Golden Concept Apple Watch Case RSC Onyx Black Hands-On
I never really wanted an Apple Watch. I bought one recently for professional reasons (as in, I didn’t think it was credible to rail against something I didn’t understand, so I picked one up to see if I could learn what all the fuss was about). My girlfriend hated it immediately. She hated the way I was even more connected to work. The constant buzzing of my phone had already been an issue before, and now, this watch made it all the worse. She saw it as blasphemy. Prior to my experiment, my wrist had been holy ground. It was a special place for special things. The Apple Watch is not special enough by itself. However, when enrobed in a Golden Concept case designed in Sweden, it jus...
Traska Announces a New Color for the Venturer GMT
If you follow the news from the independent watch market, you know there are many GMTs to choose from. I recently published a two-part guide on 16 GMTs from micro- and independent brands, in which I listed Traska. By all (somewhat subjective) measures, the Venturer GMT strikes the perfect balance between specifications and price. The original batch came in four colors, and today, Traska is announcing a fifth - mint green.The Venturer GMT in a nutshellAt the risk of sounding redundant, let's talk about the Venturer GMT first. As you may know, Traska was one of the first independent/microbrands to get its hands on the Miyota 9075. This is a “true” (or flyer) GMT caliber made by the...
Dear Seiko, Bring Back The SZSB006 "TiCTAC"
For many of us, there are watches we keep returning to that we haven’t bought yet but really want to. In my case, the Seiko SZSB006 TiCTAC 35th Anniversary Limited Edition is one of them. It’s still possible to find these available new, so I could get my hands on one with enough effort. But that doesn’t come without its challenges because it is one of Seiko’s Japan Domestic Market (JDM) releases. And this story is about more than just wanting a single watch. It’s a story of what I would like to see from Seiko. On top of that, it’s a story of a design construct that somehow works. Time to explore the story of the Seiko SZSB006.When I first laid my eyes on t...
TAG Heuer Carrera Glassbox Vs. Omega Speedmaster
This week, we have two modern classics competing in Fratello’s Sunday Morning Showdown. Both chronographs have icon status and go back to the 1950s and 1960s. Designed to play a role in car racing, one actually did, and the other took a turn to space racing. Daan defends the brand-spanking-new TAG Heuer Carrera Glassbox, which is already available at your TAG Heuer dealer, while RJ is defending his beloved Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch from Omega, which was introduced in 2021.Both brands and watches have their fans and communities. Design-wise, the Moonwatch is the one that has remained virtually unchanged in the past 60+ years. On the other hand, the Carrera exists in all sorts o...
New: Omega Speedmaster 38 Models In Full Gold And Steel
On this (Speedy) Tuesday, Omega is introducing a sparkling new bunch of Speedmaster 38 models. Two are in Sedna Gold, two are in Moonshine Gold, and four variations are in stainless steel. If any of you are looking for a sport-chic, diamond-set watch with firm roots in chronograph and space history, your time might be now.The new Speedmaster 38 in Sedna Gold with a brown dialSpeedmaster 38Back in 2017, Omega introduced the Speedmaster 38 model. The most popular model was, without a doubt, the Speedmaster with a cream dial and brown oval sub-dials, also known as the Cappuccino. This model, with and without a diamond-set bezel, was made of stainless steel and 18K Sedna (rose) Gold.Speedmaster ...
Auction: Apollo 12 Astronaut Richard Gordon's Gold Speedmaster
Another gold commemorative Omega Speedmaster Professional Apollo 11 1969 Tribute to Astronauts is coming up for auction. This one belonged to NASA astronaut Richard F. Gordon Jr. (1929C2017).Image: RR AuctionGordon’s commemorative gold Speedmaster Apollo 11Omega presented only 34 of these watches to NASA astronauts in 1969 and the years after. Occasionally, these gold Speedmaster models gifted to the astronauts turn up at an auction. Gordon's number 20 (out of 1,014 gold Speedmaster Apollo 11 1969 watches) will go up for auction later this month at RR Auction.Richard Gordon was part of the third group of astronauts that NASA selected in 1963 for the Gemini and Apollo programs. With 4,5...
