Watches Blog Wrist Watch Reviews

Here we are, race fans in the final race of The Fast And The Fratelli competition The last four weeks have seen 30 other contenders come and go, all in our quest to determine the best racing chronograph watch released in the last decade. Up until a few days ago, we thought the final round might see two Speedmasters facing off against each other. But the Fratelli have spoken, and such a race wasnt to be. Instead, today, in the very last race, two heavyweights of watch history are going head-to-head!Interestingly, both watches are tightly connected to the year 1969. It was the year of humankinds first moon landing, and the year the first automatic chronograph sprung on the market. This time t [...]

When I think about cartoon characters and watches, nothing stands out quite like Mickey Mouse. Over the past 90 years, hes been featured on the dial of countless numbers of watches. From high-end pieces to inexpensive quartz souvenirs, Disneys most popular character transcends culture. Todays Gerald Genta Arena Retrograde Smiling Mickey Mouse definitely falls on the exotic side of things, but it scored well with our team.The Gerald Genta Retrograde has been with us since 1996 under the Arena name. Its a watch that Genta developed and it continued even after Bvlgari bought the brand in 2000. It has come in many different forms, case materials, and designs. Regardless of the exact variant, the [...]

After the dust clouds settled at Baselworld 2019, the Patek Philippe Alarm Travel Time 5520P was one of the most talked-about watches of the fair. Another great introduction is the updated version of the Patek Philippe 5235R Annual Calendar Regulator. It may be less talked about than the Alarm Travel Time 5520P, but its at least as divisive.Its funny how most of the discussion about Patek Philippe as a brand is about the design of their new watches. There is hardly anyone that doesnt think that Patek watches are technically brilliant and that their level of craftsmanship is almost unparalleled. The design of new Patek watches, on the other hand, does cause a lot of discussions. Some of the d [...]

Some people say open-heart dials are pass??. Well, call me old-fashioned, but I think thats poppycock If done right, dials that reveal the beating heart of the watch can be some of the most intriguing dials out there. This is especially true when paired with a high-frequency movement. And when it comes to Zenith, high-frequency is the name of the game For Watches Wonders 2022, Zenith introduces the newest generation of the Chronomaster Open. This classily executed and wearable watch puts the balance and escapement of the 5Hz El Primero on display. Paired with Zeniths signature tri-color motif, it just may have you wearing your heart on your face?Did you know that Zenith was the first brand [...]

Natural lines and precision engineering combine in a collection of timepieces designed especially for women who seek-out elegance with an edge. The well-known dial in new colors, couple with Omega's female-focused communication strategy surely foreshadows the success of the new Seamaster Aqua Terra for ladies.Among many ladies' releases of 2021, the ones I was waiting for the most have just appeared. As the creator of Omega Ladies Club, Omega watches are the ones I love and the ones I wear. Therefore, last week when Omegas novelties arrived at HQ and landed on my desk, my heart immediately went out to the new Seamaster Aqua Terra for ladies.The Powerful DialThere are few better additions to [...]

Please, may I order one Croissant central chronograph hand for my Patek and two Sword hour hands for my Rolex watches? Oh, lord, I also need that Pistol hand for my Cartier Tank. Sci-fi? Not at all. The charismatic, creative, and passionate French Romaric Andr|, the brains and soul behind seconde/seconde, pivots his artistry towards unexplored waters. Besides uniquely fine-tuned vintage watches, seconde/seconde started selling strictly limited runs of daringly creative and carefully manufactured watch hands. Whenever you feel like it, you can install these handsets on the vintage watch of your choice. Will it ruin the design of your vintage watch, or on the contrary, will it make it even the [...]

Roll up, one and all, March Mania has reached its second round At this stage, our eight competing writers get a rest. Rob and Dave will present our weary warriors remaining four watches over the next four days, with each post featuring the winners of two first-round votes.Today we have the four top dogs from Mike and Tomass groups. The writers arent going head-to-head just yet, so the seedings attached to each watch stay put from the previous round. By the end of the week, well be down to the final two from each initial group of 12 as we barrel towards the showpiece final. As always, what we need from you is simple: vote for your favorite watch and let us know why in the comments below. Reme [...]

