When a watch with hands looks alien, it must be an Urwerk. Recently, the brand introduced a non-digital watch that measures time and space with traditional hands on a round dial while still managing to make your watch brain feel weightless. I was spacing out with the Urwerk UR-10 Spacemeter when it was still under embargo, and it felt good, both on the wrist and in my brain. Urwerks latest creation comes in two versions - one with a black dial, the other with a gray dial. Did it feel like a real Urwerk? Did I miss digital time? I will tell you now.Urwerk does things differently, so when the brand launches a watch with a rounded case and dial and hands to tell time (and space), it is so alien...
By now, we re accustomed to Panerai and its continuous release schedule during the year. What we didn t expect was today s watch, a model with a healthy water resistance rating and a new ceramic case. Oh, and did we mention that the new Luminor GMT Ceramica PAM01460 comes in a 40mm size? Let s investigate.Just a month ago, Panerai made a splash with its new Luminor Marina Militare PAM05218. The watch is a throwback to earlier days with its black-coated case and aged luminous material on the dial. However, for some of us, the problem is, and always has been, that watches like this are too large. Well, this is where the 40mm Luminor GMT Ceramica offers a solution for the small-wristed populati...
Two years ago, Oris introduced the Aquis Pro 4000m. According to Gerard, it was a pointless dive watch, hors categorie, completely unnecessary for daily wear. But boy, did he love it. Watches are kind of pointless anyway these days, so why not go all the way, right? But for all of you who thought a 23.4mm-thick dive watch was a bit much, Oris now introduces the Aquis Pro 1000m. This time, the watch has only a 16.6mm profile and is capable of surviving just 1,000 meters below sea level.Gerard was right, of course: the Oris Aquis Pro 4000m was a completely over-the-top watch. The new Aquis Pro 1000m tones things down a little. At $3,400 / US$4,100 / $3,000, it s also cheaper, mainly because of...
Being part of the same group of companies as Chrono24 has its advantages: Fratello has access to the unrivaled data pool and insights of the world s leading marketplace for luxury watches. With over 9 million monthly users and more than 560,000 listed watches, there is plenty to analyze and learn. We sat down with their data team for a deep-dive into the current state of the secondary watch market, to look at emerging trends, and to put overall brand performances into a long-term perspective. What we found is a stable secondary market driven by the mid-level luxury segment, and Gen Z s increasing role in setting trends.In fashion, trends turn fast C the cut, color, or brand that defined yest...
Apollo 8 was the first space flight to reach the Moon. On board were NASA astronauts Frank Borman, Jim Lovell, and William Anders. It took them 68 hours to travel to the Moon, and during the first 66 hours, the spacecrafts windows were facing Earth.Astronaut James A. Lovell Jr. at the Apollo 8 Spacecraft Command Module s Guidance and Navigation station during the Apollo 8 lunar orbit mission - Image: NASAApollo 8 needed to swing behind the Moon (in total, it would orbit the Moon 10 times), losing radio contact with Mission Control for 32 minutes and 37 seconds. About 70 miles above the Moons surface, this changed, and the lunar surface was finally visible to the astronauts.The far side of th...
Minim is an independent watch brand founded by Chloe Chan, and just like her, it is a balance of East and West. According to the founder, the three watches in the debut MN01 collection reflect her journey from Hong Kong to London and are a contemporary tribute to traditional watchmaking. The inspiration from vintage pocket watches and classical guilloche craftsmanship is clearly visible.I was picking up strong Chronoswiss vibes when Chloe Chan gave us a sneak preview of her watches in the Geneva Jardin Anglais over a drink and after a busy day of looking at Geneva Watch Days novelties. That s not necessarily a problem since Im a long-time Chronoswiss fan. Three things struck me - the combina...
Welcome back to another episode of Fratello On Air! This week, we talk about the best-value used watches. Of course, this isn t an exhaustive list but just a sampling of some great pre-owned picks. If you re expecting the usual suspects, prepare to be surprised. Enjoy the show!This podcast player is blocked because you did not accept marketing cookies. Change cookie settings Yes, we re back with a follow-up to our popular show about currently available watches offering the best value with a look at the used marketplace. Sites such as Chrono24 and eBay present a veritable cornucopia of options, but we ve managed to pare it down to six interesting picks. Listen in as we reveal them.Handgel...
