Showing The Code 11.59 By Audemars Piguet Some Love
Five years ago, at Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (aka SIHH, the predecessor to Watches and Wonders), Audemars Piguet shocked the watch world. When AP launched the all-new Code 11.59 By Audemars Piguet collection, the reception was lukewarm at best, but most reactions were straight-up negative. In particular, the dial design got a proper beating. To be fair, I didn't care much for it either. The 41mm Selfwinding’s lacquered dial with its three Arabic numerals didn't seem to fit a Haute Horlogerie watch with a ditto price tag. But now it’s 2024, and AP has presented two Code 11.59 By Audemars Piguet Selfwinding models that show progress. I decided to show the 41mm and ...
Nacho's Favorite Watches And Wonders 2024 Releases
It’s been a week since we flew back from Watches and Wonders 2024. These last seven days have served well in processing everything we saw during the show. As much as the consensus might be that this year was a bit slower than the last two, there were still plenty of new watches. Brands seem to have aimed more at doing a spot of housekeeping and subtle refinement (with some notable exceptions, of course). Having had the benefit of being able to mull it over, I didn’t have too much trouble finding five favorites from the show.In putting together this list of favorite Watches and Wonders releases, I’ve decided to try to include some watches that fall slightly outside my comfor...
Artem Improves The Classic Sailcloth Watch Strap With Pin Buckle
I appreciate a manufacturer that listens and responds to customer feedback to evolve its products. It seems obvious to most that this should be the case. But you may be surprised how many companies mindlessly ignore criticism to focus on churning out the same stock. Thankfully, Artem continually seeks improvement to maintain its customer base and expand its horizon. As with Artem’s Loop-Less? sailcloth strap, the Australian outfit applies the lessons on comfort and out-of-the-box wearability to its classic collection. Does it work? Let’s strap in.The Classic sailcloth collection is where Artem cut its teeth. Before its expansion into NATO straps, hybrid FKM rubber, and colors, th...
Fake Daytona in Kill Bill Vol.2
Yesterday, I finally watched volume 2 of Kill Bill. The first part was great in my opinion, and the second part is nice, but not great. In fact, the only reason to see it is to finally witness how Bill is being Killed.Anyway (to keep it on-topic), in part two I noticed this Daytona she (Uma Thurman) uses to check her predictor-stick. At first I thought it was cool that she has such a nice masculine watch. Later on, when I examined the still images on my PC, it was clearly a fake Daytona. What a bummer....
Speedy Tuesday OMEGA Museum Photo Report
It is Speedy Tuesday! Just a few months ago, Bert Buijsrogge and I visited the OMEGA museum in Biel, Switzerland. With the focus on Speedy Tuesday, Bert took some photos of the Speedmasters (and Flightmasters), Apollo suit and NASA equipment (including the Moon buggy prototype). If you remember correctly, we already did a report on the OMEGA museum a while ago (click here), but lacking the photographic skills of Bert of course.Except for the beautiful vintage Speedmaster Professional from Bert above, on the NASA console (used for the Apollo space programme), we don’t have any descriptions for the rest of the 77 photos. Just sit back and enjoy. If you have any specific questions regardi...
Speedy Tuesday OMEGA Speedmaster Pro Racing
Speedmaster Pro Racing 3570.40It’s Speedy Tuesday! The moment you’ve all been waiting for. This week’s Speedy Tuesday is about the Speedmaster Professional Racing models, both old & new. You probably know the re-edition that OMEGA did in 2004, the reference?3570.40.00 Speedmaster Professional. Last week, we received photos from one of our readers’ (Martijn Hofman) Speedmaster Pro 3570.50 that was converted to this Racing edition by his watchmaker. The reference 3570.30 model was for the Japanese market, but apparently the dial and hands are still available as spare parts. More about customization? Check Shane’s Speedmaster Paramedic here.As you can see, the ...
RGM 801 Corps of Engineers Watch
Truth to be told, my knowledge is limited regarding American watch brands. Of course I know the big brands, some of their mile stones perhaps a bit more in detail, but that’s basically it. Not that I am not interested in them, but since I live and work in Europe and am being ‘covered’ in Swiss and German watches here, there are not many occasions I can use to learn about them. What’s more, their availability here in Europe is very limited. Very limited. I trust that our contributor Michael Stockton, who actually has its roots close to the American watch making area (near RGM) in Pennsylvania, will do an in-depth article on American watches and its industry some day, t...