This version is the M28 large size version powered by a cal. R18 movement. It might not have any unusual or special features, but it is a classical, very well executed manual wind movement that is sufficiently refined to qualify for the Geneva Seal. The dial is a unique shade of copper that is a very close, but not exact, match for the case. A nice touch are the polished, reflective arabics; but by far the highlight of the dial are the beautifully blued and gently curved hands. Enjoy the photographs MTAll images can be clicked on for larger versions. [...]

One of the things that makes a Grand Seiko outstanding in most cases, is the dial. We all know the Snowflake and Mt. Iwate for example, but now they also have added hammered and?radiant pattern dials to their collection.I will get to the hammered platinum Grand Seiko SBGZ001 somewhere in the next weeks but want to have a closer look at the more affordable stainless steel Grand Seiko SBGY003 first. Limited to 700 pieces only,? but with a friendlier price tag than the gold and platinum watches from the Spring Drive 20th anniversary collection. For this occasion, Grand Seiko introduced a number of new manual-wind thin dress watches with Spring Drive movements.Grand Seiko SBGY003Using a hand-wou [...]

I will keep you updated on a Basel 2009 novelties the next coming days, both here and on our partner site, Perpetuelle.com. The company that keeps their secrets very well, is of course Rolex. Too many people their introduction at BaselWorld 2009 today will be a bit of a disappoint perhaps, but to me, it is great to hear that they keep things as they were ?? With a few exceptions of course, like the new ladys Daytona.The new update on the DateJust (being called DateJust II on various forums) has been done very nicely in my opinion (except that the diameter of 41mm might be a bit big). They have their lessons learned from the introduction of the Day-Date II last year. Other Rolex news is tha [...]

In this weeks You Asked Us episode were answering a question regarding choice of a sports watch with a manufacture caliber. It came from one of our readers and reached us through the contact form on our website. Considering the three watches the writer proposes himself, he not only seems to look for a sports watch, but it should be a chronograph as well. Heres the message:This Week's Question: Which Manufacture Sports Watch to Buy?Dear Fratello Watches, I am about to buy a sports watch, I would like to own a watch of an excellent technical level, possibly of manufacture. I oriented myself towards these models:1. Zenith El Primero 1969 ref. 03.2040.400 / 69.C4942. Vacheron Constantin Overseas [...]

We have decided to make the Ads From The Past a recurring series of articles where we find the best in watch advertising. In the second article of the series, its now time to look at some Omega ads and see what remarkable things we can find. We have selected eleven ads from the past to find out what makes them iconic, funny, or strange.Omega has a rich tradition in advertising that goes back to the beginning of the 20th century, so there was a lot to chose from when we selected just eleven ads for this article. Some of the advertisements are real works of art, and others are very technical and factual to emphasise the features of the watch.11 Omega ads from the pastIt is fun to see where the [...]

Like last year, a word of thank you to my sponsors Steiner in Maastricht, Henrik at SubGMT, Squiggly and Blancier watches. For 2008, 121Time will be added as well.Next, thanks to all contributors (special thank you to Gerard Nijenbrinks for posting some messages while I was away) and all people who used to comment button ?? Also, to all people who mailed me with hints or suggestions for new topics. I hope to keep up the frequency of posts (at least once a week) like the last few months or even better ;).2007 has been a bit in the light of Rolex, since that brand got my interest more and more, but I will try to cover a broader range of watches in 2008.Thanks, visitors of this Fratello blog Ha [...]

Entering in a new decade always breeds predictions of what well see and experience for the next ten years: New technologies, new entertainment, new world events. At least one thing that carries over from the last decade is the vintage re-edition trend from luxury watch brands.Longines Heritage 1946Fresh from Longines is the Heritage Chronograph 1946. The 1946 pays tribute to a watch from the Longines archive.Although vintage fatigue set in for me towards the end of the last decade, Ive always felt that the Longines Heritage collection has existed outside of the fauxtina fad. Possibly down to the everlasting designs of Longines that the timepieces seem contemporary yet classic in any era.The [...]

