Eberhard Scafograf 300 A Hands-On Review
This past March at Baselworld, Blaise, Teun and I had the opportunity to sit down with Eberhard & Co and were introduced to a watch that really hits the sweet spot of our readership: the Scafograf 300. In fact, Teun published an overview of the watch based upon our brief session with the company during the show and people certainly showed interest. Since that time, though, we've kept in touch with the brand in order to get our hands on a watch for a more thorough review and a couple weeks ago, Eberhard was finally ready!Eberhard Scafograf 300 (photo credit: casowatches.com)Eberhard HistoryIf you don't know much about Eberhard & Co, don't feel too embarrassed as I really hadn't looked...
Book Recommendation: A Moon Watch Story
It is Moonwatch Weekend here on Fratello, and at several other places, as it was exactly 50 years ago that Armstrong and Aldrin set foot on the Moon. Accompanied by the Speedmaster Professional.We usually try to keep our Moonwatch enthusiast for a Tuesday, but we feel we’re allowed to do so this weekend as well.From the authors of the book Moonwatch Only, you will now also find this smaller hardcover book called ‘A Moon Watch Story’. It is not an addition to Moonwatch Only (we reviewed the 2nd edition here), but an alternative for those who don’t want to shill out $250 (or more, since it is officially out of print and prices rapidly increased for a copy on eBay and el...
Hot Take: Speedmaster Moonwatch 321 Platinum
Exactly 50 years ago, Apollo 11 landed on the Moon and on the wrist of Edwin ‘Buzz’ Aldrin was an Omega Speedmaster Professional 105.012. From that moment, the chronograph as part of the astronaut’s official equipment became ‘The Moonwatch’. Today, Omega shows us the Speedmaster Moonwatch 321 Platinum to commemorate Apollo XI and celebrate caliber 321.As you can read in this article we published last week, the Speedmaster didn’t become the watch of choice by accident, it underwent some proper testing procedures by NASA’s engineers and was the only watch to pass all tests. The Speedmaster that NASA qualified for all manned flight-missions, was their r...
The Moonwatch The Speedmasters That Went To The Moon
On July 21st, 1969, the Omega Speedmaster became the Moonwatch. Before that, it was “just” the chronograph that astronauts used onboard the spacecraft and during their spacewalks.It ascended to the legendary status it holds today after rigorous testing. Understanding exactly what the Speedmaster went through to reach this level is fascinating. We reported the testing procedures in how the Speedmaster became the Moonwatch. If you’d like to read about the failed competition, you can do so here.This article contains a lot of reference numbers. Don’t let that confuse you. But if you have any questions, or need further clarification on anything, just ask us in the comments...
Bvlgari Octo Roma Tourbillon Sapphire Malachite Watch
I really like what Bvlgari does with its jewelry timepieces. Nine times out of ten, they are not designed for me, but that doesn’t stop me from appreciating the craftsmanship that goes into their creation. From afar, I have admired the recent releases (especially the aventurine glass dial models RJ reviewed a couple of months ago). When I heard about the Bvlgari Octo Roma Tourbillon Sapphire Malachite watch I was interested but not excited. I expected it to be beautiful and beautifully made, but not something I would wear. Well, I was wrong again…“A full diamond bezel with diamond-studded lugs, Rob? Have you gone soft in the head?” Perhaps, dear readers, perhaps. Yes,...
Two For Tuesday: Tudor Black Bay Vs. Pelagos
Two For Tuesday is here with a look at two perennially hot dive watches. We have the Tudor Black Bay and its more serious rival the Pelagos.It was just a couple of weeks ago that I posed the question of whether the Tudor Submariner should return. Predictably, you sided with me and voted for its reincarnation. I guess we’re vintage fans at heart here and hence the lack of a surprising outcome. But let’s be brutally honest, with Tudor today compared to just 10 years ago, we are spoiled for choice. With both its Black Bay and Pelagos models, Tudor offers some pretty compelling choices.Two great dive watchesI invented Two For Tuesday in an effort to aid would-be purchasers of watches...
Fratello Is Hiring! Full-Time Senior Marketing Manager And Social Media Content Creator Roles Available
Exciting news! We are, once more, looking to expand our team. We are busier than ever, and the work we're doing behind the scenes has never been more exciting. If you'd like to be part of it, read onFratello is one of the most-read, fastest-growing online luxury watch magazines in the world. Join our team of watch enthusiasts, focused on creating original and opinionated content. We produce videos, podcasts, social media content, and - of course - articles for our magazine. In joining our team, you will be on top of the luxury watch industry, with unique insights and access to the finest watches and watch brands in the world.About the Senior Marketing Manager roleWe continue to grow quickly ...
