Welcome back to another episode of Fratello On Air. This week, we discuss a recent visit to the Swatch Group in the Frankfurt area. We also respond to a listener’s question about the beloved Omega Speedmaster. Enjoy!

Yema is a busy brand! It feels like every month or so brings a new release from the plucky French restart, and today, we take a look at the surprising Yema Urban Field. As you’ll see, there’s possibly something here for just about everyone due to the sheer variety on offer.Yema has been making all sorts of interesting watches since its “return” over the last several years.

The Seiko Motorist is a watch that doesn’t pop up for sale often, so once an opportunity came, I didn’t hesitate much. It’s not perfect, but it is good enough. It’s fairly worn but aged in a way that gives it a unique character. And it’s green!Some Seiko watches are not easy to find. Take the Seiko Voice Note M516-4009 as an example. It took me quite a long time to la

Rising watch prices, particularly for some brands’ classic models, are creating opportunities to look further afield. Today, we look at five vintage, neo-vintage, and more recent secondhand options that are worth exploring.Last month, an article I wrote garnered quite a lot of attention. In it, I mentioned French philosopher Denis Diderot and the message about consumerism that we could take

The months leading up to Watches and Wonders are exciting ones in the Fratello office. Every week, we receive new teasers and press releases. This year, there were also a lot of brand-organized previews. That’s great because the more we know upfront, the better we can inform you, our readers, about these new watches. However, it’s almost impossible to keep track of all the watches rele

Hello, and welcome to this week’s episode of Fratello Talks. Today, we wrap up our Watches and Wonders 2024 coverage with a debrief episode featuring Nacho, Thomas, and Lex. The guys take some time to go over some brands (and their corresponding releases) that we missed in episode one. They also discuss the general mood of the show and how it reflects on the overall state of the watch indust

Some of you watch collectors probably know or have seen the brand ‘Pierce’ in the search for a vintage chronograph. If not, no worry, below you’ll see a picture of a vintage chronograph by Pierce.What most of you avid watch collectors probably didn’t know, is that Pierce is back in business. They have their whole collection online at https://www.pierce1883.com.Click here fo

Sometimes, I notice that I don’t look anymore at certain < 1000 USD (or 750 Euro) watches. Not that I think they aren’t properly made or that these watches are inferior to what is in my collection already, but I just overlook them. Aside from being in the credit crisis and bonuses aren’t being spend on expensive watches, I think some of these < 1000 USD watches can be might

I’ve had several discussion with watch brands on the pre-owned (and vintage) market. Why not take control over their heritage pieces and instead of cursing at on-line market places selling new, pre-owned and vintage watches, do something yourself. Either team-up or start your own alternative.Linde Werdelin noticed that there is quite some demand for sold-out Linde Werdelin timepieces, whethe

There was a time that a watch had no logo on the dial. This was mainly the case with pocket watches, perhaps a few of the first wristwatches also lacked a logo on the dial. The pilot’s watches of the 1940s, the so-called ‘Beobachtungsuhr’ or B-Uhr is also known to have no logo on the dial. Only a few manufactures made these watches according to German specifications: A. Lange &am

The legendary Omega Seamaster PloProf has been deservedly praised by many collectors. However, a lot of the information that was published up till now has been wrong. A number of collectors have now set the record straight, with the help of Omega’s?International Brand Heritage Manager Petros Protopapas and his team. Not only that, the authors have performed deep research by going through Ome

If you've been a relatively faithful reader of #TBT here on Fratello Watches, then you likely recall some of the articles I've penned on Gallets equipped with Excelsior Park movements. We've reviewed several Multichrons including the 12, the 12HR, and a beautiful Decimal and all were equipped with ultra-smooth EP movements. What I believe I've explained before is that Excelsior Park built watches,

This year’s Baselworld was different in many ways but has been particularly memorable for me. It was definitely a Baselworld edition with a strong focus on the independent watchmakers.Not only at Les Ateliers (part of the Baselworld venue), but also the brands exhibiting at the Hyperion Hotel – a looming tower of interest – is overflowing with all types and levels of independents

April 26th, 2019, was an important date for Polish history. Dedicated to Poland’s?most famous composer and virtuoso pianist Frederic Chopin, a high-end watch brand bearing his name was presented. International journalists and several highly regarded guests gathered in Warsaw to witness the event.The Fryderyk Franciszek Chopin institute and museum in WarsawHistorical facts about Frederic?Chop

The month of March on Fratello was one of pure, unbridled joy. We had a lot of fun with our biggest, most hectic competition yet. We were sorry to see it end but we’ve found ways to keep the fun alive. Dave and I are currently exploring a few “What If?” scenarios that illustrate what would have happened had the mighty Czapek fallen at any hurdle. Additionally, we have the small m

Among the watches I have, one of them has a very special meaning to me: the Omega Constellation. For me, the passion for this model started in the 90s when Cindy Crawford inspired so many women to get a Constellation - including my mom - who bought one for me.For others, it all started even earlier. And that passion still burns strong. We see this regularly, as love for this watch is shared and re

It's not too hard to find a watch to your liking in the twenty-plus Astron collection; they range from traditional to exuberant with plenty of flavors in between. The Seiko Astron GPS Solar SSH093J1 watch is a limited edition of 1,400 pieces, and it mixes two extremes: highly noticeable, clear blue elements set to an easy-on-the-eye, almost subdued silvery white background. And instead of lightwei

Last week we held the first Speedy Tuesday Event again. It’s been a long time since the last one (for one obvious reason that has affected all of us). We received an incredibly high amount of registrations, but we were limited (no pun intended) to 50 people in total. For these 50 persons, Fratello and Omega hosted the Speedy Tuesday Event at the Omega headquarters in Biel, with quite some ni

Yes, at 44.5mm the new Vero Workhorse is a large watch. I did try, but no shirt cuff will accept this big boy except my unbuttoned denim shirt. But despite its size, it looks like nothing else, that might be a winning formula. I enjoyed the first release from Vero Watches. The Open Water saw the brand on a path of tool-inspired watches with a very modern design language. And though it would have b

Last week, I got on a plane to Stuttgart, where Porsche Design hosted an event to mark its 50th anniversary. We were taken to the impressive Porsche museum in a fleet of black Taycans, where we were greeted by a speech from Porsche Design's CEO Jan Becker. Afterward, Porsche Design CDO Roland Heiler brought us up the stairs into the main showroom, where we were shown a number of highlights from th