Speedmaster Professional Pre MoonIt is Speedy Tuesday today, which means it is our recurring topic: Speedy Tuesday Every week we pick a Speedmaster and put it in the spotlight here at Fratellowatches. This week, we have the follow-up model of the Speedmaster we covered here two weeks ago (click here).Our reader, who would like to stay anonymous, has this wonderful Speedmaster Professional Pre Moon ref.145.012 model that he purchased from the son of the original owner. The Speedmaster Professional Pre Moon watch was originally purchased on October 9th, 1969. Just a couple of months after the Moon landing. This Speedmaster Professional Pre Moon watch is complete with all documentation (and rec [...]

I like the hypothetical and that brings us to a seemingly outlandish question that may become a little less so. By the end of this article, you will get to answer whether youd put down your hard-earned money to buy a steel sports Rolex even if you dont want it. It seems like an easy one, but lets seeI dont daydream enough, but when I do its often about scary great white shark encounters or hitting a World Series deciding homer in the bottom of the ninth with two outs and a full count. Sometimes, though, I think about watches. And when I do, its a thought thats probably not too original. Ive got this wild plan where Im in some sort of out of the way town and there just so happens to be a Role [...]

Theres a line from a song in the musical Chicago that goes, give them the old razzle-dazzle. It seems that Ulysse Nardins design team may have taken that to heart when working on the latest iteration of the Freak X. One look at this new watch from Ulysse Nardin and my eyes are drawn in by the mesmerizing geometric dial pattern. Now, if I can just tear myself away from it for a moment-Photo credit: Smithsonian Magazine (smithsonianmag.com)Origins in maritime camouflageWhile the jarring and sharp contrasting black and white lines make me think of something from a Batman villains wardrobe, the original inspiration for this stems from a specific type of camouflage used by the British and America [...]

And so we now move into the end of November, and towards December. The final month of what has been a somewhat unorthodox year, and indeed not what any of us had predicted when we welcomed-in 2020. It's been a slightly quieter week in the world of watches in terms of news, but that doesn't mean we've had nothing of note.We've seen Laco begins its countdown towards its centenary, Nezumi Studios launch a collaboration with thrash metal legends Anthrax, MBF release the uniquest piece unique youre likely to find, and IWC drop a colorful Big Pilot. Let's have at it This week, Rob and Dave take it in turns to present their top watches of Week 47, 2020.Laco Edition 95Rob: As a long-time lover of Ge [...]

Welcome back to another installment of A Brief History Of Time. Todays spotlight is on Chopard. In Part One, we went over the brands history, from its founding in 1860 to the release of its first manufacture wristwatch in 1997. Since the release of the L.U.C 1860, the brand has done some spectacular things in the world of horology. Many of these, however, may have slipped under the radar of the casual watch enthusiast. While Chopard is still a huge name in the jewelry industry, let's face it: you're probably not here to read about that. This is a watch publication, after all. So, with our focus on its watches, today, we'd like to shed some light on just a few of Chopard Manufacture's greates [...]

Wrist Game or Crying Shame gets classy with the Rolex Submariner 16803.After our debut article of Wrist Game or Crying Shame a couple weeks back, where a colorful Omega Speedmaster got trounced, it seems you werent sure if you wanted to shake off those Smuggler's Blues to give last week's contestant, the Ebel 1911 Chronograph, a Wrist Game win.? In what Id call a ridiculous set of circumstances, the voting ended in a dead heat at the time of publishing.? Really, its 50/50.? Apparently, the opportunity to own a true 1980's style icon that houses an equally legendary El Primero movement for under $2K didnt prove to be tempting enough for more than 50% to swing your (Jan) Hammer down on the buy [...]