This Week In Watches: 28th November 2020 TAG Heuer, Bamford, Nezumi and IWC turns Bucherer Blue
And so we now move into the end of November, and towards December. The final month of what has been a somewhat unorthodox year, and indeed not what any of us had predicted when we welcomed-in 2020. It's been a slightly quieter week in the world of watches in terms of news, but that doesn't mean we've had nothing of note.We've seen Laco begins its countdown towards its centenary, Nezumi Studios launch a collaboration with thrash metal legends Anthrax, MB&F release the “uniquest” piece unique you’re likely to find, and IWC drop a colorful Big Pilot. Let's have at it! This week, Rob and Dave take it in turns to present their top watches of Week 47, 2020.Laco Edition 95Rob:...
The Fast And The Fratelli: Sinn 910 Anniversary Vs. Zenith El Primero A386 Revival
Welcome to today’s edition of The Fast And The Fratelli. I’m making it easy for myself and adding two contestants with vintage vibes to our competition. Vintage style is still incredibly hot. In the days those vintage-styled watches refer to, mechanical chronographs and racing were inextricably linked. You read it in the title: Sinn is going to confront Zenith here. Sinn has a reputation regarding tool watches, which is what we’re talking about. But how could that German brand have any chance against a more than 150-year-old Swiss watchmaking heavyweight? Well, read on to find out!The goal is simple, and so is the race. During The Fast And The Fratelli Grand Prix, it’...
New Release: The Chronoswiss Open Gear ReSec Jungle (2021)
I can't deny it - Chronoswiss is a very polarizing brand and I haven't been a big fan. Do you think I am being unfair by putting them in the folder marked Retro Overkill? Like Graham, Speake-Marin, and those clunky ZRC crown-at-6 divers, large-cased retro maximalism is not my game.?I know Chronoswiss has a penchant for large case sizes. So I'll do myself and the slim-wristed readers a favor by not checking the diameter until later. The Open Gear ReSec series is a baffling collection. There is everything from blacked-out stealth to eyewatering, PVD blue overload, so if you enjoy colors like me, you'll like the rainbow of choices. Seeing the traditional Regulateur design being remixed is refre...
Hands-On: Timor Heritage Field ATP A Watch With Military Ties
The history of the sports watch is closely connected to the development of the military wristwatch. Prior to World War I, women wore wristwatches, or “wristlets,” and men used pocket watches. In the midst of battle, however, a watch in your pocket was not very practical. In order to create durable watches for officers and soldiers to wear on the wrist, one of the solutions was to make extra-sturdy cases for existing pocket watch movements. The new Timor Heritage Field ATP is a watch that is linked to those early beginnings of military wristwatches - watches that are still very relevant today.World War I was the first modern war. The telephone and Signal Service were used to commu...
New: Baltic Tricompax Panda And Reverse Panda
The Baltic Tricompax Peter Auto limited edition was warmly received earlier this year. It was evident that a regular production model would follow sooner or later, and well… here it is! The Baltic Tricompax is now being released in both panda and reverse panda versions. And after secretly wearing the panda for a while, I can certainly say this: it’s not ugly. Not ugly at all.But it is also not entirely original. I was curious to learn which would weigh heavier in the end - the beauty or the derivativeness. Join me to find out.Baltic TricompaxFirst things first. The Baltic Tricompax is a bit of a statement from the young French brand. The Peter Auto limited edition already tested ...
Double-Denim Joy With Oris Momotaro Divers Sixty-Five
Blue Monday is not just any Monday. In fact, it's the third Monday in January. UK travel company Sky Travel characterized that particular Monday as the most depressing day of the year. And according to the company, the remedy would be a trip to a sunny destination, of course. But playing the 1983 song Blue Monday by New Order always worked for me to turn a dispirited, gloomy Monday into an energetic one. Wearing the right blue jeans also does the trick for me, especially when I can have double-denim joy with the Oris Momotaro Divers Sixty-Five Special Edition. I didn't want to wait until Denim Day, the last Wednesday of April, to write about my special-edition Divers Sixty-Five. And that's w...
