The Casio G-Shock GMW-B5000TR-9ER "Rainbow Hippie" (2021)
Can you dig it? Just open your mind, your third eye, and your chakra's and let your freak flag fly with the Casio G-Shock GMW-B5000TR-9ER. This groovy model uses specially developed Tran Tixxii titanium finished in an array of colors. It's heavy, groovy, and mellow at the same time. Just feel the vibe, go with the flow, and take a trip to see how this new square is anything but square. Right on!We already covered the G-Shock GMW-B5000TR-9ER when it was released to the press and then we went technical about an all-new titanium alloy called Tran Tixxii. It's an alloy that Casio and Nippon Steel Corporation took six years to develop. Tran Tixxii has all the characteristics of titanium - so it's...
Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonshine Gold "Panda"
Am I suffering from heatstroke this Speedy Tuesday when I say that my ultimate summer watch is the Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonshine Gold Panda? I don't know. Maybe I am. And maybe that's why I think that when the bright July sun hits the Moonshine Gold Speedmaster, the noble alloy strikes me as Sunshine Gold. And the black rubber strap sure is another summery touch. You get my point? If you truly want to shine this summer, having something gold on your wrist is certainly the way to go. And if not in real life, then at least in a vacation daydream.The softly shimmering Moonshine Gold case and dial light up gloriously when the sunlight hits them. And it's the sharp contrast of the blac...
The Cool New Bamford x G-Shock DW-6900BWD
It was perhaps unnecessary to start off with that proclamation, but it's true. Bamford's signature accents are those bright aqua blues you see on this G-Shock DW-6900BWD. This is George Bamford's cool signature and has always been, no matter the craze for “Tiffany Blue” es and Pateks. Here, we see the fresh color popping off the battle-proof resin G-Shock case even stronger than the first collab from 2021.Like many watch lovers, I confess to a split personality, and the new Bamford x G-Shock DW-6900BWD awakens my dominant side. I have an equal affinity for big divers and brawny G-Shocks as well as a deep love for 38mm chic. G-Shocks are equally cool for me now as they were in my ...
Talking About The Tudor Ranger And Field Watches
Fratello On Air is back with another winding episode where the Tudor Ranger and the idea of a field watch are in focus. Enjoy this flowing discussion while Balazs and Mike are sweating it out in Europe!...
Small Watches Only For The Hardcore Fans?
Trends come, and trends go. The early 2000s saw a rise in large watches. Fueled by Panerai, U-Boat, Breitling, and fashion brands such as Diesel, watches got bigger and bigger. Other brands started to boost sizes and add larger options to their lineups. Today, a resurgence of interest in vintage watches combined with the typical action/reaction cycles in fashion triggers a demand for smaller watches. Still, many mainstream brands continue to push out larger models. How come? Could it be that the smaller-watch trend is something for the aficionados only?Let me share my personal thoughts on the subject. I think we might be in less of a small-watch trend than we tend to tell each otherDon't tak...
The New Seiko Prospex Sumo Trio Of Dive Watches (2022)
The Seiko “Sumo”, a crowd favorite, cult classic, and underrated value proposition since its 2007 debut is back, upgraded to meet modern standards. Fans of the Sumo - and there are many out there - will be happy to see Seiko give the watch some well-deserved attention. And though the changes made are subtle enough to demand a second look, I feel they certainly do the watch justice. The new SPB321J1, SPB323J1, and SPB325J1 are ready to make a splash and take over where the former generation left off. These subtle changes not only bring the Sumo up to current-day standards but also transform the watch significantly. So, let's take a closer look and see what the new Seiko Sumo dive ...
Grand Seiko SBGY009 55th Anniversary Limited Edition
Recently, Grand Seiko has been putting a lot of emphasis on the releases in its new Evolution 9 collection. With standout dials and amazing case designs, I quickly have become a fan of the new line. But 2022 is also a year of celebration for the 44GS. The iconic design style that we know and love from Grand Seiko is best personified by the brand’s 44GS-style watches. Today, the brand announces a special manual-wind Spring Drive model to celebrate 55 years of that special style. Meet the Grand Seiko SBGY009 55th Anniversary Limited Edition.The 44GS is undoubtedly the most iconic Grand Seiko case. It was first introduced in 1967 and developed according to Taro Tanaka’s Grammar of D...
