Parmigiani Fleurier photo essay factory visit 'modem burner' style
The story begins with Michel Parmigiani graduating in 1974 and starting a traditional watchmaking workshop shortly after. Dedicated to his greatest passion, restoration and creating unique pieces for collectors on a side line. In 1980 he was introduced to the Sandoz family and trusted with the restoration of their impressive collection of pocket watches and automatons. Over the years plans rose for a new authentic brand and in 1996 Parmigiani Fleurier (Pf) is born. As they mention on their website, built on a powerful conviction: restoring the value of Swiss watchmaking art as heritage, by making it part of an ongoing tradition of manufacturing expertise'. This is expertise realised with the...
Christie's Watch Shop Buying Vintage Watches With Confidence
Collecting vintage watches is not easy. To put it mildly. You need to bring a fair bit of knowledge, make sure the dealer or seller has a good reputation and make sure the watch is functioning properly. There are a lot of pitfalls and although there are some generic hints and tips that can be given, you need to become subject matter expert to buy with real confidence.One possibility is to buy a watch at an auction. Experts have studied the watch and tried to give it a good estimation. However, most of the auction pieces are special pieces (other wise they do not have to be auctioned) and perhaps more special that you are looking for. Even the search for a relative simple Explorer II can be ...
Hublot: undermining the media and photographers by wrongfully claiming copyright is unethical
Dear Hublot,Three years ago, we provided coverage of your Basel 2012 novelties at an event in Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia, hosted by your regional distributors The Hour Glass and attended by none other than CEO Mr. Guadalupe and Regional Director Ms. Sakai.Here is the original article, missing images which were hosted on flickr: https://www.fratellowatches.com/hublots-basel-2012-novelties//This morning, I received a takedown and copyright infringement notice from Yahoo – the parent company of Flickr, where the images were hosted – filed by Hublot SA specifically citing those images as infringing copyright.Except the problem here is twofold:Hublot SA did not contract those images, did ...
Visiting the NAWCC Museum in Columbia, Pennsylvania
Recently, I was in the United States and took a couple hours to visit a place that had always been within 30 minutes of my house, the NAWCC Museum in Columbia, Pennsylvania. The National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC) is a well-known entity within the USA that essentially provides a meeting place with over 190 global chapters (admittedly, most are in America) for collectors of all things horology. It also seeks to help educate people about timepieces, servicing them and even reaches out to children in an effort to keep interest in timekeeping alive.The NAWCC Museum is in Watch & Clock CountryI was in the process of selling my house in the area and had never visited the...
Hands-on review of the Tissot T-Touch Expert Solar II
As per the title says this article is not about the latest iPhone extension screen, as well known as ‘smart watch’. It however, details a tool watch. A purposely-built object for the ones in need of a companion during their (adventurous) journeys. The anomaly is that while it is not a smartwatch, it is a very smart watch. In terms of functions that is. Tissot released their T-Touch series almost 20 years ago (1999) and while some say the concept is outdated they are still among the strong sellers of the brand. The T-Touch is a tool watch, or rather instrument for your inner diver, sailor, adventurer. So, I left the Ballade at home grabbed the new Tissot T-Touch Expert Solar II an...
Rimowa A Travel Classic and Watch Journalist Favorite
Rimowa, the suitcase of choice for globetrotters and those who travel frequently. But what makes them so special? For this instalment of our Weekend Read, we talk about this travel classic and why it is favored by many watch journalists.Journalists, like many other professionals, are frequently on the road. Sometimes for longer periods of time but more often than not on shorter 3 to 5-days trips. Like the title of the classic 1987 comedy with Steve Martin and John Candy; Planes, Trains, and Automobiles are all among our means of transpiration. We learned how to pack efficiently and fast. Apart from our clothes, pen, notepad, laptop, various chargers, watch rolls and other EDC are all part of...
Why Is The 2015 Omega Speedmaster Snoopy So Collectible?
While some people refuse to buy a watch with a comic character on the dial, others pay over $40,000 for one. We will try to explain the immense popularity of the white dial 2015 Omega Speedmaster.Before the introduction of the Omega Speedmaster Silver Snoopy Award 50th anniversary watch (we showed it to you here), the white dial 2015 Speedmaster Snoopy prices were already on the rise. The Omega Speedmaster Silver Snoopy Award (ref. 311.32.42.30.04.003), introduced at Baselworld 2015, originally had a price tag of $6,000. On the first day of the Baselworld 2015 exhibition, the Speedmaster Snoopy sold out.In this case, sold out means Omega sold all 1,970 of these watches to its authorized deal...
