New Seiko Prospex SRPG Watches (2021): All Four Reviewed!
Evolution is a funny thing. When something crawls from the ocean and spends too much time on land, it will start to change. So when you take a diving watch out of the water and stop it from going back, over time it will start to change. One of the first things that might take on a new form is the diving bezel. Perhaps it might morph into a compass ring? Let’s see what life on land has done to this new series of Seiko Prospex watches and whether these latest iterations strike a chord.Seiko Prospex watches are generally associated with diving. That makes sense since these watches have quite an underwater history. But there are also Prospex models that were designed with functioning espec...
Why You Should Care About The Sherpa Ultradive And Sherpa OPS
The Sherpa Ultradive and Sherpa OPS are two of the most intriguing watches I’ve laid eyes (and hands) upon recently. There’s far more to these watches than looks, though. If you’re a proper watch nerd, there just might be something here for you.Before I begin to discuss the Sherpa Ultradive and Sherpa OPS, it’s important to know that this article is a companion piece with a podcast from March this year. Whether you listen to it before reading this or after, I suggest that you take the time as it’s a watch-related discussion that I truly enjoyed. Sherpa’s founder, Martin Klocke is a man on a mission and if watches are about stories as much as anything else,...
Hands-On: The New 39mm Aquastar Deepstar Chronograph
During the Watches And Wonders hubbub a couple of weeks ago, you may have missed a rather compelling release - the 39mm Aquastar Deepstar Chronograph. I wrote a “hot take” on this new watch and promised a hands-on review. That day has come, so let’s determine if this new, smaller dive chronograph will satisfy those with smaller wrists.I won’t rewrite the original intro article on the 39mm Aquastar Deepstar Chronograph, but I will share the most salient points right here in the beginning so that you can focus on the review. Essentially, this watch is a smaller carbon copy of the Deepstar Chronograph that came out in 2020. That watch was 40.5mm 50.5mm. It was equipped w...
Ebel Introduces Three New Sport Classic Lady Models
If you are not familiar with Ebel and have never heard of the brand’s ladies’ watches, you are not alone. I hadn’t either. Little did I know the Sport Classic has been the Swiss watchmaker's flagship collection since its inception in 1977. Thanks to the vintage revival, the Sport Classic has appeared on our radar and looks as in style as it once did in the 1980s. Touting timeless sophistication and elegance, the heritage brand is introducing three new Sport Classic Lady models to keep the light of its past glories burning.Over a century oldHere at Fratello, we haven't put much ink on this brand other than RJ's persistent boast of the Ebel 1911 Chronograph back in the day. A...
Grand Seiko SBGW295 Vs. Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute
In our Sunday Morning Showdown series, two writers go head to head in an epic showdown for the ages. Strong opinions and hysterical hyperbole are welcome (so feel free to join in with the fun in the comments section below). And don’t forget to let us know which watches you’d like to see torn to shreds/effusively exalted next week. We’ll try to feature as many of our readers’ choices as possible. Today’s showdown is about stylish wristwatches for the elegant connoisseur - the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Monoface Small Seconds against the Grand Seiko SBGW295.In today’s showdown, our writers aim to class up the joint from the previous rough ‘n̵...
The April 2024 Fratello REM Strap ?Apollo XIII
It has been a busy few months for Omega, introducing the Apollo 8, Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch with a white dial, and the new Speedmaster 38 models. I expect to see some more Speedmaster releases in 2024, not least of all because it is a significant Apollo 11 anniversary. But we should also not forget about Apollo XIII. The mission, which took place in April 1970, was nearly fatal for NASA astronauts Swigert, Haise, and Lovell.Fratello REM Straps - Apollo XIIIWhile Snoopy might be the reminder to Speedmaster fans of that mission, it’s bigger than Charles M. Schulz’s comic character, of course. To spotlight the Apollo XIII mission, we decided, together with our collab partn...
