Online Watch Giant Watchismo Acquires Watches.com
Watchismo (now Watches.com) curates and sells the world's largest online collection of diverse watches. Established in 1998, the company has a long-standing mission of providing unique and affordable timepieces to the masses. As the number 1 selling independent online watch store, the company plans to stay true to their core mission, while taking the brand to new heights with a larger online audience.Founded by brothers Andrew and Mitch Greenblatt, the company focuses on finding, curating and providing interesting timepieces to a strong community of watch lovers. For over 15 years, Watchismo (now Watches.com) has been contributing to the online watch market. As the watch market moves away fr...
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo 52Mondayz, week #26
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo was already mentioned in?last week’s 52Mondayz. One of the icons when watches with integrated bracelets are concerned.The extra thin monocoque case design of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak JumboAudemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo, reference 14802STThe weather has been very comfortable in our part of Europe lately, with temperatures in the high twenties. Centigrade that is. In Fahrenheit that would be around 80 degrees. Of course I try to avoid it, however with these temperatures some transpiration can occur. And at these occasions a metal bracelet is preferable compared to a leather strap.The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo where it should be, on my wrist...
Watches & Pencils #28 Ways of Wearing Watches
Watches need a wrist. But the way you wear?it on your wrist can underline or break characteristics of the watch. Often, the overall?look is?made of a combination of factors, implicit and explicit, not only by the watch itself. For this Watches & Pencils,?I would like to dedicate an episode?to the many ways you can wear a watch.Support And Strengthen The Total ImageOf course, the way you love to wear?a watch is totally personal. Some watches?almost ask to wear it in a specific?way though. Or, for example, a?prominent wearer did expose it to us this way (e.g. movie- and rockstars). It’s almost like wearing a tie. Put it on with a tight double Windsor knot to be more formal or put it ...
Speedy Tuesday Numbered Gold Speedmasters As Tribute To The Renewed Flight Qualification For The Space Shuttle
Being a kid in the 1980s, I can vividly remember the early Space Shuttle missions. Because one of the astronauts on board of the 1985 mission was fellow Dutchman Wubbo Ockels, it was extremely well covered in the news here at the time. And in schools, there was a lot of attention on these flights. So besides playing with my Transformers, I absorbed everything that had to do with the Space Shuttle flights at the time. Little did I know about watches, let alone the role of the Speedmaster. A few years later, when I was 12 years old or so, my dad told me that Omega (he wore a Constellation and a Geneve at the time) was the first watch worn on the Moon. It didn’t really mean much to me at ...
Hot Take: Oris Divers Sixty-Five Limited Edition for HODINKEE
The Oris Divers Sixty-Five Limited Edition for HODINKEE is here with styling that won’t disappoint and a movement that’s sure to surprise.Well now, it’s not every day that we cover a new timepiece made in collaboration with another watch magazine, but it’s rare that something looks as good as the Oris Divers Sixty-Five Limited Edition for HODINKEE.? Looks aren’t the only thing at work, though, as this diver contains a style of movement that harkens back to the original 1965 Oris Super, Star and Waterproof pieces – head here for our comparison of old and new.? That’s right, there’s a manual inside this thoughtful reinterpretation of one of Oris&...
The Million Dollar Question: Resale Value of the Independents
Buying watches is never a Get Rich Quick scheme. It's a hobby. Most importantly, it's fun. To some, it turns into a passion. What starts as a small thing will eventually lead you down the rabbit hole. Sometimes, all-consuming.When this happens, and you find yourself a slave to the beast, what do you do? Research, research, research. And with research comes a little knowledge, and with that, a little power to make an intelligent decision. But as the adage goes, a little knowledge is a dangerous thing. It can trick you into thinking you have the inside track, and that you, above all others, will make a killing while your peers choke on your dust.Resale Value of the IndependentsIt certainly hel...
Pre-Owned Picks Discontinued Oris Watches
This week, I am checking out some intriguing watches from Holstein’s premier independent. Yes, I am talking about the plucky soloist Oris. In its heyday, Oris was outputting up to 1.2million watches and clocks per year. The onset of the low-cost and reliable quartz timepieces from Japan in the 70s and 80s, however, took a toll on the brand.The choice was either to follow the herd and produce quartz with a Swiss twist or, like so many Swiss watch-makers, fold and fade into obscurity. For a time, Oris did?produce a range of quartz pieces. But fortunately, a management buyout in 1982 changed the fate of Oris. The brand became Oris SA and swore never to make a quartz-operated wristwatch.Or...
