Event Recap: Windup Watch Fair San Francisco 2023
Windup Watch Fair - a multi-day, multi-vendor watch event - has come and gone from San Francisco. Organized by our colleagues at Worn & Wound, I attended all three days. In my opinion, it was a huge success. From Friday, April 28th to Sunday the 30th, hundreds of people came, handled watches they’d never seen in person before, talked with brand owners and designers, and, of course, bought watches. The weekend was filled with excitement as we met both new watches and people. For me, it reaffirmed the great service that the Windup fair is to the American watch community. It also got me thinking that we need more events like this around the world.I live in the San Francisco Bay Area, ...
Introducing: Four New Seiko Astron GPS Solar Watches
The Astron moniker has had a strong association with technological innovations in the world of horology since 1969. Given its impact on the world of mechanical watches in the ensuing years, for some, it may even be a name that brings about angst and sadness. In its current form, however, Seiko uses the Astron line to continue to push forward quartz technology, equipping these watches with the latest feature set. The newest Astron GPS Solar models lean into a familiar design style that we have seen permeate the market in the last several years.Today, I’ll guide you through the four latest references in the Seiko Astron GPS Solar collection - the SSJ013, SSJ014, SSJ015, and SSJ017.Irregu...
Hublot Big Bang Unico Nespresso Origin
Who would have thought? Hublot and Nespresso teamed up to create the perfect watch to feature in Monday Morning Coffee Corner Watch Talk, the Big Bang Unico Nespresso Origin. This 42mm chronograph is a limited edition of 200 pieces, and the lightweight alloy used for the case, bezel, pushers, and crown contains 28% aluminum from recycled Nespresso cups. The watch comes in a box made from traceable oak, while the two straps are made from recycled materials and contain a small percentage of coffee grounds. But despite the presence of this ingredient, the straps don't have a coffee aroma. The new green and bright green Big Bang is a second-life luxury product that won't save the planet, but it ...
Pre-Owned Spotlight: Watches From German Brands
There’s no doubt that most of us are mainly focused on Swiss(-made) watches. I also quickly scanned a few of the Pre-Owned Spotlight articles we’ve done, and most of them highlight Swiss watches as well. So why not go on a little excursion and see what Switzerland’s northern neighbors have to offer? There are so many well-respected German brands around, so it shouldn’t be too hard to find some nice pre-owned German watches, right?Thomas already went shopping for American watches recently, and I thought it was quite a good idea to focus on a particular country. So I simply made a list of the German brands I knew and started hunting down some gems over at Chrono24. In t...
Hands-On With Three Cuervo Y Sobrinos Buceador Caribes
When Cuervo y Sobrinos offered us a chance to check out its new additions to the Buceador collection, I jumped on the opportunity. I really enjoyed wearing the colorful Buceador Caribe in 2021 when we had it in for review. The summery colors and great wearability made the Buceador the perfect testament to the brand’s Cuban roots. So when Cuervo y Sobrinos announced three new variations of the watch, I knew it would bring back those great memories of the first Buceador Caribe. Besides offering additional colors, the dive watch now also comes with a new movement and a new mesh bracelet, so there’s plenty to check out.The story of Cuervo y Sobrinos resonated with me the first time I...
The Rise Of Independents: Changing The Horological Landscape
Contrary to what the title of this article may imply, independent watchmaking is nothing new. Most of the big names have been around for decades, and even their more meteoric rise is several years underway now. Still, the rise of independents is an indicator of a changing landscape that reaches beyond this handful of exalted creators. They are the tip of a much larger iceberg that is becoming a more and more prominent feature in the horological landscape.Answering a call for rarity, individuality, and uniqueness, small-scale watch companies are gaining traction. From microbrands to modders and from externally sourcing high-end watch brands to full-on independents, they are up and coming in a...
Hands-On: Yema Navygraf Slim CMM.20 Limited Edition
It’s been a little over a year since Yema introduced the current version of the Navygraf. The brand’s Navygraf II from the late ’70s inspired the design of the watch. I had a chance to go hands-on with the Navygraf Marine Nationale GMT last year, and I liked it. The updated style and the great comfort made for an attractive GMT. The remarkable thing is that the GMT version hadn’t received a follow-up until now. With the new Navygraf Slim CMM.20 Limited Edition, Yema releases a three-hand, time-only model that looks super stylish and is powered by the brand’s in-house micro-rotor movement. It makes for a classy limited-edition version of the Navygraf that I could...
