What To Expect From Geneva Watch Days: JLC And More (2021)
Geneva Watch Days will run from August 30thCSeptember 3rd: It’s that time of year again. For the second year in a row, the world’s (or at least Europe’s) watch media will descend on Geneva for a week of boutique-and-suite-based showcases. All the major brands from last year’s inaugural run-through are returning, with expectations high of what another travel-lite year might have in store for us. Today, I’m going to share my hopes for Jaeger-LeCoultre, Bvlgari, De Bethune, Moser, and Urwerk. Let us know what you’d like to see from these brands in the comments below.One year ago, we stepped into the unknown. The Geneva Watch Days event was, in short, a revolu...
The Casio G-Shock MR-G MRG-B2000BS-3A Hana-Basara (2021)
Due to its use of the hardest kind of titanium as well as COBARION (more on that later), the Casio G-Shock MR-G MRG-B2000BS-3A “Hana-Basara” is the hardest G-Shock yet. This limited edition watch of 400 pieces celebrates the 25th anniversary of Casio's Flagship G-Shock collection. And it does so in a colorway that finds its origin in the Samurai of feudal Japan. The “armor” of the new MR-G is inspired by the boldest, most artistic, and exuberant of samurai, the Basara Busho. By the looks of the watch, that must have been a very colorful bunch.Maybe it's a good idea to go through all the unfamiliar terms before we take a closer look at this hard and colorful limited ed...
The History Of Citizen Dive Watches (2021) Including Archive Images!
For many of Fratello’s readers, the name Citizen will be a familiar one. Not only because the brand enjoys a voluminous presence in the windows of high street and shopping mall boutiques around the globe, but also because it is a company with a long and exceptional history, which began over one hundred years ago, just outside of Tokyo…In 1918 the Shokosha Watch Research Institute was established. Founder Kamekichi Yamazaki was determined to produce watches in Japan, at a time when imports were the norm. After establishing Shokosha Watch Research Institute Yamazaki set up the Shokosha Watch School to train the talented technicians he considered essential for creating exceptional w...
Horage Ugrades Its Supersede GMT: Pre-Orders Open Now!
The Horage journey first began back in 2009. While the brand’s first watch didn’t come for another six years, being a young, independent brand and designing your own in-house movements is no mean feat. Yet, in those years since its inception, Horage has created not one, not two, but three in-house movements, including the K-TOU - an in-house Swiss-made tourbillon costing less than CHF 10K. Madness! Fast forward to 2022. Horage first announced the Supersede GMT project nearly a year ago. Powered by the brand’s in-house K2 micro-rotor movement, the Horage Supersede is an “all-terrain” sports watch, following the age-old journey from the corporate board room to hik...
Fratello On Air: Balazs And Mike Talk Casio
Fratello On Air returns with an amusing look at Casio. That’s right, it’s not just about G-Shock this time! With these picks, get ready to measure temperature, barometer, and other fun data....
?The Story of Lume Part Two
Following a comprehensive interview with Albert Zeller of RC Tritec, this week, we conclude with the second and final part. This is where the story of luminescent materials enters the modern age, starting with a call from a certain Mr. Hayek and a two-week deadline to drop radioactivity. Here, the story of lume takes a creative and more sustainable turn for the future.RC Tritec is the company behind Swiss Super-Luminova. The company’s chemical and material development is one of the reasons we can read our mechanical watches at night today. We are living in a colorful world where #lume and other related hashtags have close to a million related posts, but do we know all the facts? If you...
Available Now: Fratello Louis Moinet Memoris Spirit
It’s likely that this article isn’t catching you totally unawares. Unless you’ve been hiding under a rock for the past week or so, you’ll have spotted our reveal of the Fratello Louis Moinet Memoris Spirit Chronograph on our socials and here on the pages of Fratello.Some of our releases take a long time to put together. You can’t rush something like that. Creativity must be allowed to percolate and reveal itself when it’s ready. Rushing things leads to a half-baked idea and a confused final project. That would be far from ideal when Fratello strives to bring our community watches that are perfectly special. Last year’s NOMOS Weltzeit was several year...
