#TBT The Mad Max Citizen Super Jet Auto Dater
Many collectors don’t look at vintage Citizen watches when searching for their next dress piece. I hope that the Citizen Super Jet Auto Dater can change their minds.?I was not hunting for a specific watch model here. In complete honesty, I was after the movement only. I mean, I didn’t want to buy just the movement, but it was why I was looking for a Citizen Jet Auto Dater. I remember how fascinated I was when I read Mike’s article about his watch almost five years ago.Angry rotorAt the moment of purchase, I considered the dial style, but it was not my top priority. I couldn’t stop staring at the 360-degree geared rotor with an oscillating mass around half of its perim...
Breitling Marks 70 Years Of The AVI Co-Pilot
Today is a watch launch bonanza from Breitling. The brand does not want to stagger the releases and unveils seven new watches within the AVI range. This line began with the Breitling AVI Ref. 765 1953 Re-Edition from 2020, which now sits alongside 14 watches ranging from 41mm to 46mm in diameter. Each new 42mm Classic AVI chronograph pays homage to classic aircraft. The 46mm Super AVI Mosquito Night Fighter extends the Chronograph GMT range with an in-house Breitling B04 caliber and black ceramic case. Last but not least is my favorite, the stunning AVI Ref. 765 1964 Re-Edition with a manually wound in-house Breitling B09 caliber and period-correct Hesalite crystal. The 1964 re-edition has a...
Introducing: The Nivada Grenchen Antarctic-Diver
Nivada’s vintage catalog is exquisite, to say the least. From time-only models to chronographs, the brand had much to offer in its heyday. Since the relaunch of Nivada Grenchen, the lovely people behind the brand have concentrated mainly on chronographs, especially the Chronomaster and Datomaster models. Then there was the Antarctic family, a line offering budget time-only watches that are equally popular among the fans. But one thing was still missing - a “recreational” dive watch. While the Depthmaster could be considered a diver, with a 1000m depth rating, it’s more like a professional mini-submarine. Yet the void is now filled with the introduction (or rather rein...
Lex's GADA Watch: Oris Momotaro Divers Sixty-Five
Love at first sight. I experienced that with a pair of Momotaro jeans in 2018. But when the Oris Momotaro Divers Sixty-Five Special Edition came out in 2020, my heart didn't go into overdrive. I did like the denim strap with the two white Battle Stripes that the Japanese denim brand is famous for. However, the combination of the sea-green dial, cream indexes, and black bezel with bronze rim looked over the top to me. But when I saw the watch in the metal, strapped it on, and looked at it again two years later, I knew I had been wrong. The combination of colors and materials just works. And the strap not only perfectly complements my Momotaro jeans but also pairs well with denim jeans, shirts...
Favorite Watches Under $1,000 In 2023 RJ's Picks
Our latest challenge among Fratello editors is to come up with our favorite watches under $1,000, and I guess I’m one of the last ones to chip in. It's not easy to do so for me, and I will also tell you why without trying to be snobbish.As my colleague Nacho already wrote in his overview of watches under $1,000, many brands have increased their prices and disappeared from the sub-$1,000 range. Brands like Nomos, Oris, Longines, and Sinn had watches for just under $1,000 for a long time. This price range has now become the territory of just a few Swatch Group brands, Citizen, Seiko, and, of course, microbrands. So there's that, but there's also something else going on here for me.Watche...
The Ultralight And Super-Thin Behrens BHR030 20G
It’s been nearly two months since Watches And Wonders, and we’ve all heard and read plenty about all the fantastic watches from the usual suspects. We all know what , Tudor, and the other big boys launched in March. Some of you may not have known that another show was running at the same time as Watches And Wonders, called Time To Watches. It featured many smaller independent brands. I visited to meet with a few of them, particularly one of my up-and-coming favorites, Behrens. Rather excitingly, Behrens announced its new novelty for 2023 during the show, the BHR030 20G.Given how impressive the project is, I was surprised to see very little other coverage across the watch media, s...
Hands-On: Axia Time Sofia II
Axia Time is a new watch brand on my radar. What started as a watch company specializing in university-branded commemorative watches has now also developed several lines of watches that proudly display its own branding and nothing else. Founder John Kanaras first found himself unimpressed by the standard of commemorative watches in the late 1980s. He received one such watch when he was twice victorious as part of the University of Pennsylvania Lacrosse team.Browsing the brand’s catalog, with the University and Axia Time series sharing model templates, it is easy to see how most of these can act as a blank canvas. The one model that catches the eye, with lots of personality and looking ...
