It’s been a while since we reported about a Speedmaster sighting by a celebrity. In the past, we have seen Russel Crowe wearing one in many of his movies. He also had a Speedmaster in his private collection until recently. He auctioned numerous personal memorabilia away, including the watch, to…well, pay for his divorce. Ed […]
Visit Mark Knopfler – An Omega Speedmaster Fan to read the full article.
It is the last day of the year, time to share with you the Top 10 best read articles on Fratello in 2018. In total, we published just over 450 posts on watches. 2018 was a very important year for us, as we made a number of important decisions for the future of Fratello, which […]
Visit Top 10 Best Read Articles Of 2018 to read the full article.
Once the preserve of the critics and connoisseurs, independent watchmaking is becoming a ‘thing’ on the horological map. It has attracted worldwide attention from those seeking fresh and exceptional discoveries off the beaten track. If you are missing out on this winning category, or it’s just a blur to you, fret not. We have been […]
Visit Winning Stars to Watch: Independent Watchmaking to read the full article.
Welcome to This Week in Watches – the last episode of 2018. We have some tough news this week, which is never nice during the Chirstmas season. Still, we pay tribute to one of our own and talk about the robbery of a reputed seller. We end with some non-related news. Simon Cudd Sad news […]
Visit This Week in Watches – December 30, 2018 to read the full article.
The Rolex Daytona Rainbow in Everose gold (reference 116595RBOW) is one of those watches that leaves me as puzzled today as it did when it was introduced last March. Although a lot of the attention of this year’s Rolex releases went to their GMT Pepsi, the Deepsea Sea-Dweller and GMT bi-colour models, their extravagant Daytona Rainbow Everose […]
Visit The Craziest Watch Of 2018 – Rolex Daytona Rainbow Everose Gold 116595RBOW to read the full article.
Today on #TBT, we’ll take a brief look at what I think is an unheralded classic in the Citizen Jet Auto Dater. Most would probably take one look at this watch and dismiss it as yet another anonymous Japanese dress watch in the same way that most ignore ubiquitous “three hands and a date watches” […]
Visit #TBT Citizen Jet Auto Dater – A Dress Watch with a Unique 1960’s Movement to read the full article.
Moonphase watches are among the most elegant timepieces with complications that are available for a relatively affordable price. A simple classic three-hand watch is perfect for most occasions when you need to dress smartly. A moonphase, however, adds a touch of elegance even to that, elevating the watch to another level. At least this is […]
Visit Montblanc Star Legacy Moonphase – In Detail to read the full article.
Today we shed our light on a brief question about ETA ebauches, sent in by Ramiro. You Asked Us: Does ETA sell their ebauches outside the Swatch Group? Here’s the full text of Ramiro’s question, which is nothing short of to the point: From: Ramiro Subject: ETA ebauches (you asked us! question) Message Body: Greetings. I […]
Visit You Asked Us: Does ETA sell their ebauches outside the Swatch Group? to read the full article.
First off, for those who are celebrating, the Fratello team wishes you a very Merry Christmas. If not, happy Speedy Tuesday! We do our best to publish new content on Christmas day because, after all, it’s a decent day to laze on the couch and relax. So let’s get into what has to be one […]
Visit Fratello Christmas Special – The Omega Speedmaster Rising Sun to read the full article.
The best Amsterdam retailer just got better. They managed to do another exclusive watch with Nomos. I am talking about Ace Jewelers of course, who teamed up with Nomos to launch a second limited edition exclusively to be sold via their boutiques and e-boutique. Based on the existing Nomos Club Campus Nacht (or Night, in […]
Visit Hands-On Nomos Club Campus Amsterdam Review to read the full article.
There it is again, some will say ‘the most wonderful time of the year’. It is time to relax, sit back, eat and maybe even watch a classic movie like the Grinch or Home Alone. And, of course, wear your most precious watch. I have it a long thought, but I realized I don’t have […]
Visit Watches & Pencils #44 – Selecting A Christmas Watch: My Four Picks to read the full article.
