??The Panerai Submersible Bronzo Blu Abisso PAM01074 in 42mm
If you're already a fan of the Luminor Submersible 1950 3 Days Automatic Bronzo PAM00671, but 47mm is just too big for you. Don’t fret, I might just have the perfect solution. You could consider the new Panerai Submersible Bronzo Blu Abisso PAM01074 - a bronze, 42mm people-pleaser with an annual production of 1,000 pieces per year. Is this Piccolo Bronzo a Paneristi-worthy watch, or is this simply a creation to try and lure in a new crowd? Get ready for a wild ride that will start with a visit to Panerai's website.To get an impression of Panerai's bronze offerings, I first went to the official website. During my visit, I spotted four different bronze Submersible models. Three of them c...
The M.A.D.Edition MAD1 Project, And How Important Is It? (2021)
Now that the dust has settled, I feel that it is time to reflect on the madness that is the (aptly named) MAD1 by MB&F - coming in under the brand’s M.A.D. Edition moniker. Typically, the first time I hear about watches is from a press release in the Fratello inbox. This was not the case here. This particular project eschewed the usual press release and was released in secret.That in itself isn't a big deal here. This wouldn't be the first time a brand had released a watch in secret without announcing it and selling out before the general public even caught wind of the project. No. The big deal here was that the M.A.D.Edition MAD1 is an MB&F watch with a price tag of less than ...
Best Beater Watches in 2022 Seiko, Citizen, And More
Daily beater. It’s a term we hear quite often in the world of watches, but what it means to each one of us is personal. Some will tell you that a cheap Seiko is the perfect daily beater, while for others, a Submariner is the ideal choice. For this short list, we decided to go in the vein of the former. We have established some principles as guidelines for our choices, but at the end of the day, guidelines are just that. Nothing is set in stone when it comes to great daily wearers. We did, however, want to take the opportunity to see what is out there. Let’s take a look at some of the best daily beaters on the market today.The term “daily beater” might sound negative a...
Seiko SPB317J1: One Summer Month On The Wrist
I’ll be honest with you: when the Seiko SPB317J1 arrived at Fratello HQ for a first impression, I didn’t even realize it was a re-edition. What I did know, however, was that it could very well be my next Seiko diver. I was actually looking at the SPB151J1 “Captain Willard” re-edition. But I always found the Willard case a bit too bulky for my wrist, no matter how big or small it was. When I saw the SPB317J1’s slender C-shaped case in combination with the slightly smaller bezel and the short lug-to-lug, I almost ordered the watch without even trying it first. Now that I’ve owned it for about a month, I can tell you if it lived up to my high expectations!As ...
Bosphorus Leather Creates Luxurious Storage Solutions
My Bosphorus Leather obsession runs deep. Now, just a couple of years after discovering this charming Turkish leatherworker, I own six separate Bosphorus products. In my opinion, the material quality has been consistent from day one of my relationship with the brand, but the refinement of the company’s output has improved release on release. Last week, I received an eight-watch storage case in crocodile leather and an olive green hexagonal watch roll in “Togo” calf leather. As they make such an attractive chromatic pair, I thought I’d buddy them up in a single review.I’ve gone on record recently claiming to own 77 watches. At one point in my life, at least, that...
Ben's Summer Holiday Watch Omega Seamaster 300
After two years of limited air travel, 2022 is already fulfilling my summer holiday quota. In June, I went on back-to-back trips from the Algarve in Portugal to Dubrovnik in Croatia. Both destinations were booked in 2019 for 2020 and subsequently postponed each year until this one. After three years in the making, I was ready to soak up the sun and culture and engage in a little R&R. Accompanying me was the Omega Seamaster 300. Find out why I chose this watch and how it performed.The Seamaster 300 has been my trusted companion since 2021. I knew at the time of purchase that adventure awaited me and this watch. You can read why I bought it here, but the short answer is that the Seamaster ...
Taking A Journey Through Space And Time With Awake
Enthusiasm for mechanical watches has exploded in recent years. While many have predicted the demise of the mechanical watch, passion for these types of watches has flourished. It hasn’t always been easy, and the entire industry has had to survive the quartz crisis and the smartwatch revolution. Much like any hobby with devout enthusiasts, increased awareness and interest in mechanical watches have allowed a new ecosystem to develop: the small, independent brand. These brands share a passion for horology and work to create something unique to leave their mark on the watch world.Awake is one such example, and we have featured them multiple times on Fratello. Founded in 2019 by Lilian Th...