Audric SeaBorne 500 M Dive Watch Prototype Review
Working as a watch journalist is obviously a massive privilege. It’s something I am reminded of in myriad ways on a daily basis. Probably the clearest example of this privilege is being privy to new releases before they hit the market. In many cases, this means having the chance to see, wear, and review groundbreaking releases from some of the most prestigious brands in the world. At the other end of the scale, however, is the opportunity to see fledgling brands come to life. We are frequently sent watches for review from makers hoping to catapult their efforts into the limelight. Recently, I spent a few days with the new Audric SeaBorne 500 M. The model I received for review, however,...
Hands-On With The New Grand Seiko SBGP003 Quartz Watch
Throughout the last couple of months, we have witnessed the great appreciation our readers have for the Grand Seiko brand. In our weekly Sunday Showdown series, many of the Grand Seiko models are incredibly popular. And there is more fuel to add to that fire. For 2020 we have seen a string of brand new Grand Seiko models as well as updated models replacing current models in the line-up. With the introduction of the new Grand Seiko SBGP001, SBGP003, SBGP005 models, the brand introduces three new regular models. All of them are powered by the new Grand Seiko 9F85 quartz movement. We go hands-on with the black-dialed Grand Seiko SBGP003.In the last week of January, Grand Seiko released its high...
A Fan's Take On The New Zenith Defy Extreme (2021)
Ask any watch enthusiast who has known me for more than a day, and they will tell you of my love for Zenith. It's true. My favorite watch in my humble collection is the 2010 El Primero Striking 10th, and I am an unabashed fan of the brand. Now, I wouldn't exactly say I'm a fanboy. Not every release makes my heart palpitate, and there have been some in the last decade that were just plain hideous (48mm Tribute to Rolling Stones Pilot, anyone?).These days, however, I do greatly appreciate the overall direction in which the brand is heading. From Elite to Chronomaster and Pilot to Defy, Zenith's current offerings cater to a wide range of classical, sporty, romantic, and futuristic tastes, all w...
Buying Guide: The Best Zenith Watches From The 1970s (2021)
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 Zenith watches from the 1970s.In the 1960s, we witnessed developments that challenged the status quo of watch design forever. The sheer amount ...
New:?Norqain's Independence 22 Skeleton In A Non-Limited Edition
Norqain has billed the Independence as a collection of COSC-certified timepieces. The brand has made these models in limited-edition runs once every year since the 2019 debut model. But that is about to change. The Swiss independent brand has just introduced the Independence 22 that will be here to stay. The novelty is a skeletonized mechanical timepiece in stainless steel with an initial run of 300 pieces. The brand, however, will produce more based on demand.Norqain CEO Ben Kuffer explains, it's important to our team that our fans can purchase and wear the watches that we launch[We] will continue to produce more of this timepiece to ensure that watch lovers who want to add it to their coll...
Tissot PRX Chronograph Vs. Frederique Constant Highlife
It’s that time again! There’s not a moment to relax for two of our writers on Sunday mornings. As you all know by now, Fratello team members battle it out in our Sunday Morning Showdown series. In the end, you, our wonderful readers, have the final say on who wins. This week, Nacho and Jorg go up against each other, choosing two modern sports watches with integrated bracelets to duke it out. Nacho is here to defend the brand-new Frederique Constant Highlife Chronograph. Jorg decided to back the Tissot PRX Automatic Chronograph. Let the battle commence!This week’s battle is a bit different from our usual match-ups. Both the Frederique Constant and the Tissot fall into the ca...
Pre-Owned Spotlight: Daan's Titanium Picks For Summer
It’s been one of those warm and sticky summer weekends here in Amsterdam. You know, the kind when you don’t want to wear a heavy and sweaty stainless steel watch on your wrist. I still don’t have any titanium watches in my collection, but days like these make me wish I did. So when I saw there was a Pre-Owned Spotlight coming up, I knew what to search for. Here are my titanium picks on the secondary market, just in time for the summer heat.I’m not completely sure why I still haven’t jumped on the titanium bandwagon. Maybe it’s the style of watches, which is often a bit too modern for my taste. Or it might be the slightly darker gray color that doesn’...
