I approach these stories with trepidation, especially when the budget nears $5,000. I still have a lot of nice watches well under the mark and plenty that I desire. So, unlike Balazs, who tried to squeeze all as close to the top line as possible, Ill try to offer a slightly wider range of prices, emphasizing quality. As with many things, that might not pan out. But for now, these are my favorite picks for the best watches under $5,000.In terms of subjectivity, this is a freer story, and it will reflect my moving away from vintage inspiration and reissues. After owning a lot of 1950s/ 60s-inspired divers, I seem to have reached my fill of retro, and now I m gravitating towards more modern des...
It s time to crank up your Bluetooth speaker, whip out your AirPods, or put your headphones on! A fresh episode of Fratello Talks is here. This week, Daan and Laurits join your host Nacho to chat about wearing classically sized watches. That s right! We re talking a 36mm maximum and a 32mm minimum, with a 34mm sweet spot. These numbers read a bit on the smaller side, but once upon a time, a 34mm case was the standard. Anything bigger would ve been considered jumbo or oversized.Today, the standard has shifted upwards, with 36C38mm being a reasonable size for a watch and 39C42mm covering the lion s share of all releases we see hit the market today. So, is 34mm a bold choice, a return to form, ...
We re proud to officially release the first model in the Fortis Fratello Capsule Collection. It s a Flieger F-43 Bicompax chronograph with an umber-brown dial, and it is available now! This and all future watches in the Fratello Capsule Edition will be available exclusively in our shop.Fratello Fortis Flieger F-43 Bicompax Umber Brown Capsule EditionWhen we introduced the Fratello Fortis Flieger F-43 Bicompax in umber brown to you last week (here), we received several comments on the dial. In some photos, you can see the vertically brushed finish on it, which reminded some of you (and me) of the Mercedes-Benz Zebrano interior in the 190 (and other) models. But this only becomes apparen...
Yes, in the past couple of years, weve seen many GMT watches come to market from major players in the industry and micro/independent brands alike. It might seem like there are too many GMTs now, but on the positive side, its a great time to shop for a travel watch. The latest GMT I want to direct your attention to is the Vario Empire GMT. It is an Art Deco flyer GMT that looks like no other and has a reasonable price tag of just under US$700. I promise that you will agree this is reasonable. However, right off the bat, I ll say that this watch wont be for everyone because looks matter more than function here. It may or may not be for you, and Ill await your comments at the end of this review...
The latest Planet Ocean by Omega is an impressive piece packed with the brand s latest innovations. The 45.5mm case is made of silicon nitride ceramic [Si3N4] and houses a movement made of titanium components. It s tough, it s light, and it s multi-functional. Without further ado, let s have a look at this new Seamaster Planet Ocean GMT Dark Grey reference 215.92.46.22.99.002.Planet Ocean 600M GMT Dark GreyOn paper, this might be your perfect do-it-all watch! For example, the case is made of highly resistant silicon nitride ceramic, which is only 50% of the weight of zircon ceramic, with Grade 5 titanium elements (e.g. the dial, bezel, and crown). Inside, we find Omega s caliber 8906Ti; as i...
With the Antractique, Czapek has something of a hit watch on its hands that draws a ton of attention. Therefore, you would be forgiven if you have lost sight of the brand s more traditional offerings. Allow me to put them front and center in your working memory once more. Here we have a brand-new entry to the Quai des Bergues line - or, rather, two new entries.Lets have a closer look at the new Czapek Quai des Bergues models in a new size and fitted with new black or blue dials. Czapek Quai des Bergues 40.5mm N17 Double SoleilCzapek already has an extensive collection of Quai des Bergues watches in its catalog. Until now, they all measured either 42.5mm or 38.5mm across. There is a lot...
