Theres a bunch of clever people working at Mido. Take a look at the new Mido Multifort TV Big Date. What do you see? I will tell you what I see later on, but the TV-shaped case and big date are not the two features that hit me first. Yes, the case shape looks like a TV - not the flat screen you have at home but the television set your grandparents owned - and the big date is also a prominent horological feature, but its the overall visual impression that strikes first. And my guess is that the very clever people at Mido are very much aware of that. Anyway, did you answer my question yet? I will do the same right now.My brain screamed Aquanaut! when I picked up the Mido Multifort TV Big Date ...
Is it September already? Well, not quite, but Geneva Watch Days 2023 is here, meaning we re two-thirds through the year already. It also means that a tidal wave of watch releases is headed this way. So get warmed up, wax your board, and get ready to surf the wave right here on Fratello. Over the coming days, we ll bring you the news on the latest releases from all your favorite watch brands. This is the fourth annual Geneva Watch Days fair, and much like a snowball rolling downhill, the event has grown in size and momentum.This year, the self-described decentralized and self-managed multi-brand watch event takes place from the 29th of August until the 2nd of September. Unlike the three previ...
You know, watch trends, like most fashion trends, are in perpetual motion. While the domain of luxury watches saw a slew of oversized timepieces dominate for years, the pendulum has swung back to smaller, more delicate ones. Enter Perrelet s newest release, the Turbine 41 Titanium. Here s why it s making waves.Remember the days when large watches were the in thing? Well, Perrelet s unique Turbine collection played a lead role in that era. With models previously ranging from 44mm to a whopping 48mm, why change a winning formula? Well, it s evident that today s watch lovers veer towards watches catering to smaller wrist sizes. These days, fewer collectors seem to have wrists on par with Arnie ...
Zenith is a brand that I feel often does not get as much attention as it deserves. The Le Locle-based watchmaker has formidable technical expertise, particularly with its El Primero movements. Zenith has recently introduced the latest watches utilizing the brand s top-of-the-line El Primero caliber. The Defy 21 Chroma II is available in two colors - black (ref. 49.9013.9004/21.R952) and matte white (ref. 49.9014.9004/01.R953) - both in ceramic. These are limited editions of 500 pieces in each colorway for a total of 1,000 watches. The Defy 21 Chromas first iteration was introduced at LVMH Watch Week last year and stood out with its white ceramic case and bold color accents. The Chroma II bui...
Within our beloved horological universe, independents make up a galaxy of their own. I negligently featured them only sparsely in my earlier article on watch shopping with cheat codes infinite money and infinite purchase history. And that, my dear Fratelli, requires some rectification on my end. So, this time, I go shopping with all cheat codes on for independents only. Here are my five favorites.Just in case you missed that previous article, the idea is pretty simple. I go on a shopping spree with two cheat codes - infinite money and infinite purchase history. For independents, that second one is a bit different. Basically, it means that the brand will drop everything it s doing and immedia...
It s Sunday morning, and usually, you would see a heated battle between two Fratello writers who picked two competing timepieces. But this week, we decided to take a bit of a breather. With Geneva Watch Days around the corner, part of the Fratello team is getting ready to travel to Switzerland to cover the latest releases that will be unveiled during the event. It will also give us new watches for our upcoming Sunday Morning Showdown battles. For this week, we decided to create an overview of the best battles of 2023 so far. On top of that, we want to ask you to suggest some pairings that you would like to see in this ongoing series. First, let s jump into the overview of the best of this ye...
Tracing its roots back to the 1980s, the Jacques Bianchi JB200 went from cult classic to mainstream success. This took place in 2021 when the watch was reissued after a successful Kickstarter campaign raised $791,406. The 1,116 backers who supported the project helped achieve 527% of the funding goal. Two years later, the brand now introduces the sequel to the JB200 s reissue. Instead of the signature frogman image on the dial, the new Jacques Bianchi JB200 Poulpro features the Mediterranean s most intelligent eight-legged cephalopod, the octopus.But aside from the dial s shift from mammal to mollusk, there s more to the new JB200. It does away with the Seiko NH35 movement used by the reissu...
