Best Watch Dial Textures 2021: Grand Seiko, AnOrdain, And Czapek
If you’ve read my recent article, you may well have noticed me banging on about dial textures and why they’re so important. The dial is probably the first thing we see when looking at a watch for the first time. They say first impressions are the key to success, so the dial is quite an important element in this regard. It’s not just color that can make a dial truly eye-catching, texture can and does play a key role when it comes to this. I decided to go back and take a look at some of the best dial textures out there today, as well as the brands responsible.As a forewarning and a caveat, I’ve purposely tried to steer clear of guilloche dials for this article. Guilloch...
Summer Splash Semi Finals Sinn Vs. Tudor (2021)
Ladies and gentlemen! The time has come for you to decide which of these two summery stunners will rise to glory in the final vote. One of these watches will advance to the last round of the Summer Splash, the other will end up crying in the kiddie pool. The choice is left up to you, the Fratelli. So pick wisely! Will Lex’s Sinn rise from the saddle to crush the competition in the final sprint? Or will it be Mike’s sterling Tudor soar to victory? Before we proceed to make this second-to-last selection, it’s time for this ticking twosome to battle it out.Nacho here, filling in for Lex during his holiday hiatus! The man is so dedicated to Summer Splash that he’s off doi...
How Watches Work: Carbon, Sapphire, And Cheese Cases (2021)
You have to draw the line somewhere. And I draw the line at cheese. Anything beyond cheese is a step too far for me. I'm talking cheese as a building material for watches of course, not cheese as food. Cement, granite, wood, and marble are highly debatable, but at least you can't eat the stuff. Anyway, after looking at all kinds of metals in the first part of this How Watches Work, I'm leaving alloys behind and will proceed to look at some of the more exotic offerings out there.Let's start with getting some of the more unusual, maybe I should say ridiculous, materials brands make watch cases from out of the way. H. Moser & Cie. used Vacherin Mont-d’Or cheese to make a point regardi...
Being A Speedmaster And Constellation Collector
For Fratello Collector’s Week 2.0, our editors are sharing their collecting philosophies. It's my turn, and not by coincidence, it's a Tuesday. I collect watches, and my core collection is made up of Omega Speedmaster and Constellation models. Let me tell you about my collecting journey, the mistakes I made, and the golden rules I (try to) respect.I've been a hoarder/collector all my life. As a kid, I collected comic books, resulting in boxes full of them that still need to join me every time I move houses. With comics, it was very straightforward. I just collected (all) the albums of my favorite series. Although I know of some collectors who collect all series of a certain brand, this...
Fortis Marinemaster M-44 In Three New Colors
The Fortis Marinemaster M-44 is big, bold, and beautiful. And the beauty is also functional, as you would expect from Fortis. There are three new colors available for the Marinemaster M-44 - Woodpecker Green, Ocean Blue, and Black Resin. Technically speaking, black is not a color but a shade, but when you add an 18k yellow gold bezel, as Fortis did with the Black Resin Gold Limited Edition version, it certainly presents itself with a lustrous hue. Fortis takes the tool-watch theme very seriously but, at the same time, doesn't forget to have fun during the work break in style.Last year, Fortis introduced the all-new Marinemaster in two sizes - 40 and 44mm. In particular, the latter has all th...
Best-Kept Secrets: Bvlgari Octo For Less Than $4,000
Do you think this Bvlgari Octo looks chubbier than usual? And wait, aren't they all called Finissimo? That’s a question that many younger enthusiasts will be asking themselves after this introduction, so let me enlighten you. The original Bvlgari Octo made its debut in 2012 and is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year. The Finissimo, however, debuted in 2014 with a rather delicious tourbillon. These days, the OG Bvlgari Octo can be found pre-loved for between 3,000 and 4,000 euros. Does it even matter that it’s no Finissimo?The enigmatic shape started with the Gerald Genta Octo, the achingly cool Bi-Retro from the mid-2000s being a prime example. After co-branding the Octo m...
