URWERK Revisits Its Roots With The New UR-102 Reloaded
I have long said that the UR-100 is URWERK’s most “traditional” watch. In terms of sizing and wearability, it definitely is - or was. Now, 26 years after first debuting at Baselworld in 1997, URWERK has revisited the zeitgeist with the new UR-102 Reloaded. A round watch from a brand that is, these days, not known for watches resembling anything close to round.Notice I say “revisited” rather than “reissued.” The UR-102 Reloaded is a modern interpretation of last century’s watch. It’s definitely a UR-102 when you look at it, but it’s also very 2023. But let’s start with some context.Where it all beganFelix Baumgartner and Martin...
Doxa Launches The New Sub 200 C-Graph II
It’s an exciting time to be a Doxa fan! This week, the brand announced the new Sub 200 C-Graph II, offering a contemporary 42mm case and a subtly luminous dial with a sunray finish. As with most of Doxa’s dive watches, there are six dial colors to choose from, so you can pick the one that matches your style best.Available from April 2023, this new smaller chronograph offers a size that will fit most wrists. It’s a notable step away from the brand's 2020 Sub 200 C-Graph model, which was quite large at 45mm in diameter. Doxa says the new Sub 200 C-Graph II is for extreme diving adventures, like cave dives. But we are sure it will look equally fantastic on your wrist while sno...
Hands-On With The New Longines Spirit Flyback
In June 2020, Longines introduced the Spirit collection, which included three-hand models and a chronograph. Last year’s Spirit Zulu Time got a new GMT complication, and Longines has another Spirit in store for you this year. Meet the Longines Spirit Flyback, a 42mm stainless steel chronograph with a flyback function, available with your choice of a blue or black dial.Longines Spirit FlybackFor this new Spirit Flyback, Longines decided to revisit its heritage as the developer and producer of some of the most beautiful chronograph movements (13ZN, anyone?). Even more interestingly, Longines was the first to have a wristwatch with a flyback chronograph (13.33Z) back in 1925. The company ...
Ressence Introduces The New Type 1 Round
It’s been only a week since Ressence graced us with its new Type 8 in sage green. It’s a unique piece in both its design and choice of color. Seeing that uncommon green shade shows the brand’s individualistic character once more. But if you thought that was it from Ressence, you are mistaken. Today, the brand introduces the new Type 1 Round. It is a new take on the brand’s Type 1 that introduces a great new case design. But it doesn’t stop there. Ressence founder Beno?t Mintiens also updated the dial design, making this new Type 1 Round a surprising next step for the brand and the Type 1 collection. Time to find out what makes this such an exciting development...
IFL Watches Turns Up The Grail Volume: Tissot PRX Galaxy
Tissot created its golden ticket to success with the PRX, a watch that was a godsend to enthusiasts. That sounds overstated, but think about it. When the Le Locle brand dropped the bomb, the market was (and still is) saturated with vintage divers for every budget. Retro is still hot, but what about the hallowed category of the Integrated Bracelet? From celebs to truck drivers, everyone lusts after a taste of the Genta magic, but the watches are grail-worthy for a few reasons - their design, exclusivity, and big-ticket prices. Now IFL Watches gives us bespoke dial art with a difference.A bona fide integrated bracelet will have the center link (or part of it) integrated into the case end, whic...
Fratello's Top 5 Pre-Owned Sleeper Watches: Part 5
Another Friday, another Top 5! Today, we continue our quest to find more great pre-owned picks you might love. This is the fifth article with a selection of watches that deserve your attention. As always, we try to find the best pre-owned watches from bigger and smaller brands. They can be vintage, neo-vintage, or modern. It’s all about the watches you would not immediately consider when mentioning the brand. Let’s find out what this week’s picks are.As mentioned in previous articles in this series, we love finding the hidden gems. There is nothing better for us at Fratello than finding watches to surprise our colleagues with. These daily expeditions into pre-owned watch te...
So You Want To Start A Microbrand? Here Are 10 Tips
So you want to start a microbrand, do you? Many watch enthusiasts find themselves playing around with the idea of developing a watch of their own. Some actually pursue it. If you plan to be one of them, there are many pitfalls you may find yourself running into. As someone who has recently navigated many of them, I would love to share some tips to save you from the mistakes I made.Am I an expert? Certainly not. At the time of writing this, only a good week has passed since the presale of my debut model has succeeded. Admittedly, steam is still coming out of my ears, and adrenaline is still pumping through my veins. I am by no means running a successful microbrand just yet. But I have gone th...
