Imagine your average Saturday afternoon. Add a group of around 40 people (oh yes, all men), together in a private section of a restaurant. There s an open bar, snacks come and go, and there are a lot - I mean A LOT! - of watches. It doesnt sound all that complicated, and it really isnt. But it sure makes for a seriously fun afternoon! Yes, Fratelli, watch get-together season is here, and ready to wipe away those lingering pandemic blues!Since I got into watches around two years ago, Ive only visited two other physical events like the one last weekend in Enschede, Netherlands. The first one was last November with roughly the same group of people. I didnt really know what to expect, but I got ...
Like a journey of a thousand miles begins with a single step - chapter 64 of Lao Tse s Tao Te Ching - ?I think a watch collection starts with a single watch. Not with three. But let s assume the hypothetical situation, where a sugar daddy gave me $10,000 to spend on a three-watch watch collection to start with. What would I do? First, I d celebrate, of course, and then I d consult my feelings and probably head over to Chrono24.At first, it might seem challenging to spend $10K wisely; there are so many options, and a considerable part of the watch world lays open to you. But realizing that it should be the start of a watch collection makes it relatively easy for me. There s only one watch tha...
When it comes to watches, there are two major characteristics that usually work as a filter and, ultimately, show-stoppers for me. First of all, I don t like barrel cases because I find them chubby and cumbersome. Secondly, I try to avoid chrome-plated cases. And yet, here we are. How did the barrel-shaped Oris Waterproof in a chromed case make it into my collection?I am over that period when I had a serious problem not bidding on anything I remotely liked. I m pickier now, and I don t suffer from FOMO every time I see a watch listing that I like. When I really like something, I give it a few more hours or days and come back to the listing later. If I forget the listing completely, I take it...
Ressence made waves from the moment it dropped its first watch, the ZeroSeries, back in 2011. The Belgian brand had developed a new and unique display for its watches that instantly became its signature. Prices for Ressence watches, however, have not always been accessible for many people. With prices somewhat fairly reflecting the level of watchmaking and engineering involved, Ressence has now managed to introduce a new family that breaks that mold. The new Ressence Type 8 C is the sixth family in the brand s catalog and it comes in at a much more wallet-friendly price. As a result, it also opens the brand up to new audiences.While the Type 8 C essentially forms the brand s entry-level offe...
Founded on the 31st of October 2015, the Singapore Watch Club (SWC) started out as a group of Instagram watch friends who decided to get together - discussing their shared love of watches over a few beers. Six years later, the club has gathered a significant following, providing a place for enthusiasts to come together and discuss and appreciate their common interest. With its doors wide open for passionate fans of horology, upholding its core values of sincerity, passion, and humility. Tom Chng, the clubs founder got in touch with us to share the exciting news of these releases. And with Watches And Wonders right around the corner where Cartier will share this years novelties, it comes as a...
Team Strap or Team Bracelet - which one are you? Well, since we re picking sides, I m gonna go with Team Strap! Sure, I love my Sub on its phenomenal Oyster bracelet, and my Campanola s bracelet is a comfortable runner-up. But most days, I simply can t resist the supple wrist feel and color of a nice distressed leather or suede strap. The way a well-worn strap wraps perfectly around my wrist and complements a watch s dial really gets my engine running. Nevertheless, sometimes a leather strap is a terrible choice. And honestly, I make enough of those in my daily life already. Luckily, there is an option that I love just as much - a slinky and well-fashioned mesh bracelet. You ll likely be fam...
The company of Czapek & Cie. has a long history. It began initially on May 1st, 1845, when Franciszek Czapek (by then, going by the name Fran?ois) founded the company with his new partner, Juliusz Gruzewski. Gruzewski, a fellow Pole, replaced the rather famous Antoine Norbert de Patek as Czapek s right-hand man. Their partnership would continue until 1869 when Czapek himself mysteriously vanished. His name fell out of common usage until the brand came back on the market in 2015. Since then, Czapek has gone from strength to strength, developing an impressive following along the way. But the brand may never have been achieved its current success were it not for a seldom-seen, oft-forgotten...
