Fratello On Air is here with an episode covering several topics. You ll want to stick around till the end because Balazs meets his shoe idol - none other than Stan Smith. Not the shoe, mind you, but the tennis player with an incredibly famous shoe. Of course, we talk about watches as well… This podcast player is blocked because you did not accept marketing cookies. Change cookie settings That s right, Balazs has finally met Stan Smith and talks to him about several things including the shoe. We also discuss travel and how good it is to get out again. There s also the topic of finding a MoonSwatch randomly and going hands-on with a new retro Certina dive chronograph.Handgelenks Kont...

Last weekend, we hosted An Evening With Fratello in the city center of The Hague, Netherlands. At the upscale hotel VOCO The Hague, in the below deck of its Ultramarijn bar, there were over 50 watch enthusiasts from the Netherlands, Belgium, Germany, and even Denmark who came to share their passion for watches.Since the start of Fratello back in 2004, we have organized several events, but mainly in cooperation with brands or boutiques. We also hosted our own Speedy Tuesday events without Omega s support, but we had never hosted a watch event that did not have a specific focus - just a watch event, for all watch enthusiasts, from everywhere.A word of welcome to the guestsWelcome to An Evening...

As watch aficionados, we can have a tendency to behave like maximizers. Chasing ever-bigger dreams. Pursuing more exotic materials. Chasing down more complicated movements. Getting the version that is even rarer, even more special. But you know what? Those are not always the better watches. Let me take this opportunity to bring an ode to the base model - the simplest, often most affordable version of a watch.I happen to think these are often the most attractive, most beautiful watches. No frills, just the bare essentials. Let me explain why, and maybe, just maybe, I can persuade you to focus on the entry-level side of the catalog next time. Oyster Perpetual ref. 114300Base models have the pu...

If you are a fan of military watches, the world is your oyster. We have seen a lot of the great military classics return from different eras. Obviously, names like Hamilton and Benrus are the most common ones that most people will think of when discussing American military watches. Another iconic American brand that was responsible for multiple great military classics is Bulova. Together with Elgin and Waltham, Bulova was responsible for the production of the famous A-11 military watch. Bulova has decided to bring back this WWII classic and update it with modern specs and colors. I had a chance to go hands-on.Military-watch enthusiasts are truly spoiled for choice. Whether you are a fan of t...

When I first encountered Delma, I was in the early stages of my writing career. I d managed to secure a hands-on review of the Blue Shark III, a watch of which I d previously been unaware. I d been pretty confident that the watch I was due to receive would be little more than the standard kind of homage we see smaller brands churning out ten a penny. However, having the Blue Shark III in my hands changed my perception entirely. I m keen on novel and ambitious design, yes, but anyone that reads my work frequently will know that I place an even greater emphasis on execution. It was there that the Delma excelled and exactly the reason I was keen to see the Delma Cayman Bronze in the metal.Desp...

Following a GPHG nomination of the S4 as a Petite-Aiguille finalist, Garrick is back to delight us with a sophisticated new model. The latest is set to bring yet another new dimension into its S1, S2, and S3 fine watch collections. It comes in a wrist-welcoming form and the independent brands first-ever 39mm case featuring a hand-guilloche dial. After much commotion and deliberation to land on a good name for it, Garrick gleefully presents- the S5!Garrick is a passionate, traditionalist brand, flying the flag for the style of Great British watchmaking that boasted undisputed horological supremacy for about 200 years before the 20th century. To that end, Garricks own atelier in England employ...

A few weeks ago, I had to travel to Switzerland for some Fratello (and other) business. Those who follow me on Instagram (@ferenczibazs) might have seen my trials and tribulations with Deutsche Bahn, for instance. This time, in addition to a few gray hairs, it cost me my rather-expensive Persol sunglasses, so thanks again, DB, for your service. However, Im not here to rant about the German public train company. It just so happened that I passed by a few cities with Swatch boutiques during my time in the Swiss mountains. So, I thought to myself, Lets see if any of them have a MoonSwatch and perhaps get a nice story out of it.As a disclaimer, I dont want to comment on production, availability,...

