Fratello On Air: Balazs & Mike Are Finally Face To Face
Fratello On Air returns with an episode in which both hosts are finally in the same room. It took two years, but the dynamic duo is together again. Face to face - “reunited and it feels so good!”...
Hamilton Khaki Pilot Pioneer Mechanical Chronograph Hands-On
In the 1970s, Hamilton supplied British Royal Air Force pilots with hand-wound chronographs. The new Hamilton Khaki Pilot Pioneer Mechanical Chronograph is a tribute to the watches used by Lightning, Harrier Jump Jet, and Vulcan pilots. Inside the 40mm steel case beats the hand-wound H-51-Si movement, and looking at the dial, it seems little has changed. But let's find out how the new version holds up in a hands-on review.Back in 2017, Mike Stockton wrote about the original chronograph that Hamilton made for the RAF back in the 1970s. In his conclusion, he stated, The Hamilton Military Chronograph is a really purposeful looking watch with great history. The fact that these watches were reall...
Hands-On: MeisterSinger Bell Hora Black/Gold
A German watchmaker building its name around a concept of imprecise time telling seems like a rather interesting paradox. The company espouses a watch to keep time in a highly intuitive manner, a concept so successful that the brand’s tagline reads The Single-hand Watch. And who is famous for one-handed watches? MeisterSinger is. Today, we take look at the latest from this German brand - the chiming Bell Hora in its Black/Gold colorway.Having thrived in the single-hand-watch niche for over 20 years with a myriad of offerings under its belt, MeisterSinger decided to soup up its early jump-hour model, the Salthora. The independent brand has modified the jump-hour mechanism and pulled a r...
Hands-On: The New Delma Shell Star Titanium Dive Watch
The Delma Shell Star lineup is made up of 27 references. These include quartz models with steel cases, automatic models (also in steel), and a trio of automatic divers in titanium. Of the first two denominations, many variations exist. Some models come on a bracelet, others on rubber or leather straps. Some have a bare-metal steel case, while others have a black DLC finish. There are also three primary colorways - blue, black, and orange. Then there are the lovely Decompression Timer models, which, as the name indicates, feature a decompression table on the dial. However, in my eyes, none of these models shine as brightly as the orange-dialed Delma Shell Star Titanium. I knew I had to get my...
Hands-On: The 41mm Hamilton Khaki Navy Frogman Auto
If seeing is believing, then chalk one up for the Hamilton Khaki Navy Frogman Auto. This is a watch that, based on pictures alone, wouldn’t normally speak to me. In person, though, this just might be one of my favorite sneaky releases of the year.It was way back in 2020 that I wrote a guide to the affordable Swatch Group divers. Watches from the massive company are obviously popular with everyday buyers, but I often think they’re overlooked by snooty watch-loving types. Whether we’re talking Certina, Mido, Tissot, or Hamilton, most of the models have an 80-hour power reserve along with a slew of sizes and colors. Plus, prices tend to hover around $1,200, which feels pretty ...
Favorite Watches Under $1,000: Thomas's Picks
I get to kick off this new series of challenges set by our managing editor Nacho. The premise is quite simple. We get a $1,000 budget per watch and one condition: all of our picks must be available to purchase new on the market today. Other than that, all that matters is that each writer likes the watches and would recommend them.I have added one little challenge for myself: I cannot already own the watches. So I went on the hunt for three watches under $1,000 that I would buy today. With those few premises out of the way, let's get into it!Favorite watches under $1,000 - Pick #1: Baltic Aquascaphe Dual-CrownThe first of my favorite watches under $1,000 comes from France. It is the Baltic Aq...
Hands-On: The Praesidus A-5 UDT
Military pieces are a special category in the world of watches. Always driven by functionality in the field of operations, they represent the opposite of the usual luxury ambitions. As a result, the modern reiterations of these classics are often a breath of fresh air in an industry full of luxury overload. A good example of honoring those great designs of the past is the American brand Praesidus. We have reviewed several of the brand’s A-11 models that were released recently. Now the brand releases the new A-5 UDT dive watch. This is another historically inspired classic with a remarkable story and a classic military design with some quirky, functional details.Immediately upon taking ...
