The Zenith Chronomaster Revival El Primero A3817 The Obvious Next In Line
Quite often, the fusion of two designs leads to controversial results. Can you really combine two unique design ideas successfully? When Zenith introduced the El Primero A3817 in 1971, watch fans must have raised an eyebrow or two when seeing the amalgamation of the iconic A384 and A386. Then again, the 1970s were an age of experimentation, so fusion design was definitely a part of that era. Five decades after the initial release, Zenith has released the modern version with the Chronomaster Revival El Primero A3817. Does my purist heart accept this pairing of iconic styles?Zenith has been releasing watches at a rapid rate over the last roughly two years. With a mixture of limited releases an...
Buying Guide: The Best Heuer Watches From The 1970s
We like to talk about vintage watches a lot within the Fratello team. While the daily routine is largely focused on the most recent developments in the world of watches, the most fun for many of us lies in the world of vintage watches. It's a world full of history, remarkable watches, incredible stories, and quirky details. It inspired us to come up with a series of articles focusing on the best watches per decade from a select group of brands. Some of them priceless, some of them still affordable. In this installment, we will take a look at the best Heuer watches from the 1970s.In the 1960s, we witnessed developments that challenged the status quo of watch design forever. The sheer amount o...
A Fratello Father's Day Special: My Dad's Seiko 7T24 Chronograph
There's something about watches that makes them truly remarkable things. But I’m not talking about their mechanical complexity or their ability to stay relevant in our increasingly digital world. I’m also not referring to their immense staying power in a society obsessed with disposable things. I'm alluding to the fact that all watches have a story. You may have forged the story yourself through years of ownership. Likewise, it may stem from the time you spent working toward a special watch or perhaps a special occasion that you bought it to commemorate. But even when you buy a used watch and you’re unaware of its past, you can rest assured that there's always a story. And ...
Sunday Morning Showdown: Doxa SUB 300 Vs. Serica 5303
Good morning, and welcome to another edition of the Sunday Morning Showdown, the Fratello series in which two editors drop all nuance and subtlety! The series in which we go bare-knuckle, defending a watch of choice. This week, it is our two newest Fratelli taking aim at each other. In the blue corner, it’s Daan with the Serica 5303. In the red corner, it’s Thomas with the Doxa SUB 300. Let's get ready to rumble!The stakes are actually quite high this time. Daan has just put his preorder in for a Serica 5303 in blue. Thomas is still on the fence, considering doing the same. Both our brawlers have contemplated adding a Doxa SUB 300 to their personal collections. Needless to say, t...
Micromilspec Launches Official Watch Of The U.S. Space Force
Watches with military history and provenance speak to a subset of watch collectors. Timepieces that were present at significant moments in history speak to the stories they bear witness to. For those who might not have noticed, the United States Armed Forces added a new branch in 2019, the Space Force. Now, in collaboration with Norwegian brand Micromilspec, the branch has a mil-spec watch of its own.Why is the U.S. Space Force commissioning a watch from a Norwegian microbrand? Well, Micromilspec is not your average microbrand. The brand focuses on made-to-order watches for the military, first responders, and other special clients. Its watches are typically not available to the public. Micro...
Building A Watch Brand Ep. 9: 3D Modeling And More
A while ago, we completed the concept design/target aesthetic of my upcoming VPC Type 37HW. Now we are in the stage of 3D modeling and technical development. This slow, arduous process takes extensive iterating and is probably the least glamorous part of creating a watch. Therefore, you typically don’t see much of it, so I’m happy to lift the curtain and reveal what happens between design and production.On a more personal note, I am also sharing some of the more mentally challenging aspects I have run into. Building a watch brand is a massive source of joy for me, but it comes with some downsides that I think may be worth sharing too. I promised to share the entire journey, so it...
New Limited-Edition Watches From Chopard, Hublot, And More
Which of today’s three new limited-edition watches is the rarest? The transparent blue Chopard L.U.C Full Strike Sapphire is a limited edition of just five pieces. Twice as many Armin Strom Pure Resonance Ultimate Sapphire Horomariobro watches will be made. And these very limited numbers make the Hublot Big Bang Unico Full Magic Gold almost look like a regular-series model with its 200-piece production run. To align with the three novelties highlighted today, I'm wearing the Oris Divers Sixty-Five Fratello Limited Edition.As you might know, I'm quite fond of my Oris Momotaro Divers Sixty-Five, but I didn't pay that much attention to the Divers Sixty-Five Fratello LE. That was for two r...