Let s face it: most watches aren t very eclectic. Yes, there are exceptions, but probably over 90% of wrist-worn timepieces are somewhat predictable, serious-looking items. They might feature a colored dial and a few accents, but the rest is business as usual. Then there are watches designed by Alain Silberstein. His novel-looking creations often feature visually magnetic red, yellow, and blue elements. The use of those primary colors in combination with bold, atypical shapes often reminds me of Keith Haring s style of street art. And now, after both the black Le Triptyque and white Le Diptyque series, the designer is back with Louis Erard, bringing a khaki trio of the partners striking wat...
There s little doubt in my mind that the Datejust Oysterquartz 17000 will always be an exception. After all, it s a that ticks. Much like the rules of reading or arithmetic, we are taught that a simply doesn t tick. These days, though, the Oysterquartz is all the rage perhaps because of its rebellious nature. Is it worth owning one of these watches, or is it better suited for a cabinet of curiosities? Let s examine this oddball watch further.Much has been said or written about the Oysterquartz. It has been featured in several articles here on Fratello, and our own Brandon wrote a lengthy article about its history and why the watch is so likable. I will spend a cursory amount of time on th...
I am all eyes and ears when A. Lange & S?hne announces a new timepiece. Even if it s just a new version of a current model, there is more than enough reason to pay close attention. First of all, the Glashtte-based brand never misses the mark in finding striking combinations of colors and materials for cases, dials, and straps. And second, each release is a great reminder of the brilliance of Lange s incredible timepieces. With the new Zeitwerk Minute Repeater Honeygold, the Saxon brand announces the best version of the Zeitwerk Minute Repeater to date. Not only is it a jaw-dropping looker on the outside, but it s as aesthetically and technically stunning on the inside!A. Lange & S?h...
One of the most overlooked Speedmaster models is the Mark II. Whether it s the original from the late 1960s/early 1970s or one of the re-editions from 2014 or later, watch enthusiasts love to ignore this model. Omega introduced it as a modernized Speedmaster Professional in 1969, but it never gained the same iconic status as the original Moonwatch. The brand tried again in 2014, introducing a new Mark II with a modern self-winding Co-Axial chronometer movement. Today, though, I think it s time to put the spotlight on the original Speedmaster Mark II reference 145.014 once more.For a long time, I neglected the Speedmaster Professional Mark II as well. It was mainly because of the case shape, ...
After a sea of complex and intricate releases from Panerai this year, the brand s latest unveiling is a refreshing nod to its heritage. The new Panerai Radiomir Officine PAM01385 in stainless steel harks back to Panerai s 1935 prototype with vintage touches, a sparse layout, and oversized Arabic numerals. While it s not a 1:1 remake of the prototype, it takes heavy inspiration from the influential watches commissioned by the Regia Marina (or Royal Italian Navy) in the first half of the last century. This new model also reflects Panerai s more recent past and timepieces from the late 90s and early 00s that are now considered neo-vintage classics. So, does the Radiomir Officine live up to Pa...
The Seamaster Planet Ocean is an often-overlooked collection within Omegas catalog. Perhaps it lacks the legend of the Speedmaster or the universal appeal of the Seamaster Diver 300M. But there are some true gems in the Planet Ocean lineup, so we felt it was about time to look at the different generations and write a compact buying guide.Omega is known for releasing many versions and occasional special editions of its watches. The Planet Ocean is no exception. So let me preface this by admitting that the following is nowhere near a complete overview. Nonetheless, it should provide you with some context and perspective on Omegas serious diver.The origin and inspiration of the Seamaster Planet...
The 1980s were a decade of brilliant style. Yes, some will debate that statement, but I ll stand behind it wholeheartedly. When it comes to watches, the 1980s were mainly the era of cheap, new quartz pieces. Some of them were forgettable, while others brought us many great memories. If you are over 40, you will probably feel an instant sense of nostalgia when seeing the incredibly popular Casio calculator watches. I am no different, and I have always loved them, so seeing the new metal Casio CA-500 models brings back many great memories. Unsurprisingly, I had a blast going hands-on with Casio s latest series of calculator watches.The history of Casio calculator watches goes back to 1980 when...
