Hands-On: The Gerald Charles Maestro GC Sport Tennis
The 25th-anniversary celebration at Gerald Charles continues with the new Maestro GC Sport Tennis. This limited-edition watch offers a unique surface finish, a vibrant dial, and a comfortable strap. For those who play the game regularly, this watch was made to take on the courts instead of living in the spectators’ booth. We were fortunate to go hands-on with this new release and are happy to share our thoughts.Gerald Charles continues to adapt its unique case shape to different use cases. Highly complicated movements, precious metal cases, and innovative dial finishes describe some of the options within the ever-growing catalog. Today's new Maestro GC Sport Tennis is a more casual tak...
Tom Hanks And His OMEGA Speedmaster Professional
Today, I received a mail by a long time watch friend that included a picture of Tom Hanks wearing an OMEGA Speedmaster Professional. This photo was featured in an article (this one) in The Washington Times about Tom Hanks and his political preferences. I am pretty sure you saw or know the Apollo 13 movie, where he plays the role of NASA astronaut Jim Lovell.In the Apollo 13 movie, he is wearing [more or less] the same Moonwatch as the NASA astronauts did. It is nice to see that Tom Hanks also likes to wear a Speedy Moonwatch in his own time, where he probably can just pick out any watch he wants to have.Actor, director and producer Tom Hanks is not on the list of official OMEGA ambassadors b...
Laco Novelties Blue Dials and Bronze Cases
LacoSince Michael and I?are based in Germany, actually not too far from the Black Forrest, which is one of the most significant areas of watchmaking in the country, German watch manufacturers are?always on our list of brands to work with. One of those brands is Laco. Laco is famous for their Flieger and B-Uhren, watches that most vintage watch guys probably heard of.?During our?meeting with Laco at BaselWorld, they showed me their new line-up of watches.?Though military inspired, the novelties we saw are as cool as it gets.Blaue StundeAs we already talked about it in a previous article,?we saw that?blue dials are this year’s trend. A lot of (time-only) watches with beautiful deep blue ...
Unveiled Czapek Faubourg de Cracovie Chronograph
Following the Quai des Bergues (which we reviewed here) and Place Vend?me models, Czapek introduced a column wheel chronograph as the third model in their line up – the?Czapek Faubourg de Cracovie. It was unveiled during Baselworld 2018 and named after the location of the third Czapek boutique, opened in 1850 in Warsaw, Poland.Czapek Faubourg de Cracovie ChronographIt seems to become a tradition that Czapek opens the Baselworld fair with a breakfast. Even before the first appointment during the press day of the fair, Czapek offers a sneak preview at their new products during an intimate get together in the Volkshaus Basel restaurant.Unveiled during the Baselworld 2018 breakfast, the Cz...
Armin Strom Pure Fire Mirrored Force Resonance Hands On Review
For years we've been reporting on the latest and greatest from Armin Strom here on Fratello.The brand does not only consist of super friendly and professional watch industry experts, but they also happen to have an amazing line up of true haute horlogerie timepieces. Armin Strom is a very special brand in the sense that they only produce skeletonized watches. This is a big part of their DNA since the founder Mr. Armin Strom is an expert in these types of watches. However, their forte does not only lay in skeletonizing but designing movements that only a very few brands are doing these days. Take the Armin Strom Mirrored Force Resonance watches for example. In a nutshell; the watch has two in...
Sunday Morning Showdown: Omega Speedmaster X-33
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. This week, we’ve got something special for you. It’s finally happening - RJ and Rob go head-to-head on a divisive Speedy. The Omega Speedmaster X-33.Last week’s Air-King battle between RJ and Jorg was a real humdinger. Normally, I have a pretty good idea of which way a vote is going ...
Boldr Supply Co. Releases Venture Autistic Thai Foundation Designed By Ratapat Chantami
Attempting to make a difference through art, BOLDR Supply Company teams up with the Autistic Thai Foundation. Working with Thailand-based artist, Mr. Ratapat Chantamit, Boldr hopes to support the Autistic Thai Foundation in its efforts to develop skills in autistic children and adults. The foundation’s goal is to help them find and nurture their passions.This news breaks at the culmination of World Autism Awareness Week, which ran from 29th MarchC4th April 2021. Depicted on the dial of this very special model, is a Koi fish. The end result is an unusual, collectible, soothingly serene dial design, somewhat at odds with the hyper-functional titanium housing for which the Venture series ...