Available Now: Fratello Aquastar Deepstar II Pink Salmon
We are entering the final 24 hours of our one week sales window. The window closes tomorrow, July 26th at 16:00 CEST. In case our latest collaboration with Aquastar intrigues you, now is the last chance to place your order. Our Pink Salmon Deepstar II is meant to be the perfect summer companion. Together with Aquastar we designed a watch that is both cheerful and versatile at the same time: The Pink Salmon is fresh and fun without being loud. If this sounds like it will put a smile on your face during the coming summer days, then head over to our shop now before it’s too late.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NpC8XxZGWJUAt Fratello, we love a great-looking, approachable watch that can be...
Introducing: The Garrick Regulator MK II
Is British watchmaking experiencing a proper renaissance? I keep returning to this point, and the releases from Dave Brailsford and Simon Michlmayr's Norfolk brand underline it. Even with 2023’s blend of increasing inflation and uneasy times, we see a strong trend, and the Garrick Regulator MK II is yet another example of why and how.Despite our ever-increasing digital world of new releases, or even because of it, Great Britain is reminding us of what made it the 18th-century center of our beloved industry, with complex creations and famous workshops long before the Swiss grabbed the world's attention. There is a reason the term “GMT” hails from the Greenwich Observatory in...
Cristiano Ronaldo Becomes An Investor In Chrono24
If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. What first sounds like a platitude proves to be right yet again - specifically if you are part of the right group. Chrono24, the leading global marketplace for luxury watches, has announced that international footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has become an investor in the company. And with Fratello being part of the Chrono24 family, we are proud to witness and be part of yet another growth milestone.Ronaldo, also known globally as “CR7,” is not just acclaimed for his athletic prowess, which seemingly ignores the boundaries of age. He has also been known to be somewhat of a watch collector. In fact, his collection is...
Hands-On: The New Titoni Seascoper 300 DLC Black Edition
Titoni introduced its Seascoper 300 in November 2022, and it quickly became apparent that this is a watch to be reckoned with. Regarding quality and specs, it’s one of the best in class in its price bracket, so what could Titoni possibly do to make it even better? Technically and specs-wise, everything that was good has luckily remained with these newest releases. The improvements are mainly in the aesthetics department. Be aware that the new black DLC-coated versions are not for everyone as both are made in limited numbers.The new Black and Color Block limited editions still feature the 42mm case styled after the previous-generation Submariner. And, as Jorg already wrote in his revie...
A. Lange & Sohne's Newest 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar
Whenever A. Lange & Sohne announces new timepieces, I am all ears. The brand from Glashutte always impresses with either completely new creations or new versions of existing models. The latest additions are part of the latter category. The first is a special 10th-anniversary limited edition of the 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar with a stunning pink gold dial. The second is a toned-down version of the Lange 1 Time Zone in platinum with a rhodium-colored dial. The first is an immediate visual standout, while the latter is a monochromatic, understated piece. But you know that both are stunning testaments to the brand’s brilliant watchmaking skills.It’s no secret that A. Lan...
Collector's Trade: Blancpain Bathyscaphe For Breguet 5907
You know how some people on watch forums put up their watches for trade only? I always thought that to be a bit weird. I feel it’s very unlikely that you’ll easily find someone interested in your watch who has a watch you really desire. It also sounds like something more likely to happen with more affordable watches than watches worth several thousand euros. Yet there I was at the end of last year, trading my Blancpain Bathyscaphe for a Breguet Classique ref. 5907. I’m still delighted I did, but let’s see exactly how that trade happened.If you had asked me at the start of last year whether I would buy a watch from Breguet anytime soon, I would’ve probably said &...
Hands-On: Sternglas Hamburg Automatik Edition Neuwerk
Since 2016, Sternglas has been succeeding where others have fallen short. Dustin Fontaine started the watch brand after a fruitless mission to find an elegant, high-quality watch at a price within reach of his 21-year-old self. A Bauhaus design and a successful Kickstarter campaign followed. It’s a tale as old as time. Throughout the rise of crowdfunding watch projects, many have delivered quality products. Some have returned for a second bite, while fewer remain successful years later. Sternglas has outgrown that platform, business model, and the “Kickstarter brand” label. Today, I’m looking at a new version of its successful Hamburg Automatik model.The watch is stil...
