Grand Seiko has become synonymous with its incredibly textured dials - but there’s more to the brand than that, of course. Meet the Grand Seiko SBGY007 from the Elegance Collection: a Spring Drive powered dress watch whose dial pays tribute to the frozen waters of Lake Suwa. During most winters, a long ridge appears in the ice from one side of the lake to the other. Legend has it that this i

I have been a keen follower of RZE since its debut. I have previously reviewed a few other watches from the young microbrand, and each one left a positive impression. The RZE Valour Field 38 watch is no exception to that pattern. With that in mind, let me say something about this watch - it is not a game changer. Don’t expect it to redefine any aspect of the watch industry in 2022. But, simi

This is just an assumption, but I imagine that most watch people know of the “Holy Trinity” brands. Even if you are not into watches, you may have heard of Audemars Piguet, Vacheron Constantin, and Patek Philippe. They're popular brands talked about in rap songs and movies. Similarly, you may know of watches called the Royal Oak, the 222, or another one that sounds straight out of a Ju

Last week, I had a most pleasant encounter with an AquaLion. No, I'm not suffering from heatstroke. It wasn't a sea lion, but a mechanical diver's watch made by Vertex. And I also saw a Freelancer on a motorbike. Not an unusual sight, you say? Correct, but in this case, I'm talking about the Raymond Weil Limited Edition Freelancer Chronograph Bi-Compax Limited Edition. The brand just introduced tw

The Oris Aquis debuted barely over a decade ago. Thanks to its charming good looks and mass appeal, the dive collection has quickly blossomed into the Swiss independent watchmaker's top performer. The Aquis has since spawned a myriad of executions. Last year, and not a moment too soon after entering its teens, this flagship diver popped its cherry. Having won many hearts, the Aquis Date Relief Che

Thomas here, resident Oris fan. I’m happy to announce another summer release from Oris and another two limited editions, this time in partnership with the humanitarian organization Wings of Hope. Wings of Hope is a nonprofit that uses small aircraft to provide medical support to vulnerable communities. The watches are in the newest style of Oris’s Big Crown line, naturally - pilot-insp

If you're a regular reader here on the pages of Fratello, you're likely well aware of the Fortis Stratoliner. The new Stratoliner is a complete redesign and revamp of the old Stratoliner collection with the modern-day space traveler in mind. Not only that, but Fortis also sent the watch up to the stratosphere on a balloon last November to conduct real-time environmental testing on its new WERK-17

The Christopher Ward C63 Sealander collection was a game changer for small-wristed people. With case diameters not exceeding 40mm, the brand offers a wide range of complications, colors, and styles. From everyday automatic models to GMTs and chronometer-certified badass field watches. I reviewed a few Sealanders over the past two years and liked them all. In good Christopher Ward fashion, the bran

It has been a while, but we’re happy to announce the first Speedy Tuesday (ԩ`ǥ`ǩ`) event of 2023! It will be held in Tokyo, Japan, just like we did in 2019. On September 26, we will bring together the Speedmaster community once more with a fantastic event to celebrate all things Speedmaster. It’s the chance to gather with other passionate Speedmaster collectors, meet team members

Here's $3K, they said. Do with it what you want, they said. But you can only spend it on watches, they said. Pick three watches under $3,000 in the current collection and one “old” timepiece, be it vintage, neo-vintage, or relatively new but pre-owned. Challenge accepted! And you know what? Though it was called a challenge, it didn't take me all that long to come up with my three + one

We’re back at Fratello On Air after a two-week break. Mike is moving to London and Balazs is busy with all sorts of Summer activities. But here we are and we’re ready to talk about vintage Seiko, buckles, and Speedy bracelets. We think today’s episode flows quite well and we hope that you enjoy the ride!

I have a confession I need to get off my chest. It’s been too long since I’ve carried around a guilty conscience, and you’ll let me have it in the comments if I deserve it. I am coming up to my second anniversary in a couple of monthstwo years of being a Fratello Editor without a Speedmaster. But, Moonwatch or not, I’m still looking at Omegas and might have found the one t

Today, I’m looking at a watch that pays tribute to the Coppa d’Oro car race. There are a few alternate hobbies and interests that seem to complement watch collecting. Perhaps none come as close as the fascination with cars. It’s the similarity that they are mechanical objects with the sole original purpose of being useful tools. A car takes you from A to B, and a watch tells you

According to an early ’50s print ad for the Zodiac Autographic ref. 666, “No motorist would buy a car without a petrol gauge.” It’s amusing but true, I can’t help but think it’s such a witty way to put a bug (or watch) in your mind.Zodiac stole my heart a few times in the past. My sunshine Zodiac Sea Wolf 1781W is one of the most vivid vintage watches I have eve

The news of the MoonSwatch Mission to the Super Blue Moonphase has been out for a couple of weeks. This latest addition to the MoonSwatch lineup is the third of the Mission to the Moonphase models. It will be available until the full blue moon on August 19th. With this short sales window, Swatch is trying to draw people to its stores for this new product. Will it work? We’ll have to wait to

Today, Seiko introduces a limited edition of a recently updated watch. This is the new Prospex SPB473, which has the specifications of the old, beloved SPB143. This version dials up the summer vibes with a bright faded dial inspired by the Greek island of Zakynthos. There is plenty to unpack, so let's dive in!The new Seiko Prospex SPB473(J1) is limited to 1,000 pieces for the European market only.

Hello, and welcome! You’re listening to Fratello Talks. This week’s episode features RJ, Daan, and Nacho, three members of the Fratello team who join forces to wax poetic about some of their favorite affordable watches. This is the first volume of what will almost certainly become a recurring topic for the podcast. There are simply too many great watches with reasonable prices to cover

I decided I really have to save up for a Lemania 5100 driven watch ?? 2004 is probably the last year of production (introduced in 1978), and this movement is really worth the ‘investment’.This chronograph movement is very sturdy and reliable and was/is used in Omega Speedmaster models, Sinn, Tutima, Bell & Ross and even in Alain Silberstein’s watches. Except for the last on

To continue the give aways here at Fratellowatches, I present to you the Di Modell Rallye Wapro strap, offered to you by our sponsor UK Watch Strap. Di Modell, famous for their high quality straps from Germany, are also seen on Sinn? Spezialuhren for example.The Di Modell Rallye strap is a classic ‘racing driver’ strap, like the one on the recently introduced TAG Heuer Monaco ’55

Watch collectors buy watch winders for different reasons. Some use them to keep the other watch(es) on time, some?just like the looks of it or buy one?because they can.?For me personally it was the lack of quick-set in my vintage watches.?When my interest in watches shifted to vintage timepieces this became a bit of a?problem for me. Changing the date to the correct setting required me to change t