Three Vintage Horological Icons Under $10k
When people start getting into the rabbit hole of watch collecting, sooner or later, vintage watches will come up. Yes, vintage watches are no secret anymore like they were perhaps a decade ago. Many horological icons - particularly from a well-known brand with a crown as its logo - have increased to astronomical prices. While there is certainly still value in the vintage department when speaking of (four- or five-digit-reference Datejusts come to mind), I will avoid this category of timepieces in this article altogether. Instead, we will speak of the sleepers that you can purchase for prices I would still consider a steal in today’s collector’s climate. These are three vintage ...
Certina DS And DS-2: Vintage Value Props
It is a surprisingly cold summer night in Malmo, Sweden, probably because of the mist hanging over the Baltic port town. You are waiting for the ferry to take tourists and locals off to the northern German city of Lubeck. Glancing down at your watch to note the time, the trusty Certina DS-2 tells you the ferry should be coming into port in a matter of minutes. Its silvery dial glistens under the low-hanging streetlight at the dockyard.The value of vintage CertinaIt is scenes like this that I envision when I think about vintage Certina watches. When it comes to humble yet very well-made watches, Certina is one of the first brands that come to mind (alongside names like Tissot, Seiko, and Long...
A Close Look At The Breitling Emergency
I am sure that anyone who has ever delved into the world of watches has dreamed of the romantic stories associated with certain models. In a way, these stories serve as a kind of “validation” for us to finally acquire that wristwatch we dream of, often observing it in photos on the internet or social media. Watches with unique stories or even some nonsensically attractive function often magnetically draw us in. It’s similar to when we choose a car - we fantasize about having more horsepower even if we don’t need it. Still, it feels better when there’s more…Watches that inspireHow many proud Speedmaster owners have told anyone who will listen how that watch...
Introducing: The Orient Bambino 38 Small Seconds
At the end of last year, I went hands-on with the colorful new versions of the Orient Bambino 38. I was surprised by how much value these watches packed for their very affordable price. The Fratelli in the comments were also impressed. Now the Japanese brand is introducing a more formal Bambino 38. Its four different versions feature elevated Roman numerals, a black, silver, or ivory dial, and a standard stainless steel or gold-tone case. Let’s take a quick look.If you’re looking for your first affordable mechanical dress watch, the Orient Bambino 38 should be on your shortlist. I found the limited editions that came out at the end of last year super impressive. Their soft-colore...
The Raymond Weil Millesime Tri-Compax Chronograph
The French word millesime comes from the world of wine, not watches. It denotes a “vintage,” a wine produced from a single year’s grape harvest, especially a great one. So, the Raymond Weil Millesime Tri-Compax Chronograph is a 2024 vintage from Geneva. Whether 2024 is going to be a fruitful watch year is yet to be determined, but Geneva is certainly a good environment for producing great timepieces. Let's find out if the Raymond Weil Millesime Tri-Compax Chronograph is any good while sipping a cup of coffee. After all, it's a bit early for a glass of wine, don't you think?Retro without faux patina - yes, it exists. The vintage-inspired Raymond Weil Millesime Tri-Compax Chr...
Testing Tudor's Black Bay "Monochrome" In The Pacific Ocean
I have spent close to a month with Tudor’s Black Bay ref. M7941A1A0NU-0003, which some are calling the Black Bay “Monochrome.” These are my thoughts on why it is the brand’s most significant release in a decade.Autumn in Sydney usually presents itself in one of two ways. One way greets you on the horizon, demanding your attention and awe. You watch as monolithic, anvil-shaped storm clouds herald ocean storms with the ability to cause instant flooding. Windows groan and flex from the southerly buster winds, and you wonder how your humble abode can survive the pummeling. Sydney faced a few weeks of this treatment recently, and, boy, at times, it was ferocious - perhaps ...
Royal Oak 40th Anniversary Exhibition in Paris From Avant-Garde To Icon
This year is the 40th anniversary of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and it is being celebrated by a number of very cool exhibitions throughout the whole year. After the exhibitions in New York and Milan, it was now time for an exciting event in Paris, France. Audemars Piguet hosted the exhibition in the center of Paris, near the Eiffel tower, in Palais de Tokyo.Fratellowatches was invited by Audemars Piguet Switzerland for the opening reception on Tuesday the 5th of June and the next morning on the 6th of June for press-only. At 13:00h on the 6th of June, the exhibition opened for the public. On Tuesday evening, the exhibition was opened by Tim Sayler (Chief Marketing Officer) and Octavio Gar...