Getting To Know The Watch Collectors' Club
The Watch Collectors’ Club allows connoisseurs and enthusiasts to gather for watch-related events. You may have heard of similar watch groups, such as the long-running RedBar chapters or Time4APint in London. Where The Watch Collectors’ Club differs is going that extra mile for bespoke events and tailored experiences. Unlike RedBar, The Watch Collectors’ Club uses an annual subscription model ranging from 75 to 150 per year. What that gets you is experiences that are not unlike VIP client excursions but without needing to spend as much as a VIP. Even as a RedBar member and devoted follower of Time4APint, I was unaware of The Watch Collectors’ Club and was keen to le...
Haute Horlogerie On A Budget Relatively Speaking
This week, Fratello On Air returns to its normally scheduled slot with a look at some Haute Horlogerie that can be bought at a fair price. To be clear, we’re focusing more on high-end complications that usually cost an arm and a leg. This is the second half of an episode we recorded a week ago, and we hope you enjoy it!...
Hands-On: The New Doxa Sub 200T Collection
Doxa recently announced a new line of divers in a smaller form factor - the 39mm Sub 200T. I got a chance to try the entire lineup. I also had a full-sized Sub 300T for comparison at hand. In short, I got to form a pretty comprehensive image of what this new Doxa diver is all about. Join me in a closer look at the brand-new Doxa Sub 200T.One pleasant surprise, especially in today's crazy market, was the price of this new model. Doxa managed to offer it at $400 less than the bigger Sub 300T. This puts it firmly in Seiko's mid-range divers' territory. Let's see how they stack up!Doxa Sub 200T specificationsLet's get the obligatory stuff out of the way before we delve into what this new size is...
New: Certina DS-7 Chrono Padel Edition By Marta Ortega
The Certina DS-7 Chrono Padel Edition by Marta Ortega sheds light on a sport that has recently come to my attention. Padel is a big deal! Now the sport has a watch celebrating one of its most popular players. Marta also had a hand in designing the chronograph.I hadn’t heard much about padel until a recent discussion at our local tennis club. It’s a big deal! This isn’t the same sport as pickleball, the game that has taken America by storm and is slowly infecting the globe. No, padel is a racket sport of Mexican origin with similar rules to tennis. However, the walls are in play. The equipment is also slightly different as the rackets have a solid face with holes instead of ...
Gronefeld One Hertz Review Hands On
I've had the privilege of handling many rare timepieces in the past; some of them make more of an impression than others, for various reasons. The Gronefeld One Hertz is one of these but for a very different reason. Built by brothers Bart and Tim Gronefeld, the One Hertz is actually the least complicated watch they have built previously of Renaud et Papi, they also completed the GTM-06 tourbillon minute repeater.The watch ticks, in one-second increments like a (gasp) quartz watch. Flip it over, though, and it's clear that something much more special powers the hands of course an entirely mechanical caliber, developed in house.The rest of this post will be a concise but admittedly subjective ...
Linde Werdelin Oktopus Frogman
This is not your typical watch story or product announcement. For starters, this timepiece will never be available for purchase by the general public; its only owners will remain in the shadows, their identities hidden by codenames and operator numbers. This is a story featuring high-stake missions, a unit trained to operate in unison, and overwhelming brotherhood.This is what happens when Linde Werdelin partners with Conventus Ranae, the formal association of Fr?mandskorpset.Fr?mandskorpset, literally the Frogman Corps, is the Naval Special Operations Force in the Danish Military. They are highly trained, beginning with a tough selection programme. Since inception in 1957, only some 300 men...
Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M Master Chronometer Titanium Hands-On
Seamaster Planet OceanWe cover Omega and their Speedmasters every (Speedy) Tuesday, but hardly anything on the Seamaster Planet Ocean. Somehow, I have never considered a Planet Ocean for my private collection of watches when they first came out. That changed already a bit with the introduction of the caliber 8500 models a few years ago. It is an all-round performer, more versatile than the Speedmaster watches I collect myself. I have an old Seamaster 300M Ti Chronograph Diver from the 1990s that I use as my ‘holiday’ watch and while I love this model, it does show its 1990’s roots. The Planet Ocean is a bit more timeless due to some of the 1957 Seamaster 300 influences, but...