In an era when AI seems to be nibbling away at every corner of creativity, theres something refreshing about seeing a brand choose human artistry over algorithms. Citizens latest Marvel collaboration, the Stark, Kinda Sorta Famous watch-and-pin set, is not only a nod to Tony Stark but also a showcase of what happens when you hand the pen (and the power) to one of the most respected names in comics. Adam Kubert, whose personal and family legacy in comics runs as deep as Marvels history, was tapped to bring Iron Man to life in a way that only a true comic book artist could.Citizen Stark, Kinda Sorta FamousKubert didnt simply rehash the familiar. Instead, he reimagined Stark with a style of his...
In the current watch landscape, Parmigiani Fleurier has a special position. The brand s standout designs and clever use of colors have earned it much praise. I admire what Parmigiani has achieved, so I am always curious to find out what is next. For its newest creation, the Parmigiani team decided to spice up the 36mm Tonda PF. The new Deep Ruby version is executed in a combination of stainless steel and rose gold and houses a ruby-red dial with baguette diamonds for hour markers. This is another standout version of the Tonda PF, but it s certainly not a watch for everyone. Let s find out more.The 36mm Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda PF is the smallest size in the collection. The brand predominant...
Hermes surprised us a couple of years ago when the French fashion house launched a chronograph among its colorful time-and-date H08 editions. Stealth-launching products is not new for Hermes. The low-key tactic allows clients to discover new pieces for themselves without a deluge of flashy hype campaigns. The gentle marketing ripple in the brand s horology department enables the watch itself to make a big splash. The latest Hermes H08 Chronographe comes with Naples yellow details. Featuring the same 41mm by 45mm multilayered carbon fiber case as the orange version from 2023, this watch s yellow accents add a new dimension to the sporty aesthetic. Lets take a look at this zesty H08.Last month...
Andy Warhol once said, Art is what you can get away with. Does Piaget get away with the art watch you see here? In collaboration with the Andy Warhol Foundation, the Piaget Andy Warhol Collage Limited Edition bursts onto the scene. The watch is a limited edition of 50 pieces, each featuring a dial crafted from a marquetry of colorful ornamental gemstones arranged in an abstract composition inspired by one of Warhols famed 1986 Polaroid collage self-portraits, Collage. This edition follows the partnership announced in November, which revives the legendary Andy Warhol watch name. We had the opportunity to try on the latest LE at the brand s boutique in Geneva.But first, let me provide a little...
There are few self-inflicted experiences in life worse than a hangover. What often starts as a fun night out turns into a rough next morning. The hair of the dog is a well-known cure with drinks such as the Bloody Mary and Mimosa serving as popular tonics. It s the latter beverage that inspires today s Studio Underd0g Fears collaboration. The 02Series Mim0sa is the third and final cocktail-inspired piece in a trilogy of watches created from the partnership of two UK-based brands.This March, at the British Watchmakers Day in London, Fears and Studio Underd0g debuted the first of the cocktail watches. The Gimlet made its way to the show, the only place to buy them, and the 200-piece run sol...
When pilot Cliff Tait took off in 1969 to fly solo around the world in a tiny aircraft, he carried with him a GMT-Master 1675 - a watch that became as vital as any flight instrument. This is the story of the man, the machine, and the timepiece that circled the globe together.On May 12th, 1969, New Zealand aviator Cliff Tait taxied his diminutive AESL Airtourer 115, affectionately christened Miss Jacy, down the grass strip at Hamilton Airport. Ahead of him stretched an 80-day, 30,000-mile odyssey - a solo circumnavigation of the globe in one of the smallest single-engine aircraft ever to attempt such a journey.Today, Miss Jacy sits suspended in the Museum of Transport and Technology (MOTAT) ...
