Three years ago, I had the pleasure of wearing the Blancpain Villeret Quantieme Complet for a little while. The combination of a 40mm steel case with a characteristic stepped bezel, a classic white dial, and a complete-calendar caliber proved an impressive watch at a competitive price. I wrote that the watch that bucks the retro trend is a timepiece for a time-transcending, trend-breaking, and style-savvy individual with a taste for the more refined things in life. What do I make of a version in exclusive red gold paired with an exotic deep green dial?In warm red gold, the Blancpain Villeret Quantieme Complet ref. 6654A 3653 55B is a completely different creature from the much cooler-looking...

IFL Watches modifies watches by adding wildly creative, handpainted dials. The brand has used several watches as a canvas for its creations. Each release is limited, and a quick look at the company s website shows plenty of sold out signs. Let s see if the new IFL Watches Timex Q Space Dunk strikes the same chord with fans.We ve covered many IFL Watches releases and launched a collaboration with the brand using a CasiOak as the foundation. Overall, we ve enjoyed the brightly colored watches that cover an endless array of subjects. Models from G-Shock, Seiko, Citizen, Tissot, and Timex are the typical choices for IFLW. The new Space Dunk uses the Q from Timex, a wildly popular watch. Let s ta...

Although I ve told the story to many people, I ve never put pen to paper and written the account of my Submariner 5512. The tale is probably more common than we think in light of what was 60 years ago. A watch like the Submariner could withstand the rigors of water-related activities and had a purpose. These dive watches were worn by all sorts of folks, some more colorful than others. Today, we ll explore a 5512 from different angles, and I hope you enjoy the ride.It sounds corny, but my first defining image of a watch came as a Submariner. I remember waking up very early as a young kid and getting into the car with my dad to go fishing out of Fort Lauderdale on our small boat. Sometimes,...

Due to my smaller wrists, I tend to wear custom-size straps and adjusted bracelets. However, there are other options. The Artem nylon watch straps are a cut above typical offerings. I ve paired one with a vintage Tudor Submariner for today s review, and I ll answer why it s worth selecting a premium nylon strap over a flimsy model.I remember milling around in Paris back in 2013 with my then-future wife. Somehow, we bumped into a small watch accessories shop with a large bin of NATO style straps. They were $12 each and included leather and nylon options. These were hip and tough to find, so I bought a few. Over the next year, I wore these straps heavily and noticed they fell apart. Yes, a lig...

In 2025, the Jack Mason brand, established by Peter Cho, will have been around for a decade. Peter is a watch designer by trade and always has been. Among other positions, he was a designer at Fossil in the US and Movado in Switzerland. Jack Mason started as a fashion brand available in department stores all over the US. However, after a few years, the owner began to focus on better watchmaking rather than just an attractive appearance.The story of Jack MasonJack Mason is proudly based in Dallas, Texas, USA. Its logo is based on the Texas Lone Star, while color details in Jack Mason s watches often refer to colors standard to Texas. A relative of the founder provided the brand name as his na...

Going on a holiday is always something I look forward to. I work in quite a hectic field (daily international news), so any break is always welcome. After a recent trip, I have realized that sometimes it s also nice to take a break from the watch hobby - taking some time off from time, so to speak. Wearing a watch on holiday is not always a given.Recently, I went on a break with my partner to visit her family out of state here in Australia. This was an important break as it had come off the back of a particularly intense period at work. In the lead-up to that, I was considering what watch to take. For many of us, this will be a familiar process. Let me outline my thinking,?where I got to in ...

Welcome to another installment of Sunday Morning Showdown. Last week, we threw two fairly affordable dress watches into the ring. This week, we re going to do something completely different. Recently, both the Czapek Antarctique and Girard-Perregaux Laureato came out in new full-gold versions. Most of us will probably never seriously consider buying either of today s contenders, but let s just pretend you re in the market for a full-gold sports watch with an integrated bracelet. Which one would you pick?Read on to see how Thomas defends the Czapek Antarctique Mount Erebus and Daan fights for the Girard-Perregaux Laureato s honor. But before we let these two heavyweights - the watches, I mean...

