I just dont get it! Its a phrase often heard inside Fratello HQ. Most of the time, this cry of despair relates to aesthetic matters and incomprehensible design choices. But sometimes it also involves functional matters. And thats what this new series is all about. Watches We Just Don t Get is about stuff we cant wrap our heads around from a practical and functional standpoint. You can expect personal views/rants on automatic watches with a power reserve indicator on the dial, dive watches with a tourbillon movement, and my kick-off contribution to the series, hand-winding perpetual calendars.Writing about watches is not without risk. It can reveal personal flaws and inconsistencies. A closer...

I have a great soft spot for Cuervo y Sobrinos. The brand with Cuban roots offers exotic timepieces that stand out immediately. Quite a few of them could be described as an acquired taste. But if you like the brand s style, there is plenty of goodness to be found in its collection. The latest addition is the Cuervo y Sobrinos Historiador Crongrafo 1946. It s a limited-edition chronograph that is a tribute to the year that the inaugural Historiador model debuted. This new chronograph takes inspiration from the great age of classic chronographs and combines it with modern execution for exceptional results. Cuervo y Sobrinos pleasantly surprised me again!My love for Cuervo y Sobrinos started w...

We are entering the final 24 hours of our one week sales window. The window closes tomorrow, July 26th at 16:00 CEST. In case our latest collaboration with Aquastar intrigues you, now is the last chance to place your order. Our Pink Salmon Deepstar II is meant to be the perfect summer companion. Together with Aquastar we designed a watch that is both cheerful and versatile at the same time: The Pink Salmon is fresh and fun without being loud. If this sounds like it will put a smile on your face during the coming summer days, then head over to our shop now before it s too late.This video is blocked because you did not accept marketing cookies. Change cookie settings At Fratello, we love ...

Is British watchmaking experiencing a proper renaissance? I keep returning to this point, and the releases from Dave Brailsford and Simon Michlmayrs Norfolk brand underline it. Even with 2023 s blend of increasing inflation and uneasy times, we see a strong trend, and the Garrick Regulator MK II is yet another example of why and how.Despite our ever-increasing digital world of new releases, or even because of it, Great Britain is reminding us of what made it the 18th-century center of our beloved industry, with complex creations and famous workshops long before the Swiss grabbed the worlds attention. There is a reason the term GMT hails from the Greenwich Observatory in London, you know. The...

If you want to go fast, go alone. If you want to go far, go together. What first sounds like a platitude proves to be right yet again - specifically if you are part of the right group. Chrono24, the leading global marketplace for luxury watches, has announced that international footballer Cristiano Ronaldo has become an investor in the company. And with Fratello being part of the Chrono24 family, we are proud to witness and be part of yet another growth milestone.Ronaldo, also known globally as CR7, is not just acclaimed for his athletic prowess, which seemingly ignores the boundaries of age. He has also been known to be somewhat of a watch collector. In fact, his collection is about as impr...

Titoni introduced its Seascoper 300 in November 2022, and it quickly became apparent that this is a watch to be reckoned with. Regarding quality and specs, it s one of the best in class in its price bracket, so what could Titoni possibly do to make it even better? Technically and specs-wise, everything that was good has luckily remained with these newest releases. The improvements are mainly in the aesthetics department. Be aware that the new black DLC-coated versions are not for everyone as both are made in limited numbers.The new Black and Color Block limited editions still feature the 42mm case styled after the previous-generation Submariner. And, as Jorg already wrote in his review of t...

Whenever A. Lange & S?hne announces new timepieces, I am all ears. The brand from Glashtte always impresses with either completely new creations or new versions of existing models. The latest additions are part of the latter category. The first is a special 10th-anniversary limited edition of the 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar with a stunning pink gold dial. The second is a toned-down version of the Lange 1 Time Zone in platinum with a rhodium-colored dial. The first is an immediate visual standout, while the latter is a monochromatic, understated piece. But you know that both are stunning testaments to the brand s brilliant watchmaking skills.It s no secret that A. Lange & S?h...

