Vacheron Constantin has opened a new boutique on the famous Maximilianstrasse in Munich, Germany. An already beautiful shopping destination now boasts a new boutique from one of the most revered names in watchmaking. Let s take a look inside.Over the past decade, we ve witnessed the rise of the standalone luxury watch boutique. Vacheron Constantin is no stranger to this, and while I lived in Frankfurt, I recall visiting the brand s location. It was a lovely store with modern, luxurious styling and friendly staff. The selection of watches was also excellent, something not all brands can offer. Now Vacheron has opened its first standalone boutique in Munich, and it looks fantastic.Vacheron Con...
It has been maybe six years since I picked up this tiny Bulova on a business trip to Budapest. After finishing my meetings, on my way to the train station, I stopped at my favorite vintage watch shop. As I always do, I asked for something unusual…The owner picked up a black-dial Bulova, which didn t seem to be anything special besides the super-thin lugs and unusual case back. I didn t have much time to think about it before, suddenly, the shop owner pressed on the crystal, and the case back popped out…along with the movement, dial, and crystal! He was standing in front of me with a capsule in one hand and an outer case in the other. The outer case was nothing more than a thin be...
For fans of vintage Seiko, today s new release will be pleasing. The Seiko 5 Sports Heritage Design Re-creation Limited Edition, aside from being a mouthful, is a pair of fantastic watches. These pieces use a case design firmly rooted in the late 60s. That s exciting because Seiko has created another new case and is pushing to release some great models from its back catalog.Among the many Seiko and Grand Seiko releases we see each year, the brand has quietly brought several reissues of cult-classic watches. Pieces including the Navigator Timer SPB411 and the SRPK17 were real surprises and look great in the metal. Plus, they re affordable. The best news is that Seiko isn t afraid to create a...
Picking what I consider the best watches under $5,000 is a tough task. We did the same exercise last year, and it s interesting to see how our choices have evolved. Has my perspective changed? Are there a lot of new possible options? As it turns out, there have been some changes compared to last year. Yes, my perspective has shifted, and some new options seem like better picks than last year s contenders.Our last series of articles was about the best watches under $2.5K. Therefore, this new list essentially answers the question of what to buy between $2,500 and $5,000. Many of us, including yours truly, would be tempted to look at pre-owned prices. There are some pretty great watches that yo...
Watchmaking is a field steeped in tradition. Big brands pride themselves on boasting centuries of heritage. At the same time, the mechanical watch is, largely, declared technically obsolete in 2024. So it seems only natural that watch brands look to the past for design inspiration. Almost every major brand now has one or several reissue model lines. Many even offer exclusively vintage-inspired watches. We have to ask ourselves: is this indeed only natural or a sign of creative poverty?Lets have a closer look at what vintage-inspired even means to form a clearer image and perhaps find an answer.Image: TempusGood design often comes from utilityLets start with what constitutes good design in wa...
Welcome to our latest episode of Fratello Talks. This week, Nacho is joined by RJ and Daan, and the three delve into the divisive topic of two-tone watches. This includes any watch with a case and bracelet made of more than one metal with a distinct color difference. Though typically a combination of steel and gold, two-tone watches can also feature several other materials. This creates a rather distinct look, highlighting specific design elements of the watch and breaking from the norm of single-material watches. While this is not everyone s cup of tea, a recent rise in the popularity of bimetal watches has pushed us to embark on this discussion. But before we set sail, let s check out what...
Breitling sets the mood for summer with two colorful rainbow SuperOceans in 36mm and 42mm cases. The 42mm stainless steel version has rainbow-shaded hands and indices and is available with striking rubber straps. Conversely, the 36mm rainbow option has a steel case with an 18k red gold bezel grip and white ceramic inlay. The 46mm titanium Super Diver with a black or green camouflage pattern strikes a different balance. Whether you prefer rainbow or camo hues, these executions demonstrate Breitlings evolving lineup of SuperOcean models. Accompanying these releases is The Breitling Book of Surfing?published by Rizzoli. Do these new watches catch the waves or wipe out? Lets find out.On a hot an...
