The original Sinn EZM 1 from 1997 likely ranks as the most legendary watch from the brand. Made for the German Central Customs Support Group (ZUZ), it was equipped with the beloved Lemania 5100. As such, it counted elapsed minutes via a central chronograph hand. Today, the original is a truly expensive watch and quite rare. Now, 25 years later, the Sinn EZM 1.1 S is here to celebrate, if only briefly.I ve never held a Sinn EZM 1. The original watch was a stout 40mm timepiece in titanium that has since become the stuff of legend. I ve mentioned it before that our own G2 is fortunate enough to own one. Sadly, I haven t been able to wrest it from his grasp… yet! As mentioned, these watche...

Watches And Wonders 2022 is officially over. After a week full of new releases, it s time to look at some of the hidden gems. These timepieces were not among the most talked-about pieces of the show, but they are ones that deserve attention for a number of reasons. Let s take a look at some of the watches that you might have seen but forgotten about, or maybe you haven t seen at all due to the simply massive amount of new releases.The biggest downside of a week full of new releases is that it is sometimes hard to keep up. Additionally, you might forget some of the models after a couple of days because what came after was equally worth your attention. Obviously, the big brands like , Tudor, a...

In a recent video I recorded for Fratello, I introduced the Bvlgari Octo Roma World Timer. To date, that watch is my favorite model in the Octo Roma line because it brought a touch more visual complexity to the wearable and identifiable case shape boasted by the model line. If I thought that model was interesting, imagine my surprise when I first met the Bvlgari Octo Roma Carillon Tourbillon. This is one of the most complex watch movements ever added to the fast-becoming-iconic case design that evokes the architecture of Rome and went on to inspire the perhaps more famous Bvlgari Octo Finissimo - a line of watches that we have, on these very pages, extolled as one of the finest modern sports...

Italy is known for bold design and expert handicraft. The watches featured in this edition of Watch Dating Profiles bring that and then some. Bold, striking, and unapologetic, these watches get as close to a short red dress or Italian Barbera red wine as any watch can. The Unimatic U1 Classic is a thick and bold yet minimalist approach to the classic dive tool watch. The U-Boat Classico 45 Tungsteno Movelock is large, loud, and demands one s full attention. Finally, the Panerai Luminor Marina ref. PAM01313 embodies Italy s incredible history as the modern-day iteration of one of the world s first dive watches. It s still bold, but also the most elegant watch that Italy s boldest watch design...

Its not often that we talk about a platinum watch here on Fratello. One of the last reviews I did on a platinum watch was on the Vacheron Constantin Historiques Americain 1921. That was an impressive and hefty watch. This time, it gets even heavier, as the platinum Day-Date 40 reference 228236 comes on the President bracelet.If youre a Fratello regular, you might know that I have a weak spot for s flagship. Despite the current situation regarding the availability of watches from this Genevan brand, remains a brand that speaks to ones imagination. Just as importantly, is a brand that manufactures incredibly good watches from a quality standpoint. Day-Date in PlatinumDuring the Watches &...

Less is more. These are words you wouldnt necessarily attribute to Louis Moinet CEO Jean-Marie Schaller. You can find him in the dictionary under exuberant, but not just him. You will also find a reference to his watch creations. Since 2003 - the year Schaller founded Les Ateliers Louis Moinet SA - he has tried to stretch the definition of exuberant to its very limits. But now, come 2022, Schaller is downsizing a watch to create the opposite effect. The titanium Louis Moinet Memoris Spirit (LM-84.50.20) shrunk from 46mm to a moderate 40.7mm, but it outshines its bigger predecessor with ease. I recently enjoyed a rapid hands-on with this watch that will have a long-lasting effect on me.How do...

July 23rd, 1989. The unforgiving cobblestones of the Champs-elysees, Paris, France. Eight seconds separated the victor and his shell-shocked victim. This was the scene of cycling s greatest day. The conclusion of the 76th edition of Le Tour saw American Greg Lemond overturn a 58-second deficit to two-time champion Laurent Fignon, the home-grown hero that was, at the start of the day, one individual time trial away from suffering one of the most crushing defeats in sporting history. When it comes to pro bike racing, one thing is clear: the finest margins matter. Enter the BremontThe Rapha brand has taken the British cycling scene by storm during its most prolific period of success. Ten years ...