NOMOS's Gift Guide For The Important People In Our Lives
It's wild to realize that December is already upon us, and it’s time to get into gear for the holidays. While some of us cannot wait to see the back of a turbulent year, others may want to take stock of our fortune for the people we have in our lives. Gift-giving is a big part of our show of gratitude for our loved ones during this time of the year, but getting it right requires some thought. To help you get started on the shopping quest, acclaimed German watchmaker NOMOS has four gift ideas for four types of recipients among us.For the go-getter - Club Sport neomatik petrolA perfect all-rounder for life on the move, the Club Sport neomatik petrol is a robust and dressy sports watch. W...
Seiko Presage Sharp Edged Series SPB305 And SPB311
Seiko introduced the Sharp Edged Series to its Presage collection in 2020. As the name suggests, the series signifies the strong lines and facets across the sculptural forms of the cases. Combining new cases with a Japanese aesthetic sense, the SPB305 and SPB311 are two modern Seiko watches that embody the brand’s characteristic design language.Signature detailsThese two models are both new releases from Seiko this year. Their signature elements are the angular case designs and the Asanoha (hemp leaf) dial pattern. For the case, stainless steel is toughened by a super-hard coating. As for the dial, Asanoha is a motif that has been used in Japanese fabrics for over a thousand years ever...
Fratello REM Speedmaster X-33 Strap
This month’s Fratello REM strap is most definitely not for everyone, but we wanted to design something for the famous Omega Speedmaster X-33. So here it is - a green strap made of organic leather for Omega's digital Speedmaster that debuted back in 1998. The Speedmaster X-33 is still in production, and last year, Omega even devised a wild upgrade with ESA engineers for (unmanned) Mars missions.Speedmaster X-33Both NASA and ESA astronauts still use the Omega Speedmaster X-33 aboard their spacecraft and the International Space Station. ESA uses the Skywalker (third generation), while NASA prefers to keep using the second-generation?X-33. You can find an overview of the X-33 models here.O...
Linde Werdelin Introduces LW Auctions With The Oktopus Monster
Through the years, Linde Werdelin has always found its path in the world of watches. In 2016, it was the first brand in the watch industry to launch an in-house pre-owned program. Now it’s time for a new challenge. With LW Auctions, Linde Werdelin is launching a brand-owned auction platform that allows fans to buy unique watches through a transparent and market-driven pricing process. The first piece going up for auction today is the Linde Werdelin Oktopus Monster.This past July, Dave announced the news about the LW Auctions platform. A few months later, the first actual auction is here, and the Linde Werdelin Oktopus Monster is the star of the show. This piece is a special version of ...
Fratello On Air: Our Favorite Watches Of 2023
Fratello On Air returns with a fresh new episode! Though 2023 still has a month left in the tank, we’re ready to declare our favorite watches thus far. This week, you’ll hear about a wide variety of pieces at different price points and why they made the list. Enjoy the ride!...
Watches Rooted In Important Design Movements
As watch lovers, we tend to treat the watch world as a standalone universe. In reality, though, watch design lives within a much broader context. Trends in watch design come and go, fueled by the cultural context in which they exist. As a result, you can recognize design movements in certain watches. Today, I want to explore such watches and see what elements we can trace back to movements in art, architecture, and design.I am sure you, Fratelli, can point out many more great examples. Please do so in the comments below!Art Deco design in the Strand Palace Hotel - Image: Historic England ArchiveThe Art Deco design movement: Jaeger-LeCoultre ReversoArt Deco is, in many ways, an answer to the ...
New: Wristcheck Seconde/Seconde/ Atelier Wen Perception
Atelier Wen is a Chinese brand that we’re excited to cover here on Fratello. The team behind it is making beautiful watches that are proving quite popular with fans. Today’s Wristcheck seconde/seconde/ Atelier Wen Perception Special Edition is a different take on the young company’s most successful model. The concept is fun and brings in one of the hottest watch artists in the game.Last year, my colleague Dave went hands-on with a serial-production Atelier Wen Perception and came away impressed. The watch offers a handmade guilloche dial, a regulated movement, and an attractive case with a fabulous integrated bracelet. All of this is available for roughly $3,000. Since then...
Discover More Black Friday Deals On Fratello
We have continued to add more items to our Black Friday selection in our shop. You can find everything from caps to straps, pocket knives, and, of course, watches! We’re offering a discount of up to 30% on certain products.Artem NATO strapMore Black Friday deals on Fratello: Pouches & StrapsYou will find several more straps, watch-storage solutions, and travel accessories from REM, Artem, and Artelier Romane, as well as our Tropic Rubber straps with special discounts.Honey racing strapSpeedy Tuesday Cap White & Black (as modeled by Terai)Flightmaster Only bookSix-Watch Roll by Atelier RomaneAnd many more…We have added over 60 items to our Black Friday deals, and the sale ...