Hands-On: Sinn T50 Goldbronze
On the Sinn website, it reads, This watch is already sold out in direct sales. You can still obtain this watch from our sales partners. See what I mean? It might be unavailable on Monday, but when your local Sinn dealer opens its doors on Tuesday, you might still be able to acquire one of the 300 limited-edition T50 Goldbronze timepieces. Is this subtly flamboyant dive watch worth the effort?Do you want me to write about the Captive Safety Bezel and the Ar-Dehumidifying Technology?that enhances functional reliability and freedom from fogging? I could, but Michael (I'm a real fan) already wrote an in-depth piece that also included a bit of history and a spec list about the three new T50 dive ...
Airain Unveils The Long-Awaited Sous-Marine
It is no secret that we are fans of the Airain brand here at Fratello. Sure, there is some home-team sentiment at play here, but Airain’s CEO Tom van Wijlick has a sharp focus on creating some amazing watches. That’s why we love what he does. The Airain Type 20 has grown into a fan favorite that brings back the brilliant aviation flyback chronograph in style. For the newest product launch, Airain brings back another iconic silhouette. The new Airain Sous-Marine revives the classic skin diver and brings its execution up to modern standards. And the results are, once again, nothing short of impressive.If you are a regular reader of Fratello, you might know that this Airain Sous-Mar...
Hands-On: IFL Watches G-Shock CasiOak Jelly Splash
If you have kept your eyes open over the last few years, you have probably seen some crazy timepieces from IFL Watches. This young brand from Stockholm takes regular watches and transforms them into colorful timepieces that are one of a kind. And as you may know, the brand is also no stranger to customizing G-Shock’s popular “CasiOak” models. In the next step with G-Shock’s popular model line, IFLW now introduces the CasiOak Jelly Splash Limited Editions. These smaller CasiOak watches come with extravagant dials and candy-inspired names. Who is ready for summer?IFL Watches has quickly made a name for itself in the world of watches. I first heard of the company with it...
The Patek Philippe Rare Handcrafts 2024 London Exhibition
One fantastic aspect of living in London is that big events happen here. Museums, auction houses, and boutiques put on amazing displays for locals and visitors. Best of all, most of these shows are free and take place in lovely locations. Roughly three weeks ago, I had the opportunity to visit the Patek Philippe Rare Handcrafts 2024 London Exhibition at the brand’s salon on New Bond Street, and it was a feast for the eyes.Perhaps I am aging, but I appreciate handcrafted artisanship on watches more than ever. Previously, I understood the effort it took to create the watches, yet I often found them fussy and overwrought. Maybe I was looking at the wrong watches, or the setting wasn’...
Finding A Solid Gold Sports Watch Under $10K
I will admit to being slightly too optimistic here, a usual fault of mine when attempting a pre-owned search. But that's a personality trait I've acquired after working in sales for more than 20 years, and I consider it a prerequisite for success. Still, finding a solid gold sports watch under $10K is possible.Gold is expensive, and even if pre-owned prices have gone down, $10,000 isn't the big wad of cash it used to be. But the allure of lustrous gold is strong. Added as a prefix to the term “sports watch,” though, it is a hot ticket with added respect attached to vintage.Image: SabiwatchesIWC Yacht Club ref. 811I must admit that I am not au fait with the IWC Yacht Club other th...
Hands-On: The New Circula ProFlight Blue
Diver’s, field, and pilot’s watches are among the most popular variations in the time-only-watch universe. While Circula already covered the first two, now with the ProFlight, it also ticks the last box. Although unmistakably derived from Circula’s ProTrail, this ProFlight model immediately impresses with its modern pilot’s watch face. It’s probably thanks to a quirky, dedicated font and a unique take on the German Flieger triangle with those two dots at 12.Circula ProFlightMy first Circula review was a surprisingly pleasant experience. Although now, knowing the brand, it is not much of a surprise anymore, this second one was no less exciting. As mentioned, it&#...