You know how some people on watch forums put up their watches for trade only? I always thought that to be a bit weird. I feel it s very unlikely that you ll easily find someone interested in your watch who has a watch you really desire. It also sounds like something more likely to happen with more affordable watches than watches worth several thousand euros. Yet there I was at the end of last year, trading my Blancpain Bathyscaphe for a Breguet Classique ref. 5907. I m still delighted I did, but let s see exactly how that trade happened.If you had asked me at the start of last year whether I would buy a watch from Breguet anytime soon, I would ve probably said no. I mean, I have a lot of res...

Since 2016, Sternglas has been succeeding where others have fallen short. Dustin Fontaine started the watch brand after a fruitless mission to find an elegant, high-quality watch at a price within reach of his 21-year-old self. A Bauhaus design and a successful Kickstarter campaign followed. It s a tale as old as time. Throughout the rise of crowdfunding watch projects, many have delivered quality products. Some have returned for a second bite, while fewer remain successful years later. Sternglas has outgrown that platform, business model, and the Kickstarter brand label. Today, I m looking at a new version of its successful Hamburg Automatik model.The watch is still minimalist in design, in...

It s hard to believe that 2019 was the last time we had a limited-edition Speedmaster Professional. Before that year, a new Speedy was practically an annual expectation. And then, poof, life as we knew it changed. Many cheered, and some were saddened. I was formerly in the middle, but now I miss this yearly occasion…Back when Baselworld was the big mainstream watch event, it was a treasure trove of novelties. Big brands like and Patek Philippe brought their newest wares, as did smaller companies like Sinn. It was a lot of fun to hypothesize about what would come every year and then be surprised both positively and negatively. Within the melee, though, there was almost always one const...

Have you ever considered what your horological discomfort zone is? You probably have a pretty good grasp of your comfort zone. Maybe you love dive watches, vintage chronographs, or both. But have you ever spent some time considering what lies outside it? If you were to go shopping in your horological discomfort zone, what would you consider?Let me make this personal. Coming from the world of vintage watches, my taste has always leaned towards classical designs - not always vintage per se but, primarily, watches based on the designs of the 1940s through 70s. Modernist watches have always been far outside my comfort zone. Not that I have anything against them, but I simply never went there. S...

Fratello On Air returns with a discussion on some of the latest new watches. We discuss a few brands, including Seiko, Nivada Grenchen, TAG Heuer, Louis Vuitton, and Aquastar. As always, expect a fair dose of candor! This podcast player is blocked because you did not accept marketing cookies. Change cookie settings Geneva Watch Days may be coming in just over a month, but there has been a bevy of new watches on the scene over the past couple of weeks. These are some interesting pieces, and they spark conversation from our hosts. You ll hear both positive and constructive feedback on the industry s latest wares. Enjoy!Handgelenks KontrolleBefore getting into the newest releases, we get in...

Stepping off the shuttle that had taken us into the port of Barcelona, I pulled on my sunglasses to guard against the blinding glare of the morning sun. As we left the cool air-conditioned comfort of the minibus into the hot and humid embrace of that late June day, I was still blissfully unaware that I d be presented with a pair of new Tudor watches just a few minutes later. You see, a team of journalists from around the world and I had just received a tour of the Alinghi Red Bull Racing team s base in Barcelona. After a short shuttle ride, we arrived at the new headquarters, where a black curtain waved ominously in the balmy wind. As we stepped inside, we were greeted by a table full of box...

