Since 2011, Omega has been one of the partners of the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital. With ambassadors like Daniel Craig and Cindy Crawford, the Swiss watch brand aims to get more attention for Orbis s initiatives.Omega ambassador Cindy Crawford aboard the Orbis Flying Eye Hospital - Image: OmegaThe Flying Eye HospitalOrbis is fighting against preventable blindness. Since 1982, this non-profit organization has had a flying hospital (starting with a DC-8), and today, Orbis uses an MD-10 airplane donated by FedEx. Once a cargo plane, it is now a hyper-modern hospital, training facility, and recovery room, all in one. This way, Orbis can both train medical staff and perform surgeries on location. Yo...
For the release of the second movie of the Dune trilogy, Hamilton teamed up with Legendary Entertainment and Warner Bros. Pictures. At the special request of filmmaker Denis Villeneuve, the brand created a special Desert Watch featured in the movie. So, to celebrate the release of the Dune: Part Two and the brand s part in it, Hamilton is now releasing the futuristic Hamilton Ventura Edge Dune and Ventura XXL Bright Dune. These two limited editions are inspired by the watch from the movie. They make for a remarkable duo that proves once more that Hamilton does big things as part of the movie industry.My first introduction to Dune dates back to the late 1990s when I became a big fan of a hard...
A belated welcome to 2024. Now that the dust has settled and we ve had time to reflect on last year, I wanted to look at my favorite releases from 2023. It was an excellent year for us watch collectors, at least in my opinion. I ve heard a few people suggest that 2023 was a tamer year for new releases, but I couldn t disagree more. In fact, last year saw brands release a slew of watches that were so good that this article practically wrote itself. I want to say it s been tough to pick my best watches of 2023, but, to be honest, it hasn t.The watches on this list have genuinely blown me away. Each one left me a little weak in the knees when I saw it for the first time. Seeing these watches in...
In this week s episode of Fratello Talks, we re pleased to welcome special guests Jer?me Burgert and Gabriel Vachette, the men behind Serica watches. They join your host and Fratello s managing editor Nacho Conde for a deep dive into the ever-classy French microbrand ahead of its fifth anniversary. They delve into the brand s origins and evolution over the last few years and give you a small taste of things to come later this year. So, whether you re a fan of the brand, have heard about it, or are curious to learn more, make sure to tune in and listen to the entire chat, which exceptionally pushes the boundaries of the short-form podcast. As always, let s kick things off with a wrist check.T...
It s probably been five years since I first went hands-on with one of Carl Suchy & S?hne s watches. It was a memorable experience because the watches struck me as modern yet somehow traditional. On the Waltz N1, classic dial elements came together with a unique seconds display and an elegant, contemporary case. When the press release for today s Waltz N1 Moll arrived in my inbox, I quickly volunteered to cover it.There aren t too many novel takes on the dress-watch genre, but the Carl Suchy & S?hne Waltz N1 has always struck me as a fairly distinct proposition. With its organically smooth case design that brings together both polished and media-blasted elements, it s on the edge o...
It s hard to believe the 2024 Formula 1 season kicks off next month. Coincidentally, we have 24 races to look forward to this year. The preseason build-up has already witnessed surprising changes in team lineups. Affectionately known as silly season, these driver swaps do not go into effect until post-season. For now, we can enjoy the anticipation of what these 24 races can bring and, importantly for here, the watch brands sponsoring each manufacturer. Some F1 teams have rebranded this year and are yet to announce their respective watch sponsor. As the season progresses, I m sure we ll find out about new timing partners. But for now, I will cover each team and weigh in with my hot takes on t...
This question has an affirmative answer, and this baller PRX even makes me forget my preference for the 35mm models. Yes, it might be that good, with just the right glitz in an already accomplished package. Is the Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 Damian Lillard Special Edition the start of the brand showing us a new side to its hit watch?I ve had a PRX, the 40mm quartz version, and we all remember the massive wave of popularity that washed over Tissot when the PRX Powermatic 80?appeared, right? But have you asked yourself why? Not everybody knows about the grail watches from Genta, Jorg Hysek s Overseas, or even the understated GP Laureato. We watch nerds love the PRX for its closeness to the deep s...
Finding your favorites in a single model range can be challenging, especially with an extensive collection like the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M. The latest generation of Omega s popular diver has been around since 2018. Ever since then, we have seen the brand add models to the lineup with different colors and especially different materials. One is the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Black Ceramic, introduced in 2019. Back then, it was a natural progression from the stainless steel models. But how does this lightweight Seamaster hold up in 2024? I had a chance to find out.When it comes to Omega s Seamaster Diver 300M, there are quite a few models that I love. The first that comes to mind is the bic...
As Leonardo da Vinci said, Simplicity is the ultimate sophistication. This famous quote is a motto that the guys at Unimatic have embraced ever since they started the brand in 2015. The Milan-based brand is known to have created a minimalist design canvas for its timepieces that works very well in multiple ways. Today, we get another taste of that canvas with the new Unimatic Modello Cinque. It s a significantly smaller timepiece than the models already in the collection. On top of that, the Modello Cinque U5S-A and U5S-AN are not tool watches. So what are they? Let s find out.With the Modello Cinque, we get the first all-new addition to the Unimatic lineup since the Modello Quattro, which c...
For many of us, especially those reading this article, watch collecting is a key part of our lives, our main hobby, and our passion. But for the vast majority of people, a wristwatch is purely a means of telling the time and, in some cases, a status symbol. Some might be familiar with famous models, but most people do not care how thin your watch movement is or how few pieces of your limited edition exist. Sometimes, though, those of us who live and breathe watches instill some of our passion into the lives of others. For me, doing so even led to the moment when I realized that my friends and I had become an Omega Speedmaster-collecting hub, all living in the same small village in Yorkshire,...