Genteel Handmade: Racing Watch Straps A Chronograph's Dream Pairing?
Some watch aficionados will argue that there's no better choice of watch strap to pair with your chronograph than a racing strap. And, while I believe there are plenty of styles that work well with certain chronographs, it is hard to argue against the perfect harmony of a perforated racing strap and a multi-sub-dial chronograph when it’s done right. Not wanting to leave its customers without a high-quality option, Genteel Handmade has stepped up to the plate with its rally strap selection.And don’t worry if you don’t have a chronograph in your collection! Rally straps look very nice on time-only watches. Personally, I like to pair a rally strap with a six o’clock sub-...
UPDATE: March Mania Grand Final Czapek Antarctique Leads The A. Lange & Sohne Datograph Lumen As We Enter The Final Straight...
The vote is drawing to a close… With just two remaining, the Czapek Antarctique Terre Adelie is holding a decent (and ratified)) lead over the A. Lange & Sohne Datograph Lumen. This is not a result anyone saw coming. This was not what we expected when we started out on this road, way back on March 1st. It looks like we’re about to crown a worthy but highly surprising winner to the March Mania experience, but there is still time for it all to change…The vote will close at 3:30 pm on April 7th. That’s two days from now. It also happens to be the same day Watches and Wonders begins, so make sure you tune back in to see the abundance of novelties we have in store for ...
Hands-On: Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 3 Days Automatic Oro Rosso PAM00684 Updated To PAM01164 With Improved Water Resistance
Today I have something out of my usual comfort zone in front of me - A Panerai PAM01164. I’m pretty happy to admit that usually, I’m not much of a fan of gold, and there are not many modern watches I’d specifically choose to purchase or wear in gold, be that yellow gold, red gold, or even white gold. I’m a stainless steel guy who would consider dabbling in titanium, but that’s about it.Nonetheless, I have this red gold Panerai Submersible to take a look at today, so let’s do just that! Say hello to the Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 3 Days Automatic Oro Rosso, reference PAM01164, an updated version of the PAM00684, which was, for all intents and purposes...
The Watch That Turned Me Into A Watch Guy: IWC Ocean 2000
There are different ways a watch can grab your attention for the first time. There seem to be some more common examples for an encounter that can cause a lasting impression, though. But, whichever circumstance turned you into a watch enthusiast, I feel confident that passion was involved. This is my very personal story, along some detours that initiated my passion for watches.I don’t remember which was my first watch. I do remember a cheap plastic quartz watch, which I wore as a child, that looked cool because it had a black case. And I remember how discontent I felt when this watch with a 30m “waterproof” rating died after some diving in a pool.My first watch that spawned ...
Louis Moinet Memoris Spirit Hands-On Review
Less is more. These are words you wouldn't necessarily attribute to Louis Moinet CEO Jean-Marie Schaller. You can find him in the dictionary under exuberant, but not just him. You will also find a reference to his watch creations. Since 2003 - the year Schaller founded Les Ateliers Louis Moinet SA - he has tried to stretch the definition of exuberant to its very limits. But now, come 2022, Schaller is downsizing a watch to create the opposite effect. The titanium Louis Moinet Memoris Spirit (LM-84.50.20) shrunk from 46mm to a moderate 40.7mm, but it outshines its bigger predecessor with ease. I recently enjoyed a rapid hands-on with this watch that will have a long-lasting effect on me.How d...
Bremont MBIII Rapha Special Edition For RCC (2022)
July 23rd, 1989. The unforgiving cobblestones of the Champs-elysees, Paris, France. Eight seconds separated the victor and his shell-shocked victim. This was the scene of cycling’s greatest day. The conclusion of the 76th edition of “Le Tour” saw American Greg Lemond overturn a 58-second deficit to two-time champion Laurent Fignon, the home-grown hero that was, at the start of the day, one individual time trial away from suffering one of the most crushing defeats in sporting history. When it comes to pro bike racing, one thing is clear: the finest margins matter. Enter the BremontThe Rapha brand has taken the British cycling scene by storm during its most prolific period of...