The Best Watches Under $2,500: Lex's Picks
Full disclosure: I dreaded the moment I had to choose the best watches under $2,500. Why? Because what I think is under $2,500 isn't anymore. Yeah, go ahead. Call me out of touch and old-fashioned; it's okay. But you know what? My list of three watches came to me in a wave of clarity. And keeping within budget didn't prove an issue at all. The Certina DS Action GMT Powermatic 80 and the King Seiko don't even cross the $2K barrier. And the Oris Rectangular stays $350 under $2,500.Me picking the Certina DS Action GMT Powermatic 80 might not be the biggest surprise for Fratello frequenters. The watch, with its classic, bordering-on-retro looks paired with modern dimensions, caught my eye earlie...
Press Release Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso Ultra Thin 1948 Timeless elegance
A cult watch that has appealed to both men and women, the Reverso has shown up in all manner of fascinating guises since 1931. Featuring an attractive blend of elegance and sportiness, the Reverso became a great classic of the Art Deco cultural movement, of which it embodies the essential values: refinement, artistic craftsmanship and aesthetic clarity. Ever since its birth, and above and beyond its timekeeping function, the Reverso has played the role of a guardian of memories.The Grande Reverso Ultra Thin 1948 with its stainless steel case revives the spirit of a bygone era. Contrary to many models that enjoyed pre-war fame and were by then consigned to oblivion, the Reverso watch with the...
Volkel In The Clouds Sponsored By Hamilton
Since 3 years, Hamilton is the main sponsor of the Volkel Air Show in The Netherlands. This Air Show will take place on the 25th of May 2014, but Fratellowatches was invited to come to the press event that was held on the 7th of May.Hamilton’s ambassador and pilot Nicolas ‘The Quick Corsican’ Ivanoff (who currently races in the Red Bull Air Race World Series) was present to treat us with some impressive flying skills in his plane. Ivanoff will also be the first pilot to open the Air Show on the 25th of May.The association with aviation goes back a long way, to 1919. That was the year when a Hamilton watch ensured that the very first US airmail postal service flight was oper...
FW Classic 10 Tips For Better Watch Photography
A topic that is always actual for watch enthusiasts: watch photography! We published the “10 tips for better watch photography” early 2015 and would like to put it in the spot light again for those who have missed it or forgot about it.Watch photography is not easy, but with these 10 tips from top (watch) photographer Bert Buijsrogge (who did and still does?numerous shoots and campaigns for watch brands during the last couple of years) you should have a flying start. It also will show you that you don’t always need to have the most expensive gear and accessories, but that success is heavily depending on your own creativity.Once you’re done reading and learning from Be...
Who Says That Men Do Not Wear Jewelry? A Griffin Emblem Skeleton Timepiece Has Redefined This Concept!
It is really very difficult to find any ornament or jewelry item for men, in any part of the world. In fact, if you try to list down the jewelry items exclusively designed for men, you can count them on the fingers of your one hand! Griffin Emblem one of the best Timepiece designers have redefined this concept by launching a perfect watch to compliment your lifestyle and your wardrobe. It is well said that boys take a glance at their Smartphone to confirm the time and polished men take a look at their watch!The truth is most of the men like to flaunt their exclusive watches gracing the wrists because it is one of the best way that depicts their originality and standard of living adding chari...
Speedy Tuesday Speedmaster Geneva Auction Results
Last weekend was an important one for watch collectors and enthusiasts. Perhaps also for investors, I might add.?We’ve seen (or heard about) some of the results of the 6062 (5mio USD) and Daytona 6263 3.7mio USD) for example. You can debate the ‘hot air’ in these prices, but someone paid these amounts so it is as real as it gets. But what about the Omega Speedmaster watches we wrote about recently, that were auctioned through?Antiquorum and Christie’s. I am talking about the skeleton Speedmaster in gold and the two gold 1980 Speedmaster Professional Apollo XI pieces.Auction ResultsLet’s start with the piece that was skeletonized by no-one else than Armin Strom...
