Hublot has gotten a pretty bad rap in recent times. The brand is often dismissed as the butt of online commentators jokes, but we don t feel this is entirely fair, so in today s episode, we re looking at the other side of things. RJ, Thomas, and Nacho have each whipped up three reasons why you should buy a Hublot or, rather, why one might consider buying one of the brand s watches. Before that, we briefly review the brand s history, from its inception in 1980 by Italian watchmaker Carlo Crocco to the Jean-Claude Biver chapter and the current stewardship of (former Zenith CEO) Julien Tornare. So, if you want to hear why we feel Hublot deserves more love than it gets, tune in to this week s e...
The third time that Dr. Woo, LA-based tattoo artist to the stars, and Genevan watchmaker Roger Dubuis collaborate, it takes on a galactic peace mission. The Roger Dubuis Excalibur Monotourbillon Dr. Woo Episode III shows design elements only found in the unimaginable depths of space. After traveling galaxies yet unknown to humankind, the creative expedition resulted in a 28-piece boutique exclusive limited edition. Apart from bearing the Poin?on de Geneve, the watch shows Dr. Woos recognizable style, including his signature spider, a mysterious language of symbols, and the traveling rocket with a trajectory that follows the star shape of the Excalibur collection.I can imagine Dr. Woo softly ...
Welcome back to another episode of Fratello On Air! We ve been away for a while, but we re here and talking about new releases. In particular, we re discussing the barrage of dive watch announcements from multiple brands. As always, expect candid commentary and a bit of fun!This podcast player is blocked because you did not accept marketing cookies. Change cookie settings That s right - we re back! Over the last several weeks, we ve been traveling and engaging in watch-related activities such as get-togethers and brand events. We mention some of these and, naturally, we engage in a bit of banter. Then, we discuss a handful of new dive watch introductions.HandgelenkskontrolleWhew, it is s...
The watch market may be experiencing a relatively sluggish period, but that hasn t stopped the revival and relaunch of several high-end brands. While the overall market may be quiet, the upper end is still going strong. Amidst this, Urban Jrgensen, the famed brand from Copenhagen, is now entering its third era.Daniel Roth and Universal Geneve are two brands that have recently returned from the ashes with upscale offerings and a focus on movements and finishing. Well, this is what we assume from the upcoming Universal mainline launches, anyway. With Daniel Roth, the watches have been received with near-unanimous praise. Now, Urban Jrgensen, with Kari Voutilainen as the CO-CEO, certainly see...
Today, Omega introduces a new selection of Seamaster Aqua Terra watches for ladies. They feature a new 30mm case and an in-house-developed self-winding movement. Thus far, Omegas smallest Aqua Terra measures 28mm but comes with a quartz movement. The self-winding Aqua Terra models used to be 34mm and larger. This new small Aqua Terra 30mm comes in 12 variations.The Seamaster Aqua TerraBefore discussing the details, lets briefly recap the Aqua Terra line. Introduced in 2002, the Aqua Terra became another sub-collection of the Seamaster family. While Omega has only a few watch families, such as the Seamaster, Speedmaster, Constellation, and De Ville, many of them contain several sub-collection...
A little less than a month ago, we saw the introduction of the Longines Spirit Zulu Time 1925. The watch commemorates 100 years of Longines dual-time watches in a rather bold fashion. Its rose-gold-capped bezel and matching gold dial details set it apart from any other Spirit Zulu Time. I was immediately intrigued by this original take and knew I had to get my hands on one.This hands-on review is a follow-up to Lexs earlier introduction article. I will not repeat everything he so capably described, so for the full Longines Zulu Spirit 1925 experience, you may want to start with his article and then come back here.The Longines Spirit Zulu Time 1925I will, however, start with a very brief reca...
It s funny how things can come right back around in the world of luxury, fashion, and design. As someone once said, fashion is fleeting, but style lasts forever. The same can be said for watches, and we need only rewind the clock 20 years to see a host of designs with sweet-spot 37C40mm case sizes. Then, something happened in the 2000s, and everything got bigger. Now we ve seen a return to that sweet spot for case sizes. Today, I am looking at an example of a neo-vintage watch design, the IWC Fliegerchronograph 3706, to help illustrate this cycle.Case size is one of the most prominent topics in the comments on any new watch review. The number of times I have read If only it were in 40mm, or ...