Introducing: The Formex Essence Splash Collection
Since its rebirth in 2019, Formex hasn't ceased to impress the independent horological community. Its initial new release was the Essence 43mm in 2019, closely followed by a 39mm version the year after. Since then, the Essence collection has grown a lot, with dials made of meteorite, malachite, and mother-of-sky. Furthermore, the Leggera sub-family made a splash (pun intended), given its forged carbon and ceramic case. In other words, lightweight and durable materials make the Leggera the perfect sportyyet elegantcompanion.It was only a matter of time before Formex would release a more playful iteration of the Essence, displaying bold, ultra-summery colors. That's what we are taking a look...
Building A Watch Brand With Two Models: Panerai Style
I enjoyed a little road trip from Holland to Tuscany with my better half and son last month. We spent some quality time in Florence. Of course, we visited the Piazza San Giovanni, home to the Cathedrale di Santa Maria del Fiore. My fiance and son were gazing in amazement at the massive green and white structure. I was staring in the exact opposite direction. There has been a Panerai boutique right there since the late 1800s, and that is what caught my eye.I have long been infatuated with Panerai, so this was a bit of a pilgrimage for me. Sooner or later, I will add a Radiomir to my collection. This is a topic of much debate here at Fratello because which one should I get? It also triggered a...
A. Lange & Sohne Remembers Walter Lange His 100th Birthday
Today, Walter Lange would’ve turned 100 years old. It’s a special day for A. Lange & Sohne because Walter Lange, who passed away at the respectable age of 92 in 2017, revived the brand his great-grandfather founded in 1845. In December 1990, a year after the Berlin Wall fell, Lange re-established his great-grandfather’s legacy under the name Lange Uhren GmbH. More than three decades and many remarkable releases later, A. Lange & Sohne is one of the leading names in today’s watch industry. It’s time to take a look at some of the brand’s best releases of the last three decades.When Walter Lange and the legendary Gunter Blumlein devised a plan to make...
Hands-On: Crafter Blue Bon Voyage Macaron Super Chrono
For those who have not gone on holiday yet and are still wondering what watch to bring, this could very well be an interesting little article. Let me introduce you to the Crafter Blue Bon Voyage Macaron Super Chrono. This watch is an instant feel-good object if you ask me. And more good stuff comes to light when you learn more about this particular Super Chrono.Before I discovered the watch's exact name, the Crafter Blue Bon Voyage Macaron Super Chrono (BVSS002.M) had already hooked me with its looks. Something about the combination of light blue and beige gets me. The color combo needs to be in small doses, though. One beige and one light blue sub-dial on the background of a grainy, very da...
Introducing: The Certina DS Action Diver Chrono
The Certina DS Action Diver Chrono is here just in time for the summer holidays. It’s a refreshing modern watch that follows the same design path as the DS Action Diver. It also takes a sharp detour from the trend of smaller diameters and thinner cases. This is a big, bold watch!I’m happy to go on record and state that Certina is currently handing it to Seiko when it comes to affordable dive watches. The Swiss brand offers fantastic points of entry for its retro-themed and modern divers. Swatch Group’s Powermatic movement is found in many models and boasts better accuracy and power reserve than many watches in the competitive set. Plus, there’s typically a size availa...
Vintage-Inspired Watches: What Makes Them Work Or Not?
There’s no shortage of vintage-inspired watches in today’s market. With so many options, there are bound to be hits and misses. This article will be a personal take on the factors that attract me to a vintage-inspired watch design or do the complete opposite. I have found four main aspects that seem to frustrate me the most.You see, in my role as a contributor for Fratello, I am lucky to see many different watches. This has been an interesting process of self-discovery with the hobby too. Being exposed to so many designs has not only provided some clarity in what my tastes are but also provided moments when those tastes are turned on their heads.Analyzing vintage-inspired watch d...
