We have seen a wide variety of military-inspired watches from Praesidus in the past few years. For its first release of 2026, the brand decided to update its most popular model. The Praesidus Jungle Field is now available in a larger 38mm size. It adds a more modern touch to the brand s biggest seller that will undoubtedly please fans of military field watches. They can now choose from two versions, both of which are great modern interpretations of the GG-W-113 spec developed for US military pilots in 1967. Let s find out more.I have had the pleasure of reviewing quite a few Praesidus watches over the past few years. All of them have historical, intriguing military backstories, which makes r...
Buying a watch you already know is a very different experience from buying one youre curious about. Theres no discovery phase, no anxious waiting for the honeymoon period to either validate or undermine the decision. Instead, its quieter, more deliberate. In many ways, thats exactly how I felt when I purchased my Doxa Sub 300T Divingstar.This wasnt a leap into the unknown. It was a decision shaped by years of writing about Doxa, owning several of the brand s watches, selling a few of them, and slowly figuring out what actually works for me. The Sub 300T Divingstar didnt arrive as a surprise but, rather, as a conclusion. Let s dive in.A longstanding connection with DoxaDoxa has been part of m...
Welcome to another Sunday Morning Showdown, dear Fratelli! This weeks battle is a bit different. Our fearless leader, RJ, served up a provocative proposition during our last editorial meeting: Why dont we do a battle between two editors personal watches for a change? Okay, RJ, we hear you. Were ready and prepared. Lets get personal! This is Thomass Datejust ref. 1601 versus Daans Cartier Santos Galbee XL.These watches have more in common than you might initially suspect. Both serve the role of a versatile daily watch, leaning towards the dressier side with flair. Both exude a timeless vintage vibe, and very nice examples of them are available on the pre-owned market in the $5,000C6,000 rang...
A few hours from now, when a clock strikes 1:40 PM GMT-5, well hear the roar of engines on Daytona International Speedway - a polyphonic roar made up of 60 engines across four categories. Well hear the raw howl of the GTD and GTD Pro categories, familiar supercar sounds. Bee-like, buzzing overtones, emanating from the LMP2 cars, fill the higher sonic spectrum. And then there is the futuristic combination of deep growls and high-pitched whines from the hybrid GTP cars.Not all 60 voices will last until the end of this 24-hour opera. Among those who do will be the winning drivers of one of the most prestigious races on Earth. And, as a little bonus, those lucky souls will see a brand-new Dayt...
Ask yourself: why do you wear an analog watch in the digital world? Before you answer this, think beyond prestige, status, or luxury. Also, go deeper than the history of wristwatches, the mechanical movements and complications you admire, and the models you desire. Instead, think about wearing a mechanical watch in your digitally dominated world. Is it because it reflects a complex psychological profile that is often overshadowed by technology? Wearing an analog timekeeper might help keep you grounded in reality, whereas the time on your smartphone and laptop is just a series of numbers. While conventional notions of time are fading, wearing a watch also makes you a guardian of traditional t...
Another Friday, another list! This week, we look at some of the most memorable watches created in collaboration with video game franchises. As most of you will know, gaming has grown into a massively successful global industry. As a result, there is a massive audience for watches connected to the many video games out there. We have seen an enormous increase in brands working with game franchises to create some fabulous, creative timepieces. In this week s list, we ll put the spotlight on five of them.The connection between watches and cinema has long fascinated watch enthusiasts. Many love spotting watches in films, and some watch brands have even worked with movie franchises to develop spec...
Yesterday, the watch industry news headline read: Richemont sells Baume & Mercier to Damiani Group. The brand that turned 195 last year will soon be in the hands of its Italian distributor. In addition to being the distributor of Baume & Mercier, the family-run group also owns jewelry brands Damiani, Salvini, Bliss, and Calderoni, as well as Murano-based glassmaker Venini. It also owns Rocca, a luxury multi-brand watch and jewelry retail network. With the acquisition of the Swiss watchmaker, it gains full ownership of Baume & Mercier. Will new ownership bring Baume & Mercier back into the focus of watch fans?After searching for Baume & Mercier articles on the Fratello web...
