Hands-On: Hamilton Khaki Navy BeLOWZERO Auto Titanium
There's much to say about the Hamilton Khaki Navy BeLOWZERO Auto Titanium, now available in a gray and yellow colorway. You get an awful lot of watch in the physical sense with a polarizing design that leaves plenty of room for debate. And there's the more glamorous side of the watch that represents its character and image. If you think this striking Hamilton creation is merely a nec plus ultra tool watch, you're wrong. This striking diving instrument is also an XXL movie star. And just like a Hollywood superstar, this most exuberant Khaki Navy creation is larger than life.The Hamilton Khaki Navy BeLOWZERO Auto Titanium is not for the fainthearted. Nor is it for those who want to sneak throu...
Hands-On: Carbon G-Shock MRG-B2100B-1A
The Casio G-Shock GA-2100 series became a fan favorite immediately after its introduction and a staple of the collection soon after that. But despite it being one of the defining model lines in the G-Shock collection, we had not seen a premium MR-G version since the introduction of the “CasiOak” silhouette in 2019. That wait is now over with the introduction of the G-Shock MRG-B2100B-1A. This premium version is an exceptional display of G-Shock’s ongoing innovation efforts. The watch combines the familiar CasiOak aesthetic with three titanium alloys and a dial inspired by Japanese art and woodworking, resulting in a special high-end G-Shock.When I first opened the box of th...
What I've Learned About the Italian Watch Industry While Working at a Luxury Store in Canada
When talking about luxury watches the first country that comes to mind is Switzerland. Germany and Japan might arise in certain cases, but there is one big player in the watch world that is lesser known but quite important, Italy. Considering the obsessive love affair that Italians have with their watches it is not hard to imagine how a few enterprising individuals have created a storied watchmaking tradition there, that is very much alive today.The U-Boat U-42 was designed to the specifications of a watch designed by Italo Fontana’s grandfather in Italy in 1942Working at Matt Baily, a luxury watch boutique in the heart of Downtown Montreal (Quebec), Canada, offers a special perspecti...
Speedy Tuesday Speedmaster Professional Mark II
Omega Speedmaster Mark IIIt’s Speedy Tuesday! Once in a while we ask someone to contribute to Speedy Tuesday. Today I am honored that my long time friend Ruckdee was willing to do a write-up on how he got his Omega Speedmaster Professional Mark II. It isn’t a story about the watch, but a story about things that matter in life and sure, the watch plays an important role here.My Speedmaster Professional Mark II – by RuckdeeSeeing RJ's recent call for a Speedmaster Mark II, I feel I should contribute with a small story of my own.?It may be more about the journey than the watch itself, so please bear with me. If you are a son and you are not speaking to your father or mother, I...
Travel the World Stay Connected! EQB-510 by Casio EDIFICE
New look, smart functionality: the EQB-510, presented by EDIFICE, is already the second generation of watch that can communicate with smartphones a new casually elegant interpretation of the successfully launched EQB-500. The EQB-510 is the perfect companion for both business men and globetrotters. The watch communicates with smartphones using Bluetooth? 4.0 technology and the free Casio Watch+ app that enables world time settings to be easily set. It only takes one click of a button to set the watch to local time. A second time zone can also be set using the world map of around 300 cities which is included in the app. Thanks to two displays on the watch face, which are both visible at the s...
#TBT King Seiko 45-7001
In today's #TBT, we step away from a fairly long run of sport watches, either from the diving or chronograph persuasion. That leaves us to explore the previously unknown: the dress watch. I actually like dress watches of the simplest kindtwo to three hands maximum, but with enough distinction to make them stand out from the crowd. For certain, simplicity can be a tough thing to master, but today's featured Seiko does it with ease. The other notable attribute about today's piece, and a prime reason behind its acquisition, is its movement. #TBT comes to you from the island of Gozo with the King Seiko 45-7001.Yes, I am writing this poolside, which really makes the subject of today's article a l...
Chrono24 GTG London event report
Last weekend we flew off to the capital of the United Kingdom to meet up with a small group of watch enthusiasts. We received an invite for this GTG, organised by Chrono24, in the center of London. Following up the first Chrono24 GTG in their headquarter in Karlsruhe, Germany. As you can expect from these kind of events, the location was kept a secret until the very last minute. Directions however led us to a historic location situated on the river Thames. It doesn't get much more central London than this.Upon our arrival at Shakespeare’s Globe we make our way up to the event location where we are welcomed by the hosts of the evening. Accompanied by a glass of bubbles we slowly see mos...
