All the news from the watch industry including boutique openings and new watch releases. Featured.
Watches – News, Reviews, Brands and Releases
Dutch movie Jackie, which is in the theaters as of today, is about two twin sisters who have been raised by their father, who receive a phone call one day from their unknown biological mother who lives in the US. The twin sisters, played by Carice (a.o. Valkyrie) and Jelka van Houten are sisters in real life as well. Both wear a Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Lady in this movie.Jaeger-LeCoultre have been favored in movies numerous times. What about Justin Timberlake wearing a Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control in Bad Teacher, or Pierce Brosnan wearing a Reverso Duoface in the Thomas Crown affair. In the original Thomas Crown Affair (1968), Steve McQueen appearantly wore a Jaeger-LeCoultre as well. [...]
Welcome back to Wrist Game or Crying Shame where youre the head honcho in charge. This week, we look at a rather unique Omega De Ville Power Reserve. But firstLast week, I did my best to give you the right implement to sail the ocean seas with a Rolex Yacht-Master in gold. I rocked back and forth like a ten foot skiff on Lake Erie during a squall with my opinion on this thing. You landlubbers, however, sent this master of galleons down to Davy Jones locker with a 32% Crying Shame loss. It seems the only thing this watch was master of was losing Well, lets keep some of the glitz this week, up the technical quotient, and lower the price. Sound good? Then lets get into the Omega De Ville Power [...]
Not too long ago, we did an in-depth review on the Longines Conquest Heritage 1954. A beautiful watch of a collection that referred to those very first models of this collection. However, not everyone is into these watches with retro designs. The Longines Conquest Classic Moonphase is something different though. This model grabs back to some ingredients of its heritage but is also a modern and up-to-date timepiece with regards to its appearance.Longines is to us a watch manufacturer that is able to create watches with very interesting complications at an affordable price. I dont want to use the phrase affordable luxury too much, as I dont like the term luxury, but thats basically what it i [...]
Are you tired of ambassador-led special editions? Well, it sure seems as if the watch industry isn't done with them quite yet. And while this practice may elicit (in some) a weary roll of the eyes, it is fair to say there are good and bad examples of ambassador-inspired watches. The partnership twixt Panerai and Mike Horn has always felt like one of the more natural ones. Perhaps that has something to do with its duration, Horn's earnestness, or the fact there aren't so many Panerai ambassadors to dilute the attention afforded the increasingly renowned explorer.Whatever it is, whenever Panerai releases a new Mike Horn watch, I find myself liking it. It's totally possible it's just a coincide [...]
In this video, I talk about the Hamilton Khaki Navy Scuba Auto, a 43mm diver in stainless steel that weighs a whopping 212 grams.While the trend is towards smaller and lighter watches, this diver from Hamilton is the contrary. A big case and chunky bracelet. For those who prefer smaller and lighter divers watches, theres a 40mm version as well that you can wear on a rubber strap. But what we watch enthusiasts might prefer, does not always apply to everyone. So for those who prefer a big and heavy watch, this Hamilton Khaki Scuba Auto might be perfect.Hamilton Khaki Navy Scuba AutoHamilton is the brand that brings mechanical watches with a purpose, for a very attractive price. Although price [...]
This years introduction of the new Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch, Seamaster 300, De Ville Tr sor, Constellation, and black ceramic 300M? is a good reason to catch up with Omegas CEO and President, Raynald Aeschlimann.On the first (Speedy) Tuesday of this year, Omega introduced its new and improved version of the iconic Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch. A combination of the latest innovation when it comes to movements and heritage when it comes to design. Then, at the end of March, Omega introduced the other aforementioned watches. New models in each Omega collection: Speedmaster, Seamaster, De Ville, and Constellation. Big things!The new Omega De Ville Tr sorIn conversation with [...]
I turned 40 this year and decided to finally pursue my long time wish to play golf. I have played field hockey as a kid and teenager so have some sense for ball sports. During my study and first jobs, I had some golf lessons but never pursued. This year I decided to go for it and started playing a couple of months ago.Watches and GolfBesides my concern what I needed to buy concerning golf equipment (it is really easy to loose yourself there I have to say, I found out that getting your stuff in the UK is so much cheaper than here on the mainland), I was also concerned whether I could keep wearing my watch during golf. Since a couple of the big watch brands sponsor golf players, it came across [...]
Stepping into a Breitling boutique today is a totally different experience than entering a dealership when I just founded Fratello magazine. Most of the time, youd step into an interior that the grandparents of the current owner had proudly chosen and installed. Uncomfortable chairs (covered with velvet!) at an oak desk where the shop owner would show you the watches on a tray, matching the dark brown oak. Often a place where there was more information and passion for watches in the catalog than in the shop.Even today although the interiors are often improved you will encounter places where theres just a small collection of watches of the brands you are looking for (or at least not the exact [...]
With the festive season just around the corner, its 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 Whats 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? Weve got a few suggestions for you in this, the best Christmas gifts for women who love watches.?Omega Tr sor Moonshine Gold for the Romantic Business WomanTwo years ago, Omega introduced the ladies Tr so [...]
This Patek Philippe reference 3940 in Platinum is a real beauty, captured by SuitbertW at the Patek Forum. Although these Pateks are quite small (37mm), I feel that I could get used to it.I am not very into yellow gold either, so platinum or white gold would be a perfect option! [...]
