An Evening With Fratello In The Hague Event Photo Report
Last weekend, we hosted An Evening With Fratello in the city center of The Hague, Netherlands. At the upscale hotel VOCO The Hague, in the “below deck” of its Ultramarijn bar, there were over 50 watch enthusiasts from the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and even Denmark who came to share their passion for watches.Since the start of Fratello back in 2004, we have organized several events, but mainly in cooperation with brands or boutiques. We also hosted our own Speedy Tuesday events without Omega’s support, but we had never hosted a watch event that did not have a specific focus - just a watch event, for all watch enthusiasts, from everywhere.A word of welcome to the guestsW...
An Ode To Base Model Watches Why Less Can Be More
As watch aficionados, we can have a tendency to behave like maximizers. Chasing ever-bigger dreams. Pursuing more exotic materials. Chasing down more complicated movements. Getting the version that is even rarer, even more special. But you know what? Those are not always the better watches. Let me take this opportunity to bring an ode to the base model - the simplest, often most affordable version of a watch.I happen to think these are often the most attractive, most beautiful watches. No frills, just the bare essentials. Let me explain why, and maybe, just maybe, I can persuade you to focus on the entry-level side of the catalog next time. Oyster Perpetual ref. 114300Base models have the pu...
Hands-On With The MK II Stingray II Keroman
With this review, Mk II will be making its very first appearance on Fratello. However, it is a brand known to those who are into historically accurate, modern-made military dive watches. There are many military watches, vintage and new, that watch collectors are into, and the Mk II Stingray II Keroman has become a sought-after timepiece. Let's find out why!?Mk II's founder Bill Yao developed a few collections that he has meticulously put together over time. His goal has always been to make the best watches money could buy and that would look and feel like the real deal. Or, to be more accurate, the goal was to make robust tool watches that only cost what they should. According to the brand&#...
?Introducing: The Urwerk UR-120 Space Black
Urwerk exists in a rarefied space occupied by brands of a different species than the Swiss norm. Hyper-modern yet exhibiting a strong sense of craftsmanship, Urwerk’s designs are in an exclusive league indeed. The UR-120 Space Black is created within the brand’s secret lab by artisans with their eyes on the future rather than in the rearview mirror.I bet you’ll find it more challenging to name tech- and innovation-centric watch brands. Powerful independents like MB&F blaze the way, often high in the price stratosphere. Meanwhile, brands like Linde Werdelin, Gorilla, and Behrens lead a small pack of the more reasonably priced avant-garde. But while many of these brands s...
New: Breitling Top Time B01 Deus And Triumph Editions
Coinciding with the Wheels & Waves surf-and-motorcycle festival in Biarritz, France, Breitling unveils two motorcycle-themed Top Time watches. Kickstarting the event is the third collaboration between Breitling and Australian surf-style brand and motorcycle customizer Deus Ex Machina. Also returning is the Triumph Top Time edition, both now part of Breitling’s permanent collection. The watches now use the Breitling manufacture B01 chronograph caliber instead of the Valjoux-based Breitling 23. Upgrading the mechanism jolts up the price for both watches, but making them unlimited raises some questions.Breitling describes the Top Time as the “unconventional” chronograph. W...
Christopher Ward Introduces The C60 Atoll 300 Models
Last August, Christopher Ward released the C60 Trident Pro 300 collection, which quickly grew into one of the brand’s most popular lines. Now Christopher Ward gives it a new look with the C60 Atoll 300 models, featuring gradient dials and stainless steel bezels. Additionally, the brand is releasing a new slimline tapered rubber strap, making these two new watches more than just simple additions to the collection.When I wrote the introduction article for the C60 Trident Pro 300, I was quickly impressed by what the collection offered. Considering the specs and materials, the series of modern dive watches packs incredible value for money. You get a slim case profile, a diving bezel with a...
REC Watches: Made From The Vehicles They Pay Homage To
Several watches and brands pay homage to certain aircraft or vehicles. Even more are designed specifically for flight or racing. But I get excited about watches that capture something special about these modern machines we humans obsess over. The REC Watches Limited Collection does just that. These watches contain physical pieces of the vehicles they represent, making each unique. It lets one wear a piece of history and engineering on their wrist in a way few other brands can offer.REC Watches is a Danish company with an international focus. Run by self-described petrolheads and history buffs, the vehicles that inspire and go into the brand’s watches come from all over the world and ac...
