Fratello Talks: Contemplating Complications
Simply put, not all complications are created equal. In today’s episode of?Fratello Talks, we discuss many of these horological elements adjacent to a watch’s most essential time-telling function. Nacho, Thomas, and Lex begin by defining terms before listing their favorite complications and ending up with some they don’t like so much. They also discuss the fact that some complications play more of an active role, such as a chronograph or GMT, whereas others are not as interactive, like a perpetual calendar or moonphase. Regardless, we encourage you to read up on all complications beyond those discussed today. The journey from their functional inception to their development ...
Louis Vuitton & Kari Voutilainen Team Up For The LVKV-02 GMR 6
After joining forces with Rexhep Rexhepi in 2023, Louis Vuitton has once again teamed up with an independent watchmaker to produce a special collaborative timepiece. This time, the brand has partnered with Kari Voutilainen to create the LVKV-02 GMR 6, a travel watch based on the revamped Escale design from 2024. This model will have a limited run of only five pieces, and each will come in a bespoke Louis Vuitton trunk. But first things first, let's take a look at the watch.The LVKV-02 GMR 6 watchIn case you were wondering about the name, “GMR 6” refers to the watch’s dual-time function. To be even more specific, “R” stands for the power reserve indicator, and &#...
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 40th Anniversary Exhibition And Cocktail
It is almost impossible that you didn’t hear about the 40th anniversary of Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak this year. Designed by the legendary Gerald Genta in 1972 as a luxury sports watch in stainless steel at the price of ten times a Submariner at that time. Last January, Audemars Piguet introduced a slightly modified successor of their icon watch, the Royal Oak ‘Jumbo’ (ref.15202ST). The dial of this new version is closer to the original Jumbo (ref.5402ST) as Genta designed it in the 1970s. Of course, Audemars Piguet refrained from using their in-house caliber 3120 movement (it is too thick for the Jumbo case) and keeps it real with the caliber 2121 movement, based o...
Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso Ultra Thin Tribute To 1931 Review
Jaeger-LeCoultre ReversoThe Reverso collection is so iconic, it almost doesn’t need any further introduction. However, for those who never took the time to read about one of the most famous rectangular watches, here’s a little background:The design for this reversible watch dates back to the 1930s, 1931 to be precise. Polo players were sick and tired of broken and damaged crystals on their timepieces when playing this noble game. Jaeger-LeCoultre came up with the idea of making it possible to flip the watch on your wrist, so that the crystal was protected from serious beatings. In 1931, Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced (and patented) the Reverso watch. Through the decades, the Reverso...
Omega Seamaster Master Co-Axial Chronometer
Just like last year, the watch press is being overwhelmed with novelties that are going to be presented during the Baselworld exhibition. Some brands show the product in all its glory already, no secrets to unveil anymore and others are only showing you bits and pieces of their upcoming releases.Last year, Omega leaked information regarding their Omega Speedmaster Professional ‘Tintin’ a day before Baselworld started. This year, they showed some teasers on their official Facebook page with bits and pieces of a new Omega Seamaster. Among the +500.000 fans of that page, there were some Photoshop magicians that were able to unraffle the mystery without much hassle.Although we will n...
Klynt Geneve in steel Hands-on Review
Klynt GeneveA little while ago, we introduced Klynt Geneve on the pages of Fratello Watches. The brand launched a Kickstarter campaign to raise funds for their Swiss made automatic watch. ?You can find many similar watch ideas on Kickstarter. However, Klynt managed to come up with a design that the watch world has not seen for a while. Last time I saw such a time piece it was when Seven Friday introduced their models some 4 years ago. The two brands share several design features thanks to the same company behind the visuals of both Klynt and Seven Friday; it’s a watch that looks like an haute horlogerie piece, feels like one yet comes with a very sympathetic price tag. I wore a Klynt G...
Hands-On With the Gold Omega Seamaster 300 a Lustworthy Diver
Don't judge and stop shaking your head. Just because there's a serious amount of yellow gold staring you in the face, you needn’t leave this page. Just hear me out for a bit. If you read automotive magazines, today's feature is akin to that one article about an exotic that most of us will never ever be able to afford. Maybe, just maybe, we say that even if we had the money, we'd never conspicuously consume such an object because it would just prove so impractical. Well, live a little and journey with me as we go big-time with a look at the gold Omega Seamaster 300. Trust me, you'll want to hang aroundThe Gold Omega Seamaster 300 is Over the TopA dive watch such as the gold Omega Seamas...