New: Christopher Ward C60 Pro 300 Bronze Blue Ombre
It’s been a little less than two years since Christopher Ward introduced the C60 Trident Pro 300 series. From the moment it debuted, the line became a success with the brand’s fans. A year after the introduction, Christopher Ward released the first bronze version of the C60 Trident Pro 300. Another year on, a second bronze model sees the light of day. After the first classically styled brown and bronze model, the new model combines a bronze case with a blue bezel and a beautiful blue gradient dial. The C60 Pro 300 Bronze Blue Ombre is a fresh take on a familiar model that will surely find its way to fans.Christopher Ward is a go-to name if you’re looking to spend around $1,...
Omega's New Aqua Terra Inspired By Armand Mondo Duplantis
The Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M is perhaps Omega’s strongest contender for everyday luxury. In the realm once dominated by the OP, the Aqua Terra has become a go-to daily watch for the right reasons and can be quite the style chameleon.This time, the inspiration of Armand “Mondo” Deplantis and the Swedish national colors adds a pop of sunshine. And with one of my favorite stitched rubber straps, this Aqua Terra looks extra sporty and dials up the cool factor.Armand Mondo DuplantisI feel like waving a flag here because Sweden is just a 90-minute drive from Oslo. And in some respects, I like our neighbor country better than mine. Just don’t tell the Swedes; they’re...
Hands-On: Breitling Chronomat B01 42 The King Of Comments
It started as soon as I got home from picking this Chronomat B01 up from the Breitling boutique. Both my wife and daughter simultaneously said, Now that's a nice watch! It’s quite different from the Is that a new watch? that I usually get when wearing something for review.Breitling Chronomat B01 42The funny thing is that nearly all the positive comments I received when wearing this steel and rose gold Breitling Chronomat B01 42 came from people outside our watch bubble. I wore this watch during Watches and Wonders, for example, and many frowned upon it (and me), including brand representatives.Well, forget them! I like the looks of the watch. It brought out my inner 1980s/’90s ch...
The Best Watches Under $5,000: Lex's Picks
No pre-owned shortcuts, just brand-new watches; that was my mantra when putting together my edition of The Best Watches Under $5,000. and Omega are out of reach, Tudor is on nearly every Fratello team member's list, and the TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300 GMT didn't cut it either - it might be a chronometer, but it isn't a flyer GMT. I ended up with picks from Grand Seiko, Frederique Constant, and Breitling.Not too long ago, I wrote that I dreaded the moment I had to put my list of the best watches under $2,500 together. That was because what I thought was available for that budget no longer is. And I kind of felt the same dread when I was asked to put together a list of watches under ...
NOMOS Photo Essay Big Bang For The Buck
In April I went to the German watch capital called Glashutte, near Dresden. There are 10 watch brands located in this little town which has a rich ticking history. Only three of these brand can call themselves manufacture, which means they produce their own movements in-house, and Nomos is one of them.The main Nomos building is situated inside a former railway station which still can be seen by several details in the building and by the simple fact that trains still pass by just a few meters away.After a pleasant meeting with Mr Uwe Ahrendt (CEO) and Ms Ute Fischer-Graf (PR) the factory visit started.?From the large glass meeting room, which is right next to the tracks, we go down the stairs...
Hands-on: The Nomos Neomatik Lineup
It's hard to believe that Baselworld 2016 occurred 3 months ago, but here we are in June, which is probably enough time to reflect on new releases that have left an impression. Today's focus is on a series of watches that really impressed me because they were simply so satisfying in their execution and they're from a brand that we really enjoy here at Fratellowatches. It's the independent brand from Glashuette and today we'll look more closely at the Nomos Neomatik lineup.The new DUW3001 movement as seen through the back of the Nomos Neomatik OrionWith the Nomos Neomatik lineup, the brand presented us with 10(!!!)? models (some new and some released between Baselworld 2015 and 2016) featurin...