Why The A. Lange & Sohne 1815 Chronograph Is My Favorite Dress Chronograph
A pink gold chronograph with a black dial. To me, that’s the perfect combination for a chronograph that can be worn during diners, on formal occasions but perhaps even with a nice pair of sneakers and a polo shirt. The A. Lange & Sohne 1815 Chronograph in this article is not entirely new, but this combination of pink gold and black was introduced to us in Geneva, earlier this year. Actually, this combination already existed in 2004. Be it that the subdials were done in silver/off-white, a reverse panda dial if you wish. The 1815 chronograph changed a bit over time, like a slightly larger case (and with slightly I mean slightly, just 0.5mm) and an update on the movement. The current...
The Hamilton Jazzmaster automatic chronograph leaves a lasting impression
Part of the appeal of the Jazzmaster collection is the beautiful balance of contemporary aesthetic and traditional watchmaking expertise. In 2019 Hamilton welcomes brand new automatic chronographs as hero pieces in its most refined collection. Their understated style is a style statement in itself.The contemporary H-21 automatic chronograph movement boasts a date function as well as a seamless 60-hour power reserve. The movement is based on the traditional ETA 7750 Valjoux movement, which is known for its quality. Hamilton has adapted it and made it more powerful to deal with the demands of modern life.Visit www.hamiltonwatch.com for more information.Polished stainless steel cases are mascul...
Top 10 Omega Speedmaster Articles
We show you the Top 10 Speedmaster articles in the last 12 months with the most reads.This means, of course, that more recently published articles received less ‘views’ than the ones that were already there 12 months ago. However, it will give a pretty good idea of what you like to read here.The Speedy Tuesday articles appear every week on Fratello, since 2012. We’ve written more than 360 Speedy Tuesday articles in total, which you can all find on this page. After our first Speedy Tuesday article in May 2012, it quickly grew out to become one of our most popular items here on Fratello. Also on Instagram, the Speedy Tuesday hashtag was quickly picked up. It became a ‘t...
#TBT Citizen Crystron Diver
Today, on #TBT we take a look at a Citizen Crystron Diver, a truly satisfying watch that won’t break the bank. In fact, a visit to the bank might not be necessary.I never tire of highlighting the tit for tat behavior exhibited by Seiko and Citizen. These days, the heavyweight Japanese duo duke it out but it’s less obvious because they’re also battling it out with others. But back in the ’70s and ’80s, things truly went back and forth like an Ali-Frazier bout.High-beat movements, quartz, and solar exemplify just some of the technologies where the two followed each other in lockstep. In 1973, Citizen debuted its first quartz watch under the Crystron name. This ans...
Greubel Forsey QP equation Perpetual Calendar In Red Gold
Greubel Forsey is known for taking functions a step further. They look at the way other brands have dealt with such complications, scratch that, and reinvent the way we see or use the “same” thing.Greubel Forsey consistently receives positive reviews. The brand’s revolutionary approach has proven to be successful in the past, especially with the QP equation, which has won 2017’s GPHG award for the Calendar Watch Prize.If it isn’t broken, don’t fix it - or so says the proverb. Few industries take this mantra to heart as ardently as our own. So, what happens to a watch that doesn’t see fit to change fundamentally? It will be released with a twist, of...
HYT SOONOW DROP THREE The Most Vivid Of Them All
HYT’s only model family that does not bear any chemical symbols, the SOONOW (as in Soon Now), is now a family of 5. Black and grey base tones with a touch of color, that’s what signifies the SOONOW collection typically. However, now there is a new addition, the most vibrant of them all - the HYT SOONOW DROP THREE.With its exciting and audacious colors of orange, turquoise, and burgundy red, the SOONOW brings a fresh design outlook to the table. The very first SOONOW models were already extraordinary. HYT integrated its (genuinely) unique fluidic mechanism and convoluted, skull-shaped capillary into this model family. The SNOONOW DROP THREE goes one step further with its astonishi...