There aren t enough purple watches in the world. Don t believe me? Just ask Brandon, Fratello s purple-obsessed Copy Editor. He ll make a compelling argument or two in favor of this underused and rather regal shade. No doubt, then, that he will be thrilled to see this release from perhaps my most beloved brand of all, Czapek. The Faubourg de Cracovie Purple Panda Chronograph is a unique beast that is sure to find its feet with the brand s ever-expanding base of faithful fans.What do a Purple Panda and the Red Panda have in common? Just like the Red Panda, there is nothing quite like this vivid purple chronograph in the Czapek catalog or, really, anywhere else. Yes, purple dials do exist. But...
Meet the Omega Swatch Speedmaster MoonSwatch. A watch made of bioceramic (a unique mix of two-thirds ceramic and one-third material derived from castor oil) that looks very similar to the famous and iconic Moonwatch by Omega. As were pretty fond of Speedmasters ourselves here at Fratello, lets have a look at this new MoonSwatch and tell you what we think of it.A week before this official introduction, Swatch Group CEO Nick Hayek, together with Omega CEO Raynald Aeschlimann and Swatch CEO Carlo Giordanetti, invited us to come to Biel in Switzerland where they surprised us (and a select group of other journalists) with a collab that nobody expected to happen. Ever.Omega Swatch Speedmaster ...
I always enjoyed history lessons at school, but most of the history taught in UK schools revolves around Britain. So, that s the Romans and the Celts, the Saxons and the Norman Invasion, as well as the likes of Henry VIII. Of course, World War One and World War Two also received extensive coverage. The likes of ancient civilizations such as the Greeks, the Aztecs, and the Mayans, however, were left entirely untouched. Thankfully I had my trusty Horrible Histories books to cover that part. Now that my beloved URWERK has introduced the new and fantastic UR-100V Time and Culture I, I m feeling ready to dive into The Angry Aztecs all over again!That s right, the UR-100V Time and Culture I is ins...
Last year, in one of my Independent Insights articles, I covered a rather exciting watch project. Borussia Dortmund striker, Erling Haaland, had commissioned a custom timepiece from Norwegian independent brand, Micromilspec. I hadn t heard of the brand at that time, but I was intrigued, so I got in touch with the folks behind the brand to find out more about the Micromilspec GoldenBoy. Earlier this year, I saw the finished watch in hand before it was presented to the player himself!For any watch fans who use Instagram, I have no doubt you re inundated with posts about the latest flashy and unobtainable watches celebrity sports stars have on their wrists. It s essentially the same watches ove...
It s not often I come across a watch that really sparks my imagination. Correction, that happens relatively often, but I look at so many watches that it occurs more rarely than you might think. When Seiko unveiled its newest The Black Series divers (which I got to introduce for Fratello) and I saw the Willard cushion case of the SPB257J1 in a fully coated black case with orange accents, something lit up in my brain. A chunky black and orange dive watch is not something I ever thought I needed until I saw the SPB257J1. Now I know I need one. The question is, which one? Turns out there are quite a few Great Pumpkins to choose from. But between the Doxa SUB 300 Carbon Sharkhunter, Squale 1521 P...
We like to talk to watch collectors and enthusiasts about their watches, and as you know, we ve got a small thing for Speedmasters here as well. We re happy to publish your story about your Speedmaster, the connection you have with the watch, or simply why you love it. Whether you have one Speedmaster or 100, you re all welcome to share your stories with us and the Speedy Tuesday community.We d like to introduce Aashdin Billimoria from Bombay, a watch collector, author, and archivist for over 30 years. He s currently working on a book on vintage watches, but today, we talk to him about his Omega Speedmaster Professional 145.022-76. Aashdin started collecting watches at the age of nine. His f...
