Hands-On: Girard-Perregaux Laureato Chronograph Ti49
Girard-Perregaux has a history spanning over two centuries, and longevity justifies calling the brand a heavyweight watchmaker. GP might be in the shadow of AP and VC, but it more than deserves a light shining on it. There's a long history of remarkable and unique complications, like the tourbillon with three gold bridges, and then there's a 1970s classic, the Laureato. The current collection holds many variations, of which the recently introduced Girard-Perregaux Laureato Chronograph Ti49 is an interesting example.The Laureato is a shadow icon. I will not call it an “alternative” to other luxury sports watches with an integrated bracelet because I don't believe in alternatives -...
Ammo pouch straps for Panerai
A while ago, I posted about this watch strap made out of the leather interior of this Mercedes-Benz 300SLR (owned by Jean Todt). If you own a Panerai watch, you probably know all about this strap thing. I have seen them in all kinds of colors, materials (even elephant) and with all types of buckles and inscriptions.A very popular leather strap seems to be the ammo pouch strap. Yes, an ammo pouch. Below you’ll see one of a Russian soldier outfit from the early 20th century.I have seen some really nice models over at Catcherstraps, and for a decent price as well. The straps made by Ted Su are also very popular amongst Paneristi world wide. I really like the vintage Swiss ammo pouch strap...
PAM000785 Panerai's Two Pre-Vendome Inspired Models
It doesn’t take much research to know that Sylvester Stallone is a huge fan of Panerai watches. He even ordered ‘custom made’ Panerai watches a couple of times, featuring ‘Slytech’ on the dial.Amongst others, Stallone had 200 pieces made of the Luminor Marina (ref.?5218-207/A)? with a white ‘Slytech’ dial (which was auctioned in 2006 for $ 16,520 USD, see picture below). It was called the Luminor Daylight Slytech and exactly this model inspired Panerai to come up with a new model that has similar features. This new white dialed Luminor Daylight is part of the Special Editions PAM000785 set that Panerai introduced during the Hong Kong Watches & Wo...
Speedy Tuesday the Omega Speedmaster White Side of the Moon
Well, someone had to do it, so why not me? Yes, I actually wanted to get my hands on the new Omega Speedmaster White Side of the Moon. First shown at Baselworld this past March, and previewed here, the watch was polar-izing from the get go (nasty pun there!). For the most part, purists were outraged and those interested in the brand, and the Speedmaster line, casually remarked that this release was akin to jumping the shark. For those of you not familiar with that cliche, you can look up the derivation, but it basically means that something has made a definitive transition from interesting and unique to hackneyed and overdone. Specifically, in the case of the White Side of the Moon, many fel...
#TBT Omega Railmaster 39mm A Modern Classic You Should Buy Now
Omega RailmasterWait a second, the Omega Railmaster is far too new to be featured on #TBT! Well, for sure, the discontinued watch from Omega?is not so far removed from our mindscape, but it is gone. I had a recent visit from family and my Dad, who is seemingly a master in finding overlooked but worthwhile objects, wore a 39mm (39.2mm but who's counting?) ref. 2503.52.00 version during most of the visit. I noticed it because, well, I notice the watch on anyone and everyone's wrist and I thought, damn, that is one seriously good looking piece that deserves a longer, more reflective view. It simply one of those watches that just feels so right. So, here we are and here you gothe Omega Railmaste...
Why I bought a bespoke made chronograph from Bruggler
One of our long time readers and friends, Boris Pjanic, told us about his Bruggler chronograph. A new brand from Zurich, specialized in creating bespoke chronograph watches. Even though Boris considers himself to be a vintage watch guy, he was intrigued by the story of owners Katarina and Michael (Bruggler) when he first met them in London, almost two years ago.In this article, Boris Pjanic explains why he decided to buy a bespoke Bruggler chronograph.Bruggler at SalonQPI enjoy meeting people who are creative and possess the audacity to create something truly new in the world of watches. In a highly saturated market it is not easy to find something new and pleasing. Often I see the revival o...
Your Speedmaster Story #4 The Other Side And More
For this week’s #SpeedyTuesday, we have three stories lined up for you. One from Lorenzo on his Speedmaster Apollo 8, a story from Dennis on his Speedmaster Mark II, and lastly, a very short story from Luca on his Moonwatch.We asked you to share your Speedmaster story with us, and this is the fourth installment featuring three stories of our readers. Some Speedmaster stories can be very short because one is simply mesmerized with the Omega Speedmaster watch. Other stories are a bit lengthier. It is about graduation, a wedding, celebrating business success, the birth of a child, or down to a tradition, for example. Whatever the reason is, it is always a good idea to buy a Speedmaster, o...
