It s been more than a week since the new Zenith Chronomaster Original dropped. I took some time to gather my thoughts on what has quickly become one of my favorite 2021 releases. Do I have any reservations? Let s see!So, a person walks into the local Omega AD or boutique. He or she casually browses the display cases, but, meanwhile, this person knows exactly what they want. The Speedmaster Professional is the watch that will find its way to this buyer s wrist. A ritual like this has been going on since the late 1960s because this is the legendary watch most associate with Omega.The A386 came…and wentNow, shift to Zenith, and while space exploration isn t a part of the brand s backstory...

As you can probably imagine, having long-winded, in-depth discussions about the watch industry, brand theory, and product particulars consumes a lot of our free time here at Fratello. But that s not to say we don t love it. Quite the contrary! Our passion for these nuanced chats paints a clear picture: we re mad about simply everything to do with our hobby. One such conversation gave rise to this article, so I thought I d share with you my thoughts on the current state of play at and what that might mean for the brand, its consumers, and the industry en masse in the future. is no longer a watch brand, I said nonchalantly. I ve been saying it for a couple of years and I often deliver this me...

What would you call a modern watch that looks like the vintage model that served as inspiration? A re-edition, right? The measurements would be a tad larger to accommodate modern tastes, perhaps. Maybe, the design might have some minor changes. But otherwise, the watch would be identical to the original. Inside, however, youd have a new, often automatic, movement. Now, imagine the same scenario with a watch that is not only the spitting image of the vintage counterpart but has the same movement as well? The new Nivada Grenchen Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver Paul Newman Panda and Reverse Panda are precisely that.The vintage Chronomaster, Paul Newman models, are sought after among collectors. ...

Stormy. Slick. Sophisticated. Shimmering. Smokey? Smart… These are some of the words I would use to describe the new Grand Seiko SBGE271 (the black dial) and the SBGE269 (the white dial). I ve never been a massive fan of Grand Seiko s elegance collection but occasionally find myself taken by one or two of the models. These bad boys have my attention because their existence is justified by one thing and one thing alone. It just so happens that one thing is something I definitely like: texture.I m straight of the back of two special edition projects that gave me the chance to play around with my love of texture. The Minase Dividio we released back in March was my take on the Japanese bra...

Fridge and Freezer return after a short break with an hour of top-quality sports chat, as several competitions get down to the sharp end.In an impassioned exchange, Balazs question s Rob s right to support England in Euro 2020 given his Irish birth, while Bobbysled Bobby defends himself on the grounds of dual nationality and his upbringing having been blighted by the national woe of being so thoroughly incompetent when it comes to major tournaments. This podcast player is blocked because you did not accept marketing cookies. Change cookie settings The boys lament the fate of Primo? Rogli?, forced to abandon the Tour de France following a brutal crash early on in the race. The Tissot amba...

A manufacturer of watches that goes to extremes. Omega sent its creations to the moon and the bottom of the deepest point on earth, the Mariana Trench. But Omega is also a brand you associate with the glamour of movie star George Clooney, the adventures of secret agent James Bond, and the biggest sports event on the planet, the Olympic Games. Omega is everywhere and its always right on time because it continues to push horological boundaries with its ultra-precise Master Chronometers for example. Join us for a brief overview of some of Omega s historical highlights.Since 1848, Omega has set itself the goal of seeking out and pushing boundaries. The watch brand from Bienne, Switzerland, has a...

Last year, I had the chance to go hands-on with the Linde Werdelin 3-Timer Nord. This version of Linde Werdelin s most successful model introduced a black to blue fume dial inspired by the North Sea s colors. In a follow-up to that release, Linde Werdelin now releases the Spidolite Nord and Oktopus Nord. Time to find out if the characteristic fume dials have the same impact as on the 3 Timer Nord.Every time Linde Werdelin releases a new watch, I am all ears. Even when it is a rather straightforward introduction of a new dial color, I am always curious to find out what it looks like and if it beats my favorite versions the brand has released. But it s not just seeing a new color that creates ...