DOXA SUB300 Silver Lung A Rare Searambler Returns
In what has become a highly successful model of issuing limited edition models, today we’re excited to announce the immediate release of the DOXA Sub300 Silver Lung.? The newest special edition follows a similar format as last year’s Black Lung edition with the availability of only 300 pieces available for order via the DOXA website at a preorder price of $2,190 ($2,490 should they not sell out prior to August delivery).The DOXA Sub300 Silver Lung, similar to the Black Lung, is a reedition of a short-run of watches produced in 1967 in partnership with the diving equipment brand Aqua Lung.? As the name states, though, it’s on a silver dial, which means it carries the Searamb...
StockX The Stock Market for Watches and other things
StockX is the world’s first stock market of things, more importantly, it’s the first-ever stock market for watches. Buyers place ‘bids’, sellers place ‘asks’ and when a bid and ask meet, the transaction occurs automatically. The best part: StockX ensures everything is 100% authentic and that all of the watches on the platform are in excellent condition.Why buy or sell a watch at StockX?As a collector or watch enthusiast, you are probably aware of the risks that are out there when buying a watch. Or selling a watch, for that matter. Besides receiving your money, you also want to be sure that the other party is happy with the watch. When buying a watch, you ...
The Eagle Has Landed. Speedmaster for Ladies.
50 years ago, Neil A. Armstrong and Buzz Aldrin walked on the moon for the first time. This remarkable historic moment was a giant leap not only for the culture and science but also for Omega – making the Speedmaster Professional one of the most recognisable watch in the world.Releasing limited series of the legendary Speedmaster Professional – Apollo 11 50th Anniversary in Moonshine Gold, along with the stainless steel model, or hosting Speedy Tuesday World Tour, are just examples how Omega celebrates the first landing on the Moon and the Moonwatch legacy. With the market reevaluation and a drastic shift in consumer behaviour, a new dimension of collecting watches is dedicated t...
Tomas's Top 5 Vintage Breitling Watches
Breitling is one of the brands that has been capable to bring continuously bold, inspiring, and innovative watches since the early days. Picking my top 5 models from such a vast and inspiring catalog turned out to be quite a challenge.Opinions on the Breitling brand tend to be quite strong, one way or the other. I either meet collectors that feel zero affinity towards the brand or, more often, enthusiasts that have not just one or two, but dozens of Breitling watches. It only confirms that you have a lot of choices once you fall under the vintage Breitling spell.1. Breitling Chronomat ref. 769In 1940 Breitling applied for a patent on a rotating logarithmic slide rule, a tool for Mathematicia...
Breitling Boutiques Doing Things Differently
Stepping into a Breitling boutique today is a totally different experience than entering a dealership when I just founded Fratello magazine. Most of the time, you’d step into an interior that the grandparents of the current owner had proudly chosen and installed. Uncomfortable chairs (covered with velvet!) at an oak desk where the shop owner would show you the watches on a tray, matching the dark brown oak. Often a place where there was more information and passion for watches in the catalog than in the shop.Even today - although the interiors are often improved - you will encounter places where there’s just a small collection of watches of the brands you are looking for (or at l...
#TBT Porsche Design Watch By IWC
It would feel like wearing a real Porsche on your wrist if it were made of steel. The full-titanium case and integrated bracelet seem are robust enough but wear more like your favorite dress watch. Let's dig deeper to discover the charm of the titanium Porsche Design chronograph by IWC.I have a very dear friend with whom I share not only a passion for watches but also for classic cars. Peter is a Porsche Garage owner, chief mechanic, and trusted caretaker of my 1981 911 SC. Anytime I pass by his workshop, I stop for a while and we chat about life, cars, or watches. As Peter wields a wrench as often as I type, I mostly see him with hands blackened by oil and a Casio watch on his wrist. But so...
