Why URWERK's UR-120 "Spock" Is So Important
A quarter of a century is a long time, especially for an independent watch brand. That's just how long URWERK has been in existence, doing its thing and making waves in the watchmaking scene. To celebrate this impressive milestone, URWERK has released possibly its most incredible watch to date, and it is undeniably Uwerkian in nature. It is, of course, the UR-120 Spock.You may recall that I wrote about the UR-120 at the start of October when the watch was officially released. I waxed lyrical about my adoration for it. Let's be honest; that was somewhat predictable, as URWERK is yet to launch a watch I don't like. For a long time, the UR-100 was the URWERK for me. But since having the UR-120 ...
#TBT Zenith Defy TimeCommand
“The time has come for the first quartz watch with hands and digital readout. And we’ve got it,” says Zenith in a mid-1970s print ad. As an ’80s kid, I love everything with a digital display in it. When it is integrated into a classic watch design, I am doubly excited. The Zenith Defy Quartz TimeCommand is one hell of an interesting watch that looks like it was just pulled from a cyberpunk movie.I found it about four years ago on eBay. I had never seen it before, and I had no clue how it worked. At the moment of purchase, I didn’t even know how many functions it had. I just saw an LED display and two classic pushers on the right side. Since there were two decent...
Mona Debuts Its First Mechanical Watch
Today, I’ll be taking a look at a brand that you’ve not likely heard of before, despite it having existed for over a decade. Mona Watches is a Bordeaux-based brand, which proudly labels itself the first French microbrand. It has been around since 2012, offering several quartz timepieces with a unique design aesthetic. The most popular model was the HMS. This is the model that we witness the mechanical rebirth of here today. And if you’re reading this on Thursday, the 9th of November 2023, you happen to be doing so on the date of its Kickstarter launch. But more on that later.Mona’s new mechanical timepiece follows the design cues established by the brand’s flags...
A Curved-End Rubber Strap Transforms The Seiko SLA023
I love changing straps on my watches, but with some pieces in my collection, I hesitate. If you have a watch that is synonymous with its on-bracelet look, you'll know what I am talking about, and that can be despite its less-than-perfect wearability. So I wondered, can a curved-end rubber strap transform the beefy Marinemaster 300?For me, the Seiko SLA023 was the final step on my Seiko diver journey, and just like a Tudor Black Bay 54 or Speedmaster, many feel that it looks best on its original bracelet. Most Seiko divers are known for superb quality and finishing with a scarily perfect and soft case shape for their size. But the bracelets come under criticism. Still, it took me two years of...
Fratello Talks: Watches In Cinema
Thank you for tuning in to this week’s episode of Fratello Talks. You join RJ, Timo, and your host Nacho, who are going to be covering a rather broad topic. This week, it’s all about watches in cinema. In this episode, we’ll cover anything from memorable sightings to examples of marketing gone too far. How much can brands get away with when it comes to blatant product placement? And does it actually have its desired effect? We also cover movie-themed watches and touch upon some of our favorites featured on film. But first, let’s see what we can spot on the guys’ wrists today....
Hands-On: The Albishorn Type 10 Classic
The world of microbrands can be weird. The industry’s logic only applies to some of these brands. What should not work does, and what is supposed to be a hit is often a flop. But it’s also a wonderful world because exceptional timepieces like the Albishorn Type 10 are occasionally released.When a genuinely exceptional timepiece comes to the market, it’s often not an instant hit. Potential buyers need some background information. Some may say if the watch does not speak to you immediately, you should forget about it. This watch is worth the extra five minutes you’ll spend reading this article.AlbishornMy friendship with Sebastien Chaulmontet goes back to one of the fir...
Is There Such A Thing As Watch Etiquette?
We are back with another installment of Back to Basics, the series aimed at newcomers to our beloved hobby. This time, we focus on watch etiquette. What are the rules of engagement when it comes to watches?Of course, you can do whatever you like. Rules are there to be broken, right? Still, it is worth contemplating what is considered bon-ton and what is deemed a faux pas. I say “contemplating” rather than “knowing” because these are highly subjective. Therefore, I invite you to comment on this article whether you are indeed a newcomer or a seasoned enthusiast. What do you consider classy/appropriate behavior when it comes to watches? There are no wrong answers.Lex is ...
