Fratelli Stories: Collecting Vintage Watch Ads
In this edition of Fratelli Stories, reader Antonio shares how his father’s passion for vintage Seiko and Omega sparked his very own love of watches. But it was old ads that truly sucked him into the hobby.Imagine flicking through an old magazine or publication one day at a secondhand store and coming across one of those old ads. You know the ones that start with “If you were . . . you’d wear a .” Chances are, if you see this vintage watch ad, you might well have a feeling of nostalgia. I probably would. For Fratello reader Antonio, vintage watches come alive in old ads, and he has become not only a firm collector of vintage dive watches but old ads as well.An enthus...
Is Tudor Forcing Its Hand With Too Many Special Editions?
Last week, Tudor released a 1,908-piece limited run of Black Bay 58 watches with a special dial to celebrate Inter Milan winning the Italian Serie A football league. Other recent Tudor specials were two Pelagos FXD Alinghi Red Bull Racing Edition timepieces. And there’s also the Pelagos FXD Chrono Cycling Edition made for the Tudor Pro Cycling Team. Oh, let’s not forget the pink-dial Black Bay Chrono linked to Inter Miami FC through the club’s co-owner and Tudor brand ambassador David Beckham. And with Tudor sponsoring the Red Bull-owned Visa Cash App RB F1 Team, billions of people also get to see a lot of special Tudor watches. What's this surge in specials good for? Is th...
Hands-On: The Monarque M Diver From Millechron
Dive watches are the go-to for many watch collectors. They outstrip the standard “tool watch” moniker with, usually, enhanced specs, such as better water resistance. As a result, dive watches are usually aimed at those professionals for whom they are designed. You know, divers. These days, this results in an instantly recognizable aesthetic that is often “function over form.” That said, dive watches were typically smaller and more reserved 50C60 years ago. We only have to look at the classic Submariner as an example. The watch I have before me today certainly errs toward the classic sensibilities of the Submariner while not aping its oft-copied aesthetics. Say hello ...
The Purists view on Omega
Alex at WatchRap.com asks the following:“Omega seems to have a good history and nice design. But my perception is that the Purists do not really rate Omegas? Or am I mistaken?”I don’t consider myself to be a Purist or member of the Purists, because I rarely post there. However, for a ‘generic’ or ‘public’ forum, it is one of the best around so I like to lurk over there.I would expect that Omega is not in the league of most Purists, because Omega isn’t exactly a manufacturer. But, as one of the answers demonstrate, Omega seems to get ‘mad props’ because of its diversity, history and classics (e.g. Speedmaster). Although I am persona...
Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711/1R Is Gold Allowed?
Perhaps I changed a bit during the last few years or at least my taste did, but I am warming up to gold watches. Not only did I think they were often too gaudy, tacky or whatever label you want to use, I also was of the opinion that certain watches should be in stainless steel only. The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Patek Philippe Nautilus are perfect examples of that thought.However, like I wrote, I am warming up to gold watches and even gold versions of these classic stainless steel luxury sports watches. Not how Gerald Genta meant them to be perhaps, but as long as it is done with the utmost respect to the original design, I can be fine with it. However, I am still a bit of a purist and a...
Rafael Nadal's Richard Mille RM 27-02 Dedicated To Tennis
Remember our trip to Richard Mille in the Swiss Jura? We reported about it here, being amazed by the high-level of craftsmanship and dedication, a trip to remember and definitely increased our appreciation for this high-end watchmaking manufacture. We were told during the SIHH in Geneva that they would bring some novelties during 2015 instead of unleashing them all at once on us (we were already happily surprised by their efforts to put this beautiful ladies watch on the market).One of the novelties is being introduced today, the Richard Mille RM27-02, a manual winding tourbillon caliber dedicated to tennis. No wonder, as Rafael Nadal is their ambassador since quite a while, that he will be ...
MB&F LM1 Silberstein Sapphire Crystal Balance Bridge and AS Primary Colours
Let me start by telling you this is a crazy watch, in a very positive way. Maximilian Busser and friends (in this case Alain Silberstein, Kari Voutilainen and Eric Giroud amongst others) introduced this Legacy Machine version ‘LM1 Silberstein’ today.Knowing MB&F a bit, the internet will be flooded with this novelty today. And that is justified, as the combination of MB&F and?Alain Silberstein makes my horological heart tick faster. You read that correctly, I am not only into (relatively) affordable watches or chronographs from a specific brands, I love these awesome MB&F timepieces very much so as well. It is also hard not to love these watches, as they are the result...
