Breitling Launches Navitimer Automatic 35 For Women
Breitling's newest elegant but sporty timepieces are moving the women’s watchmaking towards a new kind of youth-influenced, minimalistic aesthetic. The latest Navitimer 35mm collection perfectly captures classic codes which are true to Breitling's DNA, while taking a modern approach to the brand’s signature model.The Breitling Navitimer Automatic 35 comes with four different dials: mother-of-pearl, blue, copper, and silver. The case - available in stainless steel, 18-karat red gold, and also a mixture of the two - measures 35 mm in diameter and just 9.92 mm thick. The case itself is sporty and modern, while the size makes the whole design more feminine and elegant.Flowing from th...
You Asked Us: Will Watches Get Smaller Again?
Last week, we discussed whether or not watches would ever become obsolete. Hopefully, we went some way towards allaying any fears you may have had on that front. This week we dig into whether the frequently heralded return to smaller, more classical diameters is finally about to crest the horizon…For several years now, the watch industry seems to have been waiting for a sudden and stark reversion to smaller watches. It’s a funny thing for the industry, which is, one would assume, in control of itself to a degree, to be waiting for. But, of course, no commercial enterprise can operate in ignorance of its customers’ desires. And so, while the watchmaking industry does tend to...
The Titoni Heritage 83019 S-ST-638 Is As Old As New Can Be
Heritage is a word on everybody’s lips. In fact, it has been for what feels like years, now. The watch industry is deep into the heritage warren. It is up to brands to engage wisely with this trend. Glibness should be discouraged. Ignorance is foolhardy. Sympathy is crucial to creating a watch that is at once reverential and relevant. Essentially, any attempt at creating a “heritage-inspired” model must result in something worthwhile. In the context of Titoni’s current catalog, I’m compelled to claim that the Titoni Heritage 83019 S-ST-638 more than lives up to the task. Why? Because this is something surprisingly new…Exactly how easy it is for a brand to ...
Buying Guide: The Best King Seiko and Grand Seiko Watches From The 1960s
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. This week we will dive into the world of King Seiko and Grand Seiko.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. But all of them are interesting watches. In this installment, we will take a look at the best Seiko watches from the 1960s.In the...
Hands-On: Anicorn M/M PARIS 2HAPPY A Funky Little Fella
It takes something a little bit different to really catch the eye these days. I'm known among the Fratello team for having a somewhat eccentric taste in watches, but I'm OK with that. I'm the guy that liked the yellow ceramic Hublot Big Bang Unico. That tells you a lot. So, my interest was piqued when the guys behind Anicorn got in touch and asked for my take on their latest watch. This highly unusual watch gave off strong vibes, reminiscent of my favorite French designer. So, let me take you on a little tour of the oddball that is the Anicorn M/M PARIS 2HAPPY.Let's be frank, this really is a little oddball of a watch, isn't it? I knew that from the start, but I couldn't help but be instantl...
Dear Zenith, Bring Back The Brilliant A277 Diving Chronograph
During the writing of the Buying Guide series, I found out about so many great watches that we don’t talk about often enough. One brand that stood out along the way was Zenith. The brand has created so many fantastic watches that would it be great to see more of them return in the form of modern re-issues. Obviously, most of Zenith’s stand-out timepieces are chronographs. With a rich history in chronographs overall and especially with the El Primero movement, the brand has always been a leader in the genre. One of the most beautiful examples, in my opinion, is the A277. This watch, which hails from the 1960s, is a perfect example of a diving chronograph done well. And now, itR...
A Brief Overview of Gerald Genta
You have probably heard the name Gerald Genta countless times if you have an interest in watch design. His name is synonymous with two of the most successful wristwatch lines in the modern era; the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and the Patek Philippe Nautilus. Numerous iterations have spawned from these core designs. And in the case of Audemars Piguet, the Royal Oak is the cornerstone of the brand's design DNA, even 50 years after its birth.So how did it come to be that two of the “holy trinity” Grand Maisons ultimately owe these successes to not just one designer, but the very same man? To understand this, you first have to understand the man himself - Gerald Genta, a legend of 20th...
