Tissot is one of my favorite watch brands. It is also one that, until last years release of the PRX, didnt have one watch in its current catalog that I was interested in buying (something which, luckily, seems to be changing). In fact, I think many of you will likely agree with my saying that the majority of the brands Moto GP and NBA special editions werent exactly doing the brands long heritage and wonderful past any favors. To be fair, Tissot did, from time to time, release models in its Heritage line that did grab my attention. But, unfortunately, a lot of the time they were far bigger than their predecessors, feeling the influence of the early 2000s watch-size peak - back when 46mm was ...

The first time I strapped on the Fortis Flieger Midnight Blue was moments before I hopped into the cockpit of the Turbine Legend plane for a private whizz around the Swiss alps (what a job, eh?). I d begun the day wearing my prized Czapek Antarctique Viridian Green, but felt that my airborne adventure, courtesy of Fortis Ambassador and local legend Marc Rollier, required a different character strapped to my wrist. I swapped with Banu Biret of Fortis for the rest of the day and thus began a memorable flirtation above the clouds (with the watch; I continued my flirtation with Banu when I returned to Earth). Now, that same stunner is available on the eye-catching block bracelet. I caught up wit...

I have built a reputation as that guy who collects unusual watches. I admit that some of my watches are pretty bizarre, but that s not their unique selling proposition. For me, they are the most surprising, inspiring, and creatively original timepieces. But what s more challenging than finding many of them is finding out that they even exist in the first place.I must admit, I don t like collecting. I don t like collecting as a word that s supposed to describe what I do. Merriam-Webster defines collecting as bringing together into one body or place. That always sounded too simplistic to me and too insufficiently appreciative of what I do. It sounds way too easy, like just picking up obvious s...

Some have claimed that the wristwatch is dead. With cellphones, smartwatches, and all the smart assistance we might need, wearing a watch has been deemed anachronistic - an expression of a time gone by. So what are we doing? Collecting jewelry? Playing dress-up in outdated fashion? No! No matter the reason you wear a watch, there are people out there that still use watches for practical reasons. In fact, there s a good chance you re one of them.Dive watches are no longer the primary timing tool for professional divers. Most pilots aren t required to wear mechanical watches as a backup for flight instruments. Duly noted. But divers (and the rest of us) do still wear dive watches. Pilots still...

We like to talk about vintage watches a lot within the Fratello team. Though most of what we write about is largely focused on the most recent releases and developments, for many of us, a lot of the fun can be found in the sometimes weird and often wonderful world of vintage watches. It s a world full of history, remarkable watches, incredible stories, and quirky details. It inspired us to come up with a series of articles focusing on the best watches per decade from a select group of brands. Some of them are priceless, some of them are still affordable. In this installment, we will take a look at the best IWC watches from the 2000s.By the turn of the millennium, Switzerland had proudly recl...

I have a sizable watch collection. When people ask, which they often do, I tell them it s around 75 pieces. That s probably a relatively accurate median, but it fluctuates above and below that number as I churn through the lower realms of my hoard on a regular basis, gifting, selling, or trading watches that deserved a long look but never quite cracked my rotation. But is there any rhyme or reason to this hulking morass of timekeepers? Well, for a long while there was a lot of rhyming but not much reasoning. The chance acquisition of an Omega Speedmaster MK40 changed all that and reminded me where I came from…Okay, not literally. I know exactly where I come from. As a Dublin-born, Manc...

Did you read my stories on uni-compax chronographs within $1,000 and $5,000 budgets? If so, you might already have a newfound love for this genre. While you might expect this part to have a $10,000 budget, Im jumping the shark and going straight to chronograph heaven. With a budget envelope saying, The Skys The Limit, the choices are as difficult as they are dangerously tempting.What if you are unrestrained by monetary worries, or like me, you enjoy a good daydream now and then? What do you buy? At this level, the chronographs available range from classic elegance to futuristic panache. Choose between stealth wealth, heavy glamour, and a micro-mechanical monochrome masterpiece. Not all of th...

We receive quite a few messages about our personal collections or personal favorites. Based on these requests, our Social Media Manager Sinara asks founder RJ about his personal collection. RJ decided to bring some of his most meaningful watches.Robert-Jan started collecting watches in the late 1990s as a student. His first major purchase was his Omega Speedmaster Professional 145.012-67SP, but he already had received an Omega Constellation 95 before that as a graduation present. Omega is a brand that runs in the family, as you will see in this video. One of his most cherished watches is the one that Sinara asks about first, a gold/steel Omega Constellation Deluxe from 1969. It belonged to ...

Collecting vintage watches is something that I truly love. The watches, the people, the endless searching for knowledge are all part of the gig. Making mistakes, getting ripped off, and, again, the people represent some of the pitfalls. Over the past ten years, I ve been through a lot of it, and have I learned anything? I d like to think so… sometimes.Vintage watches are my thing and during our Collector s Week here on Fratello, I thought it would be fun to share some of what I have learned on this fascinating journey. Well, it s fascinating to me at least! Seriously, though, collecting has been a wild ride and pretty damn introspective too. So, perhaps some of my thoughts won t resona...

Let me start off this article with a personal question - what would be the perfect watch collection for you? Some of you may have thought long and hard about this already, and you could list off all the watches you could ever desire. For others, it s a question that may catch you off guard, and you may have to get back to me in a few years. But for me, it s a question that has constantly guided all of my watch acquisitions since 2016. Assembling a collection that suits what I value in watchmaking as well as my budget is a task I do not take lightly. Each watch I buy does not exist in a vacuum but as a part of my greater horological vision. As such, I find it best that I follow some rules. On...

