Fratello Talks: Are New Watches Always Better?
This week’s episode of Fratello Talks is about new watches always being better than their previous versions - but are they really? Laurits, Lex, and RJ discuss whether this applies to all watches that come out and whether things like better accuracy, greater antimagnetic properties, and so on are that important to buyers. But before we get into it, you know what time it is It's time for a wrist check....
Introducing: The New Omega Seamaster Regatta
Omega has a longstanding relationship with the America's Cup, and marking this year's race is the new Seamaster Regatta. More than ever before, Omega took the opportunity to develop a purposeful watch for sailors. This watch, regarded as an instrument, just like the X-33 collection, uses an analog and digital display.37th America’s CupThe launch of this watch took place in Barcelona, where the 37th edition of the America's Cup is happening. As Omega President and CEO Raynald Aeschliman explained,?Our new Seamaster Regatta belongs to the same family of watches as the Speedmaster X-33. It's essentially a multifunctional tool that you can wear on your wrist. As its name makes clear, this ...
The Disco Volante Is In: Two Viral Novelties & Vintage Inspiration
Disco Volante is a watch style. In Italian, it also means “flying disc” but neither Frisbee nor mid-argument dinner plates. It’s simply a term for a UFO and harks back to the mid-20th century. With such a rich history of Italian people collecting watches, many terms and nicknames have an Italian origin, but is this design ethos a new and rising trend?Judging from the response to the seemingly lugless Furlan Marri Disco Volante in its three versions, we will see more, and I, for one, will rejoice. Like the odd Cartier Pebble with its massive resurgence, round or roundish watches with short or no lugs are comfortable daily wearers. They also offer a much-needed alternative to...
Hands-On: The New Hamilton Khaki Field Quartz
Hamilton’s Khaki Field collection is a true classic among watch enthusiasts, especially novices. There’s something for everyone, including watches with hand-wound, automatic, and quartz movements. Also, with prices ranging from $400 to $2,000, affordable options abound. Today, we’ll look at some new additions to the lower end of the collection’s price spectrum. The new Hamilton Khaki Field Quartz comes in four colors and is available in 33mm and 38mm cases. Get ready to resist your urge to get one.Most watches in Hamilton’s Khaki Field collection have an automatic or hand-wound movement. Besides the ones we’re looking at today, the only other quartz watche...
FratelloWatches Interviews A G-Shock Authority
We love people with a passion for watches, whether this is a passion for Pateks, es, independent watchmaking brands or Swatches and G-Shocks. G-Shock is a sub brand of Casio and it will soon celebrate its 30th anniversary. Admitted, it is not the brand that is top of mind when we write or think about watches, but we’ve learned that there are a lot of fans out there that collect G-Shock watches and we don’t see any reason to neglect them!What would be a better way to explore about G-Shocks than to ask an authority. We didn’t have to search long, as one of them is a Dutch guy that has his own blog about G-Shocks (50Gs), a website about G-Shocks (G-Peopleland) and is the moder...
Visitor Watch Co Calligraph Duneshore A new microbrand
Microbrands are hot. Although the watch industry is very mature, new brands are being added every month. Especially affordable watches from microbrands are particularly popular. It might have something to do with the economical situation we’re in that not everyone is willing (or able) to put several thousands on the counter for a watch from one of the big brands out there. Visitor Watch Co is a new player on the (niche) market for microbrands and will be put on the Kickstarter initiative to raise funds early November at the latest.The final price of the Calligraph Duneshore has yet to be decided upon, but owner and founder of Visitor Watch Co, Phil Rodenbeck thinks it will be in the mi...
How Good Is The New Omega Speedmaster '57 ? Speedy Tuesday
Omega?Speedmaster ’57 Ref. 331.10.42.51.01.002Omega is going large this year with their Speedmaster collection. Not only did they show us the new ceramic Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon models (we covered all of them here), White Side of the Moon models (review coming up), Speedmaster Snoopy II (covered it here) but also this new Omega Speedmaster ’57 Caliber 9300 model. In the past, we already reviewed the Omega Speedmaster ’57 Caliber 9300 watch (here) and compared it to the original Speedmaster CK2915 and the later 1997 re-edition. However, that was the model introduced in 2013 and even though it showed some similarities with the original CK2915 reference, it lacked pr...
