Forstner Beads Of Rice Bracelet Updated For 2022
We’ve had a pretty exhilarating time on Fratello recently, with the releases of Watches And Wonders causing quite a stir in the industry and within our beloved comments section. And here I come again with a brand that splits opinions within the team. RJ, our bespectacled overlord, doesn’t have much time for Forstner. Despite the platonic cuddles we frequently share in between the writing of articles, this brand is the one thing that can almost bring us to blows. I love it; he doesn’t. He can’t stand the lightweight, era-authentic designs; I can’t get enough of them. However, when it comes to these after-market bracelets and others, there is one thing we agree up...
The New Minase Divido Shibo Urushi Collection
Some of us would say that Japan is like another planet. The country leaves us in awe because the experience we come away with is so foreign to us. Having been a gaijin (literally, an “outsider”, or a foreigner) living there for several years, I can tell you, the glee from being awe-struck never gets old. And the latest from Minase, the Divido Shibo Urushi collection, gives me plenty to get awe-struck about.What hit me the most about living in Japan was the level of sophistication around me, even in daily life. In Japanese culture, the word monozukuri refers to the art of making things, particularly by hand. And believe me, the Japanese can refine anything into an art form. Still,...
Hot Take: Two New Breguet Type XX Watches
For some of you, Breguet is most famous for its Classique collection or perhaps even the Tradition line, which debuted in 2005. However, for many others, it's the Type 20 (or Type XX) that sings to them most when talking about Breguet watches. The French Air Force commissioned this chronograph in the early 1950s, and it has won the hearts of numerous enthusiasts since.Seventy years ago, the French Air Force needed a chronograph wristwatch for its pilots. A watch was an important piece of equipment for calculating remaining fuel and flight time, doing specific maneuvers, and so on. These intense mid-air operations required an accurate watch with a chronograph complication. The French Air Forc...
Interview With Omega Forums Co-Founder Ashley Budgen
Before social media became a platform for watch enthusiasts and collectors, we hung out on some of the (many) watch forums online. At some point, Omega Forums arose, using a very user-friendly interface for its members to participate in watch-related discussions. Although the name implies that it’s about Omega, the site also hosts forums for fans of Longines, , Zenith, Seiko, Universal Genve, and others.I thought it was about time to interview co-founder Ashley Budgen of Omega Forums. I’ve met him on two occasions. The first time was 10 years ago during a Speedy Tuesday event in the Netherlands, and the second time was during a Speedy Tuesday event in Singapore in 2019. Ashley i...
Hands-On: The New Nezumi Aviera
Nezumi Studios in Stockholm has now been with us for more than 10 years. The brand’s vibe is a curated range of tool watches with an automotive slant, and as a former petrolhead, I’m all for it. Sadly, I haven’t got a petrol-fume-smelling Triumph GT6 or a Lotus Elan anymore. But the romance of the tarmac is still intensely appealing, even if this eco-decade is trending in another direction. Going hands-on with the new Nezumi Aviera only serves to underline this Swedish brand’s vision.Small brands tend to be either slightly schizophrenic in their evolution or, like David Campo’s Nezumi, approachable and solid. When “solid” is synonymous with quality a...
One Great Watch Or A Couple Of Really Good Watches?
Fratello On Air is back with another episode, and this time, we talk about whether it’s worth consolidating to one great watch versus having two (or more) really good watches. Of course, your definition of “great” and “good” may vary, but we think you get the gist....
These Notorious Gateway Watches Will Get You Hooked
You might not be aware of it when you buy a certain watch, but some can lead you down an ever-more tempting path. Those watches make you love watches even more than you already did, or they make you understand that the watch you bought is great. However, they also make you realize there’s another watch out there - probably a more expensive one - that you’d rather have. We call these “gateway watches.” They’re the kind that leads you to buy a “better,” more expensive watch or that, at the very least, fuels your urge to get another. Today, I’ll share a story about my gateway watches, two of which are probably some of the best-known “offende...