OMEGA Speedmaster Professional Apollo 11 30th
OMEGA Speedmaster Professional Apollo 11It’s Speedy Tuesday and today we put this stealth Speedmaster Professional Apollo 11?limited edition in the spot lights. Stealth? Yes, as it appears to be a regular Speedy Pro ‘Moonwatch’ until you take a closer look at the caseback. The special engraving tells you that this is a limited edition (9999 pieces) to commemorate the Moonlanding on the 21st of July 1969, at 2:56 GMT. This Speedmaster Professional Apollo 11?ref. 3560.50 (or ST 345.0223) was introduced in 1999 for the 30th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission in 1969.Apollo 11?– SpeedmastersDuring the Apollo 11 mission, astronauts Michael Collins, “Buzz” Ald...
Hands-On Chronoswiss Sirius Artist review
Chronoswiss Sirius ArtistWe covered Chronoswiss last year and mentioned that we sort of lost a bit of track' with the brand. They happily surprised us with their collection of watches and we've been watching them ever since (again). With a brief explanation of the Chronoswiss history in our previous article let's have a look at their new watch collection. Chronoswiss basically has two collections. The Chronoswiss Timemaster being the sporty collection and Sirius the classic collection. Both collections consist of various models and the classic, with 20 variations up to this date, is most extensive one.The Artist watches are part of their classic Sirius collection. Introduced in 2013, this ex...
#TBT Fortis Marinemaster 8001 Chronograph
Basel prognostications begin as early as January and start in earnest in February. One of the most discussed brands, of course, is . A quick browse of forums brings out multitudes of hypotheses about what the giant will release at the show and, then, a month or so later, the actual news is almost universally met with disappointment. While some of the hoped-for watches are plausible, I've seen some fairly wild ones alongside creative photoshopped images. One imaginative idea that I remember distinctly was of a Submariner chronograph or, perhaps, a Daytona diver. In actuality, the idea is not so far-fetched as there are plenty of diving chronographs and why wouldn't , who is apt in making bot...
Hands-On With The Patek Philippe Nautilus 5740/1G
A 7-year waiting list for the Patek Philippe Nautilus. You’ll already need to own a Patek Philippe already in order to order a Nautilus. A new Patek Philippe Nautilus is the perfect investment. Just a few of the discussions and statements we have read, heard and had ourselves about the Patek Philippe Nautilus in the past.The Patek Philippe Nautilus collection consists of 33 different watches today, the newest model being this Nautilus 5740/1G, or the ‘Nautilus Perpetual Calendar’. The Nautilus 5740/1G is actually the first grand complication in the collection. While the ‘simple’ three-hand Nautilus 5711/1A is the most wanted reference, there is also a date &...
Rubens Barrichello and Artisans de Genve, present La Barrichello
I have always had a thing for the Daytona, and I wanted to make it my own way. Thanks to Artisans de Genve, my timepiece is now unparalleled, it bears details that make it unique as a F1 car, as my car. A unique movement, particular shapes, exceptional curves and an extraordinary mechanism. I love it ! Artisans de Genve has managed to achieve a technical prowess, each detail is perfectly executed with the same concern for extreme perfection that we find in the racing world.Rubens BarrichelloRubens Barrichello discovered racing at the age of 9 and immediately felt for it, he soon became one of the youngest pilots in the history of the F1 championship. He began by racing for Jordan, then for...
Car Racing Legends And The Omega Speedmaster
The watch that started its life as a car racer's companion but quickly went on a very different route.There are some similarities between a spaceship and a race car. Both have crazy fuel consumption. Both go very fast. Often they are both built using state-of-the-art materials and designed by the best engineers out here. All jokes aside, despite the similarities the Speedmaster was never intended to be an astronaut's watch. It was a trick of fate that turned a racing chronograph to a space watch. Omega had a different purpose in mind during the mid-50s when the idea of the Speedmaster was born. We all know the story of how the Omega Speedmaster became a timepiece for NASA astronauts (if not,...
#TBT Seconde/Seconde/ Says It's Time To Play With Watch Hands
Please, may I order one Croissant central chronograph hand for my Patek and two Sword hour hands for my watches? Oh, lord, I also need that Pistol hand for my Cartier Tank. Sci-fi? Not at all. The charismatic, creative, and passionate French Romaric Andre, the brains and soul behind seconde/seconde/, pivots his artistry towards unexplored waters. Besides uniquely fine-tuned vintage watches, seconde/seconde/ started selling strictly limited runs of daringly creative and carefully manufactured watch hands. Whenever you feel like it, you can install these handsets on the vintage watch of your choice. Will it ruin the design of your vintage watch, or on the contrary, will it make it even the mo...
