Picking the best watches under $2,500 is tough. There are so many different options. Next to the world of microbrands, the world of bigger brands also opens up nicely with $2,500 to spend. This made the search for possible options quite extensive. You could even call it a mission because the goal of this list was to pick a small number of watches that I would genuinely love to own. In the end, I found a selection of watches that I would love to spend or have spent my money on. Here are my favorites under $2,500.Thomas stated in his article that a budget of $2,500 should buy you a watch that doesn t feel compromised. I agree with his statement wholeheartedly. That money should get you a watch...
I must admit that I ve wanted to get my hands on the Hanhart 417 ES 1954 Flyback Reverse Panda 39 for a long time. Ever since Hanhart released its most iconic chronograph in a 39mm case size (just like the original watch from 1954), it has been high on my list of watches to try. Now that I have, I can say that it may well be the brand s best. One thing s for sure: it packs a lot of punch for just under $2,500.When you are excited to see a watch in the metal, your expectations can be the tyranny of a good review. This is simply because your expectations are elevated beyond simply assessing a product on its merits. Your emotions come into play. Don t meet your heroes, as the saying goes. Even ...
Another Sunday, another Showdown! This week, we are pitting two neo-vintage Seamaster Professional 300M references against each other. In the black corner, we have the sword-handed 2254.50. Out of the blue corner fights the 2531.80 as worn by Pierce Brosnan in Die Another Day. Our very own Nacho owns the former, while Morgan proudly rocks the latter. So, to make it a little less personal, they have each put forward a representative with a healthy emotional distance from these watches - Thomas and Jorg.Thomas will be defending the 2254, and Jorg will be backing the Bond watch. Gentlemen, get ready to rumble!But first, Kith Heuer versus MoonSwatchAs usual, we kick off with a quick recap of las...
In March 2022, the global watch market was at an all-time high. A stainless steel Daytona was worth just over $50,000, any new limited-edition watch would sell out in a matter of minutes, and sites like Fratello attracted a lot of new readers. Since then, things have cooled down substantially. According to Chrono24, that same Daytona is currently worth somewhere around $30,000, we ve experienced two lukewarm editions of Watches and Wonders, and a limited edition selling out in an instant seems a thing of the past. However, to speak of a watch market in crisis also doesn t seem completely accurate. How should we describe its current state, then?In August of 2022, Thomas wrote an update in wh...
There is an inescapable bond between chronographs and the world of motorsport. Many of the most celebrated examples take their names from races like the Carrera Panamericana or the Daytona 500. So what better way to test the new Baltic Tricompax Tour Auto 2024 edition than on the race that gives it its name? Well, it just so happens that Baltic didn t just name the watch after the race; the brand is the event s official timekeeper as well. Not only that, but both of its co-founders also entered to compete in the Tour Auto this year. I joined them on the road for a couple of days in the stage-opening cars to follow the action and even enjoy the experience of co-piloting in a couple of speci...
Could the most extreme G-Shocks become even more extreme? To ask the question is to answer it. You know that Casio is always looking for ways to make its G-Shock watches more capable, and as a result, they have become more extreme. The brand s Frogman is part of the professional MR-G collection. This collection of extreme G-Shocks holds some of our favorite models, like the Mudman, Mudmaster, Rangeman, and Gravitymaster. Last year, I reviewed two of the latest Frogman models, and both were impressive pieces of kit. This time around, G-Shock introduces a follow-up to those. This new Frogman MRG-BF1000B-1A is the first regular-production model with a titanium bracelet. As a result, it takes th...
Another Friday, another Top 5! We stay in the universe this week and check out some of the most amazing stone dials. The Genevan brand has created exceptional dials through the decades, with the stone dials being the most famous among many watch fans. Taking the step to stone dials this week was easy after checking out five gold Datejusts last Friday. Some of those watches were available with brilliant stone dials, so that s why we have picked our five favorites this time. This week, it s not about specific models but the beauty of some amazing dials. Let s find out more. stone dials have become famous the world over. Collectors are willing to pay a premium for them, and honestly, we comp...
It s not often that we get to review a watch from a brand that is completely new to us. This week, though, I had the honor to get up close and personal with a new watch from a young brand called Lesablier. It was the LS-04 Travelgraph, and, in short, I d describe it as a compact and affordable worldtimer. It runs on the Miyota 9075 caliber, which means that it has an independently adjustable hour hand. The Constellation version I went hands-on with also features a blue aventurine dial. Keep reading to find out what I thought of it in person.But first, let me tell you a little bit more about Lesablier (le sablier means hourglass in French). The brand was founded by a guy named Akbar from the ...
This week, Fratello On Air returns on its non-normal day because your co-hosts have been under the weather. We re both on the mend, though, and happy to be on the airwaves. In this episode, we cover several topics, but our main discussion centers on the recent TAG Heuer Formula 1 Kith releases. We try to bring some level of sense to these watches. This podcast player is blocked because you did not accept marketing cookies. Change cookie settings In this episode, we discuss the nearly universal outcry against the TAG Heuer Formula 1 Kith releases. What should have been a joyous reminder of many of our childhoods took a decidedly negative turn in the comments section. We re critical to...
We have heard quite a few complaints from brands about the watch market recently. Many are struggling from economic uncertainty and a serious correction after lockdown-induced all-time highs. One brand, however, seems to be on a bit of a winning streak. According to Morgan Stanley, Cartier overtook Omega as the second-largest Swiss watchmaker behind in 2020 and has managed to hold on to that position since. Even as recently as Q4 2023, Cartier s owner Richemont reported growth in China, compensating for a modest decline in European sales.We even see it on Fratello. While Cartier articles never performed very well on the site before, they do now. It seems you, the Fratelli, are more interest...
