Here Are The Best Grand Seiko Watches Of 2021
The year isn’t over yet, but Grand Seiko has been treating us very nicely so far with a number of beautiful watches. Just recently, during our Fratello Grand Seiko Paris event, I came across a watch that definitely took the top position on my wishlist. To structure my thoughts a bit, I went through all the new Grand Seiko watches in 2021, and realized they actually have more cool offerings than is realistically good for me (and for my bank account).Grand Seiko started 2021 on the right foot with the SLGH005 White Birch model, which received a big cheer from the crowd. Recently, we saw two beautiful Grand Seiko limited editions for the European market popping up: the SBGW267 “Asak...
?New: Laurent Ferrier Grand Sport Tourbillon Golden Brown
Yes, I know. I have stated this before (maybe even three or four times), but the term “grail watch” is not static. Rather, it is as dynamic as the watch market is. But I’ll tell you this: I am not all that objective when it comes to Laurent Ferrier’s pieces. In fact, I should be disqualified right now from writing this article on the Laurent Ferrier Grand Sport Tourbillon Golden Brown. But this is Fratello, not The New York Times. Most stories will be colored by our personal taste, which is why we invite your comments. Even if they are severely critical of my own point of view, it’s all good.Our passion for watches doesn’t have a cheat sheet, nor can it be...
The 5 Best Two-Tone Watches Of 2022
Gold-and-steel watches have been divisive for ages. You either love them or you don’t. There seems to be no middle ground when it comes to the combination of utilitarian steel and luxury gold. Within the Fratello team, opinions differ as well: we have the principle haters, the case-by-casers, and the unabashed lovers of the gold-and-steel combo. But in the last year or two, we have seen a slowly growing appreciation for two-tone watches. Likewise, there are brands that have focused on putting out great releases in gold and steel. So it’s time to list the top five gold-and-steel watches of 2022 thus far.Historical context usually plays a big part in the appreciation for two-tone w...
IKEA Hack: The Ultimate Watch Strap Storage Solution
Before we start, please allow me to ask you a few questions. Has your strap collection gradually grown into something that’s hard to overlook? Are your straps stored in several different pouches, cases, and drawers? Have all your NATO straps started to tangle up in that old shoebox? And, most important of all, is this whole situation stopping you from changing straps as much as you’d like to? Well, don’t worry. I was in exactly the same situation, but this storage solution from IKEA has completely changed my life!Before I came across this (strap)life-saver, my strap storage situation was a complete mess. My rubber straps were in a small metal box that I got with one of my s...
Starting A Watch Collection With $5,000: Balazs's Picks
When I was given the task to pen down my thoughts on my perfect watch collection for $5K, I knew one thing: I didn't want to end up with a two-watch assemblage. If you know me (or have ever heard an episode of Fratello On Air), you are aware that I'm a sucker for chronographs, so I needed one of those in the lot. But that's not the ultimate sports tool watch. That label must go to a diver. And what is a chrono/diver collection without a proper dress watch to balance it out? There, I've got my parameters. Now I just need to find the right pieces.I must admit that I started my list with the diver and worked my way up (or down, depending on where you're looking). The second had to be the chrono...
New: Grand Seiko 44GS SBGW297 And SBGW299 Kamisen
It was only last month that I wrote about a new 44GS-inspired Grand Seiko SBGW303. The limited-edition model was met with overall praise, and some asked for more variety from this highly wearable platform. Now we have two more additions to the line, and the good news is that they’re serial-production pieces. The SBGW297 and SBGW299 Kamisen models are worth a look.Yes, we all know that Grand Seiko issues a lot of watches at a near-weekly pace. Reactions range anywhere from fatigue to jubilation. No matter where you fall on the spectrum, I think it’s best to realize that this is simply the company’s strategy. Instead of one tranche of watches (or even two as there are two Gen...