It started with a joke. Well, thats what I thought it was, a joke. But RJ was serious. He already expressed his love for the Ferrari Testarossa from the Micheal Mann TV series Miami Vice, which ran from 1984 to 1990. And then he was zooming in on the Ebel Sport Classic Chronograph on the wrist of Don Johnson, who played Sonny Crocket. He expressed his love more than once, and it was inevitable that he would eventually buy that watch. He did. And now he wears that steel and gold chronograph from 1986 with great pride. RJs move inspired other Fratelli as well. Before I knew it, the Fratello group chat filled up with team members sharing picks of two-tone Breitling Chronomat chronographs and wh...
Finally, the Norwegian Fratello editor has an Omega in his collection, and true to my ethos, its a quirky one. While some of my articles are theoretical, chances are always high that they turn into real desire. And this was certainly the case with the Omega Constellation 95.I have had a conflicted and procrastinated relationship with Omega watches, and while its not a prerequisite at Fratello, I ve never had a Speedmaster. As part of my pseudo-psychotherapy, I delved deeper into the subject a few weeks ago, reached a theoretical conclusion, and quickly acted on it for once!To add or to consolidate?This is an important question I keep asking myself, and its fraught with danger. This year, I h...
Lets assume you are one of the lucky people who still have their summer vacation in front of them. You want to treat yourself to a nice watch to take to the pool and the beach, something truly bright and summery but also well off the beaten tracks. Well, the team at IFL Watches has something pretty compelling for you! This is the Oris Divers 65 Candyman.It is bright, it is fun, and it is still a proper water-going watch underneath its flashy exterior. Now, I dont know about you, but that ticks a whole lot of summer watch boxes for me.IFL WatchesIFL Watches - or IFLW - has only been around formally since 2019. A group of Swedish watch-loving friends teamed up to build a business around their ...
Another Friday, another Top 5! Last week, we discussed the best currently available integrated-bracelet sports watches without a budget limit. As many of you remarked, there were many more options outside the five watches mentioned. This week, we ll focus on one brand specifically that is hot property at the moment. Throughout the last couple of years, Longines has shown a great focus on reclaiming the love of hardcore watch fans and wider audiences alike. We have picked five recent Longines releases that perfectly show why Longines is doing so well.This week, we ll focus on just Longines. The brand is much loved among watch fans for its rich history and great number of historical releases. ...
It s been a while since I last visited New York City, but just one look at this new watch had me checking flight tickets right away. La Petite Seconde Metropolis, presented by Louis Erard in collaboration with Amr Sindi - aka The Horophile - clearly took its inspiration from the architectural giants of The Big Apple. It s bold and gracious at the same time and combines craftsmanship with rich materials, just like those Art Deco buildings from yesteryear. Let s take a closer look at this skyscraper for your wrist.A quick look at the overview of recent releases from Louis Erard tells you that this is a brand that dares to try out different things on its dials. There s been a Louis Horror with ...
Audemars Piguet is a watchmaker that needs little introduction, and just yesterday, AP introduced four new Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore references in collaboration with designer Matthew Williams of 1017 Alyx 9SM. Alongside them is a unique Royal Oak to be auctioned for charity. These new Royal Oak and RO Offshore models offer a unique aesthetic in both yellow and white gold. And while Ill never be able to own one, I find them pretty exciting.Introducing so many new references in the Royal Oak line is headline enough, but in addition, Audemars Piguet is collaborating with the fashion brand 1017 Alyx 9SM with input from Matthew Williams, the fashion brands designer and founder. For those w...