The Best Watches Under $1,000: Daan's Picks
As RJ said at the start of his “best watches under $1,000” article, it’s not easy to make a list like this at all. That’s not because there aren’t any options to choose from; actually, the opposite is true. Sure, the fact that they have to be new and available watches limits the range somewhat. However, even then it’s quite hard to just stick to three attractive and affordable options. So that’s why I went with four - I hope that’s all right with Nacho. As an excuse, though, I can say that all four of them use a different kind of movement. There’s a Baltic with an automatic mechanical movement, a solar-powered Seiko, a Vero that’s k...
Traska: A Go-To Brand For All Your Watch Needs Under $1K
Here’s a scenario you may be able to relate to: you have a diver from your favorite brand, and you would like to add a field watch. You wonder whether the brand has one in its catalog. Luckily, it does! You buy it, receive it, and love it. Two months later, you decide you want a GMT, so again, you hop on your favorite brand's website, and there’s one of those available too! So you buy and love it as much as the field watch and the diver. Then, you talk to fellow watch enthusiasts about GADA/everyday watches. Owning one sounds awesome, but does your brand make one too? Of course, it does. Shopping on that one website covers most of your watch needs. It sounds too good to be true, ...
Stop Releasing Sports Watches With Integrated Bracelets
Well, I said “please” in the subtitle, so I hope the title didn't come off too strong. But I do mean every word I wrote. Something snapped after having yet another edgy, sporty watch creation with some very particular and recognizable features show up at Fratello HQ. I couldn't help but shout, Stop releasing sports watches with integrated bracelets! Forgive me for my little rant, but I need to get it out because I'm sure I'm not the only one who feels this way.Luxury sports watches with integrated bracelets - don't you love them? Contrary to what you might think after reading this article’s title, I do. I especially love them if they're truly integrated and real. What do I ...
Mountaineering In New Zealand With An IWC Watch
The first thing you notice when you’re thousands of feet above the earth is the silence. Weather is highly changeable in mountain ranges, and where I find myself is particularly known for sudden shifts. In 10 minutes, it can go from crystal clear and sunny to a dense, cloudy fog that threatens rain and dangerous winds. I look down at the IWC watch on my wrist. It’s already been just over five hours, and I’ve only ascended about 2,000 feet.The silence, though, becomes much more noticeable as fog settles over the mountain range. When trekking, I hear a “thud, thud, thud” sound, like some primordial force is trying to shift the whole mountain. The sound is of an av...
Sinn U2 C Limited Edition Sinn for Chronos Magazine
Sinn showed us the limited edition Sinn U2 C (EZM5) timepiece that they designed especially for readers of the German Chronos magazine. Together with the editorial team of the magazine, Sinn defined the specifications of the Sinn U2 C (C stands for Chronos of course).The 44mm case has a scratch free surface (hardered using the Tegiment treatment) and is made out of U-boot (submariner) steel. This type of steel is resistant against seawater (salt) and then received the Sinn tegiment treatment. Sinn asked me if I wanted to try to make a scratch on the tegiment steel actually. First they gave me a normal untreated stainless steel case, which I scratched with a screw-driver. Let me tell you, tha...
Hublot Classic Fusion Berluti All Black and Scritto
HublotAnd now something you have probably not seen yet. On the 3rd day of Basel World we visited Hublot to take a closer look at their 2016 novelties. The first piece we were introduced stole the showfor me, anyways. We were given the new Hublot Classic Fusion Berluti in black ceramic and 18k gold and I have to say, even though Hublot is not my main focus, those are some seriously nice looking watches. As we learned, last year marked the 120th anniversary of Parisian shoemaker legend Berluti. For this occasion Hublot teamed up with the atelier to produce 2 distinct models: the Hublot Classic Fusion Berluti All Black and the Hublot Classic Fusion Scritto.Based on the Classic Fusion line, both...