You Asked Us: Longines HydroConquest or MAEN Hudson 38 Jet Black
This week we’re answering a question we received from Joost in The Netherlands. With a budget of around $ 1.000,= he wants to buy a stainless steel watch and asked us to give an opinion about the Longines HydroConquest and MAEN Hudson 38 Jet Black. He has read our reviews, however, now asks us to give a personal opinion. Which one of these watches would we buy?You Asked Us: Longines HydroConquest or MAEN Hudson 38 Jet BlackGentlemen,To start with, with much pleasure I read your well-written reviews. [Thank you Joost, we love to hear that!]I have a question about two watches which I consider buying, and I hope you would be willing to share your opinion about.I want to buy a nice stainle...
#TBT: Alpina Standard Leihuhr A Service Watch
The Alpina Standard Leihuhr, a customer service phenomenon that evokes the gentlemanhood of an entire era.Singular watchI?was looking for a one word description for a good ten minutes. I?think SINGULAR, as offered by the Merriam-Webster Dictionary does the job on all levels. The Alpina Standard Leihuhr does not have the glorious aura of a moon or diving race. It doesnt have forums with overexcited members creating thousands of threads about every single detail from the indexes to the bracelet. What is it about? For me the Alpina Standrad Leihuhr encapsulate the spirits of nice manners and gentlman-ship of decades long forgotten. This subtle watch reminds me of what there should be more of in...
Hot Take: TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 16
We bring you a look at the updated TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 16, a slightly changed chronograph that should continue to appeal to fans everywhere.Although it’s not breaking news, we recently received additional information on changes to the TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 16.? Due to the popularity of this model, the changes are definitely more evolutionary than revolutionary as TAG would be foolish to toy with success. Still, I think the changes are for the better.A Basis of Comparison – TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 16In order to provide you with some background on what has changed (the new model is above), let’s see where we’ve been with the TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 16.? I ...
Hands-on with Omega Ladymatic Fratello Watches
A new addition to my collection is Omega Ladymatic. But this model is not the first time I’ve encountered the range, of course. I wore the yellow gold version on my wrist during the photoshoot for Omega Ladies Club in New York. I'll admit, it wasn't love at first sight…I never thought that such a wild and unconventional design could be for me. However, I found myself dreaming of a statement-making timepiece more than ever before. Why? There is an uncompromising sensuality to the design of the Ladymatic that I couldn’t forget. In steel, more so than in gold, the strength and sensuality of the piece are apparent.Why don’t more people feel this way about the Omega Ladyma...
You Asked Us: Why Do Watches Have Jewels?
Finally. This is a good one. Why do watches have jewels? This is something that has been chronically misunderstood in the past. Nowadays, it is frequently glossed-over. It is a niche within a niche. A specialist science. It is the preserve of the very few. Jewels are the first line of defence against watchmaking’s age-old enemy - friction.Allow me to reiterate that point: watchmaking is a war on friction. Friction is the biggest challenge time-tinkerers the world over face. Every major development in escapement technology was conceived with the same end goal in mind - to reduce friction.Friction is what causes watches to stop. Friction is what makes the creation of a perpetual motion m...
Visiting The Grand Seiko Boutique in Paris (Video)
Just before the lockdown, Grand Seiko announced that Frederic Bondoux had been appointed as President of Grand Seiko Europe. Travel restrictions kept us from meeting him for an interview and having a look at the newly opened Grand Seiko boutique in Paris until last month, but as soon as we were able to travel safely we headed off to the French capital to say hello.What better way to break the nearly-four-month grounding with a visit to Grand Seiko in Paris? The chance to talk to Frederic Bondoux about the Japanese brand in Europe was too tempting an offer to pass up. Check our video above to listen to what he has to say about Grand Seiko in Europe, the new boutique, and his favorite GS watch...
A Brief History Of Time: Chopard's Watchmaking History Part Two
Welcome back to another installment of A Brief History Of Time. Today’s spotlight is on Chopard. In Part One, we went over the brand’s history, from its founding in 1860 to the release of its first manufacture wristwatch in 1997. Since the release of the L.U.C 1860, the brand has done some spectacular things in the world of horology. Many of these, however, may have slipped under the radar of the casual watch enthusiast. While Chopard is still a huge name in the jewelry industry, let's face it: you're probably not here to read about that. This is a watch publication, after all. So, with our focus on its watches, today, we'd like to shed some light on just a few of Chopard Manufac...