In its original form, the Amida Digitrend is already quite an impressive wristwatch. Its unusual shape and size make it the perfect conversation starter. And that s not even considering the dial with the sapphire prism and the jump-hour module behind it. Well, get ready for an even bolder iteration because here s the new Amida Digitrend Open Sapphire. It features a big, curvy sapphire window that lets you see what s under the hood. Be quick, though, because only 150 pieces will be made.Last year, designer Matthieu Allegre and Depancel founder Clement Meynier brought back the Amida Digitrend. First, there was the Take-Off Edition, which sold out very quickly. Then, they introduced three regul...
Beno?t Mintiens of Ressence and Ahmed Seddiqi, a luxury watch and jewelry retailer in the United Arab Emirates (UAE), are back with another limited edition. This time, they used the fairly new Ressence Type 9 as their canvas and added a unique touch: the domed titanium dial is completely covered with sand. It s not just any sand, though; it s sand from each of the seven emirates. They will make only 20 pieces of the Ressence Type 9 S75, exclusively available through Ahmed Seddiqi.This is the fourth collaboration between Ressence and Ahmed Seddiqi. The first three watches shared the same mosaic dial pattern, just in different executions. The Type 1 Squared DXB came out in 2019. As the name su...
Let s be thankful that, in the watch world, evolution doesn t always mean getting larger. Take the new 40mm Frederique Constant Classic Perpetual Calendar Manufacture (FC-776SAL3H6) as an example. This watchs predecessor debuted in 2016 in a 42mm case. It was an important introduction because it was the market s most affordable mechanical perpetual calendar watch when it was launched. Now, though, the Geneva-based brand introduces an updated and upgraded QP with a reduced (improved) case that s even more classic and refined than before and a more powerful in-house movement. Again, this is an important introduction with a smaller steel case, a lively and sophisticated salmon dial, and a price...
Seiko unveiled the new SRPL83, SRPL85, SRPL87, and SRPL89 only a few weeks ago. The new quartet is part of the Seiko 5 Sports lineup, more specifically, the so-called SKX series. But with that classification comes some mental gymnastics. When Seiko introduced the 5 Sports line in 2019, the brand was adamant that the newly introduced watches were not a follow-up to the popular SKX007, SKX009, and so on, despite their visual similarities. A quick look at the specs also confirmed that. But six years on, the brand has taken the legacy of the SKX as inspiration to create a line of watches that fans of the classic divers might find confusing. I took the new watches for a spin to get some perspecti...
Admittedly, I didn t have a retro diver from Girard-Perrergaux on my list of predictions for 2025. Yet, just a month ago, I visited our site, and a bright blue and orange watch was beaming back at me. The Deep Diver Legacy Edition proves that the Swiss brand can still get funky, even if that means partnering with London-based Bamford to help make it happen. Today, we ll take a hands-on look at this twin-crowned, limited-edition piece and share our thoughts.Girard-Perregaux is one of those brands that will always stick with me. My dad purchased a lovely, very 70s High-Frequency model during my parents honeymoon. Actually, there s more than a kissing cousin s worth of shared DNA in his watch...
I remember the first time I saw the Armin Strom One Week. It was during Geneva Watch Days in 2023, and the setting couldnt have been more memorable. While most brands hosted their meetings in the shaded, sepia-toned suites of the Beau Rivage, Armin Strom had something different in mind. I followed the address provided and found myself boarding a small boat. There, looking out across the famous Lac Leman, beer in hand and sitting across from co-founder Claude Greisler, I got my first hands-on experience with the One Week. It was superb and easily one of my top watches of the year. It left a lasting impression and earned a permanent spot on my grail list - until now, with the new Armin Strom O...