We like to talk about vintage watches a lot within the Fratello team. While the daily routine is largely focused on the most recent developments in the world of watches, the most fun for many of us lies in the world of vintage watches. Its 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 priceless, some of them still affordable. In this installment, we will take a look at the best watches from the 1980s.While the 1970s marked a time of tremendous change in the watch industry, the 1980s showed the effects of that change. W...

Expecting a cyclops on the list? Way too boring. I pulled out my old notes and shortlisted the Top 5 watches with unusual magnifiers. Get ready for a double magnifying Orion watch, the patented Ernest Borel Datoptic, an impossible-to-find Angelus Medical, the OCD marvel Mirvaine and only one modern piece, my personal favorite, the Prokop & Broz. Have you taken part in Robs poll in Which Date Window Position Gets Your Vote? Right after I finished reading his article I?was so amused that I?immediately rushed to scroll through my constantly growing list of Fratellowatches articles. I?think it has been almost two years since I?had the idea to shortlist the best watches with unusual magnifyi...

Years of daydreaming, months of groundwork, weeks of refinement, days of pressure, and several hours of anticipation came to a close in 39 minutes of furious activity in the Fratello shop this morning. In the blink of an eye, all 50 pieces of the Fratello Czapek Antarctique Passage de Drake Viridian Green limited edition were spoken for. With the prototype staring back up at me from my wrist inquisitively, I had the pleasure of telling it that all of its offspring had found homes. And what a thrill watching that happen was.I know watches (except for the first-gen Tudor Black Bay heritage diver) aren t known to smile, but I saw my own contented grin reflected back at me as I tilted the prot...

If a former ambassador and COMEX diver says about your watch, I find it very beautiful, sober, and classy, and the diameter is perfect too, you have reason to be proud. This happened to Vincent, a 29-year-old watchmaker from France, who started his own brand (BND) to develop watches.So, lets have a closer look at that watch that was praised by Theo Mavrostomos, who used to be an ambassador for the Sea-Dweller 16600 and holds the record for the deepest dive on November 20th, 1992 (701 meters). He worked for COMEX for 20 years and can be considered a diving legend.BND MNBLAVincent from BND Watches sent one of his watches to the Fratello offices, the MNBLA. The other models he offers on his w...

Welcome back to another installment of a Brief History of Time. Today, we pick up where we left off, exploring the fascinating history of Breitling.With the Chronomat and Premier in the 40s and the Navitimer and SuperOcean in the 50s, Breitling had built up some major momentum. The 1960s proved to be yet another fruitful decade for the brand, starting with some notable improvements to the Navitimer. The prior Navitimer s all-black dial was changed to feature contrasting white subdials. This improved its legibility, and the new look also made it even more attractive to the mass market. The Navitimer thus became not simply a useful tool watch, but a popular symbol of class and style.Then, in...

Since 2018 (!), Omega has been introducing special watches to commemorate the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. I secured my favorite from the five Speedmaster Tokyo 2020 watches, and afterward, they also introduced a beautiful Seamaster Diver 300M, Aqua Terra, and Planet Ocean that commemorates the Olympic Games Tokyo 2020. Now, however, it is time to bring the big guns. Meet the 18ct gold Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Tokyo 2020.Olympic Games Tokyo 2020 sound a bit weird in 2021, but no further explanation is needed I am sure. I am looking forward to the start of the Games in these special times. Together with my daughter, I am a fan of field hockey, and since our orange teams are performing incredib...

Its not impossible to get your hands on them today. They pop up a few times a year, but you need to be very careful and check the condition very thoroughly. Especially if the asking price approaches the $5,000 mark.Speaking of the price. While it seems quite high for a?Mido watch, actually its not that much when you compare its quality, features, and uniqueness with any other highly regarded chronographs from the era. I?guess the case size is to be blamed. It s probably the relatively modest 35mm diameter that limits the Mido Multi-Centerchrono from reaching the peaks of auction (or shall I?say Instagram?) fame. But we will get to the diameter later. Lets start with the essentials.Mido Multi...

