Swatch 1983 Models Bioreloaded In 2020
Swatch introduces the rebirth of its iconic 1983 models. They are made of bio-sourced materials instead of conventional plastics. Swatch announces that its watches are bioreloaded.This might sound silly to you, but I often wonder what Swatch can do to make a comeback. Why do I care? Nostalgia for sure. I was born in 1977 and in my childhood, Swatch watches ruled the streets. Looking at today’s “watch landscape” among kids, they’ve become difficult to find. Watches in general, but also Swatch watches.Advertisement via https://www.stay-tuned-to-sw.de/old_ads.htmlSwatch 1983 Returns - BioreloadedVery recently, I bought the Swatch Bape watch. You should have seen the disa...
#TBT Seiko Astronaut Watch A829-6029 Aka Rotocall
An instant love. Since I?first saw it in an old advert, I?wanted to get my hands on it. It took some time, patience, and fine-tuning, but here it is. Since I?landed and tried Seiko A829-6029 for the first time, I believed it was designed for my wrist. Nothing fancy. Just a true tool watch. But do not underestimate it! And not to forget, we are almost the same “production year…It's hard to believe that it will be almost ten years since Robert Jan first shared his finds about one of the “other watches that went into space. Seiko A829-6019 with blue/red bezel was worn in space not only by Dutch astronaut Wubbo Ockels, but many others during their missions in the 1980s. What ma...
The Top 7 Best Bi-Color Watches Currently Available (2021)
Gold and steel is a combination that we need to celebrate more. The glorious combination of utilitarian steel and exclusive gold is the perfect combo for people looking for something unique. Watch fans often prefer either full steel or full gold watches. In order to show that there are some glorious bi-color watches out there, I have come up with a list of the seven best gold and steel watches currently available. So bring out the double-breasted suits, pinkie rings, and glorious haircuts of the 1980s because we are going on a trip back in time.While that last statement might come across as trying to make fun of bi-color or two-tone watches, it’s certainly not how I feel about them. In...
IWC Launches Three U.S. Navy Pilot's Chronograph Watches (2021)
Constructing a watch case from ceramic is almost by-the-by these days. With Tudor entering the chat to join Panerai and Omega, forgetting who pioneered this concept is easy. The new Pilot’s Watch Chronograph by IWC serves as a reminder of the mack daddy of the ceramic game. The IWC Da Vinci reference 3755 in 1986 was the first production watch with a ceramic case. For 2021, IWC takes inspiration from its military program to give civilians a choice to cherish the elite squadrons. Namely, the U.S. Navy squadrons, “Royal Maces,” “Tophatters,” and “Blue Angels?,” with matching color accents to the logos. By delivering a one-two-three punch knockout, IWC ...
New Release: Norqain Adventure Neverest Dive Watches (2021)
I don't know about you, but I love a good dive watch. In fact, looking at my collection, I clearly can't get enough. But there is a point when you look down into your watch box and see only black dials and bezels staring up at you that your appetite starts to fade or shift. There really is no reason to limit yourself to the standard black-on-black, especially when brands like Norqain are bringing you exciting new takes on this familiar format, as they do with these three new offerings in the Neverest line.The latest press release from Norqain will come as great news to all those looking to expand their collection in a fresh and exciting direction. If you find yourself having satiated your di...
Hands-On: The Redwood Tactical V2 Diver's Watch?
Born on Kickstarter in 2015, Redwood Watches is a young Canadian microbrand offering heritage-inspired watches with timeless designs. Following a no-nonsense approach, Redwood puts reliability and serviceability above all else. As things stand in the second half of 2022, the brand has two watches on offer. There is the Field V3, which is a time-only field watch, and the Tactical V2 diver. Both watches are designed with carefree wear in mind. So much so, in fact, that both are available with a choice of an automatic caliber or a solar quartz movement for the ultimate worry-free experience. The Redwood Tactical V2 Diver's Watch is the brand's latest offering. It’s also the one that I spe...
Fratello Collector's Week 2.0 Keeping Your Watches Safe
As you've seen in this Fratello Collector's Week, we, like many collectors, have a severe problem. Any collector will tell you that storing watches safely becomes a serious consideration as soon as a few pieces grow to double figures. While higher-value timepieces belong in a safety deposit box or a safe, accessing these watches is limited to the bank vault's schedule and your availability. For more everyday wearability and travel solutions, my selection consists of a watch box, a travel roll, and a watch winder, all from Wolf 1834.My collection cannot compete with those of my colleagues, but I desire to keep my watches organized. Leaving a sizeable watch collection strewn about the house is...