Omega Marine Chronometer
My fellow Omega addict Mauriche, mailed me a photo of his wonderful Omega Marine Chronometer. This is not the average clunky 1970s Omega watch, this one is quite special actually. The Omega Marine Chronometer features a 2.4Mhz quartz movement that is graded as a ‘Marine Chronometer’. There are similar Omega Megaquartz 2400 watches from that era, but these lack the ‘Marine Chronometer’ wording on the bezel of the watch. The Omega Megaquartz 2400 was introduced in 1973 in both gold and steel versions (reference BA/ST 396.0806) and in 1974, Omega introduced the ‘Marine Chronometer’ model in steel (ST 398.0836) with caliber 1511 and in 1975 (ST 398.0832) with ...
121Time Review
A watch company that uses the same e-strategy as Dell computers and Amazon.com? 121TIME.com is the first Swiss Made quality watchmaking company that use this direct sales and customization model. Each watch can be personalized with an engraving of text or a logo in the case back of the watch. Before that, you have to make a choice which type (or as 121TIME put it: “theme“) of wrist watch you like to have, which kind of bezel, dial and hands you want your watch to have, which type of movement you want to have and of course, which type of bracelet. Either stainless steel, rubber, carbon or a number of leather options. However, you can also start from scratch and start by selecting ...
Photo Report Of An Omega Speedmaster GTG in Holland
Dutch Speedmaster GTGIt’s Speedy Tuesday! As you probably know, the first steps on the Moon were set by NASA astronaut Neil Armstrong on July 21st at 2:56 (UTC time) in 1969. 44 years later, a perfect date to have a GTG with Speedmaster enthusiasts to have a lunch.Gerard Nijenbrinks of the in2watches.com watch blog and I invited some Speedmaster collectors and enthusiasts to meet in The Hague, The Netherlands. Some of the attendees just have one Speedmaster, others had dozens. The love for the Speedmaster was very much the same though. From vintage to new, all kinds of Speedmasters were brought to the table.To give an impression of the meeting (or GTG), we show you some pictures taken ...
#TBT Angelus caliber 215 Chronograph L.E.
Dear fans of #TBT, I'm afraid this week's issue will be a bit different. As Mike is on his much-deserved holiday from the series I was asked to do the next article. It will lack the cool, suave Florida talk, the praising of 60's watchmaking which we all love to read about and even the endless lines discussing?the smallest details on a piecepun intended, Mike ?? This week, though, we feature a superstar from a bygone era: a time when design was mostly to serve function, not aesthetics. The company is none other than Angelus (the original one, not this) and the watch is their legendary chronograph, the Angelus caliber 215.?I can't recall the first time that I saw this watch. I remember, though...
The Omega Centenary From A Collector's Perspective
Everyone who knows a bit about Omega watches is familiar with the Constellation collection. Today, perhaps, it is associated with the design characteristics of four “gold claws” and bi-coloured bracelets, but it was Omega’s flaghsip collection during the 1950’s and 1960’s. I’ve actually have said it before, but the Constellation is the watch that started my interest in watches a long time ago. In my family there are a couple of these vintage Constellations and I inherited one from my grandfather, who bought it in 1969 and wore it for the next 42 years: every single day.The Omega Constellations, especially the vintage models, have become quite collectible, ...
Tour de France with Official Timekeeper Tissot
Tour de FranceWe received an invitation for the finish of the Tour de France in Paris with official timekeeper Tissot. While we are not exactly known for being very sporty, some of us do enjoy a workout every now and then. In-between work, traveling, quality time at home and the typical Dutch weather (rain is falling straight down) I find myself on a road bike from time to time doing recreational trips. Nothing compared to the participants in the Tour de France. Spread out over 22 days they cycle over 3500km on their racing?bikes.Champs ElyseesThe 2016 edition of the Tour de France started on the 2nd of July in Normandy. From there the riders went to the southern part of France, going throug...
InDetail: The Ulysse Nardin Diver Deep Dive 1000M Limited To 300 Pieces
If you are in favour of big and bold diving watches, think Deepsea or Ploprof, you can add another to that list: the Ulysse Nardin Diver Deep Dive. There’s nothing much toned down about this particular watch, but I assume that this is also not intended by the Le Locle based manufacture.Ulysse Nardin Diver Deep Dive – It Will Not Go UnnoticedThere are more watches on the market with a case as big as 46mm, or even larger. But even my approx.50mm Seiko Tuna 6159-7010 looks less bold. The 46mm isn’t that extreme these days, but the two ‘extensions’ on the Ulysse Nardin Diver Deep Dive creates a watch that will not go unnoticed. But I believe that is exactly what Uly...