Hands-On: The Chocolate-Dial Tudor Royal In Steel And Gold
One of my first serious watches was a two-tone Oysterquartz Datejust ref. 17013. At the time, it was a bit of a misunderstood watch, and perhaps it still is today. Upon seeing the Tudor Royal collection introduced in 2020, I was intrigued by the watches with their Oysterquartz-like shape. And now this steel and gold version makes me think of that 17013 even more. In addition, it has a beautiful chocolate-brown dial. The 38mm version only features a date, but the 41mm version has both a day and a date indicator. And that's the one I have here now.The Oysterquartz 17013Do I like the Tudor Royal because it reminds me of the Oysterquartz, or is there more to it? Tudor sent me the Royal ref. M2...
Introducing: Yema Alain Silberstein Marine Limited Edition
When you think of Yema watches, you probably think of vintage-inspired divers, chronographs, and GMTs. But put all your preconceived notions aside for a moment because this new watch is something else. In collaboration with artist and watchmaker Alain Silberstein, the French brand introduces the Marine. It’s a limited edition of 500 pieces that doesn’t look like anything Yema has done before.If you know a bit about Alain Silberstein, then you probably won’t be all that surprised when you look at the black and colorful Marine. But if you’re used to the usual offerings from Yema, you might need a minute to adjust. The only hint of vintage here might be the two crowns - ...
Hands-On: The Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 Forged Carbon
Although forged carbon may not be a precious or rare material, it does count as an exotic option in watchmaking. Mostly reserved for avant-garde creations by high-end brands, it isn't exactly abundant on the affordable end of the spectrum. Well, if Tissot has its way, we can all get a forged carbon sports watch. I spent a week with the Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 Forged Carbon exclusively on my wrist to see how it stacks up.The forged carbon PRX comes on a rubber strap and is priced at $1,075. That is a $300 premium over the regular steel Powermatic PRX on the steel bracelet. However, for this sum, you also get an upgraded movement with a silicon hairspring. All in all, it’s a pretty comp...
Hands-On: Tissot PRX UFO Robot Grendizer
Have you ever heard of Grendizer and Spazer? Grendizer, also known as Goldorak, is a giant monster robot that connects and synchronizes with Spazer, a flying saucer that enables the robot to fly. FYI, the robot and flying saucer are characters in the 1970s Japanese manga and anime series UFO Robot Grendizer. How do I explain this to a watch audience not up to speed with Japanese animation? Think of Louis Abraham Breguet's world's first sympathique clock first presented in 1798. It's a system consisting of a clock and a pocket watch. When putting the watch in the clock's cradle, it will automatically reset, adjust, and synchronize with the mother clock. Now you know how the robot and his flyi...
Stop The Snark! Earned Dogmatism & Dunning-Kruger Effect In Watches
Every field has them, and the watch world is no exception. I am talking about people with strong opinions. Heck, I am one, and I work in an office filled with them. And then there is the comments section on Fratello, social media, forums, and YouTubeall full of people with strong opinions. Now, that wouldn't be much of an issue if so much of the feedback weren’t negative. But it is, and it can harm our enjoyment of a hobby like watches and horology. Today, I would like to explore earned dogmatism and the Dunning-Kruger effect with you, Fratelli. We take a little break from the watches themselves and venture into how they affect our (online) behavior.So, let me take a time machine to my...
The New Artem HydroFlex Khaki Green & Orange Strap
Adelaide, Australia-based Artem creates some of our favorite high-quality straps. The brand is known for offering sailcloth straps with a rubberized texture. These straps combine leather or rubber with synthetic materials to make a luxury product. Now the Artem HydroFlex presents sportier sailcloth looks and more flexibility. We took a look at the version in khaki green and orange.Artem specializes in producing fantastic aftermarket strap options. The company’s straps offer a clean, sporty appearance and use innovative materials. Sailcloth is Artem’s primary material of choice, but this is not the typical cloth that fades or becomes ratty. Rather, it’s a synthetic water-res...
Oysterworld
When I was trying to answer a question on the WatchUseek Forum, I suddenly couldn’t remember the movement number of the Explorer and Airking. A quick search on Oysterworld.de refreshed my memory.If you are a aholic, go there....
Hodinkee Hands-On With Eric Clapton's Patek Philippe 2499
Our friends over at Hodinkee did a very interesting hands-on review with Eric Clapton’s Patek Philippe ref.2499 Chronograph Calendar timepiece in platinum. Only two 2499 watches have been made in platinum, only one of them was sold on the market. Click here to read all about this magnificent Patek over at Hodinkee’s.Watch the video below for Ben Clymer’s visit to Christie’s in New York City.Up Close with the Patek Philippe Platinum 2499 owned by Eric Clapton from HODINKEE on Vimeo....
