Fratello's Top 5 Current Dual-Time Watches
Another Friday, another Top 5! In last week’s article, we discussed our favorite worldtimers available today. These watches can show 24 different time zones all at once and, therefore, have a unique form informed by this specific function. I also briefly discussed the difference between a worldtimer and a dual-time watch. While some of the latter may look like worldtimers, they still don’t share the same function. Many of you guys mentioned several dual-time watches as your favorites in the comments last week. These are also watches that could be perfect travel companions. And as I explained, I am fascinated with watches designed for travel in general.Having had to fully delve in...
Hot Take: The New Awake CCT FS Limited Edition
The Awake CCT FS is the latest in military tie-in watches. This piece was made for members of the French Special Forces Command and Communications Company. It’s a limited edition with half of the units destined for members of the unit and half for the public.Awake watches aren’t new here on Fratello. We’ve reviewed quite a few and, overall, have come away impressed with the brand’s clean and modern designs. We’ve seen watches that relate to NASA and time travel. Today’s watch, the CCT FS, uses a familiar platform with a slightly different take on the theme. This is a military watch, and while it has a tactical look, it also seems quite wearable for most da...
New: Speake Marin Openworked Sandblasted In Titanium Or Gold
Meet the latest Openworked Sandblasted watches from Speake Marin. Choose from titanium or red gold cases in a medium 38mm size or a more generous 42mm form. Regardless of your material or size preference, you’ll get an SMA01 movement with a micro-rotor inside Speake Marin's signature Piccadilly case. This classic case has been revamped by famous watch designer Eric Giroud, who also worked for the likes of Tissot, Vacheron Constantin, and MB&F.Since Speake Marin doesn’t appear that often on Fratello, let's start by refreshing your memory a bit. The last time we wrote about Speake Marin was in April 2022 after the launch of the Ripples. I encountered the watch during Watches an...
Ace Frederique Constant Highlife Worldtimer Amsterdam
It’s always a joy when a new watch arrives at the Fratello office. We open the box, get the watch out as quickly as possible, and then we discuss our first impressions. In the case of the new Ace Jewelers Frederique Constant Highlife Worldtimer Amsterdam, those first impressions were quite positive. But as I’m a born-and-raised “Amsterdammer,” immediately, I felt a special connection with the watch.It’s not often that your city’s name is featured on a watch dial. And that’s not all; those three crosses also refer to the Amsterdam coat of arms. Even the black, white, and red colors are fully inspired by that same coat of arms. So, no, this won’t...
Building A Watch Brand Episode 11: Manufacturing
It has been a while since my last article on the development of my debut watch, the VPC Type 37HW. Don't worry, the project is still very much on. This summer, however, was spent doing arduous behind-the-scenes work that wasn't exactly photogenic or glamourous. But now we are finally ready to start manufacturing the prototypes. The watchmaker's tools finally come out!Let me take you along for a quick recap of the past few months of work and where I currently stand. Again, there is plenty that you usually don't get to see. I know because a lot of it was new and unexpected to me too. So, if you are still along for the ride - I deeply appreciate if you are - let’s get stuck in!3D-printed ...
Hands-On: The Ghostly Spinnaker Fleuss Seconde/Seconde/ LE
Never without a sense of whimsy, seconde/seconde/ returns with another collaboration just in time for Halloween. This time, Spinnaker offers the Fleuss diver as a willing host for this haunting. The 50 Phantoms tag on the dial is a tongue-in-cheek nod to the Blancpain that inspired the Fleuss watch in its original form and the prowl of specters plastered across the dial. The result is, frankly, much less practical but much more fun.Let's get this out of the way early. If you want a watch that is sleek, smart, and easy to read, then this isn't the one for you. Many of seconde/seconde's collaborations start and end with a quirky handset tied closely to a theme. Others are a little less subtle....
The New Moritz Grossmann Benu 37 Arabic Vintage
Admittedly, I’ve never covered a watch from Moritz Grossmann. A couple of weeks ago, though, I received an email that caught my attention. The new Benu 37 Arabic Vintage may look simple, but there’s plenty to uncover.The name Moritz Grossmann is steeped in history. In 1854, Grossmann established an atelier in Glashutte and began making some of the world’s greatest timepieces. Before his death in 1885, he founded the German School of Watchmaking, which lived on under several names until 1992. Then, in 2008, Christine Hutter refounded the brand as Moritz Grossmann Uhren GmbH, and the first watch, the Benu, debuted in 2010. Today’s 37 Arabic Vintage stems from that line....
