Digging Into The Yema Yachtingraf's Sophisticated Design
The Yema Yachtingraf had been on my list for years. When the opportunity came to snap an untouched piece in an original box, I didn’t hesitate. Then, it sat on my list of article ideas for a few years. Well, its time has finally come, so let’s look at it.I don’t think it’s just me; most collectors I know get excited when the discussion turns to yachting chronographs. Visually, they are so vivid that it seems like they are talking to us. They are colorful, playful, and have interesting, often uniquely shaped hands in the race-prep-timing register. The sub-seconds counters on regatta timers are smaller and pushed into the background. On the contrary, the minute counter ...
The Rado Captain Cook Over-Pole Returns In Gold PVD
When Rado reintroduced the Over-Pole as a limited edition in 2022, it came as a single stainless steel model. Today, nearly three years later, a historically correct version in yellow gold PVD is here. With gold-colored watches increasing in popularity, this latest Rado is an elegant option for those who still enjoy tool-watch functionality. We’ve been fortunate enough to go hands-on with this limited edition and are excited to share all the details.Though 2019 feels like a long time ago, I still remember stumbling across a vintage Rado Over-Pole on Yahoo! Japan Auctions. The watch looked like a Captain Cook diver, but it contained much more detail. The concave “arena” beze...
Introducing: The All-New Mido Multifort 8 Two Crowns
Two days ago, we attended an event called Watch Valley. It’s set up annually by Swatch Group brands like Tissot, Rado, and Certina to show their novelties to retailers and the press - kind of like a mini Baselworld. This year, Mido was there for the first time as well. We were expecting to see some updates to the Multifort TV and Ocean Star ranges, but we also saw something completely new and rather exciting. The Multifort 8 Two Crowns is Mido’s take on the steel integrated-bracelet sports watch. Fortunately, the embargo lifted today, so we can tell you all about it.Mido’s Multifort collection consists of several different styles. There is the Patrimony line, which has a cl...
Ceramic Is The New Gold
Did you know humans have been making ceramics for at least 26,000 years? They’ve done so by subjecting clay and silica to intense heat to fuse and form ceramic materials. Mind you, traditionally, these were not dishes, as you might expect. Rather, they were small, sculpted figures. Only in the 1970s did ceramic enter the world of watches. Omega, IWC, and Rado pioneered the non-metallic material that stands out because of its resistance to scratches and antioxidizing and hypoallergenic properties. But a coincidental observation made me think about the ancient substance that has evolved into a high-tech material. Ceramic is the new gold. Whereas gold watches somewhat follow the price of ...
Fratello Talks: Watches We'd Buy With $10K, $20K, And $30K
We would all love to have an unlimited watch budget, but that’s not the case for most of us. But that doesn’t mean we can’t have some hypothetical fun and select the watches we’d buy with $10K, $20K, and $30K. On today’s episode of Fratello Talks, Nacho, RJ, and Lex run through their picks at those three price points. Technically, they can choose from new, pre-owned, or even vintage watches. But as you’ll quickly see, their picks all benefit from the interesting prices on the pre-owned market. Now, before getting into their watches of choice at these three price points, let’s see which ones are on their wrist....
New: The Hamilton Boulton Death Stranding 2 Limited Edition
Hamilton is no stranger to working with creative teams behind movies to produce imaginative watches. Now, with the introduction of the Boulton Death Stranding 2 Limited Edition, the brand has a watch appearing in an upcoming video game. It’s a fusion between a traditional tank and a futuristic techno-apocalyptic creation. This watch is most definitely worth a closer look!Who can forget the cuff-like Hamilton?Boulton that appeared in the legendary film 2001: A Space Odyssey? This watch kicked off more than six decades of special Hamilton watches in cinema. But what about video games? These highly realistic epic-like games often feature real actors and use their voices, so it makes sense...
A Birthday Submariner 1680
A timepiece that has been produced in your year of birth, seems to be an all-time favourite wish for many watch collectors. I’ll have to admit that I once almost pulled the trigger on a Speedmaster Professional from my year of birth (1977). However, after a phone call to the seller in France to discuss last details, it seemed that this watch was not made in 1977. One of the inscriptions on the inside of the case back clearly stated that this watch was produced in 1978. Bummer.I can have more luck with a from my year of birth, however, the prices of these vintage beauties are becoming annoying. Just a few days ago, I noticed that ‘friend of the show’ Henrik over at SubGMT h...