I am one of those collectors who would eventually like to have a one-of-each collection. Rather than focusing on one brand, style, or complication, this feels like a great way to embrace watchmaking. The challenge lies in keeping to a sane budget as the complications increase. But with the Farer Monopusher Chronograph GMT Cobb and Segrave models, you might be able to have your chrono cake and eat it, with no remortgaging required.The single-button functionality of a monopusher is one of those beguiling complications, and I will admit to considering the previous version from Farer. This time, both the Cobb and Segrave make a strong return. They ve got two distinct personalities and the tradem...
When we talk about , we talk about huge numbers. According to Bloomberg, last year, produced 1.24 million timepieces with sales of CHF 10.1 billion. That wasnt enough to get people their desired Pepsi GMT-Master IIs, though. The future manufacture, about which the brand issued its first official press release, might change that. In due time, that is, because the 2022-announced manufacturing facility in Bulle in the canton of Fribourg is set to open five years from now. And will you still crave a Pepsi in 2029, or will your taste have changed? bets it won t have, and, honestly, my money is on that too.In late 2022, word got out that had acquired 104,686 square meters of land in the canton...
The notion of a revived national brand is rare these days. French watchmaking has Cartier at the top and Yema on the accessible end of the spectrum, while Italy has Bvlgari. But what about the southern part of Europe? Do you remember Cauny?Familiar to lovers of mid-century vintage, the brand was based in La Chaux-de-Fonds for manufacturing but was and is a Portuguese-owned national treasure. With only three years until the Cauny s 100th anniversary, vintage enthusiasts have high expectations for the brand.Cauny s significanceAs you can see from these photos from my visit to Cauny s head office, its heritage archive offers rich pickings. Cauny had an enviable position in the 60s and 70s and...
Today, we go hands-on with a unique-looking chronograph. The Czech-made Robot Minor will not be confused for a retro re-release. It also bucks the current trend of smaller watches with its 44mm diameter. Still, this is a well-made watch that takes a different approach to a tribute piece. Let s strap in for a trip to France in 1949.If you haven t heard of Robot watches, I invite you to read Gerard s informative article from earlier this year. The brand changed its name in 2021 from Bohematic due to a small kerfuffle with the Richemont group. Since then, we ve reviewed several watches and have enjoyed them. I also recall meeting the brand in London late last year, and, as the husband of a Slov...
Although one might think that visiting watch manufactures gets old, trust me, I am still as excited about it as I was many years ago. That s especially true when visiting a brand like Chopard, which boasts three production facilities where nearly everything happens in-house. Chopard has been on a roll with the Alpine Eagle models, and our readers have been very receptive to them, especially last years XPS and Cadence 8HF. The brand s introductions this year were also impressive, and to me, the Chopard L.U.C XPS Forest Green was one of the highlights of the lineup.Three Chopard manufacturing sitesWe were able to visit Chopard and have a look at the new watches, but while doing so, we also got...
Following the two MoonSwatch Snoopy watches (here), Swatch introduces three new models based on Omega s iconic Speedmaster design. The previous MoonSwatch introductions linked to Apollo 13 s Snoopy models from Omega, and the new MoonSwatch models pay tribute to the beauty of planet Earth. Three new models will go on sale at Swatch boutiques on June 15th - the Mission On Earth Lava, Mission on Earth Polar Lights, and Mission on Earth Desert.Swatch has teased us on its Instagram account in the last few days, and some Swatch boutiques have already received the aqua-blue case with the three MoonSwatch models inside. Let s have a closer look at the three new MoonSwatch additions.MoonSwatch Missio...