The Omega Speedmasters (X-33 and Moonwatch) For The Blue Origin Crew Customized Case Back and Strap
Here in the Fratello office, we were standing in front of one of the big monitors to watch the preparation and launch of the New Shepard (named after Alan Shepard). On our wrists, the Omega Speedmaster (hey, it was a Speedy Tuesday) and on the wrist of the Blue Origin, also Omega Speedmaster watches. So which watch did they wear exactly? Keep on reading.Wally Funk and the rest of the Blue Origin crew. Photo (c) APWe watched the New Shepard NS-16 flight with a lot of interest, not in the last place because we love everything that has to do with space. And on this very special date, July 20th, 52 years after the Moon landing by the Apollo XI crew, Jeff Bezos, his brother Mark Bezos, Wally Funk...
Watch Giveaway: Win The Peren Hintz On Fratello! (2021)
I reviewed the Peren Hintz way back in October 2020. It feels like a lifetime ago, mired as we were in the onset of the second wave. The optimism of late summer had faded and I was left staring down a long wintry tunnel and sorely in need of respite. Well, this quirky little weirdo from Transylvania certainly provided it! My first thought (and comment) on this watch regarded the odd color-combo adorning the dial: orange and burgundy are set against a parchment background. Curious? So was I… Read on to find out how you can make this unusual ticker yours.The Peren Hintz emerged on the back of the Peren Nera and, thus, had a lot to live up to in my mind. Why? Because I’d?loved?the N...
The Sea-Dweller 16600 Why I Bought It Back!
The Sea-Dweller 16600 was my first sports back in 2003. After owning it for over 10 years, I decided to trade it for something else. Only to come to the realization - a few sports models later - that the Sea-Dweller is, in fact, the one for me.When I started taking my first steps into the world of watch collecting in the late 1990s, I had to learn everything from scratch. Magazines like Uhren Magazine, Chronos (later WatchTime), and websites like TimeZone, taught me a lot of the things I know about many brands, including . Although the prices (and availability) were much more attractive at the time, being a student, purchasing a was quite simply out of the question.Back then, leafing thr...
#TBT The Enicar Jet Graph Mk III Is As Tough As A Tank
When it comes to mass and muscularity, there is hardly any vintage chronograph that can beat the Enicar Jet Graph. If I were a raindrop, I would rather freeze and break into million pieces than face a quest to penetrate its case.You see, the Jet Graph is like a steel fortress with fences so high that you get tired just looking at them. It has a famous EPSA “Compressor” case by Ervin Piquerez that was water-resistant to 300 feet. Not a bad rating for a ’60s chronograph, I’d say. After no more than a couple of minutes in your hands, you can feel how well built it is.“Arnie” caseYou can recognize the case from miles away. That triangular beveled edge is so hi...
The New Airain Type 20 Vert Militaire Flyback Chronograph
The Airain Type 20 Vert Militaire adds a subtle dash of color to this classical military pilot's watch. The regular-production black dial and limited-edition brown dial are both sold out. So if you want to get your hands on a Type 20, you will have to grab one of the 134 green ones. Alternatively, you can wait for the black to come back. But why would you, if the green is as good-looking as this is?Airain re-founder Tom van Wijlick shows his great eye for color in this release. I have had the pleasure of seeing the watch in real life. I am happy to report that it is absolutely beautiful. You can find more about the Type 20 in our earlier article. For now, let's have a closer look at this lim...
Thomas's Summer Holiday Watches From Baltic And Omega
Finally, after a couple of years, we have a trip planned again. Whether it was the pandemic, career moves, or having a child, there was always something keeping us from traveling. This September, however, we are taking the car for our first vacay as a family of three. Nacho asked me to write a piece about the holiday watches I will be packing, so here we are! Let's have a look!I like to pack light, so I will limit myself to just two watches. And with these specific two, I am ready for just about anything.A titanium diver goes a long way when trying to pack lightA Tuscan weddingWhen we were invited by some dear friends to attend their wedding in Tuscany, we finally had an incentive to follow ...