Grand Seiko Automatic GMT SBGM239 Limited Edition For HODINKEE
Roll up, roll up, we’ve got some tasty Grand Seiko news for all lovers of Japanese watchmaking today! Our good friends at Hodinkee have just announced their latest limited edition model. It is, as of 10 am EDT today, available in the Hodinkee shop. Given how quickly these models sell out, you might want to hop over there and grab one before reading this article as only 500 pieces will be made. But if you’re happy to hold fire for a few minutes more, allow me to introduce to you the ?Grand Seiko Automatic GMT SBGM239 Limited Edition For HODINKEE.Fans of Grand Seiko may be family with the brand’s raft of attractive GMT models, available in a variety of configurations. A great...
Omega Speedmaster World Cup Group B: Ben
Welcome to the Speedmaster World Cup. In the absence of Euro 2020, we thought our beloved readers might enjoy a tournament of a different kind. We’ve assembled eight groups (A H), each governed by a different Fratello team member. Each writer has been assigned four watches, which they will pitch to you during the group stages.All we need you to do is vote for your favorite to move on in the competition. The next round will be the quarter-finals, which will see the eight group winners go head-to-head for your votes. The four winners progress to the semis. Following that, a third-place play-off will precede the final round, due to be held on Sunday, December 13th (get the beers in …...
Omega Speedmaster World Cup Group A: RJ
Welcome to the Speedmaster World Cup. In the absence of Euro 2020, we thought our beloved readers might enjoy a tournament of a different kind. We’ve assembled eight groups (ACH), each governed by a different Fratello team member. Each writer has been assigned four watches, which they will pitch to you during the group stages.All we need you to do is vote for your favorite to move on in the competition. The next round will be the quarter-finals, which will see the eight group winners go head-to-head for your votes. The four winners progress to the semis. Following that, a third-place play-off will precede the final round, due to be held on Sunday, December 13th (get the beers in…...
Guest Post: Confessions Of A Watch Rescuer Auction Adventures!
For some reason, I just can't seem to pass up a rescue project. I've been collecting watches for almost a decade and my acquisitions have been wide-ranging. Looking back, it's clear I had no idea what I wanted. The more I explored the more fascinated I became, the deeper I went down the rabbit hole. Sound familiar to any of you? If there's a consistent element, it's my penchant for the forlorn stray, often found at auction…Most of my collection has come via estate and specialized watch auctions. I usually obtain these pieces by making absentee bids. Buying is always a gamble if you're working from a few photos and a brief catalog description. I've been had a couple of times. I’ve...
URWERK Releases The New UR-112 Aggregat
Happy Wednesday, folks! I’m pretty excited today, as one of my all-time favorite brands is releasing a brand new model to its collection. No, not a new variation, but a totally new silhouette. Joining the brand’s “Special Projects” collection, the UR-112 Aggregat is something completely new from the master of the Avant-Garde. A cursory glance suggests that the UR-112 Aggregat is the heir apparent to the brand’s now-discontinued UR-111C in terms of design. In, we’re looking at a masterpiece that has been three years in the making!The UR-112 Aggregat is a totally new adventure for Martin Frei and Felix Baumgartner. The co-founders wanted to take on a new mec...
Omega Launches An All-New Seamaster Aqua Terra Beijing 2022
Temperatures drop, daylight hours get shorter, leaves turn yellow, then red, then brown and drop down from the trees. Fall is officially here, but Omega is already thinking ahead to the even colder season coming up immediately after and the de facto winter spectacle which it will bring. I'm talking, of course, about the Olympic Winter Games set to take place in Beijing next year. An event that inspires Omega's latest release, the Seamaster Aqua Terra Beijing 2022.An Olympic timekeeping championWe know that Omega plays a key role in all Olympic events. The brand has held the title of official timekeeper since the 1930s, and in today's modern world that holds more meaning than ever before. Wit...
