The New H. Moser & Cie Streamliner Vantablack Tourbillon
Ever since the brilliant mind of Edouard Meylan came up with the sleekest contender in the Integrated Bracelet category, I've been smitten. Like being embraced by a piece of alien jewelry, trying it on last year was eye-opening. Its shape is most like an armadillo's armored body, and nothing looks like an H. Moser Streamliner. For me, that is a big golden tick on my list of positive attributes. For the new H. Moser & Cie Streamliner Vantablack Tourbillon, its forte is making the dial magically disappear into space.I'm not a contrarian - well, not always - and have quite a few watches in my collection that are derivative or inspired by something else. Obviously, this is unavoidable as the...
Poolside Watches For Him Or Her: Oris, Hamilton, And More
OK folks, let's get one thing straight before we start. I am categorically qualified on this topic. Yes, I am. And we are not talking about the watch side, which is a given. You see, it's no coincidence that I am as well-versed in poolside etiquette as an Irishman knows his way around a pub. I’ve hung around communal pools, hotel pools, house pools, and club pools my whole life. Based on decades of dedicated presence at these facilities, I know one item you need more than your wallet, and that is a watch.Contrary to public opinion, I think the beach is overrated. And I don't say this from a lack of experience. Considering I spent my youth on an island in the middle of an ocean, beaches...
#TBT A Forgotten Avia De Luxe Big Date Going To Bombay
It’s not often that someone reaches out to me and says he would like to celebrate his 50th birthday with one of my watches - any quirky watch of my choice! Last Saturday, I got an intense workout with my friend while working on his garden project. At just about noon and feeling pretty tired, we returned home and put the kids to bed. I found an interesting message in my Instagram inbox at about that time. It read, “It’s my 50th b’day today. I’d love to own a quirky piece belonging to Tomas Rosputinsky. Would you sell me any?”The message came from a collector in Bombay named Aashdin Billimoria, who you might remember from a recent interview with RJ about his...
Introducing The MB&F Horological Machine N9 HM9-SV
Whenever MB&F releases a new timepiece, I sit up, watch, and listen. The brand, founded by Max Busser, has created a wide array of timepieces that can be best described as true art. And not just art for the wrist, as most of you know. But that’s where it started, and that’s where I still find my biggest amazement for what the MB&F achieves every single time. With the releases of the Horological Machine N9 “Sapphire Vision” editions, it’s no different. These two new versions of the HM9 Sapphire Vision are a follow-up to the earlier HM9-SV models from 2021. MB&F will produce two new variations of the HM9-SV, each limited to only five pieces. And the r...
Hands-On: Bravur Grand Tour III Chronographs
I recently had the opportunity to get my hands on two of Bravur’s newest Grand Tour cycling chronographs. The Grand Tour La Corsa Rosa III is a black, gray, and pink number that easily dresses up or down. The Grand Tour La Grande Boucle III is sportier to my eye with its yellow, white, and black livery. Both chronographs wore comfortably and looked excellent. I’ll admit it was more difficult than usual to send these watches back.Bravur is making a name for itself as a maker of cycle-centric watches. Though its catalog spans more than just its Grand Tour cycling chronographs, they have been the brand’s focus recently. Born from a friendship between two cycling partners, Brav...
How To Sell Your Watches And How Not To
Part of the fun in collecting watches is acquiring a new (or another) gem for your collection. And sometimes, this also means you want or even need to let something go. “You can't have it all” is my credo, and I assume it applies to many of you as well.But how do you sell your watches? Sometimes, your watch can be traded in at an authorized or independent dealer. This is probably the easiest way, without any hassle on your side. The downside is that you will not get the best price for your watch. If you get a reasonable offer, it's best to take it unless you’re willing to put in the work to get more.An IWC caliber 852 on offer - Image: RicardoSelling it yourself is the best...
Hands-On: The Well-Executed Typsim 200M
Acrylic crystal, aging lume, gilt dial - these are the makings of a vintage dive watch. But the Typsim 200M isn’t old. In fact, it’s brand new and a welcome addition of true watch nostalgia in a fauxtina landscape that only pays visual lip service to the past. The 200M from Typsim is half a homage to the first dive watches, half a modern tool, and every bit as beautiful as it is capable. With an incredible attention to detail and microbrand endearment, what’s not to love?Typsim (pronounced tip-sim) is an American microbrand from the Pacific Northwest. Even though I am a writer in this industry, some brands just slip under my radar until popping up unexpectedly. I came acros...
