Meet The New Citizen Promaster Geo Trekker
Citizen’s Promaster line has brought us professional toolwatches for 35 years. Today, I’ll look at one of the last additions, the Citizen Promaster Geo Trekker. It’s available in three colorways and was designed for pilots. However, I discovered this watch is equally suitable for general watch lovers like you and me.Citizen Promaster Geo TrekkerA striking 46mm stainless steel case defines the design of the Citizen Promaster Geo Trekker, and the watch comes in three color variations - gray with white accents, black with yellow accents, and blue/green with white and red accents. The last version also has a gray IP coating on its exterior. What struck me immediately was that, ...
Stung By The New Urwerk UR-150 Scorpion!
We’ve kept our collective lips zipped about the new Urwerk UR-150 Scorpion after seeing it during Geneva Watch Days 2024. Now it’s ready to debut in a choice of two case finishes. The UR-150 Scorpion hosts a new movement and an enhanced complication. As always with Urwerk, it’s a feast for the eyes!During our visit to Urwerk during Geneva Watch Days 2024, we saw the EMC SR-71 and spent time with a watch we couldn’t discuss. That watch was the UR-150 Scorpion, an updated take on the brand’s hallmark hour satellites and retrograde minutes. It has a new movement and a more expansive retrograde arc than previous models.The UR-150 Scorpion Dark and TitanDave Sergeant...
Paul Picot GMT Chronograph
Introduced at Basel, and now available for the lucky ones amongst us. The Paul Picot GMT Chronograph watch, a very nice 42mm wristwatch with a nice guilloche dial. Look for yourself at the japanese version of the Fed. of the Swiss Industry siteTheir own site seems to be closed for maintenance....
Watch Shopping in The Hague
????I feel lucky that I live very close to The Hague. The city where Christiaan Huygens lived in the 17th century. He was a Dutch mathematician, astronomer and physicist; born in The Hague on April the 14th 1629. Besides his other impressive (mostly astronomical work),????he also worked on the construction of accurate clocks, suitable for naval navigation. In 1658 he published a book on this topic called Horologium. In fact his invention on Christmas 1656, the pendulum clock (patented 1657), was a breakthrough in timekeeping. Devices known as escapements regulate the rate of a watch or clock, and the anchor escapement represented a major step in the development of accurate watches. You can r...
IWC Aquatimer Chronograph Edition Galapagos Islands
For IWC, 2009 is the year of the Aquatimer relaunch. IWC’s first Aquatimer saw daylight in 1967 and I doubt that one of these first models ever saw some water, because they didn’t look very water resistant. However, looks might be deceiving because IWC claimed it to be water resistant to 200 meters. Anyway, between 1967 and now, IWC has had several sports watches (GST, Ocean, Aquatimer) suitable for use below the surface.The new line of Aquatimers have been presented at SIHH 2009 and a number of jewelers organized introduction events for their customers (click here for the Ace Jewelers presentation earlier this year). One of my personal favorites this year, is the IWC Aquatimer C...
IWC Aquatimer Chronograph Edition Galapagos Islands
For IWC, 2009 is the year of the Aquatimer relaunch. IWC’s first Aquatimer saw daylight in 1967 and I doubt that one of these first models ever saw some water, because they didn’t look very water resistant. However, looks might be deceiving because IWC claimed it to be water resistant to 200 meters. Anyway, between 1967 and now, IWC has had several sports watches (GST, Ocean, Aquatimer) suitable for use below the surface.The new line of Aquatimers have been presented at SIHH 2009 and a number of jewelers organized introduction events for their customers (click here for the Ace Jewelers presentation earlier this year). One of my personal favorites this year, is the IWC Aquatimer C...
Xetum Timepiece Sweepstakes Win A Xetum Of Your Choice!
Xetum is a relative new brand that should be followed closely by fans of modern design watches.? Xetum uses proven watch manufacturing techniques combined with a fresh design of cases and dials. I’ve met Jeff Kuo – CEO and founder of Xetum – in 2009 and he showed me some prototypes of his watches. I was really impressed by his work and am very glad to see that his watches made it to production shortly after.Xetum deserves attention, not in the last place because of their eco-friendly production methods and initiatives. Italian cork lining in Xetum’s watch straps, a rubber wood watch box and a protective outer carton box made of ecological fibers, to name a few. Inside...
