Hands-On: The Minase Uruga In Green And Blue
Minase is one of those special Japanese brands boasting outspoken designs and incredible craftsmanship. These things made me fall in love with the Minase’s Divido series. From the moment I laid eyes on the Divido’s remarkable design, I knew that Minase was doing something special. That feeling became even stronger when I had a chance to check out the watch up close and see for myself how the design and brilliant craftsmanship came together. In the summer of 2023, the brand added its newest model to the lineup. With the Uruga, Minase released another intriguing design. Will it be able to wow me as much as the Divido did? It’s time to find out.When the Minase Uruga series deb...
Omega-Addict back online
A long long time a go, I removed the entire content of Omega-Addict.com after I discovered that the data traffic got a bit out of hand. Probably due to some linkers (eBay?), it went up to almost 40GB a month…?? Anyway, since then, I got a lot of emails from ‘concerned citizens’ asking when it will be back online again. Well, today is the day ?? Here you go!??...
Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonphase
What the Speedmaster Automatic ref. ST376.0822 (also referred to as the Holy Grail Speedmaster) was for Chuck Maddox, is the Speedmaster Professional Moonphase (ref.3689.30.31) for me. This white gold Speedmaster Professional (yes, labelled ‘Professional’) was introduced during BaselWorld 1999 by Omega. In the same year I bought my first serious watch, which happened to be a Speedmaster Professional (caliber 321) as well.The 18 carat white gold Speedmaster Professional Moonphase was only available for a limited time and commemorated the 30th anniversary of the Apollo XI landing in 1969. The caliber 1866 movement is based on Omega’s caliber 1861, which you probably recognize...
Bell & Ross BR01-96 Review For Watchuseek
Recently, I was able to review another Bell & Ross, the BR01-96. Significantly bigger than the BR03-92?Heritage I had a while back for review, but still quite comfortable on the wrist. This BR01-96 comes very complete, with two straps and accessories to swap these straps yourself. How much I like it on pictures and other people, during the process of reviewing this watch, I’ve learned that these square shaped Bell & Ross instruments are not for me. However, I can surely appreciate the design and craftsmanship that Bell & Ross has put into them.Go to Watchuseek or follow this link to read the Bell & Ross BR01-096 Review! Thanks to Watch-Site for the Bell & Ross....
Longines Saint-Imier Retrograde Moon Phases Hands-On
Longines is one of those brands that clearly marked certain eras in the past when it comes to watchmaking. This brand from Saint Imier in Switzerland has a rich history in timekeeping that goes back as far as 1832. However, from our own interest in the brand we can say that in the 1950s and 1960s, Longines had these wonderful Conquest watches with a beautiful gold and [hand painted] green medallion on the caseback. In the 1970s, Longines followed the Swiss industry with sports watches featuring integrated bracelets. In the 1980s, Longines was a well known name in timekeeping and sponsoring of Formula 1 racing (Ferrari). Furthermore, they developed and introduced their VHP (very high precisio...
Hands-On Frederique Constant Horological Smartwatch Review
Since this year's Basel World I was eager to try the Frederique Constant Horological Smartwatch. I had a quick glimpse of what I can expect from it at the fair earlier this year (here is the article of that) and I really liked what I saw there. We visited their stand after TAG Heuer announced their collaboration with Intel and Google to come up with something interesting. Apple watch was already around and we heard rumors that some other major brands are developing their versions of a smart watch, so I was all hyped up about the issue. At the end of July, I received my review watch, the new Frederique Constant Horological Smartwatch.Frederique Constant Horological SmartwatchIn today's life w...
Wryst Ultimate ES20 Swiss watch inspired by extreme sports
Swiss watch brand Wryst thrive to break the monotony of classicism with style and controversy offering exclusive sport watches produced in limited editions with highly competitive value for money. Designed to endure the toughest conditions, the specifications of the timepiece are thought-after and a testimony of unique watchmaking style.Sport watch with scratch-resistant coatingProduced exclusively in Limited Editions of 99 pieces, the Ultimate ES20 all-black sport watch provides a long lasting quality timepiece with an all-round scratch resistant black Diamond-Like Carbon coating. Sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating, 200 meters water resistance and screw down crown are other tough...