"Seamaster, Omega Seamaster" How The Seamaster Professional Became A Modern Classic
Every Wednesday is Watch Wednesday at MotoringExposure, the blog for fast super cars and exotic cars. Although the watch related articles are most of the time less in-depth than the ones posted here at Fratellowatches, they are still worth reading for the intermediate and advanced watch collectors.This week, it is all about the Omega Seamaster Professional Diver 300M, also known as the James Bond watch in times of GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough, Die Another Day and Casino Royale. Although the SMP in GoldenEye was a quartz movement driven watch and the Casino Royale featured the more recent Co-Axial version, these watches are basically all the same (with some minor op...
My Top 5 Vintage Omega Speedmaster Watches
Last week I showed you my Top 5 of modern Omega Speedmaster watches and it immediately became clear that a lot of you also want to see a Top 5 of vintage Omega Speedmaster watches. Before I will do so, I have to admit that only 5 different references numbers is a bit low, so when I mention a CK2998 for example, it means any watch of this specific reference (-1 to -62 or even a CK2998 FAP model).My first Speedmaster was actually a vintage Speedmaster Professional (Pre-)Moonwatch, the 1967 reference 145.012-67. I bought it in 1999 for 2000 Dutch Guilders (about $800 Euro these days, without inflation) and it is – of course – still in my collection. It isn’t perfect, but it su...
#TBT Omega Speedmaster Mark II 145.014 with Racing Dial
The Omega Speedmaster Mark IIIt was at least ten years ago that I stumbled upon a very rudimentary website depicting a chronology of wild, boldly styled 1970's Omega chronographs and I enjoyed marveling at them, but one stuck out as especially notable: the Omega Speedmaster Mark II 145.014. Yes, amongst all of the crazy flying saucer-esque, deeply cased oddities, it was the Omega Speedmaster Mark II that caught my eye. However, priorities changed, time dragged on and I resisted buying one, or even seriously looking for one, for a long, long time. And then I snapped one up and haven't regretted it since. Today's #TBT takes a look at this revolutionary watch, briefly details its restoration, a...
In Detail Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Moon
Back in 2011, Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced the Tribute to 1931 collection of Reverso models. Watches with the same dimensions as the very first Reverso models (without the brand name on the dial). In the meanwhile, Jaeger-LeCoultre has been introducing a number of models in this ‘Tribute’ range. This year, it was time for the Reverso Tribute Moon watch. Let’s have a closer look.Reverso Tribute Moon 3958420The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Moon is based on the Tribute to 1931. The watch is slightly thicker of course, due to the complicated movement. Where the original Tribute to 1931 had a two hands manual wound movement which enabled the Le Sentier manufacture to use a ca...
Sailing On A Volvo Ocean Race Boat Weekend Read
Omega invited us to join the finishing of the Volvo Ocean Race 2018 in The Hague. It is the city where the Fratello Watches HQ is located, only 10 minutes from the sea. It was a two-day program, where on Friday we would have a look on board on one of the Volvo Ocean 65 race boats and actually sail on one of them. On Saturday, day 2, we were invited to be on a RIB boat to watch a sailing competition between the Volvo Ocean Race teams. In the evening, the official Volvo Ocean Race 2018 prize ceremony, with the presence of our HRH King Willem-Alexander, who’s known to have a thing for Speedmasters as well.Volvo Ocean Race 2018Gerard has quite some sailing experience, but I went in quite b...
Speedy Tuesday Share Your Omega Speedmaster Story
In the eight years since #SpeedyTuesday first graced the internet, we have covered many Speedmaster watches and stories. One of the earliest stories we did in 2012, on the Alaska III watch we discovered, led to the first Speedy Tuesday watch produced in conjunction with Omega in 2017.But, amongst my favorite stories that you shared with us, is the Speedmaster that was found in a drawer, belonging to a grandfather who worked for the NSA. Another epic one is the story from Nick, who worked on the movie “The Spy Who Loved Me” in 1976 and used the money earned to purchase a new Speedmaster a year later, as his Moonwatch - that he received as a birthday gift from his father in 1971 - ...
