OK, its confession time. Ana-digi watches have never really been my jam. Other than a G-Shock from my wife that I wore as a beater years ago, I have never expressed any interest in owning (or heaven forbid purchasing) an ana-digi timepiece. So when Rob assigned me this article, I was, admittedly, less than enthused by the subject matter. However, if theres one thing Ive noticed so far in my short time at Fratello, its that I. KNOW. NOTHING.Or, at very best, not nearly as much as I thought I did three months ago. Therefore, every research article I tackle ends up becoming an incredibly beneficial learning experience. Indeed, each is an adventure that opens my mind to a wider world of horology...
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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.Matts dream watch, the Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5164, here pictured in rose gold instead of stainless steel; our review of this watch can be found here.Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5164RYou Asked Us: Which GMT / Dual Time Zone watch do you recommend?Heres the full text of Matts question:Dear Fratello Watches,I'm keen to hear your thoughts on what watches you might recommend which have a dual time zone feature.I travel frequently for work and whilst the short haul from Lo...
We like to talk about vintage watches a lot within the Fratello team. Though most of what we write about is largely focused on the most recent releases and developments, for many of us, a lot of the fun can be found in the sometimes weird and often wonderful world of vintage watches. Its a world full of history, remarkable watches, incredible stories, and quirky details. It inspired us to come up with a series of articles focusing on the best watches per decade from a select group of brands. Some of them are priceless, some of them are still affordable. In this installment, we will take a look at the best IWC watches from the 2000s.By the turn of the millennium, Switzerland had proudly recla...
The design of the Submariner 114060, is unmistakably omega, despite the size and use of modern materials such as ceramics. Compare the modern 114060 to the 1953 omega Submariner 6204 and you will immediately notice that these watches share the same DNA.Owning and wearing a omega Submariner is one thing, but to dive into the history of this watch is quite a task. To make it somewhat easier for you, we hereby show you the history of the Submariner in a nutshell, including a table with most important references since 1953 till the current line-up of Submariner watches.Diving Into omega SubmarinerThe omega Submariner is a watch with an interesting story. Introduced over 60 years ago, the current...
When I borrowed the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Rubber Clad from Watch-Site, I got the AP Royal Oak 15300 as well. Just to?get some look feel?about this watch. Not too long ago, I was a bit reluctant on this particular model, since there was only one Royal Oak, and that was the Royal Oak Jumbo, also known as the ref.15202ST. I have written many times on this Jumbo by Audemars Piguet, saying it was my dream watch or number 1 or 2 (this position changes back and forth with the PP Nautilus 5711/1A) watch that I need to have somewhere in life. ??Friends of mine have the 15202 and are quite clear on the 15300. A no-brainer, because of the second hand with the wing on the short tip, the mo...
SIHH and Baselworld are behind us and with a few exceptions and later introductions planned for this year (wink wink), weve seen all watches for 2018. Time to make up our mind on the Top 5 Baselworld and SIHH 2018 watches. Mike will give an overview of his Top 5 watches that were shown to him in Baselworld and RJ will show his Top 5 watches that were introduced during the SIHH in Geneva.Top 5 Watches Baselworld 2018Please find Mike Stocktons Top 5 watches from Baselworld below.1. Tudor Black Bay 58For me, the Black Bay series of watches have always been great looking, but have lacked a certain staying power. I just forget about them and their normally thick cases really ruin it for me. The 5...
In 2021, Omega updated the iconic Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch with the caliber 3861 movement. A very good reason to update our Speedmaster Buyers Guide as well!This guide dates all the way back to 2014, and since then, a lot happened. Not only did we have our own way with Omega and the two Speedmaster Speedy Tuesday watches (in 2017 and 2018), Omega also introduced a number of interesting Speedmaster watches to the collection. What about the Speedmaster Calibre 321 from 2020, or the new Moonwatch Master Chronometer models in gold? Time for us to update this Speedmaster Buyers Guide.In this Speedmaster Buyers Guide, we give you an overview of the most important references of the Speedm...
