The only way is up. Yazz sang it back in 1988, and for investors, its a dogma. But what if reality is different? Much of the astronomical rise in prices for some brands models can be attributed to the birth and rise of a new type of collector - the watch investor. But the only way is no longer up. Yes, on the secondary watch market, premiums for selected timepieces are still at historical and hysterical highs. But there are signs that the rise of , Patek Philippe, and Audemars Piguet icons is losing momentum. Are we witnessing the start of a massive and quick downfall? Or are we merely looking at a normal and natural correction?Love for a watch can be based on passion, but it also can be bas...

When it comes to mass and muscularity, there is hardly any vintage chronograph that can beat the Enicar Jet Graph. If I were a raindrop, I would rather freeze and break into million pieces than face a quest to penetrate its case.You see, the Jet Graph is like a steel fortress with fences so high that you get tired just looking at them. It has a famous EPSA Compressor case by Ervin Piquerez that was water-resistant to 300 feet. Not a bad rating for a 60s chronograph, I d say. After no more than a couple of minutes in your hands, you can feel how well built it is.Arnie caseYou can recognize the case from miles away. That triangular beveled edge is so high that you could balance a book on it. ...

The Airain Type 20 Vert Militaire adds a subtle dash of color to this classical military pilots watch. The regular-production black dial and limited-edition brown dial are both sold out. So if you want to get your hands on a Type 20, you will have to grab one of the 134 green ones. Alternatively, you can wait for the black to come back. But why would you, if the green is as good-looking as this is?Airain re-founder Tom van Wijlick shows his great eye for color in this release. I have had the pleasure of seeing the watch in real life. I am happy to report that it is absolutely beautiful. You can find more about the Type 20 in our earlier article. For now, lets have a closer look at this limit...

Finally, after a couple of years, we have a trip planned again. Whether it was the pandemic, career moves, or having a child, there was always something keeping us from traveling. This September, however, we are taking the car for our first vacay as a family of three. Nacho asked me to write a piece about the holiday watches I will be packing, so here we are! Lets have a look!I like to pack light, so I will limit myself to just two watches. And with these specific two, I am ready for just about anything.A titanium diver goes a long way when trying to pack lightA Tuscan weddingWhen we were invited by some dear friends to attend their wedding in Tuscany, we finally had an incentive to follow t...

We all know how difficult it can be to find the right strap combo. I buy straps quite regularly in my quest for the best, but I sell them on quite regularly too. Of course, I try to get some inspiration from Instagram and on the forums up front. Nevertheless, it doesn t always turn out as I d hoped. Thankfully, this was not the case with the Tropic-style straps from Wolbrook. As soon as I put them on my Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe, I knew that I had made the right choice! But it s actually not that easy to find the right Tropic-style strap.When I got my Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe - I ll just say Bathyscaphe from now on - it came on its original black sailcloth strap. However...

Green watches - they re a thing! Call it a fad, trend, or craze, but it seems that for these last couple of trips around the sun, the color green has taken a firm grip over the watch industry. And this particular Seamaster Professional 300M model aligns with the vogue of green iterations in Omegas flagship lineup. But Im not here to talk about this pattern. In fact, I find the topic rather tedious. A particular color prevailing in popularity is something that happens all the time. In fashion, colors come in and out of style as consistently as the seasons roll by. Green watches being a thing is about as interesting as straight-fit jeans or crop tops being a thing (again). It s a trend that s ...

Nothing beats a watch with a good story. The most popular kind is undoubtedly a historical story about the actual watch. Such a tale is easy to relate to and often gives a watch instant credibility (if the story adds up, that is). But with so many historical watch stories out there, it can be hard to develop a relatable narrative for an actual new watch. Bremonts latest, however, comes with a story that I love. The Bremont Apex Waterman was developed for the brand s new ambassador, Laird Hamilton. He is one of the biggest names in big wave surfing and, more specifically, one of the inventors of tow-in surfing. So I was more than happy to take this watch out for a ride.My interest in big wave...