Introducing: The Hublot Arsham Droplet, A Time-Telling Objet DArt
Forget about the edgy Big Bang. Here's the fluid shape of water that tells time by Hublot. The brand from the Swiss town of Nyon worked together with the New York-based contemporary artist Daniel Arsham to come up with an object that is a pocket watch, a pendant, and a table clock. No, it’s not all three once, but the Hublot Arsham Droplet transforms fluidly from one entity into another. The time-telling objet d'art comes in a limited series of 99 droplets and with a price that might have you plunder your rainy-day fund.Together with artist Daniel Arsham, Hublot reimagined the classic pocket watch. The two collaborators are not the most likely to come up with a timepiece that has its r...
#TBT A Farewell Song For My Breitling Navitimer 806
The Breitling Navitimer 806 with a black dial and sub-dials was on my wish list for quite a time. But it is not an easy watch to get your hands on. Despite that fact, I had two of them within the last two years. Well, as of today, I don’t have any either anymore. Let’s hear the story.I have a Breitling Navitimer 806 with white sub-dials, but the all-black 806 is a different animal. The syringe hands, fat Arabic numerals for the hours, and fully numbered hour totalizer represent an entirely different watch to me. Visually, it’s one of the most astonishing and individualistic vintage chronographs one can have.Image: Shuck the OysterMy first Breitling Navitimer 806It took me a...
Jacques Bianchi Marseille Fratello JB200 PoulPro Night Diver
Summer is just around the corner, and dive-watch season is well underway. This means long days in the sun, traveling to exotic locations, and plenty of action in the water, like swimming, snorkeling, and maybe even diving. But as much as we enjoy long, sunny summer days with our divers, we wanted a watch that could take on the season’s most strenuous activities and shine equally bright at night. This is why we’re very excited to introduce the Jacques Bianchi Marseille Fratello JB200 PoulPro Night Diver limited edition.For this latest limited edition, we worked together with the French watch brand Jacques Bianchi Marseille. The brand bears the name of its co-founder and is renowne...
Hands-On With The A1 From Anoma Watches
Since the turn of the year, I've been patiently awaiting the launch of the Anoma A1. Until a month ago, I hadn't even seen a prototype picture, but I had heard enough from Matteo Violet Vianello, the man behind Anoma Watches, to get excited about what would come. Following a period with A Collected Man, Matteo left the London-based reseller of rare and collectible watches to step back and decide what future path he wished to take. The first sketches of what has since become Anoma Watches were only weeks away.It’s tempting to opine that we are immune to marketing, that David Beckham doesn't make us more likely to buy a Tudor, and that the TAG Heuer branding on almost every F1 podium doe...
New: Seiko Prospex SRPL11, SRPL13, And SRPL15
I don’t know about you, but I sometimes tend to forget about the Seiko “Samurai.” It’s not a model that is on my radar a lot, partially because Seiko releases so many watches at a breakneck pace. Another reason is that it’s angular case design is not one of my favorites. I prefer the rounder shapes of the Prospex watches inspired by the brand’s 1960s divers. Having said that, the Samurai has been a fan favorite for years, so why not give the updated Seiko Prospex “Samurai” SRPL11, SRPL13, and SRPL15 a chance? With a smaller case and an updated design, it could be the ultimate shot at redemption.I love that Seiko started creating smaller dive wa...
Hot Take: The Seiko Marinemaster SJE117 And SJE119
Last November, Seiko introduced an updated version of its famous Marinemaster - or maybe it’s better to just say it was a completely new version. The smaller and angular case, the engraved dial, and the new bracelet design made it look very different from the beloved Marinemaster SBDX001. Today, Seiko is adding two new colorways to the three existing variants. There’s the greenish-gray SJE117 with a black bezel insert along with the full-blue SJE119. Let’s take a quick look at these new additions to the Seiko Prospex Marinemaster line.When Thomas wrote the introduction article for the new Marinemaster, he praised the new models’ smaller and thinner dimensions, which w...
Fratello Talks: Expensive Watches On Cheap Straps
Hello there! Welcome to this week’s episode of Fratello Talks. Today, we’re discussing the topic of wearing expensive watches on cheap straps. Does it make sense to wear a $3,000C10,000 watch on a $10 strap? Does a $300 OEM strap make sense to begin with? And where do you truly get your money’s worth in the strap market? What about aftermarket bracelets? Join Nacho, RJ, and Morgan (making his final appearance on Fratello Talks, for real this time) for an in-depth discussion on the topic. But before we jump into it, let’s have a look at the watches (and straps) they’re wearing today.https://youtube.com/watch?v=Rm9mcmJwGv4%3Fsi%3Dz6dpuj3O7ch3GP09...