Parmigiani Fleurier Introduces The Tonda PF Sport
Parmigiani Fleurier, a brand synonymous with discreet luxury since the runaway success of the Tonda PF collection, has done it once again with its new Tonda PF Sport line. Marketed for active leisure times rather than performance sports, the line debuts with a 42mm Chronograph and a 41mm time-only Automatic in both steel and 18K rose gold.With the unveiling of the Tonda PF Sport line, the Swiss independent watch brand says it will retire the Tonda GT, which only came out in 2020. I touched on the evolution as I covered the Tonda GT Chronograph in steel and rose gold last August. The design of the Tonda GT lent itself to the aesthetic codes set for the first PF models in 2021. When you recogn...
Measuring The Success Of A Brand By Its Pre-Owned Prices
More than once, I’ve come across comments below articles and posts that try to measure the success of a watch brand by the resale value of its watches on the pre-owned market. But does it make sense to measure a brand’s performance this way? Is there a link between the revenue of a watch brand based on its new products and the prices on the secondary watch market?Traditional metrics to measure successWhen analyzing brands’ success, traditional metrics like (estimated) turnover figures and market share often dominate articles about this topic. However, an insightful indicator of a brand’s performance might also be in the pre-owned watch market. This market provides val...
Introducing: A Trio Of Black Omega Seamaster Aqua Terras
Omega has quietly introduced a trio of updated Seamaster Aqua Terra models to its catalog. These three new references cover the full size range in the Aqua Terra lineup, feature all the upgrades found in the Shades collection, and add a new micro-adjustment system for the bracelet. But whereas the Shades quintet had a lot of fun in the sun playing with color, this latest three-watch launch is staying in, playing Radiohead on repeat, putting eye-liner on, and painting its nails black. But just because these watches offer a moody contrast to their colorful relatives doesn’t mean one (or several) of them won’t be your new favorite Seamaster Aqua Terra.A little less than two years ag...
Fratello's Top 5 Recent Audemars Piguet Watches
Another Friday, another Top 5! This week, we look at some of the best Audemars Piguet releases of 2024. With a new CEO Ilaria Resta now leading the brand, it will be interesting to see what the future has in store. In her first six months on the job, we have seen quite a few interesting AP releases. As we all know, they still have Fran?ois-Henry Bennahmias’s signature on them as developing different models often takes years. Nevertheless, it is the start of a new era at Audemars Piguet, and we decided to look at the first timepieces of that new era.After working for Audemars Piguet for 29 years, Fran?ois-Henry Bennahmias said goodbye at the end of 2023. Ilaria Resta formally took over ...
New: The Laventure Transatlantique II GMT
Let me begin with a piece of advice: if you think you actually want to buy this watch, you might be better off just going straight to the Laventure website instead of reading this article. By the time you’ve finished, chances are that the reference of your choice will have already sold out. Now, for everyone else who simply enjoys reading about a well-designed and hot new watch, let me introduce you to the new Laventure Transatlantique II GMT. It’s a little smaller than its predecessor, there’s a new chocolate and caramel colorway, and one version is also available in steel and yellow gold.I’ll admit I still slap myself sometimes for not having bought the Laventure Ma...
Testing The Doxa Sub 200T In Its Natural Underwater Habitat
Doxa’s Sub 200T is a wonderful underwater companion and underlines the trend toward smaller tool watches. Having debuted just before the start of Watches and Wonders 2024, the Sub 200T was met with broadly positive acclaim. As a truly mid-sized option with a 39mm case diameter and slim profile, it rounds out Doxa’s cushion-cased offerings quite nicely.Doxa dive watches have always worn well thanks to short lug-to-lug distances. It’s a bit of a design hack that makes a bigger watch fit on all kinds of wrist sizes. As an owner of the regular Sub 300, I can attest to this. The 42mm case sits well on my 16cm wrist thanks to the 45mm lug-to-lug.The Doxa Sub 200T fills a gap in t...