Hands-On With The Titanium Sinn T50 Dive Watch
In all honesty, out of the three new Sinn T50 models, we should have covered the T50 GDBR first. It is the one model that is the most unique and most surprising. The limited-edition T50 Goldbronze is an extravagant statement, whereas the regular titanium T50 will probably be the crowd favorite. But the new T50 GDBR takes the cake when it comes to adding something unique to the world of watches. It’s time for a hands-on with Sinn’s stylish and modern titanium diver with a Goldbronze bezel. As it turns out, it might just be my favorite current Sinn model.I am not a fan of bronze watches. While there might be an occasional exception, in general, bronze watches are just not for me. T...
Hands-On: Four Parmigiani Tonda PF Sport Models
Parmigiani Fleurier recently released four new references under a new name - Tonda PF Sport. These new watches are intended as the weekend alternative for Parmigiani collectors. In short, they are sportier versions of the integrated-bracelet stainless steel Tonda sports watch. That’s right - a sports version of a sports watch. Does that make sense? Let's find out.Of course, stylistically, the existing Parmigiani Tonda PF models aren't exactly thoroughbred sports watches. They may have the robustness and specs to qualify, but they certainly lean towards the elegant side of the sports-to-formal spectrum. So that leaves space for a sportier version. But wasn't the Tonda GT already occupyi...
Fratello's Top 5 Modern Sports Watches Of The First Half Of 2024
Another Friday, another list! We’re slowly coming to the end of our series of lists that highlight the best of the first half of 2024. This week, we picked our favorite modern luxury sports watches with integrated bracelets. The category that was started by Gerald Genta’s Royal Oak has really taken off in the past couple of years. Quite a few brands have added their version of a sports watch with an integrated bracelet and it’s a style that is definitely here to stay. So, let’s find out which new introductions caught our attention in the first six months of this year.Before we jump in, just a few words about how we picked our watches. Obviously, we looked at a lot of ...
The Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Ultra Light Revisited
Exactly five years ago, just in time for the European Masters golf competition in Crans Montana in 2019, Omega introduced an extraordinary lightweight watch: the Seamaster Aqua Terra Ultra Light. The watch was suddenly back in the spotlight again during the Olympic Games Paris 2024, and for those who weren’t around in 2019 and missed the initial Ultra Light, it raised a few questions. So let us recap on what makes this watch so special!Seamaster Aqua Terra Ultra LightOmega spent two years developing this ultra-light watch, working closely with Rory McIlroy, one of the most successful golfers of all time. McIlroy, from Northern Ireland, joined Omega in 2013 as an ambassador and is often...
Hands-On: Casio TRN-50SS And G-Shock GMW-B5000SS
Casio has turned 50 years old this year! The brand has released a string of different 50th-anniversary models to celebrate that anniversary. We had a chance to go hands-on with the Casiotron TRN-50SS and the G-Shock GMW-B5000SS. Out of the five 50th-anniversary models, they are undoubtedly the two that speak the most to us and are probably the most popular with Casio fans. Both stainless steel watches come in a special 50th-anniversary colorway with a blue bezel and gold details. However, these two new models have more intricate design details, making them fun and stand out. Let’s join in on the fun!When I first saw pictures pop up online of the G-Shock GMW-B5000SS, I was definitely cu...
International (Wrist)Watch Magazine
IW asks for reader feedback via the forum of WatchUSeek. I don’t think very high of this magazine, and prefer German watch magazines for their in-depth articles and knowledge. However, maybe a poll like this changes it all and will make the magazine better than before. At least they should get rid off the articles on watches of brands that advertize on the same page ?? Here in The Netherlands we have a magazine called ‘Watching’ which suffered from the same problems as IW does, but got some serious WIS-injection. So there is hope!Update! It was not meant to trash the magazine, but to give some usefull pointers. In my eyes the editors of the magazine should be able to be...
