Summer is officially here! June 21st - the summer solstice - was not only the longest day of the year but also marked the official start of the season. Naturally, summer watches become top of mind around this time of year, but the selection of those available is overwhelming. To help you select the best summer companion, the members of the Fratello editorial team are sharing their top picks.Are yo

I am happy to present a new edition of Back To Basics, our series aimed at newcomers to our beautiful watch hobby. This time, we will examine some of the most common materials used to make watch cases. Why would you pick a titanium watch over a stainless steel one? What is the difference between 316L and 904L stainless steel? What are the pros and cons of ceramics? How do gold watches differ betwe

It’s Sunday morning, so grab a cup of coffee, and prepare for a showdown rooted in history. Most of you will know the story of Grand Seiko and King Seiko, which goes back over six decades. We decided to put two modern watches from them up against each other. Jorg picked the Grand Seiko SBGW305, while Robert-Jan chose the King Seiko SJE089. Both writers will make their cases, but in the end,

Thomas Prescher did create excitement amongst watch collectors, he created a mechanical timepiece that is absolutely unique. A triple-axis tourbillon movement in a wrist watch. The Triple Axis Tourbillon Regulator, as the watch is being named, is again one of these great inventions of Thomas Prescher, since he started working for himself in 2002 and joined the AHCI in 2003.Before 2002, Thomas Pres

Omega Speedmaster Mark II – 45 Year After Its IntroductionAfter the Omega Speedmaster Professional won the race to the Moon in 1969, Omega thought it was time to come up with a watch that perhaps was a bit more up-to-date and ready for the 1970s. Design wise that is, as the watch should be able to withstand the same abuse as the Speedmaster Professional ‘Moonwatch’ could handle.

Today's article marks the first of what we hope will become a periodic series. As the resident vintage writer (#TBT) for Fratello Watches, I often muse to my teammates about things I'm seeing in the marketplace. On one particular day, I started chatting with Robert-Jan and brought up the idea of publishing a state of the market article on at least some part of the vintage world; a taste of what I'

The bronze re-edition watch that deserves a gold medal. No kidding. A classy diver with a serious refresh. If you want to argue the term iconic watch when referring to the Yema Superman Heritage Bronze, this bronze novelty definitely helps to build this status for decades to come.A quick shot taken with an iPhone by the Mediterranean SeaWho cares about the date?One example for all. Usually, you se

It’s time for Wrist Game or Crying Shame, the weekly series that lets you stop or start your chronograph. This week, we’ll discuss a unique blip on the Breitling radar with the Superocean Heritage Chronoworks. But first…Last week, I did my best to take you back to the era of Boyz II Men with a look at the TAG Heuer Link chronograph. Sadly, it was the end of the road for this orna

Ever since getting into the world of watches, I have always loved the discussions about watch design. The recurring topic is often progression. The arguments are as much about the lack thereof as they are about the ongoing quest for finding that new instant classic.? Creating something genuinely new that meets with immediate acceptance seems to be the hardest thing there is. Especially when it com

The new Chronomat trims the case diameter from 44mm to 42mm and brings back the unique Rouleaux bracelet. Those are the headlines, but as I have found, this new chunk of steel is filled with hidden details.I was a little shocked when my Chronomat turned up at my door in the middle of May. I placed an order for the limited edition Frecce Tricolori a day after the launch in April but fully expected

One of the few watches that I feel really guilty about not wearing often enough is the Eberhard Fiat. Just a few hours after strapping it on the wrist, I am reminded exactly why I bought it in the first place. I have a publishing plan for #TBT watches for three months ahead. That means I always have 10 to 12 watches shortlisted and lined up for specific dates. Usually, that is. Sometimes I break t

Collaborations happen often, quite possibly too often. Crucial for a good collaboration is two brands that are a good fit. Today Monochrome and Habring2 introduce the Habring2 Monochrome Montre de Souscription 1. It is a perfect example of two brands that are a great match.? As a result, the watch tells a great story of the shared love for independent watchmaking. Time to take a closer look at Mon

This idea started at the coffee corner in our (former) office in The Hague with some of the other editors. You'll get $1,500 from your boss to go out and buy a watch, what would you pick?And it doesn't need to be a brand-new watch, it is also allowed to buy something pre-owned or even vintage. But I added a rule to this little game, inspired by a recent podcast by Mike and Balazs. You can't sell i

At Watches and Wonder 2021, we saw several beautiful new watches launched by many different brands. Some were expected, and some were a bit of a curveball and caught us by surprise, but in a good way! At the digital event, TAG Heuer launched its new Aquaracer Professional 300 collection. The release marked a new generation of the famous model, with a refreshed look that blended a bold-yet-elegant

When I first put this watch on my wrist, I thought something misfired inside my brain. Of course, I tried to hide my confusion from my seasoned watch pro colleagues at Fratello HQ, but that lasted about three seconds. I think I shouted out loud, what the hell is going on? I saw the seconds hand moving counterclockwise, the 12 is a 0, and although the 6 is in its usual spot, the 3 and the 9 had swa

To my great surprise, this was an easy article to write! I tried to stay out of the Starting a watch collection with $5,000 carousel for as long as I could because I thought I had no idea what to do with $5K. Watch-wise, I mean. I know I want a new road bike, and a nice, long tropical vacation would be nice too. But I seriously didn't think I could come up with three watches. And yet, I did in a v

Porsche Design was started in 1972 by F.A. Porsche, the accomplished designer behind the iconic ’60s 911. The company is now completely separate from Porsche cars, but let's face it, we know that close family ties are still there. This is no more visible than in today's sharp range of sports watches, Teutonic in design and nothing but function-forward. From the tempting DLC-vintage versions

Just recently, Fratello had cause to visit our good friends at Fortis at their Grenchen headquarters. Standing on the recently-renamed John Harwood Street, in honor of the man who invented the automatic watch and brought it to market with the help of Fortis, the brand’s historic home is undergoing a complete overhaul, ready for the next phase of Fortis’s journey under the leadership of

Many years ago, when the vintage market was not what it is today, a watch came to my attention. A friend of mine offered it to me for a fair price. It had a smaller case, two sub-dials, and a strange date-window placement at 12 o'clock. The watch was a vintage Nivada Datomaster, a small hand-wound chronograph with a light gray dial, white sub-dials, and pump pushers. These days, Nivada is not what

I will be the first to admit to a deep fascination and respect for the work of Peter Speake and Daniela Marin of The Naked Watchmaker. While having written more than 500 stories about watches, my micro-mechanical watchmaking skills are self-taught but with help from Daniela and Peter’s website. With The Naked Watchmaker releasing its first watch collaboration, is there a deeper meaning behin