Speedmaster Sighting: The Transporter Refueled
Just months before the new James Bond movie's premier (Spectre will be shown for the first time in London on 5th November) Omega and action movie fans are not left without some cool watch sighting of their favorite brand on the silver screen. In the newest addition to the Transporter saga, The Transporter Refueled, Frank Martin (Ed Skrein) can be seen running around in the usual slim fit black suit and big black Audi wearing an Omega Speedmaster Professional on the wrist. During the first scene we come across Frank Martin a bunch of thugs get into a fight with him in a hall garage, where else. Right before he knocks out the last thug le looks at his watch and makes a remark that he does not ...
New Blue Alpina Horological Smartwatch
SmartwatchesLet’s admit it. There is no escape from the smartwatch, everywhere you look there’s someone with an Apple Watch. Even the recently announced Apple Watch Series 2 is a hot topic. Not among watch enthusiasts per se, but a lot of people who watches the Apple novelties (iPhone 7 and Apple Watch Series 2) on September 7th, are talking about these new products. A friend of mine, who has nothing with (mechanical) watches, even ordered his iPhone 7 and Apple Watch Series 2, just because. His iPhone 6S and Apple Watch are still perfectly functioning devices, but the ‘want’ and ‘wow’ factor were simply irresistible.Alpina Horological SmartwatchOn the sam...
The 100.000.000th G-Shock Delivered
Last month, the 100.000.000th Casio G-Shock has been delivered. An amazing number and accomplishment! Here at Fratello we are big fans of the G-Shock and recently covered the ‘essential’ model GW-5000.100.000.000th G-Shock Since 1983The development of the G-Shock already started in 1981, a watch that needed to withstand drops and heavy knocks. Around 200 prototypes later, the first G-Shock was launched in 1983. This was reference DW-5000C. The ‘tough’ watch that led to an entire new entity within the Casio company.DW-5000CThe philosophy of G-Shock is that every new developed model should be pushing the limits even more than the previous one. A while ago, we did an int...
Weekend Read: and Tudor's GMT Watches Pepsi Battle!
The long-awaited stainless steel GMT-Master II with Pepsi configuration was introduced exactly at the same time as Tudor's Black Bay GMT?with a?Pepsi bezel. Since Tudor belongs to , this wasn't a matter of coincidence.GMT PepsiThere was never a sporty GMT model in Tudor's heritage, as far as I remember (or can find). I know about their vintage Submariner models, but I never saw an equivalent for ' GMT-Master in their collection. As far as goes, the GMT-Master has been part of their history since 1954 when their reference 6542 was introduced. When cancelled their aluminium bezel models around 2007, that also meant the end of the much-praised Pepsi and Coke bezels. The new ceramic bezels we...
Your Speedmaster Story #2 Verona, Grail Watch, and a ST1
This is the second installment of our “Your Speedmaster Story” series with three new reader’s stories. A few weeks ago, we asked you to share your Speedmaster story?with us, and with the Speedmaster community. Besides admiring other people's Speedmaster watches, it's the stories that make the watches truly special.This week, we have stories from Luca (Italy), David (The Netherlands), and Simon (Hong Kong). They share with you (and us) their Speedmaster stories for this Speedy Tuesday installment. Featuring are a modern Speedmaster Professional, a vintage Speedmaster Professional (145.022-69), and the first Speedmaster “Speedy Tuesday”. Enjoy!Your Speedmaster Sto...
Jorg's Top-5 Minimalist Watches
What makes a great watch? I’ll leave that one up to you. But I think it comes down to balance (in the eye of the beholder). It is a combination of technique, design, and brand. For me, it’s always about design first and foremost. Design is what triggers me, it’s become the focus of my professional career, and I love nothing more than finding out about new watch designs. Especially when watches mess with the status quo. That’s exactly what inspired this Top-5 Minimalist Watches list.The easiest way of compiling this list would be to pick five Bauhaus-inspired timepieces and run with it. As one of the world’s leading minimalist design movements, Bauhaus is definit...