Chronographe Suisse: The Humble Origins Of A Souvenir Watch
Many of you out there will have likely already heard of Chronographe Suisse. In fact, they are hard not to come across when delving into the world for vintage chronographs from the 1940s and 50s. A never-ending stream of different designs, sizes, materials, and even brands can be found under the Chronographe Suisse name. However, the brand's roots are shrouded with mystery. In this article, I will be showing you my own example of a Chronographe Suisse watch, and looking into some of these watch's history and surprisingly humble origins.Now, as much as I would love to do a deep dive into the brand, I must give credit where it is due. Erik Slaven wrote a brilliant and insightful piece on the b...
Why I Bought The Grand Seiko Tough Quartz SBGX341 Watch
Sometimes it's written in the stars. You can call it cosmic fate. Or karma. Watch karma in this case. The story of why I bought the Grand Seiko Tough Quartz SBGX341 watch is a tale of random events that string together in the end. And it all began back in June of this yearAs you might know, this year, Seiko celebrates its 140th anniversary. As a consequence, numerous limited editions in all product families have reached Fratello HQ. Last June a rather handsome trio came in and especially one of them really struck a chord with me. That was the Grand Seiko Quartz GMT SBGN023 Limited Edition. That watch made it to my Top Five Watches Of 2021. Why? Because the watch immediately caught my eye. Bu...
#TBT Breitling Chronomat Ref. 769
If watches attended classes on elegance and dignity, the Breitling Chronomat ref. 769 would be a lecturer, if not a rector.The first Breitling I acquired was the Chrono-Matic ref. 2110. I liked the “race” for the first automatic chronograph as much as I liked the design of the chronograph itself. It ticked so many boxes for me. It had an unusual movement that brought a 12-hour recorder and left small seconds behind in favor of a date window. The Breitling Chrono-Matic was one of my very first vintage watch purchases.From Chronomatic to ChronomatWhen you put the Chronomat next to it, they seem like siblings, yet they are each very individualistic. It’s almost hard to believe...
Introducing: The Omega De Ville Prestige Collection
Omega has announced six new watches that are joining the De Ville Prestige collection. The De Ville name has been with Omega since the 1960s and was preceded by another familiar name - “Seamaster”. However, in 1967, the De Ville became its own collection within Omega’s catalog. The watches represented the slimmer and dressier side of things. In 1994, Omega introduced the De Ville Prestige collection. This was the contemporary vision of the classic dress watch. The Prestige series focused on several key elements, including the watch’s “triple-apple bassine” case shape and the signature bracelet design. Just five years later, Omega used its De Ville platform...
Highlights From The 2022 New York Windup Watch Fair
Before I got into writing about watches full-time, I worked in the museum management industry. I was brought to attend seminars and conferences and meet colleagues worldwide. Most people I met there were passionate about their work, but it wasn't their passion. As I boarded my New York City-bound plane in Paris for the Windup Watch Fair a few days ago, I had a sudden realization. I was soon to be surrounded by hundreds - if not thousands - of like-minded watch enthusiasts and professionals. The experience would be different than that of a museum conference. For the very first time in my life, I would be surrounded by people who share the same passion for horology.As you might know, luxury br...
Bremont Introduces Six New Lady K And Maya Models
Since launching its first ladies’ timepiece in 2016, Bremont has been fusing British engineering, aviation, and military inspiration for a growing women's collection. Last month, the independent watchmaker added not one, not two, but six new models to its lineup. The Maya and the five Lady K variants are certainly not gender-neutral. These five new chronometer-certified mechanical watches are the most feminine in the British brand's 20-year history.The inspirationsFor a company that built on testosterone and adventure-fueled aspirations, it's no surprise that Bremont's offerings for women have been somewhat unisex. They are, essentially, tool watches for slender wrists. Their styles ar...
Thomas Spends A Week With Nacho's Cartier Tank Solo
After Daan spent a week with Lex's Grand Seiko and Lex had a test run with RJ's Speedy, I felt it was about time to raid Nacho's collection. I immediately knew which watch I wanted to try - his Cartier Tank Solo. It is an icon within our little sub-universe, and it is like nothing in my own collection. It would be a great opportunity for me to spend some quality time with the Cartier Tank.Interestingly, it is probably the watch that least reflects Nacho's personality. He has a specific taste and style that is clearly reflected by his watch box. His Cartier Tank is the odd one out. Let me try to paint you a picture of the watch and its ownerNacho and his watchesNow, I will not pretend to know...