Breitling watchmaking workshop in the newly opened Amsterdam boutique.
Three months ago Breitling opened its first boutique in The Netherlands. And about time, too! Many other brand boutiques in Breitling’s league were already present in our attractive capital. The way a brand boutique differs from a regular multi-brand shop is how a brand is experienced. Breitling, in this case, makes things utterly clear. Its Amsterdam boutique exudes mancave style, with a pool table and a Norton motorcycle displayed in front of exposed brickwork, decorated with multiple pictures representing the Breitling way of life.So “experience” is the keyword here. That means that a visitor should actively be part of what’s happening. In his review on the boutiqu...
Only Watch 2021: The Patek Philippe Complicated Desk Clock
At the 2019 Only Watch auction in Geneva, Patek Philippe surprised both everyone and no one simultaneously when its stainless steel Grandmaster Chime (ref. 6300A-010) became the most expensive wristwatch ever sold at auction. It pulverized the previous record, held by Paul Newman’s personal Daytona, by over CHF 14 million. But even more fantastically, the one-off steel version of Patek’s most complicated wristwatch raked in a jaw-dropping sum of CHF 31 million for charity. That watch alone amounted to over 80% of the proceeds raised for the Monaco Association Against Muscular Dystrophy at Only Watch that year. As the third consecutive Patek Philippe offering to take the top spot...
Christopher Ward C65 Sandhurst Endurance Long-Term Review
I’m a fan of monotonous, boring, and dull watches. That sounds weird, doesn’t it? But please let me explain. A watch that initially doesn’t speak too loudly to me often turns out to keep me interested for a more extended period later on. And the opposite is true as well; a watch that immediately attracts me often becomes boring to me rather quickly. You’ll understand that this makes for a rather delicate situation when it comes to actually buying a watch. Deciding for the Christopher Ward C65 Sandhurst, for instance, wasn’t easy.Meanwhile, I’ve more or less learned to deal with this kind of situation. Avoiding rushed purchases and many years of watch colle...
The New MB&F Legacy Machine Perpetual EVO in Titanium
The first time I laid my eyes on these images I was reminded of last year's shell-shock from MB&F, and am still suffering from horological PTSD. Let me explain the reason for my personal angst. I have a fairly constant desire and respect for MB&F and their creations, as mad as they are hypnotic. Comparing a $100,000+ creation from Max Busser & Friends with anything else on the market is a MENSA challenge in itself. A Rubber strap says sport, it is not groundbreaking, so why would a mere strap choice shock me? Well, last year this was introduced by MB&F, but not on a new diver or chronograph. Whoever suggested the uber-complex Legacy Machine Perpetual as the rubber-strapped MB...
The Best Boring Watches: Blancpain Villeret Extra-Plate 6605
Philosophically speaking, the essence is that what remains if you do away with all the side issues. It's also the concentrate obtained from a plant or other matter and used for flavoring or scent. The Blancpain Villeret Extra-Plate 6605 is the essence of a watch. First, all the distractions - complications - have been carefully removed, and after that Blancpain went even further to get to the core of the matter. The result was a very thin watch with just an hour and a minute hand. Boring? Not if you know or are willing to learn how to savor the flavor of introvert traditional watchmaking.Allow me to make a comparison between the rose gold Blancpain Villeret Extra-Plate 6605 and food. When I ...
#TBT A Volvo Heuer Carrera 2447NST And More
Some specially branded Heuer Carrera 2447NST watches were presented to the Volvo Board of Directors. An Alfa Romeo Rodania has a surprisingly sharp integration of the brand logo into the dial. And don’t ask me who made the gold-plated quartz Ford watches, but I need one.Watch collectors often have another affection - classic cars. It’s no secret that we have a few petrolheads on the Fratello team too, and I am one of them. I don’t even own a modern car, and unless I really have to drive my wife's soulless SUV that I have zero connection to, I always prefer to grip the thin wheel of one of my old cars. Oh, and I do not need to highlight how satisfying it is to drive a classi...
Introducing The Breitling Chronomat Automatic GMT 40
A bombastic week of watch releases continues today with the new Breitling Chronomat Automatic GMT 40. This new model carries on the strong trajectory of the Chronomat range since its relaunch and refresh in 2020. Curiously, this model foregoes the chronograph element of the “Chronomat” portmanteau (chronograph + automatic). Instead, the 40mm stainless steel collection focuses on its GMT complication and clean aesthetic. Yet, notable features such as the Rouleaux bracelet and bullet crown remain. As a huge fan and owner of the modern Chromomat, what are my feelings toward the new range? Read on and find out.Breitling celebrates the success of its Chronomat at every opportunity, no...