Bremont MB1 (Martin-Baker project)
I just finished an article for the WatchUseek blog about the joint venture between ejection seat builder Martin-Baker and Bremont watches.So, what has this ejection seat to do with Bremont’s watches? Click here to read the blog post over at WatchUseek!...
Ateliers deMonaco An Excellent Coverage By The Watch Lounge
Ateliers deMonaco is just over one year old (6th of April 2009) and time for Olivier Muller (The Watch Lounge) to do an excellent write-up on this Dutch / Monaco haute horlogerie brand.From left to right:Christain Arbili, business development manager Ateliers deMonacoHSH Prince Albert 2 of MonacoRobert van Pappelendam – Initiator and co-founder Ateliers deMonacoPim Koeslag – Master Horloger ateliers deMonacoPlease read more about this brand at The Watch Lounge or read an earlier article on Fratellowatches here and here....
All Omega Seamaster James Bond Watches An Overview
Every couple of years we are treated on a new James Bond movie. Young and old look forward to see what kind of mission impossible Bond has to fulfill, which Bond girls are featured, what type of villains we will see and of course – perhaps just as important – what type of gadgets and accessories 007 will use. One of these items is his watch, of course. Ever since the first James Bond movie, Dr. No, our British secret agent is wearing an interesting timepiece. Many brands saw the wrist of James Bond, but since 1995 it is an Omega watch.A persistent rumor is that someone close to (or related to) Omega or Swatch Group offered – besides the official partnership – a 7-digi...
Hands-on: Seiko Astron Titanium Review
So, I have to admit that I don't own a lot of quartz watches aside from the vintage Seiko 7A38 I just reviewed. In fact, I rarely buy automatic timepieces any longer as I really enjoy winding a watch every morning. Therefore, it was a little odd when Robert-Jan shot me a note asking if I'd be interested in testing Seiko's latest Astron, a watch that is clearly on the opposite spectrum from mechanical. However, I am the resident Seiko guy on the team and I'm also the one most frequently found hopping in and out of time zones, so there was certainly logic behind the request. Me being me, though, I arrived at some topics that I'll attempt to address with this Seiko Astron hands-on experience as...
Harry Winston Midnight Date Moonphase Automatic 42mm
A true classic has a design that transcends time, while still maintaining an original aesthetic and appeal, as is the case with Harry Winston's Midnight Collection. The new model features three arches, a tribute to the House's heritage and New York flagship salon. It also has a date indicator and a moon display, offering precise information in the most sophisticated fashion.Midnight Date Moonphase Automatic 42mmThe art of composition Off-setting its date and complications, is an aesthetic decision embedded in Harry Winston's design DNA. The Midnight Date Moonphase reinterprets the House's signature elements and functions with excentered Hours and Minutes, date, and moonphase counters, so sub...
Ace x NOMOS Orion 100 Years of 'De Stijl' Introduced
De StijlDe Stijl (literally translates as the style') is a Dutch art movement most famous for work by Mondriaan (Composition with lines') and Rietveld (Red & Blue chair). One of the school's I attended as a young boy was called Mondriaan' as I lived in a village where Piet Mondriaan lived for a while, so I am quite familiar with his work and art. Also, the family of one of my friends used to have this beautiful residence that was designed by Rietveld and my parents have this famous Rietveld chair. Admittedly I am not really into art, but I do love great design (like Rietveld).Ace X NOMOS OrionThe Ben-Joseph family, who run two Ace boutiques and the Ace Jewelers e-boutique are proper art ...
LIP Mach 2000 chronograph by Roger Tallon A True Design Icon
Roger TallonThe watch industry has its own superstar designers. The first name that comes to mind for most of us is of course Gerald Genta. You also have a bunch of design studios, like Giugiaro, who has collaborated with a number of watch brands (Seiko Astron GPS for example). However, there are a handful of names in industrial design whose heritage is so vast it spans from aircrafts to chairs, trains to cameras, motorbikes and of course watches. Roger Tallon, creator of the LIP Mach 2000, is one of these designers. Born in 1929 in France, Tallon witnessed and actively participated in the revolution of industrial design. After getting his engineer degree at 21 Tallon worked for companies li...