Ah, Spring is FINALLY here, after a murky winter with the bitterly cold wind howling past the window of my home office. But while my new Bianchi road bike is ready to hit the road, today, its actually snowing again.What a perfect time to bring out the freshest, brightest #PASTELS for Easter, and invoke the first rays of proper sunshine that actually warms us up. Unlike my fellow Norwegian countrymen, I will absolutely not go up a mountain to re-acquaint myself with some snow. This is a time to have a Negroni in the sun.The MoonSwatchI know, the web is already saturated with the most celebrated collaboration of the last decade. And while I understand those who find the black-dial Moon version...

When the latest Matrix film was released, I, like many of you (I imagine), was transported back to 1999 when the first film came out and blew my 14-year old mind. A rush of nostalgia compelled me to rewatch the original trilogy, and I found myself pleasantly surprised at how much better Reloaded and Revolution were than I had thought at the time. Back then, I had thought them brutal abominations that barely deserved any kind of association with the ground-breaking debut of the concept. However, what surprised me was how many of the classic fight scenes, action sequences, or even expository dialogue actually came from the second and third films. Filled up with green-numbered enthusiasm for th...

It s time for another episode of Fratello On Air, and wow, do we have news! In fact, we have so much news that our New-Watch Rundown will consist of two episodes. Enjoy the first one!‘Tis the season for all the debuts. Balazs and Mike are here with a new-watch rundown! It s not just Watches & Wonders 2022 here, though, because a plethora of brands have come to the table.Mission to SaturnHandgelenks KontrolleAs always, the duo kick things off with a bit of banter about Balazs s trip to Miami with Maurice Lacroix and then move on to the Handgelenks Kontrolle. Mike is wearing his fresh-off-the-delivery-truck Aquastar Deepstar Mid-Size chronograph. Stay tuned for a hands-on review! Bal...

Its over, ladies and gentlemen. A whole seven days of Watches And Wonders in an unseasonably cold and snowy Geneva. And as unexpected as the sub-zero temperatures and frozen precipitation were, there were plenty of surprises taking place within the beige-cloth-lined plywood walls of Palexpo. Especially in the not-so-plywood comfort of the booth. But its not all about . Around 38 brands shared their latest creations with us these past few days. And though we were not able to cross the full 38 off our list, we certainly gave it our best shot. As we settle back into a more sustainable rhythm, its very therapeutic to reflect on what we saw - the things we liked, those that surprised us, and tho...

Sometimes, stepping out of one s comfort zone can be a good thing. In the case of the new Sinn 556 with its collection of colorful dials, I was able to go hands-on with watches that will undoubtedly go down as smash hits. Folks, I wasn t sure that this release warranted its own article, but seeing was believing.It s tough to be in two places at once, but Sinn managed to pull it off last week. The brand held court in Geneva and showed its wares at the Frankfurt HQ in parallel. I had the chance to take a convenient short drive to the HQ on a cold, snowy Saturday and had the floor to myself. Well, Sinn s Sabine Kleiter welcomed me and was kind enough to explain the brand s novelties. We ll hear...

It s been seven years since Unimatic first hit the scene, and guess who s been watching? Me, that s who. Yes, I ve been an admirer of this Italian microbrand since the beginning, but always at a distance. All that changed recently, though, with a purchase of the Modello Due S-Series. Was scratching the itch worthwhile?Seven years - that s how long I ve watched Unimatic. This Italy-based small brand has been releasing watches on a regular basis in two case forms, and I ve always liked them. Whether it s the more traditional Modello Uno with its external bezel or the no-frills Modello Due, the typically clean looks turn my head. The problem with Unimatic, though, is that the watches are almost...