Meet Cay Broendum and his horological art work
Horological ArtWhat happens when an artist also is?a watch enthusiast? He or she hopefully creates some horological art! We have our own artist on-board, by the name of Teun van Heerebeek, who surprises you with his recurring Watches & Pencils articles here on Fratello. People – including us – love this stuff and some of you even contacted us to have it on print (which can be done so via this link). However, there are more horological artists around. Meet Cay Broendum.Cay BroendumYou might recognize his name from his and Omega artwork that is shown on his own website(s), or from his interview with Hodinkee in 2013. We thought it would be interesting to talk to him once more....
#TBT The Seiko SKX031 An Unheralded and Affordable Classic Diver
Just when you thought you knew everything that Seiko made, mindless browsing usually reveals yet another model from the deep catalog. This was the situation I found myself in a few years back when I was in the midst of buying the lineage of Seiko divers. I thought I had uncovered everything when today's #TBT subject appeared on a forum and surprised me. In the end, and we'll discuss it, there was a reason for not seeing the watch beforehand, but I knew I wanted it. Let's take a look at some very modern vintage with the Seiko SKX031.Seiko Makes and Made a Watch for EveryoneWe've discussed it repeatedly, but it's clear that Seiko makes a watch for everyone. More specifically, they make a dive ...
IWC Big Pilot's Watch Ref. IW501001 Hands-On Review (Video)
With the F1 of Spa-Francorchamps coming up this weekend we look back at our trip there some weeks ago. We joined IWC and AMG for the 24hrs of Spa and had the opportunity to wear an IWC Big Pilot’s Watch. Having that watch on the wrist for a few days, I got quite used to it despite the fact that I feel that 40mm is the perfect size for a watch. That being said, let’s have a look at the IWC Big Pilot’s Watch IW501001 and if I would buy one.IWC Big Pilot’s Watch First ImpressionsMy initial thought when opening the box was that it’s clearly called Big Pilot’s for a reason. With a stainless steel case that measures 46.2 mm it’s one of the biggest watches ...
IWC Big Pilot's Watch Ref. IW501001 Hands-On Review (Video)
With the F1 of Spa-Francorchamps coming up this weekend we look back at our trip there some weeks ago. We joined IWC and AMG for the 24hrs of Spa and had the opportunity to wear an IWC Big Pilot’s Watch. Having that watch on the wrist for a few days, I got quite used to it despite the fact that I feel that 40mm is the perfect size for a watch. That being said, let’s have a look at the IWC Big Pilot’s Watch IW501001 and if I would buy one.IWC Big Pilot’s Watch First ImpressionsMy initial thought when opening the box was that it’s clearly called Big Pilot’s for a reason. With a stainless steel case that measures 46.2 mm it’s one of the biggest watches ...
Watch On Your Wrist? Fratello Instagram Contest 2020 Round 10
Welcome back to our Watch On Your Wrist? Instagram extravaganza! Tag your watch snaps with #fratellowatches to be in with a chance to win!Every week, we select four images. You can vote in the article for your favorite image. The winner moves on to the semi-final round (held every fifth week between the previous four weekly winners). Win that and you’re into the final, which will be held at the end of the year. There will be five finalists in 2020 and ten from next year on.Basically, if you like winning things - and there will be a prize for the champion of 2020 - this year represents your best shot. So get snapping, get tagging, and get sharing. And don’t forget to vote for your...
Tissot T-Touch Connect Solar A New Chapter In Connected Watches
For decades now, watch brands have been focusing on mechanical pieces and not quartz anymore. Still, the technology that once drove the Swiss industry to its knees is still present, albeit in a very different way. Many brands - large, small, and even micro - still use quartz movements here and there. However, there’s a new wave for “electronic” watches. As smartphones and laptop computers developed, so too did the scope of inter-device connectivity. It was only a matter of time before watchmaking caught on. Thanks to watches like the all-new Tissot T-Touch Connect Solar, Swatch Group, this segment continues to push the envelope.Granted, the Swiss brand was not the first to ...