#TBT Wittnauer 242T Chronograph and Some More Wittnauer
Hey wait, a #TBT on Monday?!?! Yes!!! I was in the air last Thursday on the way from the US of A and wasn't able to publish this story on the Wittnauer 242T. Big dealwhy not wait until this Thursday? Well, there's a little thing going on called Baselworld. We know our vintage fan base is a ravenous one, so you get your fix early before we inundate you with new watch news! Enjoy!!Karma can be a wonderful thing and it's really what brought me the subject of todays #TBT: the Wittnauer 242T Chronograph. You see, it was a Monday night several weeks back when I told my wife that I'd go to sleep relatively early and not troll the web for potential watches. The time was 10:27pm and I turned in. The ...
15,000 gauss? What about 160,000 gauss? Omega did it.
About two years ago, I received an e-mail from one of our German readers. He is a radiologist and told me he was ever so happy when Omega introduced their Aqua Terra >15,000 gauss in 2013. Even better, he wrote me that he tested it with one of the MRI equipment up to 30,000 gauss and it still worked perfectly. Not too long ago, Omega tested their watch at 160,000 gauss and guess what happened? Nothing.160,000 gaussHow important is anti-magnetism for a watch? Well, I wasn’t even aware (I change watches fairly often that I can’t properly measure its?accuracy) but when I was at the Omega HQ?in October one of my Speedmaster watches was performing quite badly. It was magnetized acc...
Hands-On with the Fortis Cockpit One Chronograph
Over the last several years at Baselworld, Fortis has reinvented themselves by launching a multitude of new watches. This really kicked off in 2015 with the launch of the Terrestis (aka Land) line and we went hands on with the attractive Tycoon Chronograph. In 2016, the brand focused on the Cosmonautis line (aka Space) and a bit of the Aviatis (aka Air) lines we took a look at several models including the Classic Cosmonauts Chronograph, the Dornier GMT, and the Aeromaster Chronograph. In 2017, we saw a real focus on the Aviatis side again. Balazs recently reviewed the Pilot Classic Chronograph and, today, we'll get familiar with the Fortis Cockpit One Chronograph.If you've not been to the Fo...
Hot Take: Panerai Luminor Marina PAM00977 and PAM00978
Panerai is introducing two new Luminor Marina references, in 42mm and 44mm, with a new silver coloured dial and with a stainless steel bracelet.Today, Officine Panerai breaks the news with two new references for their Luminor Marina collection. The PAM00977 with a modest 42mm diameter case and the PAM00978 with the more ‘traditional’ 44mm diameter case. Both watches have the manufacture’s caliber?P. 9010 movement. Where the SIHH show in Geneva last January was all about the Submersible, it seems that Panerai is now slowly adding some new Luminor watches to their collection as well. It is interesting to see that brands are releasing more novelties through-out the year, inste...
#TBT Kelbert Date Counter Chronograph
Another watch brand you might be successfully ignoring.Unexpected meeting with KelbertI have skipped on Kelbert multiple times in the past, even though I clearly remember spotting some of their watches over the years. Especially these fitted with Valjoux calibers. Why? Difficult to say something else always piqued my interest more. I ended up with the Kelbert chronograph only after I started looking for Landeron 185 watches with unusual calendar style. It was during a time I was digging into different date mechanisms and this one particularly resonated with me for it's understated opulence.Surprising date designWhen you look at the dial, it doesn't differ much from a typical tri-compax chron...
This Week in Watches March 14, 2020
It’s This Week in Watches for March 14, 2020 and we’re doing our best to keep you connected during these uncertain times.TAG Heuer ConnectedThis past week, TAG Heuer released its third generation Connected watch powered by WearOS from Google. Now in 45mm, these watches will be offered in one of three stainless versions and a black matte titanium edition. Unlike prior editions, these watches look a lot more like traditional watches. This means sculpted lugs and the option of a traditional bracelet that’s more in keeping with the brand’s mechanical pieces.The new Connected still requires a connection with a nearby smartphone for most of its features. On the other hand, ...