Vacheron Constantin 222 Vs. Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 16202OR
Sunday Morning Showdown is back! It’s so good to say that. After nearly a year-long hiatus, Jorg and Ben are ready to duke it out once again. For those recently joining the Fratelli, this series is where two of our writers go head-to-head in an opinionated showdown. One, two, or more watches are thrown into the arena to be either torn to shreds or effusively exalted by each defending editor. We have some extremely hot-off-the-press timepieces to get us back into the action - the Vacheron Constantin Historiques 222 and the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 16202. Both have roots in the 1970s and are bathed in glorious gold for these particular references. Will the comeback kid 222 knock the int...
Could These Brands Conquer Watch Enthusiasts' Hearts?
What if watch enthusiasts were the primary target audience? My previous article on rising prices ruffled some feathers. Almost all traditional watch brands seem to be chasing ever-higher segments. And from the stream of comments from you, Fratelli, we could see that the watch enthusiast community does not wildly appreciate it. It raised a question for us: what if certain brands stepped off the bandwagon and focused purely on the aficionados?Of course, this is easy to judge from afar. We all feel we know best, but in the end, most watch brands have capable leaders making clever, substantiated choices. But sometimes you just wonder, what if?Watch enthusiasts as the target audienceI alluded to ...
Hands-On: Von Doren Il Tempo Gigante Automatisk Kronograf
There are 5.4 million people living in Norway, and the country’s most successful movie, Fl?klypa Gran Prix (or The Pinchcliffe Grand Prix), has sold 5.5 million tickets since its release in 1975. The wrong conclusion is that every Norwegian has seen the movie that features the outrageous Il Tempo Gigante race car. But it is true that when the Von Doren Il Tempo Gigante Automatisk Kronograf arrived in the office, Laurits, our in-house Dane - I know, I know, he's not Norwegian, but at least he's Scandinavian - jumped for joy. Up in the Nordics, the stop-motion-animated movie made an enormous impact. Let's see if the tribute watch did too.The twinkle in Laurits's eye and the joyful way he...
Hands-On: Nomadic Mara 401 Crimson Dawn
Belfast is not high on the list of cities we associate with watches. But the capital of Northern Ireland plays a pivotal part in the story of the young Nomadic Watches. The brand’s name relates to the city’s famous shipbuilding industry. Additionally, Nomadic’s home base is visually integrated into the design of its watches. I was happy to learn more about Nomadic and, more specifically, its dive watch, the Mara 401. I had a chance to go hands-on with the Crimson Dawn version of the retro-styled diver. It’s time to find out if watchmaking and Northern Ireland are a great match.While watchmaking and Belfast don’t necessarily go hand in hand, the Northern Irish c...
New: The Angelus Instrument De Vitesse Monopusher
It was one of my first Baselworlds, perhaps in 2016 when I heard the news that Angelus was getting resurrected. The brand was going to present something mind-blowing that year. The anticipation was almost unbearable as, at that point, (vintage) Angelus had started to become one of my favorite brands. But while the U10 was a design marvel, it was far from the vintage Angelus DNA. Many new, forward-looking Angelus models have hit the market since, but then came the Instrument De Vitesse, a vintage-like watch inspired by an Angelus model that never existed.The La Fabrique collection in the brand’s lineup focuses on watches with a heavier vintage vibe than the other models. While this watc...
Thomas's Favorites From Watches and Wonders 2024
Watches and Wonders is a somewhat overwhelming experience. You are bombarded with new watches left and right, making it hard to separate the good from the average. But when the dust settles, some watches linger in your mind. Some have that X factor that most lack.These are those watches for me. These are the Watches and Wonders 2024 releases that impressed me the most. Without further ado, let's get stuck in!Watches and Wonders 2024 favorite #1: Cartier Tortue Monopoussoir in yellow goldI have always had a soft spot for Cartier. The Tortue, in particular, was a favorite. However, it was always a bit of a rare beast, hard to find and very expensive. While I was delighted to see it make a come...