Interview: Thompson Watch & Clock Repairs
The job of a watchmaker is a dream of many of us watch enthusiasts and collectors. Sitting behind the light green desk, observing the movement through a loupe and making like minded people happy again by returning their watch repaired or completely overhauled. If possible, a nice view in the background, like the Swiss Alps for example.Not for Jacob Thompson, he is in Australia and therefore the Swiss Alps are lacking but all other boxes can be ticked off. He loves the watchmaking job and is occupied with repairs and overhauls for us, watch collectors and enthusiasts.Jacob is the owner of his recently started company Thompson Watch & Clock Repairs in Sydney Australia, after having worked ...
#TBT on #TBT The Top 10 Best Read #TBT Articles
Fratello Watches has a strong focus on vintage watches. Ever since 2004 we’ve been covering vintage watches once in a while, but since 2015 we have a steady feature on them with our #TBT articles. We think it is about time to list the best read #TBT articles so far.Top 10 Best Read #TBT ArticlesYou will find Seiko to dominate this list, but you’re probably not surprised about that. Seiko watches are interesting, most of the time affordable and have a lot to offer. The other brands will not be a surprise as well. Some of the smaller brands that we’ve covered in our #TBT feature did not make it to the Top 10, but are certainly not less interesting. Unknown makes them perhaps ...
William Wood Valiant Collection 52Mondayz, Week #22-2020
Brands emerge from all kinds of places. A dream, an opportunity, or a legend that deserves to be known, are all possibilities. Roll those three together and you have the story of the William Wood Valiant, created to honor the life and work of a storied firefighter.William “Willie” Wood served in the British fire service for more than a quarter of a century. By the end of his career, he had amassed a list of merits and plaudits of which anyone could be proud. His grandson, Jonny Garrett, the founder of William Wood Watches, is one such person. Driven by a desire to commemorate his late grandfather’s achievements, Garrett started a company that has since racked up a few impre...
30 mm Chronometer by Erich Lexer A Book For Every Vintage Omega Fan
Vintage watch collecting is a fantastic hobby for many reasons. Firstly, you have an endless number of timepieces from the past. And there’s always more to discover. It’s fun to explore “new” models from time-to-time. Then, there are those neat stories about them. This one was worn by a pilot in World War II. That one was the president’s favorite piece. Perhaps you’ll find a model made famous by a famous wrist? But what I love the most about vintage watches are those beautiful books written about them like “30 mm Chronometer” by Erich Lexer.I think I heard about this project a while ago from someone. Not sure who it was. Then last year, during ...
Roger Dubuis Excalibur Diabolus in Machina
The watch industry is certainly no stranger to dichotomy. A solid gold dive watch. A million-dollar, mud-resistant survival watch. And new from Roger Dubuis, a minute repeater in a case that can only be described as the Knights of the Round Table…in space.None can best Roger Dubuis's commitment to traditional craft within complex constructions, but it wasn't always this way.Roger Dubuis HistoryRoger Dubuis laid the foundations for his namesake brand in the mid-nineties. Surprisingly, as the classic, round, Bi-retrograde timepieces could easily be confused as hailing from the forties. 2005's Excalibur was a dramatic departure that would later shape the format for Roger Dubuis's contempo...
Collecting Omega Speedmasters (2021): Kelvin's Story
Collecting watches is also about sharing this passion with others. There’s little or no fun in just collecting without talking about (your) watches with other like-minded people, right? Last year we brought you a number of collectors’ stories from Speedmaster enthusiasts. Today we have Kelvin who wants to share his story on the new Speedmaster Professional.Kelvin started collecting watches in 2012. Not with an Omega Speedmaster, but with a pre-owned Sea-Dweller Deepsea. Today, he has a number of watches, including the new Omega Speedmaster Professional Master Chronometer. It isn’t Kelvin’s first Speedmaster watch though. It is his third, and - hopefully - this one wi...
Tudor Black Bay Ceramic (2021) A Submariner Successor?