Among affordable watches, the offerings from Citizen are hard to ignore. Hard to beat would be an even better choice of words. The Japanese brand is almost invincible when it comes to offering great value for money. The latest series added to the brand s lineup are the Super Titanium Eco-Drive Chrono and Day-Date lines. Both share a 70s-inspired case design with an integrated bracelet. Add a series of colorful textured dials, a full-titanium construction, and Eco-Drive movements, and you have the full package. But the best thing is that the Day-Date and the Chrono versions are well under $500. Join me as we find out more about these new models.Straight out of the box, the new Citizen Super ...
There s no denying that we re in a spinning loop of retro reissues. While some are beautiful and poignant time-traveling talismans capable of mood-elevating magic, some are just cash cows. But if you re into asymmetric modernity, the architectural futurism of the Toledano & Chan B/1 brings a much-needed breath of fresh air.This year, Watches and Wonders saw most watches being tweaked, perhaps with a new bracelet or dial/bezel color. Look at what is happening in the world of cars, with brands outdoing each other in the search for the future of design. Surely, that s a path to follow in 2024 for the watch industry? The people at Toledano & Chan think so and have run with it.Toledano &a...
Next year, the Girard-Perregaux Laureato will turn 50. Im telling you this now, well ahead of the anniversary, so you can prepare yourself for a wave of novelties. One year before the watchs big anniversary, two very fresh yet rich versions make their debut. The Girard-Perregaux Laureato 42mm Pink Gold Sage Green and Ultramarine Blue show shade-changing dials that keep the watch young and fresh.If watch lore is true, next year will be the year of Adolfo Natalini. Who? Well, according to most watch media, he was the Italian man who designed the original Girard-Perregaux Laureato in 1975. Natalini (1941C2010) was an internationally acclaimed architect who also served as a professor of architec...
When Citizen introduced the (later-named) Tsuyosa back in 2022, it caused quite a stir. The 1970s-inspired integrated-bracelet watch offered a lot of bang for the buck. This year, the Citizen Tsuyosa returns with a new version, the Small Second. Three new references join the collection, in blue, green, and gray. The last comes on a leather strap, while the others feature a new version of the integrated Tsuyosa bracelet.I got a chance to go hands-on with all three. Lets see how I got along with the new value offering from Japan.The new Citizen Tsuyosa Small SecondAt first glance, these are very clearly Citizen Tsuyosa watches. The recognizable case shape, bracelet, and dial are all present. T...
Hi there! Welcome to another episode of Fratello Talks. This week, you join Nacho, Daan, and Morgan, who discuss the many possible ways of building a watch collection. This includes looking at some common approaches, sharing some sound advice from their experience, and a spot of soul-searching concerning their watch collections. What works for them may not be what works for you, but some of their tips may prove helpful along the way. Ultimately, everyone will have a different approach to building a watch collection, but if you re feeling a bit lost or uninspired, tune in to this episode. Before we jump into it, though, it s time to see what watches they ve chosen for today s recording. Let m...
People sometimes ask me on Instagram and in person which watches they should get. They often expect me to suggest watches from big names like , Cartier, and Omega. And yes, those brands make and offer great watches, but they re also rather expensive for most people. In this series, we re looking at our favorite watches under $2,500. This time, I wanted to find watches that I would buy if I were getting into watches today. Here are some of my genuine recommendations.There are, of course, many watches for sale at this price point. However, it s also somewhat of an in-between price category. I feel that people will either look at a sub-$1,000 watch or take a big plunge and go for something arou...
The history of a watch can be vital for its ongoing success. But while Doxa s Sub 300 had a storied past, the brand did not survive the Quartz Crisis. Thankfully, in recent years, under the stewardship of the Jenny family, Doxa has been going from strength to strength.It is time that we had a conversation about Doxa. The brand s hot release of the new Sub 200T caused a fair bit of chatter this year. Amid feelings of a relatively lukewarm Watches and Wonders 2024, Doxa s release (just before the show started) sparked praise from many quarters, not just from longtime fans of the brand.One of the elements of Doxa s marketing success is probably that the Sub 200T debuted at a cheaper price than ...
This is hardly the first open-worked version of the legendary Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo Extra-Thin, but it is my favorite one so far. The perfection is in the white gold that AP used for the watch s exterior, the internal and external finishing, and the choice of colors. The way the watch combines significant weight with an airy appearance also creates a special sensation. I got the chance to go hands-on with an exclusive watch thats limited by production but takes its place in APs regular Royal Oak collection nonetheless.When I write regular Royal Oak collection, Im referring to the 140 references that make up the current non-special-edition lineup. And theres hardly anything regular ...
After Omega introduced several Speedmasters not aimed at Moonwatch enthusiasts (e.g. the Speedmaster Super Racing with Spirate technology and the updated Speedmaster Apollo 8), the white-dial Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch finally came out on March 5th, 2024. I use the word finally because Omega had already shown it in October 2023 on the wrist of former 007 actor Daniel Craig during a red-carpet event in New York.Omega sent me the new white Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch to wear for a few weeks, so I did. I wondered if it would meet my expectations. Would it still make the same impression on me as when I saw it in the flesh for the first time?The white MoonwatchThe introduction of t...
When I hear the name Mido, the first Ocean Star watches that come to mind are the vintage-inspired models. I like the Ocean Star Tribute, the Ocean Star Decompression Worldtimer, and the Ocean Star GMT. They all have an undeniable charm that is hard to ignore. But the brand also makes a series of modern Ocean Star divers that tick all the boxes for affordable and capable tool watches. The latest addition to these modern models is a limited-edition carbon fiber Ocean Star 200C. It takes the aesthetic of the Ocean Star to a different level. Additionally, the watch is powered by a COSC-certified version of the Powermatic 80 movement. It s time to find out more.When I first saw the images of the...