Meet the new Grand Seiko SBGY040 and SBGW321, a pair of limited-edition watches made specifically for the European market. Similar to most exclusive releases from the brand, these also gain inspiration from Japanese nature. Gardens, specifically ponds and the colorful koi that inhabit them, help define the dial artistry.Grand Seiko has mastered infusing the natural landscape into its dial designs. Today s new SBGY040 and SBGW321 take cues from one of the most idyllic characteristics of Japan, the traditional garden. Within the garden, ponds and koi are typical. The colors are deep and rich, perfect backdrops for watch dials. Let s briefly look at these pieces before returning with a follow-u...

It s been a while since we covered an Undone watch. The Hong Kong-based brand is widely known among watch enthusiasts for its affordable timepieces. Undone s latest creation is the Urban Automatic, a triple-calendar watch that s the first mechanical model in the vintage-inspired Urban series. I have always liked the Urban line because it takes inspiration from iconic chronographs of the 1940s and 50s, resulting in a very charming series of watches. I took the new Urban Automatic for a spin and was pleasantly surprised by how much of the vintage spirit it captures. Let me explain why.Out of the 10 collections Undone currently offers, I find the Urban and Basecamp lines the most interesting. ...

Another Friday, another list! Last week, we looked at the rarest Submariner references. This week, we have shifted our focus to Tudor. We decided to have a look at our favorite five vintage Tudor references. Most people will know the classic Submariner models, but there is plenty more to enjoy from the Tudor brand. Having said that, the Submariner played a pivotal part in the brand s history, so do expect to see the Submariner on this list as well.An exploration of the Tudor archives brings some amazing watches to the spotlight. While it is easy to pick just Submariners (which I have done in the past for this series), plenty of other classic Tudor watches could be great vintage additions to...

Back in 2019, when Sternglas was starting to make waves with its Bauhaus-inspired watches, I reviewed the first-generation Naos Automatik. Fast-forward five years, and the Naos Automatik has gotten a fantastic makeover. With the help of Sternglas s dedicated community of fans, the brand improved an impressive number of things. There is plenty to discuss, from an updated movement to a redesigned dial and an optimized case. So let s check out the new Sternglas Naos Pro Automatik.When the new Sternglas Naos Pro Automatik models landed on my desk, I instantly recognized the Hamburg-based brand s successful watch. Despite a long list of changes, the overall presence of the Naos hasn t changed tha...

Marathon Watch Company is well known for supplying several armed forces with tool watches since 1939. One of the most sought-after models is the SAR-D from the early 2000s. The Canadian brand now brings back an evolved version with the Marathon OSAR-D.The first thing to stand out? Those massive hour markers! Consider them a statement of intent: this watch is a tool, and it means business. Lets have a closer look!The new Marathon OSAR-DOSAR-D stands for Original Search and Rescue with Date. Marathon started providing dive watches for Canadian and US Search and Rescue units in the 1990s. Several versions in several sizes exist, from 36mm to 46mm. You can also opt for unit-signed versions or st...

There are watch brands out there that, for some reason, we never really get around to appreciating. Perhaps it is because we don t see them in the wild much, or it could be that their designs don t jump out at us. For me, Panerai is one of those brands.This is a shame (for me, I mean - Panerai can do perfectly fine without my appreciation) because this company has a rich history that stands on its own. My colleague Nacho has waxed lyrical about the joys of appreciating the brand and owning a Panerai watch himself. However, most of Panerai s current references don t appeal to me.It s not you, Panerai - it s meThere are several reasons for that, but chief among them is the cost of a new Panera...