Have you ever enjoyed an espresso in Italy? The best way to enjoy the intense coffee taste of a real Italian espresso is standing at the bar. Its a scorching hot shot of what tastes and feels like pure caffeine that gets you going instantly. No need to sit down and linger on it; save that for the cappuccino on a terrazza in the shade later that morning. I was in Milano last week for the announcement of the collaboration between Frederique Constant and French DJ/producer The Avener and the introduction of the Highlife Chronograph Automatic. Before the Frederique Constant The Avener party kicked off, I had to give myself a quick boost with an espresso, as you can see. Maybe you need one too ...

When Longines became part of the (todays) Swatch Group, the brand stopped producing in-house movements. This new Ultra-Chron, however, is proof that Longines does take movements very seriously indeed. With this new release, Longines re-introduces a 5Hz high-beat caliber to its collection.Admittedly, the production doesnt take place under the roof of Longines HQ. Instead, it happens on a dedicated floor at ETA (also part of Swatch Group). But Longines was heavily involved in the development of the caliber, and it s exclusively made by ETA for the Saint-Imier watch brand. A high-beat movement isnt exactly new to Longines, though. The brand had already produced one back in 1959. At that time, b...

Theres something about watches that makes them truly remarkable things. But I m not talking about their mechanical complexity or their ability to stay relevant in our increasingly digital world. I m also not referring to their immense staying power in a society obsessed with disposable things. Im alluding to the fact that all watches have a story. You may have forged the story yourself through years of ownership. Likewise, it may stem from the time you spent working toward a special watch or perhaps a special occasion that you bought it to commemorate. But even when you buy a used watch and you re unaware of its past, you can rest assured that theres always a story. And today, on this Father...

Good morning, and welcome to another edition of the Sunday Morning Showdown, the Fratello series in which two editors drop all nuance and subtlety! The series in which we go bare-knuckle, defending a watch of choice. This week, it is our two newest Fratelli taking aim at each other. In the blue corner, it s Daan with the Serica 5303. In the red corner, it s Thomas with the Doxa SUB 300. Lets get ready to rumble!The stakes are actually quite high this time. Daan has just put his preorder in for a Serica 5303 in blue. Thomas is still on the fence, considering doing the same. Both our brawlers have contemplated adding a Doxa SUB 300 to their personal collections. Needless to say, this could get...

After launching the world s first sapphire dive watches, ArtyA rounds off its diver collection with a stunning novelty. The Wave, a COSC-certified dive watch, features an artistic enamel dial of concentric ripples. This new model comes in four variants, each limited to nine pieces. It is a hypnotic visual experience that will immerse you in a VR world where you are shrunk to the size of a minuscule pebble and lose yourself down the vortex of water into nothingness…Well, OK, it might not do exactly that. But what ArtyAs new model does do is add a new dimension to the brands typically audacious statement timepieces. More importantly for the wearer, it allows a sensory connection to one s...

Its totally fitting to be writing about the newest additions to the Accutron Spaceview line while reading a book called The Brief History of Timekeeping by Chad Orzel. Orzels book highlights several key moments in the development of timekeeping technologies that have occurred in the past 2,500 years, including Stonehenge-like structures in Northern Europe, sundials, clock towers, and the first mechanical movements.? Innovation has picked up speed in the past two centuries, and it seems that it has exploded since the 1950s. The Accutron Spaceview revolutionized timekeeping in 1960 and revisited its breakthrough technology in 2010.?It has been 12 years since RJ spoke about the reintroduction o...