Another Sunday, another showdown! This week, we pit two sub-$1k sports watches with integrated bracelets against each other. In the blue corner, we have Daan defending the Citizen Zenshin 60. Meanwhile, in the red corner, we have Thomas with the BA111OD Chapter 7. Lets see who delivers the knockout punch this week!Of course, before we get into that, we must look at last weeks Sunday Morning Showdown. Lets dive in!Previously, on Sunday Morning Showdown…Last week, Jorg and Mike stepped into the ring with a pair of 39mm GMT watches. Jorg represented the Longines Spirit Zulu Time Titanium. Mike, on the other hand, defended the Tudor Black Bay 58 GMT. Both watches feature some retro styling...
CIGA Design makes distinctive-looking watches. Perfectly round cases and dials with depictions of the Earth offer something truly different in a market full of traditional timepieces. Until now, though, these planetary watches have featured the Pacific Ocean and Asia. Finally, we have a new Blue Planet II Atlantic for those connected to other parts of the globe.Admittedly, watches from CIGA Design have surprised me. I find them interesting, but I wasn t sure what our readers would think. The truth is that most people enjoy the concept of a rotating globe display as a fun way to tell time. What they didn t always connect with, however, was the brand s focus on the Pacific Ocean. It made sense...
CIGA Design produces watches that are different from the norm. It s immediately apparent that this isn t the typical timekeeper with central hour and minute hands. The round, UFO-like cases also stand out in a futuristic way. Now we see two new models that represent a departure from prior pieces. The Legend of Serpent editions use an exciting case material and precious metals.As an Asian brand, CIGA Design places great importance on symbolism. The serpent, per the press material, can represent several important characteristics, including wisdom, healing, and rebirth. Therefore, it s not surprising to find an artistic form of the reptile on the dial of the new Legend of Serpent watches. Howev...
We have come to know Sternglas as a brand that predominantly creates watches within the minimalist Bauhaus style. Over the past couple of years, though, we have seen the brand push the boundaries of that aesthetic. One of the leading examples is the brand s Berlin model. While the watch still ticks quite a few of the minimalist boxes, the style differs from the brand s usual Bauhaus watches. The dial sees a gentle injection of Art Deco elements to create a classy daily watch with a day and date display. The inspiration for the watch comes from the Berlin train station established in 1857 in Sternglas s hometown of Hamburg. It s time to find out more.As Germany is a big country, the impact of...
Ten years ago, Omega introduced the Globemaster, the Seamaster 300 Spectre edition, and the white-dial Speedmaster Silver Snoopy Award 45th Anniversary limited edition. That year, Omega focused primarily on the Spectre and the Snoopy, neglecting to give the Globemaster the attention it deserved. Additionally, the Sedna (rose) Gold Speedmaster First Omega in Space (FOiS) did not receive much acclaim.Omega Speedmaster FOiS Sedna Gold - Image: TheWatchGuy MunichSpeedmaster FOiS in Sedna GoldIt was too early for Omega to push gold watches. Those were different times for the brand and watches in general. Only in recent years has the demand for gold watches seemed to increase. In the current catal...
Awake has a hit on its hands with the S?n Mi watches. The pieces, which feature traditional Vietnamese lacquerware dials, are hot! Now the latest batch of limited-edition releases is here. The Frosted Leaf collection consists of three models, all containing dials inspired by a view of Earth s surface from space.It s been a whirlwind six months for Awake. The small independent brand showed us the first four S?n Mi pieces last September, and they promptly sold out. Last month, the first two models in a movie-related series dropped and paid tribute to Jurassic Park. Today s new watches aren t related to films, but they embody inspiration from a subject around us. Our planet inspires the new F...
May 1st, 2025, marked exactly 100 years since the late astronaut Scott Carpenter was born. During the Mercury-Atlas 7 mission in 1962, he orbited Earth three times. He did so while wearing a one-of-a-kind Breitling Navitimer that he ordered from Willy Breitling. He asked for a Navitimer with a wider bezel, a stretch bracelet, and a 24-hour dial. This became the Breitling Navitimer Cosmonaute. Today, Breitling introduces the limited-edition Navitimer B02 Chronograph 41 Cosmonaute in platinum with a blue sunburst dial to celebrate Scott Carpenter s centenary.In 2022, 60 years after the Mercury-Atlas 7 flight, Breitling released a re-edition of the 1962 Navitimer Cosmonaute. That watch has a st...