We may be entering a new decade, but Oris's commitment to the world's waters refuses to relent. Their modern Aquis diving watch is the poster child for environmental conservation. Continuing its hot-streak, Oris has announced?the Lake Baikal, which is limited to 1,999 pieces.Last year, the Oris Trilogy boxset brought awareness to the plastic contamination and rising sea temperatures damaging our oceans. This new Oris Aquis focuses on the impending dangers to our freshwater sources, continuing Oriss long-standing contribution to this field. Specifically Lake Baikal on the Siberian border with Mongolia. Baikal is one of the World's deepest, oldest,?and once clearest freshwater lakes. Increased...
TAG Heuer has produced a very special Monaco for this years Only Watch auction. This year, the brand revives a collectors classic in an all-new, carbon-cased construction. Inspired by the fabled Monaco Dark Lord of the mid-70s, this one-off piece is sure to strike a chord in the heart of the TAG Heuer collector lucky enough to get his or her hands on it.Every two years, many of the worlds greatest watch companies come together to participate in the Only Watch charity auction. The auction raises money for research into Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. In all, 99% of the proceeds benefit this worthy cause. With CHF 38,593,000 raised for the cause in 2019, Only Watch serves as an important way for ...
Panerai has come a long way since its watches were first made available to the public in 1993. While the Italian powerhouse overawed the market with large, steel watches with hand-wound movements, Panerai has turned into a highly innovative Swiss manufacture.Last year, Panerai was one of the few watch brands we were able to meet in person (during the Geneva Watch Days in August). And the staff of the brands Geneva boutique had a lot to show us, as Watches Wonders (the successor of SIHH) was only done digitally. Now, I love a lot of things digital-only, but discovering new watches is something I would always rather do in the real world.One of last years Panerai novelties is this Panerai Lumi...
Oris continues to be one of our favorite brands here at Fratellowatches. We've come to enjoy the value proposition that their pieces present in concert with great build quality. Last year, at Baselworld 2015, the team loved the Divers Sixty-Five in 40mm with its retro dial and domed crystal. Well, the watch has proven popular, but it's clear that Oris received requests for a larger watch and the answer is now here. Welcome in the new Oris Divers Sixty-Five 42mm.The Oris Divers Sixty-Five 42mm on the wristOris could have easily copied a successful formula by simply upsizing the 40mm Sixty-Five but they decided to reach into their back catalog to a past model in order to find inspiration for t...
The year 2021 saw many significant changes come to the watch industry. Not many of them, however, felt quite as significant as Patek Philippe announcing that the 5711 Nautilus would be discontinued. Sure, this was followed by a number of releases in the Nautilus product line, including the now-infamous green and Tiffany blue-dialed versions. Nevertheless, the message was clear: Patek does not want to become a one-watch brand. And as iconic and beautiful as the 5711 is, there are plenty of other models that deserve far more recognition than they currently get. Swimming upstream or going against the hype doesn't really seem like the logical thing to do for most brands, who simply want to sell ...
Blame it on my sharing nature while writing this story, but I fear my wife wants to remortgage the house. OK, I might be exaggerating a bit. But that is the Italian way, after all, and shes from Milano. I am only wearing one ring (and a bracelet or three; call me metrosexual), but it is a B.zero1, and so is hers. Yes, Bulgari made our wedding rings, I didnt really have a say in the matter. So I should have been more careful about sharing this watch. Shes smitten with it, and its all my own fault.And you know what? Maybe shes on to something. MBF and Bvlgari just had a beautiful love child, and its name is the LM FlyingT Allegra. I am wearing a tool watch today, so I dont know about you, but ...
