Fratello On Air returns once again! Balazs and Mike are together after a three-week break due to heavy travel. It’s a lighthearted show full of observations and head-scratching. We talk about the Omega X-33 Marstimer, the Apple Watch, and even luggage.

In my previous article, How Cartier Turns Custom Watch Dreams Into Reality, I detailed the process of ordering a “Special Order” Cartier timepiece. For many collectors, the available possibilities are more than enough to create a custom timepiece that they would really like to have. But some sincerely wondered whether the exclusivity of such a watch could be guaranteed. Of course, 100%

Breguet's Classique Calendrier 7337 traces its roots to the heritage brand's own pocket watches from two centuries ago. In the latest iteration, the emblematic timepiece dons a clean-cut dial to transform its classic design into modern elegance. With a new aesthetic for its moonphase and calendar complications, the Classique Calendrier 7337 comes in two variations in white gold and rose gold.The l

It is hard to imagine today, but there was a time when magnetism hardly played any role in watchmaking. It wasn't until the mass adoption of electricity that magnetic fields became an issue. Today, with all of our gadgets and devices, it has become a key priority in watchmaking and a topic worth exploring in some detail.You are reading these very words on a device with a magnetic field of its own.

Throughout its 190-year history, Jaeger-LeCoultre has regularly undergone shifting pursuits. When the brand settles into a role as a maker of Haute Horlogerie calibers, avant-garde creations the Gyrotourbillons are the order of the day. Or, as seen in the early to mid-2000s, JLC can also produce competent sports and automotive-inspired wrist machines. But even with these dramatic shifts in approac

Much of my fascination with watches comes from the appreciation I have for the craftsmanship that goes into creating these little machines for the wrist. At many watch brands, that craftsmanship has already become highly automated. Well, not at anOrdain, where it literally takes years to get the perfect result on those beautiful and fragile enamel dials that the brand manufactures. Its new Model 3

Another Friday, another list! Last week, we looked at the rarest Submariner references. This week, we have shifted our focus to Tudor. We decided to have a look at our favorite five vintage Tudor references. Most people will know the classic Submariner models, but there is plenty more to enjoy from the Tudor brand. Having said that, the Submariner played a pivotal part in the brand’s histor

Back in 2019, when Sternglas was starting to make waves with its Bauhaus-inspired watches, I reviewed the first-generation Naos Automatik. Fast-forward five years, and the Naos Automatik has gotten a fantastic makeover. With the help of Sternglas’s dedicated community of fans, the brand improved an impressive number of things. There is plenty to discuss, from an updated movement to a redesig

Marathon Watch Company is well known for supplying several armed forces with tool watches since 1939. One of the most sought-after models is the SAR-D from the early 2000s. The Canadian brand now brings back an evolved version with the Marathon OSAR-D.The first thing to stand out? Those massive hour markers! Consider them a statement of intent: this watch is a tool, and it means business. Let's ha

There are watch brands out there that, for some reason, we never really get around to appreciating. Perhaps it is because we don’t see them in the wild much, or it could be that their designs don’t jump out at us. For me, Panerai is one of those brands.This is a shame (for me, I mean - Panerai can do perfectly fine without my appreciation) because this company has a rich history that s

In 1984, Swatch hosted the World Breakdance Championship in New York City. One of the jury members was artist Keith Haring, who was known for his graffiti art. For this event, he created the artwork shown below.Swatch and Keith HaringHaring (1958C1990) was an artist who participated in the New York art scene in the 1980s. He became famous for his bold and colorful street art and iconic motifs, suc

On the 1st of July (2010), a prominent member of the Panerai community (Paneristi) introduced a limited edition Panerai PAM 360 model, to commemorate the 10th anniversary of the Paneristi Home Base, www.paneristi.com. A limited edition of 300 pieces only, which is far less than most Panerai production numbers, would be available for members of the Paneristi community. Moderators of the Paneristi c

The German manufacturer Sinn has a long history when it comes to mission timers. Seventeen years ago, in 1997 the now legendary and sought after EZM 1 (EZM is Sinn’s trademark and acronym for Einsatz Zeit Messer) was the first in a successful line.Mission timers are watches which have been specially developed for a particular purpose. They always offer excellent readability, and the design o

A. Lange & Sohne introduced this new Lange 1 with caliber L121.1 earlier this year at the SIHH. Time for a hands-on Lange 1 review I thought so I requested a pink gold version of this relatively young icon. As I wrote earlier this year (click here), there is only a few differences to note between this new Lange 1 and the previous version. The size of the bezel is probably – aesthetically

Did you ever wonder what goes into the construction of a watch case and in particular a watch case made of high tech materials like carbon fiber?We visited the Hublot carbon case manufacturing workshop in Gland, Switzerland to find out. The following video explains the various steps in Hublot's process of making components out of carbon fiber and Texalium.We will also learn the trick that allows c

Watch AmbassadorsOnly yesterday, during a press event from a?watch brand, the topic of ‘watch ambassadors’ and ‘red carpet brands’ was being discussed with a colleague watch journalist. Here on Fratello, we touched the subject before (click here for my rant on watch brand ambassadors) so there is no need to do that again. Instead, let’s have a look at the real watch a

Single subject watch auctions have clearly graduated from the absolute exception to somewhat of a normal occurrence. We've seen remarkable results from the Christie's Speedmaster auction of almost 2 years ago and the trailblazing Bacs & Russo team has done the same with auctions focused on the Daytona and the Datejust. For fans of a given type of watch, watching and/or participating in these a

A young Dutch watchmaker living his dream, that’s basically what is happening to Yvo Staudt right now. A clever guy who has an eye for detail, who is capable of making watches and who understands what it takes to market his watches properly. Earlier this year, Yvo Staudt introduced to us the Staudt?Praeludium Chronograph as we reported here. There’s also a bit more background on Yvo St

Dia dhuit, watch peeps!? It’s time for This Week in Watches for October 5, 2019!For this episode of This Week in Watches, we have?a lot to cover.? It seems that the entry of October has brands already thinking of the holiday season and where they’d like you to spend your money.? Let’s see if this week’s new treats provide that level of temptation.? Here we go!Breitling and

The Speedmaster Silver Snoopy Award 50th Anniversary is here, and I am convinced this was not what you expected! A beautiful mechanical animation on the case back and powered by the caliber 3861.Meanwhile, our hands-on review of this new Speedmaster Silver Snoopy Award can be found here.Here it is, the Speedmaster Silver Snoopy Award 50th Annniversary. Finally, I might add, as we've been waiting f