In case youre not fortunate enough to own a perpetual or annual calendar, were now in September. The 9th month. So thats three-quarters of the way through the year. Weve seen plenty of new releases, but some were better than others. I appreciate that its hugely subjective, so I thought Id do a roundup of my top five watches of 2021. Ill also be providing some of the reasoning why these watches made the cut. And who knows, maybe by the end of the list youll find yourself adding something new and unexpected to your own!Ill be honest, this was a tough list to compile. I went back over the Fratello archives to recall some of the earlier releases from 2021, but I think Ive pretty much nailed down [...]
It is not often that we come across collectors who have this gold Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch BA145.022 in their collection. We have covered this specific model a couple of times in our Speedy Tuesday feature, but it remains to be a rare find and sight. The price on these watches drastically grew over the last couple of years, which might have something to do with the rare sightings of these gold Moonwatch models. Besides that, a number of collectors feel that the Speedmaster was meant to be in stainless steel.The first Speedmaster Professional in gold was introduced in 1969 and in production till 1973. A beautiful commemorative edition for the Apollo XI moon landing. The all-gold Speedmaste [...]
A few days ago, we heard from Fratellos 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 areWhere to start? Mostly, we talk about watches that [...]
Its Speedy Tuesday This week we have our friend and fellow blogger Christopher Beccan of Bexsonn?telling us about his vintage Omega Speedmaster Professional 145.022-69. This reference 145.022-69 was the successor of the caliber 321 Moonwatch (145.012) and especially in those first years available with a few different case backs.One of them is the one of Christophers watch, with straight text engraving. Then there is another similar case back with additional Apollo XI 1969 engraving and considered to be very rare. The other two are more common, the Seahorse case back without engraving (typically before 1970 but after October 1968) and the other one has the round engraving similar to the cas [...]
When Omega introduced the Seamaster?Ploprof 1200M back in 2009, I was actually happily surprised to see that they did such an amazing job.The resemblance with the original Omega Ploprof 600M 166.077 was amazing. ?On first sight, the new Omega Seamaster PloProf 1200M looked identical to the PloProf 600M version of almost 40 years earlier. On Fratellowatches we wrote about the PloProf watches several times, but never took the time to put the two models together and have a closer look.Seamaster PloProf 1200 History In A NutshellFor detailed history on the Omega Seamaster Ploprof 600 I will ask you to read this article on the Omega Ploprofs History. I will give the highlights of the PloProf hist [...]
With the Longines Heritage Classic Limited Edition For Hodinkee, the New York-based crew once again show us that being precise doesn't have to collide with great style. Au contraire, being fashionably late is simply not done with the chronometer precise watch that will have you arrive on time and in style. Limited to 500 pieces, the watch is a classic with some contemporary tweaks.The Longines Heritage Classic Limited Edition For Hodinkee looks familiar, and yet it also has your brain scramble for clues. You think you've seen this watch before, but where, when, and how? Well, you haven't seen it before, it just looks a bit like the Heritage Classic Sector Dial (L2.828.4.73.0). The brushed st [...]
Benrus is one of those (vintage) brands that has not being re-invented by investors (yet). Luckily, because in most cases, the results are horrible. Benrus is also a brand that has some very nice time pieces (like the one below or the Sky Chief for example) that is nice to wear/have at a reasonable price.Michiel van der Arend bought this 38mm Benrus Ultra-Deep diver and allowed me to put it for show here at Fratello ?? [...]
No less than 7 different variations of the recently introduced 43mm Omega Speedmaster Chronoscope can be found in the Omega catalog. I had the opportunity to have some hands-on time with the Speedmaster Chronoscope in bronze gold last week, the watch with reference 329.92.43.51.10.001. As I already did an in-depth overview of the steel models, you wont find many differences in terms of functionality and dimensions, but this model provides quite a different wearing experience. Plus, the looks alone make the Bronze Gold Omega Speedmaster Chronoscope worth talking about!Speedmaster Chronoscope in bronze goldThe Speedmaster Chronoscope is not the first watch that Omega has introduced in this spe [...]
Fratello and The Massimo Osti Archive collaborated to share the favourite watches of the late founder and designer of C.P. Company, Stone Island and other brands and the inventor of garment dyeing, the heat reactive and reflective jacket.Garment engineer Massimo Osti (1944 2005) created innovative and game-changing clothing brands such as C.P. Company, Stone Island, Boneville and later Massimo Osti Production and Left Hand. Osti was way ahead of his time with products such as a heat reactive jacket (1987) and a reflective jacket (1991). Today, his visionary method has become the standard for a complete industry. Brands like Stone Island and C.P. Company are more popular than they were ever [...]
Using the original 1953 Co-Pilot ref.765 AVI as its base, Breitling is releasing five chronographs inspired by four iconic fighter planes the P-51 Mustang, the Vought F4U Corsair, the battle-ready Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, and a British icon, the de Havilland Mosquito. For those of you with a strong visual memory, yes, these are similar to the AVI ref.765 1953 re-edition from last year. These ones, however, are on a bulk-up diet. I crushed on the 1953 re-edition and felt its 41mm size to be a perfect contemporary update. But these are big very big and I'm slightly confused as to why. Their functionality is top tier, with the COSC-rated B04 caliber and a GMT function. Fresh, popping red on black [...]
