Podcast: Interview With Panerai CEO Jean-Marc Pontroue
We are very happy to have the CEO of Officine Panerai on our podcast, Mr. Jean-Marc Pontroue. We talk to him about the current status of the watch industry, how the brand is navigating these difficult times, and about the recent introduction of Panerai’s very own PAMCast.After the mandatory wrist check (see below), Mike and RJ discuss these topics. Our Fratello on Air podcast can be played via Apple,?Soundcloud,?Spotify,?Google Podcast, and?Buzzsprout....
Sunday Morning Showdown: Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Extra-Thin Watch
In this Sunday morning column, two of our writers go head-to-head in an epic showdown for the ages. Strong opinions and hysterical hyperbole are welcome (so feel free to join in with the fun in the comments section below). And don't forget to let us know which watches you'd like to see torn to shreds/effusively exalted next week. We'll try and feature as many of our readers' choices as we can. After last week saw Rob and Balazs barny over the Datejust, we have another classic for you: the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Extra-Thin…Balazs is not afraid of a fight, that much is clear. This week he’s going toe-to-toe with the boss man, hoping to score a much-needed victory. Meanwhile, Bo...
The Most Often Overlooked List-Price Luxury Sports Watches (2021)
You like the idea of it, its shape, and the overall aesthetic. You’ve done a little bit of research, and decided that you want a Royal Oak or even a Nautilus - but that goes without saying. Both Audemars Piguet and Patek Philippe have calculated a price for these watches, which can be found in their respective catalogs.? With your eye on the price tag, you’ve saved up and grown your savings to match the magic number. Alas, to no avail! Your AD says he can't help you. But not to worry, there are many alternatives that cater to your specific needs, as long as you don't mind another name on the dial. To guide you through an alternative watch world, we put together a list of shadow w...
Why I Bought It: The Grand Seiko SGBA407 Skyflake (2021)
Sometimes it’s difficult to explain “why” we buy watches. It can be challenging to articulate the specific reasons why a particular dial or other special feature speaks to us in the way it does. Buying a watch is usually a journey filled with learning and realization that each of us undertakes with fervent passion. These journeys can be enlightening and eye-opening affairs, so in this article, I wanted to share my personal experience of how and why I bought my Grand Seiko SBGA407 Skyflake.The “when” element of the story is pretty simple. I bought my Grand Seiko SBGA407 Skyflake back in November 2020. This was about a month after I began working at Fratello Watch...
The New Forstner Ladder Bracelet The Return Of A Classic (2021)
If you’ve spent any amount of time snooping around the world of vintage watches or the history of our culture (which we can now officially use instead of the word industry thanks to UNESCO’s recent recognition - read about it here), then you will have heard of the name Gay Frres. The “Gay Brothers” bracelet-making company was founded in 1835 by two men who, surprisingly, weren’t brothers. However, during the bracelet brand’s 1970s heyday, Jacques-Hubert and Jean-Francois Gay, descendent brothers of the founder that lent his name to the enterprise, did pull the strings. One of their most famous products was the ladder bracelet that Forstner diligently brin...
All Three Speedmaster Professional Watches In Moonshine Gold
Omega introduced the Moonshine Gold alloy in 2019 in the Speedmaster Professional Apollo XI 50th Anniversary Limited Edition. This alloy, which is a bit paler than yellow gold, contains less copper and adds silver and palladium to the mix.In combination with the brushed surfaces on the case (and bracelet), I find the Speedmaster Professional in Moonshine Gold to have a more toned-down look than previous Speedmasters in traditional 18K yellow gold. I purchased the Speedmaster Apollo XI 50th Anniversary Limited Edition in Moonshine Gold back in 2019, and it has become one of my absolute favorite watches to wear. Therefore, I was quite happy to see the two new Speedmaster Professional models in...