Chopard L.U.C 20th Anniversary Models
Chopard L.U.CLondon in the Fall has an exceptional atmosphere. Maybe because I usually visit the city at this time of the year, but I've always enjoyed walking the streets of UK's capital. It was one of this perfect Autumn days that I arrived for a short but sweet watch introduction?by Chopard. If you have to mention something about independent family owned brands, such as Chopard, it has to be the fact that most of the people involved with the brand speaks with such a charisma and passion, the average spectator has a feeling that every word they say comes from their hearts. Pure and honest joy when they discuss a new project they are about to launch. At least this is how it seems for us. Th...
Behind the Scenes with the Oak and Oscar Jackson Chronograph
At Fratello Watches, it could be said that we've viewed the inception and subsequent growth of the American micro brand, Oak and Oscar, from afar. However, that's not exactly the case. Several of us are in touch with its founder, chief designer, and wearer of many other hats, Chase Fancher, on a relatively frequent basis. We chat via WhatsApp, always run into him at Baselworld and generally grab a beer during SalonQP. So, why haven't we featured the brand on our site? The reasons are benign, but perhaps the main cause won't sound so; Oak and Oscar is a victim of its own success. Translation: by the time prototype or test versions of the first two models (the Burnham and the Sandford) made th...
One Of 2018's Coolest Watches, Is Not for Sale. The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak RD#2.
I am a huge fan of Audemars Piguet Royal Oak watches, and every year at the SIHH in Geneva I am looking forward to seeing what they’ve been up to. This year, besides the beautiful titanium & platinum “Jumbo” and a collection of [bold coloured] Offshore watches, it was the?Audemars Piguet Royal Oak RD#2 Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin that almost swept me off my feet.I’ve tried many [and owned some] Royal Oak watches, but the “Jumbo” is the one that impressed me most. Not only because it is so extremely thin, but also because the design is just perfect. The dimensions are so good, that it is hard to find anything else from the Royal Oak collection with be...
Watch On Your Wrist? Fratello Instagram Contest 2020 Semi-Final 4
We told you this would be fun. After four weeks of voting, you, the Fratelli, have selected the winning Instagram images that have made it through to this, the second semi-final. One more hurdle awaits these champions. Winning this week's vote guarantees the image a place in December's final. Better still, it puts the photographer behind the image in the running for some very tasty prizes indeedBelow you can find the winners of the last four rounds'. Some cases were obvious from the start. In other instances, we saw heavy voting battles (and surprising last-minute swings) between the contestants. However, in the end, there could only be one winner each week. Now we need you, dear readers, to...
Patek Philippe is going minimalistic with the manchette-styled Twenty~4
First conceived in 1999 by Patek, the Twenty~4 watch became a fleeting icon. In its day, it championed the renaissance of timeless, feminine design in the rectangular form. As such, it quickly gained popularity with women wanting to wear a Patek timepiece on their wrists. But after fading from the spotlight, is it ready to retake old ground once more?After producing different variations of this rectangular timepiece, 2018 saw an automatic version in a round case join the Twenty~4 family. However, the allure of the petite, rectangular Patek was kept alive by the gold timepiece which paid homage to the 90s releases. This October, Patek has reinvented the aesthetic of the very first Twenty~4. U...
Hands-On With The Longines Spirit L3.811.4.93.6 Is A True Diamond
We’ve covered the new new Longines Spirit collection ad nauseum since its recent release, but we’re not quite done with it yet. I have been keen to get my hands on one of the three handers since they hit the market. Finally, I got my chance with the Longines Spirit L3.811.4.93.6.For those wondering what that reference number stands for, it equates to a blue dial and a metal bracelet. In my opinion, this is the most handsome iteration of the new collection, but my favorite feature is one shared by all the Spirit models. You’ve probably seen it already, but let’s take a few minutes to focus on its uncommon harmony. I’m talking, of course, about the interaction bet...