Omega At The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games: An Overview Of Its Timekeeping Technology
Postponed, but not abandoned, the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games are finally here! You read that right, the Tokyo 2020 name remains despite their taking place in 2021. The land of the Rising Sun will host the Summer Olympics for the second time in history, the first being in 1964. Omega will be the official timekeeper for all events at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games and has been for nearly all editions of the Games dating all the way back to 1932.Tokyo 2020 Olympic GamesStarting today, July 23rd, 339 events in 33 sports will take place in the host country of Japan. Including some new additions to the usual list, like karate, sport climbing, baseball, softball, and skateboarding. All of which, will a...
The New Limited Edition Panerai Radiomir Eilean Dive Watch (2021)
Panerai is a brand that has delved deep into its historical catalog many times to reinstate and solidify the importance of its Radiomir collection. The line harnesses the manufacturer's maritime references, as well as its historical ones. Panerai’s prototype of the Radiomir watch underscored the beginnings of what would become one of the world's most recognizable designs. The embryo of a concept centered around legibility. A watch initially conceived as a military tool but one that has since become a part of many a self-respecting horophile's collections.Now, Panerai merges the Radiomir design DNA with another important chapter in the brand's story. The Radiomir Eilean brings together ...
IWC Doppelchronograph Ref. 3713 A Watch That's Double The Fun For Those Who Dare
Sometimes it's nice to force yourself to like something. When you intuitively know something is good, but you can't see it or feel it right away. Sporadically, if you try long and hard enough, that feeling will eventually come. And when it does, it just feels so darn good! Back in the 90s and early 2000s, IWC made pilot's watches that looked like flight instruments. Almost a bit boring, even, but beneath that dull layer of functionality lay a world full of adventure waiting to be discovered by those who persevered. And I did just that. From the Zero's comes this IWC Doppelchronograph Ref. 3713 a watch that’s double the fun for those who dare.Back in the 90s ?I lusted over three IWC pil...
Fratello Editors Share Memories Of Their First Watch Ever Seiko, Casio, Omega, And More...
The other day I reached a little bit deeper into the safe than I usually do. I ended up with the cheapest blue plastic digital watch you can imagine in my grasp. Rolling it around in my hand, every single bit of it still felt familiar despite not having seen it for about three years (and 20 years before that). It was my first watch ever and it holds a special place in my heart.That was the very moment that sparked the idea for this article: a write-up in which each of the Fratello editors could share their earliest memories of their first watches. I pitched the idea to Rob and RJ. They loved it and instantly sent me back their stories. It didn’t even take a full week for me to collect ...
Looking At The Best Dial-Side Chronographs (2022)
In watchmaking circles, the chronograph is widely accepted as a hard-to-master complication. The wonderfully complex and intricate mechanism is a joy to behold, yet the majority of the works are relegated to the rear side of the movement. If they’re so great, then why “hide” them around the back? I mean, if you have a chronograph watch in your collection with an open case back, you’ll know how fascinating it is to look at. Thankfully some brands offer dial-side chronographs so we can gawp and enjoy these wonderful mechanical marvels.Pressing the buttons and watching the parts move is a joy to behold, but it’s a hassle to take the watch off to view this marvel th...
Omega Speedmaster Split-Seconds Ref. 3540.30
Welcome back, dear Fratelli, to Wrist Game Or Crying Shame! It has been seven weeks since our last installment, but I’ve got an interesting (value) proposition on the docket today. We’re looking at the Omega Speedmaster Split-Seconds, one of the lesser-seen Speedmasters from the tail end of the ’90s. Both its maker and model family have a prestigious reputation, and the rattrapante complication makes it even more intriguing. For $1,954, this rare Speedmaster could be the no-brainer of the year. But that’s only if the design and execution speak to you. Let me tell you what I think, then we’ll put it to a vote.For me, quirky chronographs are wonderful things. What...
Unique World Timers By Ball, Montblanc, And More
World time watches are a relatively young addition to horology. Invented by Louis Cottier in 1931, the complication doesn’t have quite the longevity as, say, the chronograph or calendar. But in the less than 100 years since its birth, the world timer has undergone quite a bit of creative modification, more so in recent years. It’s a design premise that has real-world use, and once the general concept entered the collective imagination of watchmakers, the sky became the limit on unique ways to display this information. Ball, Christopher Ward, Montblanc, Bremont, and NOMOS Glashutte show us that there’s no one way to do world time.The world time complication is a fairly strai...