The G-Shock Rainbow IP series always gives us a reason to smile. This colorful line of watches was first introduced in 2019 and has seen several new introductions every year since. With bright, dynamic colors, the effect of ion-plated cases is impressive, to say the least. As the newest addition to the Rainbow IP series, G-Shock introduces the MTG-B3000PRB Aurora Oval. This eye-catching design is inspired by the colors of the aurora borealis. Does it capture a piece of the northern lights perfectly on your wrist? It s time to find out.I have a huge soft spot for the G-Shock Rainbow IP series. Two years ago, I had the pleasure of going hands-on with the brand s MTG-B2000PH2A Blue Phoenix. Tha...

The design stage of the VPC Type 37HW is now behind us. Still, we have done some fine-tuning over the past few weeks, which I am happy to show you. We are now fully engaged in the technical development and the hunt for the right manufacturers. And that has proved to be quite the ride. As with many of the steps involved, this is usually not public, so I am happy to share some behind-the-scenes. Here is a taster of what preparations for manufacturing your first watch entail.But let me start by thanking you for the response I got to opening up on the effect of comments. In the previous article, I shared how all the you should have done X comments can affect my mood. I got a ton of positive feed...

Theres a pro at the wheel. Hes going to make sure that I enjoy a day at the Tour de France with Tissot to the fullest. Former French pro bike racer Kilian Patour, who rode for Credit Agricole and Team Garmin-Slipstream alongside the likes of Thor Hushovd and Bradley Wiggins, is going to be the driver of the Audi Q5 in Tissot livery. Driving a car in a bike race requires special experience and skills, and former pros know exactly how to drive, behave, and react on the hectic roads of France. Before the start of stage 13 from Chatillon-sur-Chalaronne to the mountain top of Grand Colombier, there was a bit of time to do some watch spotting - and bike spotting, of course.There are 167 riders rea...

The Tissot PRX has undoubtedly been a runaway hit for the brand. Both the quartz and Powermatic 80 versions have been met with popular acclaim. The positive reactions and reviews have often focused on quality, price, and design. Recently, I looked at picking one up, but in my search, I stumbled across a vintage alternative - a mechanical gem with a similar shape. This is a short tale of my experience in looking for a Tissot PRX and buying a vintage Tissot Seastar with a kindred vibe and a ton of character instead.Hooray for vintage; long may it last!As you may know, the Tissot PRX is not a new design. Rather, it is the successful reinterpretation of a historical model made by the brand in th...

If you re a regular reader here on Fratello, you ll have seen that we ve written about the colorful creations spawned from the creative minds of IFL Watches on numerous occasions. An irresistible kind of magic ignites when two distinct forms of artistry come together. With the new Arctic and Midnight Sky Concepts from IFL Watches, that s precisely what we have here today. The Swedish design studio has conjured yet another eye-catching release that s set to be a surefire hit.Imagine this: take the quartz Tissot PRX 35mm, then reimagine its flat white and blue dials brought to life through the enchanting artwork of the Arctic and Midnight Sky Concepts. It s like capturing the mystical allure o...

Zero West has a penchant for basing its collection on historic British moments. Specifically, the brand focuses on remarkable events that took place geographically near Zero West s studio in Emsworth, UK. The South Coast of England has played host to many naval and airborne activities, but the TT-58 represents the Tourist Trophy sports car race at Goodwood motor circuit in 1958. I had the chance to spend some time with the now sold-out 58-piece limited edition TT-58. And with the recent British Grand Prix and Goodwood Festival of Speed occurring in July 2023, I felt it was an excellent time to reflect on my hands-on experience.First, it s important to note that Zero West is not the official ...

Grab a drink, take a seat, and get yourself ready to rumble. It s time for another Sunday Morning Showdown! This week s episode promises to be an interesting one because neither of today s watches is its brand s bread and butter. Ask anyone with a passing familiarity with watches to which brand the Submariner and the Datejust belong, and nine out of ten will know it s . The same is probably even true about Audemars Piguet and its Royal Oak. But that s not something you can say about the Perpetual 1908 and the Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Selfwinding.They re almost like the tracks you ll find on the B-side of a record. Nobody really listens to them, and they re just there to fill up the space....