Spinnaker is the name of a type of headsail used for yachts or racing boats. It is also the name of a microbrand specializing in nautical-style watches. The brands team has been teasing its fanbase via the website and social channels that a new watch is due to launch in the coming days. Here s a sneak peek at Spinnaker s latest creation, the attractive and approachable Spence 300 automatic dive watch.Spinnaker has been around for some years now with a reputation for its affordable watches among forum enthusiasts. It is one of a dozen stablemates in the brand portfolio operated by a UK-based company called Dartmouth Brands Limited. Spinnaker s watches are made in the Far East. Rob wore one of...

What happens if you take a watch diving that obviously isn t aimed at divers? Admittedly, Oris offers the Aquis as a divers watch, and within the collection, some models do fit that role… If any mechanical divers watch would, that is. But the two-tone Oris Aquis Date Caliber 400 that I took out for diving undoubtedly aims to be more beautiful than functional. Nevertheless, it surely didn t disappoint. Here s the story.A week or so before my diving trip to Croatia, I discussed with my colleagues at Fratello HQ which watch(es) I should bring. Coincidentally, at the same time, our local Dutch Oris hero Gijs (pronounced gice, rhyming with the price is nice) visited us. He brought samples...

Am I suffering from heatstroke this Speedy Tuesday when I say that my ultimate summer watch is the Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonshine Gold Panda? I dont know. Maybe I am. And maybe thats why I think that when the bright July sun hits the Moonshine Gold Speedmaster, the noble alloy strikes me as Sunshine Gold. And the black rubber strap sure is another summery touch. You get my point? If you truly want to shine this summer, having something gold on your wrist is certainly the way to go. And if not in real life, then at least in a vacation daydream.The softly shimmering Moonshine Gold case and dial light up gloriously when the sunlight hits them. And its the sharp contrast of the black s...

It was perhaps unnecessary to start off with that proclamation, but its true. Bamfords signature accents are those bright aqua blues you see on this G-Shock DW-6900BWD. This is George Bamfords cool signature and has always been, no matter the craze for Tiffany Blue es and Pateks. Here, we see the fresh color popping off the battle-proof resin G-Shock case even stronger than the first collab from 2021.Like many watch lovers, I confess to a split personality, and the new Bamford x G-Shock DW-6900BWD awakens my dominant side. I have an equal affinity for big divers and brawny G-Shocks as well as a deep love for 38mm chic. G-Shocks are equally cool for me now as they were in my teens, and the cu...

Fratello On Air is back with another winding episode where the Tudor Ranger and the idea of a field watch are in focus. Enjoy this flowing discussion while Balazs and Mike are sweating it out in Europe! This podcast player is blocked because you did not accept marketing cookies. Change cookie settings That s right, it s hot out there, but a little (or a lot of) heat can t keep Balazs and Mike away from the mic. Balazs is holding court at a castle in Chemnitz, Germany while Mike is roasting in Frankfurt. Both are looking forward to cooler days whenever or wherever. Before discussing the Tudor Ranger and what a field watch means to each, they take care of some wristy business and the news....

Trends come, and trends go. The early 2000s saw a rise in large watches. Fueled by Panerai, U-Boat, Breitling, and fashion brands such as Diesel, watches got bigger and bigger. Other brands started to boost sizes and add larger options to their lineups. Today, a resurgence of interest in vintage watches combined with the typical action/reaction cycles in fashion triggers a demand for smaller watches. Still, many mainstream brands continue to push out larger models. How come? Could it be that the smaller-watch trend is something for the aficionados only?Let me share my personal thoughts on the subject. I think we might be in less of a small-watch trend than we tend to tell each other-Dont tak...

The Seiko Sumo, a crowd favorite, cult classic, and underrated value proposition since its 2007 debut is back, upgraded to meet modern standards. Fans of the Sumo - and there are many out there - will be happy to see Seiko give the watch some well-deserved attention. And though the changes made are subtle enough to demand a second look, I feel they certainly do the watch justice. The new SPB321J1, SPB323J1, and SPB325J1 are ready to make a splash and take over where the former generation left off. These subtle changes not only bring the Sumo up to current-day standards but also transform the watch significantly. So, lets take a closer look and see what the new Seiko Sumo dive watches offer.N...