Brellum Duobox Triple Calendar Moonphase Salmon
Brellum releases many small runs of watches during any given year, so I was surprised to find that it’s been nearly six months since our last review. Now we’re back with a look at the new Duobox Triple Calendar Moonphase LE Chronometer. Yes, that’s a mouthful, but the welcome news is that the watch now has a salmon dial. Plus, it’s available in a choice of case materials.Last year, we reviewed the new Duobox Triple Calendar Moonphase. At that time, the watch debuted with a silver dial and was limited to 46 pieces. The latest release sports a fashionable salmon dial. It’s also on trend with the option of a titanium case. Let’s take a closer look.The latest ...
Hands-On: The Oak & Oscar Atwood Flyback Chronograph
Today, almost a year after its introduction, we’re taking the Oak & Oscar Atwood flyback chronograph for a spin. Unlike my colleague Mike, I’m not very familiar with the Chicago-based brand, which has been in the watch business for 10 years. Next to the Atwood, the brand currently also offers the Humboldt GMT and the Olmsted 38. I think it’s remarkable that a company offers (only) three models and that one is a flyback chronograph. You don’t see that often, so I’m looking forward to checking it out.Mike wrote about the Atwood when it came out last year, and he also introduced the Wind Vintage Edition of the watch. However, I don’t think he shared his h...
Fratello Talks: Trend-Spotting At Watches And Wonders 2025
We don’t just go to Watches and Wonders to get our hands on all the new watches; we also keep our eyes on the bigger picture, looking at the overarching themes that emerge at the show. On today’s episode of Fratello Talks, we’re looking at some of the trends that we felt were most prominent this year. These are the things we expect to see more of as the year goes on - the influential factors that shape what watch brands will be doing over the coming months. Daan and Lex join Nacho for some trend spotting and to discuss some of the most interesting and noticeable ones they noticed during the fair. Of course, before we do that, it’s time for a quick wrist check....
The Making Of Marc Newson's Hour Glass For Ikepod
Marc Newson is the designer brain behind Ikepod’s designer watches. Although gone for a few years, they are back on the horological map since 2010 again. Since last year, Ikepod also introduced an hour glass designed by Newson. Each hand made hourglass comprises highly durable borosilicate glass and millions of stainless steel nanoballs, and is available in a 10 or 60 minute timer.This 3 minute video demonstrates how the Ikepod Hour Glass is being crafted and will keep you interested from start to end.The Hourglass from Ikepod on Vimeo....
Get Ready To Travel With Jacob & Co Epic SF24
Remember these 1970s/1980s alarm clocks with flaps? The same system is used by flight terminals to display the arrivals and departures. Even some train stations use them. Jacob & Co decided to use this flaps system in their latest, the Epic SF24.If you are a Jet-Setter, a business traveller or a watch enthusiast, get ready for the last horological creation of Jacob & Co. This time, Jacob & Co decided to put the globetrotters in the spot light with their Epic SF24 timepiece.Jacob & Co will unveil the timepiece during the Baselworld 2013 exhibition, but we already give something away by showing you the 3 different versions of the Epic SF24. Computer generated images of course, ...
Girard-Perregaux Photo Essay | Fratellowatches
The Girard-Perregaux CollectionRemember our trip to Girard-Perregaux earlier this year? ?No? You can find it by clicking here!?Bert and I headed to Girard-Perregaux, not only to see the workshops and meet the people behind this great brand from La Chaux-de-Fonds, but also to have a look at their impressive collection of watches.Not only did we get a sneak preview of the Girard-Perregaux Constant Escapement (“No pictures please!”), we also got to see some of their wonderful timepieces that we would like to get our hands on in the future for a review. What to think of the new Traveller Collection? Or the Hawk Chronograph? In the meanwhile, we made sure to capture some of these piec...
Hands-On IWC Pilot's Watch Timezoner Chronograph 3950
During the SIHH 2016 in January, IWC showed us a range of new Pilot models – or upgrades of existing models. One of the models that received a lot of attention was the IWC Pilot’s Watch Timezoner Chronograph 3950.Although I love the clean designed IWC Mark XVIII, Mark VIII Le Petite Prince edition, Big Pilot and the new BP Heritage watch in 48mm, I have to make an exception for the new IWC Pilot’s Watch Timezoner Chronograph 3950 as well.At first sight, I’ve found this watch to be relatively cluttered when it comes to the design. It also reminded me a bit of the Breitling Aviastar (I covered that one here). ?But when I gave it a closer look, the watch definitely has t...