Watches are all about stories and experiences. That dent in the bezel reminds you of a particular holiday. You might have worn one of your watches on your wedding day. A watch might have been worn by an actor in your favorite movie. These are all things that you remember when you look down at your wrist. And I think the way you acquired a watch is just as significant as the memories you create with it when you wear it.?There are many different ways to acquire a watch, of course. You could, potentially, just walk into an AD and buy one. Or you might have to get on a waiting list for a while before getting the call. Maybe your watch was a present from your wife or your manager, or it was passe...
Yes! It s finally happened. Czapek has released the Antarctique Passage de Drake with both salmon and ice blue dials. This comes after months (literally, months) of toying with the idea. Fratello had the pleasure of seeing the prototypes of these models last September in Geneva. Back then, we lent our collective voice in support of their release. It would seem the rest of the community reacted the same way. Now, thanks to that (and a modicum of common sense), these deliciously crisp variants of our favorite modern steel sports watch are available. Better still, you can choose the dial configuration right off the bat.What do I mean by dial configuration? Well, when the Antarctique first launc...
In the first installment of this new podcast series, Balazs sits down with Davide Cerrato from HYT. The two talk about Davide s career as a world-renowned watch designer in the industry.If you are a fan of the Fratello On Air podcast, first of all, thank you. Your support means a lot to us all, who sit down week after week to research, record, edit, and put out new episodes for your listening pleasure. I consume a lot of podcasts myself, so I know how it feels when my phone notifies me about a new episode from one of my favorite channels.But we do want to evolve the show, so we came up with the idea for the Meet The- podcast series. Today, we re bringing you an exciting inaugural episode hig...
The first step is standing up and saying it out loud: My name is Thor and I am a watchaholic. Some of us reached this stage in our watch collecting years ago but failed to realize it. You might have one display cabinet with ten watches; thats all good. But if you have another 40 at your office with weekly DHL deliveries there instead of your house, youre in trouble. If you have the walk-in closet full of dusty watch boxes like me, then maybe its time to trim the fat.The definition of a collector from The Free Dictionary says that it is a person who collects books, paintings, stamps, etc., as a hobby or investment. So while it may be tempting, Im not getting myself into the hot topic of buyin...
I can cut a long story short by giving you the quick answer to why I dont consider myself a watch collector. First and foremost, I m a watch journalist. A bit of distance between subject and journalist is preferable, in my opinion. But when I went through my little troupe - I dont dare call it a collection - of watches, I did find something like a common denominator. It also made me reminisce about the collection that could have been.Before I started writing about watches, I looked at them, talked about them, saved money for them, and rationed myself for them. When I was a poor student but had already caught the watch bug, I bought them, sold them, and went through that process all over agai...
It s been only two months since Hamilton released the special limited-edition PSR MTX to commemorate the release of the first Matrix film. That version of the legendary PSR featured an all-black PVD-coated case and bracelet and came with a green-colored display. Personally, I loved it because it looked very cool. For the newest PSR, Hamilton has chosen the same stealthy black aesthetic, combining it with the classic red display seen in the movie Live and Let Die. Could this be the perfect Bond watch for 007 s nighttime missions? If not, it could be the perfect timepiece for yours.The Hamilton PSR is one of the coolest watches out there! And it s not only me who thinks that. We love the watch...
There is no theme of discussion quite as recurring as that of collecting watches here at Fratello HQ. Whether were pondering how to expand or pare back our collections, talking straps, industry news, or discussing the more metaphysical aspects of our common passion, it all stems from the overarching theme of collecting. That s why we couldn t be more excited to kick off and welcome you all to Fratello Collector s Week 2022! The next seven days are about celebrating watch collecting and watch collectors alike. Whether you ve just begun your journey, you just bought your first luxury watch, or you re already tens of hundreds of watches into building your collection, this week is for you.Even i...
For those of you that read my story on five of the best uni-compax watches for under $1000 last week, you know theyre my weak spot. Ive got a fair few watches, but all had three hands before those two registers hooked me. After a year, I find myself with six uni-compax watches in my box, from big pilots chronograph to small meca-quartz delights.I will happily concede the fact that I dont actually time much with my chronographs, but still. There is an allure to this complication that too many of us take for granted, and that not too many decades ago made it a vital tool. Timing the lunar mission re-entry rockets is still the ace to beat all should you get even the slightest doubt. And isnt th...
Every watch enthusiast can think of a great discontinued timepiece that should return to the spotlight. Not as a reissue, but as a worthy successor to the original. An original 2.0, if you will. Thats what we talk about at the Fratello offices. And these talks inspired us to come up with a series about watches that the Fratello editors would like to see make a comeback. Some watches are iconic, some of them are less popular. But all of them are loved by at least one of our editors. Let s look at some of our favorites in this series. This time, its Tomas who wants the 1950s Seiko 11A Indicator redone.In Fratello team discussions, we regularly dive deep into the archives of a brand to talk abo...
What is the quintessential watch? What is the watch even non-watch nerds recognize? ? Maybe. The Crown certainly has been king for a long time. But times change, dynasties crumble, and every age has its end. It may be too early for most to see, but is departing from what it once was for (possibly) better shores. No longer a watch for the professional, intrepid citizen, s absence is leaving a huge void. Well, Oris has been quietly working to become the next watch, and the brand is just one watch away from ascending the throne. is an idea more than a watch. This is true more so now than it has ever been. The Crown s association with success and prestige has led to a worldwide phenomenon, and...