Seiko Prospex Marinemaster 1000M SBDX011 The 'Hockey Puck'
Seiko is confusing us a lot with their sub brands, reference numbers and model names, but this can also be the result of the lack of availability of them here in Europe. Especially watches from the Grand Seiko range or the Prospex (Marinemaster) collection we are discussing today, are very hard to get in Europe. Authorized dealers of brands like – let’s say – Breitling, Omega, , IWC etc. do not carry them at all. We don’t know whether this is Seiko to blame or the jeweler’s businesses, but it seems that they are just not on the haute horology map (yet).Undeserved, as you will see after reading this review on their SBDX011 Marinemaster 1000M. Also undeserved as t...
Non-Official Speedmaster Watch Ambassadors
It’s Speedy Tuesday! We all know the official Omega ambassadors that endorse the latest Seamaster, Deville, Constellation or Speedmaster watch. There is little fun in showing you these guys (or girls) here on Fratellowatches as you probably see them all the time in ads and event reports. As we did with the BMW head of design Adrian van Hooydonk a few weeks ago and with Porsche 911 nut Magnus Walker about a year ago, we’d like to show you some ‘real’ people wearing the Omega Speedmaster watch.As an example, we show you the watch of Dutch TV host Robert Ten Brink. With TV shows like ‘All you need is love’ and ‘Love is in the air’, Robert Ten Brin...
#TBT Seiko 6106-8229 Rally Diver
We cover a lot of vintage Seiko on #TBT and we do it for good reason. I've spoken at length about the great value one receives when buying a vintage Seiko. The quality of the pieces certainly stand up to almost anything Swiss that was sold during the 1960's -1970's and this relates to the general finishing and robustness of the movements. Due to the latter part, older Seikos are some of the most reliable vintage watches on the market. If they've had a recent inexpensive service, they'll run like a diesel-powered big rig not the sexiest looking at times, but fantastically stout. Regarding the looks, I've come to accept the often staid, yet clean designs that Seiko often employed, but I do enj...
Vintage Tissot Data Something You Should Bookmark
When I was researching about the Tissot Antimagnetique watches for the article we published a little while ago I came across a bunch of interesting documents and information. Some came directly from Tissot, others I found in old books and catalogs. These documents are too interesting and valuable for the vintage community not to be used. So, I figured it would be beneficial if I collected and shared them on the pages of Fratello. It could serve research purposes for collectors and enthusiasts. Help to determine the age of your watch, or just entertain you by browsing through some interesting documents of the bygone era of Tissot. Needless to say, as vintage Tissot watches are among my favour...
Heritage Auctions Watches & Fine Timepieces Auction Highlights
More than 600 luxury watches are available in Heritage Auctions' Oct. 24 Watches & Fine Timepieces Auction in New York. Read on for some of the exceptional pieces spotlighted in this sale. 14k Gold Ref. 6241 Paul Newman Cosmograph Daytona John Player SpecialThe most coveted and commercially successful model produced by , the Daytona, is being offered by Heritage through an ultra-rare 14K gold variant of 's Daytona Reference 6241 John Player Special' featuring the highly desirable Paul Newman dial. This remarkable piece has never before seen an auction room and was purchased in a private transaction between two friends in 1971.F.P. Journe T-30 Historic Anniversary TourbillonCreated by F.P...
5 Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Watches Everyone Should Know
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak is a somewhat polarizing timepiece among watch guys these days.Audemars Piguet is a powerhouse with deeply rooted in the Swiss watch industry. Many of their models are legendary, and after so many years, AP still operates independently opposite the watch conglomerates like Swatch Group, Richemont Group, and LVMH. Not only do they swim instead of sink, but AP is also actually doing very (and I mean very) well financially. However, their flagship the Royal Oak has become the status symbol for pretty much everyone who wants to flaunt their wealth or lack thereof. From SoundCloud rappers with incomprehensible lyrics, to up and coming 17-year old football players who...