As watch enthusiasts, we love to look back. We point at historys legendary watch designers as the high priests of our shared passion. We are so focused on history that we may sometimes overlook todays talents. Luckily, there still are gifted young professionals coming through the ranks. Today, I would like to put a little spotlight on three young(ish) watch designers whom I particularly admire. These are three designers that I feel should be on your radar as they might just draw tomorrows iconic watches.Now, being a designer in an industry as mature as the watch world isnt easy. The design language has largely been set for decades, making most designs iterative to some degree. Consequently, ...
This week, Fratello On Air is back with another listener-inspired show topic. We ll talk about the three watches that each of us would save from a burning house. Don t worry, we ll keep things light since a real fire is no joke. Of course, expect a bit of banter up front as we work up to the main theme. This podcast player is blocked because you did not accept marketing cookies. Change cookie settings A fire at home is a terrible thought, so feel free to insert an emergency that would require a near-instantaneous choice of three watches from the collection. No more or no less can be taken. Of course, the family and pets are safe, so it s fine to focus on your prized possessions. We ll se...
Daniel Roth and Gerald Genta are two names that resonate with watch fans. The first was a watchmaker who made Breguet great again and later started a brand of his own. The second gave the world some of its most iconic watch designs. Both names are now on the LVMH payroll, so to speak. In its ambition to become a stronger player in the high-end watch market, the largest luxury group in the world has resurrected both the Daniel Roth and Gerald Genta brands, which it already had in its possession when it acquired Bvlgari. This already led to some interesting and incredibly expensive creations, and more are on the way. In the back catalogs of these brands, however, are affordable alternatives fo...
Unsurprisingly, my plans for the year have already been led astray by Chrono24 and its infallible feeds. Following my story on whether or not to perform what I envisioned as a final upgrade in the Seiko dive game, I folded. I sold my Marinemaster SLA023 and searched for an SBGX335/337, only to find that the bargains had disappeared. Then I remembered the Grand Seiko SBGX265.I wont blow my trumpet, but this was right after my story on this subject was published here. So who knows? Perhaps you, the Fratelli, snubbed me and vacuumed up all the bargain Grand Seiko quartz divers… Im still looking forward to finding one, but I have to start saving up again as this quartz coup unexpectedly ca...
The hype is real. Although its a mini hype because the craziness is limited to Fratello HQ, it is still very real. Morgan recently bought one, Nacho cant stop wearing his, and that led to RJ wearing his more and more often. And if that weren t enough, all the team members started studying the collection to pick their favorite iterations. The object of our obsession is the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M, and the one that caught and held my attention was the Nekton Edition on a black rubber strap (ref. 210.32.42.20.01.002). Thats the one with the titanium bezel instead of a ceramic one. After receiving it at HQ and strapping it on, I began to understand why this is the SMP for me.Not long after jo...
The Constellation has been in Omegas collection since 1952, but it wasnt until 1982 that it received its claws, scalloped case shape, and integrated bracelet. This Constellation Manhattan was designed by Carol Didisheim, who started working for Omega two years before the introduction of this watch.Many iterations followed, with the biggest revisions being the Constellation 95 (1995), Constellation Double Eagle (2003), Constellation Globemaster (2015), and modern Constellation Ladies (2018) and Gents (2020) watches.The Omega Constellation Meteorite collectionToday, Omega has nearly 400 different Constellation references in its catalog in different sizes, using different movements, and with v...
For these Pre-Owned Spotlight articles, we often pick watches from fairly typical brands. That s partially because those watches are easier to find. However, that doesn t mean we overlook the less obvious brands. Since visiting the Hermes and Louis Vuitton manufactures last year, I ve also started looking for pre-owned watches from brands better known for their fashion or jewelry. Today, I ll show you some of the things I ve found from Hermes, Piaget, and even Dior.Finding original examples of watches from these more fashion-oriented brands is not always easy. A brand like Hermes, for example, started making its watches in 1978. Before that, Hermes would collaborate with more specialized wat...
Today, we ll take a look at a relatively nondescript Universal Geneve Microtor dress watch. It s worth a deeper look for several reasons, though. The condition, the case material, and the purpose for its existence all come together to create a lovely package. This is a lovely piece on its own, but why not explore the details?My current infatuation with well-designed, simple vintage watches is leading me down some very different paths. Over the last six months, watches from brands such as Eterna, Cyma, and Movado have all entered my collection. This is still a new space for me to explore, and I m having tons of fun! Our subject today is another example of my latest kick. The featured Universa...
Welcome to another edition of Sunday Morning Showdown! Grab a hot drink and settle in for a brawl between two affordable field watches. Like the upcoming Six Nations game, it s France versus England, with Serica facing off against Studio Underd0g. Serica started its journey in watches by releasing the 4512 field watch, the predecessor of the new 6190 Field Chronometer that came out last year. For Studio Underd0g, the 02Series Field is the brand s sophomore effort, which debuted last October after the success of the 01Series chronographs. Which country and brand will come out on top? As always, you all will decide the outcome of this battle, so let s start this Sunday with a rumble!Ben and Jo...
Mr Jones Watches is an indie, artsy watch company on the rise. It s not hard to see why. Playful dials thumb their noses at convention in watches decidedly not for telling time. In the digital age, when watches are obsolete, Mr Jones Watches celebrates disconnecting from the matrix and having a little fun. I had the opportunity to get a tour of Mr Jones Watches manufacturing facilities as well as interview Mr. Jones himself, Crispin Jones. Needless to say, it was a fun afternoon.I made the most of my time (pun intended) on my recent trip to London. I got to see many horological highlights, which you can read more about in my time tour of London. Not mentioned there, however, was me getting ...
