This Week in Watches: September 25, 2020 Cooler Edition
This Week in Watches is here for September 25, 2020 and we dub this the cooler edition. That’s right, Autumn is here and the temps are dropping. Let’s see what the watch world has in store for us.Certina DS Chronograph AutomaticI think it’s fair to say that Certina has been on a roll over the last couple years. Between their modern releases and heritage inspired pieces, it’s nice to see the brand return to relevance. Most of the pieces I’ve liked have been divers, but what’s cooler than a new mechanical chronograph? Well, thankfully, Certina feels the same because we have the new retro DS Chronograph Automatic in time for the brand’s 130th anniversar...
TAG Heuer Carrera Sport Hands-On Watch Review
That green dial really means business… And it’s about time. This rash of TAG Heuer Carrera Sport Chronographs is exactly what I think the family needed - a return to form. Sensibility might not create headlines but it does underline classics. And that, as far as I’m concerned, amounts to a low-key triumph for a very divisive mainstream brand.TAG Heuer is one of those brands that splits opinion. There are some who believe that the brand lost its way after TAG acquired Heuer in 1985. Others just as ardently extol it as the beginning and the end of the conversation when it comes to luxury sports watches (you know who you are). You may find yourself in either camp, or you may h...
The Best Summer Watch EVER: The Omega Seamaster 300M (2021)
Was it close? Really? Was it ever going to be? The Tudor Black Bay .925 and the Doxa Sub 300 promised much and delivered a fair helping of competition for the ultimately victorious Omega Seamaster 300M, but did they split the anti-Omega vote too far? I guess we’ll never know, but we do know this: after almost one month of voting and jawing, we have our summer supremo: RJ walks away with the title as the much-fancied Omega Seamaster 300M storms to the title.I also won too: way back in the first round I promised to eat my collection of baseball caps (nay,?all hats) if the Seamaster 300M finished anywhere but the first position in this competition. I’m not so much crowing as I am br...
Giveaway Winner Announced: The Peren Hintz (2021)
It's been a long time coming, but now that the madness of Geneva Watch Days has died down and the Summer Splash competition approaches its close, it's time to announce the winner of the Peren Hintz, generously donated to Fratello by brand founder Andy Bica.The question we asked was inspired by the Hintz's unusual color combination. I wanted to know which colors you'd like to see used together in watchmaking. The most creative answers really leaped off the page at me, so I thought, as usual, I would include the top four runners up alongside the winner, whose identity you will learn at the bottom of the pageLet's not end this discussion here. If you have some more thoughts on color combos that...
Casio PAC-MAN Collaboration Watch A100WEPC (2021)
Let’s face it. Here at Fratello we mainly cover serious watches. From Audemars-Piguet to Zenith, as long as serious watchmaking - and preferably a bit of brand history - is involved, it gets our attention. But a totally different watch universe exists. And it might be that, in numbers, more people dwell in this universe than in those of traditional Swiss, German, or Japanese watchmaking. Watches in this segment don’t aim to be serious; their goal is to bring you lighthearted fun (as well as the time).The Casio PAC-MAN Collaboration Model A100WEPC is indisputably a fun watch. No technical high-end aspirations, just a good vibe. In fact, six of the Fratelli ordered one. Unfortunate...
The New 2022 Bvlgari Aluminium Amerigo Vespucci GMT
Bvlgari has had a very strong start to the second half of 2022 with several excellent releases announced during Geneva Watch Days. Though the brand may be best known for its Octo Finissimo and Bvlgari Bvlgari collections, today, we're going to take a quick look at the Aluminium Amerigo Vespucci GMT. It’s a watch that I would describe as being a more normal-looking” timepiece from the Roman-Swiss brand. The Vespucci GMT is Bvlgari through and through, but it has the specs to make it a legitimate traveler’s companion. It is not a new model from the brand, but a redesigned one that comes in a new color.?This GMT creation is named after the Amerigo Vespucci, an Italian training...