Seiko SPB317 Vs. Blancpain Bathyscaphe
Don’t worry, I won’t be comparing these two classics to the bone. Yes, this will be a proper head-to-head, and I’ll go over many of their characteristics. However, to enumerate all the specs one by one would totally miss the point. It’s more about how I experience both of these divers. In the end, I buy a watch for the feeling it gives me when I’m wearing it. Specs and finishing definitely play a big part in my enjoyment, but the price of a watch also calibrates my expectations of what it’s supposed to offer me. I’ll use my Seiko SPB317 and my Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe to try to explain what I mean. Today, it’s entry-level versus Haut...
Grand Seiko Shopping: Hunting Down GS Gems Under 2K
Grand Seiko is one of my favorite watch brands. The history, the quality, the unique aesthetics, the fully in-house build - there is just so much to love. It is no secret that the brand is moving upmarket, and the prices of its new watches reflect that development. If you care to look, though, you can find amazing Grand Seiko watches at bargain prices.Join me on the hunt for a Grand Seiko under $/$2,000. I know, I know, that is still a whole lot of money. But just compare the watches below to what you could get from similarly great Swiss brands. Trust me, this is one of the few realms of watch bargains that still exist in today's market.The rules of the gameI have given myself a 2K budget. S...
Fratello's Top 5 Current Worldtimer Watches
Another Friday, another Top 5! Last week’s list focused on watches that you can buy for less than their official retail prices. The list mostly consisted of precious metal watches and triggered a lot of opinions. This week, we will take a look at our five currently available worldtimers. While the GMT is the preferred travel timepiece for many watch fans, a classic worldtimer celebrates the spirit of traveling in true horological style. So we’ve selected our five favorites that stand out thanks to their functionality first and specific looks second. Or is it the other way around when you are creating a list of worldtimers? Well, it’s time to find out.As a big fan of GMT wa...
Two Dazzling New Versions Of The Fears Brunswick 40
I tend to follow the smaller brands closer than big-box Swiss brands. And you know, that's just how my subjective watch brain ticks. When it comes to British brands like Fears, it's close to a hi-beat passion. But never mind my puns. Have a look at the Brunswick 40 instead, this time in two dazzling new aquatic-tinted versions.Fears has had another good year with Nicholas Bowman-Scargill at the helm. And the last couple of years have seen a new head office appear in Bristol, the brand’s ancestral home. At the same time, Nicholas has focused on diversifying sales channels, unlike many small brands. Fears has a direct-to-customer approach with an expanding network of brick-and-mortar ADs...
Chrono24 Launches ChronoPulse
What better way to celebrate your 20th anniversary or birthday than by buying yourself a new watch? In the case of Chrono24 turning 20, the company decided to mark the occasion by launching the first luxury watch market index founded on real transaction data. Today, Chrono24 launches ChronoPulse. With two decades of historical analysis under its belt and the implementation of actual selling prices, Chrono24 created an index that can depict sales trends and market developments. Better yet, this data resource is free and accessible through the Chrono24 website. So if you're shopping for a new, pre-owned, or vintage (celebratory) watch, have a look at what other people are buying, then buy what...
How The New Porsche Design Chronograph 1 Utility Is Made
I recently had the chance to try the current Porsche Design Chronograph 1 in its classic guise. You may know that I am a total sucker for base models, so that would be my favorite version. But then the clever guys and gals at PD came up with something new - a Chronograph 1 that looks familiar enough but packs a little extra punch. Namely, the new Chronograph 1 Utility utilizes a high-tech titanium carbide case. This material promises the best that both titanium and ceramics have to offer.Of course, I would have been more than happy to borrow another 911 and test the new watch on the road. But that would have been more of an indulgence by now than proper horological reporting. So I packed my ...