This is the first installment in a series of articles designed to make sense of what micro/independent brands are from the brands perspective. Here, well look at general traits that brands have in common, how they see themselves, and what values they work hard to uphold. Many words have been written and spoken about this subject before. And most of the time, the same information or points of view are being shared - those of journalists like me. Instead, lets get the facts straight from the horses mouth.I d like you to see this article as a way to convey the perspective of those who make the watches we love and cherish. I admire what they do. I wouldnt be able to do it myself (well, never sa...
The year was 1998. It sounds like only yesterday, doesnt it? Well, it was the year when Google was founded, the development of the International Space Station started, Bill Clinton had his relations with Monica Lewinsky, and Brandy & Monica and Shania Twain ruled the pop charts. So this is the backdrop against which Grand Seiko debuted its 9S family of movements. To celebrate that 25-year milestone, the house now releases two new GMT models - SBGJ275 and SBGM253.The 9S family of calibers has been a cornerstone of Grand Seiko since 1998. Over the years, GS introduced many variants with different complications. The two celebratory models are both GMTs dressed in blue. Dont fret that they a...
As more and more of my Fratello teammates come out with their picks, it gets challenging to compose a list of the best watches under $3,000. I get that these are subjective lists, but we do not want to discuss the same brand and model repeatedly. I tried to be creative here while keeping my preferences in mind. You ll see that my list also includes new, barely used, and vintage options.Nivada and Ming were the obvious choices. I picked Doxa as I m a fan of the brand, while EP is a must in every (vintage) collection. Let s start at the beginning, though.The best watches under $3,000: Nivada Grenchen Fratello Racing ChronographWhat else can I say about this watch that has not been said numer...
It s not often that someone reaches out to me and says he would like to celebrate his 50th birthday with one of my watches - any quirky watch of my choice! Last Saturday, I got an intense workout with my friend while working on his garden project. At just about noon and feeling pretty tired, we returned home and put the kids to bed. I found an interesting message in my Instagram inbox at about that time. It read, It s my 50th b day today. I d love to own a quirky piece belonging to Tomas Rosputinsky. Would you sell me any?The message came from a collector in Bombay named Aashdin Billimoria, who you might remember from a recent interview with RJ about his Omega?Speedmaster Professional 145.02...
Whenever MB&F releases a new timepiece, I sit up, watch, and listen. The brand, founded by Max Bsser, has created a wide array of timepieces that can be best described as true art. And not just art for the wrist, as most of you know. But that s where it started, and that s where I still find my biggest amazement for what the MB&F achieves every single time. With the releases of the Horological Machine N9 Sapphire Vision editions, it s no different. These two new versions of the HM9 Sapphire Vision are a follow-up to the earlier HM9-SV models from 2021. MB&F will produce two new variations of the HM9-SV, each limited to only five pieces. And the results are, once again, nothing ...
I recently had the opportunity to get my hands on two of Bravur s newest Grand Tour cycling chronographs. The Grand Tour La Corsa Rosa III is a black, gray, and pink number that easily dresses up or down. The Grand Tour La Grande Boucle III is sportier to my eye with its yellow, white, and black livery. Both chronographs wore comfortably and looked excellent. I ll admit it was more difficult than usual to send these watches back.Bravur is making a name for itself as a maker of cycle-centric watches. Though its catalog spans more than just its Grand Tour cycling chronographs, they have been the brand s focus recently. Born from a friendship between two cycling partners, Bravur is a company th...
Part of the fun in collecting watches is acquiring a new (or another) gem for your collection. And sometimes, this also means you want or even need to let something go. You cant have it all is my credo, and I assume it applies to many of you as well.But how do you sell your watches? Sometimes, your watch can be traded in at an authorized or independent dealer. This is probably the easiest way, without any hassle on your side. The downside is that you will not get the best price for your watch. If you get a reasonable offer, its best to take it unless you re willing to put in the work to get more.An IWC caliber 852 on offer - Image: RicardoSelling it yourself is the best way if you do it corr...