Lets be honest, how many of you would choose to take the Rado Captain Cook Automatic Chronograph on a sailing trip around the world? The watch is named after Captain James Cook, the famous British 18th-century explorer and cartographer, but I doubt the watchs buyers follow in the famous navigators footsteps. Twenty-first-century life for most doesnt include navigating thousands of miles across largely uncharted areas of the globe. Instead, we explore metropolitan areas and the great outdoors that is, quite often, not so great any longer. Still, its nice to take a bit of adventurous nautical inspiration with you on the wrist. The Rado Captain Cook Automatic Chronograph in bronze is just that....

With summer around the corner, quite a few of the Fratello team members will fly to different destinations all over the globe. I m sure a lot of you, our readers, will also spend the summer in different time zones, so we ve come up with a list of the best GMT watches currently available. These are perfect companions for a summer vacation or a business trip, and they all have one of the most practical complications out there. Let s check out the best GMT watches of recent times.Ask me what my favorite watch complication is, and I will answer the GMT every time. I love the fact that it is a practical complication that I can actually use on a regular basis. On top of that, the design of many GM...

Pinion is one of those names that instantly spring to mind when industry folks talk about British watch companies. The reason? The build quality and wrist experience. I have always somewhat missed out on the latter due to the sizing. Today, though, my ill fate is about to change. Pinion is launching its smallest watch to date, the Neutron model, sized at 38mm in three color schemes.Pinion has remained in my peripheral since its glorious debut back in 2013. The independent brand has also earned serious fans among the Fratello ring leaders. Little did I know, Pinion watches were even adorning some famous wrists, according to the company. They were featured in several leading films and TV produ...

As you know, Ive been proclaiming my need for the consolidation of my growing collection. As with many things, I feel a stronger need to commit if I put it in writing, and with you, dear Fratelli, I cant hide. Ive been foolish enough to use my real name for my watch-obsessed Instagram account. It s honest, but it does mean that Im regularly chatting with many of you. So, if I get out of control with my purchases (again), I cant hide. And wouldn t you know it, I just can t seem to stop. But a week with the Casio F-91W changed me.But seriously, its going quite well, and Ive managed to simmer the sauce down from 25 watches to about 18. Of the ones remaining, five are vintage pieces that I prett...

Fratello Summer Splash 2022 is in full swing. The search for the best all-around summer watch is on, and we are looking for something colorful. Sure, the watch can also be practically and functionally able to deal with summer, but the first criterion is color. Plain black and white are banned! Were on the lookout for something bright that puts a smile on your face. In this second round, Jorgs Tudor Pelagos FXD Marine Nationale and my Hublot Big Bang Integral Ceramic Sky Blue go head-to-head. Its going to be an epic battle between two very different types of watches and blues.So, Im taking on a watch that has nothing to do with summer. Jorgs pick, the Tudor Pelagos FXD Marine Nationale was ma...

If we can feature countless Omega Speedmasters or Submariners, we can drop a few more words on another stunning Wyler Crichettino. The dial itself deserves a standing ovation, but a mind-bending complication makes it a truly rare gem.What is so special about this watch, and what exactly is that mind-bending complication? Well, it s an early self-winding watch from the early 1930s. Self-winding watches, as we know them today, are not surprising in the slightest. But the way the Wyler Crichettino winds itself? That s pretty ingenious. After an introductory article more than three years ago, the Wyler Crichettino makes a #TBT comeback, now with a copy of the original patent documentation and a...

When Nacho asked me to do a Strap Check article, I instantly knew which of my watches to cover. This is a watch that is extremely dear to me, and I truly love the strap combo. I ought to since I picked it out, right?I would not wear a combination that I did not like, but sometimes you just feel that one and one is three. This watch and strap combo does that for me. This is the story of my Grand Seiko SBGW231 and a handmade natural horse leather strap from Belgium.The Grand Seiko SBGW231Let me start by briefly explaining why this watch means so much to me. I bought it in 2021 when my fiancee was pregnant with our first child. I wanted to get a watch to celebrate but also to pass on to my firs...