New: Zenith Pilot Automatic And Big Date Flyback Porter LEs
Zenith often hits the sweet spot when it comes to creating exciting, standout variations of its watches. With the new Zenith Pilot Automatic and Big Date Flyback Porter limited editions, we are treated to two great new versions of the existing Pilot models. Not only do we get a great color variation of the two watches, but the Japanese bag company Porter also plays a significant part in making these new limited editions absolutely wonderful. Let’s check them out!It’s no secret that I am a big Zenith fan. Besides a great collection with some of my favorite watch models currently out there, the brand also has one of the best creative teams in the industry right now. Zenith has prov...
Hands-On: The New Fleux FLX003 Dive Watch
Looking at many of the sensational, avant-garde, or astoundingly intricate horological creations today, it sometimes seems that there is less interest in timeless, classic watches. I’m not talking about watches that cost the same as a house but, rather, simple, straightforward watches for the everyday person and collector. I suspect, though, that there are people among us who appreciate these because there certainly are brands with offerings that fit the bill. And that is what we're going to talk about today with the Fleux FLX003.Based in Toronto, Canada, Fleux has already released two models,?the FLX001 and FLX002, which we looked at a while back. These are two skin divers with the sa...
Breguet Type XX 2067 Vs. Blancpain Air Command Titanium/Green
It’s Sunday morning, so we have a new Sunday Morning Showdown lined up for you! This week, Daan and Jorg face off for this battle between high-end pilot’s watches that you, the Fratelli, requested. The first is the new green-dial titanium Blancpain Air Command that came out not too long ago. It’s going up against the Breguet Type XX Chronographe 2067 that debuted last year. It’s a natural pairing because these vintage-inspired models represent the utilitarian side of these traditional Swiss brands. Let’s find out which of these two renowned watches will take the win!Both of today’s classically styled pilot’s watches have interesting backstories, but ...
PAM339 The First Panerai Composite Timepiece
During the SIHH 2010, Officine Panerai introduced the PAM339, a Radiomir Composite Marina Militare 8 Giorni (=days) in 47mm. A watch that reverts to historical models using state-of-the-art techniques for manufacturing watch cases. The composite material is a result of ceramization of aluminium and is harder and lighter than steel or titanium for instance. As you can see in the picture below, the matt brown of the watch case is in tune with the brown of the sandwich dial and strap in vintage leather. Panerai definitely knows how to please its following of enthusiasts.The movement of the new Radiomir Composite Marina Militare PAM00339 is caliber P2002/7, an in-house handwound movement develop...
The Omega Mars Watch: Speedmaster X-33
I remember Omega introducing the Speedmaster X-33 in 1998 with a digital display, it took me a while to start breathing again. Omega labeled this Speedy the ‘Mars’ watch, ready for the next landmark in space traveling. Sadly, Omega thought it was necessary to introduce a “From Moon to Mars” Speedmaster Professional as well, the fugliest* Speedmaster in my humble opinion.This is probably one of the Speedmaster models with the shortest production number ever, since the X-33 ‘Mark II’ was introduced shortly after, because some NASA or professional users of the watch complained about the high polished parts on the watch. The price of an Omega Speedmaster X-33 ...
SevenFriday V3/01 The Driver's Edition
Not too long ago we showed you the SevenFriday V1/01 and V2/01, two new cool watches from this successful Zurich company. Today they introduce the V3/01, a model name that is slightly better picked in my opinion than V1 and V2 – for obvious reasons (but perhaps I am very?critical here). The V3/01 is basically the same as the V1/01 and V2/01, but with a different dial and perhaps the true successor of the very popular (and sold out) P3/01.The price for the V3/01 is slightly higher than the other new V-series, with CHF1135 Swiss Francs. But you do get a wonderful looking carbon-look dial or as SevenFriday puts it: a waxed carbon look pattern.Just like the V1/01 and V2/01, this new piece ...
Hands-On Omega Seamaster 300 Sedna Gold Review
Recently, I did an in-depth review on the Seamaster 300 Spectre, but Omega also sent us this Seamaster 300 Sedna gold watch some time ago. Where the Spectre is limited to 7,007 pieces, this Seamaster 300 Sedna gold model is part of the regular collection and has all the ‘default’ features. For reference, the Seamaster 300 Spectre featured a lollipop second hand, an hour-scale bezel and a slightly different logo on the dial just for the occasion of this year’s 007 movie.The watch for review today is the Omega Seamaster 300 Sedna gold in titanium, reference?233.62.41.21.03.001. It was part of the batch of Seamaster 300 models that was introduced this year, with a leather stra...