Forstner Model O Bracelet For Tudor Black Bay
Back in March, Forstner gave me the chance to check out the Model J bracelet with my Tudor Black Bay. As I had never liked how the OEM Tudor bracelet felt on my wrist, I was eager to see how the Model J would compare. Long story short, I loved it, and my Black Bay has been “jubilified” ever since. But when an opportunity arose to check out the Model O bracelet, to be honest, I first wondered if it was worth doing at all. The Model O is an Oyster-style affair that many who hate the faux rivets on Tudor’s bracelets should love. But my first-gen Black Bay bracelet didn’t have those “frivets” in the first place. How different could the Model O really be? Well,...
?New: H. Moser & Cie. Streamliner Tourbillon Bucherer BLUE
I'll start with a disclaimer based on my own personal taste: if this does to the general watch-buying public what it does to my heartstrings, I bet all of these are sold out already. At more than $100,000, that might be a wild guess, but look at it! After all, the launch of the H. Moser & Cie. Streamliner Tourbillon Bucherer BLUE happened last week, and only 18 of these gem-set Streamliners will be made.I have an ambivalent relationship with precious stones set into watch cases and bracelets, to say the least. This is probably exacerbated by the proliferation of outre aftermarket abominations based on Subs and Nautiluses, but there are some gleaming (pun absolutely intended) exceptions. ...
Do Watch Brand Ambassadors Influence You? (Probably)
For many years, I’ve been a fanatical nay-sayer when it comes to watch brand ambassadors. However, the world of watch ambassadors is not limited to those paid by the brands. Let's analyze the different kinds of watch ambassadors and their effect on you.A brand picks an ambassador, gives him or her a watch, and the next thing you see is said ambassador wearing the watch during photo shoots, TV shows, movies, etc. It often leaves me cold, as there's (often) no real interest in the watch. It's just a commercial deal they have, and there's little thought behind it. The objective of watch brands isn’t to make you buy the same watch you see on the wrist of celebrity A or celebrity B. R...
Bvlgari Masters Miniaturization In Its Watches For Women
Bvlgari has indisputably innovated and renewed the genre of ultra-thin fine watches. The luxury house has been busy breaking new ground in Haute Horlogerie with the Octo Finissimo range while garnering a string of world records. However, along the way, the Roman jeweler has decidedly diffused its micro-mechanical prowess into the movements of its Haute Joaillerie watches for women.Fusing grand complications with high jewelryIn 2020, Bvlgari launched both the world's smallest tourbillon and the thinnest minute repeater in the women's category. A few months ago, I reviewed the latter, and we also delved into the remarkable Divas’ Finissima Minute Repeater here. Powering this Divas' Dream...
Hands-On: The Balmont BDX004
New watch brands pop up regularly these days. And though it would be impossible to cover them all, sometimes, for one reason or another, one will catch our eye. This was the case with Balmont. The young French brand marks its debut with a series of four well-specced, nicely designed, understated, and versatile watches. These models carry the BDX name, with numbers designating the color of the dial. Silver and anthracite sunburst-dialed models complement the black and white options. There is also one special version with a black California dial, ton-sun-ton hands, and smoky-orange color accents on the minute track, dial text, and outline of the numerals. The brand gives this model, limited to...
Fratello On Air: New Releases From Blancpain, Bulova, and Benrus
Fratello On Air returns with an admittedly noisy episode. Our apologies, but the show must go on! This week, it’s a lighter show as we discuss our recent whereabouts (watches included) and hit upon some new releases. Enjoy the show and the clattering of plates, glassware, and cutlery....
Fratello REM Straps For The Speedmaster: Saturn V
Every month, we’re introducing a new Speedmaster strap with the Swedish brand REM. Our ninth one for 2023 is this white Saturn V strap, which works especially well with white-dial Speedmaster models.Saturn VThe Saturn V rocket carried the Apollo 8 to Apollo 17 missions from 1968 to 1972. Additionally, in 1973, it carried the first Skylab mission. Successful missions before Apollo 8 used the predecessor of the Saturn V rocket. Since Saturn V played an essential role in many of the Apollo missions, we thought it would be nice to commemorate this rocket with the September 2023 edition of the Fratello ?REM strap.This time, we chose white leather with red stitching and an engraved image of...
