The Charles Simon Spence Six-Watch Box
It’s a watch collector’s conundrum as old as time. Any of us that owns more than one watch is faced with it. Unless you’re Diego Maradona, General Schwarzkopf, or Buzz Aldrin, most of us self-impose the limitation of wearing only one watch at a time. Therefore, you need to store your unworn timepiece(s). It’s not too much of an issue when it’s only one watch. But as soon as you have even a small collection to your name, it’s already too late: you need a watch box. Like many, I opted for an inexpensive 10-watch box from Amazon. With a fake leather exterior, a crappy exhibition window, and even cheaper hinges - you know the one. However, I never bothered to ...
Fratello Favorites: Our Top 10 Father's Day Gift Ideas
Father's Day is celebrated in many countries on the third Sunday in June. That means that this coming Sunday (June 18th) is the day to honor all the dads out there. Indeed, the day starts with an excellent breakfast and some self-made gifts or drawings, but a well-considered gift can also be part of the celebration.If you're out of inspiration for a Father’s Day gift, let us help you. It can be a bit of a struggle to find the right gift for Dad, but we will give you an overview of various things we, as fathers, would like to receive ourselves. We've come up with some ideas for watch- and non-watch-related Father’s Day gifts in different price categories.Dad always taught you to u...
Hands-On: The All-New RZE Aspirare Dive Watch
Wonderful things happen at watch shows - things that let us appreciate a watch brand rather than just a solitary piece. Last September, I saw a whole table of watches from Singaporean brand RZE, nestled between a couple of other microbrands trying to forge their pathways to success. With field watches, dive watches, and pilot’s watches all bearing the same branding on one table, it struck me just how successful RZE has become in constructing and sticking to its carefully crafted design language. Furthermore, with such direct competitors only yards away, the relative value of a brand is laid bare.With all branding removed, I might be unable to pick an RZE?dial out of a line-up, but the ...
Fratello's Top 5 Best Affordable Dive Watches Today
Another Friday, another Top 5! This week, we’re looking at some affordable dive watches. It’s been a while since we made a list of divers that don’t break the bank. Knowing that it’s the most popular watch category, it only makes sense to look at some of the latest releases, especially since we see new dive watches coming out almost weekly. The popularity of these preferred daily wearers is unwavering.As usual, a list of only five picks is just too short. But when it comes to dive watches, any list seems too short. There are so many great options out there that choosing can be quite tough. The first thing to do is set a budget. I just mentioned that we have picked aff...
Hands-On: The New 38mm Longines Conquest
Longines has certainly mastered the skill of downsizing. I’m not talking about getting rid of any of its personnel; it’s more about shaving some millimeters off its watches. We saw it happen with the Legend Diver and the Spirit. Both were first introduced in bigger sizes. Later, the legendary Swiss brand also introduced sub-40mm options. The same happened to the Longines Conquest collection we’re talking about today. It was already available in a 41mm case, and now it’s also available in a more compact size. Let’s see what the new 38mm Longines Conquest feels like.I don’t have any Longines watches in my collection, but I have to say, the Legend Diver, Heri...
New: Roger Dubuis Excalibur Spider In Lamborghini SC63 Green
There's a new “hyperwatch” on the starting grid. It's the Roger Dubuis Excalibur Spider Flyback Chronograph in Verde Mantis. This energetic green hue also dominates the livery of the SC63, the first Lamborghini hybrid racing car prototype that will race in the 92nd 24 Hours of Le Mans this weekend. The car also competes in the FIA World Endurance Championship (Hypercar class) and the IMSA WeatherTech SportsCar Championship (GTP class). The watch, however, is in a class of its own. This third version of the chronograph that debuted in 2023 is a boutique-exclusive LE of 88 pieces bearing the Poin?on de Genve and plenty of high-performance DNA.Last year, Roger Dubuis launched two E...
New: Seiko Presage Cocktail GMT SSK037, SSK039, And SSK041
Seiko serves three new cocktail-inspired watches, and I am slightly concerned that going hands-on with all of them at once will lead to delirium. The new Seiko Presage Cocktail GMT watches come in outspoken flavors. There's the SSK037 Skydiving in refreshing light blue, the whiskey-inspired SSK039 Rusty Nail, and the fruity SSK041 Acacia. What's your cocktail of choice?The Rusty Nail is my favorite. Favorite cocktail, I mean. The 1-to-1 or 2-to-1 ratio of Scotch and Drambuie on the rocks served with an orange peel is my pick of the three cocktails Seiko serves. I like light blue, but a mix of rum, Blue Cura?ao, and lime juice is not my poison. And neither is a combination of gin, Benedictine...