Sunday Morning Showdown: Oris Divers Date Vs. Doxa Sub 200T
It’s Sunday morning, so it’s time for another installment of Sunday Morning Showdown. This week, we will focus on two vintage-inspired dive watches from 2024. The Doxa Sub 200T came out this past spring, while the Oris Divers Date debuted just last week. Both celebrate the style of vintage divers from bygone eras. The brand-new Oris Divers Date links back to the mid-1960s, and the Doxa Sub 200T takes after its bigger brother from a few years later. Which will come out on top? That’s up to you!When Doxa unveiled the Sub 200T, the new model received practically universal praise. This smaller and thinner version of the legendary Sub 300(T) is a smart addition to the lineup for...
A conversation with Chuck Maddox, Part 2
After a long week, here is part 2 of the conversation with Chuck Maddox. You can find part 1 in the archives (use the Search field) or by clicking here.Part 2 is a bit more in-depth on watches, movements and the watchbusiness in general.Click here to go to Part 2 of my conversation with Chuck Maddox....
Maitres du Temps, Chapter One.
More and more haute horlogerie brands are demonstrating their haute-ness to make sure that you know how to be different from other fortunate watch collectors. Although I would feel very frightened with an expensive haute horlogerie timepiece on my wrist, there are probably enough fortunate people that don’t. During my trip to Singapore earlier this year, I have seen a number of haute horlogerie timepieces that really struck me. I also wondered why we didn’t have these timepieces closer at home, in The Netherlands, Benelux or even the rest of Europe. But that thought crossed my mind for only a few seconds. North-America, Asia, Russia and only some parts of Europe is where the mone...
Masters of Contemporary Watchmaking by Michael Clerizo
A few months ago, I got an e-mail from Michael Clerizo, telling me that he had written a book called ‘Masters of Contemporary Watchmaking’. I hooked him up with Ernie Romers of WatchUseek to see if there was something possible with regards to the watch event WATCH2009 in Maastricht (on the 14th and 15th of November).Two weeks ago, I received the Masters of Contemporary Watchmaking book by Michael. The book contains coverage on a lot of brands, the so-called independent watchmaking brands so to speak. Michael spend a lot of time listening to George Daniels, Svend Andersen, Vincent Calabrese, Philippe Dufour, Antoine Preziuso, Franck Muller, Aniceto Jiminez Pita, Alain Silberstein,...
HM2.2 Black Box by MB&F and Alain Silberstein
Friend of the show, Maximilian Busser, just introduced the HM2.2 ‘Black Box’. A redesign of the famous Horological Machine No.2 that he did together with watch design icon Alain Silberstein.Maximilian Busser wrote in his e-mail that “In fact my first encounter with an Alain Silberstein watch dates back to my student years over 20 years ago: I was driving down a German Autobahn and overtook a BMW Z1 with its doors down and the driver wearing first world war pilot jacket, goggles and leather helmet and a Silberstein Krono on his wrist. A sight I have never been able to forget?” . So, a little more than a year back, I asked Alain if he would honour me with a redesign of ...
Omega Speedmaster Day-Date Mk40
Omega’s Speedmaster family comes in many different variations, but always with that special Moonwatch DNA. In the 1990s and early 2000s, one of the popular Speedmaster models were the Speedmaster Automatic ‘Reduced’ watches. One of our friends, Andreas S. Gregoriades sent us photos of this wonderful Omega Speedmaster Day-Date Mk40 Triple Calendar watch.Omega Speedmaster Day-Date Mk40There were a number of Speedmaster Reduced models (click here to read our Speedmaster Pro ‘Moonwatch’ versus Speedmaster ‘Reduced’ article), but these Triple Calendar models were – to me – the most exciting variations. This particular Omega Speedmaster Day-Dat...