Seiko SRQ043 The Prospex Speedtimer Gets A Blue Dial
Let me start with a topic that I normally save for the end - PRICE. About a year ago, I wrote an introduction article on two other Seiko Prospex Speedtimer references, and I noticed that the price for this new model is still the same. Even though Seiko has a reputation for keeping prices relatively sane, I appreciate that the brand didn’t raise it all this time around. Let’s find out what IS new about this latest Speedtimer, the SRQ043.Seiko Prospex Speedtimer SRQ043This new Seiko Prospex Speedmaster Chronograph ref. SQR043 might be my favorite execution in this series. It’s also the most playful one, I might add. The blue dial has a vertically brushed finish and two silver...
Balazs & Mike Talk Travel, Watch Theft, And More
Welcome back to a long-overdue episode of Fratello On Air! Balazs and Mike have returned from lengthy travel and that forms the underlying agenda of today's chat. There's plenty more, though, so sit back and enjoy!...
?#BEACHVIBES With NOMOS, Doxa, And Citizen Watches
This year, everyone is traveling again, but for some reason, it doesn't seem like the airports have caught on. In August, half of Europe is either already at or en route to a sunny destination, so here's fingers crossed for smooth traveling. Finally, the #BEACHVIBES are back, and we’re here to enjoy them.You might even choose to skip the flights and include a road trip like some of our editors, and here are the best watches and beach gear to pack. There will be the need for a roof rack if you want to go surfing, though. Go classic or let us welcome you to the future with a hydrofoil board that will send your beach-sports cred through the roof (or should that be “parasol”?)....
?Fratello Louis Moinet Memoris Spirit 40mm Chronograph
A song by retrowave artist Kristine called “The Deepest Blue” was on repeat in my head during my first visit to Les Ateliers Louis Moinet in Saint Blaise, Switzerland. Now, looking back on that illuminating trip, I am convinced the song influenced the design of this watch. Somehow, and without conscious invitation, the synthesized buzz of that lo-fi club classic ended up manifesting in a dial design that, after much tweaking and endless drafts, burst into life as if its existence had always been meant to be.From that opening paragraph, you might think I’ve lost the plot. In many ways, you might be right. There is something about spending time with the team at Louis Moinet -...
Omega's Gold Alloys: Moonshine, Sedna, Canopus, & Bronze Gold
It must have been a lifetime ago (or it certainly feels like it) when RJ first sported a Speedmaster in full-gold armor on his wrist. My instant reaction was, “Wow, that's lit.” In that moment of unexpected infatuation, gold watches for men changed forever for me. Fast forward to last week when I saw RJ's Instagram post of a roll of gorgeous gold Moonwatches. Interestingly, those feelings of awe somewhat evolved into inquisitive curiosity. Moonshine Gold? What is that, exactly? And there's also Sedna Gold, Canopus Gold The rabbit hole thence emerged.Let me rewind a bit to my mental block. For so long, the ones who flaunted the shiny wrist game were typically the likes of mobsters...
The Exit Watch One Patek Philippe To Rule Them All?
After giving it some thought, I have come to the conclusion that the concepts of the grail and exit watch are a threat to the passion that people have for watches. The acquisition of a grail watch could mean the fruitful conclusion of a long, interesting, and often enlightening quest. Once you've reached that one goal, you could set out on another quest, for new watch dreams are waiting to be fulfilled. But what if the journey has taken too great a toll? In that case, the grail watch could prove to be the exit watch - the one watch to end all watches. Let's explore both concepts a bit further, find out how they relate, and discuss how not to lose your watch love under the bad spell of the on...
Introducing: Two Smokey Bear Watches From Vero
“If there’s smoke, there’s fire.” Smokey Bear - the wildfire prevention mascot of the United States - stands prominent in the mind of every American child that’s been camping. Introduced to the public in 1944, Smokey Bear is one of the United States’ longer-lived mascots. He’s been teaching us about wildfire prevention and safe campfire etiquette for generations. Now, Vero Watch Co., champion of the modern American field watch, is celebrating Smokey Bear’s 79th birthday with a pair of special watches.Vero is based in the Pacific Northwest of the United States. Though maybe not quite as much of a tinder box as, say, where I live in Northern Cali...