Let's Get Twisted: Exploring Twisted & Almost Twisted Lugs
Lugs are often a “make it or break it” feature on any watch. Of course, here at Fratello, one style of lugs is quite popular - twisted lugs. Known as twisted, lyre, or sometimes Bombe lugs, they’ve been a defining feature on Speedmasters for many decades now. But their elegance is not relegated to just one watch or brand. With almost 100 years of history and some unique interpretations of the form along the way, there’s no one way to twist a lug. Twisted lugs also happen to be one of my favorite looks on a well-designed watch.It’s been almost a year since Jorg wrote his article on different lug styles. As he stated there, it’s usually easier to spot when l...
Fratello Collector's Week 2.0 Thor's Has Found Goldilocks
Of course, I’m a collector. This is Collector’s Week! A few of our editors claim that they are not collectors and simply have more watches than most to match their moods and outfits. Really? Newsflash: in 2022, we see fewer watches on wrists than ever before. The curve on the watch-loving graph might be pointing upwards again, but in some countries, you'll see 70% of wrists naked. So when you have more than eight or ten watches, you're a collector, no matter what you tell yourself (or your wife…). While not focused on one brand, I'm a collector and have been for more than 10 years, but I've changed my focus after a few insights. Be true to yourself and admit to your own tas...
Balazs's Top 3 Blacked-Out Watches From GWD 2023
Whenever we look back on a significant watch fair, whether Watches and Wonders or Geneva Watch Days, we tend to look for a pattern: in what direction is the industry heading? Is it about specific colors or materials brands are using? I feel that in the last few years, perhaps since COVID-19, pinpointing those things has been challenging. So, in this article, I won't lament that. Instead, I will talk about some of my favorite blacked-out watches of the show because there were many.I know that watches coming in black cases, whatever the material, are not new. Still, I saw a notable number of them this year at Geneva Watch Days. Here are my favorite three in no specific order.Girard Perregaux L...
Panerai Radiomir: Neo-Vintage Vs. Modern
In this Sunday Morning Showdown, we will do things a little bit differently than we usually do. We want to put a neo-vintage Panerai - or at least nearly neo-vintage - up against a modern Panerai. Both are from the Radiomir collection but with a nearly 20-year gap in production date.We see that the popularity of neo-vintage watches (approximately mid-1990s to the mid-2000s) is rising. Even within the Fratello team, we see an interest in buying watches from that era. Thomas added this Panerai PAM00210 to his collection, for example. Watches from the mid-1990s to the mid-2000s seem to be undervalued these days, which is good if you have a weak spot for pieces from that era. But how does it com...
Introducing: The Minase Fratello M-3 Shiro Exclusive Edition
The third time’s the charm. Well, the Minase Fratello M-3 Shiro exclusive edition sure is charming. Fratello’s third take on the M-3 again makes the versatile model available outside Japan, and it looks crispier and cooler than ever. This time, the star of the show is a frosty white dial that is clean and dynamic thanks to a subtle structure and carefully applied Japanese lacquer. Then, touches of red and blue put some color on the face of our latest collaboration with the artisans at Minase. The result is a clean, subtle, comfortable, and versatile wristwatch with a great story.For our latest collaboration, the M-3 “Shiro,” we at Fratello and Minase chose three color...
Hands-On: The Stylish Daniel Roth Tourbillon Rose Gold
As always, Geneva Watch Days this year showcased many great watches to discover. One of the highlights for quite a few people was the Daniel Roth Tourbillon Rose Gold. The second timepiece from the revived Daniel Roth brand builds on the first release from last year. As I explained in the watch’s introduction article, the rose gold version of the Tourbillon seemed even more stylish than last year’s Tourbillon Souscription. Most of all, it is proof that the resurgence of Daniel Roth was achieved with class and great care.Only a few weeks ago, I ended my introduction article wishing to experience the Daniel Roth Tourbillon Rose Gold on the wrist. I was curious whether the rose gold...
