Another Friday, another Top 5! We continue our quest to bring you pre-owned watches that deserve your attention. In today s market, it is worth looking at some of the hidden gems from the past. With list prices of new watches increasing multiple times a year, it might lead you to some amazing pre-owned options that could save you a lot of money. That s why we started a series of articles highlighting some of the brilliant watches we encounter on the pre-owned market. Today, we present another five options in this sixth installment of the series.The idea for this series popped up after realizing that we love to find hidden gems to show to other members of the Fratello team. Nothing beats find...
For many, today s introduction of the Aquastar Benthos 500 Chronograph has been a long time coming. After all, this is arguably one of the brand s most famous historical references. Well, for those who have been waiting, prepare to be impressed because this is a fantastically modern yet faithful rendition of the beast from 1970!Since 2020, the resurgence of Aquastar has brought us a slew of lovely watches. The Deepstar, Deepstar II, and Series 60 are skin-diver-cased beauties that have all struck a chord with buyers. Then, late last year, a different design direction emerged. The Benthos H1 showed us that the brand s leader Rick Marei was interested in paying homage to one of history s most ...
It may seem like an odd starting point, but with this $1,000 budget, Im making a concerted effort to put myself in the shoes of a budding watch lover. And to be honest, I have a lot of baggage with my value-driven collecting focus. Seiko watches still represent great value, so one of those will surely sneak in.On the other hand, my GADA watch is still a $600 steel G-Shock, so that brand still has what it takes. In addition to those two, the allure of microbrands is still tangible, so lets see if I can step back from my watch-buying history and offer some sound advice on what I feel are the best watches under $1,000 in 2024.The best watches under $1,000 - Pick #1: Orient Bambino 38As a brand ...
If youre already into watches, Japanese brands have a different design mindset and offer big value. Orient Star is a brand you ll think of if youre a seasoned watch geek like me, especially if you actually remember watch forums (ask your dad or an uncle). Most brands have a lot to offer, but with microbrands on the rise and prices rising, its a different market.Orient has maintained a great entry point with its fan-favorite Mako and Bambino. However, like Toyota, it has a Lexus-level brand - Orient Star. These top-notch offerings have a distinctive design language and a Japanese take on premium with signature details. And the new Orient Star M Collections might just have what it takes to sha...
Let s just say I have too many Honda cars. No, I m not ready for a full coming-out. However, I am ready to share with you three vintage watches carrying the Honda logo that made my heart skip a beat. Let s see how many fans of classic Honda cars we have among the Fratelli. Put a smile on my face, please, and sound off in the comments below.My relationship with Honda cars isn t what you would expect. It doesn t involve my father or grandfather driving Honda cars or anything romantic like spending my first paycheck on a Honda. In fact, I was quite late to the Honda party.VW vs. HondaMy father drove either local (but not very competitive) Czechoslovak cars or old, immortal German diesel cars by...
Less than two weeks out from Watches and Wonders, Tudor has jumped the starting gun with a pre-show introduction. This pink-dialed Black Bay Chrono is also the version of this model we re seeing for the first time on the brand s five-link (don t call it Jubilee) bracelet. Its distinct shade of pink sets it aside from the classic black and white models and gives it a light-hearted yet bold twist. However, even the brand has acknowledged that this version of the watch will be as rare as it may be polarizing. The Black Bay Chrono ‘Pink might not be for everyone, and thats OK because few of them will ever be made, the brand says. But we at Fratello admire the bold choice and appreciate th...
The speed at which Christopher Ward releases new watches is impressive. But it s even more impressive that the brand maintains a certain level of variety that keeps every release fresh. There s truly something for everyone in Christopher Ward s rapidly expanding collection. The newest creation from the CW kitchens is the C63 Valour. This quartz timepiece was inspired by the watches used by the British military in the 1980s. With this release, the brand dedicates a watch to all three of His Majesty s Armed Forces. And as we ve come to expect from Christopher Ward, it s done in style. It s time to find out more.The story of the Christopher Ward C63 ValourThe Christopher Ward C63 Valour was mad...