Certina DS PH200M Blue Reloaded Divers' Watch
2018 was the last Baselworld that Swatch Group brands attended. I’m not sure if it was a conscious move from them or just a coincidence, but most brands brought the heat to close out their long association with the presumably defunct fair. Among them was Certina and its, then-new, DS PH200M, a reedition of their legendary vintage diver. Today we’ll have a look at its sibling, the Certina DS PH200M Blue.Technically the DS PH200M Blue is not in the same model line as the DS PH200M. The latter is part of Certina’s Heritage Collection. Meanwhile, the Blue is in the Aqua Collection with models such as the DS Action Diver or the DS Action Day-Date. It does not matter, though, the...
Wrist Game Or Crying Shame: Seiko Spring Drive Tuna SBDB013
Alles Roger, watch fans? Wrist Game or Crying Shame is here again with the Seiko Spring Drive Tuna SBDB013. Let’s see what you think about this dearly departed diver. But first…Last week, the rocket boosters were ready for liftoff with the Fortis Official Cosmonauts Chronograph. I showed you a full set, but with a catch. This watch was a two-tone model and you crushed it in the comments. Still, the vocal opponents lost out to the actual voters because this watch rocketed to a 59% Wrist Game win. I was absolutely sure that this one would fail to launch, so it goes to show that I just don’t know you that well. I’ll shed a tear later. First, though, let’s talk abou...
Summer Splash Semi Finals Omega Vs. Doxa (2021)
We value your opinion, dear readers, and you should let us know what the finals are going to look like. In this round of the Summer Splash, it’s the Doxa Sub300 Carbon versus the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M. The choice is up to you, dear Fratelli, so cast your vote at the end of this article. Your pick will potentially go on to win it! So who will it be? The great white shark or the cheeky yellow tropical fish?Omega Seamaster Diver 300MThe summer is coming to an end this week in The Netherlands, where I live. Temperatures are dropping and I noticed I am picking business shirts and sweaters over my polo shirts again. It makes the white dial Seamaster Diver 300M even more versatile, as I ...
Hands On Watch Review: The F.P. Journe Automatique Lune (2021)
The F.P. Journe Automatique Lune you see here is the latest iteration of a design that debuted in 2007. In addition to the previous model’s 40mm case size, the latest iteration is also available in a 42mm case, just 10.6mm thick. It features a new, larger crown, with F.P. Journe’s signature “silk rope” knurling. Available in either platinum or 18k rose gold, on either a bracelet or an alligator strap, the case is nearly identical in design to Chronomtre Optimum we checked out a few weeks ago.The Automatique Lune features a solid gold dial with a galvanized silver layer on top. In the center, one finds three-dimensional Clous de Paris hobnail guilloche. Outside of it,...
The New Mido Ocean Star Decompression Timer 1961 (2021)
All this commotion because of a different dial and bezel color? Absolutely! Because when it comes to this new Mido, it's the color that plays quite a different tune. Let's take a look at the updated Decompression Timer 1961.?I?was a?bit sad that I?missed last year's Mido Ocean Star Decompression Timer 1961. Mido piloted it slightly under the radar. Before I?managed to get my hands on the press sample, the entire limited batch was already long gone. All 1961 pieces disappeared sooner than they reached shops, which only confirms just how hot the offering was. It wasn't just the provocatively daring decompression “rainbow” dial from Mido’s vintage grail watch that we know and ...
Tomas Explains Why He Never Started Collecting Watches
I am always startled when people ask me when I started collecting watches. The thing is, I never started collecting watches. I just bought one watch that I liked…It was 2009, and I was 26 years old when I bought my Tissot PRC 200. It was reliable and sturdy, and I wore it no matter what I did. Time passed by, and after a few years, I bought another watch that I liked, my first self-winding watch, a Junghans Meister Automatic.My first vintage watchAfter another couple of years, I mustered all the courage I had and bought my first vintage watch. It was an almost-NOS gold-plated Vulcain Cricket, which actually gave me my first painful lesson: there are customs fees when you order a watch ...
Introducing: The New TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph
You never know when you will need to hit the race track next, but whenever you do, make sure you are equipped with a proper chronograph. And what’s better than strapping a colorful, super-sporty one like the new TAG Heuer Formula 1 Chronograph to your wrist? These watches come in three vibrant colors and sport all of the useful features you'll need. They're also designed to be used in the cockpit while zooming past the pitstop. Perhaps you would want something that looks a bit more traditional, or perhaps you are feeling bold and want something that pops. Regardless of your preference, the new Formula 1 Chronographs make a solid case for themselves, as we will see below.TAG Heuer is th...