Wolbrook Tropic-Style Straps For My Blancpain Bathyscpahe
We all know how difficult it can be to find the right strap combo. I buy straps quite regularly in my quest for the best, but I sell them on quite regularly too. Of course, I try to get some inspiration from Instagram and on the forums up front. Nevertheless, it doesn’t always turn out as I’d hoped. Thankfully, this was not the case with the Tropic-style straps from Wolbrook. As soon as I put them on my Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe, I knew that I had made the right choice! But it’s actually not that easy to find the “right” Tropic-style strap.When I got my Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe - I’ll just say “Bathyscaphe” from now on - it...
Hands-On: The Green Omega Seamaster Professional 300M
Green watches - they’re a thing! Call it a fad, trend, or craze, but it seems that for these last couple of trips around the sun, the color green has taken a firm grip over the watch industry. And this particular Seamaster Professional 300M model aligns with the vogue of green iterations in Omega's flagship lineup. But I'm not here to talk about this pattern. In fact, I find the topic rather tedious. A particular color prevailing in popularity is something that happens all the time. In fashion, colors come in and out of style as consistently as the seasons roll by. Green watches being a thing is about as interesting as straight-fit jeans or crop tops being a thing (again). It’s a...
Six Hot Barbie Pink Watches From Oris, Zenith, And More
Yes, this is well-timed for the UK and European premiere of the long-awaited Barbie movie by Greta Gerwig, starring Ryan Gosling and Margot Robbie. Sure, the jury is still out on its naivety or irony-saturated content, but the rose-colored glasses are definitely on. To me, that’s one of the perfect reasons to curate a collection of six hot Barbie pink watches for you.Reason number two was a comment on the release of our drop-dead gorgeous diver, the Aquastar Deepstar II Pink Salmon. We are free-spirited when it comes to comments, but it did irk me that someone questioned the sub-37mm size and color for a man's watch. We’re living in 2023. Seriously guys, the shrinkage is upon us,...
A Tour Through Louis Vuitton's La Fabrique Du Temps
Two weeks ago, Louis Vuitton launched its all-steel, fully made-over Tambour. It’s a watch that shows how serious the Parisian Maison is about its horological ambitions. According to the comments below the introduction article, some people still have to get used to the idea of wearing a watch that says “Louis Vuitton” on the dial. Well, maybe this report on my visit to La Fabrique du Temps, the brand’s home of watchmaking, can help convince those people. And for everyone else, it can simply be a nice peek inside the brand’s watch kitchen. In any case, here we go.The morning after the day of the presentation of the new Tambour at Musee d’Orsay in Paris, we ...
Hands-On: Spending Time With The Tudor Black Bay 54
Tudor surprised all of us with the release of the Black Bay 54 this year. While we were fully expecting a Black Bay 58 GMT or a blue Pelagos 39, Tudor took the shrink ray to its popular diver once more. But the Tudor Black Bay 54 is more than a simple downsizing effort. It is more of a straight-up reissue and less of a merely vintage-inspired offering than its predecessors. So, what is it like to live with?It is hard to open a web browser and not bump into a Tudor Black Bay 54 review. So I will include the basic objective review content for the sake of completeness, but I will particularly focus on some subjective matters too. This release triggers some bigger questions about vintage-inspire...
Omega Speedmaster Professional: 54 Years As The Moonwatch
On July 21st, 1969, at 02:56 UTC, NASA astronaut Neil Armstrong was the first to set foot on the Moon. Nineteen minutes later, his colleague Buzz Aldrin joined him, wearing an Omega Speedmaster Professional strapped over his space suit. The watch was not there by coincidence. Rather, it was the only one that had not failed NASA’s rigorous testing procedures.As a watch enthusiast, you’ve probably heard the story of the Moonwatch a thousand times already. However, in case you're new to watches or simply don't mind hearing about it for the thousand-first time, here we go!A training exercise on April 22nd, 1969, with Astronaut Buzz Aldrin on the left and Neil A. Armstrong on the righ...
Oris Divers Sixty-Five Calibre 400 38mm Vs. Tudor Black Bay 54
It’s a summer Sunday morning, so grab your caramel Frappuccino, and get ready for a battle rooted in history. We’re kidding, of course; an early morning battle like this requires a double espresso. But we weren’t kidding about the history-injected showdown that we are presenting to you this morning. We paired the latest 38mm Divers Sixty-Five Calibre 400 with the Tudor Black Bay 54. These are two popular dive watches with plenty of retro charm and proprietary movements. So grab your double espresso, and let’s get into it.It was quite the wait before Oris brought the 38mm Divers Sixty-Five Calibre 400 to its regular collection. But two years after introducing the Chron...