Vacheron Constantin Opens A Stunning Boutique In Munich
Vacheron Constantin has opened a new boutique on the famous Maximilianstrasse in Munich, Germany. An already beautiful shopping destination now boasts a new boutique from one of the most revered names in watchmaking. Let’s take a look inside.Over the past decade, we’ve witnessed the rise of the standalone luxury watch boutique. Vacheron Constantin is no stranger to this, and while I lived in Frankfurt, I recall visiting the brand’s location. It was a lovely store with modern, luxurious styling and friendly staff. The selection of watches was also excellent, something not all brands can offer. Now Vacheron has opened its first standalone boutique in Munich, and it looks fant...
Kuyl Watches The Introduction To A New Dutch Watch Brand
Just a few moments ago, Kuyl Watches has been introduced to a number of watch journalists, enthusiasts, bloggers and friends in The Hague.Owner Jan Jaap Kuyl welcomed the attendees at the opening reception in the Watch-Site boutique (official dealer) and presented his first collection of timepieces.Timepieces by Kuyl Watches are modern looking with a classic twist. The hands, hour markers and leather strap make it a classic timepiece, but the large case is up-to-date and very wearable for young people.Most impressive is the case, designed by Jan Jaap Kuyl and manufactured in Germany with the greatest care and precision. The Swiss movement is a Sellita SW200 (basically the same as ETA’s...
DECAMP Goods Watch Rolls, an Interview
This week, we feature an interview with the owner of a small watch goods company. I had the opportunity to meet this person on a recent trip to San Diego and was really taken by his story, his real interest in watches and, most importantly, the quality and design of his watch rolls. Erik gave me a watch roll of his own creation and it’s been my “go to” accessory during travel and, believe me, I travel a lot. We hope you enjoy this candid view from a collector.What’s your name and where are you based?Erik Akin and I'm from San Diego, California USA. I’ve lived here my whole life except for 5 years in Japan.What’s your business and what type of products do y...
Salthora Meta The new jumping hour by MeisterSinger
MeisterSinger specializes in manufacturing watches that feature one single hand and only show what is really important. Mostly, a single, needle-thin hour hand rotates around a dial on which you can accurately tell the time to the nearest five minutes.However, the Salthora, which was first presented in 2014, features a minute hand instead and the hour is shown in a circular window positioned at 12 o'clock. As soon as the hand reaches the middle of the window every sixty minutes, the number denoting the next hour appears in the window like a flash.The jumping hour principle was first used in wristwatches during the 1920s. However, its perfection is quite a technical challenge.The Salthora by ...
Another Look at BCatt Watch Straps New Techniques and Materials
September 2015 feels like a long time ago, but that's exactly when we reviewed a few of the offerings from UK-based BCatt Watch Straps. I initially spotted these on Instagram and was drawn to these straps due to their bright colors. In the article, we went into detail about how Ben Cattroll hand dyes the vegetable tanned leather into so many colors and then burnishes the edges. Since the nearly two years since the article's airing, I've worn the straps heavily well, as heavily as one can when they try to rotate watches on a daily basis. I own a Breitling 765CP Jean-Claude Killy and it has lived solely on a brown distressed strap from Ben. What I can tell you is that these straps have aged be...
Anonimo Militare WRC Special Edition in Sardinia
I find myself by the sea, on the Italian island of Sardinia, together with Anonimo. Why? Because the Italian race of the WRC (World Rally Championship) takes place in the beautiful Mediterranean island of Sardinia. For the first time the Italian born, Swiss made brand is amongst the main sponsors of the tournament. To mark this great collaboration Anonimo released a special watch; the Anonimo Militare Chrono WRC Special Edition. We were among the invited few who could have a first-hand experience with the watch, on Sardinia during the WRC. After a terrible day of delayed flights and having spent the night at the amazingly unfriendly Dusseldorf airport terminal I finally made my way to the is...