The whispers have been doing the rounds recently. We knew it was coming. The first major post-WAW release has just dropped and it’s come from Tudor. The hotly anticipated release promised big things. History hyped our hopes. The present day has not necessarily disappointed me, but it has left me shocked. The new Tudor Black Bay Ceramic dive watch seems to me like the industry equivalent of throwing a 99-yard Hail Mary with your eyes closed…A no-look score is cool to see. When it goes for points, that is. Messing up that kind of reckless play is sure to leave you looking foolish. So what do we make of this ballsy, certainly unexpected move from Tudor? Smart? Daring? Brazenly reckl...
Seiko 5 SNK805 Takes On The Timex MK1 Mechanical (2021)
Are you ready? I can't hear you! I said, are you ready?!? The temperatures are climbing, doors are opening, and planes are starting to fly. Summer is on the way and there's nothing better than an inexpensive watch match-up to set the scene! This time, we step away from dive watches and focus on military inspired watches. It's the Timex MK1 Mechanical versus a longstanding favorite in the Seiko 5 SNK805.I love these throwdown articles! In fact, one of my earliest Summer Special articles sat around as a Fratello favorite for quite some time. That article showed the venerable Seiko SKX007 alongside the equally beloved Citizen NY0040. Today, we switch up the brands a bit, but only a bit. Seiko e...
Seiko Prospex Save The Ocean Special Edition Diver's Antarctica Watches
Global warming. Whether it's from us humans heating things up by what we do and/or mother nature having hot flashes, it's a thing. A big thing. Just ask the exhausted polar bears who have to swim for many more miles to reach the ice they need to hunt for seals. And when polar bears are struggling on the North Pole, life on the South Pole must also be in dire straits. The Seiko Prospex Save The Ocean Special Edition Diver's Antarctica watches hint that the Japanese manufacturer keeps a watchful eye on the coldest, windiest, and (weirdly) driest continent on Earth. The tiny penguin footsteps on the dial are proof of that.Antarctica is the world's largest marine sanctuary. The frozen continent ...
The New Le Regulateur Louis Erard x Massena LAB (2022)
Louis Erard is an exciting brand that strives to offer accessible luxury watchmaking with traditional styling. Over the past few years, the brand has also worked with some heavy-hitting names to produce collaborations that have caught the eyes and the hearts of the community. You may recall Le Regulateur Louis Erard x Vianney Halter or the two collaborative series in conjunction with Alain Silberstein. There are more, but these two watches stick most vividly in my mind. Now, Louis Erard has teamed up with industry veteran William Massena’s Massena LAB to produce a new Le Regulateur with distinct vintage marine chronometer vibes.I don’t know about you, but I wouldn’t have au...
Introducing The New Breitling Navitimer Cosmonaute Limited Edition
In March 1962, Mercury Seven astronaut Scott Carpenter requested revered pilot-watch maker Breitling to develop a watch capable of space flight. The requirements were a 24-hour dial display and a more pronounced bezel for operation with gloves. A few days before the triple-orbit Mercury-Atlas 7 flight, Breitling delivered the watch to Carpenter for use onboard Aurora 7. Despite the success of the primary objectives, re-entry was compromised, and Carpenter’s capsule was 400km adrift from the target. Carpenter struggled to keep himself and the capsule afloat for fifty-five minutes as rescue services scrambled to locate him. The watch saw irreparable damage with salt-water ingress beneath...
Watch Strap Review 60 Godana From Korea
As I’ve explained in the past, one of the ideas behind Watch Strap Review was to feature ateliers from all over the world. We have presented many different brands from all corners of the globe through the years, but we have never had anyone from Korea. Until today, that is. Godana, today’s feature, comes from South Korea. I have received two straps from the founder in a classy and elegant package. Thanks to the postal service, we had a bit of excitement, but they finally landed on my table a few weeks ago.I was amazed by the sheer size of the carton box these two straps came in. Once I opened it, I realized that the attention to detail that goes into the packaging at Godana is se...
Five Fun Omega Swatch MoonSwatch Alternatives For Summer
There’s no question that the Omega Swatch Speedmaster MoonSwatch has become an international phenomenon. Some of us (this guy included) naively thought that these 11 watches just might fly under the radar. OK, well, maybe not everywhere. But at least you’d be able to buy them in SOME cities… right? Wrong! The hype certainly exceeded at least MY expectations. It seemed like everyone and their moms wanted to buy this colorful collab! Unfortunately, buying a MoonSwatch now is easier said than done, and that has left a foul taste in many watch lovers’ mouths. Those who thought the colorful MoonSwatch might be perfect for summer sadly may not even have a chance to get one ...