?New: H. Moser & Cie. Pioneer Arctic Blue
The most accessible watches from H. Moser & Cie. are those in the Pioneer series, and without seeing any sales figures, I can say it's a success. Throughout the Moser lineup, Eduoard Meylan and his design department have set industry standards for fume dials while also giving us a future-proof vision of the integrated bracelet with the Streamliner. The watch is inspired by sleek, aerodynamic 1920s designs from Raymond Loewy and his peers but still looks to the future. So where does the new Pioneer Arctic Blue fit in?As a regular sports watch with a 120m depth rating, a smooth steel case, and a vented rubber strap, it has many competitors. But with H. Moser's eye for detail and dial art, ...
Hot Take: The Seiko 5 Masked Rider Limited Edition SRPJ91
The Seiko 5 Masked Rider Limited Edition takes its cues from one of my favorite vintage Seiko sports divers, the 5126-8090. This watch is a real cult favorite due to its association with a ’70s Japanese TV show of the same name. Let’s see if it hits the mark as a fun tribute.One could make a solid living writing about Seiko 5 limited editions. The more affordable line from Seiko is always seriously busy with new releases. Frankly, they’re fun, but I don’t truly bond with many of them. Today, though, that changes with the release of the Seiko 5 Masked Rider Limited Edition. Model SRPJ91 is based on the lovely 5126-9080 from 1968 and, well, that gets my attention!The Or...
Ressence Introduces The New Type 8S In Sage Green
When I think of typical Ressence colors, I do not think of green. The first colors that pop into my mind are black, white, and blue. But that’s not to say that Ressence has never released watches with green dials before. The brand has, and the results were quite stunning indeed. In some cases, I prefer them over the versions with the aforementioned dial colors. That’s why I was happily surprised to find out that Ressence founder Beno?t Mintiens picked sage green as the dial color for his new Ressence Type 8S. One year after the introduction of the Type 8, the model returns with a stunning green dial. This piece reveals the great beauty of both the chosen color and the impressive ...
Swatch Releases A New Art Journey Collection In Lisbon
This art journey begins exactly one year ago. That’s when Gregory Berkowitsch walked into the Swatch shop in Brussels with an idea. He and his wife Jen Itzkowitch had co-founded a company called Magritte Editions. And along with producing a lot of merchandise based on the art of the Belgian surrealist artist, they also opened a Magritte shop right on the Grand Place in Brussels. But watches were not yet part of their inventory. So Berkowitsch walked over to the Swatch shop, which is right around the corner from their store, to see whether Swatch was willing to collaborate with them on a Magritte watch.Gregory’s idea was passed on to the Swatch headquarters in Biel, Switzerland. T...
The Entry-Level Citizen CA4560-81L Eco-Drive Chronograph
When we started discussing the Citizen CA4560-81L Eco-Drive Chronograph in the office, we talked about who this watch would be for. It’s an interesting discussion. Would this be someone’s only timepiece? Or would people who are looking for affordable options add this as a second or third watch to their collection? Either way, the Citizen CA4560-81L is a great potential daily wearer for those looking for a reliable and affordable chronograph with some nice design quirks. Let’s check them out.Straight out of the box, this Citizen CA4560-81L Eco-Drive Chronograph is a substantial watch. Both in size and weight, it lets you know that it’s there. It almost felt a bit daunt...
Fratello's Top 5 Pre-Owned Sleeper Watches: Part 4
Another Friday, another Top 5! We’re continuing our series of pre-owned picks that we feel deserve your attention. It’s a mix of vintage pieces and more modern watches. What they all have in common is each can be yours for a good price. In today’s market, looking at pre-owned options is a smart thing. With list prices for new watches continuously increasing, the temptation to buy pre-owned becomes bigger every week. That’s why we have picked five more watches that are not models you might immediately think of.As I explained, nothing beats searching the internet weekly for your favorite obscure favorites. We love doing this in the Fratello office. It’s all about ...
Hands-On: Porsche Design Chronograph 1 Utility LE
Tiger bites kill, but marmot bites are just a tad annoying. Porsche Design decided to reimagine a military chronograph of the 1970s and position it in a more peaceful, civilian way. So the original U.S. Air Force tiger's head made way for a screaming marmot. The medium-sized rodent is called a Mankei in Pinzgau, Austria. Mankei is also the name of Ferdi Porsche's meeting place for car enthusiasts, located on the Grossglockner High Alpine Road close to Studio F. A. Porsche. Getting back to the new watch (something that's always a bit difficult when talking about Porsche Design), it is made of titanium carbide and has left behind the Military moniker for the friendlier name Utility. I took the...