An Extra Dose of Adrenalin: The TAG Heuer Carrera from 2000 to Today
The chronograph was given its own manufacture caliber in the new millenniumNow under the aegis of LVMH, TAG Heuer intensified its commitment to motorsport in the new millennium. After eleven years as the Formula One's official timekeeper, TAG Heuer took over the timekeeping for IndyCar, the most popular American racing series, and thus timed the famous 500-mile race in Indianapolis, where the racers' performance is measured to an accuracy of 1/10,000th of a second. TAG Heuer is also active in rally championships. And it's the watch brand with the most cumulative wins in Monaco (15) alongside McLaren, with whom it has maintained the longest partnership in F1 history (30 years). The partnershi...
BaselWorld 2018: Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8
NASA’s Apollo 8 mission in 1968 was the first flight where the astronauts orbited the Moon, see Earth entirely, witness the Earth rise and here it comes see the far side of the Moon. Or dark side. On their wrists, a Speedmaster.Now, nearly 50 years later, Omega introduces you to the latest addition to the Dark Side of the Moon collection. Not a black ceramic Speedmaster Professional like we predicted a few weeks ago, but a watch based on the existing Dark Side of the Moon models. However, not with the famous bi-compax caliber 9300 movement, but with a hand-wound caliber 1869 movement. This manual winding chronograph movement is based on the famous caliber 1861 movement, but with a nick...
BaselWorld 2018: Introducing The New Omega Seamaster Diver 300M
Introduced in 1993, the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2018. Therefore, Omega will be introducing an updated version this BaselWorld 2018. The Seamaster Diver 300M, introduced as the 2531.80 for the automatic version and as 2541.80 for the quartz model (both models featured in the Pierce Brosnan James Bond movies), came a long way. Available in mid-sizes as well and in a couple of variations (black dial, America’s Cup, chronograph, GMT, etc.).The Seamaster 300M basically evolved with Omega’s grow regarding movements and materials. Where the Seamaster 300M was always based on ETA’s 2892-A2 movement, later on with Omega’s Co-Axial escapeme...
Hands-On: Tudor Black Bay Chrono Steel and Gold
The Tudor Black Bay Chrono Steel and Gold showed itself at Baselworld 2019 as the brand brings more two-tone into its lineup.Well, whether you like it or not, two-tone or bi-color now seems to be back and here to stay.? We like it in general, so we were intrigued when we laid eyes on the new?Tudor Black Bay Chrono Steel and Gold.? The watch supplements the all-steel version that first debuted in 2017.? In what now seems to be a trend for the brand, we get a similar watch but with brushed gold highlights.Plenty of Gold TouchesThe reference M79363?Tudor Black Bay Chrono Steel and Gold brings gold-capped elements such as the crown, screw-down pushers, and if a bracelet is chosen – the cen...
Grand Seiko Releases Baselworld 2019
One of the coolest looking exhibition spaces at Baselworld is the double booth by Seiko.Since Grand Seiko became a different brand the Japanese powerhouse shares a twin booth, between their two major brands, Seiko and Grand Seiko. On the one side, you have the displays for the latest Seiko timepieces, while the other side belongs to the Grand Seiko novelties. Writing a run-down on both brands would be a too long article so this time we will only take a closer look at the 2019 novelties of the other Seiko brand, Grand Seiko. GS has some seriously cool watches to show us this year, both for men and for women. For the sake of gender equality, I think it is time to talk about the ladies' models ...
Hot Take: Seiko Prospex LX Collection
At least in our region of the world (Europe that is), the Prospex collection does pretty well. Heck, even half of our own team decided to pull the trigger on a Marinemaster 300 or other Prospex model.This year, Seiko makes it even tougher on us by releasing a new Prospex range, the Prospex LX collection. Three new models, each in a Black Edition' as well, so six in total. Let's have a first look.Seiko Prospex LXLet's start with the LX, according to Seiko a hint to a Latin word for light'. It has nothing to do with the weight, although there are models in titanium as well, but with the way that light is reflected on the broad, flat surfaces of each Prospex LX case. As you can see, Seiko appli...