The Best Watches Under $2,500: Thor's Picks
I’m sorry; I misunderstood the task at hand. This is not about me being given $7,500 to spend on three watches… I’ve reluctantly given myself a purchasing embargo, and for an addict, that’s not easy, hence the happy outburst. But I still relish the challenge of picking the best watches under $2,500, which is not easy.I will try not to imagine this being a personal budget for three good new watches, but the choices will still be personal. Of course, I have my journalist hat on, so you should find some objectively solid favorites here. That’s my goal, at least.The best watches under $2,500 - The bulletproof Sinn U50There are fashions all around us, and we follow t...
TAG Heuer Carrera CH80 Hands-On Review by Fratellowatches
With our personal love for sports chronographs, we were very pleased to see the Baselworld novelties from TAG Heuer. Especially the TAG Heuer Carrera CH80?chronograph. Inspired by the first generation of Carrera chronograph watches and faithful to the original design by Jack Heuer back in the 1960s. Powerful design, pure lines and optimal ergonomics with an easy-to-read layout'? as TAG Heuer proudly quotes on their website. During the introduction of the TAG Heuer Carrera CH80, both dial configurations were shown to us. The high-contrast color combination of black and white on the dial with the sporty looking red accents makes the new TAG Heuer Carrera CH80 a very attractive watch in our opi...
#TBT Hamilton 600 Diver
Today on #TBT we'll talk about a watch that's become a real easy go to piece one that looks good with just about everything because it looks so good the Hamilton 600 diver. Hamilton is a brand I like to feature because of its historic link to Lancaster, Pennsylvania: a place where I've spent a lot of time. However, it's not just the American tie but it's also the fact that the brand made some really nice watches that exercised a high level of constraint in their execution as well as what I'd call quiet confidence. Hamilton was such a powerhouse at one time in the United States that even though they were flagging by the late 60's and the onset of the quartz/Japanese invasion, they still desig...
Hands-On With The New Breitling Navitimer Rattrapante Watches
Breitling’s Navitimer is one of those models that is being regarded as an iconic watch. Like ’ Daytona or Omega’s Speedmaster, the Navitimer is right up there as well. The big difference is though, that I find it quite difficult to determine what the most ‘original’ Navitimer is of the models available today. Breitling does not ‘celebrate’ its Navitimer like Omega does with their Speedmaster, or make simply one available model like the Daytona.According to the Breitling website, their Breitling Navitimer Heritage is a commemorative model to the original Navitimer from 1952. However, this is a special edition, which makes me wonder if it is a model t...
Apollo 11 50th Anniversary A Complete Celebration Guide
Whether you’re on the road or interested in taking delivery of a keepsake, we have your guide on how to celebrate the?Apollo 11 50th Anniversary.The?Apollo 11 50th Anniversary is a big deal and that means that there’s little excuse not to celebrate the golden year of one of man’s most incredible achievements.? Whether you’re on the road traveling this summer (recall, the Moon Landing took place on July 20, 1969), hanging out at home, or looking for something for your office, there are all kinds of ways to personalize this historic event.? We’ve scoured the web in search of all things Apollo 11 and while this article will be link heavy and picture short, we hope ...
Hands-On With The Visitor Linden Snowfall
Just a couple of months ago when the world looked completely different, Robert-Jan and I attended a little watch get-together. At the event, we got to see the Vale Park Officer model from Visitor Watch Co. up close. I must say the thing that stuck most with me was its remarkable design. Fast forward a couple of months and we have the Visitor Linden Snowfall here for review. It has the same instantly recognizable design details but it’s a completely different watch.On the way back from the get-together, Robert-Jan and I discussed the design of the Vale Park Officer. He remembered his review of the first Visitor Watch Co. model, the Calligraph Duneshore, back in 2014. Back then, Robert-J...
VIDEO: Hands-On With The Grand Seiko SBGH277 And SBGH279
Earlier this year, Grand Seiko introduced a number of limited edition series for their 60th anniversary. However, very silently, they also snuck in the SBGH277 and SBGH279 references.I will let the video do the talking (in fact, I did), but you can find some additional pictures of the Grand Seiko SBGH277 and SBGH279 below. These two watches are part of the Heritage collection from Grand Seiko.SBGH279 - Brushed Grey DialSBGH277 - Sunburst Silvery White DialZaratsu Polished 44GS StyleThe 40mm Zaratsu polished case has the famous Grand Seiko 44GS style. The original 44GS case is a design of 1967, and a bit different from the cases used today. That’s why we speak of 44GS style, and not jus...
