Photo Report: Exclusive Grand Seiko Event
Last Friday we organized an event together with Seiko Nederland and Dutch print magazine Watching for fans of Grand Seiko watches. When we announced this Grand Seiko event?a number of weeks ago, our mailbox was flooded with messages from people who signed-up. However, we could only select 20 people as it was decided to keep it small and exclusive. In the end, it was stretched to 22 people that were invited to come to Amsterdam and join us for an afternoon packed with Grand Seiko.Grand Seiko EventGrand Seiko is something you still need to explain to people from time to time. The high quality is evident once you get to handle a Grand Seiko watch yourself, so we thought it would be a great idea...
Carl F. Bucherer Manero Flyback Automatic Chronogrpah A Closer Look
Towards the end of Baselworld 2018, Bert and I visited Carl F. Bucherer for a meeting. I have to say it was not only pleasant and relaxing but also very entertaining and interesting in terms of what we saw. It was my first encounter with the brand and while I know of them, I've not had the pleasure of handling their timepieces. Needless to say, both Bert and I were quite impressed by the overall quality and design of the watches. The 2018 novelties from Carl F. Bucherer, at least the ones we saw, are not small pieces with 39mm and up. Today we will talk about their chronograph; the Manero Flyback.Carl F. Bucherer vs. BuchererFirst, I'd like to give you a bit of a run-down on the company. I'm...
Hands-on: the new Forstner "Komfit" JB mesh bracelet
A few months ago, I pre-ordered a Forstner “Komfit” JB mesh bracelet. The Forstner brand was resurrected and started to produce those weird-looking mesh bracelets again that could be seen on the wrists of NASA’s astronauts.These bracelets are often better known as JB Champion bracelets. JB stands for Jacoby Bender, and they acquired the Forstner brand (in 1963) before astronauts started to use their “Komfit” bracelets. Both companies were long gone already, but Forstner has recently been brought back to life again. Speedmaster enthusiasts have been responding very positively to the new Forstner company, and I have to say that I shared that excitement as well. So...
By Request: Rob's Top 10 Badass Watches Under $1,000 Laco, Marathon, Hamilton, And More
A few days ago, we heard from Fratello’s sparkling-eyed sweetheart, Balazs. In his very popular article, he referred to me as the “annoying little Brit”, which, thanks to the arrival of my new, black British passport is now officially true. I am annoying. I am quite little. And, alongside my Irish nationality by birth, I can now start singing God Save the Queen should the fancy ever take me. I earned this nickname by insisting he write a run-down of his Top 10 Badass watches. He complained before ably turning in a masterpiece. Pleasingly, the comments were engaged and plentiful. One of them asked me to chime in with my Top 10, and so here we are…Where to start? Mostly...
Christmas Gifts For Women Who Love Watches FratelloWatches
With the festive season just around the corner, it’s time to start planning the perfect gift for the stylish woman in your life. Imagine this: a Christmas tree, a velvety wine, twinkling lights, and… Wait… What’s missing from this scene?Watches, of course! And lots of them! Christmas is always the perfect time to treat yourself and your loved ones, and 2020 is no exception. This year we have seen many exciting launches. Which of them will conquer your loved one's heart during this magical season? We’ve got a few suggestions for you in this, the best Christmas gifts for women who love watches.?Omega Tresor Moonshine Gold for the Romantic Business WomanTwo years a...
#TBT Tomas's TOP 8 Vintage Tissot Watches
In todays selection, you will meet an under-the-radar vintage Tissot chronograph with a Lemania movement, an unusual Worldtimer, and a quartz Tissot that helped get them through tough years and survive. We also won't forget the constantly running monopusher Mediostat or the later lube-free plastic experiment Astrolon Watch…Vintage Tissot T12 ChronographOne of the many models in the Tissot T12 line that includes a simple three-hander or compressor-style dial. They all share a chunky, round, and literally hard to overlook case with hidden lugs. This is ’70s style at its best. The chronograph version might be a surprise for you, especially due to the fact that it is powered by a Lem...