Hands-On: Tudor Black Bay P01 A Controversial New Diver
In what can only be described as unexpected, a new diver debuted at Baselworld 2019 in the form of the Tudor Black Bay P01.To be fair, there was a certain site that dropped all of the and Tudor novelties the day prior to the opening of Baselworld 2019.? And while I doubt that this person will ever receive any type of response or invitation from either or Tudor in the future, the article was dead-on.? Aside from the relatively non-controversial releases within, there was one real surprise: the Tudor Black Bay P01.Tudor Black Bay P01 – Based on a PrototypeFor several years, forum denizens have been discussing a very oddly designed Tudor dive watch that was apparently designed in the 19...
This Week in Watches: March 21, 2020
Hey there, it’s This Week in Watches for March 21, 2020 and we have some news for you! We delve into a concept watch and a couple more made for derring-do.H. Moser Endeavour Centre Seconds Concept WatchH. Moser makes some downright gorgeous watches. Their dials are mesmerizing and I’m generally a fan of their case work. The Endeavour Centre Seconds Concept watch fits within a trio of watches on the theme. There’s a tourbillon, a piece with diamonds and this simple piece. The “concept” moniker means that there is no branding or printing on the dial. The prices on the tourbillon are $65k USD (CHF is the same) in either white or red gold, and $59,900 USD (same in C...
Bert's Photo Book Part 2 Lume shots
Lume, or luminescent material, is something I mentioned in the first photo book article. It is something that has fascinated me from the very first steps of my photography journey. It is hard to capture, which makes it an interesting challenge. But the challenge maketh the man. Always set the bar high and push your limits. The experience will follow.Long exposureWith limited knowledge back in the days, I simply started doing long exposure shots. At the time it wasn’t so much about the esthetics and creating an appealing image. Yet is was simply capturing the beauty of my watches and occasionally those of others. So from doing near black images where only the lume was clearly visible (a...
March Mania Sweet Sixteen Tudor Vs. Czapek And H. Moser Vs. Omega Vote Now!
Wow, this is all happening so fast. When we started the competition, we had 96 watches. Now we’re at the stage when the last 16 will be scythed in half to leave just eight remaining. At that point, the writers will have but one watch each remaining. So today, for the very last time, the watches that started out in the preliminaries together will go head-to-head for the division champion crown. Where will your votes fall?We’re at the sharp end now. Jorg has two left, as does Balazs. We need you to pick your favorite in this quick-fire round. Tomorrow we will have the last two standing from Gerard and RJ’s groups before Mike and Tomas step into the fray, followed finally by B...
Sunday Morning Showdown: Seiko Prospex Dive Watch Edition
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. For this morning, our writers select two modern re-interpretations of iconic Seiko dive watches. The Prospex SPB143 recreates the spirit of the 62MAS from 1965. Whereas the Prospex SPB185 takes inspiration from the reference 6159-7000 from 1968. As the prices line up, please ca...
Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Ultra is the world's thinnest mechanical watch
Since 2012 Bvlgari broke seven world records with its Octo watches. What better way to celebrate a decade of records with another one? Enter record number eight. The 2022 Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Ultra is the world's thinnest mechanical watch with a height of just 1.8mm - it's the same height as a 20 euro cent coin, but it will cost you $400,000. Will this record ever be broken? Bvlgari thinks it's an absolute record that will probably never be beaten. Let's find out if there's a solid or a wafer thin argument behind that bold claim.It all started ten years ago when Bvlgari decided to take on Piaget in the ultra-flat watch department. It paid off. The brand scored no less than seven world reco...
Alpina Alpiner4 Chronograph In Three New Colors
From my own experience as a customer, it’s not easy for any watch brands to get on my shopping list if I’m not watching them already. There is a lot of competition in the $2,500 range, but the Alpina Alpiner4 has some aces to get noticed. I was never a big-case watch guy. Honestly, with each millimeter over 41, my interest in a watch falls exponentially. So you may wonder what am I doing here with a 44mm wide, almost 16mm tall chronograph today. Well, as one old saying goes, it’s not difficult to get it on when you are in the mood to get it on, is it? So, when Nacho asked me to look at the news from Alpina, it was a good opportunity to have a fresh look outside of my usual ...