Hands-On: The New Zenith Defy Extreme Diver
Zenith introduced two new models worth discussing this year for different reasons. The brand’s Defy Skyline Chronograph was a logical next step for the series. It even felt like the watch had been part of the collection for some time. It just seems like a natural progression for the Defy Skyline. The second big new introduction was the Zenith Defy Extreme Diver. Fans of the brand have been questioning whether we would see a return of a Zenith dive watch. That question was answered this year with this new duo. As it turns out, the Zenith Defy Extreme Diver is surprisingly less extreme than we expected - in a good way! It’s time for a closer look.As a fan of Zenith, I am always mos...
Hands-On: Cartier Tortue Monopoussoir Chronograph
It is no secret that I was impressed by a specific model in Cartier's Watches and Wonders 2024 drop. After all, I wrote the introduction article and featured it in my W&W favorites article. In case you missed both, I am talking about the Cartier Tortue Monopoussoir Chronograph. I have had a chance to go hands-on with it, and it did not disappoint. So let's take a moment to dive a little bit deeper into this complicated Cartier.The Cartier Tortue Monopoussoir Chronograph comes in your choice of platinum or yellow gold. Both are limited to a mere 200 pieces. The platinum model has a price of $53,000, while the yellow gold version costs $46,000. So to say this review is practical consumer a...
My new watchbox
My girlfriend bought me this box, suitable for 4 (large) watches. The Panerai is 44mm, the Sinn is 44mm as well I guess and the other two are 40mm. There was also a cloth with it to clean the box, it is made out of wood and has a sort of piano finish on it which makes it very shiny…...
Perhaps I was wrong on the Milgauss
On the 10th of August, I wrote this post about the (new) Milgauss ref.116400, almost a year after its introduction during Basel 2007 (which I covered here). The post wasn’t very positive, because it seemed to me that the Milgauss wasn’t the immediate hit had hoped for. However, fast forward to 2009, it seems that the hype regains a bit. The availability of the Milgauss improved (you can even find the green sapphire version quite easily) and the prices dropped to an interesting level.My watch friend John Chan has traded his Date-Just for a Milgauss (black dial) and after trying his and one at the airport, the watch doesn’t let me go. Last week, I ran into JK, owner of JKWa...
BlumLux Louie Quattro
Nick Blum, CEO & Founder of BlumLux watches says it is time for men to adopt diamond watches. His large 55x45x10mm Louie Quattro watch is studded with 46 black diamonds and 4 black diamonds on te dial, in total good for 0.70 carat. To keep it horologically justified, the watch has a elaborated and decorated automatic movement, based on an ETA 2892-A2 with Cotes de Geneve finish.The sapphire crystal on the font and back is curved and the strap has this double folding buckle attached. Price for this black diamond watch called ‘Strength’, 5000 USD. Visit https://www.blumlux.com for more information....
Capri in Italy One Trip To Remember
I am not going to lie to you: writing about watches is one of the coolest jobs ever. I do not have a journalistic background nor do I pretend to? have one. I just love watches and I can’t remember exactly when, but it started when I was a little boy in the 1980s. Although I have several degrees in IT & Information Management, watches became a true passion of mine along the way. Every spare minute of my time went into learning, reading and eventually writing about watches. In the – almost – 11 years that Fratello Watches is on-line, I was able to make some very cool trips to Switzerland and Germany to visit manufactures. However, a couple of brands also invite me –...
Watches & Pencils #26 Mechanical Watches VS Quartz Watches
A while ago a friend asked me if I could make a cartoon about the never ending battle between mechanical and quartz watches. It took me a while to form the creative concept, but here it is.Mechanical Watches VS Quartz WatchesWhile most of us are totally into mechanical watches I do think it is a good thing that there is another competitor in the game of power sources for watches. From an objective point-of-view every kind has its pros and cons. Because we mainly publish?about?mechanical watches I thought it would be nice to?focus on quartz technology.Quartz CrisisAs most of us know in the seventies and eighties a lot of Swiss brands had a real hard time because of the introduction and develo...