Karina's 7 Most Iconic Luxury Women's Watches FratelloWatches
With the new wave of female watch enthusiasts, watch brands have started creating mind-blowing, mechanical timepieces for women.?For quite some time, I've been barraged with questions from ladies, just entering the watchmaking universe. Many would-be collectors want to know which timepiece to invest in. Thus, I've decided to dedicate this article to watches that you will wear forever. The list ranges from vibrant-but-timelessness styles to a more modern blend of sexy and elegant designs. There's a timepiece out there for each of us. Here are my 7 most iconic luxury women's watches that provide the perfect springboard into an endlessly enriching hobby.Piaget AltiplanoYou can never go wrong wi...
In-Depth Review: Breitling Superocean Heritage '57
We take a long look at the Breitling Superocean Heritage ’57 where I’ll attempt to convince you that it’s worth a try.We don’t deserve the Breitling Superocean Heritage ’57. We’re mean, quick to judge, and pretty set in our ways about most things - and that includes watches. We complain about watch prices, moan about in-house versus sourced movements without understanding the benefits. Really, just give us a black dial, wrap it in a 40mm stainless case, and maybe include a dive bezel. Artificially limit production and ensure the social media sages pair it with Goyard, LV, Hermes, Gucci, or some bespoke useless slippers and, voil, you have the best watch o...
Grand Seiko SBGW273, 275, and 277 USA Limited Editions (2021)
How very dare you, Grand Seiko USA! This morning, I got an email from Nick Roberts at Lawrence & Co PR (thanks, Nick) informing me that three new limited-edition (obviously) time-only Grand Seikos would be debuting in the US market. It’s just as well Nick had the wherewithal to let me know otherwise I might never have learned of these beauties. And they are beautiful. First things first, book yourself a flight to the States or tap up your long-lost cousin to pick one up for you. Once you’ve done that, come back and read about the Grand Seiko SBGW273, 275, and 277.Look, I know Fratello is based in Europe and we are a team of almost exclusively Europeans, but this is 2021. This...
Summer Splash: Tomas Round 1 Unimatic, Yema, Synchron (2021)
Roll up, roll up! The summer has hit The Furt and Fratello is keen to celebrate. After the magnificent maelstrom of March Mania, we are back with a new knock-out competition conceived to find the very best summer watch out there, according to YOU, the Fratelli. And guess what? You can win prizes! No, there won't be a watch available this time but there WILL be some of the finest water-firing weapons money can buy: the?Spyra 2 water cannon is reputedly the strongest of its kind ever made. Fancy getting your hands on one? Read on and take part in the Summer Splash in the poll and comments section of this article.This time around, eight?Fratelli?editors will choose three of their favorite summe...
The Casio G-Shock MR-G Philosophy Indestructible Beauty (2021)
It started with a plastic watch thrown from a building in the 1980s. But no matter how impressive the capabilities of the original G-Shock are, a watch in a resin case is not a luxury product. Enter MR-G, a tough “gentleman” in sophisticated attire that stepped on the scene in 1996. The metal MR-G was indestructible, sleek, and could fit under the sleeve of a formal shirt. Let's dive into the ever-evolving manifestations of the Casio G-Shock MR-G philosophy - ultimate watches with an indestructible beauty exquisitely crafted by artisans in Yamagata, Japan.This year Casio celebrates 25 years of MR-G with the launch of a limited edition, the unique-looking “Hana-Basara”...
#TBT Moeris 007 The Only Original Bond-Licensed Watch
And I believe no watch will ever be more Bond. With Bond signed on the dial, 007 signed on the crown, and Sean Connery portrayed on the case back, the Moeris 007 is another eye-opening watch find that I had no idea about.Hunting for new watches is extremely time-consuming. And I don’t mean hunting for watches that you have on your wish list. I’m talking about discovering watches and watch brands that you’ve never heard of before. I’m talking about finding hidden horological gems.Back to basicsYears ago, I often spent nights browsing watches with no specific objective in mind. It was a time when finding two or three hours to kill was not so difficult and didn’t h...
Christopher Ward Introduces The New C60 Trident Pro 300
Size matters! When it comes to watches, there is hardly a topic that is as heavily debated as case sizes. Watch enthusiasts love to let brands know that a watch is great, but it would have been better in a slightly different size. As a watch brand, how do you dodge that bullet? You simply create multiple sizes so there is something for everyone. And that is exactly what Christoper Ward has been doing for years. Today, the brand introduces its new C60 Trident Pro 300 Dive Watch Collection, which comes in three different sizes. On top of that, the brand introduces a series of dial variations and bracelet/strap options. But most of all, this new modern diver is a great addition to the brandR...