Recently, Grand Seiko has been putting a lot of emphasis on the releases in its new Evolution 9 collection. With standout dials and amazing case designs, I quickly have become a fan of the new line. But 2022 is also a year of celebration for the 44GS. The iconic design style that we know and love from Grand Seiko is best personified by the brand s 44GS-style watches. Today, the brand announces a special manual-wind Spring Drive model to celebrate 55 years of that special style. Meet the Grand Seiko SBGY009 55th Anniversary Limited Edition.The 44GS is undoubtedly the most iconic Grand Seiko case. It was first introduced in 1967 and developed according to Taro Tanaka s Grammar of Design. This ...

When French brand Yema sent us the new Superman FAF Search And Rescue Limited Edition, I jumped on the chance to review it. I have had the pleasure of wearing Superman models in the past, but I had never had a chance to take them out for a proper review. On top of that, I really love the retro-inspired looks of this new limited-edition model. It was released last Thursday, July 14th, also known as Bastille Day. It is the biggest national day of celebration in France. As such, it was a perfect moment to release a limited edition created for the French military forces.The Yema Superman FAF Search And Rescue Limited Edition comes with a cool story. It was not just created for the French militar...

Ahoy, landlubbers! For those of you who love the ocean and all things inspired by it but prefer not to venture beneath its surface in a professional capacity, the NOMOS Glashtte Ahoi is the watch for you. Released in 2013 as the Saxon darling s dive watch, the Ahoi has gone on to become a design favorite. Bulkier and more resilient than the Tangente model that made the brand famous, the Ahoi lacks some of the typical dive watch specifications but treks far enough along the trail blazed by genuine dive tools to wind up as the perfect beach watch for both fashion and fun.As a dive-inspired watch, the Ahoi s most notable carryover is its water resistance. Good for 200 meters beneath the surfac...

Finding a good watch for $2,000 seems easy when youre in the know, but it s actually quite tricky. As Nacho experienced, it is far too easy to fall into the trap of the most popular watches of today. Actually, finding a watch that hits the sweet but difficult spot between $1,500 and $2,000 had me wringing my watch-obsessed brain. Not having $5K-10K to spend without selling off A LOT, $2K is a budget with which I m very familiar. This is a space dominated by Seiko with its huge value props. And while I do love Seiko, this time, Im going Swiss with the Longines Spirit 37mm.Within the Swatch Group, Tissot does great work in the $500-$1K segment, but between $1,500 and $3,000, Longines wins it. ...

I couldnt resist wearing the Summer Splash prize watch for a little while. Rest assured Fabio, LeFred, and @babywildanimal - the three winners of the #FratelloSummerSplash competition who will very soon receive the colorful and fun watch that s on my wrist - I treated your Casio G-Shock DW-5610DN-9ER with extra love and care. Anyway, were taking a dip in the coffee corner this Monday with Eberhard & Co, Mido, and NOMOS. Lets talk about watches that dont mind a summer splash in the sea, the lake, or the inflatable pool on your apartments balcony.I dont know about you, but I root for the underdog. But no, I m not talking Studio Underd0g this time. Instead, Im talking about small, tradition...

Whenever most of us hear or see the words Marina Militare, the name Panerai immediately pops into our heads. But there is more to the Italian Navy s watch story than its connection to Panerai. Back in the 1980s, the Italian Navy and Squale had a partnership. The brand was the official watch supplier to the La Spezia Scuba Diving Corp. Both parties worked on dive watches according to specific requests of the Navy. Forty years later, Squale brings back one of those classics and updates it to become a serious modern dive watch that also has a ton of style. Time for a hands-on with the Squale Master Marina Militare.First impressions can be deceiving. At a first quick glance, the all-new Squale M...