In this edition of Fratelli Stories, I sit down with Fratello reader Shanka. While growing up in Sri Lanka and Australia, he gravitated towards watches made for adventure, and none more so than the Omega Speedmaster.Shanka has been a Fratello reader for many years. Since he and I both live in Australia, I had the privilege to meet him in person over a coffee mere meters from the ocean. One of the best things about this hobby is getting to meet people from all different walks of life.It all starts with a vintage wall clockShanka s watch journey started when he was a kid growing up in Sri Lanka. As a kid, I always had a fascination for mechanical things and trying to understand how things work...
On the 10th anniversary of the Escale collection, Louis Vuitton introduces its new Escale Time-Only Automatic watch with caliber LFT023. Four new references are available, each with a 39mm case in rose gold or platinum and a leather strap.Louis Vuitton EscaleMany of us, including yours truly, have been craving more new dress watches. It is not easy to find a dress watch that is not your typical grandfathers watch (there is nothing wrong with that, by the way) and that you can wear daily if necessary. These new Louis Vuitton Escale models for 2024 are the first three-hand versions in the collection.Escale Cabinet of WondersWe already introduced the (two-hand) Escale Cabinet of Wonders collect...
Last year, the IWC Ingenieur returned. The original Gerald Genta design got reworked and, when launched in steel and titanium, proved an alternative to the (un)available Royal Oak and Nautilus, the most iconic of Genta-penciled watches. A recent visit to IWCs museum in Schaffhausen, on the banks of the river Rhine, sparked a couple of eureka moments. The first one happened when I laid my eyes on the IWC Yacht Club II ref. 3212 in the showcase. The second came a bit later. I will elaborate on that second moment of clarity, but first, lets focus on a Genta design that, in my humble opinion, stood the test of time way better than others.What were your thoughts when you saw Credors Genta-designe...
The French brand Depancel has captured the hearts of people who love classic racing-style chronographs. The colorful and diverse racing chronographs of the 1960s and 70s continue to offer plenty of inspiration for Depancel s new models. With the new Serie-R Tangerine Chronograph Automatic, the brand once again looks to the greats from the past while introducing a new movement for the Serie-R Chronograph. It s time to find out more!Depancel is one of those successful brands that has made a name for itself among a small but dedicated group of followers. Since 2018, Depancel has released many racing-inspired chronographs developed with and for fans. The series that started it all on Kickstarte...
Even if youre not a plane spotter or an aviation enthusiast, the name Red Arrows might very well ring a bell. The Red Arrows are the RAFs legendary aerobatic display team that is celebrating its 60th display season this year. What better way to so do than with accurate formation flying, synchronized barrel rolls, and watches? Breitling has a longstanding partnership with the British flying team, and the Swiss watchmaker underlines that with two new Avenger watches - the limited-edition Avenger 42 Red Arrows 60th Anniversary Edition and the non-limited Breitling Avenger B01 Chronograph 44 Red Arrows.I wrote that even if youre not a fan of aviation, you probably know of the Red Arrows. But if ...
One of the perks of this job is that we get to see where and how watches are made. I love a good manufacture visit as it provides context for the watches, allowing a look into the places and people behind them. It also provides comparability between brands. Once you have a couple of these visits under your belt, you develop an eye for the differences between brands. Some manufactures are a step above others. This time, I got to visit one that stands out in many ways - Jaeger-LeCoultre.In this article, I will share my impressions of the manufacture, but there is a little more. JLC took a handful of people from watch media on a tour around the Lac de Joux. As much as I like the watchmakers pre...
Luminescent materials have been a part of watchmaking for generations. The use of radioactive materials in the last century was fundamental in the design of tool watches that could allow the owner an opportunity to tell the time in darkened conditions. Thankfully, we no longer have to rely on radioactive materials to achieve this outcome, but lume continues to enamor watch enthusiasts worldwide. For many, owning a watch with a fully luminescent dial brings childlike glee. But today, IWC goes one step further with the introduction of Ceralume.The brand from Schaffhausen has unveiled the first fully luminous ceramic watch. Unfortunately, it s a concept piece, so we will have to wait and see wh...