Fratello Collector's Week Thomas's Collecting Philosophy
For Fratello Collector’s Week 2.0, some of our editors are sharing their collecting philosophies. Today it is my turn. As I described in a recent article, I do not consider myself a watch collector. But then again, I guess that is a collecting philosophy in its own right. So maybe I just have to bite the bullet and get into it.As it turns out, I quite enjoyed reflecting on my collecting habits for this article. It can be good to have a close look in the mirror from time to time. So if you are interested, here is my approach to watch collecting. I found that my watch box is a mirror of sorts. Let me explainTo collect or not to collectAs I explained before, I do not regard myself as a co...
Orders Closed: Fratello Minase M-3 "Very-Peri" Edition
Ladies and gentlemen, that’s a wrap! After exactly seven days of availability, we have stopped taking orders for the Fratello Minase 2022 Exclusive Edition! Thank you to each and every one of the supporters of this exciting project. This is the first time (but not the last time) that Fratello will pursue this sales strategy. Why? Because our community spoke, and we’re doing our best to listen. If this isn’t what you want to see, let us know in the comments below or get in touch directly. We are sure its limited window of availability will mark it as a very special, community-centric edition for years to come.The Fratello Minase M-3 “Very Peri” project presented ...
Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Deep Black ETNZ Edition
Bon dia! We're here in Barcelona because Omega invited us over to come take a look at how the Emirates Team New Zealand is preparing for the 37th edition of the America's Cup. The world-famous regatta will start from here in exactly one year from now. To mark this occasion, a preliminary regatta will take place this weekend, close by in Vilanova. And to help the ETNZ crew defend their title, Omega introduces a new Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M Co-Axial Master Chronometer Chronograph. It has an all-ceramic case and is called the Deep Black ETNZ Edition.But apart from supporting the Emirates Team New Zealand, Omega will also play an essential role as the official timekeeper of the America's Cup....
Why Do Watch Brands Save The Best For Limited Editions?
Why do brands “always” make their limited editions the best versions of a certain watch? When this topic first popped up in a Fratello editorial meeting, all of the team members recognized that feeling. But is it just a feeling, or is it reality? The simple fact is that beauty is in the eye of the beholder, so sentiments like this are always up for debate. But somehow, we felt there was a certain truth to that first question. In a universe of limited editions, we might be mistaken. Still, we can’t shake the feeling that the best versions of many watches are the limited ones.The watch universe and limited editions have a weird relationship. Some brands create watches in limi...
The Hublot Classic Fusion Chronograph Orlinski Titanium
Yes, you've seen it on my wrist before. It was during Watches and Wonders earlier this year when I came across the Hublot Classic Fusion Chronograph Orlinski Titanium. Well, two of them, actually - one on a black rubber strap (very classic Hublot) and one on an edgy titanium bracelet (very sculptural). In the live W&W report on Fratello, I wore the watch with a pink denim jacket. Yes, a pink denim jacket. And that's exactly how to handle a Hublot. The brand from the Swiss town of Nyon doesn't do traditional horology. Instead, it creates horological fashion - watches you mix and match with your attire. But can this particular Classic Fusion with its artistic touch also be a serious luxury...
Are Pilot's Watches Still Used AsWellPilot's Watches?
The pilot's watch is one of the most popular genres of watches around, perhaps second only to dive watches. Since most owners of dive watches don't dive, and divers don't necessarily use them anymore, they are often referred to as “desk divers.” How about pilot's watches? Do they still have a role to play, or should we start referring to them as “desk flyers”?Let's have a look at how the role of the pilot's watch changed over time and what use it may still have.A micro-history pilot's watchesLet's start with some “Pilot's Watch History 101” in the most condensed form possible. You probably know that arguably the first men's wristwatch in 1904 was a pilot's...
Introducing: The New Ulysse Nardin Freak X OPS
For the horology enthusiasts gathered at Watches and Wonders Shanghai, Ulysse Nardin now unveils the newest evolution of the Freak collection - the Freak X OPS. Few timepieces in the annals of Haute Horlogerie have disrupted conventions and reshaped the narrative as dramatically as Ulysse Nardin’s iconic Freak.Introduced in 2001, this avant-garde marvel was a horological game changer, eschewing dials, hands, and even crowns. Fast-forward to 2019, and Ulysse Nardin once again set the watchmaking sphere abuzz with the launch of the Freak X. A modern iteration, the Freak X retained its forerunner’s fearless essence. While it finally embraced a crown, it still forwent the traditional...
