Just recently, we were invited to join the Breitling Roadshow in Zurich, Switzerland. Besides listening to CEO and shareholder Georges Kern during his presentation and gala diner about the future of Breitling, receiving a lesson or two in design by Guy Bove and an amazing history class by Fred Mandelbaum, I sat with Georges Kern to ask him some questions.? About the future of Breitling, the collec

Howdy folks, it’s This Week in Watches for March 16, 2019!? Next week is Baselworld 2019, so note that we’ll be taking a hiatus from TWIW next weekend, but never fear, my dulcet tones will return the following weekend.? And now…Muhle-Glashutte Sea-Timer BlackMotionThere’s nothing like the smell of?umlaut in the morning and here we are with the Muhle-Glashutte Sea-Timer Blac

For quite some time, fans of Grand Seiko have been hoping for a more centralized presence in Europe. And finally, it seems those prayers have been answered. On April 1st, 2020, a new subsidiary of the Seiko Watch Corporation, Tokyo, will set-up shop in Paris. Say hello to?Grand Seiko Europe S.A.S., the Japanese giant’s next step on its march around the globe.The wholly-owned arm of the Asian

UPDATED: At 154 years old, the Horological Society of New York is looking better than ever (must be the climate). Join the gang to celebrate more than a century and a half of togetherness at the 2020 Gala and Charity Auction, now due to be held on August 5th, 2020.Last year’s iteration of the same event raised a handy $45,000. The money went towards the advancement of the art and science of

Brands go through many phases in their development. Rarely, a stark change in direction can reap dividends. But history tells a story. The most successful and enduring brands are those that are built around a core identity and stay true to it through thick and thin. For many years, Fortis has maintained its passion for flight. Now, with the launch of the Fortis Aeromaster PC-7 Team Limited Edition

I never really liked Coke too much.I was always a Pepsi guy. No, I'm not talking about the drink. I could not care less about the age-old debate of which soda is better. I'm talking about two specific GMT-Masters. The choice is between Pepsi (blue/red) or Coke (black/red) bezel inserts.I shared the reasoning behind my decision to go with reference 1675 in this old #TBT article of mine. To me, the

The Speedmaster Rising Sun is probably not new to you, as a Fratello regular, but the truth is that it is still a very under-the-radar watch.In this video, Karina and I talk about the Omega Speedmaster Rising Sun, the limited edition for the Tokyo 2020 Games. The Games have been postponed to later this year, but the watches were already introduced in the Summer of 2018.Only in Japan – The Ri

We take a look at the new Seiko Prospex 1970 Diver’s Watch collection including a limited-edition tribute model to famed adventurer Naomi Uemura. These latest high-end Prospex models should please fans looking for an alternative to the “MM300.”These days, if you snooze off for a day or two, you miss something. Just a couple of weeks back, I focused heavily on the new 1959 Alpinis

BOLDR is a brand known for its unique designs and adventure-ready watches. Following that theme, the brand teamed up with the Five In A Row rowing crew to create a special-edition Venture. Originally released in December 2021, the Five In A Row BOLDR Venture was made for the Scottish rowing team, which took part in the Talisker Whisky Atlantic Challenge (TWAC). Departing from La Gomera in the Cana

Cartier is one of the only constants of watchmaking, defiantly sticking to its guns whatever may come. Whether the trend of the year is green, small watches, or large tool divers, Cartier keeps its identity and focus. Granted, we have seen the occasional dip into unknown waters with the release of watches like the Calibre de Cartier divers. But when you think of Cartier, the first image is of a Ta

Let's make no mistake here: being able to collect watches at all is a privilege. Spending $10,000 on a watch is an even bigger one. I have friends who would love to start a watch collection, but the hobby is simply too expensive for them. I also recall that I had some issues wearing a watch at this price point, as I felt it was just too much money to spend on one piece. What if you lose it, or it

In response to the wilder end of the horological spectrum getting wilder still throughout the pandemic, the true entry-level bracket is taking pains to develop in turn. It’s a well-known phenomenon that during times of crisis, the gaps between the richer and poorer people and elements of society broaden further. Thus, it is hardly surprising that watchmaking reflects the world in general. Mo

Christopher Ward needs no introduction here. The British brand has made a name for itself by providing good value and original designs for reasonable prices. Christopher Ward also seems to be coming up with cracking collections every couple of months, and today is no different. The Sealander line is expanding and adding two new models, the C63 SH21 Blue Marine and Snow Leopard. Both models are bas

Even for a vintage collector like me, there is one positive side effect of re-editions. Once I spotted the recently announced new line of Excelsior Park chronographs, I realized that I might have an original piece “somewhere.”Early this week, Mike tagged me in his Instagram post saying that he is not upset about Excelsior Park’s choice to do a “Tuxedo” reissue. I clic

It is an understatement to say that the Czapek Antarctique is a successful addition to the realm of integrated-bracelet sports watches. It has been applauded by the watch media, and Czapek struggles to meet the demand. Our very own Fratello limited edition of 50 pieces sold out in an hour, which probably tells you a lot. Now though, just ahead of Watches and Wonders, the house shares the latest it

The king is back! But what if there are more kings to choose from? When Seiko reintroduced the King Seiko name early last year with a collection of 37mm watches, it was a stylish celebration of what makes King Seiko a beloved name among watch fans. A year on, we have seen only a select number of new King Seiko additions to the lineup, but Seiko announced new 39mm King Seiko models a little over a

Yes, I do have serious issues with the color combination of black and yellow in watches. I do have to make one thing clear: I don't really mind a completely yellow dial. It does need to be the exact right shade of yellow, of course, and getting that just right isn't easy. But it's yellow details in black-dialed watches and vice versa that I have a problem with. Why is that? It could very well be t

Swiss brand Genus is known for the quirky extravagance of the GNS1. It won the GPHG award for Mechanical Exception in 2019 and spawned some delightful variations. We also know the challenges of the “second album” for any hot new artist, as well as for wristwear. By introducing the Genus GNS2, I feel the brand is on the right, modern track. And it is a twisted figure-eight track that wi

Even for us watch journalists, it’s sometimes hard to keep up with all the new releases out there. That’s why it’s nice that brands sometimes invite us over to take a look at their new stuff instead of simply sending press releases. Last Monday, for example, the entry-level brands of the Swatch group invited us to stop by. Certina, Rado, Hamilton, and Balmain were all present, an

Together with Breitling, we will host another event in The Hague, Netherlands, to show you the new Breitling collection(s). Not everyone can or will be in Geneva at the end of March or early April to see the new Breitling watches. So Breitling and Fratello will show you the novelties in The Hague! We can’t reveal much yet as everything is still under embargo, but we are confident you are goi