We still don't know what the Barrelhand Monolith will look like, but we know it will be special. The 3D-printed case, for instance, will feature the Air-Lock crown system. Unlike a screw-down crown, an Air-Lock crown is always sealed. Inside the watch will beat the M1, a caliber that uses a Sellita SW300 as the starting point but, after some serious upgrades to make it more robust, now carries the

In 2021, Isotope launched its successful Hydrium collection of dive watches with the limited HydriumX Will Return model. Based on the well-known shop door sign that indicates when the proprietor will return and the shop will reopen, the watch sold out quickly. The Hydrium case has since been the canvas for many interesting and attractive watches. However, not a week goes by without founder Jose Mi

It is no surprise that we receive quite a few messages concerning the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch. Over 500 articles on Fratello cover this chronograph, which results in some questions, especially from first-time buyers who are asking for some guidance when buying their first Omega Speedmaster.The current Omega Speedmaster Professional 310.30.42.50.01.001The classic Omega Speedmaster Professional

Seiko has released a flurry of special and limited Seiko 5 models since the collection staged a comeback in 2019. Today marks the debut of a new model, the Seiko 5 Mooneyes Limited Edition. Fans of hot-rodding culture in Japan, America, and worldwide should find this one fun.Mooneyes is a supplier of custom car parts and was founded in the 1950s in California by Dean Moon. The Sante Fe Springs-bas

Breitling introduced a new perpetual calendar chronograph caliber to celebrate the brand's 140th birthday last year. The impressive movement was featured in a trio of rose gold limited editions. Today, caliber B19 gets a permanent foothold in Breitling's collection. This is the Breitling Navitimer B19 Chronograph 43 Perpetual Calendar.With such a descriptive name, I hardly have any work left to do

Welcome back to another episode of Fratello On Air! This week, we’re each choosing three non-Swiss watches with a budget of $20,000. The task is tricky, though, because $20,000 is enough to afford great pieces from the usual suspects, but it means being picky if choosing just one from a costly brand. Get ready for some surprises! For our listeners, the watch content begins after approximatel

I promised to get back on my new watch ?? At first, I was looking at watches again, but couldn’t make up my mind. Although I like the new GMT-Master IIc and the Milgauss, it wouldn’t add much variation to my current collection. Then I was looking at the Royal Oak Jumbo, but I am not ready yet to spend over 8K Euro on one wrist watch.However, as I have written before, I am a huge fan o

Yesterday, I received the book ‘Vintage Panerai’, written by Ralf Ehlers and Volker Wiegmann. Vintage Panerai describes the history of some historic Panerais, including information on their original German and Italian owners. The book contains a lot of detailed information on the swimmers equipment, assignments and background of the owners. Including lots of pictures. Ralf Ehlers and V

Apollo-Soyuz MissionSpeedy Tuesday! Today we have another Speedmaster Professional from one of our readers and avid Speedmaster fans, Darren. He submitted this limited Speedmaster Professional Apollo-Soyuz with meteorite dial. A special version from 2010 that commemorates the Apollo-Soyuz mission from 1975. The Apollo-Soyuz mission, or ASTP (Apollo-Soyuz Test Project), started at the 15th of July

With a bit of pride (I’ve been a long timer reader of the German Chronos magazine) I am able to tell you that our article and photos on astronaut Reinhard Furrer and his Speedmaster has been published in Chronos magazine. The article is in German and is based on one of our most popular blog articles on 2012, about the actual astronaut’s Speedmaster we’ve been able to locate.You c

It is Speedy Tuesday! After a few weeks of recurring vintage Speedmaster topics, it is time for a modern classic. The OMEGA Speedmaster Professional X-33. Introduced in 1998 and also already in use during the Space Shuttle STS-89 mission of that year.Today we have a Speedmaster Professional X-33 reference 3990.50, also known as the 1st Generation X-33. In 2001, OMEGA introduced an updated version

Leading up to A. Lange & Sohne’s new model introductions in Geneva last January, I was on the edge of my seat with anticipation. I think very highly of the brand and was ready to be wowed by something special. The brand did not disappoint as they introduced a stuninng piece with my favorite complication: the Zeitwerk Minute Repeater. The minute repeater is the ultimate complication in my

A little while ago, we received a long email from our reader James. In his email, he admits he was a bit late to the game, but at least he did his homework and went through a lot of our Speedy Tuesday articles.Now, he has a question. About which Speedmaster to buy for himself to celebrate not only his first wedding anniversary but also the birth of his first child. But before he gets to his questi

The reputedly indestructible and impenetrable Yema Navygraf II has a unique bezel sliding system that won my heart instantly.When I say Yema, the famous Superman Diver comes to mind for most vintage watch collectors. Mike reviewed the 1960's Superman with a unique bezel locking mechanism for #TBT a few years ago. We also covered last year's Yema Superman Heritage Bronze re-edition during its succe

Episode 11 is about the effect of the Coronavirus on the watch shows and the watch industry in general, where we service our watches and an open discussion on the Seiko and Grand Seiko limited editions.This means we are all over the place in this episode, but we decided to touch a few different topics since it was already a few weeks ago when we recorded our last Fratello on Air podcast.After the

The latest news coming out of Holstein will surely please the fans of the Oris Aquis Date timepieces.The brand is releasing two new models, both Aquis divers and both with a date. That’s pretty much where the similarity ends, though. One of the cornerstones of Oris’s strategy is to create affordable and high-quality tool watches. Whether we are talking about timepieces for pilots or di

Despite the cancellation of Grand Seiko’s summit, the new watches are being introduced anyway (kudos for that). Thus, we’re kicking off with the new Grand Seiko 60th Anniversary Professional Diver’s 600M.That’s right, Grand Seiko was born in 1960 and celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. Not exactly the celebration they had in mind in Japan, but I am sure we will get a

Welcome, one and all, to the preliminary round of March Mania 2021, here on Fratello. Are you a watch maniac like we are? If so, you’re sure to love our month-long feature. 96 watches reviewed last year line up for a battle royale like nothing that’s gone before. We need your votes. We want your comments. Help us decide the champion and share in its glory! Let the games commence…

The watch industry, like many, is known for pushing the envelope when it comes to materials used in its products. Just think of silicon balance springs or dials decorated with flower petals, cigar leaves, or crystallized gold. And what about, well, Swiss cheese? All jokes aside, we felt that it would be fun if we took a closer look at watch cases and the astonishing materials they come in these da

We like to talk about vintage watches a lot within the Fratello team. Where 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 w