year, Chopard showed us the Mille Miglia 2013 timepieces when we were in Basel visiting the biggest watch exhibition in the world.Chopard is not only a family-owned business by the Scheufele family, they also share another passion: the Mille Miglia. This passion for the Mille Miglia is shared by Chopard's Co-President Karl-Friedrich Scheufele and his father, Karl Scheufele III, Honorary President of Chopard. Karl-Friedrich Scheufele’s wife sometimes accompanies him as well as a co-driver.Th...
Czapek Quai Des Bergues No 33 Review
Czapek & CieCzapek might sound very familiar to you. Watchmaker Fran?ois Czapek had a partnership with Antoni Patek (yes, that Patek) between 1839 and 1846. Right before Patek hit it off with Adrien Philippe in 1851. Czapek started his own horological adventure and was at the time quite successful in doing so. Our friends from aBlogtoWatch did a more detailed write-up on the history of Czapek & Cie, if you are interested.RevivedTaking a brand name from the past and use it for a new company is tricky business in my humble opinion. Especially when the original company was known for its high standards in fine watchmaking. Like the original Czapek & Cie company. A successful relaunch...
Sinn Watches Meeting The New DIN 8330 Standards
DIN 8330Germans and their standards. I can see the fun in that though. However, Sinn doesn’t joke around and is dead serious regarding meeting certain standards. The DIN 8330 is similar to the TESTAF guidelines?and is to pilot’s watches what DIN 8306 is to diving watches.CriteriaIn short, the DIN8330 standards are a set of criteria for reliable, functional and safe pilot watches. What to think of standards about clear readability of the dial during day & night? The ability to operate the watch with pilot gloves? Accuracy in ranges between -15 degrees celsius and +55 degrees celsius? Also accuracy during temperatures changes are included in the standards. Resistance to vibrati...
The Haven Chilton A New Chronograph from the Midwest
Today on Fratello, we take a look at the Haven Chilton, a real passion project from a small team of Midwesterners.If you're a faithful reader of Fratello, you'll know that we don't cover a ton of microbrand watches.? We have nothing against them per se, but it's generally not our niche.? I do make it a point to cover limited edition pieces from the Diver's Watches Facebook Group and we throw in the occasional higher-end piece from MING or others.? But sometimes, something comes along that should be covered, even if there's a touch of bias involved (hey, I called Ohio and Detroit home for the better part of 10 years!).? That something is the Haven Chilton chronograph.The Haven Chilton From th...
#TBT: Five Unusual Vintage Watches From My Wishlist
My major problem with watch collecting is, that searching for grail watches that are on my wishlist only makes the very same list longer and longer.I am so jealous of those enlightened collectors that decided to specify in one particular brand. Omega, Seiko, Breitling or whatever it is. Top respect to collectors of one specific watch model as well. It is not for me though. Never. I happen to love these quirky, funky, peculiar, unbelievable, crazy, creative, technical genius, out-of-box or whatever timepieces, regardless of which brand or model name is on the dial. When I come across such a watch, I need to write it down on my list.Nivada: www.dorotheum.com, Mido: www.catawiki.com, Timex: www...
This Week in Watches: July 18, 2020 Colors Edition
Welcome back to This Week in Watches for July 18, 2020 the Colors Edition. We’ve got some nice shades for you today, so let’s take a look at the palette.Panerai Luminor Blu Mare 44mmNow, blue has been one of the hottest colors for the last five years or so and there’s no stopping it. Proof positive is the new Panerai Luminor Blu Mare in 44mm. This stainless piece reminds us of the Luminor models from the late 1990’s and damn is it hot. Check out that angled case, applied numerals, and “OP” symbol and you’re transported back to a great era for Panerai. The blue dial looks perfect and it matches the blue leather and additional rubber strap. The caliber...
You Asked Us: What Watches Do Pilots Wear?
So here’s a somewhat romantic notion: pilots, God love them, are all obsessed with expensive luxury watches. So much so, in fact, that an entire category of watches is named after them. Except that’s not really true is it? Let’s submit ourselves for a quick reality check so we can take this worthwhile question from the mailbag and chuck it in the trash where it belongs.Modern-day pilots do not exclusively wear pilot’s watches. Pilots are, aside from incredibly important pillars of any society that embraces air travel, humans. They are people. They wear whatever the heck they please. And no, I’m not being facetious - this is true. The vast majority of planes have...
Perrelet Cannonballs Into Summer With Its Latest, The Turbine Yacht
Man, what a watch world we live in these days. Instagram. Hype. Waitlists. Premiums. Whether we like it or not, these are factors that have largely come to define the most popular segments of the collecting scene. As a watch brand, it can be a tricky landscape to navigate. What, exactly, do you do to survive? Do you humble yourself, observe the trends, and allow the desires of the market to dictate your offerings? Or, do you double down on what you do best and resolutely forge ahead?Good question, especially since both options may lead to absolute doom. Give the people too much of what they “want”? You run the risk of becoming yet another chided bandwagon jumper. Let your hubris ...
WASP 9.8: Ulysse Nardin Ambassador Free Diver Fred Buyle (2021)
Welcome watch fans, to another very special episode of Watching Sports And Sporting Watches. Today, I (Rob) am joined by Fred Buyle, Ulysse Nardin ambassador, professional freediver, passionate conservationist, and, perhaps most interestingly for our community, a real watch guy.You’d probably expect a lot more ambassadors to be as into watches as Fred clearly is, but it really isn’t the case. I’ve encountered sports stars and celebrities that have no idea what their agent is telling them to strap to their wrist. I think that’s a real shame. When I was working for NOMOS Glashutte, we discussed the possibility of hiring an ambassador something the brand has never done ...
A Brief History Of Time: Chopard's Watchmaking History Part One
If you've been following high horology seriously for a while, Chopard will no doubt be a familiar name. The brand has certainly been making a splash in the watch world for some time now.? I dare say, however, that for as many who know and appreciate Chopard’s work, there is an equal or even greater number who simply do not. Many of us may associate the name with jewelry, gem-laden women's watches, the Mille Miglia, or even a more controversial model, the Alpine Eagle. Unfortunately, many collectors are still unaware of just how much history the brand actually has, not simply as a jewelry maker, but as a legitimate player in the world of horology. Today, Chopard is not only one of the ...
Hands-On: Yema Superman FAF Search & Rescue Limited Edition
When French brand Yema sent us the new Superman FAF Search And Rescue Limited Edition, I jumped on the chance to review it. I have had the pleasure of wearing Superman models in the past, but I had never had a chance to take them out for a proper review. On top of that, I really love the retro-inspired looks of this new limited-edition model. It was released last Thursday, July 14th, also known as Bastille Day. It is the biggest national day of celebration in France. As such, it was a perfect moment to release a limited edition created for the French military forces.The Yema Superman FAF Search And Rescue Limited Edition comes with a cool story. It was not just created for the French militar...
NOMOS Glashutte Updates The Ahoi Atlantik For Summer 2022
Ahoy, landlubbers! For those of you who love the ocean and all things inspired by it but prefer not to venture beneath its surface in a professional capacity, the NOMOS Glashutte Ahoi is the watch for you. Released in 2013 as the Saxon darling’s “dive watch”, the Ahoi has gone on to become a design favorite. Bulkier and more resilient than the Tangente model that made the brand famous, the Ahoi lacks some of the typical “dive watch” specifications but treks far enough along the trail blazed by genuine dive tools to wind up as the perfect beach watch for both fashion and fun.As a “dive-inspired” watch, the Ahoi’s most notable carryover is its wa...