Introducing: Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Sketch Anniversary LE
Two years ago, Bvlgari introduced the Octo Finissimo Sketch, with its dial printing executed in pencil-sketch style. It was a stroke of brilliance from Bvlgari's Product Creation Executive Director Fabrizio Buonamassa Stigliani. Now, two years later, the brand is celebrating its 140th birthday. To mark the occasion, Stigliani took his pencil out of the drawer once more, this time to sketch the view from the back onto the dial of three limited editions.There is a time-only version in rose gold and one in stainless steel. There is also a third model, a chronograph GMT. Unfortunately, at the time of writing, there is no photography of this one available yet. Bvlgari Octo ...
Hands-On: Zenith's Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar
I think we can all agree here that the Zenith Chronomaster Original is already one of the best-looking chronographs out there. Adding the calendar and moonphase complications on top could’ve ended in absolute disaster. However, it certainly didn’t - quite the opposite, actually. When the Chronomaster Original Triple Calendar launched a little over a month ago, it was hard to find people who didn’t think this was another great-looking watch. But a watch is more than just a pretty face. That’s why we go hands-on with it and find out what it’s really like to wear.In his introduction article, Jorg already went over the origins of the new Zenith Chronomaster Original...
Hands-On: Three Forstner Bracelets For The Tudor Black Bay Pro
It is no secret that I enjoy the Tudor Black Bay Pro. It is at the top of my list of watches to buy, and hopefully, that won’t take too long anymore. But as long as it’s not part of my collection, I’ll jump on any occasion to wear the watch and get confirmation that it is still as great as I remembered it. That’s why I jumped on the chance to wear the Black Bay Pro with three new Forstner bracelets. For a while, the American brand has had aftermarket bracelets for the Tudor Black Bay series in its collection. But with new end links to fit the Tudor Black Bay Pro, you can now change the look of this popular GMT. I had a chance to switch between the options and find my ...
New Seiko Astron GPS Solar Dual-Time Chronograph 5X83 Models
Even though the Astron GPS Solar is 13 years old, I still find the tech fascinating because of the constant evolution of the movement and the design. So, of course, I was interested to read the press release accompanying the release of the edgy Seiko Astron GPS Solar Dual-Time Chronograph 5X83 in four new colorways. The Japanese powerhouse watch brand gives us three new Astron watches in the regular collection and one limited edition with a touch of gold.The latest iteration of Seiko's solar-powered and GPS-network-connecting caliber debuted in March 2024. As is often the case with Seiko, good things come in fours. The Astron SSH158, SSH159, SSH161, and limited-edition SSH163 impressed with ...
Hands-On: Orient Bambino LEs For The Brand's 75th Anniversary
The Orient Bambino was many watch hobbyists’ first mechanical timepiece. Its classic looks punch much higher than its affordable price point, and the exhibition case back tickles the hearts of many new enthusiasts. This year, Orient celebrates its 75th anniversary. For that occasion, the Japanese watch manufacturer introduced two limited-edition models of the Bambino with a white dial. One is a 40.5mm three-hander, and the other is a 41.5mm version with two additional sub-dials for the weekday indicator and a Sun & Moon (day/night) display. The former is limited to 9,500 pieces and the latter to 5,500 pieces. Let’s take a look before they sell out.In addition to the two limit...
Hublot Big Bang Ferrari Speciale
Presenting the new BIG BANG FERRARI watchesA fantastic third year of collaboration between Ferrari and Hublot is coming to an end. Following the launch of the first two watches, the Big Bang Titanium and the Big Bang Magic Gold in 2012, the famous MP-05 LaFerrari the only watch in the world with a 50-day power reserve three Big Bang models in 2013, three Big Bang models in 2014, two new Big Bang Ferrari “racing” versions have now been unveiled.Exceptional sports watches in honour of exceptional racing cars. In 2015, to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Big Bang, Hublot is unveiling two new models developed with Ferrari: the first is the aptly named Big Bang Ferrari Black Cera...