Bonkers Barn Find Vintage Watches
Who doesn't love a good barn find story?We all know the feeling when we hear about yet another barn find watch story; amazement and excitement mixed with a bit of jealousy and sadness (okay, maybe a lot sometimes). It is genuinely amazing to those of us within the community that barn finds are still possible. Firstly, everybody says that the vintage market dried up years ago. Secondly, because it seems almost impossible that not everyone in the entire world is aware of the luxury watch market…We feel excitement for the fact that there's hope that you will also find something cool one day. Jealousy, well, that's pretty obvious. Lastly, sadness when reality hits you and you realize that ...
March Mania First Round Proper A. Lange & Sohne, Breitling, Seiko, Cartier, And Mido Take Up Arms...
Welcome, one and all, to the first round proper 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 (and extra fries) 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 commenceIn this first round proper, your task is a bit different from your task in the preliminaries. Below you will find the eight remaining timepieces of each of our Fratello competitors in four head-to-head contests of two timepieces. The seedings in the preliminaries dictate the match-ups. So it's numbe...
Synchron Military Diver: Hands-On With A Controversial New Watch Release
Every so often, a watch comes along that shakes up the establishment. Ok, it’s a very small corner of the watch world that we’re discussing here, but nonetheless… The Synchron Military is here and it’s not without controversy.On our last podcast about vintage dive watches, Balazs and I briefly discussed the brand new Synchron Military and the stir it had already created on its first day of release. We envisioned a “Biggie vs. Tupac” style watch beef complete with posses and tough talk. Frankly, we weren’t all that off course. There have been shots fired with Synchron gaining a first mover advantage over a larger related, yet unrelated brand. If you c...
Sunday Morning Showdown: Master And Apprentice Audemars Piguet Vs. Bvlgari
In our Sunday Morning Showdown, two of our writers go head-to-head in an epic showdown for the ages. Strong opinions and hysterical hyperbole are welcome (so feel free to join in with the fun in the comments section below). And don't forget to let us know which watches you'd like to see torn to shreds/effusively exalted next week. We'll try and feature as many of our readers' choices as we can. This week we line up two modern luxury steel sports watches from the mind of Gerald Genta. The Royal Oak is one of Genta’s pioneering designs, while the Octo Finissimo continued his legacy when Bvlgari acquired his eponymous brand. Which one would integrate into your life?Like Hansel in Zoolande...
Hands-On: The New Nodus Avalon II Dive Watch
My very first watch was a dive watch - a Breitling Superocean, to be exact. While I had technically qualified as a diver at that point, I never chose it to be a diving companion. I chose it because I liked the chunky and indestructible look, as I wasn’t the most careful with my belongings at that point in my life. I wanted something that would survive my somewhat lackadaisical lifestyle. As such, I’ve always had a bit of a soft spot for dive watches. So, when US-based microbrand Nodus first got in touch about its upcoming Avalon II dive watch, I was intrigued and obviously keen to see more.Nodus is a brand that’s been kicking around the microbrand scene since 2017. Five yea...
The Unusual Suspects: Sinn U50
Once again, The Unusual Suspects reveals a small wonder from a purveyor of large, unscratchable tools. Sinn Spezialuhren from Frankfurt has a pragmatic and exact view of wristwatches as instruments, with some of the toughest pieces around. The brand’s catalog is comprehensive, and the Sinn U50 is fairly new, but unfortunately, it’s already fading from view. Blame the short attention span of 2022, with added Instagram algorithm fatigue, but I’m here to remind you.Sinn is a brand we enjoy at Fratello, last seen in Jorg's superb buying guide of the brand’s millennial repertoire. The Sinn catalog runs the spectrum from retro and modern, with its most beloved references lu...
Watch Conversation Starters For The Coffee Corner (March 2022)
What do you want to talk about on Monday? Most definitely not about the weekend groceries, the chores around the house, or getting soaked in the downpour while cheering on the kid on the hockey field. That's why we present you with a couple of watch conversation starters for the coffee corner. You can use the ideas at the water cooler too, obviously, or during lunch; it's up to you. We will give you a peek at what's new, what's happening, and what's hot. And we will find you some interesting, watch-related stuff to do in the near future. We kick off the week with a couple of numbers, an exhibition featuring Jaeger-LeCoultre's Atmos clock, the 20th anniversary of the Patek Philippe museum, an...