Frederique Constant Slimline Monolithic Manufacture Watch Operating At 40Hz
While some brands place their technological innovations above all else in their attempt to craft a distinct identity, others prefer to integrate mind-boggling innovations with less fanfare. Frederique Constant may not be the first brand name that comes to mind when listing trailblazing mechanics, but the release of the Slimline Monolithc Manufacture might be about to change that…In watchmaking, perception is everything. How we feel or what we think about a brand can inform our decision to purchase (or not) before we’ve even taken a good look at the model in question. If you thought you knew what to expect from Frederique Constant, think again. The ultra-fast oscillator of the Sli...
March Mania: Semi-Final Czapek Antarctique Vs. Omega Speedmaster Professional
When we started the competition, we had 96 watches; now, we’re down to four. The remaining writers are now into their second head-to-head match-up. The winner moves on to the final; the loser goes home. At this point, it’s simply the best of the best. Your favorite four watches battle it out for eternal glory. Who will be crowned the winner of March Mania? It’s up to you to help decide who will be the King!We’re at the sharp end now. We have four heavyweights left in our March Mania competition. The semi-final stage starts now! All four of our contestants can see the finish line where eternal glory awaits. With only two more match-ups to win, Gerard and Jorg go head t...
Hands-On: Sternglas Hamburg Automatik Watch
In a previous life as an IT security consultant, I visited Hamburg for the first time in 2005 while being on an assignment for a big oil company. The city had this special vibe to it, very lively. It stuck in my mind as a city full of character. It is hardly surprising, then, that Sternglas, a brand based in the city, should draw so much inspiration from it. And now, one of the brand’s most popular dial designs is backed-up by an automatic movement for the first time.I was lucky enough to visit Hamburg several more times in my role as an IT security consultant but also as a watch journalist. It is, perhaps understandably, a big watchmaking town, with a great deal of interest and activi...
What Inspired The Fratello Minase Divido Limited Edition Watch
I didn’t get into watchmaking for the big names, the status boosters, or the money makers. I mortgaged my future to become a watchmaker for the craft. Artisanal creation techniques have always interested me. I’m interested in the aesthetics, of course, but the process behind their application can be especially interesting when it is visible in the final product. When I look down at my wrist, I want to be reminded of the passion and effort poured into the ticking treasure I call my constant companion. As such, working with Minase on a limited edition Divido was a pipedream for me that has, quite unbelievably, become a reality.Even in the earliest days of my career, the idea of cre...
New To The Fratello Shop: Introducing The Fratello Minase Divido Limited Edition
Minase may not be the first brand on people’s lips when they talk about Japanese watchmaking, but the brand is making a concerted effort to change that. With stunning craftsmanship and finishing that can easily rival the brand’s closest competitors, Minase is a brand that we are very excited to be working with on the latest Fratello Limited Edition.We had previously reviewed the Minase Divido on Fratello back in 2019. After Japanese Prime Minister, Shinzo Abe, was spotted wearing a Divido during the G20 summit in Osaka, the brand began to pick up some momentum in the watch community. This momentum became a rolling thunder as the brand’s recognition, and fanbase grew conside...
Cvstos Challenge Chrono Sprint Celebrates Formula 1 (2022)
What do you know about Cvstos? Truth be told, before the brand recently approached me, I thought I knew more about the brand than I did. I thought I had the style of the watches pegged, the target demographic clearly defined, and a generally accurate picture of the people running the show. As it turns out, I was wrong on all three counts. My last contact with the brand was probably around 2019 and, as you might expect, a lot has changed since thenSo much of a brand's success comes down to the people behind it that having the right (or wrong) team in place can change a company's fortunes almost overnight. There are some names in this industry that have an untouchable reputation. It is almost ...
Omega Swatch Speedmaster MoonSwatch Some Afterthoughts
The introduction of the new Omega Swatch Speedmaster MoonSwatch collaboration did not go unnoticed. Some of my colleagues went to see the queues last weekend in Frankfurt, Amsterdam, and Rotterdam, and they were absolutely crazy.We covered the Omega Swatch Speedmaster MoonSwatch last Wednesday evening. As the media embargo was broken by another site, we got the OK from the Omega and Swatch HQs to publish a few hours ahead of schedule. And the interest in this watch exceeded all expectations! We had the MoonSwatch in the office a few days in advance, and most of the Fratello team was incredibly excited about it. But this run to Swatch boutiques and the massive amount of comments on our articl...