Big Pre-BaselWorld 2015 Surprise! Oris Divers Sixty-Five
Despite my affinity for vintage watches, this time of year is a bit like Christmas morning due to all the new releases to come at Baselworld. So, the bottom line is that, yes, I enjoy new watches as well. What I really enjoy, however, are new pieces that properly draw from a brand's heritage. Certain manufacturers, such as Tudor, have exhibited a talent for introducing revised models based on their back catalog during the past several years. Other brands, which we won't mention, have been less successful. Today, however, on Fratellowatches, we are excited to introduce an unexpected model that we think will be a great vintage-inspired success: the Oris Divers Sixty-Five.First, let's review so...
Watch Strap Review Part 19. V.R. Workshop
Every March the (watch) world is celebrating in Switzerland. BaselWorld takes place and we cannot be more excited about it. However I also have a duty to all watch strap lovers around the world and no fair can stop me from doing my usual monthly review.After February's article on Strapped Watch Co. from Chi-town we boarded the imaginary Fratello Jet (a Gulfstream G650?in case?you wonder) to cross the ocean back to good old Europe. Another article, another country; Latvia. The company we are about to view has hands in everything. They make leather straps, duffle bags, suspenders, wallets etc. We are going to focus on the straps of course, of which I received two. So let's have a look at our w...
Tudor Kick-Off Dinner in BaselWorld: Black Bay Bronze & Black Bay Dark (Live Pics)
Yesterday evening Bert and I had a wonderful event organized?by Tudor.?After we’ve gathered at hotel ‘Les Trois Rois’ in rainy Basel we were guided under umbrellas by the head of design by Tudor. Only 500 meters further a boat with military camouflage was waiting for us. We entered the stealthy boat and after the lights went out?a captain transported us to our final destination. A long corridor?with blue lights and submarine sound effects led us to the?next floor. After amuses and a sparkling glass of champagne the people of Tudor led us to the dining room.The mysterious corridor with submarine sound effectsTudor added nice details to the?room creating a?nautical setting. B...
BaselWorld 2016 Omega Speedmaster Novelties Preview
In January, we already showed you the new Speedmaster Moonphase Chronograph Master Chronometer ?(click here for our preview of that watch with some notes on its history) that will be unveiled tomorrow in the flesh in Basel. However, Omega has (at least) two more tricks up their sleeve for us this year: here is the Omega Speedmaster Novelties preview for 2016.Perhaps you remember this interview we did with “friend of the show” RJ Kama (@rjkama on Instagram) about his collection of Omega watches. We asked him about his grail Speedmaster and this is what he answered: “My Grail would be a custom Speedmaster I'm sure we are very close to Omega offering this a meteorite dialed Da...
#TBT The Aquastar 63 Diver The Originator of an Iconic Case
Today, on #TBT, we're going to take a look at a popular vintage dive watch: the Aquastar 63. This diver is popular because it's relatively plentiful and despite an upward surge in prices, examples can still be found at reasonable levels. Plus, this watch ushered in the use of a case design that we've seen the world over and, it threw in some nifty features as well.? Due to its murky dial and highly polished case, it’s a bear to photograph – so be warned!An original ad featuring the Aquastar 63 (photo courtesy of uhrforum.de)Duward, an Aquastar by any other nameAquastar is a watch company that was founded in Geneva in 1962 (seemingly as a sub brand of JeanRichard). From the name, ...
Hands-On Pinion Atom Review
We have been following the English watch manufacture Pinion from the very start (in 2013), reviewed their Axis, R1969, Iron Heart colab and Pure (Bronze). Almost a year ago, we briefed you already on the Pinion Atom release (here). Learning about its price point made us enthusiastic, as we have been fans from the start and owning one of their watches for under $900 would be a steal.But wait a minute! Where the other collections rely on movements like the Valjoux 7734 (R1969) and Unitas 6498, the Pinion Atom has been equipped with a Japanese movement. The?Miyota caliber 9015 movement. A movement we often find in microbrands, and owned by the Citizen watch corp. As the movement represents a si...
Pre-Baselworld 2018: The New Doxa SUB300T Poseidon Edition
As definite fans of Doxa, we were pretty excited to see an email in our inbox this morning announcing a new release: the Doxa SUB300T Poseidon Edition.? A full 50% of the Fratello team owns either a new or vintage diver from the independent Swiss brand, so we’re always eager to hear what’s on the way.? To be open, these are stock photos, but we’ll go hands-on with the watch at Baselworld 2018 next week.Over the last couple years, Doxa has been busy.? A couple years ago, the 50th Anniversary of the SUB300 was celebrated with some seriously faithful recreations of the original SUB.? The Professional, the Searambler and the Sharkhunter were all made and snapped up by eager col...