The Douglas A-1 Skyraider was one of the last few propeller driven attack aircraft to enter service. It arrived late for World War 2 and during the start of the Jet era, yet it enjoyed one of the longest careers in the US Air Force. Despite being outclassed in speed and technology by the latest […]
Visit Zelos : Skyraider Takes Flight to read the full article.
For This Week in Watches, a pre-Christmas edition, we’ll go in a slightly different direction and make Baselworld the primary focus: there was little in the way of news otherwise. Since the announced exodus of the Swatch Group, the Baselworld organization has been running in overdrive as far as sending communications, online interviews, and news […]
Visit This Week In Watches – December 22, 2018 – Baselworld to read the full article.
Today we go hands-on with the Baltic Aquascaphe divers watch. After the success of their Bicompax (three-hander and chronograph models), they introduced their divers watch a while ago for pre-order. Baltic sent us a watch and we take a closer look. Crowdfunding is an awesome initiative. It allows people or small companies who have great […]
Visit Hands-On Baltic Aquascaphe Review to read the full article.
This year marks the 25th anniversary of the Royal Oak Offshore. A watch that was groundbreaking when first shown during the Basel watch fair in 1993, but it took a while to get there. We sit down with an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore collector in The Netherlands at a not so central location. Besides […]
Visit 25 Years Of Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore to read the full article.
Today on #TBT we’ll go back to some relatively old school Swiss goodness with a look at a LeJour PVD Chronograph. This watch isn’t especially rare, valuable, or on the radar of most collectors, but I think it’s worth a view. Good looks, a cool movement, and attractive pricing make this LeJour rather attractive indeed. […]
Visit #TBT LeJour PVD Chronograph – Value Still Exists to read the full article.
During our visit to MunichTime 2018, about which we reported here, we learned about Laco’s new Squad watch models. These new models are named ‘Scorpion’ and come in 4 variations. Amazonas, Atlantic, Mojave, and Himalaya. All four of them are available with a rubber strap or metal bracelet, while even more styles of straps are separately […]
Visit Wearing The New Laco Scorpion Amazonas to read the full article.
Anyone who is part of the watch community will probably agree that watch spotting can be a really satisfying activity. I sometimes entertain myself by checking out the wrists of others on the tram or plane sitting next to me. You usually have a preconceived idea of what a “Rolex wearer” or an “Omega guy” […]
Visit Watch Spotting – Ellen DeGeneres Wearing The New Rolex GMT Pepsi to read the full article.
This week we’re answering a question from globetrotter Jerôme about GPS controlled watches. Jerôme is a frequent intercontinental traveler and is looking for a watch which he doesn’t have to set when stepping out of a plane in another part of the world. You Asked Us: Do GPS controlled watches automatically change time zones? Here’s Jerômes […]
Visit You Asked Us: Do GPS controlled watches automatically change time zones? to read the full article.
From 2020, the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie in Geneva (SIHH) and Baselworld in Basel, the two major events in the watch industry, will synchronise their calendars. In 2020, the SIHH will be held from 26 to 29 April in Geneva, followed immediately by Baselworld from 30 April to 5 May in Basel. The […]
Visit Industry News – Baselworld and SIHH Partner Up From 2020 Till 2024 to read the full article.
When Patek Philippe introduced the 5524(G) during Baselworld 2015 it was the talk of the show. Yes, it’s old news in 2018 but it’s something we could not neglect mentioning when talking about the new 5524R-001. The famous Geneva manufacture had a number of amazing years: Patek Philippe celebrated their 175th anniversary in 2014 with […]
Visit 5524R Patek Philippe Calatrava Pilot Travel Time – In Detail to read the full article.
While most Speedmaster collectors are very focused on the 1960s and 1970s, I’d say that the 1980s and 1990s are also interesting for a number of reasons. To start with the 1990s, these watches are often very complete (meaning boxes, warranty card, booklets etc.) and those with a tritium dial (up till 1997) have the […]
Visit Omega Speedmaster Professional 145.0808 (1987) With A Mexican Holzer Bracelet to read the full article.