The New Bulova Oceanographer GMT The Devil Flyer
The market for affordable GMT watches is crowded, to say the least. That’s because this genre of watches is incredibly popular these days. So it is no wonder that Bulova is now introducing a GMT version of its famous Oceanographer re-edition. It comes in three versions - stainless steel “Pepsi,” rose gold “root beer,” and “gunmetal” gray (with a lume dial). But the best part of it all is that it’s powered by the Miyota 9075 flyer GMT movement. Let’s take a quick look at the Bulova Oceanographer GMT, which I will hereby dub the “Devil Flyer.”Mike’s original OceanographerThe vintage?Bulova Oceanographer Snorkel made its de...
#TBT Going Green: The Vintage Bulova Spinnaker Ref. 7203
I don’t know if it’s because summer officially ended or if it’s these past two weeks of heavy rain here in Europe, but the urge for a colorful dial won me over. Besides that, I stumbled upon an interesting green-and-white-dial Bulova Spinnaker this week…I got a new hairdo yesterday. I needed it badly. The last time I’d gotten one was at the end of June, and you know, I kind of didn’t have time to get that done during summer. When September started, it seemed there were more gentlemen like me, judging simply from the fact that the earliest booking I got was for the 25th. Anyway, on my way from the hairdresser back to the office, satisfied with myself, I was...
Hands-On: The New RZE Fortitude GMT-S
By now, you probably know we’re fans of RZE here at Fratello. The brand’s titanium watches are affordable, and they all have a strong explorer attitude. The RZE Fortitude GMT is a proper pilot’s watch that allows you to track an additional time zone. Today, the new RZE Fortitude GMT-S debuts, with the capital “S” for “sunburst,” I guess. That’s because both the new gray and blue versions feature a shiny sunburst dial. Let’s take a look at these new additions to RZE’s Fortitude GMT collection.I’ve worn our RZE Fratello Resolute Pro Contour for a few days, and I was impressed with its detailing and comfort. Now, I’ll be ve...
Hands-On: Seiko Astron SSH158, SSH159, SSH161, And SSH163
It’s been only a few months since Seiko introduced the first Astron GPS Solar Dual-Time Chronographs with the new caliber 5X83. Today, the Japanese brand unveils a quartet of chronographs powered by the same movement. The line is expanding with the standard-production SSH159, SSH161, and SSH163. Additionally, we get a titanium and ceramic limited edition, the SSH158. The watches are slightly smaller than the previously released models and introduce new dials. The 1,200-piece limited edition presents a blacked-out aesthetic with rose gold elements. It’s time to find out more about these new Seiko Astron chronographs.When Seiko introduced the first four references in this series in...
Introducing: The New Venezianico Arsenale Collection
Venezianico is a young brand from Venice that continues to roll out new releases. Today, the Arsenale joins the lineup, and while it contains familiar styling details, the watch can claim a historic local building as the source of inspiration. This is a watch that should please those looking for value and refinement.I’ve now covered three Venezianico watches, and each has been significantly different. A chronograph with lunar ties, a striking gold-dial diver, and an integrated-bracelet watch have crossed my keyboard within six months. The watches may not be similar in intent, but each focuses on a high level of finishing for the price. The new Arsenale blends luxurious details with a s...
Fratello Talks: Ressence With Founder Beno?t Mintiens
Welcome to this latest installment of Fratello Talks. Today, we are happy to be joined by special guest Beno?t Mintiens, the founder and CEO of the avant-garde Belgian watch brand Ressence. In this long-form episode, we learn about Beno?t’s origins as an industrial design consultant, how he transitioned into the watch world, and the philosophy that informed the creation of Ressence. Join us for this in-depth chat; you might hear something about the brand you didn’t know before. But before we jump into it, it’s time for a wrist check....
The Genus GNS2: Watch Evolution For The Better
Do you want to dazzle or be functional? If the first is your goal, creating a unique-looking, complicated watch with equally unique features is the way to go. If you opt for the second, it's all about sober functionality. When Genus released its first creation in 2019, the GNS1, the small independent brand wanted to dazzle. And it did. The GNS1 was an open-worked spectacle in which not just bridges, wheels, and levers took center stage but also a mechanical, 11-piece snake-like object that traveled around the two central counters on the dial. The new Genus GNS2 has two three-piece snake-like creatures moving around the dial to tell time. In a way, the GNS2 is much like the tuatara.Don't tell...