Fears graced us with an interesting series of new releases in 2025. They included some solid new additions to the regular lineup, as well as some spectacular collaborative efforts. Now, the British brand kicks off 2026 with the Brunswick 40 1846 Edition. The watch is a special British Watchmakers Day exclusive that commemorates the brand s 180th anniversary. On top of that, this year is the 10th anniversary of the companys re-establishment under the leadership of Nicholas Bowman-Scargil, the great-great-great-grandson of founder Edwin Fear. The Brunswick 40 1846 Edition is an interesting new release and continues the tradition of Fears unveiling special timepieces during the British Watchmak...
In the case of this trio of new Louis Vuitton watches, its good to know what the name means. Escale, in French, means stopover. LV made a name for itself by producing luxury luggage and steamer trunks. And the art of travel is what served as inspiration for the relaunched Escale models that debuted in 2024. The name Escale helps you forget about the frantic hassle of speedy boarding. Instead, it invites you to enjoy gracefully traveling in style, with time on your side and plenty of leeway to savor a stopover with a complicated watch on your wrist. Meet the Louis Vuitton Escale Minute Repeater, Escale Worldtime Flying Tourbillon, and Escale Twin Zone.Louis Vuitton relaunched the Escale in 20...
When you may have thought that Awake couldn t show anything new with its S?n Mi dials, the Frosted Leaf Royal Red appears and shatters expectations. Today s release builds on the techniques honed in previous references, but it offers a new multi-dimensional appearance. Let s investigate the process and the final product.As someone who was previously unfamiliar with the S?n Mi process, I ve been amazed by the infinite number of different designs, colors, and textures that are possible. Indeed, Awake has created both deliberate patterns and series in which each piece is unique. Today s Frosted Leaf Royal Red limited edition falls into the latter category. Shall we have a closer look?The Awak...
Orient Star unveils a duo of classy timepieces that reflect the graceful passage of time. Compared with recent Orient Star designs, the M45 F8 pares it back to pure functionality and traditional layouts. The Roman numerals add a sense of dignity, and the moonphase complication connects our world to the cosmos. A white-dial variant joins the M45 Classic collection as a standard-production model. Orient Star is also releasing a 140-piece limited edition with a textured gray gradient dial inspired by the Pleiades star cluster. Both watches utilize the brand s newest in-house mechanical hand-winding caliber, the F8A62, with a 70-hour power reserve. In a 39.5 11.9mm stainless steel case, this n...
Oris is on a roll in 2026. We re only three weeks into the new year, and the popular Swiss independent already presents its third novelty. After an Artelier model dedicated to the Chinese Year of the Horse and a new tuxedo-dial Big Crown Pointer Date, here comes the limited-edition Oris Aquis Date Yangtze Jiangtun. It features a tungsten bezel insert and an engraved blue-green mother-of-pearl dial. The funds raised from sales and an additional auction will support the Changjiang Conservation Foundation (CCF). This foundation s goal is to save endangered species and restore the Yangtze River to its former state as a lifeline while promoting social participation in its protection.The Oris Aqui...
As a kid in the 1980s, I played with many toy cars from Siku, Majorette, Matchbox, and Tonka. I also played with Hot Wheels cars here and there, though I don t believe they were that common here in Europe at the time. My dad still had his old Dinky Toys lined up in a special display, and he told me I d better not touch those. As I got older, I sometimes bought Bburagos (remember the rare F40?), Minichamps, and so on, but nothing special or outstanding from manufacturers like TopMarques, Tecnomodel, or even Amalgam. And later on, I found my way into assembling RC cars. The Louis Vuitton Camionnette, however, is on a whole other level…A luxurious table clock in the form of a model carYes...