The Almighty Amida Digitrend Is Back
The ’70s were an extraordinary era in the watch industry. That decade gave us some of the most fantastic designs and timepieces that are still sought after among vintage collectors. Just think of watches like the Omega Flightmaster, the Zenith El Primero TV (ref. 01-200-415), or the topic of this article, the Amida Digitrend. While the Flightmaster or the El Primero played in a different league than the Digitrend, the Amida’s design language was undeniably distinct. After many decades of passivity, in 2024, the iconic Amida Digitrend is finally back.?As a fan of the original and who has owned multiple examples over the years, I received this news with pure excitement. Could the n...
Coffee With My Ex: The Seiko SRPE05 King Turtle
It is not often that I get to review a watch I’ve owned in the past. When Nacho put the Seiko SRPE05″King Turtle” on my desk, it was like unexpectedly running into an ex-girlfriend. So this review is a bit different for me. I am basically taking an ex out for coffee to compare how we both fared since the breakup. This can only end wellright?Luckily, we split up on speaking terms! And I can already tell you that we got along just as well as in the past. Join me for this hands-back-on review.The Seiko SRPE05 King Turtle upgradesThe Seiko SRPE05 is an interesting watch in the brand's impressive dive-watch catalog. It bridges the gap between the entry-level divers and the mid-r...
Revisiting The Hamilton Khaki Field Expedition
I still can’t usually remember how to use a compass bezel, but the prospect of a tougher, even more versatile Hamilton Khaki is tempting. By offering two of the subjectively best-sized case designs, the Hamilton Khaki Field Expedition covers most bases.We covered this release late last year, but it slipped under my radar, and I have recently rediscovered these rugged Khaki sports watches. By name and nature, this is a field watch, and as you can see from Nacho’s sharp shots, it’s a natural fit.What makes great versatility in a sports watch?In 2024, the wave of vintage-inspired wristwear is still as strong as it was two or even four years ago, and the Khaki line has become v...
How-to: use the slide-rule
Probably one of the most sought-after Breitling models is the Navitimer ref.806. However, not everyone (or every owner) knows how to use all the information on the dial in combination with the slide rule. Bill Sohne, a well known collector who’s active on the internet for years now, and Chuck Maddox (the ?e?ober Chronograph-meister) put the original manual online of the vintage Breitling 806 Navitimer APOA.It describes perfectly how to perform calculation with this watch, using the slide rule. Click here for the online manual.Scan of the manual below by Bill Sohne and published by Chuck Maddox.????...
Tudor Submariner A Historical Overview
If you know thing or two about watches you’ve probably heard about Tudor by now. You might also be aware of the fact that Tudor and have to do something with each other. founder Hans Wilsdorf founded Tudor as daughter company of the big crown. One of the daughter companies I should say, there were more brands in the stable.Tudor was meant to be able to offer a cheaper watch, but with the same high quality as its big brother. In many cases, only the wording on the dial and the movements that Tudor used were different to those from . Some collections were really similar, such as the Submariner. With this article about the Tudor Submariner I’d like to give you an overview of the ...
The Pierre Arpels Watch: Luxury Has A Name
What we're having today at the Fratello Head Quarters, is a real mens dress watch. A type of watch that is not often discussed here, but since this watch ?is such a prime example of what a dress watch should be, an exception has been made.Nowadays any watch, that's not a 47mm diver, is often called a dress watch. Even well known watch blogs, dare to?call a Datejust or Panerai Radiomir a dress watch and while many guys wear those watches with cuffed shirts and to wedding parties, it's a fact that many occasions require a different and more discreet type of watch, or no watch at all.Van Cleef & Arpels, well-known for their exclusive collection of jewelry and ladies watches, also has a gre...
The Hamilton Intra-Matic 68 Autochrono- Upsizing of the Poor Man's Heuer
Today, we'll take a look at another vintage inspired piece from Baselworld 2017, the Hamilton Intra-Matic 68. I know that it's #TBT day today, but I figured I'd continue to sprinkle in these new retro-styled pieces over the next month or so in case you're tired of fruitlessly searching eBay for the originals. We enjoyed this Hammy a bit more than most, so we thought it was worth a look.The Hamilton Intra-Matic 68 is BigFirst off, the Hamilton Intra-Matic 68 is controversial. When first shown a couple months back, it was a love at first sight internet darling and thenthe record needle abruptly skidded across the platter to a complete stop when fans came across the size. The formerly Lancaster...