Ulysse Nardin Diver Net OPS And Diver X Skeleton OPS
Ulysse Nardin would not be the first brand I’d turn to when considering modern dive watches. But I must admit that the Diver Net OPS and the Diver X Skeleton OPS in this review immediately stood out when I saw the pictures online. Both watches feature a military-inspired camouflage look that I quite like, so when they landed on my desk, I was happy to take them for a spin. As it turns out, there is more to the story than just their looks. It’s time to find out more.It’s not the first time Ulysse Nardin has released a duo of its divers like these OPS versions. Last year, Nacho wrote an introduction article on the Azure versions of the same watches. While those stood out beca...
Rory McIlroy And His Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph Ref.26300
If it weren’t for the guys over at Hodinkee to notify me, I probably wouldn’t even have noticed that Audemars Piguet’s golf ambassador Rory McIlroy is wearing the same watch as I do. The Royal Oak Chronograph ref.26300ST with the ‘Newman’ dial.Rory McIlroy (22yrs old) won the U.S. Open last Sunday (June 19th) with the lowest score in the history of the tournament. He was wearing what I was wearing, the Royal Oak Chronograph ref.26300 (full reference number for this particular dial configuration is?26300ST.OO.1110ST.06).Ever since I got it last year November, I have almost been wearing this chrono on a daily basis. The size of the watch is very comfortable (39mm ...
FW Classic Seiko SKX007 vs Citizen NY0040
It is no secret that we love mechanical watches. But what if you go to foreign places where this type of luxury is not much appreciated, or where there’s other sorts of risk of damaging your precious watch? This is where this FW Classic – Seiko SKX007 vs Citizen NY0040 article comes in. Two affordable mechanical watches, from well-respected manufacturers, that you can wear with confident and pride during your well-earned holidays.Michael Stockton – our vintage expert – wrote this article to demonstrate the strengths and weaknesses of both watches, but foremost to show you two affordable alternatives to accompany you on your holidays abroad. However, make no mistake, t...
Taking a Look at the Yemas at Watches of Knightsbridge
Here on Fratello Watches, we've featured a number of vintage Yema models on our site. These fun, often brightly colored watches represented the affordable side of the hobby: often mimicking far more expensive Heuers with semi-similar design motifs, but costing far less in the marketplace. They were plentiful, robust with most containing 773x movements and fun. Recently, though, Yema chronographs have become expensive and rarely show up when searching eBay. Like most vintage chronographs, they're popular now. So, when I became aware of 11 (!!) pieces coming up for auction on June 24, 2017 in London, I figured I'd provide a quick look at some Yemas at Watches of Knightsbridge and some thoughts...
The Stoic Watches Debut The Art of Phoning It In
We receive a fair amount of email over here at Fratello HQ, which is folksy code for saying that our team receives a lot of messages in our inboxes. Some of these emails are direct communication from readers like you, but more often than not, they're promotional emails from brands either announcing a new model or brands asking if we are interested in covering their newest piece. Believe me, we receive these emails from the big names and we receive them from the smallest. We also get a lot of flow from brands that are debuting things that look a little more comfortable on the rotating display cabinet at your local Shell station. This latter category is a genre of watches we don't cover becaus...
Watch Strap Review Mercedes 190 SL Strap By GLC Straps
Some of you might have thought that Watch Strap Review disappeared from our pages. This feature did not vanish but went on an extended holiday. However, I'm happy to report that we are back and have something special for you guys today. This article's topic is not entirely new, you could read about a similar project from the same brand a while ago (here). The company is G.L.C. Straps, an Italian strap manufacturer. We did a review of their products as early as 2015, one of the earliest companies in WSR. GLC flies under the radar for the most part but their products are great. The prices are very reasonable, all handmade in Italy (Rome, to be precise) a great option if you want to extend your...
Matthias Breschan, RADO CEO, Talks With Robert-Jan Broer Of Fratello
Just before the news hit us that Matthias Breschan (Rado) will be the successor of Longines CEO Walter von K?nel, I had an interview with him. Although things are slowly getting better here in Europe, we still had to use a Zoom call to do the interview.Times are a-changing, and the Swatch Group is endeavoring to change with them. Shuffling the positions of power within the group was a nice move. Different perspectives are always welcome. Mattias Breschan will bring his experience and enthusiasm to a post recently vacated by the long-serving von K?nel.Interview with Matthias BreschanBreschan has been working for Swatch Group since 2000. He has been president of Rado since 2011 and will become...