Wrist Game Or Crying Shame: Omega Seamaster Pre Bond Automatic
Hey there team, it's time for a little bit of Wrist Game or Crying Shame. This week, we travel back to the days before 007 donned an Omega. Appropriately enough, this week's watch is the Omega Seamaster Pre Bond Automatic. Whether or not this one leaves you either shaken or stirred remains to be seen. But firstLast week, I took you on a trip down memory lane to El Paso, Texas with a story on the Panerai Luminor Marina PVD Destro. This limited-edition model from 2008 wasn't minty fresh, but that didn't stop it from bringing home a refreshing 59% Wrist Game win. I'm starting to get the feeling that Panerai is making a comeback and I like it! Today's Omega Seamaster Pre Bond Automatic tones it ...
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Wearing Experiment (2021) Is It For Me?
Let me start by saying I've always admired the Reverso. It's one of the few watches that fully deserves the unofficial and often too easily bestowed title of “icon”. Most icons are evergreens at best in my book, but the reversible watch is more famous than the producer of it, Jaeger-LeCoultre. And that's not a controversial statement from yours truly, but something Stephane Belmont, Patrimony Director of the Maison Jaeger-LeCoultre, once told me during lunch in Le Sentier. I loved the Reverso from a distance though because on the wrist it never felt right. But that couldn't be right, right? So I engaged in a very personal experiment with a Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso to see if the w...
URWERK Marks The End Of An Era With The UR-105 TTH (20210
URWERK will not be a strange name to the readers of Fratello. The Swiss brand is a personal favorite of mine, and I have enjoyed writing about its launches on more than one occasion. Today’s launch is somewhat bittersweet, though, as it marks the final release in the UR-105 family. Why is that bittersweet? Well, where one thing comes to an end, it paves the way for something new to rise from the ashes!Early on in its conception, URWERK decided it wanted to remain staunchly independent at all costs. This meant limiting growth and production despite much advice to the contrary. To stay true to that mantra, it only produces less than 150 watches every year. Urwerk’s co-founder, Feli...
Wearing The Seiko Prospex 1965 And 1970 Diver's Modern Re-Interpretation Watches
Nothing to see here people, please move along. No, wait! Those straps are new! Indeed, the strapping Prospex 1965 and 1970 Diver's Modern Re-interpretation watches are outfitted with brand-new artisanal straps. Four colors in total are made by using Seichu, a traditional Japanese braiding technique that results in very strong and striking fabric straps.The Prospex 1965 Diver's Modern Re-interpretation SPB239 looks familiar, doesn't it? That's because Seiko introduced quite a few versions on the 1965 theme already. There's the SPB149J1 with its special 55th-anniversary blue-gray dial and steel bracelet, for instance, or the SPB147J1 with a chocolate brown dial, gold-colored hands, and silicon...
#TBT The Great Gray Nivada Datomaster
I seldom have stage fright when writing my weekly column. But this week’s #TBT is quite special for me, and I want it to be a great article. It has been years since I put the Nivada Datomaster on my wishlist. Unfortunately, I just couldn’t find one. Well, I did recently, and the timing couldn’t have been any better. ?I joined Fratello four years ago, and I’ve been carrying the #TBT torch ever since. It was Mike’s articles that revived my passion for vintage watches and put the Nivada Datomaster on my radar. I set all auction alerts possible, but besides two well-beaten pieces, I faced a big, black void when tracking down this gray beauty.The power of Datomaster ...
Strap Check: Omega Speedmaster On A Joseph Bonnie STAR 69
What's this? Two Speedmaster strap checks in a row? You bet! This is Fratello after all, and we truly can't get enough Speedy action in our lives. The watch is not just a true icon, it's also a strap monster. Dress it up, dress it down, anything works on the Speedmaster. From NATOs to leather, sailcloth, and even rubber (though that last option is not everyone's cup of tea) everything just seems to suit the Speedy perfectly. There are also tons of popular aftermarket bracelets from the likes of Forstner, Uncle Seiko, and others. Even the OEM bracelet is an option that most of us Speedy owners end up coming back to. Point is, you can have plenty of fun when it comes to pairing your Moonwatch....