Hands-On With The Jack Mason Ellum Manual Wind
When we look at the history of watchmaking over the past 150 years, we notice that most watches people wore were elegant (by today's standards, that is). It wasn't until the beginning of modern warfare in the early 20th century that watches became visually and mechanically utilitarian, with straightforward designs, better movements, and, generally speaking, better specs. The best example of this is the Explorer, often described as the quintessential versatile sports watch. However, a majority of watches today are geared towards being tough rather than elegant, especially when looking at the micro/independent market.?So we don't often see indy brands take a stab at elegant horology, particul...
Introducing: The Norqain Independence Skeleton Chrono
Since the brand’s founding in 2018, Norqain has built a robust lineup of modern, sporty watches. Customers like the attention to detail, expensive looks, and relatively affordable entry points. At Fratello, we’ve followed this journey by covering many of the latest releases. Today, we continue this by looking at the Norqain Independence Skeleton Chrono 42mm models, which feature a new in-house-designed chronograph movement.We’re used to seeing new watch brands, although the pace of introductions is no longer as torrid as during the COVID period. Many of these companies make lower-cost watches and can be grouped into the “microbrand” category. Norqain, however, i...
Trying The Straum Jan Mayen With The New Strap Adapters
Sometimes, watches seem predestined to be worn on either a bracelet or a specific strap. It’s almost a no-brainer, especially for sports watches with integrated bracelets. Straum’s Jan Mayen is one of those watches. The Norwegian brand’s popular modern sports watch is often praised for its brilliant design. A big part of that design is how the case effortlessly flows into the brilliant bracelet. But what if you want to mix things up and wear the watch on a rubber or leather strap? You can now do so with the introduction of Straum’s new strap adapters. I had a chance to try them out.We love the Straum Jan Mayen here at Fratello. As some of you will know, we collaborate...
Service Your Watch: 12 Brands And Their Service Prices
What is a service, why is it needed and how often? And most important of all: What are the costs? In this article we show you what the watch manufacturers do, per watch type / model and what they will charge for this.A mechanical watch needs periodical servicing, like your car. Your car needs a service every year where they will change the oil, do checks with regards to the brakes, steering, gearbox, tires and so on. Replace what needs to be replaced or repaired. The same goes for your mechanical watch, it needs an oil change every once in a while and some parts need to be checked for wear and tear (think about the wear on those little gear trains for example). The good thing about a watch s...
Scatola del Tempo Rotor One Sport Soft Touch Review
The one and only recurring section dealing with accessories on Fratello Watches is the Watch Strap Review, which we publish roughly once per month. In this section, I usually introduce a craftsman to the readers of Fratello Watches, a brand worth considering when thinking about new shoes for your watches. Of course, accessories in the watch world does not only mean straps or your occasional watch rolls. We try to bring you some of the more interesting companies of custom-made safes like Stockinger, cool watch winders like Barrington or budget brands like Dapper Watch Winder. This article will have 2 parts. In this one we will look at something every watch guy should have at home who has an e...
Pilot's Watches From Hanhart
Pilot's watches have been present in the cockpit since the very beginning of aviation. Most pilots used to navigate with the help of pocket watches, because wristwatches specially designed for flying were a rare occurrence.A legend is bornThe first pilot watch built by Hanhart in 1938 was the one-button chronograph Calibre 40 with black dial, luminous numerals and the small distance between hands and dial in order to guarantee quick and unimpaired reading of time in bright lighting as well as in the dark. Followed by the legendary models Tachy Tele and Calibre 41 in 1939, these watches came with a rotating bezel, luminescent hands and numerals, and red painted button with asymmetric position...
Hanhart Pioneer Monoscope Hands on Watch Review
Hanhart Pioneer Monoscope ReviewSome History FirstHanhart was, and to some extent still is, a household name in Germany. Their history spans over 130 years between two countries. Hanhart was established in 1882 in Diessenhofen (Switzerland) but the company was relocated by Johann A. Hanhart, the founder, to Germany in 1902. They reached mediocre success until 1924, when Willy Hanhart (son of Johann) introduced a mechanical stop watch that was reasonable in price compared to the Swiss competition. This ignited the business and only two years after that success, Hanhart?came out with their watches. However most of us know the name Hanhart because of their chronographs.ChronographsHanhart’...