Finally, Another Speedy Tuesday Event In Biel Sign Up Now!
It has been over two years for obvious reasons, but we’re back with an invitation for a Speedy Tuesday event in Biel, Switzerland. With this, we’d like to kick off a new series of events at the Omega headquarters. We will celebrate the 10th anniversary of Speedy Tuesday with you, but also the 65th anniversary of the Speedmaster watch.But first and foremost, it would be great to see you all again in the flesh. It has been way too long! If you want to meet up with Speedmaster enthusiasts and collectors, you shouldn’t miss this event in Biel on April 26th and April 27th. It is one event with two programs. We only have limited spots available, so make sure to sign-up quickly. W...
The New Breitling Navitimer (Live Photos 2022)
For modern and vintage watch fans alike, the word “Breitling” typically draws the mind to one watch - the Navitimer. Yes, the Navitimer is THE Breitling for most, and hyperbole doesn’t enter the picture when saying it’s one of the most iconic chronographs of all time. Now, five years into a Breitling revival, we finally have a new rendition of this important watch.Breitling has come a long way since the arrival of Georges Kern in 2017. The popular brand has methodically updated just about every single one of its product lines during this period. Under Kern’s leadership, Breitling has upped the finishing of its watches, restored model lines like the Chronomat, an...
Czapek Launches Antarctique Rattrapante Ice Blue (2022)
You need no introduction to this hit-making award-winning independent brand. What you must know, before calling yourself a watch buff, is the ground-breaking model Czapek introduced last year, the Antarctique Rattrapante. It was an instant sell-out limited edition. Now, mark this in your horological encyclopedia. It's official. With a new release being revealed, the future is set: this masterpiece is here to stay.We are continuing to explore the many possibilities offered by this very attractive and popular new family of watches, confirms Czapek CEO, Xavier de Roquemaurel.The familyIf you didn't have a chance to get to know what was (and still is) so special about the Antarctique Rattrapante...
Starting a Watch Collection With $10K: Jorg's Top Three Picks
How do you spend $10,000 to start a watch collection? It’s a question so abstract that it took me a long time to find the answers. First of all, in the previous articles in the series, many great solutions were already offered. On top of that, how do you follow Fratello’s resident eminence grise Gerard who perfectly explained how to start your Speedmaster collection? Reading through Gerard’s article, I still have a Speedmaster or two to add to my collection. But maybe even more importantly, it’s a question that has a very personal answer. I can’t answer the question of how to spend $10K wisely, simply because my answer doesn’t fit this “three watches...
Balazs & Mike Talk Vintage Zenith Fratello On Air
Fratello On Air is here with Balazs and Mike. This week, vintage Zenith is in focus as the duo roll through their favorite models out of Le Locle. You’ll be surprised with this list because the El Primero doesn’t factor so heavily....
[Video] The New Oris ProPilot X Kermit It Makes People Smile!
It’s the Fratello Show with our very special guest star!?“It’s time to play the music / It’s time to light the lights / It’s time to meet this Oris on the Fratello Show tonight.”Oris ProPilot X KermitIf you recognize the line above, you will enjoy the video that Lex recorded with none other than Kermit the Frog. Both of them will be presenting the new Oris ProPilot X Kermit Edition to you. It’s a funky green-dialed ProPilot X that shows the friendliest Muppet on the first day of every month.You can watch the video with Kermit above or on our YouTube channel (here). All details of the Oris ProPilot X Kermit can be found here as well, in our introducti...
New Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Watches For 2023
Don't get me wrong, the new Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute models are great. What's even more fascinating, though, is that Jaeger-LeCoultre shares with us the secret of the watch's attraction. Maybe if you're part of the Watch Illuminati you already know this, but for those who aren't inside the inner circle, the secret of the Reverso's eternal attraction is the Golden Ratio. This year, the brand from Le Sentier celebrates the mystical number 1.618, that's represented by the letter (Phi). How does JLC celebrate that? By introducing, among others, three Reverso variations that were created with the Divine Proportion in mind - the captivating Tribute Chronograph, the effortlessly chic Trib...
