Welcome to another episode of Fratello On Air where Balazs and Mike return to talk watches and other semi-adjacent topics. Vintage Grand Seiko is in play towards the end, but there s plenty of other banter to consume as we near the end of summer. This podcast player is blocked because you did not accept marketing cookies. Change cookie settings Balazs and Mike are together again! Balazs just landed in Stansted and Mike returned from a weekend in Colmar, but they have united on the airwaves. In this episode, you ll hear about space-related TV, old trucks in Slovakia, straps, and, of course, watches. Vintage Grand Seiko comes into play when it comes to watches on Mike s radar. Balazs bring...

When it comes to watches, boring is good. Or at least it can be good. After reading a couple of headlines that praised the Omega CK 859 as one of the years best and most exciting releases, I couldnt help but disagree. Its the brands most boring release of the year. However, Im here to say that this is not a bad thing. With the tendency of brands to over-hype releases beyond good reason and chase trends by using the same handful of colors as other brands, sometimes keeping it simple is the way to go. And keeping it simple often results in a boring watch. But I think we should embrace boring and celebrate the many upsides of watches that might be labeled as such.Before I get into why the Omega...

Before you ask, no, I m not talking about the regret you might feel for selling your Patek Philippe Nautilus too early rather than at today s prices. Rather, I mean the regret you might feel simply because you miss owning a certain watch. In the last 20-something years, I ve sold quite a few watches from my collection, and I only have a few regrets. However, after buying some of these watches back, I also realized that there was a good reason to sell them in the first place. Is selling your watches with no regrets possible? Let s discuss it further.When I first started collecting, I had a relatively limited budget. As such, I did a lot of trading. I didn t always make a profit; selling any w...

The color purple - it s royal and, until recently, an extremely rare color for watches. Sure, fashion brands with infinite variations of their watches slip a plum model in here or there. But in the last year, watch companies across the price spectrum have begun to introduce purple as a color option. Some of them are limited, but some are not, and that s good news. TAG Heuer, G-Shock, Fears, and others are testing the waters with purple watches. Here s hoping they stick.A little more than a year ago, Brandon wrote an article calling on the industry to use more purple for watch dials. With some photo-editing wizardry, he was able to provide examples of how scrumptious some of his proposals wou...

After spending almost a decade at Patek Philippes Atelier des grandes complications, the venerable Svend Andersen started his own Genevan atelier in 1980. Ten years later, already renowned for his craft and artistry in the Haute Horlogerie circle, Andersen created his first world timer entirely in-house. Ever since then, world time watches have become Andersen Geneves house specialty. In 2015, the Tempus Terrae was unveiled as the fifth edition of the world time series with a brand-new design and a further-enhanced grand complication.Now, two new iterations in white gold with gem-set bezels are being added to the line-up. We had the privilege of a sneak preview of the GPHG-nominated Tempus T...

The 90s was quite an era for dive watches. The decade saw many models released that continue to influence our expectations when it comes to divers today. Zodiac s offerings were no exception. In the 90s, the brand released a series of watches, each designated by a colored dot on the dial. To me, the most charming and interesting were the Red Point models, namely the Red Point divers. Today, Ill give you a small insight into the history of these watches, as well as highlight some of my favorite models from that era. And who knows? Maybe the folks at Zodiac are listening and will also find this a good idea. Regardless, I think the time has come to show these classic divers a bit of much-dese...

In this week s Sunday Morning Showdown, two classics compete - the Datejust and the Cartier Santos. To be a little more precise, it s the Datejust 116234 and the Cartier Santos Galbee XL 2823. Both are versatile watches that can be worn every day and were produced during approximately the same period.Daan is the owner and defender of the Cartier Santos Galbee XL. I have to admit that I don t own the Datejust 116234 myself, but a four-digit reference from 1969 instead. However, I briefly owned a slightly younger Datejust reference 16200 at some point and have been eyeballing a 16234 for a long time. I could have also picked a reference 16234 for this Sunday Morning Showdown, as it might ma...

The second watch from California-based microbrand Dumoreau is extremely well-considered, rich, and original in detail. However technical the name of the Dumoreau DM02 may sound, the lively and organic design of the piece has a lot to offer for the budget.What is that pink watch on your wrist? asked my associate Ivan when he stormed into our office. He usually doesn t pay much attention to watches, but it seemed this one got his attention in a second. Our table arrangement has us facing each other. Well, we would face each other if our heads weren t swollen by the oversized monitors in front of us. We usually just talk and don t see each other. I was fully focused on whatever I was typing unt...

It s time for another installment of Fratello EDC, the series in which we share our editorial team s everyday carry items. This time, Fratello editor Ben shares his minimalist approach to his daily routine, but also the things he brings on the go for testing new watches.Welcome to the random assortment of items in my pockets. It feels like a public strip search by revealing the personal bits ‘n bobs I carry around. Like many of the team members, I don t subscribe to the Instagram style of everyday carry. I m referring to the posts showcasing a handful of knives, torches, and, invariably, a handgun for a shopping trip. For one thing, you cannot buy a handgun legally in the UK without s...

In today s video, RJ goes hands-on with all three Moonshine gold Omega Speedmasters! That s right, we gathered all three of the most special precious-metal Speedmasters for a hands-on comparison. Which of these three is your favorite? We haven t quite decided yet, but one thing s for sure, all three of them are incredibly cool in their own right. And as much as we like the low-key luxury appeal of the Canopus gold models, there s something about yellow - nay, Moonshine - gold that can t be beat!In 2019 Omega introduced its new yellow gold, Moonshine gold. Consisting of 75% gold, 14% silver, 9% copper, and >1% palladium. The material differs from normal yellow gold, the 18kt version consis...