Sternglas Chrono Watch Brings Clean Design To The Fore
Sternglas is a brand that prides itself on listening to its followers. Buoyed by a positive reception to its earliest models, and riding a wave of continuous favorable reviews, the Hamburg-based brand is finally debuting its long-awaited Chronograph model, simply entitled the Sternglas Chrono.This piece is two years in the making. An open dialogue with the vocal Sternglas community is to thank for this crisp and clear chronograph, powered by the popular Miyota analog OS21 quartz movement. Everything about this design has functionality in mind. From the no-nonsense case and the practical piston-pushers to the high-contrast, uncluttered dial layout. The result? A chronograph that shows us how ...
The Bold Habring2 Massena Lab Erwin LAB03 Is Here (2021)
It is not a typical collaboration of two partners. If you wanted to be completely precise, it would look like this: Habring2 Massena Lab Joshua N. Shapiro HSNY. What's best is the fact that Massena squeezed a hot novelty out of each one involved.It was the moment I?landed the vintage Tourist Radio-Top with a caliber Chezard 7402, that I fully understood how charming the dead seconds complication is. It's light, amusing, and perfectly elegant. Dead seconds are stripped-down simplicity and foresight. If I was about to give dead seconds a human character, I would say they’re like an old, calm, and wise gentleman. Well, it seems I'm not the only one who finds pleasure in this playful compl...
The Grand Seiko SLGA007 Limited Edition Watch (2021)
I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again: in luxury watchmaking in 2021, texture is the name of the game. Dial colors get too much attention; dial surfaces, too little. More and more, we’re seeing brands pay attention to the display’s background, the forgotten element, the passive superstar that can decide whether or not a watch lives or dies in the minds of our community. How those textures interact with the colors laid upon them matters too, of course. Today, we see Grand Seiko experiment with one entirely new texture and revisit another that has undeniable potential. Has the Japanese giant got it right this time with the SLGA007? Let’s find out…Grand S...
Bvlgari Aluminium GMT Watch (2021) A Lightweight Companion
Last year around the same time, during Geneva Watch Days, Bvlgari re-introduced its Aluminium watch. Or should we say that the Bvlgari Diagono from 1998 got something of a facelift? When we first encountered this range in the (very lightweight) metal, we weren’t sure the industry had been crying out for it. But after a short period on the wrist, our tunes almost universally changed. Aluminium is not the first material one thinks of when it comes to luxury watchmaking, but it certainly makes for an interesting experience on the wrist.Last year’s GWD was the last time Fratello hit the road as a team. Next week (August 30th) sees the 2021 edition of the decentralized fair. Crazily, ...
The Updated AnOrdain Model 2 MKII
Founder Lewis Heath made anOrdain into a respected and trusted brand within just a few years. Now, after three years and not even 500 watches produced, Model 2 has received a major update. Today, we’ll see what separates the MKII from the MKI and find out more about anOrdain from the man behind it all.It’s been five years now since I sold my modern car. I just found much more joy and satisfaction driving old, classic cars. When I met my wife and was about to drive her home for the first time, my “newest” car was from 1981. I was slightly afraid of how she would feel about my classic-car passion. I was ready for an awkward silence and strange looks, but she was truly e...
The New Hamilton PSR: Not Just For Spies Anymore?
Just over two years ago, Hamilton celebrated the 50th anniversary of the original Pulsar by releasing the PSR. In the two years since the debut of that watch, Hamilton has given us two additional blacked-out versions, including the PSR MTX to celebrate the pending release of the latest installment in the Matrix movie franchise. While the recent releases have leaned into a futuristic style, this newest PSR might just be Hamilton's most versatile take on this watch to date.The Hamilton PSR is a modern re-edition of a vintage watch. However, both the original Pulsar and the PSR still manage to look futuristic in 2022. In fact, you could argue (it would be a stretch, but you could) that a certai...
New TAG Heuer Aquaracer Professional 300 GMT
A name synonymous with motor racing, TAG Heuer is now eyeing a bigger slice of the pie in the dive-watch segment. Luckily, the foundation was laid in 2004 when the LVMH-owned brand debuted the Aquaracer collection. No sooner had the current young CEO Frederic Arnault taken over the helm than the Aquaracer Professional 300 made a high-profile comeback. 2021 was the year to claim its stake as a luxury tool watch, for a lifestyle in and out of the waves. Winning with build quality and a refreshed design makeover, the Aquaracer welcomes back the Professional 300 with a GMT function.The Aquaracer blueprintThe Aquaracer can trace his heritage all the way back to the iconic 1978 Heuer 844 dive mode...