Hands-On: The New Yema Superman 500 GMT Models
In the post-COVID era, the explosive increase in the number of GMT watches is remarkable. While we collectively keep our fingers crossed that the effects of the virus will be limited with the changing of seasons, I, for one, am very happy with the increased presence of GMT watches. The GMT complication is my absolute favorite because of its practicality. As such, I am still looking for that great GMT watch that doesn’t break the bank. With the Superman 500 GMT, French brand Yema releases a great-looking option. Could this be my next watch? Let’s find out.Yema is one of those brands that gained a lot of respect and interest from watch fans over the last few years. Recently, the br...
Tissot T-Race Cycling 2022 Tour De France Special Edition
Tissot has held long-standing partnerships with major cycling events for half a century. Last year, the Swiss watchmaker reaffirmed its ongoing commitment as the official timekeeper for the Tour de France, the oldest endurance bicycle race. This year, for the 109th edition of this world-class spectacle, Tissot has launched the T-Race Cycling 2022 Tour de France Special Edition. This 45mm sports watch stands to bring a piece of the experience to the wrists of cycling and watch fans.A no-mean-feat partnershipThe partnership is not just a branding exercise. Tissot is a timing sponsor responsible for timekeeping and the live broadcasting of the race results. That may not tell you the depth of Ti...
New: Zodiac Worn & Wound Laser Tag Limited Editions
After seeing the new Zodiac Worn & Wound Super Sea Wolf Laser Tag limited editions, I immediately thought, “Worn & Wound did it again!” At the end of last year, Worn & Wound released the super cool Nivada Grenchen Worn & Wound Chronomaster Valjoux 72, a special watch housing that legendary chronograph movement. But aside from the caliber, what was just as remarkable to me was the aesthetic of that watch. It showed that an unusually cool combination of colors changed the look of the Chronomaster completely. Now the Worn & Wound team has done the same with the Zodiac Worn & Wound Super Sea Wolf Laser Tag Limited Editions. These two watches look bonkers and f...
#TBT Getting Crazy About The Breitling Colt Military Ref. 80180
While the general watch-collecting population hunts MoonSwatches or Scuba Fifties, I am digging into a quartz Breitling Colt from the late ’80s that nobody seems to care about. But they should! Let me tell you why.I am not on any medication, and I mean it. The quartz Breitling Colt Military PVD ref. 80180 is one of the best watches I bumped into recently. It wasn’t on my radar, and I didn’t know it existed. It came to me unexpectedly, and the second I turned it over twice in my hand, I knew it was a finely balanced watch.The first encounterOne day, I visited a friend who showed me his collection of about 50 watches, all nicely sitting in different boxes for six or eight pie...
If Brands Only Aimed To Please Enthusiasts, They'd Go Bankrupt
Very often, watch brands introduce models that make us shake our heads. Whether it's the diameter of the watch, a four-thirty date window, or a case thickness exceeding 11mm, enthusiasts are ready to rumble with the watch brand's CEO, designer, marketing director, and almost everyone involved. I would not be surprised if many critical watch enthusiasts would like to take their position instead and show them how it is done.The Omega Aqua Terra Shades collection: not everyone’s favorite here, but they sellWe are a critical audienceMost watch brands are tone-deaf to salty comments on their Instagram accounts, watch forums, or in the comment sections of websites like ours. Watch enthusiast...
The Best Watches Under $5,000: Gerard's Picks
In our series of articles highlighting our favorite watches within a certain budget, we have arrived at watches under $5,000. The rules have carried over from the previous installments: pick three watches under $5,000 from current brand catalogs and one pre-owned timepiece, be it vintage, neo-vintage, or relatively new but pre-owned. A higher budget doesn’t make it easier per se. The amount becoming more and more substantial requires more solid choices and might demand new criteria.Let’s not wander too far from the article’s subject, but when spending $5,000, it’s not enough to merely like a watch. Relevance also plays a role. Are you spending your money wisely? Whate...