We have been a fan of the Unimatic brand for some time now at Fratello. Their fresh approach to watch design combined with a constant flow of exciting limited offerings has delivered outstanding results. When the word came out that the guys at Unimatic and our friends from Hodinkee have been working on a limited edition release, I was all ears. But as it turns out, we were in for a surprise. The Hodinkee Unimatic Limited Edition collaboration is not just one watch but a trio of new watches. Additionally, they feature a surprise upgrade in movements. Plenty of reasons to get excited.When I talked to Unimatic founder Giovanni Moro last year, he explained that he was very appreciative of the ...

Some may know Hong Kong-based Crafter Blue for its aftermarket rubber straps to customize your Tudor or your Seiko for instance. But Crafter Blue also makes watches. The deep-diving Hyperion Ocean 600m with its powerful neo-retro appearance, for instance. The latest creation is a divers chronograph that one day miraculously showed up at Fratello HQ without any information accompanying it. Thats when I started unraveling the mystery of the Crafter Blue Hyperion Ocean Chronograph. And how intriguing it was.The box was sent to us from Kowloon, Hong Kong. And inside the cardboard box was a black protective, plastic hard case with a plaque that read Crafter Blue Hyperion Ocean. No papers or broch...

When we introduced the watch last week, the reception was overwhelming. The Czapek love is real, and today Im super excited because the watches are available to pre-order over on the Fratello Shop. The Fratello Czapek Antarctique Passage de Drake Viridian Green is a limited edition of only 50 pieces, so pre-order now to avoid disappointment!This video is blocked because you did not accept marketing cookies. Change cookie settings If youve been following along the pages of Fratello, youll know about our adoration of the Czapek Antarctique. You may recall its domination during March Madness, where we watched on in shock as it romped its way to victory. I had expected the Speedy Tuesday ...

Welcome back to Wrist Game or Crying Shame where, this week, we take a look at a mid 90s classic. The IWC Fliegerchronograph IW3706 is in focus. But first-Last week, we looked at the TAG Heuer Carrera 1964 that was reissued back in 1996. You lot truly enjoy a retro manual wind chronograph! Despite the fact that this model was a bit overpriced, it stopped, started, and reset all way to an 87% Wrist Game win. Lets stay in the same era and the same color scheme for that matter. Will the IWC Fliegerchronograph IW3706 have an on-time arrival or will it fail to leave the terminal?IWC rocked the 90sI know that I bring this up somewhat frequently, but I just cant help it. IWC really had their act t...

I like Alain Silberstein. Im not against Louis Erard. And yet, whenever the artist and brand have collaborated before, Ive been one of the only Fratelli left untouched by the result. Oh sure, I thought the most recent models were cool but there was absolutely no doubt in my mind as to whether I wanted one (I did not). However, with this latest Silberstein release, Louis Erard has finally won my heart, with the almost faultless execution of a case style often attempted and very rarely accomplished.It s hard to believe that a year has passed since Tomas reviewed the Louis Erard Alain Silberstein Regulateur watch on Fratello. That watch caused quite a stir in our offices. No one (except Tomas...

Sharks have long been a source of inspiration for dive watch manufacturers due to their infamous toothy maws and fearsome reputations. Well, now Ulysse Nardin has turned to the denizens of the deep for its new Diver Lemon Shark. Its an attractive black and yellow number, a color scheme that is right up my street.If I asked you to tell me your favorite shark species, Id guess that many people would say the great white shark. Most likely because its the only one they could name. Thats fair given the amount of publicity the species has received over the years, even if it is mainly negative. I wouldnt, however, expect many people to list the lemon shark at the top of their list.Our toothy citrus...