#TBT Reinventing My Tastes With Cartier Vermeil Trinity Watches
I will be highly opinionated today, and I am ready to take a few punches if you disagree with me. No matter how simple a Cartier design is, it’s heavy. Heavy for self-esteem, that is. There are exceptions, but generally speaking, I don’t see Cartier as a door-opening brand for watch collecting, whether modern or vintage. Today, we’re looking at Cartier Vermeil Trinity models.To fully understand Cartier, you must “grow” into it. And I don’t mean growing your bank account because there are sweet $1,000 Cartier deals you can land. I was thinking more of growing a few more wrinkles on your forehead. Judging purely from personal experience, I believe it’s...
Meet The All-New Ressence Type 9
The all-new Ressence Type 9 is a sleek creation in either warm gray or a fresh shade of aqua blue. Its pebble-like titanium case measures 39mm wide, making it the smallest Ressence timepiece ever. The watch is a slimmed-down and refined version of the Type 8 and shows only the hours and minutes. It's not exactly a classic dress watch with just two hands, but you could see it as a contemporary equivalent of it.When Ressence introduced the Type 8 in 2022, it was the brand’s most minimalist watch. It was (and still is) crafted from Grade 5 titanium with a case spanning 42.9mm in diameter. The Type 9 is nearly 4mm smaller. However, the thickness, at 11mm, is the same. Both watches also onl...
Fratello Talks: The 100th-Episode Q&A Special
Hello, and welcome to Fratello Talks! Today, we are celebrating our 100th-episode milestone with a special Q&A. We asked you to send us your questions, and you delivered. We’ve gathered, sorted, and selected said questions over the past few weeks, and in today’s episode, Nacho, RJ, and Thomas come together to answer them. We cover topics ranging from the usual hypotheticals to journalistic practices, favorite watches below a certain price point, and even lessons learned throughout recording these past 100 podcasts. Be sure to tune in and stick around as your question might be one of the many that we answer on this celebratory episode. Before we get into it, though, we begin (...
Discover More Black Friday Deals On Fratello
We have continued to add more items to our Black Friday selection in our shop. You can find everything from caps to straps, pocket knives, and, of course, watches! We’re offering a discount of up to 30% on certain products.Artem NATO strapMore Black Friday deals on Fratello: Pouches & StrapsYou will find several more straps, watch-storage solutions, and travel accessories from REM, Artem, and Artelier Romane, as well as our Tropic Rubber straps with special discounts.Honey racing strapSpeedy Tuesday Cap White & Black (as modeled by Terai)Flightmaster Only bookSix-Watch Roll by Atelier RomaneAnd many more…We have added over 60 items to our Black Friday deals, and the sale ...
Speedy Tuesday Omega Speedmaster 105.012-66 Racing
Speedmaster 105.012-66 RacingWhen Omega designed the Speedmaster in 1957, it was actually meant to be a sports chronograph. It was a time when there was no connection with space yet, and Omega introduced their Seamaster 300, Railmaster and Speedmaster, as watches for ‘professional’ use.?Racing ModelsEven though the Speedmaster was connected with space since the mid-1960s, the connection with sports, racing in general, stayed. Recent Speedmaster racing watches consist of the Speedmaster Tintin (was actually introduced as a Speedmaster Racing), the 2004 limited edition for the Japan market and of course a bunch of Michael Schumacher editions (the rarest?one can be found here). Howe...
Hands-On With The Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Geographic With Sector Dial
Watches with an extra time zone indicator, like a GMT or world timer always had my interest. I am a frequent traveler, but mainly within the same time zone. Unlike a few years ago, when I traveled for the investment bank and auditing firm I worked for. I used to have a GMT-Master II at that time, which was my loyal travel companion. Easy to set and I didn’t need to be very cautious with it.Now that I am more or less in the time zone (and traded the GMT-Master II a while ago), the need for such a watch isn’t really there. At least not from a functional point of view, but as a watch aficionado I am still drawn to this complication. That’s also why I always had (and still hav...