20th Anniversary A. Lange & Sohne Lange 1
Just recently, I was in Dresden to celebrate the 20th anniversary of A. Lange & Sohne’s Lange 1 watch and the introduction of the Lange 1 Tourbillon Handwerkskunst (more here). A few weeks earlier, A. Lange & Sohne introduced five sets of Lange 1 watches during the Watches & Wonders exhibition in Hong Kong.Lange 1 20th AnniversaryThese five sets of A. Lange & Sohne Lange 1 watches are limited to 20 pieces each, a number that corresponds the 20th anniversary of the Lange 1 watch itself. Each set contains of a watch for him and a watch for her. The latter one is set with 64 diamonds in the bezel, all Top Wesselton VVS quality.The gents versions have the normal 38.5mm diam...
Speedy Tuesday A Closer Look At Christie's Omega Speedmaster 50 Auction (Live Photos)
Eric Wind, Vice President of Christie’s?International Watch team in New York, invited me to come to Geneva and have a look at the lots of the upcoming Omega Speedmaster 50 auction in December. I was already aware of this auction some time ago and?I am (and will be) following it with great interest. Our own Speedy Tuesday got a nice little mention in the absolutely fantastic catalogue as well and the auction happens to take place on a (Speedy) Tuesday in December (15th), in New York.So I ownew to Geneva last Sunday to have a look at 20 of the 50 lots that were there. It is only a 1,5 hour flight from Amsterdam so I planned an early flight and made sure I had enough time to look around a...
Three Amazing Seiko Divers for Under $500
There's no doubt that we love Seiko here on Fratello Watches and judging by the numbers, you seem to feel the same. It's the beginning of November and that means exactly nothing, but if we squint a bit, we can go ahead and call this article an early Holiday gift guide. Today, in a battle of Seiko Divers, we'll line up three watches for three different budgets that fit under the undersea category, but, yet, they're everyday wearable. Best of all, pricing comes in under the magic $500 mark. I've been waiting for a long time to write this article, so let's begin!3 Seiko Divers under $500When I say that I've been waiting a long time for a comparison of three Seiko Divers, it stems back to Basel ...
Hands-On Oris Divers Sixty-Five Green Dial Review
Divers Sixty-Five Green DialRumor has it that Oris is performing well this year in terms of sales. It is not that strange, as they hit home run last year with the Oris Divers Sixty-Five in 40mm (we reviewed it here). Another important aspect is of course the price segment in which Oris operates. Where a lot of Swatch Group and Richemont Group brands left the < 2000 Euro market, Oris does offer a lot of bang for the buck still. This year, they not only showed us the new 42mm versions of the Divers Sixty-Five, they now also introduced the Divers Sixty-Five green dial version, in 42mm.Oris Divers Sixty-Five – Milking It?Oris has a couple of Divers Sixty-Five models in their collection ...
Special: The Intriguing Power Of The Pinky Ring
There is something about the pinky ring. This small piece of jewellery casts a powerful message: a statement. It makes a man look and behave differently – more aware of his hand and its gestures. The pinky ring has accompanied so many historical and social settings, from royal to stray, from gangster to gay and from BC to TV. Here's a tale about the hand's golden tooth. In a vintage Saturday Night Live scene, actor Joe Pesci (Raging Bull, Good Fellas, Casino, A Bronx Tale, Home Alone) is looking for a new pinky ring at Armonte's Pinky Ringery'. He tries on a few while under? supervision of pinky ring gods Frank Sinatra and Dean Martin from the wall behind. Without a word, Pesci perform...
Fratello Interviews Pascal Wattenhofer (Mr. Vintage Certina)
As we can see this weekend during the Geneva watch auctions, the world of vintage watches is so versatile, that everyone can find something there. For this instalment of our Weekend Read feature we bring you a special interview with Mr Vintage Certinas, Pascal.Mr Vintage CertinasSome tend to think that vintage watches are unreliable, uncool and outdated. Others contemplate about them being super expensive and unreachable. This world is not for those people. It is obvious that most of us at Fratello have a thing for these timepieces. Week after week, we try to show our readers how marvellous (and often inexpensive) a vintage watch can be. In these articles, writers regularly talk about the br...
A Video Review On The New Omega Speedmaster Silver Snoopy Award
In this 12-minute video, I discuss the new Omega Speedmaster? Silver Snoopy Award, but also show the previous Snoopy Award watches from 2003 and 2015. Also, the Apollo 13 25th anniversary edition gets a mention, as that one was really the first to commemorate this special Apollo mission in 1970.The comments and feedback on the new Omega Speedmaster Silver Snoopy Award have been pretty amazing (see our initial review here). As such, it’s time for us to talk you through all Speedmaster Snoopy watches that have been out there since 2003.Omega Speedmaster Snoopy EditionsAfter seeing the new Speedmaster Snoopy in the flesh, it immediately became my favorite of the three. Based on the commen...