LEVILLE was started in 2018 Jan, a group of watch-addicts with the passion and constancy of the traditional watch craftsmanship. They believe that the most timeless and desirable timepiece must be the traditional one. They would like to awaken people’s mind about the core function of a watch, thus create their brands.They believe that every […]
Visit Kickstarter – LEVILLE – Launches the “Regulateur Collection” to read the full article.
Often times the unsung heroes of the watch industry are the movement manufacturers. Not every brand has the capacity to create in-house movements (or dials, cases, bracelet for that matter). This is when a movement manufacturer comes into play. As you know the largest companies these days catering for the whole industry are ETA (company […]
Visit Lémania Reference 174 Vintage Chronograph to read the full article.
The Fromanteel Pendulum Traveler is the newest and most sophisticated member of Fromanteel’s Automatic Pendulum series. The watch, a strong combination of Swiss Made quality and understated design, is a reliable companion for travelers of all kind. The Pendulum Traveler is currently for sale via a special pre-order campaign. During this campaign, for a limited […]
Visit Fromanteel Presents: Your Most Reliable Traveling Companion to read the full article.
As we are approaching not only the end of the year but also the first show in 2019 (SIHH), we are working hard on our schedule. Visiting brand presentations, organizing photo shoots and preparing interviews. It is not exactly a quiet or slow month as the daily dose of watches also needs to continue. Therefore, […]
Visit This Week in Watches – December 16, 2018 to read the full article.
True Story. On an evening at the beginning of 2018, I was sitting on the couch at home after a full day of being a watch journalist. The doorbell rang and my wife opened the door for one of my best friends. He entered our living room and the first thing he noticed was the […]
Visit 10 Watches That Look Good in Bi-Color to read the full article.
Roughly a month before the SIHH in Geneva, where Richemont brands (a.o.) introduce their novelties to the press, retailers and consumers, Jaeger-LeCoultre presents their Master Ultra Thin Moon Enamel already. Limited to 100 pieces only, this watch features a dial that is completely executed by hand by a few artisans trained in Le Sentier, where […]
Visit Introducing: The Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Moon Enamel to read the full article.
In today’s #TBT we take a look at the Seiko 7549-7010 Tuna Can. While I’ll never say “never”, this article likely marks the last of our in-depth articles on vintage models from within this particular line of distinctive divers from one of our favorite brands. But, for many out there, perhaps we’ve chosen to save […]
Visit #TBT Seiko 7549-7010 Tuna Can – 40 Years Bold to read the full article.
Some time ago, Matt from London (UK) sent us his question about the choice of a GMT, or Dual Time Zone watch. Matt would like to actually use a dual time zone function on a watch while travelling to locations with other time zones. Matt’s dream watch, the Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5164, here pictured in […]
Visit You Asked Us: Which GMT / Dual Time Zone watch? to read the full article.
Last week, the Omega boutique in Geneva threw a little party to celebrate Speedy Tuesday with us and a number of their guests (as well as some of our readers who were able to make it to Geneva). For approximately 25 guests, Omega’s CEO Raynald Aeschlimann kicked off with a warm welcome and a great […]
Visit Photo Report: Geneva Omega Boutique Speedy Tuesday Get-Together to read the full article.
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 […]
Visit Photo Report: Exclusive Grand Seiko Event to read the full article.
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 […]
Visit Carl F. Bucherer Manero Flyback – A Closer Look to read the full article.
Whether a watch wears comfortably on the wrist or not isn’t one of the top priorities for most watch buyers. More likely, it’s design, brand, specs or prize that guides the buying decision. In a way that makes sense, especially since more and more watches are being sold online without being able to try them […]
Visit Formex presents three unique features for more comfort on the wrist to read the full article.