Hands-on with SevenFriday's Spaceship and Japan Inspired special edition
SevenFriday honoured us with not one but two review watches. Two of the latest additions to their growing collection, the M3/01 Spaceship, and the P1B/03 Japan Inspired models.SevenFriday, Spaceship and Japan models#gallery-1 {margin: auto;}#gallery-1 .gallery-item {float: left;margin-top: 10px;text-align: center;width: 50%;}#gallery-1 img {border: 2px solid #cfcfcf;}#gallery-1 .gallery-caption {margin-left: 0;}/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */Over the years we did a few SevenFriday articles, the first one was by Balazs in 2014 about two charity models (here’s the link), and the last one, by Robert Jan, was in fact about the introduction of the M3/01 Spaceship mode...
Chopard Mille Miglia 2019 Race Edition In Steel And Two-Tone
The Chopard Mille Miglia 2019 Race Edition is easily the coolest looking MM edition of the brand in a good few years at least for me.Last year Chopard celebrated the 30th year of their partnership with Mille Miglia, a prestigious car race that goes from Brescia to Rome and then back to Brescia covering over 1,600km in the south of Italy. If you are a watch nerd, you have probably heard the name Mille Miglia in connection with Chopard. Like this one of their, if not the, longest running partnerships, one can expect something special from Chopard in connection to Mille Miglia every year. Like they did in the past, Chopard released two models this year to celebrate the partnership; a 1000-piece...
#TBT Breitling SuperOcean ref 2005
What are you going to write about a watch that so many people know? my wife asks me this week. I told her to count all the articles written about Speedmasters.These are my confessionsThe Breitling SuperOcean ref 2005 you see here can take a break after 50 years of being ready to sink into 600 foot waters. It is not only because I do not dive, I do not swim! One would call me a perfect fit for this late 1960s diver. To be perfectly precise, I can't swim. Which means I can guarantee that this Breitling SuperOcean will never see water in the years to come. The closest it will get to the ocean will be stretching it here over the map. a map that took a few calls and a bit of driving around the ci...
Fratello On Air #15 Our favorites From Breitling And W&W
It has been a while and we feel kinda guilty we didn’t do a Fratello on Air podcast sooner. But here it is, Mike and RJ picking two of their favorite watches from Watches & Wonders 2020.Besides that, we discuss the Watches & Wonders 2020 event in general. Will it become a digital-only?event in the future? We don’t think so, as we want to hold the watches in our hands and try them on our wrists before we start writing. We had to make concessions for Watches & Wonders. That said, there were able to create a digital environment for press and retailers in a very short period. It all worked flawlessly and we had all the materials within a few clicks. But still, to us it is...
This Week in Watches: May 16, 2020 News Edition
Welcome to This Week in Watches for May 16, 2020, the news edition. We’ve got a surprising amount of it today, so let’s get after it!Union Glashutte Noramis DatumUnion Glashutte sent us news of their newest Noramis Datum. The 40mm watch is already available in typical dial colors, but there’s now an attractive British racing green model with cordovan strap. The stainless model has a domed sapphire crystal and sapphire case back. The UNG 7.01 (ETA 2892) powers the Noramis. This newest model isn’t on the Union site yet, but keep checking. Pricing checks in at $1,860.Frederique Constant Yacht Timer Regatta CountdownNext up is news of a new Frederique Constant Yacht Timer...
Parmigiani Fleurier Introduces Tonda Metropolitaine And Tonda Selen
The world of women’s watches is officially getting more interesting. Parmigiani Fleurier has cast its hat into the ring with a spirited mash-up of diamonds, aventurine, lace, and mother-of-pearl. This latest Tonda is something special, but definitely not for the faint-hearted…Parmigiani has always been famous for its design. From the technical to the aesthetic, PF is known for pushing boundaries. The Tonda Collection often offers the perfect blend of modern lines and luxury embellishments. The range works well for men and women, primarily because it is a great canvas for expression. With the new Parmigiani Tonda Metropolitaine and Tonda Selen models, the brand exercises its creat...
Tudor Black Bay .925 Sterling Silver (2021) Stands Out From Crowd
Let's not ask why Tudor thought is it was a good idea to make a diver's watch in silver. Let's not try to explain the silver case from a historical or instrumental viewpoint. I don't think I can. Can you? I don't think anyone can. But when you look at it with an open mind, things are becoming easier and clearer. Because the Silver Bullet that is the Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight 925, is a watch that sweeps in under the functionality radar and aims to strike at the heart of the watch lover. Let's find out if this Tudor hit the bullseye.Silver is a strange and specific choice when it comes to creating a watch that is, at its core, an instrument for divers. Silver is a relatively soft alloy that ...