Watch Giveaway: SYE MOT1ON Automatic 24 Black Edition Seeks Partner
Not so long ago, I shared my thoughts on the new SYE MOT1ON meca-quartz chronograph, which brand founder Arnaud was kind enough to let me go hands-on with. I found it to be creative, proportionally interesting, and a satisfyingly executed concept. As I’ve made patently clear in the past, I’m a fan of the current meca-quartz “movement” we’re seeing in this $300C$600 bracket. I think there is a lot of upside to these affordable, reliable, technically interesting (enough) battery-powered modules. However, I’m not deaf to the criticism directed at any watch that lacks a mechanical beating heart. Thankfully for those that loved the SYE concept but yearned for a...
Hands-On: The New Tudor Black Bay Chrono M79360N (Both Versions)
Now that the Watches & Wonders dust has settled, it is time to have a closer look at some of the new watches. One of the most discussed watches is definitely the new Tudor Black Bay Chrono M79360N.Truth be told, I saw the Tudor Black Bay Chrono M79360N first on pictures, not in the flesh. A day after its introduction, we received the new Tudor Black Bay Chrono M79360N watches in our office, however. These models are chronographs with column-wheel and vertical clutch mechanisms. They are priced around $5,000/$5,225.Tudor Black Bay Chrono M79360NMy colleagues Gerard and Lex were in Brussels at and Tudor, on the day of introduction. Consequently, those of us back at HQ received some quick ...
New Watch Release: TAG Heuer Monaco Green Dial Limited Edition
My favorite Tag Heuer silhouette receives a new facelift with the TAG Heuer Monaco Green Dial Limited Edition release. Green dials have been a bit of a hype colorway this year, and you know what? I'm entirely OK with that. I'm not one to jump on the bandwagon, but when a brand does the hype color as nicely as this, I can only sit back and admire the view.This tasty green-dialed beauty is limited to just 500 pieces. It celebrates this year's Grand Prix de Monaco Historique, of which TAG Heuer is the Official Sponsor. The TAG Heuer Monaco is also the Official Watch of the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix. This goes to show there is more than just a tenuous link between the Monaco watch and its Pr...
Seiko Astron GPS Solar KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS Limited Edition Watch
The Seiko Astron GPS KOJIMA PRODUCTIONS Limited Edition SSH097J1 shows a design that is inspired by Ludens, a signature icon of the Tokyo-based creative studio. Game creator Hideo Kojima established the studio in 2015 under the slogan From Sapiens to Ludens.Let's start with an ultra-short Latin class: the Latin word ludens unfortunately has no direct equivalent in English, as it simultaneously refers to sport, play, school, and practice. But you get the drift. The term Homo ludens was first used by the Dutch historian Johan Huizinga in 1938. It was the title of his book that discusses the importance of the play element of culture and society. The humanoids called ludens are a fictional race ...
Horological Society NY Awards $100,000 To Watchmaking Students
Not everything with a century-old history in the watch world comes out of Switzerland. There is one thing in the US that has stood the test of time - the Horological Society of New York. Founded in 1866, HSNY is one of the oldest continuously operating horological associations in the world. We had a few interviews with its movers and shakers in 2020. Now, it is great to once again witness the Society’s efforts for the future of this field.HSNY recently announced its largest sum to date in financial aid for watchmaking students and schools at its annual gala. During the evening, the Society also raised an additional $18,000, which it says it will use “toward its mission of advanci...
Orient Kamasu In Oxblood Red Hands-On Review
We all know that the watch world is awash with endless tales of hyperbole, obfuscation, and the occasional bits of outright misinformation. Many of us have heard the stories of watch movements being used in pricey timepieces with manufacturing or design origins not exactly living up to that which is claimed. We've also become all too familiar with the blatant fantasies that are often attached and presented as truth to the backstories of nascent start-ups, or mushroom brands, as they are sometimes known. In response to these pervasive falsehoods, the astute watch collector has adopted a cynical outlook, being ever vigilant and quick to pounce when confronted with deceptive marketing. For ever...
Credor Phoenix GCBR997 A Secret Explorer Alternative
If you read my story a couple of weeks ago on the brilliant Seiko Credor Phoenix chronograph, you might think I'm mad. And yes, I also recently penned a story on consolidating a collection, based on my own process of “downsizing”. Then why am I on a spending spree the week after, buying not one, but TWO off-the-beaten-path Credors? I didn't mean to, honestly, but the wishy-washy working title for this story says it all. It’s written on our content schedule as “Time Only Credor Dress/field watch”. The millennial-vintage 38mm Credor Phoenix is impossible to categorize, and therein lies its charm.The 38mm Credor Phoenix is one of those watches that you discover on ...