In 1984, Swatch hosted the World Breakdance Championship in New York City. One of the jury members was artist Keith Haring, who was known for his graffiti art. For this event, he created the artwork shown below.Swatch and Keith HaringHaring (1958C1990) was an artist who participated in the New York art scene in the 1980s. He became famous for his bold and colorful street art and iconic motifs, such as the radiant baby and the barking dog. When Haring lived in New York, he worked with other artists, such as Jean-Michel Basquiat and Andy Warhol, as well as Madonna. He also painted Grace Joness body with his graffiti, as featured in her music video for I m Not Perfect (But I m Perfect For You)....

On April 6th, 1609, the Englishman Henry Hudson set sail from Texel with a Dutch ship called De Halve Maen (The Half Moon). He was sent on a mission to find a passage to the Indies via Nova Zembla. However, Hudson ignored his contract and decided to seek a structural passage. Via the Faroe Islands, Newfoundland, and Nova Scotia, the ship finally arrived at what would later become New York on September 11th, 1609. Over four centuries later, in 2017, Sebastiaan Cortjaens and Jules van Helvoort launched the watch brand Maen, which refers to this historical event. The first watch these Dutch guys, who live in Sweden, introduced was, of course, one with a moonphase complication. Now they re retur...

The idea of going round in circles is often used as a synonym for not achieving anything. This is because, when moving in circles, you keep returning to the same point where you started, having made an effort to advance without actually achieving anything. But when it comes to watches, this is not necessarily a bad thing. That s why today, we ll be discussing Ralph Destino and his watches.I do see two different ways of interpreting the idea of going around in circles: regular circles and random ones. I often find myself going around in circles regarding watches I keep on an active wish list. Let s call them desirable watches. For example, Gallet watches fall into that category. I hunt them a...

Its been a rumor for quite a while, so the fact that is out and LVMH is in as of next year didnt come as a surprise. Maybe the length of the firm 10-year contract is. In addition, LVMH won t promote just the historically correct watch brand TAG Heuer through Formula 1 but also many other luxury maisons under the groups umbrella.You might have read about losing its Formula 1 sponsorship role before here on Fratello. The article was based on very strong rumors and reliable inside information. Well, it proved more than a strong rumor. Its official now: s partnership ends this year, and as of 2025, LVMH will be Formula 1 s Global Partner for the next decade. The interesting part of the deal is...

Almost four years ago, we announced that Omega was discontinuing the Speedmaster FOiS (First Omega in Space) model. The watch debuted in 2012 to commemorate the first Omega chronograph worn in space on the wrist of NASA astronaut Walter Wally Schirra during his Sigma 7 mission.Stafford and Schirra - Image: NASAThe Speedmaster on Schirras wrist was a second-generation (CK2998) model with Alpha-shaped hands and a symmetrical case. After the tribute watch came out in 2012, many Speedmaster fans loved it for its slightly smaller case, Alpha hands, and, of course, cool factor.Ive left Earth three times, and I found no place else to go. Please take care of Spaceship Earth. - Walter SchirraFirst Om...

Believe it or not, it has already been 11 years since Ressence introduced its oil-filled Type 3. At the time, it was the first oil-filled mechanical watch, and it debuted in both white- and black-dial versions. Today, the Belgian brand led by designer Beno?t Mintiens reintroduces the black and white Type 3 with a few subtle but crucial changes. Along with this update to Ressence s regular collection, the brand also unveils a unique piece of the Type 12?with artwork by British visual artist Shantell Martin.If there s one thing we learned from Beno?t Mintiens appearance on our Fratello Talks podcast series, it s that he has a very particular idea of what a watch should look like. Starting fro...

Until recently, I had heard of Beaufort but had never gotten the chance to check out the brand s watches. Well, that changed with the introduction of the brand s newest creation, the Fiordland GMT. This watch offers a good dose of vintage flair and combines it with a modern flyer-style GMT movement. Beaufort sent us two of the four variations to take out for a spin. It s time to find out more about this traveler s watch from Beaufort.The Fiordland GMT is the fourth Beaufort?model. Thor previously covered the brand s Seatrekker dive watch and the Pulsatimer Chronograph. Both watches perfectly show how Beaufort gets its design inspiration from different eras of watchmaking. The Seatrekker is c...