Eberhard & Co Scafograf 300 (Ref. 41034): A Legend Returns
Eberhard invited us to come see?their novelties for 2016, so we did. When they showed the new Scafograf we were immediately hooked by the splashy colorful accent-colors and the comfortable shapes of this dive watch, so let's quickly take a first look at this dive machine.Historical Piece – ScafografThe Scafograf is one of the oldest models of Eberhard. Launched in the exploring 1950s this watch has truly evolved through time. Through time, the water resistance of this piece quite varied: from 100 meters for the earliest models up to?1000 meters with the Scafograf Super in 1983. The predecessor of this year’s novelty bears?the same name: Scafograf 300. The number 300' stood for a ...
Global launch of Conquest V.H.P.
Longines has leveraged its outstanding expertise in quartz technology to create the ultimate high-precision wristwatch: the all-new Conquest V.H.P. This collection constitutes another milestone in the history of quartz timepieces, successfully incorporating many features of today's smart connected watches, such as ultra-precision, technical sophistication and a sporty feel, without any of the drawbacks, and all this while preserving the brand's signature elegance. The watch also has an in-built system that resynchronises the hands after exposure to a shock or a magnetic field, a world first that guarantees timekeeping which is as accurate as the new-generation quartz movement itself. Around ...
Hands-On With The Omega Speedmaster 60th Anniversary Limited Edition 38.6 mm
Yesterday we introduced you to the Omega 60th anniversary trilogy. Today, we had our meeting with Omega and had a closer look at their new collections. We received many questions and comments about the Speedmaster. Let’s try to answer a couple.Speedmaster 60th Anniversary Reference?311.10.39.30.01.001I can be super short about the new Omega Speedmaster 60th anniversary limited edition. I ordered one. So did two other guys of the Fratello Watches team. We were simply blown away by it. Based on the comments and likes we received on Instagram and Facebook and the numerous e-mails and whatsapp messages we received, you like it as well but have some questions.How many?First, there is the di...
The 2017 Grand Seiko Baselworld Novelties a Brand Changes Its Face
And it's that time of year again and we always look forward to the new releases from one of our favorite brands: Seiko. Today, though, we'll give you a sneak peek at the 2017 Grand Seiko Baselworld novelties. Last year, this was a widely read story and we expect you're interested again! While we normally refrain from using stock photos, we will have only just walked out of the press conference held by the brand and still have a hands-on appointment in the wings. For now, let's take a look at three new models.The 2017 Grand Seiko Baselworld noveltiesThe 2017 Grand Seiko Baselworld novelties usher in a serious change that seemingly everyone outside of Japan has desired. Quite simply, the model...
Global launch of Conquest V.H.P.
Longines has leveraged its outstanding expertise in quartz technology to create the ultimate high-precision wristwatch: the all-new Conquest V.H.P. This collection constitutes another milestone in the history of quartz timepieces, successfully incorporating many features of today's smart connected watches, such as ultra-precision, technical sophistication and a sporty feel, without any of the drawbacks, and all this while preserving the brand's signature elegance. The watch also has an in-built system that resynchronises the hands after exposure to a shock or a magnetic field, a world first that guarantees timekeeping which is as accurate as the new-generation quartz movement itself. Around ...
BaselWorld 2017 Novelty Sinn 103 St Sa E Limited Edition
Limited to 300 pieces only, Sinn introduces this 103 St Sa E watch based on one of their most classic (pilot) watches.The Sinn 103 is a classic that has been in their collection forever. Now, they introduce a version with a beautiful ivory-coloured coating on the indices, hands and numbers. It gives the Sinn 103 St Sa E this beautiful vintage look & feel. Sinn seems to be joining the retro-game that is played?by so many brands today. Is that a bad thing? Certainly not, as a lot of collectors love these details. Perhaps purists might prefer the “original” or at least something as ‘clean’ as possible, but we can’t deny that ‘faux-patina’ is hip and...
Omega Seamaster 300M Titanium/Tantalum/Sedna Gold: What Is So Special?
When Omega introduced the Seamaster 300M in 1993, their flagship model was the Chronograph reference 2296.80 that came in a combination of three materials: titanium, tantalum and rose gold. Sure, there was an all gold model as well, but this tri-color version was the model they advertised with for the new 300M (chronograph) collection. Tantalum is a rare, hard, blue-grey metal that is highly corrosion-resistant. It is mainly used in electronics today, but sometimes it had a purpose in the watch industry as well. Omega is not the only brand who used it, also Audemars Piguet, FP Journe and Panerai used it for their watches for example.Omega Seamaster 300M Chronograph 1993The blue-grey color gi...