#PASTELS: Swatch, Sinn, F.P. Journe Breezy Colors And Gear
Ah, Spring is FINALLY here, after a murky winter with the bitterly cold wind howling past the window of my home office. But while my new Bianchi road bike is ready to hit the road, today, it's actually snowing again.What a perfect time to bring out the freshest, brightest #PASTELS for Easter, and invoke the first rays of proper sunshine that actually warms us up. Unlike my fellow Norwegian countrymen, I will absolutely not go up a mountain to re-acquaint myself with some snow. This is a time to have a Negroni in the sun.The MoonSwatchI know, the web is already saturated with the most celebrated collaboration of the last decade. And while I understand those who find the black-dial Moon versio...
The Electricianz Matrix Limited Edition Gone But Not Forgotten
When the latest Matrix film was released, I, like many of you (I imagine), was transported back to 1999 when the first film came out and blew my 14-year old mind. A rush of nostalgia compelled me to rewatch the original trilogy, and I found myself pleasantly surprised at how much better Reloaded and Revolution were than I had thought at the time. Back then, I had thought them brutal abominations that barely deserved any kind of association with the ground-breaking debut of the concept. However, what surprised me was how many of the classic fight scenes, action sequences, or even expository dialogue actually came from the second and third films. Filled up with green-numbered enthusiasm for th...
Fratello On Air: New-Watch Rundown Part One (2022)
It’s time for another episode of Fratello On Air, and wow, do we have news! In fact, we have so much news that our New-Watch Rundown will consist of two episodes. Enjoy the first one!‘Tis the season for all the debuts. Balazs and Mike are here with a new-watch rundown! It’s not just Watches & Wonders 2022 here, though, because a plethora of brands have come to the table.Mission to SaturnHandgelenks KontrolleAs always, the duo kick things off with a bit of banter about Balazs’s trip to Miami with Maurice Lacroix and then move on to the Handgelenks Kontrolle. Mike is wearing his fresh-off-the-delivery-truck Aquastar Deepstar Mid-Size chronograph. Stay tuned for a ha...
Hands-On: Roger Dubuis Excalibur Spider Countach
You were either Team Testarossa or Team Countach. In the 1980s, these two cars ruled the walls of young kids' bedrooms. The swooping lines of the Ferrari inspired ambitious dreams in fierce red. The monstrous Lamborghini did the same in cool, snow white. Fast forward four decades. How many dreamers of yesteryear drive Italian supercars nowadays? Never mind. Let's focus on a watch that matches the poster that hung on your bedroom wall many moons ago. Or the screensaver on your laptop of the Countach LPI 800-4, a modern homage to the original car that Lamborghini launched two years ago. The Roger Dubuis Excalibur Spider Countach DT/X perfectly matches the mid-engine, hybrid-electric hypercar. ...
Building A Watch Brand Ep. 6: A New Bracelet And Other News
It has been a while since Episode 5 of Building A Watch Brand. I thought I'd let the dust settle after Watches and Wonders before sharing another update on the progress of VPC. That does not mean that nothing happened in the meantime. In fact, I have been quite busy on many fronts. So in today's update, I will share several things I worked on rather than go deep into specific design choices. Still, there are plenty of those to share as well.Today's update includes news on the design front - a new bracelet and more realistic renders. I have settled on a caliber that I can now share, and there is a fun little peek into typeface design that I found particularly interesting. Finally, there is a ...
Watch Box Stories: Simon's Omegas, CWC, And Seiko
After taking a break from sharing your Watch Box Stories for a couple of weeks, we’ll continue today with a story from Simon. He started the quest for his perfect watch collection with a focus on different watches for different occasions.After we share all the stories, we will raffle off a Peli case and a few other accessories among the contributors. So far, I've seen some very interesting contributions (click here), and I am excited to share them here on Fratello in the coming weeks. Without further ado, here's Simon’s story about what's in his watch box.The Fratello Peli case for three watchesJust because you've shown a hint of interest… my cousin said as he pulled out a ...
Budget-Friendly Alternatives To The Tudor Pelagos 39
I don’t know about you, but I like the heft of stainless steel on the wrist. I also think it perfectly suits the tool-watch character of a dive watch. But sometimes you may want to wear something lighter, and a titanium diver could be a great option. It still looks the part but doesn’t weigh as much as a similar watch in stainless steel. The Tudor Pelagos 39 in titanium really changed the game last year. It’s a great-looking dive watch that feels very light and comfortable on the wrist. But if you suspect that you won’t be wearing it daily, you might not want to spend $4,600 to get one. In that case, it might be worth testing the waters with some more affordable alter...