Lex Gets Excited By The Roger Dubuis Excalibur Eon Gold
In today’s video Lex talks you through the Roger Dubuis brand, before getting excited about this stunning piece of Hyper Horology, as he calls it. In 2005, Roger Dubuis introduced the first Excalibur watch. The predecessor of the Roger Dubuis Excalibur Eon Gold that we have with us today.The watch, named after King Arthur’s sword, is extravagant, to say the least. Not only due to the impressive $153,000 price tag, but also because of its next-level execution. The Roger Dubuis Excalibur Eon Gold features skeletonized movement with a single flying tourbillon, consisting of 194 parts. Every part is finished at an incredibly high level, done by the skilled craftspeople at the Roger D...
The Fratello Watches Holiday Gift Guide 2021
What better way to make the most wonderful time of the year even better than by giving your watch-loving loved ones some of the coolest goodies out there? Big budget or small budget, the Fratello Watches Holiday Gift Guide has you covered. With picks ranging from $15 Christmas decorations from NOMOS all the way to $730 for the Bennet Winch watch roll (and above), there's bound to be something for everyone. So check out these carefully selected picks from our editors and treat your loved one (or yourself) to one of these great gifts. 'Tis the season after all!You may notice that some of our editor's gift ideas below have already been covered on the site this year. And if that's not testament ...
The Fast And The Fratelli Quarter-Finals: Balazs's Speedmaster Ultraman Vs. Nacho's Hamilton Intra-Matic
As The Fast And The Fratelli quarter-finals get underway, we see a dangerous number of Speedmasters slicing their way through the competition. Here, it's Balazs’s Speedmaster Ultraman, which goes toe-to-toe with Nacho’s humble Hamilton Intra-Matic. But will Ultraman fall to his latest foe? Or will the Intra-Matic lose its Intra-Magic and require a tow back to pit lane? The fate of these two is in your hands! So pick wisely and may the best racing chronograph win.We'll start off the Balazs’s Speedmaster Ultraman, a watch very close to our hearts here at Fratello. As you all likely know, this was the second Speedy Tuesday release, paying tribute to the 1967 Speedmaster known ...
Hands-On: The Edox SkyDiver Automatic Limited Edition
Did you know that the red panda is not really a panda? The red panda, or lesser panda, with its chestnut fur and long, bushy, ringed tail, is not a relative of the black-and-white giant panda. Sorry to burst your bubble. But the red panda, with its happy white face, is closely related to raccoons, skunks, and weasels. And did you know that the Edox SkyDiver Automatic Limited Edition is not an ultra-rugged, oversized tool watch built to the specific needs of an elite battalion of paratroopers, but a retro-styled divers’ watch instead? Sure you did, but still, the name might be cause for confusion.Like so many other brands, Edox is riding the retro wave. The two latest watches meant to c...
Taking A Look At The Best Rado Watches Released In 2021
“High-tech materials” is a bit of a buzzphrase in the watch industry. To many, it's a marketing gimmick, while to others (myself included), it's a fascinating look into the future of watchmaking. Materials like ceramic may seem new and high-tech, but some brands have dabbled in the dark arts of ceramic watchmaking for decades. The most famous? Rado. The Swiss brand has used ceramic in its watchmaking since 1986! That's some pub quiz knowledge for you right there.This groundbreaking material, which had never been used in watchmaking in this way before, conquered the hearts - and wrists ? of watch enthusiasts around the world with its scratch-resistant, lightweight and skin-friend...
Putting Watch Design First Cartier, Longines, Junghans
Why do people wear watches when the time is everywhere? Because a watch is so much more than just a tool to tell the time. For me, watches evoke an idea of romance with their combination of beautiful design, technology, and the ongoing innovations that keep them relevant.As a watch enthusiast, I always find myself checking others’ wrists (subtly, of course, as this can seem like weird behavior to a layperson). Once I spot a watch, I start thinking about the person wearing it because the watch can reveal a lot about that individual’s taste and lifestyle. A watch tells a story, and I love how it can reveal a glimpse of someone's identity.A case for putting watch design firstDesign,...
Fratello Favorites: Best Watches Of 2022 Thor's Picks
This year has been another strong one for new watch releases, and these articles are the most difficult to write, hands down. There must have been 10-20 watches that I fell for in 2022, and a few of those actually made me sell one or two to acquire them. This time, I am going to remain firmly in daydream land with none of these being within my affordability spectrum except one. This is my take on the best watches released in 2022, including one affordable wild card for less than $1K.My taste in wristwear still leans heavily on the independents, and with ’s biggest (literally) release this year being an unwearable 50mm mastodon, the brand is pretty much out of the starting lineup. Ironi...