Introducing: Six New Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Models
I believe it is safe to say that Parmigiani is on a bit of a roll lately. The brand has hit one home run after another under the guidance of CEO Guido Terreni. Now Parmigiani adds another series of new watches to its Tonda PF collection for 2023. If you are a fan of integrated-bracelet sports watches as well as Haute Horlogerie, stay tuned. This might be for you!This new Parmigiani drop includes a rattrapante GMT, a tourbillon, a micro-rotor automatic in platinum, a minute rattrapante, a three-piece set of calendars, and a split-second chronograph. Let's get into it!Tonda PF Minute RattrapanteLet's kick things off with something unique and innovative. The Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF Minute ...
Bell & Ross Introduces Two Stylish New BR03 Models
I have always had a soft spot for the Bell & Ross BR03. The owner of a design agency that I previously worked for owned a stainless steel BR03-92. I always loved the look of the square watch with its ultra-recognizable dial design. In the years since its introduction, it has become a design statement that many people love, and over time, Bell & Ross has expanded the collection tremendously with many different iterations. The two newest BR03 releases are a bronze diver with a white dial and a blue GMT version. These two new pieces show the versatility of the BR03 design perfectly.Before we jump into the new releases, I want to say that it’s great to see how far that BR03 design ...
Oris ProPilot Altimeter With A Carbon Fiber Case
Let me be clear: this new watch isn't for everybody. The old version, however, was for way fewer people. Yes, the ProPilot Altimeter was a technical gem, but with its 47mm steel case, it was also a very hefty watch. It took not only a large wrist to wear it but also considerable arm strength. Oris has solved part of the problem. What the brand from the Swiss town of Holstein did was replace the heavy steel case with one in carbon fiber - a very innovative type of carbon fiber. Yes, the oversized diameter stayed the same, but the new ProPilot Altimeter is now 1mm slimmer and way lighter. And the change in case material also resulted in a very technical and stealthy look, which is just what yo...
TAG Heuer Adds Gold To The Aquaracer Professional 200
I’m not sure if the Aquaracer Professional 200 is the ultimate luxury tool watch for explorers (as TAG Heuer says it is), but six newly introduced models undoubtedly add to the luxury part of that premise. Until now, the Aquaracer Professional 200 was available in stainless steel only. That’s very suitable for a tool watch but not very luxurious. TAG Heuer now takes care of that by adding gold to the series.TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200Let me start with the heavy hitters, a pair of solid 18K gold TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 200 watches powered by the new exclusive Calibre TH31-00. I’ll get back to how excellent these new watches and their beautiful dials are, bu...
Fratello's Top 5 Pre-Owned Sleeper Watches: Part 6
Another Friday, another Top 5! We continue our quest to bring you pre-owned watches that deserve your attention. In today’s market, it is worth looking at some of the hidden gems from the past. With list prices of new watches increasing multiple times a year, it might lead you to some amazing pre-owned options that could save you a lot of money. That’s why we started a series of articles highlighting some of the brilliant watches we encounter on the pre-owned market. Today, we present another five options in this sixth installment of the series.The idea for this series popped up after realizing that we love to find hidden gems to show to other members of the Fratello team. Nothin...
Introducing: The Aquastar Benthos 500 Chronograph
For many, today’s introduction of the Aquastar Benthos 500 Chronograph has been a long time coming. After all, this is arguably one of the brand’s most famous historical references. Well, for those who have been waiting, prepare to be impressed because this is a fantastically modern yet faithful rendition of the beast from 1970!Since 2020, the resurgence of Aquastar has brought us a slew of lovely watches. The Deepstar, Deepstar II, and Series 60 are skin-diver-cased beauties that have all struck a chord with buyers. Then, late last year, a different design direction emerged. The Benthos H1 showed us that the brand’s leader Rick Marei was interested in paying homage to one ...