Hands-On: Cuervo Y Sobrinos Historiador Historic Endurance
If you know anything about Cuervo y Sobrinos, it’s probably that the brand has Cuban heritage. While currently located in Switzerland, the brand’s Caribbean roots give Cuervo y Sobrinos an interesting story to tell. On top of that, we see those roots perfectly integrated into the watches and the packaging. But the origins of the brand go even beyond Cuba. Ramn Fernndez Cuervo, the brand’s founder, was originally from Asturias in northern Spain. Now the brand returns to its Iberian roots for the new Historiador Historic Endurance. The classic chronograph was designed for the Iberian Historic Endurance racing series and features a sleek racing-green dial. Time to find out m...
New: The TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph European LE In Green
Last year, TAG Heuer released two colorful versions of its 42mm Carrera Chronograph. Of course, the watches took inspiration from car racing. This year, the brand continues on the same track with a new limited edition that is only available in Europe. Although this one is also colorful, it’s a bit more toned down and sophisticated than the ones with orange and red detailing from last year. It almost looks like its green sunburst dial was inspired by the color of a Porsche Carrera, and the brown sub-dials could be the leather seats inside of it.Maybe I’m a bit biased after seeing a short video clip that was shared alongside the press pictures of the new TAG Heuer Carrera Chronogra...
A Day Out With A. Lange & Sohne At The Concours Of Elegance
In late August, A. Lange & Sohne invited me to the Concours of Elegance at Hampton Court Palace, southwest of London. This was my third time attending this show and auction of rare classic cars, and this time had the best weather by far. Arriving early, we witnessed the opening parade of all the exceptional automobiles as the owners drove them to their designated spaces. The beautifully maintained vehicles lined up alongside the ancient yew trees within the Tudor palace gardens. As the backfires and rich fuel filled the atmosphere, I was transported to a time before computers on wheels. If only I could bottle that smell. While the purpose of my being there was for A. Lange & Sohne...
Hands-On: The Glashutte Original Senator Chronometer
At one time, the marine chronometer was among the most important of all instruments. It helped determine a ship’s position by measuring longitude. Glashutte Original, originally known as Glashutter Uhrenbetrieb GmbH (GUB), was a famed maker of these instruments. The Senator Chronometer takes inspiration from these ship clocks but transports the form to the wrist.The Glashutte Original Senator Chronometer isn’t a new watch, but today’s model represents a new color variant within the line. It’s classic yet modern with its cool gray and blue tones. We’ve had the opportunity to go hands-on with the watch and enjoy its beautiful details.An original Glashutter Uhrenbe...
The Girard-Perregaux Opera Series
Several years ago, (and probably in development long, long before that) Girard-Perregaux released a series of watches called the Operas. As the name suggests, all boasted musical complications. They were available and I believe some still are with various dials and case materials.Family portrait. All images can be clicked on for larger versionsIn 2005, I was lucky enough to be granted some lens time with the prototypes of these pieces several years ago by the local distributor. The astute viewer will note that the time isn't set to the usual 10:10 on these; some watches had blocked hands, balances or crowns, though all of the striking works were functional.Opera One is a minute repeater with...
Omega De Ville Tresor Master Co-Axial In Gold
One of the best surprises of BaselWorld this year was definitely the Omega De Ville Tresor with its Master Co-Axial caliber 8511 hand-wound movement. Available in white gold, yellow gold and Sedna gold (red).Although we know Omega especially for their sports watches in the current collection, their De Ville and Constellation line-up is important as well. These classic looking collection have quite a history and one could say that the Constellation was at one point the flagship of the brand. However, the Constellation took a different course since 1982 with their ‘Manhattan’ design and the De Ville was until 1999 a toned down collection with a lot of dress watches.In 1999, Omega i...
Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Vintage Black Review
I’ve been looking forward to give the new?Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Vintage Black (reference?311.92.44.51.01.006)?a test drive. Omega sent us this Vintage Black variation on the original Dark Side of the Moon model last month to do our review and take it into our own photo studio.In this article I already shortly discussed this Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Vintage Black model, along with the other new variations. However, without really wearing it and see how it performs it is difficult to say upfront whether a watch appeals to me. It is one of the reasons that we do not publish many ‘press releases’ with stock photos here on Fratello Watches. We re...
Vintage Watch Market Update Autumn 2016 Stuck in the Desert
Autumn is here and that must mean it's time for a Vintage Watch Market Update. In the time since I've started writing these, we've seen a lot of changes on the vintage scene. We've gone from highlighting opportunities on the market to discussing the craze that affects so many of us regarding collecting and how it has rapidly changed pricing. It's been a whirlwind and it's one that shows little signs of abating aside from a few stormclouds on the horizon. Today, though, let’s focus on some of the trends I've noticed over the past quarter regarding the types of pieces that people are collecting and the behaviors that are becoming ever more present within social media outlets and forums.F...