The Grand Seiko SBGH281 Watch Celebrating in Style
2020 marks the 60th anniversary of Grand Seiko. The brand that we love so much here on Fratello. Earlier this year, we already showed you the Grand Seiko SBGH281 in this article. Grand Seiko sent us the watch for a closer look, so without further ado.As you probably know (because of this article), I am a sucker for the 44GS style case. For me, it embodies Grand Seiko’s specific design choices. It shows that a brand can have a modern watch, inspired by its heritage (1967) without becoming boring. Nobody ever accused Grand Seiko of lacking inspiration when it comes to the 44GS style case. I love all the little facets on the lugs and the wide case band on the 44GS style case. This Grand S...
Interview With Maurice Lacroix Managing Director Stephane Waser
I’ve always enjoyed doing interviews. Having the opportunity to pick the brains of industry executives is a real privilege (which you can add to the long list of privileges we as watch reviewers get to enjoy). Normally, we find ourselves asking the same old questions. In these interesting times, however, it is all changed.Brands are being forced to think, feel, and react. This is undoubtedly the biggest crisis watchmaking has suffered this century. Yes, the financial crash eventually sent shock waves through our world, but it was business as usual. A little choppy, yes, but normal enough to stay the course and keep doing what had always been done.Those times are gone. We live in a new ...
Casio MTG-B2000BDE With Carbon Dual Core Guard (2021)
It is quite a common feeling to find yourself overwhelmed by any new Casio G-Shock release. Why? Well, these watches are replete with niche functionality and occasionally unintuitive control systems. While perseverance (and reliance upon the instruction manual at first) is necessary, you will be rewarded with an everyday watch that will serve you well no matter the situation.? The Casio MTG-B2000BDE is a dutiful daily option. That is thanks, in large part, to the watch’s Carbon Dual Core Guard Structure. You’ve probably heard this term before in regards to G-Shocks, but let’s dive in and find out exactly what is meant by it.Before we get to the focal point of this review (t...
Alain Silberstein Reptilian Chic Chronograph For Your Wrist (2021)
Do you want something exceptional? That's not me asking, it's Alain Silberstein in an advertisement back in 2002. The Architecte Horloger with the mustache is promoting his new Krono Bauhaus, a limited edition of 250 pieces in many colors and one exceptional thing in common; a case clad in exclusive alligator leather. I spotted the reptilian chic Alain Silberstein Krono Bauhaus Alligator on Zeitauktion. And now I'm asking you: do you want something exceptional?Do you know what triggered me when looking at the reptilian chic Alain Silberstein Krono Bauhaus Alligator on Zeitauktion? Two things: firstly, the very recent trio of Louis Erard Alain Silberstein watches that popped up at HQ. And sec...
Open Your Heart For The Seiko Presage Cocktail Time In Blue And Green
Miles Davis's 1959 album Kind of Blue is considered by many critics one of the best and most influential jazz LP's and his masterpiece. On the album, trumpeter Davis plays together with legendary tenor saxophonist John Coltrane in a sextet with four other jazz greats to create a magical moment in music history. The album opens with the catchy and grooving So What and the third track on the album is the ballad Blue in Green. And it's this tune that creates the perfect atmosphere to open your heart for the Seiko Presage Cocktail Time in blue and green.Listening to jazz arguably is nicer with a cocktail on the side. What about a drink at Star Bar Tokyo's Ginza area? Hisashi Kishi, winner of the...
Start Your Engines! It's Time To Race With Louis Moinet (2022)
When Louis Moinet introduced the downsized version of its Memoris Spirit Chronograph earlier this year, it was, in my opinion, a masterstroke. Since 2003, the Swiss brand from Saint Blaise in Neuchatel has made a name for itself by creating exuberant and technically impressive watches. Louis Moinet always presented its watches in 46mm cases, a sizeable chunk of wrist real estate. However, it was nothing short of miraculous when Jean-Marie Schaller’s team squeezed a 311-component movement into a 40.7mm case. Especially when you consider that the decrease in size did not lessen the visual impact. In fact, it amplified it. To coincide with the launch of the new, revamped Memoris Spirit Ch...