With the Rijksmuseum and Van Gogh Museum on one side and the most luxurious shopping street in Amsterdam on the other, the new AP House location in the Museum Quarter is the perfect spot to pause and gaze at some Audemars Piguet watches.AP House Amsterdam welcomes you!Last week, Audemars Piguet invited us to visit the newly opened AP House in Amsterdam. Bringing this location to fruition took longer than expected as the COVID-19 pandemic disrupted the planning quite a bit. But the result of the brand s efforts is nothing less than impressive. The new AP House is located in a typical Amsterdam-style building. It follows other significant cities around the globe (e.g., New York, Los Angeles, M...
There are a few brands that keep me intrigued with every release, and Zodiac is one of them. The combination of great designs and funky colors always makes me curious to find out what is next. One of this year s highlights for me was the blue-dial version of the white-cased Super Sea Wolf Ceramic. In retrospect, it was my favorite summer watch of this year by a mile. With the new Super Sea Wolf Pineapple Dream, Zodiac is extending summer for us a bit longer. This eye-catching release is the second collaborative effort with aBlogtoWatch founder Ariel Adams. After last year s teal and turquoise Super Sea Wolf Aquamarine Dream, Zodiac now treats us to a tropical green and yellow follow-up.Besid...
Today, we ll take a quick look at a recent release known as the Alpina Alpiner Extreme California. This is the latest addition to the Alpiner Extreme collection, which features bold, sporty watches. For this model, readability is the key with its recognizable dial.The Alpina Alpiner Extreme California is a tough-looking sports watch with equally beefy specs. The dial will be familiar to watch fans because the general design has found its way into many models from many brands. Let s take a closer look at this release and see if it hits the mark.The Alpina Alpiner Extreme CaliforniaThe newest Alpiner Extreme builds on a collection that we ve reviewed in the past. These watches are meant to exu...
Stealthy all-black watches are an interesting phenomenon. They often look stylish, and a PVD or DLC treatment can completely change the aesthetic of a steel model. But some watches wear a black outfit better than others. With the new Brellum Pandial LE.5 DD DLC Full Black Chronometer, I had the chance to check out an all-black version of the brand s classic Pandial sports chronograph. This 33-piece limited edition changes the Pandial from a vintage-inspired chronograph to a stealthy one that stands out instead of blending in. Let me explain why.What makes a good stealthy watch? It is more than just a black aesthetic. There have to be little visual accents that pop to make it work, and not ju...
The shock was so big that I went into a state of denial for many months. Do you know the feeling when you, with your sleepy head, try to put on your watch and drop it on the floor? It is, quite literally, a breathtaking affair. And the blanket of disappointment that wraps itself around you when you find out the watch has stopped working might also be familiar. It happened to a watch that I bought about two decades ago, the 44mm Chronoswiss Timemaster CH 6233 LU. The wooden floor harmed my beloved glow-in-the-dark watch quite a bit, and it hurt me quite a bit too. But strangely enough, instead of getting in touch with a watchmaker, procrastination held me in a firm grip…until recently. ...
All right, folks, I hope you re not tired of our series on the best watches under $5,000 just yet! It s finally my turn, and I m happy to see that my picks have not yet been taken. The final list will come from Thor later this week, but with me going second to last, there was always going to be a risk of having to pick from the leftovers. However, as risky as it was to have written down my list right as the series kicked off, I m glad to be able to present the list unmodified. The sub-$5,000 price point is tricky. It s one that was once synonymous with great watches from brands like Omega, Breitling, and Panerai. But the way that prices have evolved over the last couple of years left me look...
My family and I moved to a new house last week. It was a stressful time full of packing, cleaning, moving, and unpacking. But apart from that, it was also a good opportunity to get some of our belongings in order. We finally got rid of some stuff that had just been sitting in the closet since the last time we moved. But there were also some positive surprises, one of which was finding my old Seiko SKX007 - in my wife s underwear drawer.My wife thought that I hid it there on purpose. I think it simply fell off the dresser into that particular drawer. Anyway, I hadn t exactly missed the watch, but I was, of course, very happy to find it again. And now that I ve worn it for a week, I m enjoying...
