G-shock Master of G Popup Store Amsterdam
This week Casio opened a ‘G-shock Master of G’ pop-up store at Kalverstraat 101 in Amsterdam, and Fratello Watches was invited.The opening event took off with bubbles and an informal chat amongst friends.?Which immediately set the right atmosphere for the event. As?you’ll find all the difficult stuff Casio supplies under the ‘G-shock Master of G’ label,?this pop-up store is the place to be?for the real G-shock fans and freaks.Right when you enter the store, you breath an atmosphere of toughness.?More than life-size pictures on the wall of people wearing, and using premium G-shock models in harsh and real life environments. Think of sea rescue teams, fire fighter...
Hands-On Breitling Chronoliner Limited Edition
Breitling Chronoliner – Vintage InspiredOur vintage?guy?Michael Stockton did a huge item on vintage Breitling watches a while ago (you can find it here) where he discussed these watches in-depth with some world renown?subject matter experts.Having that said, I have no deep knowledge on vintage Breitling watches but this new Breitling Chronoliner clearly shows some influences from their rich heritage. Sure, the limited edition we show you here is in gold but there’s also a stainless steel version with panda-like dial. That model reminded me of one of the watch in the article from Michael Stockton to be honest: a Breitling Unitime AVI 1765 (image below by @WatchFred).Perhaps the ol...
Summer Edition Of The IWC Portugieser Yacht Club Chronograph
Where a number of brands have huge difficulties delivering their novelties before (or in the) summer, IWC announces a special summer edition of their Portugieser Yacht Club Chronograph. For this occasion, the IWC Portugieser Yacht Club reference?IW390507 has been fitted with a stunning sun burst blue dial with white subdials as well as a beautiful?blue rubber strap.IWC Portugieser Yacht ClubAs always, the IWC Yacht Club comes with their in-house calibre?89361 movement. This chronograph movement has a flyback function and the chronograph hour and minute subdials are located at 12 o’clock. The running seconds can also be found at 6 o’clock. The large red chronograph second hand giv...
Podcast: Fratello On Air Episode 1
Our first Podcast is a fact. Although some of our team members have been talking on other podcasts, we never did a podcast ourselves. That changes today, with our first episode of Fratello on Air.With only two native English speakers on the team (Michael Stockton and Sky Sit), we pushed back video and podcasts as long as possible. Talking on video, or podcast, in a foreign language is something else than writing in a different language. It gives you more time to think, more time to look up words and have some spelling checks done. However, we thought it was time to start with our own podcast. Since we are all talking about the subject we love, we thought you are forgiving enough for some mis...
Czech Prim Aviatik Limited Edition 00/50
How many have-you-ever-heard-of-this-watch brands can launch a limited series with a price tag around 5.000 euros? Well, the Czech watch manufacturer PRIM, originally from Czechoslovakia, can. And to great fanfare the watch was sold out within two weeks!Collectable right after launchWe are lucky we managed to get our hands on the only prototype marked 00/50. Initially, we thought we would write a hands-on review for a novelty piece you can then order. Today, not even a month after its introduction, we bring you a hands-on review of an already collectable piece. Probably hard to get to now. Meaning if you want to grab one, you will need to search for an owner first. Watch in question? The Pri...
Minase: Horizon
The watchHorizon is the thinnest and most delicate model of the three collections offered by Minase. The collection's name is inspired by the case shape's resemblance to the ever-extending horizon as seen above the sea. This design cue led to both the case and bracelet (or strap) to seemingly appear on a single plane. In addition, the Horizon's thick sapphire crystal has been cut and polished from the front to the back. The result? A beautiful dome that is reminiscent of the water's surface that may burst forth any moment. Conceived of pure, simply drawn lines inspired by a Japanese sword, the Katana. The Horizon embodies powerful calmness, just like the sea before a storm.For more Informati...
Wrist Game Or Crying Shame: TAG Heuer Link Chronograph
Welcome back to Wrist Game or Crying Shame, the weekly series that often brings back memories from your halcyon days. Let’s see if the TAG Heuer Link Chronograph moistens your eyes for the right or wrong reasons. But first…Last week, I showed you the Glashutte Original Senator Navigator. Even though that watch used a design heavily inspired by WW2 bomber watches, you felt it was “Original” enough to land a 58% Wrist Game win. For the proponents, I agree with you - great watch! This week’s subject won’t take its inspiration from anything nearly that old, but the TAG Heuer Link Chronograph has certainly inspired me to travel back in time. Let’s go for ...