Greetings and my apologies for the late publishing of This Week in Watches. I’ve essentially been on the road since last week’s article, but I’ve kept an eye on events. Let’s get to it – here’s your dose of TWIW… Hodinkee 10 We’d be remiss if we failed to congratulate the fine folks over at […]
Visit This Week in Watches – December 9, 2018 to read the full article.
We’ve covered SevenFriday a few times in the recent past and they sent us their latest watch which is officially launched today. Time to have a look at the new SevenFriday S3/02 Carbon Edition which was made in collaboration with an innovative partner. Different Approach For those who know SevenFriday, this new version is easy to […]
Visit SevenFriday S3/02 Carbon Edition (Live Photos) to read the full article.
The beautiful thing about watches is the fact that they are universal. On the one hand, it means that fans of different brands or types of watches can link up often across continents. On the other hand, it also means that watchmaking is everywhere. We tend to think that watches can only come from Switzerland, […]
Visit Model 25 and Lady – Two New Collections From RGM to read the full article.
If you read our stories about Tissot you could think that; A, the brand only releases heritage models or B, we simply do not care about the new timepieces. Well, this is not quite the case. While it is true that most of us here at Fratello have a soft spot for vintage we also […]
Visit Hands-On Tissot Seastar 1000 Powermatic 80 Review to read the full article.
Just when we think we’ve discovered every TV/watch tie-in, someone unearths a previously unknown connection. Today’s #TBT is the perfect example of great sleuthing as we’ll be taking a look at the Seiko 5126-8090 Kamen Rider from March of 1968. Today’s story is a rather Japanese one and it just so happens to feature one […]
Visit #TBT Seiko 5126-8090 Kamen Rider – Take That, Ultraman! to read the full article.
New York-based Auction house Fortuna has their Important Watches sale tomorrow (December 6th) with no less than 114 lots. From those lots, we selected four watches for you to check out (and feel free to browse the other 110 lots of course). Let’s start with the Rolex 5512 that is featured above. Rolex Submariner 5512 Square Crown […]
Visit Four Highlights Of Fortuna’s Important Watches Auction (December 6th) to read the full article.
Quite some time ago already, Jarle sent us a question about the Blancpain Trilogy Fifty Fathoms models. These models were initiated by Mr. Jean-Claude Biver (while at Blancpain) at the end of the nineties, and are in fact the first descendants of the illustrious Blancpain Fifty Fathom models from the fifties, sixties, and even seventies. […]
Visit You Asked Us! Blancpain Trilogy Fifty Fathoms, black sheep of the family? to read the full article.
The world’s largest online market platform for watches is hosting a Speedmaster-only auction on December 11th. A selection of discontinued and rare Speedmaster limited editions are being offered through the Chrono24 platform as auction items. What to think of the highly sought-after Alaska Project re-edition from 2008? Or the Japanese racing model from 2004? You […]
Visit Speedmaster-only Auction on Chrono24 to read the full article.
Now that the recently announced Fromanteel Pendulum Traveler is for sale, we decided that this was as good a time as any to dive a little deeper into the Amsterdam watchmakers. What drove them to create the automatic Pendulum watches? Let’s have a look! Watches With a Story The only thing better than an affordable, […]
Visit FROMANTEEL: AFFORDABLE, SWISS MADE QUALITY WITH AN UNDERSTATED DESIGN to read the full article.
About two years ago, Bert and I visited the boutique of the Davidoff Brothers in Geneva, and were able to capture a number of tropical dial Speedmasters. Among them, a CK2915 with tropical dial, but also the later CK2998, 105.003, 105.012, 145.012 up till the 145.022 (first watch with caliber 861). In total, we had […]
Visit Omega Speedmaster Tropical Dial Parade – 12 References To Show to read the full article.
When one thinks of a style the world associates with Germany, Bauhaus comes to mind. In architecture, furniture design or watchmaking Bauhaus was, and to some extent still is, the most prominent influence for many. The clean lines, simple shapes and the heavy usage of monochrome all became the trademarks of this era. Not too […]
Visit Hands-On Bravur Scandinavia Review to read the full article.