Breaking: Patek Philippe Ref. 6301P Grande Sonnerie Watch
Today, Patek Philippe has announced the new Patek Philippe Ref. 6301P Grand Sonnerie. In a beautiful video presentation, because of Covid-19, Patek Philippe presented this beautiful platinum 6301. It was an incredibly well done digital presentation, with a few words from Thierry Stern and a product presentation by their Head of Watch of Development, Philip Barat.The Patek Philippe Ref. 6301P is a new Grand Sonnerie, with a minute repeater and a jumping seconds complication. On the black enamel dial, you will also find two power reserve indicators - one for the movement (72 hours) and one for the sonnerie (24 hours).Patek Philippe Ref. 6301PWhat we’ve been shown is a stunning 44.8mm pla...
Hands-On With The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Chronograph Flyback In Green
To many, Blancpain is the Fifty Fathoms. It is the main association many watch enthusiasts have with the brand. And for me, that is no different. Within the Fifty Fathoms collection, the Bathyscaphe line of watches holds the position of the more modest daily wearer. I went hands-on with the Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Chronograph Flyback in striking green to find out if green holds magic powers for Blancpain as well?Looking at Blancpain’s collection, you might think that the brand offers a fairly small selection of watches with just four collections. It does keep things simple. But you might be surprised to learn that the Fifty Fathoms collection holds more than 80 references. It’s...
A Funky Watch Below 500 Euro The Neo C By The Paulin Sisters
We’ve covered anOrdain more than once here on Fratello, as some of our contributors are fans of that brand. A few weeks ago, I received a press release from Paulin watches, about a collaborative piece between them and anOrdain.I have to admit, I had never heard of Paulin watches before. It is a company founded by three sisters from the Paulin family. Although their history goes all the way back to their great-grandfather when it comes to creating things, I will stick to the three Paulin sisters (Elizabeth, Charlotte, and Eleanor) who founded the current company in 2013.Somehow, the Scottish Paulin company wasn’t on my radar. But this Neo collab piece between Paulin and anOrdain c...
New: The Blancpain Air Command Flyback Chronograph In Titanium
Let me spill the beans. Did you read my articles on the Oslo Watch Fair and last week's tough new Bathyscaphe in grade 23 titanium? If so, then you might have picked up on a hint about this blue baby from Blancpain. Yes, these wrist shots are mine. Philippe Conte from Blancpain almost had to pry the watch off my arm at the Oslo Watch Fair, as I enjoyed the pure juxtaposition of its concept almost too much. What watch am I rambling on about? This new Blancpain Air Command Flyback Chronograph, of course. While it looks like a blue-dial version of the rather delicious 500-piece 2019 limited run of the Air Command, it sure feels different.?Vintage cool re-imagined in titaniumThis heading neatly ...
Breaking News: Tudor Launches The Marine Nationale Pelagos FXD
We (well, some of us) thought this day might have arrived sooner. Months after announcing a new partnership with Marine Nationale (the French Navy), Tudor has dropped the watch we’ve been furiously speculating over ever since. And what to say? Quite frankly, it’s a little weirdo. I think I’m “okay” with it, but I’m not quite sure. Do let us know what you make of it in the comments section below.Let me sum this up for you before we take a look into the interesting backstory of the Tudor Pelagos FXD Marine Nationale. Here we have a new, Pelagos that shares very little with the existing Pelagos watches indeed. A different titanium case, bezel, and no date! On...
NEW: The Atelier DE GRIFF NOMOS Club 36 Limited Edition
After our Fratello NOMOS Glashutte Weltzeit “The Hague Edition”, and plenty of earlier stories on NOMOS, we can't hide the fact that we are passionate about the Glashutte brand. And despite wearing a huge diver’s watch this weekend, a 36-38mm piece, for me, is pure perfection. Add an independent brand’s logo and I’m hooked, even before clicking on the tantalizing shots you’ll see in this story.Today, we’re taking a look at a new limited edition from one of the horological strong-arms of Saxony. This version of the ever-popular NOMOS Glashutte Club 36 is produced in conjunction with the Belgian workshop Atelier DE GRIFF. Run “by and for watch en...