The style and fashion trends of the 1960s can mostly only be described as regrettable in these times of image consciousness and scrutiny on social media. Fashion faux pas like bell-bottomed trousers, tie-dye, and platform shoes have caused more than a slight blush to the cheeks of those who championed them back in the Swinging Sixties. Luckily for the 1960s, there are a few iconic exceptions to this, one being the classic sports cars of this decade. Others are the timeless black-and-white houndstooth blazer (a decent example of which I am still struggling to find at a reasonable price) and, most notably, staying on that color theme, panda-dial chronograph watches.A panda-dial Oyster Cosmogr...
Not to let its recent Aerospace B70 Orbiter hog the spotlight, Breitling is also unveiling a plethora of new Navitimers. Curiously, only one of these Navis is a chronograph, and it s in the form of the limited-edition self-winding 18K red gold Cosmonaute. Considering there are nine other watches (double that with strap variants) without a chronograph function, the Navitimer is broadening its potential. Among the lineup is the new Navitimer GMT. As far as I can surmise, this is the first GMT complication in a Navtimer that s not also a mechanical chronograph. Pusher-less Navitimers have not been my cup of tea, but the GMT layout livens up the dial in a surprising way. Let s get into it.To kic...
Dear watch fans, its time to take a breather. Just sit back, relax, and listen to the 8-track - and you can do that while listening to Me shell Ndegeocello s song I m Diggin You (Like an Old Soul Record). The reason Im writing this is that the fast-paced digital world seems to be taking its toll on watch joy. With the emphasis on money (Is this a good investment?) and status (I want what everybody else is wearing/showing on the ‘Gram, and I will pay above list), the fun has taken a back seat. The watch is now, more than ever, being perceived both as a commodity and a status symbol. And then theres the fear of missing out mixed with the money and the status. But you have to beat the F...
When Morgan accidentally started the #fivewatchcollection trend on Instagram, I wasnt planning on sharing mine. Until the concept crossed over to Fratello, that is. You can gauge my social media trendiness by my tardiness to this game, but here I am nonetheless! These are the five watches in my collection that currently form its backbone.I do have to start with an honorable mention. I left out my Grand Seiko SBGW231. This is certainly one of my most precious watches as I bought it when my wife was pregnant with our son. I plan to give it to him someday when he is older, so I rarely wear it. In that sense, it has a bit of a unique status in my collection, or maybe it isnt even truly in my col...
After it debuted in 2020, the Antarctique quickly became Czapek s best-selling watch. And what do you do as a brand when one of your watches becomes a success? That s right; you make different versions of it. However, that s easier said than done. There s a serious risk that a not-so-successful version will harm the good image of the original. In the case of Czapek and its Antarctique, though, it seems like every new version is actually improving the image of both the collection and the brand itself. With this new Antarctique Mount Erebus Deep Blue in both rose and yellow gold, that certainly won t change.For a while, the Czapek Antarctique was only available in stainless steel. That was unt...
I have enjoyed reviewing several Sternglas releases over the past couple of years. Mostly, they were stylish Bauhaus-inspired timepieces in black and white, which were good examples of the popular minimalist design philosophy. However, the Hamburg-based brand has not hesitated to add more colorful timepieces to its collection. The latest example is the new Sternglas Lumatik. The watch was developed with the help of the brand s loyal community. The thing its members wanted to see the most was a watch combining two lume colors. What we ve got here is a watch that celebrates spring in style.Straight out of the box, the new Sternglas Lumatik stands out. The combination of colors is bright withou...