Earlier this week I had a short but interesting mail exchange with Nick, owner of https://www.clockmaker.com.au/. He pointed this article out on his website, regarding the Dent 1508 Ship Chronometer.For collectors with a passion for accuracy, ship chronometers might interest you!Nick writes:Dent No. 1508 Ships Chronometer, signed Dent, 82 strand LONDON. Purchased by Admiralty in March 1841. Used as navigation instrument on HMS Virago 1847, HMS Plover 1869, HMS Sattelite 1886, HMS Carysfort. Serviced in 1879 Cape Observatory, 1895 Cape of Good Hope, 1895 by Mercer (famous Marine chronometer himself) , 1902 in Sydney, 1919 in Liverpool. Sold by auction in 1920. In private collection since ...
And he came riding through town on his horse screaming, Price increases are coming, price increases are coming The sheep looked up, stopped chewing grass for a brief moment, and put their heads back down to keep eating. And just like that, the horse was gone.If you enjoy reading about watches, youve likely noticed a barrage of articles over the past couple of weeks discussing price increases for omega, Omega, and Patek Philippe watches. Seemingly, you must be interested because everyone is clamoring to talk about the subject. On the other hand, its January and the news is slow. If youre like me, though, you havent read any of these tales of woe because, honestly, who cares? Yet, here I am wr...
And were back with another shootout round of The Fast And The Fratelli Over the last few weeks, weve seen fire and flames. Weve seen both some close wins and complete and utter destruction. Its our contest to find the best racing chronograph, and if you aint here to race, take your gas back home Today, Carl F. Bucherer takes on Omega in an underdog story for the annals of horology. Can the young Manero Flyback leave a Speedy in the dust? That is up to you, so dont forget to vote!I can hear the maniacal laughter coming all the way from Germany. Robs oh-so-obvious pick must have him feeling pretty haughty. And to be completely honest, I dont think I really blame him. His Speedmaster contender ...
March Mania marches on When we started the competition, we had 96 watches. Now were at the stage when the last 16 will be scythed in half to leave just eight still standing. At that point, the writers will have just one watch remaining each. So today, for the very last time, the watches that started in the preliminaries together will go head-to-head for the division champion crown. Where will your votes fall?Were at the business end of the groups now. Gerard and RJ both have just two watches left. We need you to pick your favorite in this quick-fire round. Tomorrow we will have the last two competitors from Mike and Tomass groups before Ben and Bert step into the fray on Wednesday. Then, the...
The last year or so has certainly been special, but now that things are reopening, its time to get back out there. Perhaps youve read Fratello like crazy, but have you been able to try on any of the great watches that came out over the past 12 to 18 months?Finally, the reopening is here. Sure, in places like the USA or Japan, they never truly closed. However, some folks have waited to head out until feeling comfortable. Here in Europe, stores were closed for something like six months!The great reopeningThe trio is back Balazs, Jorg, and Mike talk about watches from the past year that people should try in person. Balazs goes fancy and lists a Lange as one of his favorites. Jorg picks a tough ...
Just before the news hit us that Matthias Breschan (Rado) will be the successor of Longines CEO Walter von K?nel, I had an interview with him. Although things are slowly getting better here in Europe, we still had to use a Zoom call to do the interview.Times are a-changing, and the Swatch Group is endeavoring to change with them. Shuffling the positions of power within the group was a nice move. Different perspectives are always welcome. Mattias Breschan will bring his experience and enthusiasm to a post recently vacated by the long-serving von K?nel.Interview with Matthias BreschanBreschan has been working for Swatch Group since 2000. He has been president of Rado since 2011 and will become...
The Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon: a long awaited black version of the famous Speedmaster watch was introduced during the BaselWorld 2013 exhibition (as we reported here). The delivery of the Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon watches took a while, and still not every retailer has them in stock.So, after more than one year after the introduction of the Dark Side of the Moon lets see if we are still as enthusiastic about the watch as we were during Baselworld 2013.Omega Dark Side of the MoonWhen I first laid my eyes on the Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon I was immediately sold. There was a long wish for an all black Speedmaster. Although there had been a couple of PVDed Speedmaster...