Finally, Citizen has decided to throw a haymaker at Seiko in the mechanical retro diver category. Us vintage nerds wondered if this day would ever come, but here it is - the new 200m Promaster Mechanical Diver.I must admit that collecting vintage Citizen watches has been a real source of entertainment for me over the last three or four years. I m not alone in my passion, but there are definitely fewer of us in number than in the Seiko horde. During this period, I have come to appreciate all the goodness that comes along with older Citizen watches. I ve also become painfully aware that there s a real lack of information written in English about them. Similar to Seiko, I ve really focused on t...

For all those who feel that watch brands don t listen to our recommendations, Aquastar begs to differ. After hearing requests for something smaller, we now have the new Aquastar Deepstar Mid-size chronograph. Let s have a look.When the first Aquastar Deepstar chronograph returned in 2020, we were truly enthusiastic. The return of a truly iconic vintage design paired with great finishing made it a favorite when we visited Fratello HQ to film a video on it. Brand lead Rick Marei put a lot of effort into the watch and went to great lengths to explain the history of Aquastar in subsequent calls. He sold us here at Fratello on the Deepstar, and collectors sure seemed to love it as well. Four diff...

With the dust having settled after the first four days of Watches & Wonders 2022, we can see clearly see the impressive number of new releases from all the different brands. Hublot, of course, also brought the heat with an array of new model variations and an entirely new line. As usual, the brand does not shy away from loud colors and cutting-edge materials for its Big Bang collection. On top of that, Hublot introduces the new Square Bang with a familiar but new shape for the brand. Finally, there are some remarkable one-offs that combine materials, colors, and watchmaking magic. So let s find out more about the new Hublot releases.The great thing about seeing all the new Hublot release...

The Speake-Marin Ripples is uh- well- Its a watch, for sure. If you can look past the Royal Oak and Nautilus aura, its even recognizable as a Speake-Marin. But only if you know the relatively small brand, that is. If you do, you will recognize the Big Ben hands. The small seconds at one-thirty are also an element typical of Speake-Marin. The shape of the case, not so much. Because its a new watch for the brand, you say? Yeah, that too. But it s also the mishmash of different borrowed design elements. Okay, Ill just say it: the very familiar styling cues make the Speake-Marin Ripples problematic to look at. To try and understand the Ripples a bit better - to give the watch a fighting chance, ...

The new releases dropped a few days ago, and that means that we ve had a fair amount of time to digest the news. On March 30th, I penned an article with the basic specifications and some off-the-cuff thoughts. Now, for better or worse, you get to hear my unvarnished opinion on these watches. As always, we invite you to agree or differ in the comments section…*Sigh…* Another year, another batch of new releases. The last time I bought a brand-new at an AD was in 2014. I walked into a certain shop in Frankfurt, casual as all get-out (South Florida to the core here), and was suitably ignored for about five minutes while I pretended to browse the showcases. Finally, a bored salespe...

Founded in La Chaux-de-Fonds in 1891, Angelus built a reputation during the 20th century as one of the most influential horological manufactures. The brands excellent in-house movements and vintage timepieces are coveted by collectors worldwide. My colleague Balazs is a big fan of the brand and owns a couple of vintage Angelus watches. Unfortunately, the brand was one of many that succumbed to the Quartz Crisis. After remaining dormant for over 30 years, Angelus was revived in 2015 by Swiss movement manufacturer La Joux-Perret. Since then, it has become the new sounding point for La Joux-Perret to display some of its most impressive mechanical marvels. And now, Angelus introduces a homage to...

At this year s Watches & Wonders, TAG Heuer introduced quite a few new watches that focus on the brand s future. But for the fans of the rich history of TAG Heuer, the brand releases the new Monaco Gulf Special Edition. It s the first time the brand has equipped the Monaco Gulf Edition with its in-house automatic Calibre Heuer 02. The integration of the famous orange and blue Gulf colors is also now more sophisticated than ever. These changes result in a timepiece that is a new, refreshing take on an iconic design of the past.Every time TAG Heuer releases a new version of its icons, the watch community pays great attention. Especially when it s a special edition of the classic chronograp...