Watches Blog Wrist Watch Reviews

Enamel dials are, to some degree, the darlings of the watch industry. A famously fussy material that takes great skill to work with and master. We sit up and listen when we see brands launching watches using enamel dials. Why? Because when done well, enamel dials look absolutely incredible, adding a level of depth and visual appeal quite unlike any other material. So, what are some of the best enamel dials in the business? Lets take a look.??AnOrdainAs a Brit, I have to start this list off with a British company. At Fratello, were also quite fond of anOrdain as theyve made waves over the last few years with a range of stunning enamel-dialed watches. The Scottish brand uses vitreous, or Grand [...]

Yesterday I was visitting Gerards watch store and while I was there drinking some coffee, I browsed the latest Antiquorum catalogue for the upcoming auction of the 15th of June.Just now I noticed a post by Felipe on WatchRap.com which describes (in pictures and text) some of the highlights of that auction. Felipe visitted the auction preview in New York in person with some watch friends and took a lot of pictures.This Patek ref.2499 for example, estimated between 200.000 and 250.000 USD:Picture by Felipe.See for your self. [...]

I came up with the idea for this article almost two years ago. Anytime I spotted something unusual that belongs to this category, I saved it. Last week I?finally shortlisted the TOP 10 craziest seconds hands Ive seen (so far). Let us know which models you would add to this list in the comments section below.Its probably no surprise to learn that a few odd-ball brands have made it onto this list. Strangely, however, you more established (and often more conservative brands) such as Longines Citizen also make an appearance. Alongside some classic central seconds hands, Ive added a couple of curveballs for your pleasure. Enjoy!Sicura SatelliteIt's humongous, my wife says looking over my shoulder [...]

Today, it is the press day for BaselWorld 2010. However, tomorrow the doors are opening for everyone whod like to attend the biggest watch expo in the world. I will be there, together with Ernie Romers of WatchUseek and Frank of Monochrome.Soon, we will know if there will be a new Rolex Explorer or a new Submariner in stainless steel ??Please keep an eye on my own forum over at WatchUseek, where I will be posting daily blogs, stories, pictures, movies etc of this superb event! [...]

My first encounter with a Cartier Santos was in my late teens (early-mid 1990s). The owners of the local cafeteria annex snooker place were completely Cartier powered. Cartier Santos on the wrist, wearing Cartier glasses, fingers covered with Cartier rings, and on the other wrist Cartier bracelets and so on. I knew about this watch, but I cant recall where this specific knowledge came from. I guess this is applicable for a lot of people that would recognize a Cartier Santos for just being a Cartier Santos. I actually do remember that I asked the end-boss of the cafeteria about his Santos watch. He proudly told me he was a Cartier fan, and collected many things Cartier. When I dig a bit deepe [...]

Yesterday was the big day for Speedmaster fans all around the world The introduction of the new Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Master Chronometer.Four new models basically, two steel variations and two in gold. You can read all about the new Moonwatch here. Rob and I decided to host a podcast on the new Moonwatch and answer some of the hottest questions weve read in the comments and on social media. [...]

Laurent Lecamp has a background in the luxury industry but began his career in fine watchmaking in 2010. As of January 1st, 2021, he is the managing director watch division at Montblanc. I sat down with him, virtually, and recorded our conversation.Lecamp likes to get his hands dirty. He founded independent watch brand Cyrus in 2010, basically doing everything from sales to development of the collection, finance, marketing, etc. Then he started at Carl F. Bucherer in 2014, becoming the CEO for the Japan market and board member. Lecamp stayed there for nearly six years until January 1st of this year when he joined Montblanc to become the Managing Director of the watch division.Montblanc 1858 [...]

When the Rolex Sea-Dweller reference 16600 was taken out of production at the Rolex facilities in Geneva, a lot of admirers probably shed a little tear. Rolex announced the Deepsea Sea-Dweller 116660 as the successor of the Sea-Dweller but many fans of the former model(s) just more appealing than the new bulky 43mm Deepsea. I urged the people who had a weak spot for the former people to get one while they still could in a little article (here). In 2009 I wrote One of the few things that gives me hope, is that they went from reference number 16600 to 116660 instead of using 116600. Will there be a 116600?. Now in 2014, there is a Sea-Dweller reference 116600. And yes, it is 40mm.I will not go [...]

Its Speedy Tuesday We all know the official Omega ambassadors that endorse the latest Seamaster, Deville, Constellation or Speedmaster watch. There is little fun in showing you these guys (or girls) here on Fratellowatches as you probably see them all the time in ads and event reports. As we did with the BMW head of design Adrian van Hooydonk a few weeks ago and with Porsche 911 nut Magnus Walker about a year ago, wed like to show you some real people wearing the Omega Speedmaster watch.As an example, we show you the watch of Dutch TV host Robert Ten Brink. With TV shows like All you need is love and Love is in the air, Robert Ten Brink connects (or tries to) people or re-unite them again wh [...]

Back in December last year, Oris invited us to Zermatt for a presentation of their 2019 models. And not only for a presentation, however, for a marvellous day of skiing as well. So far for our writing being totally unbiased.While most of the models are under embargo and will be presented during Baselworld this year, one model was already introduced publicly by Oris two weeks ago. The?Oris ProDiver Dive Control Limited Edition.The all new and limited Oris Dive ControlOris ProDiver Dive Control Limited EditionThe thing was that Oris introduced this model a few days before the havoc of SIHH 2019 broke loose. I see a high risk of the watch being snowed under and forgotten because of that. And I [...]