Norqain's Two New Neverest Golden Glacier Models
Norqain has been releasing new watches non-stop. The young Swiss brand has steadily extended its catalog over the past couple of years. Additionally, we have seen quite a few special editions produced in limited numbers. The latest special-edition releases are two of the brand’s popular Neverest models. Special dials inspired by the Khumbu Icefall on Mt. Everest bring a new aesthetic to these Neverest Golden Glacier watches. The first is a three-hander with a black and gold color scheme, and the second is a GMT with a gray and gold color combination. Both celebrate Mt. Everest and give back to the Nepalese people through the Butterfly Help Project.When it comes to Norqain, I mostly enj...
Quality Vs. Quantity The Watch Collector's Conundrum
Everyone’s watch-collecting journey is different, but I assume most of us start on the lower end of the spectrum when it comes to the amount spent per watch. Some continue to collect watches around that same entry-level price point, while others stretch their budget a bit and go for more expensive watches. In the long run, you might end up spending significantly more than you did on that first watch. But although everyone’s journey is different, I think every single one of us deals or even struggles with the “quality vs. quantity” collector’s conundrum from time to time.Three and a half years ago, I started by buying the Oris Art Blakey as my first “real&#...
Have Watches Really Become That Much More Expensive?
Nowadays, almost all new watches presented get comments about their prices. “A very nice watch, but not for that price” is a frequently heard comment, not only by our readers but also by Fratello’s editors. But is criticism like this justified? In relative terms, have watches become much more expensive than, let’s say, 20 years ago? Or do our minds still live in an era long gone?It is a tricky question to answer because of the complexity with which a price is determined. Therefore, I won’t be able to give anything more than a general indication. And to get such an indication, I decided to look at the last two decades, from 2003 to 2023. What happened during this...
Fratello's Top 5 GADA Watches Of The First Half Of 2024
Another Friday, another list! After a little Olympic break last week, we continue our quest for the best watches released in the first half of 2024. This week, we will be discussing the best new GADA watches. Most of you will be familiar with the concept of a Go Anywhere, Do Anything watch, but what that translates to is highly personal. But we can definitely find five watches that we consider great all-rounders. And those are generally not the watches that get a lot of attention in these kinds of lists. It’s precisely why we have created a Top 5 of our favorite GADA watches for this year’s first six months.A GADA watch is a fun concept. It is not limited to one style of watch, b...
The Manchester Watch Show Awaits!
The Manchester Watch Show, a highly anticipated event for watch enthusiasts and collectors, is set to take place on Saturday, November 9th, 2024, at the Halle St. Peter’s. With its vibrant history and iconic architecture, Manchester provides the perfect backdrop for an event promising to showcase some of the best British watch brands. It’s the first time we see a watch show of this level in the North of England. London usually gets all the fun here in the UK, but now it’s Manchester’s turn. Tickets for the Manchester Watch Show are on sale right now.The Watch Collector’s Club is hosting the Manchester Watch Show. The club chose the prestigious Halle St PeterR...
Hands On: Grand Seiko SLGW003 Birch Bark Titanium
As a brand, Grand Seiko doesn’t exactly skimp on annual new releases. Of course, many of the latest watches are dial variants, so we take extra notice when a completely new model debuts. The titanium SLGW003 “Birch Bark” was introduced earlier this year, and now we’ve had the chance to put it through its paces.In April, Grand Seiko released the titanium SLGW003 “Birch Bark” alongside the 18-carat rose gold SLGW002. Thomas provided an overview of the models and was impressed. Today, we’ll focus on the titanium SLGW003 and shed more light on the watch’s finer details.The Grand Seiko SLGW003 “Birch Bark”The “Birch Bark” is ...
Vintage watch ads
Vintage watch ads are so cool! I used to buy some 60s and 70s National GeoGraphics magazines from fairs and bookmarkets and cut out all the cool watchadvertisements by Omega, , Patek, Longines, Bulova etc. BJSOnline has a lot of vintage watch ads online, you will find them here!...