The MB&F Legacy Machine Perpetual EVO Has Landed!
Max Busser is at it again. Announcing the LM Perpetual EVO, the famous inventor extraordinaire has taken the next step with the Legacy Machine family’s evolution. However, this time, there's a bit of a “twist”, and it’s more than just a simple upgrade…Most of us are already aware of the award-winning Legacy Machine Perpetual. Well, meet its long-lost sibling. The eagle-eyed readers among us may notice the new suffix “EVO”. According to MB&F, it represents a lot more than just a new name - it identifies a significant evolution of the MB&F story.The brand wants YOU to become the navigator…For the past 15 years, MB&F has invited its fa...
Two For Tuesday: The Battle Of The Newest Seiko Alpinist Models
Two For Tuesday is here again with a look at two watches that likely cause consumer consternation. Our focus this time is on the Seiko Alpinist. However, the collection is larger now and we have two distinct models to consider. Which shall summit first?It’s Seiko Alpinist season here on Fratello. Aside from the fact that it’s Autumn and perfect for hiking, Seiko has given us good reason to spend some time with this model line. Firstly, Seiko updated the modern version of its compass models in late 2019 and formally inserted them into the global Prospex collection. Second, and just a few short weeks ago, we received a simpler second line with three hands and one crown. And while n...
Fortis F-43 Triple-GMT Watch Has A Dial To Die For
What time is it? That's right, it's the 13th of the month, so that can only mean one thing for Fortis - it is time to unveil another watch. This time around, following on from the August and September releases of the Fortis F-43 BiCompax Flieger and the F-41/F-39 automatics respectively, we have another watch in this revamped Flieger series: the Fortis F-43 Triple-GMT watch.GMT complications have, for the last couple of years at least, been front and center of the watch industry's hive mind. Plenty of brands have released their take on this classic and never-more useful complication in the rollicking wake of 's 2018 update of the GMT Master II with a Pepsi bezel.This new Fortis release combi...
How To Start A Microbrand: Part Two Lorier Watches
The husband and wife team of Lorier Watches has taken the big step, from running their microbrand as a Side-Gig to Full-Time horology. Both moved across the US, leaving their Texas teaching jobs for New York, with what is now an established brand on the scene. So while you might have read my first part on How To Start A Microbrand and are sketching up your first design, this transition takes a giant leap of faith and, well, guts. Let's find out how they managed the shift from hobby brand to Full-Time watch design and sales. Lorier Watches managed this without funding on Kickstarter, instead Self-Financing their first batches of production. Lauren and Lorenzo’s recipe for success is as ...
Podcast: Fratello Casio Collectors Discuss Their Favorite G-Shocks
Here at Fratello, we love Casio. Some would say we love the brand too much. Those people would be wrong. Very wrong indeed… Today, I’m talking to three of my teammates, and avid Casio collectors, to the smooth booth to discuss their shared love and long-held obsessions with the Japanese Juggernaut that blessed the world with the G-Shock watch family.First up is G2. As the elder statesman of the team, “the G-Father” was actually an adult when G-Shock first appeared in the early eighties. This gives him a unique perspective within the team as the rest of the gang were either in their teens, nappies, or fathers’ eyes when Casio first unveiled the model that would g...
Reviewing An Icon The Seiko 6159-7000 Hi-Beat Dive Watch
Here on Fratello, we've covered just about every vintage diver from one of our favorite brands: Seiko. The 6215, the 62MAS, the Grandfather Tuna, and each of the 6105's has been documented, just to name a few. So, imagine my surprise upon seeing that the Seiko 6159-7000 and its -7001 companion have never been treated to a full feature here. It was time to end that.Perhaps the Seiko 6159-7000 needs a little introduction, but I think it deserves one. Things officially kicked off in 1965 with the Seiko 62MAS, a 150-meter diver. From there, Seiko went in two directions. They decided to serve both the professional and recreational set with unique dive watches for each. The sporting crowd received...