CloseUp: Glashutte Original Senator Cosmopolite In Stainless Steel
For those who travel often, a watch with a second timezone indication is a useful tool. Especially when you travel through (and to) different timezones, a watch with a GMT function or (better yet) a world timer complication like this Glashutte Original Senator Cosmopolite can become a pleasant companion. I’ve been an avid traveller myself for a while when I was working for one of the Big Four companies a long time ago, and I noticed that bringing?your watch with second?timezone becomes part of the ritual when packing your gear. Nowadays, I travel mainly within Europe and the difference of an hour can easily be done without a GMT or world timer. The occasional travel to Asia or the Unit...
This Week in Watches May 4, 2019
Hola, watch fans!? It's time for This Week in Watches for May 4, 2019!This week was fairly eventful, but we've already covered some new releases in normal articles (such as the Rado Golden Horse and the Mido Multifort Patrimony) as we felt they were significant enough to give you more detail. ?But, this episode of This Week in Watches packs some really good stuff.? Granted, some might require raiding your pension fund or your kids’ university fund, but debt is good for everyone, right?? Before we begin, I always like to start with some sort of anecdote.? When I talk new watches with my Dad, he always makes comments like, wow, that's a lot of money or who buys these things or, my all-ti...
Tockr Air Defender Chronograph Hydro Dip 52Mondayz, Week #19-2020
When you’ve been in and around the watch industry for a while, new releases can sometimes seem a little stale. It isn’t that new watches are worse than they used to be. Far from it. In fact, they are technically “better” than ever. But with so much having been done to death, true novelty is hard to come by. Thank goodness, then, for brands like Tockr.When I first saw the Tockr Air Defender Chronograph I liked it. The first one I encountered has a really nice green sun-ray dial. It was cool. It was current. And it seemed a very on-brand product. But I didn’t rush out to buy one. Why? Because it didn’t make me. It looked a great product at a fair price, but ...
The Grand Seiko SBGP007 Is A Stunning Tribute To The Brand Itself
When it comes to press release justifications for celebrating a non-centennial anniversary, few have left me with as warm a feeling in my chest as Grand Seiko's recent explanation of the logic behind its 60th birthday extravaganza. A person's 60th birthday is significant in Japan's culture. At that age, a human has lived through all phases of the Zodiac. As such, it is time to begin again. And, to mark the onset of a new existential era, the Grand Seiko SBGP007 is a fitting release.Let's face it. There's a reason why Grand Seiko ranks close to the top of every Fratello team member's hot-list. While each team member is an individual with individual tastes, Grand Seiko unites us all. Why? Beca...
Sinn Hot Spot The Technologies Behind The U50 Novelties
Last week we covered Sinn’s latest releases. While we’re overjoyed to see some new variations coming out of Frankfurt am Main, we certainly cannot wait to get them in our hands, on our wrists, and out in the wild. In the meantime, let’s take a closer look at the technologies that make these new releases so special.Perhaps the most exciting news last week was not the news of a new model, but rather an update to an existing stalwart. The Sinn U1 has a new friend. The Sinn U50 is a smaller version of the popular tool diver. While the U1 measured 44mm, the U50 comes in at a more wearable 41mm width and 11.5mm height. That’s a reduction of 3mm, which is pretty significant ...
?? Minase Launches Urushi Makie Hakose 7 Windows (2021)
Minase's Masterpiece collection displays some of the most beautiful crafts of Japan. Gold-engraved cases, needle-art decorated dials, or silver filigree decorations, Minase has shown it is the master of many different traditional techniques. Now the Japanese brand expands on its artistry showcase with the new Urushi Makie Hakose watches. Until now, the Japanese brand used its popular 5 Windows watches to showcase this artistry. From now on, it will use the stunning 7 Windows model for the acclaimed Masterpiece collection.To mark the occasion, Minase teamed up with the famous makie artist, Junichi Hakose, and developed a series of 4 urushi-makie watches around the theme of Japanese nature. Co...