Hands-On With The Seiko Prospex SPB151 And SPB153 Watches
Seiko presented the new versions of their Captain Willard models. And for the fans, the best thing about these is probably that they are a non-limited version. We've recently had the opportunity to give them a try so let's have a closer look at the Seiko Prospex SPB151 and SPB153.For those who don't know where the nickname comes from, Martin Sheen was seen wearing this watch in the movie Apocalypse Now. His character’s name, Captain Willard, soon became the nickname for this watch. The model he had on his wrist in the movie was the Seiko 6105 which was introduced in 1970 and produced for about 7 years.?Last year during Baselworld, a modern interpretation of this watch was presented. Ma...
The Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Watch In Gold Endgame?
The Bvlgari Octo Finissimo watch is the darling of many watch journalists. Not only because of its thin case or the micro-rotor movement but also because Bvlgari is doing some different from the other luxury brands. The design of the Bvlgari Octo Finissimo is attractive and somewhat “off-the-wall”. A lot of brands are on the re-edition train, but not Bvlgari.Last month, we reviewed the stainless steel version and I explained why I think it is so great. Also compared to the other luxury steel “sports” watches out there from established brands, the Bvlgari Octo Finissmo watch stands out for me. The watch I have here today is the rose gold Bvlgari Octo Finissimo watch. O...
#TBT My Auction Watchdog Nivada Grenchen Travelmaster
When a watch auction in Asia or the United States nears its last day, I?always put the Nivada Grenchen Travelmaster on my wrist. A manually wound movement, a GMT bezel, and an alarm are all auction-winning essentials. Well, at least essentials for not forgetting about an auction in the first place…I?have stopped counting how many great watches I?have lost for being too busy or too lazy to set the alarm for the end of an auction. These days when it still happens, I?no longer go back to investigate. I?want to prevent more pain when seeing if it was hammered for a heartbreakingly small price.Nivada Grenchen Travelmaster 87011What I?really love about this watch is the set of unique feature...
We Support The Pink Dial Project
A few months ago, Wei Koh from Revolution contacted us, and a number of other media titles, to unfold his plan for The Pink Dial Project and asked to become a partner. I don't have to tell you how awful breast cancer is, what it does to the victim and their families. It is horror. And everyone here has a few examples of this disease in their own circle of family and friends.With The Pink Dial project, we - and the lion’s share is done by Revolution and The Rake - would like to raise awareness, but also funds for Breast Cancer treatment and research. A letter went out to all our favorite watch brands out there, to see if they would be willing and able to support The Pink Dial project wi...
Introducing The Patek Philippe Ref. 5374G-001 Minute Repeater
Whether you like Patek Philippe and its watches or not, I think there's one thing we can all agree on: the brand is up there at the very top of watchmaking artistry. Today, the Genevan manufacture presents a world debut of six models from the current collection as part of its 2021 rare handcrafts exhibition. Each watch features artistic decorations such as manual engraving, grand feu cloisonne enamel, grand feu champleve enamel, grand feu flinque enamel, manual guilloche, and gem-setting. Of these six, I wanted to take a look at one in particular, the Ref. 5374G-001 minute repeater with a perpetual calendar.Why this one in particular? Well, not only is it my favorite of the collection but lo...
Hands-On With The Funky Breguet Type XXI 3815 In Two Different Colors
The Breguet Type XXI 3815 is a colorful addition to the already existing vintage-inspired Type XXI 3817 that was introduced in 2016. The Type XXI has its roots in a larger and more complicated iteration of the famous Type XX. Breguet’s Type XXI 3815 comes in two different colors - orange and green - and we have both.The Breguet Type XXI 3815TI/HO/3ZU (orange) and 3815TI/HM/3ZU (green), are limited to 250 pieces each, so 500 in total. The new Type XXI we have here looks similar to the Type XXI 8515 but uses a 42mm case made of titanium. By using the vivid green and orange on the lacquered dial of the Type XXI 3815, the watch becomes a bit more of a contemporary version of the classic Ty...