I get a lot of e-mails lately, to quote my best price on watches I even have never held in my hands. So, to clear a few things, I do not sell new watches. I might sell some used watches occasionally, from my own collection or those of friends, but I dont sell new Breitling Bentley models or Patek Philippe Calatrava. People seem to think, after reading an article (some times full of bashing) they can order it right away.Oh, and I recently got two e-mails on the name Fratello Watches. To some it looks like a commercial name or website, but it is not. Fratello is Italian for Brother, which is Broer in Dutch, which is my last name. And Watches well, thats what it is about (most of the time at le [...]

Last year, Cartier launched the first three models of their Drive de Cartier' collection. Never before the brand released a new time piece that was, from a design and advertising point of view, so targeted to men as the Drive de Cartier collection. In general, the response was very positive. ?The Drive de Cartier?was picked up pretty soon after it was released, especially the time only' model.During the last SIHH, two more models are added to the Drive de Cartier' collection. They probably appeal to a part of the Cartier clientele, on which the previous three models might have been lost: that of the classic Cartier connoisseur.Purists will be pleased that Cartier reduced the size of the case [...]

When I started buying mechanical watches about 10-11 years ago, there wasnt much on the market (new) that I could afford. Last few years, this has changed drastically. One of the brands that offers mechanical watches for a decent price (for starters in collecting mechanical watches for example) is Orient. Orient is a Japanese watch company that exists for over 50 years and has a production run of 2 million watches per year. They are promoting themselves heavily on the web and are now also available in the US and Europe Actually, before I got this Orient CFH01001B from OrientWatchUSA to give my opinion, I didnt even know that a jeweller in my neighbourhood (I think its only 75 meters from my [...]

Yesterday, Chronolytics published an overview of the Top 50 most popular watch brands of 2012 in their monthly newsletter. The overview is based on data of the biggest on-line watch market platform in the world (Chrono24), which receives approximately 40 million page impressions each month. Chronolytics collects, analyzes and reports this market data to the watch industry. These market studies includes trends amongst watch consumers, interest in brands and models, the effect of marketing campaigns, and so on.Click here for the Top 50 Most Popular Watch Brands Of 2013The Top 50 most popular brands has been based on the most searched-for watches on Chrono24 by visitors from the USA as well as [...]

This article is a hands-on review of the Hamilton Khaki Field Titanium Auto that has been introduced this year. Even though I love (and ordered) the new Hamilton PSR, my favorite Hamilton watches are its military-inspired pieces. Hamilton has a solid track record when it comes to military watches, the brand supplied them for over 100 years.Producing a military watch isnt just a matter of designing a legible dial. You need to make sure a watch keeps ticking when youre in the trenches or dropping from the sky. Now, todays warfare looks quite different from a few decades ago, of course. However, people like to have a military-inspired watch for many reasons, and I dont think warfare is one. It [...]

Piaget, known for their ultra-thin watches (remember their Altiplano 9P from last year?) now introduced the Altiplano Chronograph. Only 8.24mm thick is the case of the Piaget Altiplano Chronograph that was presented to us today on the 25th Salon International de Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) in Geneva.The Piaget Altiplano Chronograph has a hand-wound movement that only measures 4,65mm (thickness). Available in 18 carat white gold and in pink gold. The white gold version has a diamond set bezel, 56 brilliant cut stones with a total weight of 1.8 carat. The diameter of this sleek designed chronograph is 41mm, making it very wearable. Piaget stressed that this Altiplano Chronograph would make a wonde [...]

Rolex has a rich history of advertising built for decades. The brand has produced some of the most remarkable ads ever created by a watch brand. In this recurring series, we take a look at the most iconic ads Rolex has created over the years.One of the most exciting and fun things to do when diving into the history of a watch brand is to look at its advertising.?Rolex has always been a brand that has created some of the most remarkable ads in the industry, not least because they are connected to outstanding achievements and famous people. Some of the advertisements are stylish, some of them are thought-provoking, and some are blessed with an excellent sense of humor.All of them represent a c [...]

Breitling unveils its latest special edition in the expanding Top Time collection. The year 2021 gave us the classic US muscle-car collabs in the Corvette, Mustang, and Shelby editions. Coming out of the gates this year is Breitling's first co-branded watch with British motorcycle manufacture Triumph. I go hands-on with the new Top Time and share my thoughts following a visit to the Hinckley Triumph factory.On a sunny morning in London, I find myself in the waiting lounge of a heliport. Trust me, the job of writing about watches is not always this glamourous. At that very moment, I found myself wondering how lucky it was to be in this position. That was until a VVVIP client glided through th [...]

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. As springtime breaks across Europe, were taking a decidedly unseasonal route to celebrate: The Grand Seiko SBGH269, inspired by the autumn.Ah, the season of death. Whats not to love? As an adult, it is sheer bliss. School begins. Everything goes quiet. The gamboling optimism of spring ends up in a butc [...]

Just two days ago, I received an e-mail from Dell over at www.jamesbondwatches.com telling me that he is in the progress of creating the most comprehensive list of timepieces used in EON Productions (by Albert R. Broccoli) a.k.a. the 007 movies. His website is all about timepieces in Bond movies, so youll find the known big brands like Rolex, Omega, Seiko, Pulsar and Breitling, but there are also a lot of unknown watches used in these movies. If you are able to identify the unknown watches or can be more specific about some of the used timepieces, please participate!Picture of this Omega Seamaster Professional 2531.80 by Antiquorum.comYou can find the complete list at: https://www.jamesbondw [...]