GMT-Master History
The GMT-Master (II) finally stepped out of the shadow of its diving brother, the Submariner. With the introduction of the ceramic Pepsi and Batman (on Jubilee) recently, the hype is real. Long waiting lists and market prices far over retail result in disappointed customers, but that doesn’t seem to slow down the demand. On the contrary.I can imagine why the GMT-Master II is so much in demand. It is a great daily companion, with the added value of an extra timezone. I had my share of GMT-Master watches, including a few vintage 1675s and a GMT-Master II 16710. When I was ready to purchase a GMT-Master II ‘Ceramic’ or ‘Batman’ in 2017, I was confronted with the a...
GMT-Master History
The GMT-Master (II) finally stepped out of the shadow of its diving brother, the Submariner. With the introduction of the ceramic Pepsi and Batman (on Jubilee) recently, the hype is real. Long waiting lists and market prices far over retail result in disappointed customers, but that doesn’t seem to slow down the demand. On the contrary.I can imagine why the GMT-Master II is so much in demand. It is a great daily companion, with the added value of an extra timezone. I had my share of GMT-Master watches, including a few vintage 1675s and a GMT-Master II 16710. When I was ready to purchase a GMT-Master II ‘Ceramic’ or ‘Batman’ in 2017, I was confronted with the a...
GMT-Master History
The GMT-Master (II) finally stepped out of the shadow of its diving brother, the Submariner. With the introduction of the ceramic Pepsi and Batman (on Jubilee) recently, the hype is real. Long waiting lists and market prices far over retail result in disappointed customers, but that doesn’t seem to slow down the demand. On the contrary.I can imagine why the GMT-Master II is so much in demand. It is a great daily companion, with the added value of an extra timezone. I had my share of GMT-Master watches, including a few vintage 1675s and a GMT-Master II 16710. When I was ready to purchase a GMT-Master II ‘Ceramic’ or ‘Batman’ in 2017, I was confronted with the a...
Oris Holstein Limited Edition Watch For 2020 full bronze limited edition
Oris celebrates its 116th birthday by dedicating an extraordinary full-bronze timepiece to its hometownOn June 1st, 1904, Paul Cattin and Georges Christian founded Oris in the village Holstein at precisely the place where the brand still is located today. They borrowed the brand’s name from a local creek - The Oris.Holstein, lying 25 kilometers south of Basel and hence far away from the center of the Swiss watch industry, knows a thing or two about solitude. It is not only geographically separated from the rest of the industry, but it is also independent. Its location has become an expression of Oris’s individuality and independence. Oris plans on highlighting this special bond w...
Louis Erard La Sportive Limited Edition Bronze Watch
Brown is a contentious color when it comes to luxury watchmaking. A strap staple, moving the color to the dial has had some remarkably successful runs in the past, but it isn’t as easy as classics like the “Root Beer” watches of old made it look. Here, Louis Erard employs a warm shade on the dial of its La Sportive Limited Edition Bronze Watch. The result? Find out below…Whether bronze is “here to stay” or not, isn’t really the point. The point is that the “trend” has, by now, hung around long enough to have carved itself a definite niche in the industry. Plenty of people were skeptical of its longevity. Those voices are quieter now. And...
Omega Speedmasters In Platinum (2021) The Best Examples Ever
We've seen more gold Speedmasters in recent years than ever before. The recent introductions of the Speedmaster Apollo 11 Moonshine, Apollo 17 in yellow gold, and the new Moonwatch models in white gold and Sedna gold, for example, have brought a lot of color to the #SpeedyTuesday news feed on Instagram. But what about a platinum Speedmaster?This precious material has been used for the Speedmaster since 1994, but only in very small quantities. How come? It is not so much the fact that processing this rather gummy material is challenging, and therefore expensive, but because the demand is just low. Many of you prefer white gold over platinum (for a considerably friendlier price), with almost t...
Tribute 1 By Armin Strom System 78 Expands (2021)
The last time we featured Armin Strom on Fratello was over a year ago. It was February 2020, way before the corona craziness hit us. That article was my 52Mondayz piece on the Gravity Equal Force, a watch I fell in love with then and there. Today Armin Strom is launching something even more intriguing, the Tribute 1.If you read any of my?Gravity Equal Force articles, you remember that the watch was the first of the brand’s new collection, System 78. Well, since today, that collection has yet another timepiece thanks to the Tribute 1.System 78With the System 78 collection release, Armin Storm aimed to target a different audience form its core fan base. While designers stayed true to the...