Review: Oris TT3 Chronograph
When I started ‘collecting’ wrist watches, I never considered Oris as a serious option. They made nice mechanical watches, had nice designs, but brands that ‘do’ doubl?e?? or plaque gold cases were off-limit. I also wasn’t very convinced about the quality of the watches.Perhaps I didn’t do Oris any justice, because afterall, this brand exists since 1904 and have this ‘only mechanical movements’ philosophy. Anyway, I skipped Oris and rather went with brands like Omega (when they were still very affordable).Since a few years, you can’t deny the fact that Oris upscaled in terms of quality and image. Their collection became a bit more ‘...
The Story Of The RAF Pilot And His Omega CK2292 Caliber 30T2 SC
Sometimes watch collecting or enthusiasm goes past the love for watches. It is about stories and heritage that has more meaning than the watch itself. Today, Fratello Watches brings you the story of RAF Squadron Leader Frank Wright Walton (Lieutenant of the Royal Victorian Order,?Distinguished Flying Cross and bar) and his Omega 30T2 pilot's watch.Not too long ago, I received a message from Julian after I posted a military Longines that was sent to a Londoner in the RAF Pathfinders in 1941. Julian told me that his grandfather was also in the Pathfinders in WWII, as a Squadron Leader of 109 Squadron and that he had inherited his RAF issued Omega 30T2 timepiece.Frank W. Walton on the left.RAF ...
#TBT Stumbling Onto a Vintage Mulco Chronograph
Today's #TBT on a vintage Mulco chronograph, isn't so much about the watch. No, there's not much info out there on this very watch, but that's ok. Of course, I'll talk about the aesthetics and the mechanical heartbeat found within this piece, but there's a nicer, albeit short, story to this piece that's worth repeating. Hopefully, you'll walk away feeling that even in 2018, it's possible to stumble upon a real bargain within a vintage watch world that's gone quite mad.Back in late 2017, I was near the end of a several year daily search (read: many times per day) on eBay for vintage chronograph. My not-so-creative efforts to pan for gold hadn't yielded much for at least the prior 12 months. Y...
5 Cool New Watches Under 4000 Euro
You want to purchase a new watch, perhaps even your first serious one, but there’s so much out there. It would be impossible for us to tell you what to buy, but let’s have a look at 5 watches that have a retail price under 4000 Euro and could make you very happy.I picked 5 different brands, well-known brands. Of course, I am aware there’s many more out there, including a number of microbrands, but for a first serious watch, I’d stick to something familiar. When I started myself with mechanical watches, the landscape was a bit different and below 4000 Euro you could easily buy a Submariner or GMT-Master (at retail!). Times changed and so did the retail prices of good w...
Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph 26480TI An Important Reference
Every year at the SIHH we receive a ‘financial update’ from the AP CEO on how they broke another record. Without having to produce (and deliver) more watches than the previous year. One of the reasons for these increasing nett results is the fact that they are doing more sales via their boutiques.That’s a nice development for the company, but what if your country or region does not have a boutique? Some of the models that Audemars Piguet introduces are boutique-only, and that’s sometimes a sore fact for the fans. Here in The Netherlands for example, there’s no Audemars Piguet boutique. We only have multi-brand stores carrying this brand from Le Brassus. I guess ...
Does The Prokop & Broz Spiral Have The Most Complicated Crystal Ever?
I was never a fan of artsy glassware. I always preferred paintings. But when I listened to Jan Prokop explaining the sandwich crystal creation process for their limited-edition watch, the Prokop & Broz Spiral, I could barely breathe. The work is so delicate that they have to make around 150 to 200 crystals to be able to select just one final perfect piece ready for installation.A standard watch crystal is usually formed as a sapphire monobloc. The dial of the Prokop&Broz Spiral is covered by a delicate set of glass pieces that Jan Prokop refers to as a metalized glass sandwich composed of twenty-two components.Glass Sandwich on the Prokop & Broz SpiralThe process begins with almo...