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 Zenith watches from the 2000s.By the turn of the millennium, Switzerland had proudly r...
This year marks the 65th anniversary of the Speedmaster, and Omega started the celebrations by showing us a beautiful Calibre 321 in Canopus (white) gold. However, even though we think it is a beautiful watch, it s only available for the very lucky few due to its $80,000 price tag. But that doesn t mean that there isn t an alternative available.In this video, RJ talks about two alternative choices that feature the same Broad Arrow hands. The Speedmaster ref.3594.50 and the Speedmaster 57 60th-anniversary edition. One is based on the 42mm Moonwatch case and the other has the same straight-lug case with a diameter of 38.6mm like the Calibre 321 in Canopus gold.Speedmaster Calibre 321 in Canop...
The Dakar rally has always had a reputation for being one of the worlds toughest races since its inaugural season in 1979. Drivers have to navigate thousands of kilometers of remote desert under the harshest possible conditions. Naturally, a G-Shock seems like the perfect choice for drivers taking part. And how about what is undoubtedly one of the toughest G-Shock models on the market today? Teaming up with the Toyota Land Cruiser team, G-Shock introduced the Mudmaster GWG-2000TLC-1AER. Equipped with all the tools drivers might need, it s a perfect watch for all off-road activities. Whether in the desert, the mountains, or on and under the ocean, the new Mudmaster makes sure you are ready to...
There is a special niche in the watch universe for watches with TV dials. Throughout history, we have seen quite a few iconic watches that featured them. I have covered quite a few in the Buying Guide series of articles and found that I have a massive soft spot for a well-executed TV dial. That s why I was happy to see the two TV-dial Thule models from Dutch brand Aevig land on my desk. The first was the three-hand Thule Automatic and the second was the Thule GMT, which were both recently introduced. The watches combine 70s-inspired looks with a modern titanium execution, and it s a combination that works very well. Time to dive into the world of modern TV dials.When I think of TV dials, th...
The best alternative to the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 15202 Jumbo is the brand-spanking-new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 16202 Jumbo. The problem is, of course, that youre not the only one who wants one. The demand exceeds the supply, and youre not willing to break the bank on the parallel market; you have principles and/or a brain and a half. To help you ease the pain, I have lined up for you five alternatives to the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo in five price categories. I have selected watches from Laurent Ferrier and Parmigiani Fleurier in the two highest price categories. Then Ive dropped the budget step by step - a matter of getting the same looks for less. Thats when Girard-Perregaux, ...
I dare say that the Ernest Borel Datoptic is at least as fascinating as the Submariner. It even costs as much as the Submariner. Well, as much as the Submariner cost in the seventies, that is…Bringing up is not random. Its cyclops magnifier first introduced in 1953 is one of the most iconic and most individualistic watch signatures in watchmaking history. At this moment, you are probably still confused why the hell I am comparing the mighty Submariner with some stodgy 35mm Ernest-Whoever watch. Well, did you look under the crystal and/or over the date?Forgotten or never discoveredYou know me already. I don t really like writing article number 2,356 about a watch that everybody has ...
The history of the Pasha de Cartier is shrouded in mystery. Yes, the watch is named after the Pasha of Marrakesh, Thami El Glaoui. And its also true that he commissioned a waterproof watch from Louis Cartier in the early 1930s so he could wear it swimming. Another fact is that in 1933, the Pasha got his desired watch. But here is where the mystery begins. No one knows exactly what the watch looked like, though experts point in the direction of the water-resistant gold Tank etanche. What we do know is that the watch didnt look like the Pasha we know today. The Gerald Genta-designed Pasha de Cartier only debuted in 1985. And when it did, it fit right into the decade of greed. With its exuberan...
Whether its pedal to the metal or time for the rubber to hit the road, TAG Heuer has you covered with the new Formula 1 Special Edition in collaboration with Red Bull Racing. The brands latest iteration of the Formula 1 chronograph comes on either a metal bracelet or a rubber strap. In the familiar colors of the Red Bull Racing livery, this is a perfect watch for all racing fans out there. TAG Heuer and Red Bull Racing celebrate the success of their partnership, which has reached new heights since its start in 2016. The teams driver Max Verstappen recently became Formula 1 world champion and went on to wear a TAG Heuer watch on the podium. Surely, that says it all!When I think of motorsport,...
Shortly after the turn of the New Year, I invited our resident Formula One fanatic, Ben Hodges, into the smooth booth to record a TAG Heuer special. We focused on the brand s most visible ambassador on Planet Earth right now - the flying Dutchman, Max Verstappen. This podcast player is blocked because you did not accept marketing cookies. Change cookie settings We discuss the controversial conclusion to the 2021 Formula One season that saw Sir Lewis Hamilton denied a record eighth driver s championship in almost unbelievable circumstances. Whether what came to pass should have happened in the first place is, by now, a moot point. The result is in the books and the Netherlands has its fir...
Welcome to Strap Check, a column on Fratello where our editors showcase their favorite watch/strap combinations. We all know the feeling. When you ve been wearing a watch for weeks on the same strap, there comes a time when the excitement starts to fade a little bit. Maybe that s 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 you ve got a brand new watch on your wrist. So tune in every week for a new Strap Check. Are y...
