I’m at the Basel fair at the moment, and just wanted to share some thoughts. What I started to feel already last year, seems to be even stronger this year. It looks like I’m a bit tired of the next commercially issued model of the same big watch brand. Again a new Speedmaaster Limited edition, again a new commemorative edition, again another variation on well known theme. Patek, Bregu

The first Speedmaster watch, the CK2915, is up for auction at Dr H Crott auctions on the 11th of May. Together with a lot of Patek Philippe and watches, they have this 1958 Speedy CK2915-2 listed in very nice condition. It has been serviced in 2011 at Omega in Switzerland, but they’ve managed to keep it as original as possible in my opinion.This particular Speedmaster was produced in 1958 b

Ahead of BaselWorld, Linde Werdelin introduced the world to its fourth generation of the SpidoLite, a series originally conceived after a Mount Everest expedition, which debuts as Linde Werdelin's most extreme skeleton to date, opening the dial up to reveal the brand's first-ever power reserve indicator. Designed and engineered holistically, the SpidoLite represents an evolution in weight-optimise

Omega did not surprise us with the introduction of a new Speedmaster Snoopy, but they surely did so with the watch itself. Although we already brought you the initial news about the Speedmaster Snoopy in BaselWorld, we now show you the watch again using our own photos instead of press pictures and some additional information we received.I thought it would also be nice to have the new Omega Speedma

For the past 160 years, Eterna has been driven by the same powerful force: a daring and pioneering spirt. Passionate and determined, the company continually takes on the challenges of fine watchmaking by creating, developing and optimising its timepieces with remarkable consistency. It is from this perspective that the company, based in Granges, Switzerland, has enriched and revolutionised the art

Writing an article on the Omega Speedmaster 145.012 isn't overly novel for us at Fratello Watches. No, it's been covered from a historical perspective here and several variations have been discussed as well. However, I've not covered it and thought I'd lend my personal story as to how I came upon this Speedy and why I decided to procure it. Perhaps I won't add too much different than what's been s

Just days before the borders came to a jarring close, I nipped over to Switzerland to meet with Jupp Philipp, owner of Fortis.Although the trip bought me two weeks in isolation, it turned out to be worth it. So now, Corona-free and enjoying the view from my bedroom window, I’d like to share with you our conversation. Fortis is a fascinating brand with an even more fascinating history. If you

After many years, I’ve found my birth year Speedmaster 145.022-76. Having a watch from your year of birth is something to which many enthusiasts aspire.In my opinion, the best thing is when your parents bought one in your birth year and looked after it for you. But I guess not everyone is so lucky (I wasn't). then you will need to find your own watch. This does mean that you can purchase the

If you’re looking for a lush dial with pared-down neoclassicism, you came to the right place. What’s that you say? Your partner wants the same? Well, whatever your tastes, Bovet is here for you. The Miss Audrey and Monsieur Bovet watches offer a creative solution for couples looking to sport the same style.Bovet is, at its heart, all about extravagance. Artisanal decoration, personaliz

Ladies and gentlemen, we are finally there. The end of a long, long road we’ve traveled together over the past month is now in sight. At the end of this bloody royal rumble that saw 96 watches lineup on March 1st, we have just two remaining. The surprise #2 seed from Jorg’s group, the Czapek Antarctique Terre Adelie, and the irrepressible top seed from Bert’s crop, the A. Lange &

Today is a very good day in my world. Why is that? Well, whenever URWERK releases something new, that equates to a very good day in my world. I adore the brand, and to date, everything they drop has been gold (figuratively speaking). So, when I saw the latest teaser video the brand shared on their social media profile, I was excited…even more so when it was revealed to be the next chapter of

Over a year ago, in February 2020, I reported on the rebirth of the Timor watch company here on Fratello. In that article, I made it clear that if the brand drew from its heritage it would be staring down a slam dunk. This release had nailed-on success written all over it. There was no need to push the boat out. There was no desire for anything new, per se. All Timor had to do was keep its head an

Breitling brings out the big guns with the Chronomat 42 B01 Red Arrows Limited Edition. As the name suggests, this version incorporates the RAF Red Arrows’ insignia. Not only that, but the famous flying “diamond nine” formation of the Red Arrows jets is displayed prominently on the dial, in place of the “B” logo.In my first hands-on review of the revived Chronomat, I

When Doxa dropped the Whitepearl colorway on its entry-level SUB200 last year, it was a bit of an experiment to gauge reception and interest for a pure white watch. Well, the wider watch community lapped it up right away. Quite rightly, too! Indeed when I first saw it at Geneva Watch Days last year, I was a fan. It was pure. It was simple. So, now Doxa is rolling out the Whitepearl colorway to the

Patek Philippe graces us with two new timepieces inspired by vintage watches from the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva. The first release is the Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar 5320G. The reference 5230 was introduced in 2017 with a cream-colored dial. While that watch is no longer part of the current collection, Patek Philippe decided to re-introduce it with a stunning new aesthetic. The second

To the uninitiated, H. Moser & Cie is a highly acclaimed independent brand, best known for the minimalist, contemporary, and elegant designs of its timepieces. To those familiar with the family-owned Schaffhausen-based manufacture, its excellence in creating exquisite movements should be no surprise. With that baseline, you would be forgiven for dropping your jaw in seeing this novelty, a spor

Ah, the delights of Watches & Wonders, low on pandemic measures but big on revenge spending. Even while much of the world is still struggling with the pandemic aftermath, events are back. And sadly, while Europe is not peaceful as it used to be, isn't this just the right time to daydream? Vacheron Constantin shows us that this is a very real possibility, even a rule.And Vacheron Constantin is

Despite its slightly divisive birth last year, the wider community now seems to have firmly accepted Zenith’s Chronomaster Sport with open arms. A few of my friends and acquaintances have picked up the stainless steel version, and the feedback has been very positive. Zenith itself seems to believe in the collection, too, as evidenced by the new releases we see before us. First, we had a stee

Some people say open-heart dials are passe. Well, call me old-fashioned, but I think that’s poppycock! If done right, dials that reveal the beating heart of the watch can be some of the most intriguing dials out there. This is especially true when paired with a high-frequency movement. And when it comes to Zenith, high-frequency is the name of the game! For Watches & Wonders 2022, Zenith

Fluted bezels are not a exclusive. Omega puts a fluted bezel on the Constellation Globemaster, for instance. But still, a bezel with multiple facets reflecting light has an inescapably strong vibe. But did you know that back in 1927, the Minerva Manufacture in Villeret made a fluted bezel? Well, it did. And in 1939, the brand produced a chronograph with a rotating fluted bezel with a red marking