The year 2021 was one of disappointments, chief of which was the continuation of the dreaded you-know-what. For some, though, the ultimate let-down was being ineligible to buy the M.A.D.1 timepiece from MB&F - although its not an MB&F. Confused? Well, so were we when the first M.A.D.Edition watches began appearing on social media in June 2021. Following this stealth launch was a tidal wave of demand that outweighed the intended audience and distribution. This year, those hoping to own a watch blessed with Bssers creative (figurative) juices are in luck. The M.A.D.1 RED is the production version of the original M.A.D.Edition, previously only available to MB&F s friends and family...
Fratello On Air is back with another brand-focused episode. We truly promise that we re not on a Swatch Group parade, but we will hit our third marque within the portfolio. Hamilton is our topic today with Balazs and Mike on the – erm – mic. Enjoy it because the guys really enjoy this brand. This podcast player is blocked because you did not accept marketing cookies. Change cookie settings Before we get to what was once America s most famous watch brand, we talk a little bit of news. Mike brings up the latest MING 22.01 GMT and asks Balazs what he thinks about caller GMTs. In the end, both think this is a subject that receives more scrutiny than necessary. But it s not Hamilt...
This isn t the first time I ve had a Sternglas Marus on my wrist. The German brand s dive-inspired beast is a hulking monster that punches in a different category from the rest of the line. Considering the brand is best known for its Bauhaus-inspired minimalism, the Marus is surely an odd duck. With proportions that suggest a tool watch, but an unlumed bezel, it confused many upon its release. However, while this watch presents as a dive watch, it is something else entirely. This is a reference point. An homage to a genre. And now, for the first time, it is available in a new flavor - Pepsi!The Marus Sport Basalt Gray differs from the regular Marus line in color alone. Its specs, therefore, ...
The hashtag #EXPLORE has been misused for fashion purposes, maybe even by myself, on Instagram and other SoMe channels. This time, however, it s the real deal. Maybe you fancy yourself exploring tropical reefs next summer with a dive watch strapped over your wetsuit. Or there might be a mountain range in Nepal with your name on it.Personally, I m trapped in my self-imposed bubble of a guilty conscience, living in Norway and not enjoying nature. Perhaps I m merely channeling here, but with the pandemic easing off finally (knock on wood), it s time to experience more than your (and yes, my) neighborhood. These are the toughest tools and the right gear, but the motivation needs to come from wit...
Starting your own watch brand or reviving a gone-but-not-forgotten one has never been easier. Both the hardware and the software side of all things watches are in favor of the bold entrepreneur. Materializing your passion for watches is now possible thanks to like-minded people and with a little help from Kickstarter. Its the microbrand way. And it could well be the way to great success. Small, independent, passion-driven microbrands like Unimatic, Aevig, Zelos, Serica, Isotope, and Maen have found their way to the world stage of watches. Thats because these brands know exactly how to touch the heart of the watch aficionado; their founders hearts beat for watches too. But how will watch mic...
If you are a fan of track and field, you have undoubtedly spotted the bright yellow timing instruments from Seiko scattered throughout tracks and stadiums. The presence of Seikos expertise in sports timing goes way back to the 1960s when the brand introduced a new standard of precision in the form of several timing devices, with stopwatches and chronographs among the most recognizable. Even since then, Seiko has been ever-present in the world of athletics. This year will mark the 17th time that Seiko provides its state-of-the-art timing equipment to the World Athletics Championship. To mark the occasion, Seiko has created a special limited edition of its Prospex Speedtimer model. It s a watc...
When Seiko introduced its Sharp Edged Series about two years ago, I was surprised to see something so similar to the designs of Grand Seiko. The series, however, seems to be doing quite well, featuring designs with flat surfaces, strong lines, and dials with different motifs and textures. Today, the Presage Sharp Edged Series expands once more with five new references.Four references (SPB305, SPB307, SPB309, and SPB311) feature a new case design, and SPB303 is a limited-edition GMT. The SPB303 GMT with its blue textured dial pays tribute to Ukiyo-e paintings of Mt. Fuji in mid-summer. The four other references receive a new case with a polished bevel between the top of the lugs and the case ...