Aquadive 100 GMT Poseidon Limited Edition Dive Watch
I love it. You just can’t beat a bit of color. And while the bright yellow isofrane strap won’t be everyone’s cup of tea, the Aquadive 100 GMT Poseidon limited edition pops just as vibrantly on a black alternative thanks to its vivid dial design. Honestly, it doesn’t get much better than this for dive nuts.There is one bad thing about this watch. Only 300 will be made. I bought one on pre-order last year as soon as it was announced. Unfortunately, I didn’t get to see it in person until a few weeks ago. Thanks to Covid-19 keeping me away from the UK for five months, I was unable to collect it from the house that I had foolishly listed as the delivery address. Tal...
IWC Big Pilot's Watch Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon Le Petit Prince
Is it the best blue in the world? I'm talking about the shade of blue IWC uses for the dials on its Le Petit Prince watches. I think it could very well be the best shade of blue; not too metallic, too light, too bright, or too dark. Anyway, IWC's signature royal blue also graces the dial of the Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon Edition Le Petit Prince. Other than its color, there's quite some other good stuff going on too on the face of this watch as the name suggests. Before going into that, let’s take a look at the history behind the watch’s namesake novella.Antoine de Saint-Exupery (1900-1944) was a pilot by trade and a writer by heart. He came from an impo...
Meet Our Speedmaster Archives Over 200 Articles In One Place
The Omega Speedmaster is probably the most iconic chronograph in the world. However, it is not always easy to find your way into the world of the Speedmaster. There have been so many different variations in the past, and they’re still are today. Since 2004, we have published 500+ stories on the Speedmaster. From hands-on reviews to very personal stories from Speedmaster owners. You’ll find them all in our new Speedmaster Archive!The Speedmaster is the watch that was worn on the moon, by astronaut Edwin “Buzz” Aldrin in July 1969 and it is still worn by astronauts today. We’ve covered the story on how the Speedmaster became the Moonwatch more than once, but we al...
What Zenith Is Doing Wrong With Its Pilot Line And How To Fix It
I’m just gonna be real with you guys - the Zenith Pilot is the most gorgeous pilot watch I have ever seen. Since the fateful moment I laid eyes on my friend Lawrence’s Type 20 Montre D’Aeronef Annual Calendar back in 2015, I have been obsessed with the design. For six years now, I have desperately longed to add a Zenith Pilot to my collection. I have bugged boutique staff, and I’ve tried on nearly every version I’ve seen in stores. I’ve taken albums worth of wristshots, and I’ve sworn it would be my “next watch” more times than I can count. And yes, I’ve even opened a new bank account labeled “Zenith Pilot fund” to save ...
Six Months With The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Duoface
I can’t believe it’s already been six months since I bought my Reverso. I guess it’s true when they say that time flies when you’re having fun. Indeed, one thing that has become very clear during these first six months is that my Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Duoface is such a beautiful, different, and most of all fun watch to wear! It felt a bit like the start of an experiment when I bought it. Of course, I was convinced of my choice at the time of the purchase. But the Reverso is such a unique kind of watch that I was curious to see whether my love for it would stick around or slowly fade. I’m happy to report that it has only increased over the summer!A lot of peop...
Oris Wings Of Hope L.E. In Steel And St. Louis Event
The Wings of Hope Limited Edition Big Crown duo from Oris is now fully released. The brand brought out the 38mm gold version back in July of this year. Now, in October, the 40mm steel version is available. Oris took this moment to expand on its partnership with the nonprofit humanitarian organization Wings of Hope. A press release can’t fully capture all the good Wings of Hope is doing. I went and witnessed firsthand just what sort of work Wings of Hope does, and I returned humbled and inspired. Here’s hoping that an article about a watch can impart a little more about the sort of good Wings of Hope and Oris are up to.Most (if not all) of you have heard of Oris. Many of you haven...
The New Grand Seiko Omiwatari SBGY013 Spring Drive
A few days ago, Grand Seiko launched a handful of new watches, including a new version of the Omiwatari. The new Grand Seiko Omiwatari SBGY013 joins the Elegance collection and brings a crisp white alternative to the light blue hues of the original (SBGY007) introduced in 2021. Personally, I find this new reference to be somewhat more appealing than the previous model. Not only has the dial color changed, but Grand Seiko has also introduced a new bracelet. Inspired by traditional beads-of-rice bracelets, this new nine-link has a flatter appearance and is more modern yet still distinguished and elegant. The new dial-and-bracelet combo is coupled with Grand Seiko's 9R31 Spring Drive movement. ...