Speedy Tuesday NASA Strap For Your Speedmaster
A Speedmaster Moonwatch is not complete without a proper NASA strap. Based on the original specifications, a German Speedmaster fan decided to reproduce the original NASA’s strap?with?VELCRO? Brand fastener.NASA StrapWe’ve often covered straps here (hence our Watch Strap Review feature), including specific ones for the Speedmaster, and NATO straps always perform very well in terms of interest. It is also no secret that most straps sold by Fleur are the NASA ones.There are only a small number of producers of NASA straps though, that respect the original specifications and aesthetics. One of them is Peter from Germany. A Speedmaster fan who also let us know he is an avid reader of ...
Junghans max bill 100 Jahre Bauhaus Editions from Baselworld 2019
Two 100 Jahre Bauhaus design watches by Junghans: Max Bill Automatic and Max Bill Chronoscope.The Black Forest-based brand is probably known for having the closest ties with this German design movement that started in 1919. There are of course other companies who drew inspiration for their watches from the Bauhaus but no company has ties as close as Junghans. So it was clear for them to release a number of limited editions this year celebrating this centenary. As you would imagine the timepieces they chose are models that connect Junghans and the Bauhaus. Don't expect anything crazy, this design movement is not about a cavalcade of colors and shape. On the contrary, simple and clean lines wi...
Panerai Luminor Marina 44 mm PAM01117 Will Glow Your Socks Off
As far as anniversaries go, this one is cool. While we’re used to hearing about brands or specific models/model families celebrating significant (or often seemingly arbitrary) dates in their history, it is less common to celebrate the anniversary of a component, or, in this case, a?substance that went on to change a brand’s history. But here we are. Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together for Luminor, the tritium-based glow-in-dark goo that turns 70 this year.And how did Luminor’s inventors Panerai choose to celebrate? By jumping the lume shark on a pair of rocket-powered water-skis, of course. While the Luminor name is now better known as the family that first brough...
Meet The New IWC Portugieser Collection
The story on the iconic IWC Portugieser watch is one that is well known in enthusiasts' circles. Today, IWC introduces an update of their entire Portugieser collection. From a three hands watch to a perpetual calendar.But first, let's do a quick rundown of the Portugieser and why it is such an iconic watch. Back in 1939, IWC watchmakers created a big watch on special request by two dealers from Portugal (hence the name) that had the precision of a pocket watch. At that time, IWC was well known for its precision pocket watches and the Portuguese dealers wanted to have that same level of accuracy in a wristwatch. Smaller wristwatches were the trend in those years, but unable to deliver the sam...
Oris Divers Sixty-Five Momotaro
Filling out another niche in the Sixty-Five collection from Oris is a collaboration with an independent jeans manufacturer, Momotaro, based in Japan. The strap takes an off-cut of indigo denim with two white battle stripes on the buckle end of the strap.The twin stripes are a motif of Momotaro in their collection of high-end denim jeans and jackets made using vintage looms. While it wouldn’t vibe with the majority of my wardrobe, this strap would be the perfect complement to a street or sports outfit. As interesting as the strap is, however, it is that gorgeous dial color that steals the limelight. Oris ?MomotaroThis might just be my favorite dial design of the Div...
You Asked Us: Which Watches Hold Value?
Value appreciation, retention, and depreciation are often front and center in the minds of potential purchasers. They shouldn’t be, but they are. The truth is, that nobody knows for sure how a watch will perform on the resale market long term. Let’s dig into the reasons why that is and what purchases you can make in full confidence.Firstly, don’t take anything you read on a website - much less a website that discusses a nuanced and changeable commodity like luxury wristwatches - as investment advice. This is not an investment guide. The same is true of any website analyzing the trends of pre-owned watches. It is an inexact science, to say the least. But there are some brand...
Hands-On With The New Cartier Pasha 35mm and 41mm
The Cartier Pasha celebrates its 35th birthday this year. With the help of designer Gerald Genta, the “Pasha de Cartier” (as the French say) was meant to be a sporty/sportier watch than they had in their collection at that time.Sportswatch is not the word that comes to mind when I look at the Cartier Pasha. Having said that, compared to the watches in the collection back in the day, it really fit. According to Cartier expert George Cramer’s book, Cartier – The gentleman’s files, the Pasha was meant to be a masculine, sportive, and waterproof watch, but with the stylish elements that are so typically Cartier.The original Pasha was introduced in a 38mm diameter. T...