Fratello's Top 5 Chronographs Of The First Half Of 2024
Another Friday, another list! We’re continuing our search for the best releases of the first half of the year. This week’s list focuses on the best chronographs we have seen in the first six months of 2024. After a quick meeting, we discovered it’s been a great year so far for fans of chronographs. We quickly assembled a list with more than double the number of entries we sought. This made it hard to choose, but in the end, we agreed on our top five picks. Let’s find out what they are!Before we jump into the best chronographs, it’s good to point out that mechanical wizardry plays a big part in the world of chronographs. As a result, we could have easily selected...
Hands-On: Omega Seamaster Ultra Deep Summer Blue
You might say that Omega’s Summer Blue collection is old news in 2024, and you’d be right. Omega's Summer Blue line was hot and trendy in 2023, but it's been a year, and aside from a few underwhelming Olympic models, we have not seen much from the Biel/Bienne-based brand. OK, there were the white-dial and two-tone Speedies, and to be fair, Olympic editions are hardly ever collector cornerstones. Anyway, I thought revisiting last year's most remarkable release would make sense. And while I'm at it, I figured I’d ask for the big boy of the bunch, the Omega Seamaster Ultra Deep Summer Blue - a “kill two birds with one stone” kind of thing.Before getting into the de...
Hands-On: Trilobe Les Matinaux L'Heure Exquise Blue
You may have never heard of the French poet Rene Char (1907C1988), but I'm sure you have heard of some of his friends. He counted among them Albert Camus, Pablo Picasso, and Martin Heidegger. Char's poems were filled with strange phrases and surreal, provocative images. Trilobe, a Parisian watch brand founded in 2018 by Gautier Massonneau, has a series of poetic-looking watches named after Char's poem collection Les Matinaux (The Dawn Breakers, 1947C1949). The Trilobe Les Matinaux L'Heure Exquise Blue sits in that collection. Like Char's, the watch has an optimistic, philosophical, and original spirit. Wearing it requires a bit of a different mindset. For instance, you will not ponder purely...
Hands-On 4N MVT01 D01 review
4N MVT01 D01 ReviewIn the scarce spare time in-between all meetings at?Baselworld we?like to?explore the exhibition for interesting things. Usually it’s appointment-only but at The Palace – where a lot of independent brands are located – we were spontaneously invited to check out the watches from 4N. This brand was founded in 2009 by Fran?ois Quentin who has a?a rich resume in the watch industry.?With the?shortest brand name in the book, 4N stands??for ‘four numbers‘, which relates to the way the time is displayed with 4 digits, just like a digital display only it’s fully mechanical.We had a look at the 4N MVT01 D01 watch. Have a look at these photos first...
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Eclipse Tribute to Vincent van Gogh
Vincent van GoghDutch Post-Impressionist Vincent van Gogh was?almost unnoticed during his (short) life time. Up to his death, age 37, he only sold one painting, “La vigne rouge”.?However, he painted over 2100 artworks, including around 860 oil paintings. He did so in only about a decade, as he only started painting in his late 20’s. Before, he was working for a firm of art dealers in The Hague, London and Paris. When he moved to Paris in 1886 to live with his brother Theo van Gogh (art dealer), in Montmartre, where he got his own studio. Here is where he painted the “Self portrait as a painter” in 1887/1888. This painting is one of his best known works and can b...
The Biatec Corsair A Dressy Pilot's Watch from Slovakia
As an American, and one who considers himself reasonably worldly, I have to admit that I get lost when it comes to identifying countries on a map east of Germany until one's eyes hit the landmass that is Russia. It's like the geographical enigma that is New England raised to an exponential level yes I still struggle with that one too. And so I had to do a bit of cartographical research prior to the first date with my now wife when I found out that she was born and raised in the country of Slovakia. Yes, folks, it's separate from the Czech Republic (you wouldn't believe how many people still say Czechoslovakia) and if you've never been, it's a beautiful and welcoming country. The topography i...