Watch Strap Review Part 11 Introducing BCattWatchStraps
My partner in crime, Blaise, introduced the fantastic strap reviews on Fratello Watches and it has really led me to look into strap makers as well. As you know, I really favor vintage pieces and one of my favorite things to do is to match a vintage watch with a perfectly appropriate strap. It's really like buying a knockout suit and having the right shoes. In any case, we pick up a lot of recommendations on strap makers via word of mouth, reading about them on forums, and sometimes they contact us. More recently, though, we've come across certain strap makers on Instagram. There are a lot of strap makers out there and while I admire all of them I certainly couldn't make one many straps have ...
Tissot Navigator Automatic reference 44646-3X 52Mondayz, week #38
I will be very much off the beaten track in the week to come. In an area which could be described as potentially unsafe when wearing luxury accessories. It will not be the first time for me over there, so I pretty well know what to do and don’t. Wearing a yellow gold Day-Date with President bracelet would be one of the things to avoid, so I chose another watch for this weeks 52Mondayz.Tissot Navigator Automatic reference 44646-3XRemaining in the same era as last week, when I wore this Omega Speedmaster Professional, this week I chose to wear a lesser valuable watch. A 1974 vintage Tissot Navigator Automatic with reference 44646-3X.The Tissot Navigator Automatic 44646-3X on my wristQua...
Omega Trilogy Tourbillon Boutique Baden-Baden
We understand that it is not (always) easy or even possible for everyone to enjoy the latest novelties or see certain watches in person. Sometimes, as we are in the watch industry ourselves, we tend to forget these things a bit. That’s why we love to host events in close cooperation with brands and boutiques. This way, we can bring our readers closer to the brands and vice versa.Last weekend we co-organized an event with the Tourbillon Boutique in Baden-Baden, Germany. Tourbillon Boutique is part of Swatch Group, and has around 20 boutiques world wide. In the Tourbillon Boutiques, you will find the high-end Swatch Group brands such as Omega, Blancpain, Glashutte Original, Breguet and J...
ShopWorn Introduces a New Way to Shop for Luxury Watches
ShopWorn has introduced a new shopping concept to the world of luxury watches by being the first and only ecommerce website to specialize in selling store-display model timepieces. By virtue of their sourcing strategy, buying shopworn and unsold watches from authorized retailers and Swiss manufacturers, ShopWorn guarantees the authenticity of its product. Watch enthusiasts can find real deals with authentic luxury watches priced below dealer cost.What are ShopWorn watches? A shopworn watch by definition had been on display in an authorized retail store. As they are display-model watches, they have spent most of their existence protected behind a glass display case or securely tucked away in ...
KLOK-01 Midnight Blue A new introduction by klokers
We’ve reported to you about Klokers before, including a hands-on review of the KLOK-01 model almost 2 years ago. Well, based on that white dial model, Klokers introduces to you their KLOK-01 with Midnight Blue dial.KLOK-01 Midnight BlueThe patented display of this 44mm x 11.5mm watch is now available in this stunning blue colour. According to Klokers, the Midnight Blue is inspired by the ‘blue hour’, a phenomenon that happens just before Sunrise and after Sunset. During these two moments, the colour of the sky is more intense blue than it normally is.Midnight Blue with Milanese BraceletTo us, in all honesty, the Midnight Blue dial of the new KLOK-01 watch is just very nice....
Wrist Game or Crying Shame: Yema Bipole Duopoly
Ok, you outlanders, it’s time for the latest installment of Wrist Game or Crying Shame and we take a look at a watch made for real toughies, the Yema Bipole Duopoly.Are you a tough son of a gun?? If so, you’ll want to stick around to take a look at the Yema Bipole Duopoly.? But first, let’s discuss last week’s entrant, the Panerai Luminor 1950 Fiddy.? Like a song that’s still suffering from having been played way too much on the radio – I still find Bryan Adams’ “Everything I Do” tough to suffer through – it seems you guys still haven’t hopped back onto the early 2000’s Panerai train.? And while I’d call you lot a ...
Pre-Owned Picks Our Selection Of Grand Seiko Watches
Anything Grand Seiko does seem to be a winner. But not everyone is ready to spend $6000 on a Snowflake or $6500 on the Mt. Iwate. What does the pre-owned market have in stock for you, when it comes to Grand Seiko?Truth to be told, the pre-owned market for Grand Seiko isn’t overly huge. It has partially to do with the relatively low production number of Grand Seiko watches (estimated 40.000). But it might also have to with the people who buy these watches, that these aren’t considered “flippers” and buy a Grand Seiko because they want to enjoy it for a long time. As a comparison: Audemars Piguet also has an estimated production of 40.000 watches per year (different pri...