New: The Bremont H1 Supernova Integrated Sports Watch
Today on the historic grounds of the Tower of London, Bremont unveils a trifecta of watches based around the ENG300 movement. Dubbed the H1 Generation the name alludes to British clockmaker John Harrison's H1 marine timekeeper. In keeping with Bremont's home country, the movement references the longitudinal gains made by Harrison in navigation. Not only this, but the Longitude model in 2021 was also the first to receive Bremont's H1 Timing Standard, the brand’s version of ISO3159:2009 Chronometer testing. This also takes place on British soil at Bremont's Manufacturing and Technology Center, also known as The Wing in Henley-on-Thames. Of the three new watches to carry the momentum of t...
TAG Heuer Formula 1 Mario Kart Limited Editions
I admit I was a Sega kid. Only later did I purchase a Nintendo and realize that I had missed some great classics. Mario Kart is one of the later-discovered titles that I loved best - and I still do. Now that I have a Nintendo Switch in the house, I find myself playing the game with my daughter on rainy autumn days. It's a great one, especially with two players, and it’s always a lot of fun.TAG Heuer Mario KartAccording to TAG Heuer, the Connected Super Mario LE that came out last year was such a must-have among fans that the brand decided to do two more limited editions with Nintendo's plumber. One is a Formula 1 Chronograph, and the other is a Formula 1 Chronograph with a tourbillon.T...
#TBT A Low-Budget Yema Chronograph With High Potential
Every time I strap this watch on, I feel there’s room for more chronographs with big lume dots in this world. Four straight days with the Yema Valjoux 92 chronograph proved how comfortable and versatile a gold-plated chronograph could be. There is so much to talk about today. I haven’t featured this decent chronograph sooner because I hoped to get my hands on Yema’s history book first. It was supposed to be released in English maybe a year ago, but Yema decided not to publish it after all. I didn’t investigate the reasons much, and I haven’t managed to get ahold of the French original. I will ask the brand to send me a copy, though, as I hope to learn more about...
Size: It's About The Watch, Not The Wrist
Last week, my colleague Daan wrote (or, more accurately, ranted) about the size of watches. He wants to see fewer millimeters from brands because he has a small wrist. However, he tried to argue that it is close to normal, as the average men's wrist size is 17.39cm.I noticed that many comments supported his request for smaller watches, but I also read a few comments from readers who completely disagreed.Wear the watch you want to wearWhat sometimes amazes me is that many people are so hung up on the dimensions of a watch. And that doesn’t merely apply to the watches they wear but also to the choices made by others. Not too long ago, my colleagues Sinara and Sofia posted a little video ...
Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Chronographe Flyback
Diving chronographs - yea or nay? I know, there are more polarizing things in the world. But still, I know people who love both dive watches and chronographs yet suffer from a short-circuiting brain when an underwater timepiece gets a chronograph bonus. I tried to keep an open mind when going hands-on with two new versions of the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Chronographe Flyback. There's a very lavish red-gold-and-blue version that doesn't look like a tool watch at all, and a ton-sur-ton titanium version that more or less does.They are the same, and yet they are very different. Both versions of the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Chronographe Flyback have a 43 14.9mm case with a 2...
Hands-On: The New Fortis Novonaut N-42 Collection
Most watch enthusiasts are aware of the connection that Fortis has with space travel. Consequently, the brand’s B-42 Cosmonauts Chronograph has become a favorite among space-loving watch fans all over the globe. Almost three decades after introducing the first Official Cosmonauts Chronograph, Fortis now introduces the new Novonaut N-42 collection. This collection consists of three new models that sport a look that fans of the B-42 will immediately recognize. In addition, the new Novonaut comes with a proprietary movement made by La-Joux Perret. We had a chance to go hands-on with all three of the new models to find out if they are still the capable space chronographs we expect them to ...
New: Frederique Constant Highlife Automatic Edition Caron
Yesterday in Amsterdam, a curious clash of gastronomy and horology took place. Watch enthusiasts and those who love haute cuisine gathered in a single space. And as eclectic a combination as this may seem, learning more about the new Frederique Constant Highlife Automatic Edition Caron might add a bit of sense to the equation. With the same balance of expertise and care with which their recipes come together, the three chefs bearing the Caron name - a father and two sons - worked with Reijersen Juweliers and Frederique Constant to bring this project to fruition. These new Highlife models pay tribute to the spirit of French cooking in the form of a timepiece from the Dutch-Swiss brand. In doi...