With LVMH Watch Week in full swing, Hublot proves to be one of the most active houses, releasing a host of new models. I already covered new additions to the Big Bang collection, Jorg covered the Djokovic LEs, and today, I return with more news from the Classic Fusion line. These new models include a UEFA Europa League limited edition chronograph and several references in a new Sage Green colorway.The Europa League special edition comes in a very limited run of only 50 pieces. However, the Sage Green models become part of the regular non-limited Hublot collection. Join me for a closer look!The new Hublot Classic Fusion Chronograph UEFA Europa League Titanium CarbonAint that a mouthful? If yo...
Since I moved to Geneva last May, I started trying to figure out what the city is all about. I had been visiting the lakeside town for probably 20 years, but a visitor doesnt get to experience what a resident encounters daily. Its hard to define Geneva. Yes, banks, watchmakers, and international organizations, such as the United Nations, have a strong presence. Theres more to the place, though - a strong Calvinist tradition of soberness and restraint, as well as a strong feeling of Genevan identity, for example. Yet, theres also an air of elegance and a sense of style. The two new Gerald Genta Geneva Time Only models help me better understand my new home. According to the brand, the Geneva C...
Last year, Louis Vuitton introduced what Thomas called a bold new effort. He was right; the Tambour Convergence, a montre guichet with a mirror-polished rose gold case, was a true stunner. This year, at LVMH Watch Week, Louis Vuitton introduces an enhanced version of the Tambour Convergence. Its mirror-polished fa?ade is now hand-decorated with a rippling halo and an array of undulating rays. Let s take a quick look at the new Louis Vuitton Tambour Convergence Guilloche.Indeed, with last year s version of the Tambour Convergence, Louis Vuitton had already demonstrated its capabilities in both design and execution. However, with this new Guilloche version, the house takes both those aspects...
Welcome back to another episode of Fratello On Air! This week, we discuss the latest Speedmaster Professional reverse panda. However, this isn t your standard review. We take it all the way back to Speedy Tuesday 1 and rue the passing of the limited-edition models of yore. Fear not, though; it s not all about Speedies.This podcast player is blocked because you did not accept marketing cookies. Change cookie settings Yes, last week s Speedmaster reverse panda caused quite a stir. In many ways, it feels like Omega s move was easy, but it took until 2026 for it to arrive. Overall, we re happy it did show up, but it made us quite sentimental. There were also some other new releases worth men...
For Zenith, the start of 2026 is all about the Defy collection. Now, as a big fan of the brand, I found this move surprising. The Le Locle-based watchmaker celebrated its 150th anniversary last year, and the commemorative releases showed the great diversity of styles within Zenith s collection. I suppose I expected the first new watches in this post-anniversary year do the same, but with the six new Defy models, at least the brand still displays how versatile this particular collection can be. From a new vintage-inspired Defy Revival and two regular 36mm Defy Skyline models to a Defy Skyline Chronograph and two Defy Skyline Skeleton variants, there is plenty to choose from. Let s go over all...
Although the Classic Fusion collection represents Hublots earliest heritage, the Big Bang is arguably the brands bread and butter. Today, we see several new additions to the lineup. The novelties range from the design-heavy Big Bang Unicorn SR_A to the new pastel-colored Coal Blue models. In this release overview, well briefly cover some of the highlights.The Big Bang Unicorn SR_A is the fourth collaboration between Hublot and British designer Samuel Ross. The new Coal Blue collection consists of four references, two big and two small, with diamond-set bezels. Lets have a closer look!Hublot Big Bang Unico SR_AClose followers of Hublot (or design/fashion, for that matter) will surely recogniz...
LVMH Watch Week is underway, and some of the most anticipated releases at this annual event always come from TAG Heuer. Thankfully, this year, people will likely not be disappointed. The Carrera is front and center for 2026 with an array of exciting new releases. Today, we ll give a brief overview of each.TAG Heuer has been on a positive path over the last several years. The Carrera models, in particular, have made significant improvements in terms of fit and finish. Plus, while they re not small, the brand has managed to make them more wearable than in recent years. We ve barely scratched the surface of 2026, but the brand isn t wasting any time. Three models are the focal point of these re...