Oris ChronOris Date, an icon returns
At Fratello we all have a thing for vintage so it’s always a pleasure to see watch brands introducing vintage inspired models. We’ve mentioned it earlier and now we’ll have a closer look at the?Oris ChronOris Date that was introduced during Baselworld this year.Oris ChronOris Date, an icon returnsSo after almost 50 years the?Oris ChronOris Date returns. First introduced in 1970, the ChronOris watch was the first stop-seconds chronograph for the brans. It’s name is derived from the words chronograph and the brand name. The original watch came with the typical 70’s case design as seen on many watches from that era. With a pusher and two crowns the watch is a bit d...
Two Patek Philippe Nautilus Watches: 3700/1A Versus 5711/1A
Since the introduction of the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711/1A in 2006, the watch has reached a mythical status. Especially during the last few years, it seems this watch has been picked up by a larger audience than ever before.With a retail price of?26.810,- Euro, not an easy sell for an all stainless steel watch with no complications other than a date. Wrong! These watches have a long waiting list today, and a pre-owned Nautilus 5711/1A is not a cheap alternative with prices starting at around 40.000,- Euro. It is the watch craze we live in today I am afraid, but it has gone to extremes with the Nautilus.Patek Philippe Nautilus 3700/1A and 5711/1A TodayThis article is a comparison between t...
Two Patek Philippe Nautilus Watches: 3700/1A Versus 5711/1A
Since the introduction of the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711/1A in 2006, the watch has reached a mythical status. Especially during the last few years, it seems this watch has been picked up by a larger audience than ever before.With a retail price of?26.810,- Euro, not an easy sell for an all stainless steel watch with no complications other than a date. Wrong! These watches have a long waiting list today, and a pre-owned Nautilus 5711/1A is not a cheap alternative with prices starting at around 40.000,- Euro. It is the watch craze we live in today I am afraid, but it has gone to extremes with the Nautilus.Patek Philippe Nautilus 3700/1A and 5711/1A TodayThis article is a comparison between t...
Your Speedmaster Story #3 New Life And Life On The Frontline
This week we have two stories in store for you, contributed by Speedmaster enthusiasts. One is from Mario and the other from Patrick. Completely different stories, but they have the exact same watch in common.I don’t know about you, but I can’t get enough of people’s stories on their Speedmaster watches. It is very interesting to see what the Speedmaster means to some of you. For some, it is a watch to celebrate something special. Others share their stories of how a Speedmaster has helped them to get the job done. This week, we have one of each!Your Speedmaster StoriesWe are interested in reading your story, and we're happy and proud to share them with all the Speedmaster f...
Breguet Classique Double Tourbillon 5345 Quai De L'Horloge Released
Trawling through watch blogs searching for useful, trustable information can be a slog. It can seem like an endless stream of positivity as many up-and-coming (and, regrettably, some established) blogs vie for sponsors' budgets. I was discussing with one of my colleagues just the other day how we try and avoid overwhelming bias on Fratello while remaining true to ourselves for the good of our readership. Quite bizarrely, the new Breguet Classique Double Tourbillon 5345 Quai De L'Horloge popped-up at just the right time for me to use it as a perfect example in answering this question…Firstly, it is true that we allow certain brands to advertise on our website. It is not something we hid...
Seiko Speedtimer Prospex Chronographs SRQ035, SRQ037 (2021)
Although Zenith announced the ground-breaking El Primero automatic chronograph in January of 1969, it was beaten to the shelves (and ultimately the wrists of watch lovers) by the Seiko Speedtimer. By the time May 1969 rolled around, Seiko’s majestic entry in the chronograph dash had arrived in shops, nosing ahead of Zenith at the last as both brands leaned for the finish line of what had been a long, arduous, and furiously contested race. Following the pair in August of the same year, was the joint effort automatic chronograph Caliber 11 by Heuer, Breitling, Buren, and Dubois-Depraz.But to be honest, I don't care that much about who was first. Historians can extol whomever they please ...