With Watches and Wonders 2024 just around the corner, it s time to let the releases begin! Today, we have news of two new Chronoswiss watches. The Strike Two Golden Gear and the Strike Two H2O are meant to pave a new direction for the brand. There s no denying these are Chronoswiss watches, but look closely, and you ll notice a more modern take than in the past.I ve always had a soft spot for Chronoswiss. One of my earliest watch recollections is my dad trying on a 90s model with a massive onion crown and a lengthy leather strap. It was meant for wearing over a leather driving jacket and featured a vintage Austin-Healey on the packaging. Sadly, he didn t purchase that watch, but I often see...
This week, Fratello On Air returns with a new episode inspired by one of our listeners. We re talking about our favorite watch and strap combinations. Of course, we re allowing bracelets to enter the conversation as well. As always, we also have several other topics on tap. This podcast player is blocked because you did not accept marketing cookies. Change cookie settings So, what are our favorite watch and strap combinations? It s a good question but one that we seek to answer. We thank our faithful listener Richard for today s topics. Metal enters the fray as well because some watches look better with a bit of dangle. Shoes are also in focus as this was also a request from our listener...
A new MB&F release is always reason enough to sit up straight and pay attention. I am all eyes and ears, especially if it combines yellow gold with black onyx. Yes, Fratelli, I am easy to please. All jokes aside, we all know that MB&F is not just about materials and colors. Every watch has a story that makes the brand a joy to follow. MB&F now unveils a new Onyx Edition of the brand s Legacy Machine FlyingT for the newest release. This model was originally the brand s first ladies watch, but today s new version is sure to appeal to men and women alike.I have expressed my great respect for MB&F in previous articles. The creations that Max Bsser and his team of collaborators ...
In racing, the combination of orange with black or blue is famous. While it is not unique to the racing world, many people immediately associate the two. Sure, we have seen many more colors in the past, but to me, orange and blue ooze racing class. The Depancel Allure Automatic Chronograph celebrates its racing style with that combination of colors. The French brand predominantly focuses on creating chronographs rooted in the glory days of racing. This new Allure Automatic Chronograph, however, takes a more modern approach. It s time to find out more.About two months ago, I reviewed the Depancel Allure Manual Chronograph. The design of that watch has a very distinct 1970s feel that I quite l...
Although Swatch had been teasing the new MoonSwatch Mission to the Moonphase, or Snoopy, for quite a while, weirdly enough, the official announcement came on March 21st while the Swatch Tate event was happening in London. Today, March 26th, 2024, exactly two years after introducing the first 11 MoonSwatch models, Swatch makes its new Snoopy edition available in selected boutiques.Omega Swatch Speedmaster MoonSwatch SnoopyWe had the opportunity to go hands-on with the new Omega Swatch Speedmaster MoonSwatch Mission to the Moonphase, which Ill now shorten to MoonSwatch Snoopy. As you probably already saw in our introduction article or just about anywhere on social media, the new MoonSwat...
The Girard-Perregaux Laureato is one of the OG integrated-bracelet sports watches from the 70s - 1975, to be precise. This means the model turns 50 years old next year. I am sure this will be celebrated with new additions to the collection, but we dont have to wait until then. Girard-Perregaux is introducing a new material into the line right now - titanium. This is the Laureato Chronograph Ti49.Lets have a closer look at this new lightweight chronograph from the 233-year-old manufacture.Girard-Perregaux Laureato Chronograph Ti49As mentioned above, the Girard-Perregaux Laureato was first introduced in 1975. Technically, though, it wasnt called the Laureato just yet. The first model was name...
Lets first make things very clear: the Omega Speedmaster X-33 Marstimer was never meant to be on the wrists of pioneering astronauts traveling to the Red Planet. Instead, this latest X-33 was designed to be on the wrists of people working in mission control here on Earth. Still, this quartz creation does make you wonder a couple of things. For example, what will a successor to the current X-33 look like? I picked up some rumors - nothing very concrete, unfortunately - that a new X-33 is on the (distant) horizon. Another thing I wonder is whether the next X-33 will be specifically designed for space-dwelling astronauts. Also, will this watch be powered by light? If it cant travel at the speed...