Introducing: Arcanaut Arc II Havender And Klint
Solid slices of Fordite, composite dials made from slate… What’s next in Arcanaut’s arsenal of unexpected dial materials? Scandinavian mussel shells. Yes, you read that correctly. When I first read that, I was equally surprised and intrigued. We are treated to two more unusual dials for the brand’s latest Arc II models. One is a crispy white dial made from a composite material using powdered titanium dioxide. The other is a light purple dial created from a composite of Scandinavian mussel shells. It’s time to learn more about these two new Arcanaut Arc II releases.I love how Arcanaut is continuing to push dial-making boundaries by searching for new materials. Th...
Seiko SJE093 Vs. Airain Sous-Marine
It looks like people are still not tired of vintage-inspired dive watches, and many brands keep coming up with re-editions of ones that used to be in their catalogs. Today, we’ll put two of our favorite revived skin divers up against each other. In one corner, we have the Airain Sous-Marine, which is inspired by the 1962 original. In the opposite corner is the Seiko SJE093, which is a re-edition of the 1965 62MAS. Let’s see which one of these classic skin divers is going to lure in most of the votes.As Mike mentioned in a themed Pre-Owned Spotlight article, many different brands had/have their take on the skin diver. The angular case shape with the slab sides makes for a strong-l...
The New Oak & Oscar Humboldt GMT SAR Edition
Seven months have passed since Oak & Oscar released its Atwood hand-wound chronograph. However, it seems that founder Chase Fancher and the team were already plotting the next model, the Humboldt GMT SAR Edition. To be fair, this is a limited offering designed with a search and rescue team in mind. However, it deserves attention due to its new case material and story.The guys at Oak & Oscar are avid outdoorsmen and spend time at Minnesota's Boundary Waters Canoe Area (BWCA). This protected area consists of over 1,000,000 acres of woodlands, lakes, and streams used by visitors. A volunteer group, the St. Louis County Rescue Squad, provides invaluable assistance to those in need within...
Hands-On: The Omega Speedmaster Pilot Flight Qualified
It's here! The Speedmaster Pilot Flight Qualified debuted as a pilot-only watch a few months ago, but Omega decided to make a slightly different version available for people like you (assuming you aren't a US military pilot) and me.Originally for US military pilotsAt the end of September, we showed you the US military version of the Omega Speedmaster Pilot Flight Qualified, based on leaked internal documentation and some pictures posted by US military pilots on the Omega Forums.And now, just before 2024 ends, Omega introduces the Speedmaster Pilot Flight Qualified that will be available in stores.2024 is a Speedmaster yearOmega has been serving Speedmaster fans well this year, first with the...
Our Favorite Watches From the '90s, '00s, and '10s
Welcome to another edition of Fratello On Air! This week, we’re back with a lengthy episode to see you through holiday travels or unruly guests. We received a listener suggestion to discuss our favorite watches from the ’90s and ’00s. We’ve added the ’10s to the mix as a bonus. Wait 20 minutes for the watch content!...
Hands-On: The Grand Seiko SBGH349 "Icefall" In Titanium
Whenever I read the word “icefall,” my mind wanders to climbing Mount Everest. To reach the top of the world on the Nepal side of the mountain, you must pass the Khumbu Icefall early on to reach Camp 1. It’s a notoriously dangerous start to your journey to the summit. This is part of the greater fascination with the world of climbing that I have had for the last decade. Alas, despite the great connotation of the word, the Khumbu Icefall is not the inspiration for the stunning blue dial of the Grand Seiko SBGH349. But it also doesn’t hurt because it makes me even fonder of the stunningly executed dial. And if you think this dial looks familiar, you are not wrong. Let&#...
Speedy Tuesday More Moon Phase!
It is Speedy Tuesday! In the past, we’ve shown you a couple of Speedmasters with Moon Phase complications. There was the first Speedmaster Professional Moon Phase from 1985 that we’ve covered in August, the Speedmaster Professional Moon Phase ‘Replica’ or ‘Broad Arrow’ we did in July, the new Speedmaster Professional Moon Phase Aventurine in September and the platinum skeleton Speedmaster Professional Moon Phase we did in October.One of our readers from Germany, who is a serious Omega (Speedmaster) collector, submitted his trio of Moon Phase Speedmasters to us. We briefly mentioned all three of them in our Speedy Tuesday article in August about the Moon Ph...