Square and rectangular watches are different breeds. In the exploration of watch shapes, both occupy a separate space because they look and feel different. In comparison to round, oval, or tonneau-shaped watches, there is something fundamentally different about square and rectangular cases. And as watch fans, we are often able to come up with a few examples of iconic four-cornered watches. But how about a full list? As it turns out, there are some amazing options out there. We have compiled our favorite square and rectangular watches that show the great beauty to be found in these angular forms. The result is a list that is defined by shape but ends up being diverse, serious, and playful at ...

When it comes to clothes, electronics, and things for my kids, I buy almost all of that stuff online. Not watches, though. When I look at the watches in my current collection, there are only two of them that I didn t buy from a physical store. And that s simply because they weren t available at a physical shop in Europe. If they had been, I would certainly have bought them there. Yes, watches occupy a completely different category in my head.Most of the watches that I have bought online without trying them on upfront have already left my collection. But with electronics and even clothes, for example, I can easily buy stuff online without having to return it. I have reflected on why I feel so...

For me, this summer underlined the need for environmental action as Im back home in Norway, but the heat is never-ending. At 29C in the middle of August, the summer will not end, and the predictions for the future are simple. The southern parts of Europe will heat up to such a degree that the flow of tourists will reverse, and they will come up north to more temperate weather. With the scales tipping 40C in Italy in mid-July, the signs are already here, so act on them. Now Ill apologize for my Greta Thunberg moment and get back to the subject - the watches I packed for a hot holiday.With my collection in a state of consolidation, you would think it would make for an easy choice. Perhaps ju...

This watch could easily be nicknamed the poor man s Omega Seamaster CK2913. It s a rather tiny watch with a likable dial, enigmatic branding, a crippled hour hand, juicy lume, and a cosmic treatment to the crown grip. This Stellaris is my kind of watch.I think it came to me in one batch with the Lanco Baracuda. Well, before it came to me, I bid on it spontaneously. Judging by the insignificant name on the dial, my purchase couldn t have resulted from a long hunt. I didn t have the slightest clue that such a watch existed, and it was a rather impulsive purchase while yawning and waiting for Lanco to hit the auction block. And since I landed this Stellaris, I haven t seen another one. Well, I ...

Being a strap addict is a condition that forces one down a path of trial and error. Not every strap works on every watch and vice versa. But every now and then, a serendipitous match of strap and watch happens that simply works better than anything else. This was exactly what happened when the Bremont S302 met the mustard-yellow Paratrooper strap from Cheapest NATO Straps. Most of you will already be familiar with the Swedish strap brand, which continues to lead the affordable watch strap market.Now, you should always be careful when visiting the Cheapest NATO Straps site as you might end up with more than you bargained for. Prices are tempting, and discounts are ever present; its a challeng...

When Nacho asked me to write an article on how to spot a fake vintage Datejust dial, I knew I would have to give away a bit of a teaser from my book. The example used in this article comes from The Vintage Datejust Buyers & Collectors Guide. If you have the book, you will surely recognize this blue atrocity. Buying a vintage Datejust can be daunting for the uninitiated. Here are a few things to look out for if you are new to the game, some tell-tale signs that you may be dealing with a fake dial. Of course, fake dials are only one of many potential issues, but you have to start somewhere, right?Below, you will find a replica dial for a 16xx reference Datejust. That should put it in th...

Before I take a closer look at the G-Shock GMW-B5000TVB-1ER, there s something I want to address. There are probably many Fratelli who wont even read this article. They will see a G-Shock in the headline image and will think quartz. They will then think cheap, and then, not a proper watch. And from a certain viewpoint, they will be entirely correct. That would have been me not very long ago. If a watch didnt have a beating mechanical heart (or at the very least a Spring Drive), then it was of no interest to me. Quite apart from the fact that it looks like the market for quality quartz movements such as Grand Seikos or F.P. Journes is really heating up - a huge topic in itself for a different...

I was never going to push the Vertex M60 AquaLion to its limits. Its a watch that is built to withstand water pressure at a depth of 600 meters. Not even the diving Fratelli such as Gerard and Nacho reach depths of 600 meters. I took the rugged and capable AquaLion for a couple of swims in the North Sea, thats what I did. I also wore it in incredibly hot weather, sat with it on a terrace, and took it out for dinner. And guess what? It performed flawlessly, felt comfortable, and with its balanced aesthetic, even looked like quite the suave gentleman.What do most people want from a modern dive watch? For it to be waterproof. But that s only because they want to be able to take a shower and swi...

I ve never been a huge fan of the Omega Planet Ocean. At most, I was amused by the orange bezel when the series was introduced in 2005. It was quite a contrast to the conservative and already-then very popular Seamaster Professional 300M. But I ve always disliked that both the hour and minute hands of the Planet Ocean sport a broad arrow tip. Omega never used this before - neither on the Seamaster, the Railmaster, nor the Speedmaster - and I still see it as a mishap. So why am I attracted to the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 6000M Ultra Deep?Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 6000M Ultra DeepWe wrote about this watch a few times before and got a lot of comments on it. In full, it is called the Omeg...

Parmigiani Fleuriers Tonda GT may have debuted only in 2020, but it turns out to be an integral precursor to the overnight success of the Tonda PF collection. The Swiss independent watchmakers sports-luxe line is now in its second generation. Among the offspring are the Tonda GT panda chronographs in 18K rose gold featuring a super engine - a manufacture movement with a high-frequency COSC-certified integrated chronograph.The sports-watch vibesThe panda Tonda GT comes in several variants in both stainless steel and rose gold. I must admit the panda dial threw me off on first impression. Even though it was just a tweak from the first generation, somehow, I couldnt quite reconcile in my head t...