Dave's Best Five Sub-$1,500 Watches Money Can Buy (2021)
In a time where so many of us would happily consider blowing the whole budget on a single watch, this challenge will be a tricky one. RJ posed the question to the entire team on a team call last month. It was a very strict hypothetical challenge, but the rules were simple: we had a budget of $1,500 per watch (not one cent more), and they had to be watches that we’d actually wear.That made it a tricky challenge indeed. Not so much the budget, but the fact these had to be watches I’d happily wear in my day-to-day rotation. I knew I’d have to do quite a lot of research and digging around. There’s plenty of choice in this price bracket, but I can be a picky so-and-so. Lex...
Top 10 GMT Watches Right Now Ball, Tudor, Seiko, And More
With summer around the corner, quite a few of the Fratello team members will fly to different destinations all over the globe. I’m sure a lot of you, our readers, will also spend the summer in different time zones, so we’ve come up with a list of the best GMT watches currently available. These are perfect companions for a summer vacation or a business trip, and they all have one of the most practical complications out there. Let’s check out the best GMT watches of recent times.Ask me what my favorite watch complication is, and I will answer “the GMT” every time. I love the fact that it is a practical complication that I can actually use on a regular basis. On to...
The New Pinion Neutron 38mm In Black, Blue, And Dusky Pink
Pinion is one of those names that instantly spring to mind when industry folks talk about British watch companies. The reason? The build quality and wrist experience. I have always somewhat missed out on the latter due to the sizing. Today, though, my ill fate is about to change. Pinion is launching its smallest watch to date, the Neutron model, sized at 38mm in three color schemes.Pinion has remained in my peripheral since its glorious debut back in 2013. The independent brand has also earned serious fans among the Fratello ring leaders. Little did I know, Pinion watches were even adorning some famous wrists, according to the company. They were featured in several leading films and TV produ...
The Casio F-91W Made Me Re-Evaluate My Collection
As you know, I've been proclaiming my need for the consolidation of my growing collection. As with many things, I feel a stronger need to commit if I put it in writing, and with you, dear Fratelli, I can't hide. I've been foolish enough to use my real name for my watch-obsessed Instagram account. It’s honest, but it does mean that I'm regularly chatting with many of you. So, if I get out of control with my purchases (again), I can't hide. And wouldn’t you know it, I just can’t seem to stop. But a week with the Casio F-91W changed me.But seriously, it's going quite well, and I've managed to simmer the sauce down from 25 watches to about 18. Of the ones remaining, five are vi...
Hublot Big Bang Vs Tudor Pelagos FXD Summer Splash Round 2
Fratello Summer Splash 2022 is in full swing. The search for the best all-around summer watch is on, and we are looking for something colorful. Sure, the watch can also be practically and functionally able to deal with summer, but the first criterion is color. Plain black and white are banned! We're on the lookout for something bright that puts a smile on your face. In this second round, Jorg's Tudor Pelagos FXD “Marine Nationale” and my Hublot Big Bang Integral Ceramic Sky Blue go head-to-head. It's going to be an epic battle between two very different types of watches and blues.So, I'm taking on a watch that has nothing to do with summer. Jorg's pick, the Tudor Pelagos FXD Mari...
Hands-On With The Schofield Patinated Bronze Beater B3
My love of quintessential British watchmaking is no secret. Indeed, thanks to my dad's emigration from Norway more than 40 years ago, I feel half Brit. But that didn't stop me from doing a sacrilegious thing. I had the first (very rare) watch released by Giles Ellis of the Schofield Watch Company, the Signalman GMT from 2011. But I sold it to a former Fratello colleague because it was feeling too big. Too much writing and less gym time making my arms scrawny? Who knows, but I do kind of regret it, and going hands-on with the Schofield Patinated Bronze Beater B3 brought it all back with the warm feeling of bronze and gold.The Signalman GMT was, at around 3,000, my first big spend on wristwea...
Introducing: The Buci Garde-Temps
Thus far, we've seen brands that mix horology with space and land exploration, car racing, coffee, and food. “But what about literature?” you may ask. Well, friends, I'm glad you want to know because, today, we're going to take a look at Buci. This is a brand hailing from Paris, France, with a first collection orbiting around the art of poetry, a world in which Nousse?ma Baraket, Buci’s founder, grew up. Baraket also grew up in Franche-Comte, the country's historical center for horology, making for a unique and harmonious combo akin to pairing the perfect strap with the perfect watch. The result is a strong first offering, after which came a limited-edition collaboration wi...