Speedy Tuesday Omega Speedmaster Speedy Tuesday Limited Edition Left The Factory
It has been a while that we reported on the Omega Speedmaster Speedy Tuesday Limited Edition. We’ve been overwhelmed with all the responses and comments on this watch, and are thankful for all the positive messages we have received thus far. Omega gave us a prototype just before the official release date (January 10th 2017) so we have been able to play around with it, take photos and show it to some of our readers, colleagues and friends.The first Omega Speedmaster Speedy Tuesday Limited Edition models have been produced in Bienne and are currently being shipped to their new owners. Watches are not produced in chronological order, so it might very well be that number 13 (for example) i...
Introducing The Ressence Type 1 MRP
The partnership between the Belgian independent watchmaker?Ressence and on-line luxury boutique Mr. Porter was already established in 2015. Today, they introduce the Ressence Type 1 MRP to you, a collaborative edition between Ressence and Mr. Porter available in two limited edition versions.?Ressence Type 1 MRPThe two versions introduced are the Ressence Type 1PN MRP in titanium and the Type 1 PW MRP in 18 karat rose gold. The titanium version has a case made of Grade-5 polished titanium with a night blue metallic dial, limited to 12 pieces only. The rose gold version with sandblasted white dial is even a bit more exclusive, as there will only be 6 pieces.Ressence Type 1 MRPThe Ressence Type...
You Asked Us Which Manufacture Sports Watch To Buy
In this week’s ‘You Asked Us’ episode we’re answering a question regarding choice of a sports watch with a manufacture caliber. It came from one of our readers and reached us through the contact form on our website. Considering the three watches the writer proposes himself, he not only seems to look for a sports watch, but it should be a chronograph as well. Here’s the message:This Week's Question: Which Manufacture Sports Watch to Buy?Dear Fratello Watches, I am about to buy a sports watch, I would like to own a watch of an excellent technical level, possibly of manufacture. I oriented myself towards these models:1. Zenith El Primero 1969 ref. 03.2040.400 / 69....
Breaking News: Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Ultra Deep Professional
In what can only be described as an off-cycle surprise, we're excited to report on the announcement of the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Ultra Deep Professional.It was only a couple weeks ago that we received an invite to a mysterious press release to be held on June 20th in London. Little information was given aside from the fact that the event would feature Victor Vescovo, who, among other interests, is an adventurer and undersea explorer (he's even completed the Explorer's Grand Slam). The invitation made mention of Vescovo's Five Deeps Expedition, a journey to the deepest spots within each of the five oceans and the fact that he actually set the record for deepest dive at 10,928 meters (3...
Top 10 Vintage Watches According To You
We’ve been here for 15 years, and covering many vintage watches in all those years. However, since 2014, we have our #TBT feature with a dedicated focus on vintage watches.Based on the most popular articles in our #tbt category, we present to you the top 10 vintage watches overview here on Fratello. As you will see, it is mainly Seiko and dominating this overview. Why is there no Omega? Well simple, we try to allocate all of the (vintage) Speedmaster content to our Speedy Tuesday section (and only publish on Tuesday about them). If you want to have an overview of the best read Speedmaster articles, or Top 10 Speedy Tuesday articles, click here.Top 10 Vintage WatchesWe have covered doz...
This Week in Watches: June 20, 2020 The "More" Edition
Welcome to This Week in Watches for June 20, 2020 - the more edition. We’ve got more of everything on the eve of Summer so let’s get to it!Corum LAB 02First up this week is the Corum LAB 02. If you want more skeleton, this just might be your watch! Just remember to bring at least CHF 180,000 because that’s where life with this manual wind flying tourbillon (cal CO 300) begins. The massive 45mm case is available in several shades of gold and with or without diamonds. Corum calls out 10 of each style, but they will also allow you to choose colorful gems and other modifications. A power reserve and date function also show on this piece. When I think of older Corum, I think of ...
Urwerk UR-100 Gold Watch Review
Maybe it’s the green, red, and gold color scheme. Maybe it’s the fact the Urwerk UR-100 Gold limited edition watch looks like an alien. Or maybe it’s just because I’m a covert Chris DeBurg fan. Whatever it is, Urwerk’s latest showstopper had me feeling festive…I’m not a devout Urwerk lover. I’m not one of those watch nerds that loses their mind every time the hyper-creative crackpot team of Baumgartner and Frei drop a new release. Despite that, I’m rarely anything but impressed. But that always comes after digging a little deeper, looking under the hood, and taking my time to form an opinion. Because, in truth, some Urwerks are better tha...