I saw the picture of the new Grand Seiko Hi-Beat 36000 80 Hours Green Birch SLGH011 and immediately What A Wonderful World started playing in my head. I dont think the Grand Seiko watchmakers in Shizukuishi are listening to this evergreen song when theyre putting together the new Green Birch. But if they are, it wouldnt surprise me, either.I wont get into the part where the beautiful landscape of northern Japan is a bottomless source of inspiration for the Grand Seiko watch designers. No more snow crystals only seen between January 13th and February 2nd. I wont mention Mount Iwate either. But I do, for a moment, have to say something about the enchanting forests in the Shizukuishi region. Be...

In a perfect world, it would be great to have all your watches at home, perhaps even on display or in a nice-looking presentation box. But the world isnt perfect, and theres always scum that will see you as a target. We can see that in the newspaper, or on Crimewatch UK, Americas Most Wanted, or the equivalent in your country. Especially in recent years, a watch is enough to get you robbed or even killed. And if criminals are prepared to do that, theyre also prepared to pay you a visit at home.When I started out collecting, safety was not so much of an issue. Firstly, I bought watches that werent very expensive. I just kept them in my room when I was a student. Just to be sure, I bought a si...

Beware: the Gallet Multichron Yachting is hard to get in a decent condition, and it is equally as hard not to fall in love with. Shortly after arrival, I realized that it s actually one of the most beautiful vintage dual-register chronographs that have ever passed through my hands.With hundreds of vintage watches having crossed my path over the years, I have definitely developed a personal style. I know exactly what I like and I know exactly what s a no-go for me. Well, I don t want to sound posh, but I ve gotten to the stage where it is really challenging to be struck by a vintage watch in the sub-$10K range. Yes, I like vintage watches, and I add a new one here and there. But from a bigger...

From an outside perspective, watch collecting is often seen as an exclusive past-time for the wealthy. But as soon as you take a closer look, you begin to see that there is another side to it. It is one that is much more humble and down-to-earth - people who enjoy a Seiko diver, Vostok Amphibia, or a digital Casio watch as intensely as some might enjoy a , Omega, or Patek. This is where I made my start. A time in my life when the watch budget was non-existent, as a university student living in the city of Mnster in North-Western Germany. Considering my limited means at the time, I still look back fondly on those first steps into the world of watches and what they taught me. And looking at t...

Welcome to Strap Check, a new column on Fratello where our editors showcase their favorite watch/strap combinations. We all know the feeling. When youve been wearing a watch for weeks on the same strap, there comes a time when the excitement starts to fade a little bit. Maybe thats the time when you start looking-but looking for what? A brand new watch? Sometimes the answer lies not in the watch, but the strap on which you wear it! From the classic to the unique. From cheap NATOs to bespoke leather and special bracelets. This is where we get excited about perfect combinations that make you feel like youve got a brand new watch on your wrist. So tune in every week for a new combination. Are y...

The COVID-19 pandemic transformed casual Friday into casual every day. Sounds good, sounds comfy. But to be honest, wearing sweatpants 24/7 isnt as nice as it seems. Thats because feeling good all too often goes hand in hand with looking good. Baggy gray cotton is just not very flattering. And that will affect your mood. Every once in a while you need to dress up, make an effort, think carefully about what youre going to wear, and feel good. Theres fun in combining different colors, materials, and even styles to express yourself. And a nice dress watch is the icing on the cake. Or is it? A dressy outfit is no longer crowned by a dress watch. Elegant timepieces have been replaced by sports an...

One of the age-old questions in our hobby is, Are there genuine alternatives for some of the most sought-after watches? At Fratello, we never back down from a challenge, having already provided alternatives to the venerable Datejust and GMT Master, as well as the iconic Omega Speedmaster and Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. In this article, I am searching for five alternatives to the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711 - possibly the hottest watch in the world right now. Can anything come close? I certainly think so!Comparing any watch to something like the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711 will always be a big ask. Not because that watch is so inherently better than every other watch out there, but reputati...

Like choosing a favorite offspring, ranking my chronograph collection is a tough call. In reality, I regularly cycle between my Breitling Chronomat, Omega Speedmaster, and Daytona. Any one of these chronographs suits a particular mood or event. But that s not useful for budding buyers looking to purchase their first and perhaps last great watch. For you, I present an objective and subjective ranking of these iconic chronographs based on personal experience. At the end is the score determined purely from their position in each category. And, as we are all hooked on the Winter Olympics, which watch do you think will take home the gold medal?For more detail, the watches in question are the Bre...

In the words of the almighty Chuck D of Public Enemy, Don t believe the hype, it s a sequel. As an equal, can I get this through to you. The words are just as powerful in the context of today s world of watches. I am well aware that debunking hype is actually preaching to the choir here at Fratello. But we sometimes have to deal with the effects of hype, even in the world of vintage watches. Luckily, there are still so many great watches with equally amazing stories that are not affected by their show-off factor and social media craze. During my 12-month journey writing Fratello s Buying Guides, I found that sometimes it s hard to deny hype. As the series draws to a close, I d love to share ...

For Collectors Week here on Fratello, I thought it would be nice to tell you about collecting Speedmasters. Ive been doing so since 1999. Even though that still doesnt make me an expert, I do have some advice for the beginning collector of Speedmaster watches.There are not that many watches that truly deserve the label iconic and, on top of that, are still somewhat affordable. The Omega Speedmaster Professional, however, belongs in that category. You can buy interesting Speedmaster models for a very acceptable amount below $4,000 or go as crazy as youd like.Starting a Speedmaster collectionI am amazed that there are still some undiscovered beauties out there that can be had for a very decent...