Over the past few months, I ve had the opportunity to go hands-on with several new Norqain watches. It s been a positive experience and somewhat surprising. Generally, I m not a fan of open-worked dials, but on the wrist, the brand s pieces shine. Comfortable straps and wrist-conforming case designs help too. Today, I m taking my first spin with a more complicated piece in a new color that s perfect for the season. The Independence Skeleton Chrono 42mm Orange is here with a bit of Halloween flair.Thus far, I ve handled three-handed, open-worked watches from Norqain. They ve all been more fun than I would have expected, and I ve come away impressed. As a dyed-in-the-wool lover of boring watch...
Bell & Ross s X series has been one of the brands most interesting evolutions to follow. The BR-X1 was pure concept-watch territory, a showcase for skeletonized tourbillons and high-end engineering that pushed the brand into experimental horology. Then came the BR-X5, a more accessible, sporty, and urban expression of the same design DNA. The BR-X3, which arrived last month, lands squarely between the two. Its an ultra-modern reinterpretation of the familiar BR-03 form thats lighter, sleeker, and even more technical.Now, Bell & Ross has doubled down with the BR-X3 Night Vision, and this ones something else entirely. The name isnt just catchy branding; instead, it fits the watchs whol...
Good morning, and welcome to another Sunday Morning Showdown. We ve had a couple of battles between dressy watches in the previous weeks, so we thought it would be good to return to our more regular program of proper sports watches. This week, Omega launched its updated Dark Side of the Moon collection, which we couldn t ignore for this morning s showdown. But what do you put up against an iconic all-black, full-ceramic, automatic chronograph? Well, how about the IWC Pilot s Watch Chronograph 41 Top Gun Ceratanium? That s another iconic automatic chronograph with an all-black design.Thomas will defend the Speedmaster before the slightly biased Fratello crowds, while Daan will try to avoid a ...
Every once in a while, a small change makes a big difference. For Bianchet, that change comes in the form of 18K rose gold. The new UltraFino Skeleton Rose Gold Edition, launched at WatchTime New York, takes one of the brands most technically impressive watches and gives it an entirely new personality.I had a sneak preview of it back in Geneva, long before the lights of WatchTime New York, and it instantly stood out. The UltraFino has already built its reputation on titanium, sapphire, and carbon fiber. Those versions hang in the same social circle as Hublot and Richard Mille. The Rose Gold Edition, on the other hand, feels like it prefers its conversations over a quiet whisky with Audemars ...
In a world with a seemingly ever-increasing number of luxury watch brands, Micromilspec focuses on developing the best tool watches possible. Professionals actively use these watches in the field, so reliability and sturdiness are critical factors in the success of Micromilspec s timepieces. The Norwegian brand has an impressive list of professional clients, from specialist army units to air forces and fire brigades. The brand s latest creation is the Micromilspec Worldtimer. This modern pilot s watch will land on the wrists of air force professionals and a small group of private customers. It s time to learn more about it.One of my favorite hands-on experiences of last year was spending tim...
Its not exactly a secret that I love my Chronoswiss Timemaster. Its a love that wont die. When you own a watch for over 25 years and still feel a spark when you strap it on, you know this is the real deal. It also means I closely follow what the brand is up to. It struck me that my fellow watch journos, many of whom own a Chronoswiss, know about the brand founded by Gerd-Rdiger Lang, but it is not so well known among Fratellos readers. Thankfully, learning about a brand s history can encourage understanding and appreciation of its watches. Thats why wed like to present you with a compact history of an independent brand that once defied the Quartz Crisis. This is Chronoswiss.Before interview...
Armin Strom continues expanding its impressive Resonance series with new models. For its latest creation, the brand combines the style of traditional horology with its incredible skill and craftsmanship in contemporary watchmaking. The result is the Armin Strom Mirrored Force Resonance Zeitgeist 1665, a watch that tells the story of mastering the art of horological resonance. Its design takes us back to the days of Christiaan Huygens, while the modern movement tells the contemporary story of innovative watchmaking. It s time to find out more.If you are unfamiliar with Armin Strom s quest for watchmaking resonance, you must catch up on some reading. We have reported quite a few times about th...