Omega Speedmaster Day-Date Mk40
Omega’s Speedmaster family comes in many different variations, but always with that special Moonwatch DNA. In the 1990s and early 2000s, one of the popular Speedmaster models were the Speedmaster Automatic ‘Reduced’ watches. One of our friends, Andreas S. Gregoriades sent us photos of this wonderful Omega Speedmaster Day-Date Mk40 Triple Calendar watch.Omega Speedmaster Day-Date Mk40There were a number of Speedmaster Reduced models (click here to read our Speedmaster Pro ‘Moonwatch’ versus Speedmaster ‘Reduced’ article), but these Triple Calendar models were – to me – the most exciting variations. This particular Omega Speedmaster Day-Dat...
Do You Travel A Lot? Have A Look At The CSC M1 Leather Watch Roll
I travel around quite a bit for this watch thing. When I am not in a plane to Switzerland, I might be driving around to visit a retailer, brand or meet with (other) watch enthusiasts and collectors. Although I think I still have a life besides watches, my wife has different thoughts on this topic. Anyway, I don’t want to bore you with the regular recurring discussions on traveling that I have with my loved ones.When I travel, my aluminum Rimowa Topas Cabin Trolley is my reliable companion that keeps my laptop, camera, toothbrush and watches safe.?Depending on the duration of the trip, I’d like to take at least two watches with me when traveling. Having them inside an aluminum tro...
Hands-on with the Oris Divers Sixty-Five
We've had a lot of Oris on Fratello Watches as of late and there's a good reason for that. In general, we really like the looks of their watches and the fact that they bring great value to the table versus a lot of Swiss brands. We admire the brand's independence, their offering of only mechanical watches, and also that they spell out pretty clearly on their site that they're not a manufacture. So, with all the Oris love going on, I decided that I needed to get my hands on the new Oris Divers Sixty-Five for a hands-on review. We were really excited about this watch and featured it pre-Basel this year and then again based upon our meeting with the brand, but today’s article is a good op...
Hands-On Omega Globemaster Sedna Gold Review A Terrible Review But It Doesn't Get More Personal
An UpdateI published this review exactly a year ago. I consider it one of the best reviews I ever did. Not because it is perfect in writing, or was the best read article on FW, but because it is?a watch that simply moved me.?But does it still move me, after one year and after trying the all stainless steel one and seeing the new Annual Calendar models? You can read that in the updated section, below.Omega Globemaster Sedna“This must have been the feeling my grandfather had when he put his gold Constellation on his wrist in 1969.” This review could be as short as that. However,?I am not writing this review for myself, but for you, our readers. Perhaps I should have saved this desc...
Our Catawiki Favorites Editor's Choice
As we introduced you to our Catawiki Favorites (Editor’s Choice) two weeks ago already (click here), this time we show you three different watches of our choice. A tough one, as we could choose from a nice variety of watches (and brands). However, this week we picked a Yema, Omega and Heuer.We have partnered with Catawiki to bring you a selection of interesting watches they’ve auctioned. Different from the other auctioneers in the market, Catawiki started originally in 2008 as a website where collectors could manage and keep track of their collections (comics for example). Then, because of growing popularity of the website, Catawiki started to host weekly auctions for collectible...
Help Us To Recover These Stolen Watches
Last weekend, we have been notified that a watch collector had an uninvited guest(s) that took his watches (amongst other belongings). We try to help where we can, so the victim sent us an overview of his watches (as well as he shared it on his Instagram and on forums) that are missing.Please find below the full list of missing watches. Many of them have a serial visible, and some pieces are very rare, so at some point, we guess they need to come to the surface. We publish the list of watches here, including the serial numbers (if known). These watches were stolen from an apartment in Oakland (CA), but they can turn up everywhere (of course).Heuer Carrera 2447N, serial 69863, on a black stra...
Dr. Watch And His In-House Movement
The world of watches is an adventurous one. Let’s discover my latest creation!We decided to go back to the roots of Watches and Pencils: From now, we will focus on the illustrations and give a little background story about each drawing in every episode.Dr. Watch And His In-House MovementThis time I wanted to create something around the definition of ‘in-house movement.’ I started to sketch a true ‘in-house movement’: a watch movement into a house. First, I created the movement parts (e.g. wheels, plates, rubies, and screws) and then incorporated other stuff that you usually see in houses (e.g. a hamburger, plant, and a bed). By the time I finished all the parts,...