Just a few minutes before I have to catch my train and flight to Basel! Together with my friend Frank from Monochrome, I ll be visiting a lot of brands and will give you quick updates from location. Make sure to keep an eye on Perpetuelle, the watch forum by Kyle Stults, who made it possible for Frank and me, to get so much appointments with all the big names.My old love, Omega, has quite a few suprises this year! Besides the Omega Speedmaster Professional 40th anniversary edition (which I already have in pre-order at my friend Alon from Acejewelers.com), there is also the new PloProf (Plongeuer Professionnel) re-edition. To be honest, this re-edition looks mighty cool on the press pictures....

You may very well be looking at the pinnacle of watch modding. The Artisans de Geneve Absolute Ruby is a personalized creation with a price tag of US$550,000 hanging from it. As the name suggests, rubies take center stage in this world-famous chronograph, which initially looked more humble when the client handed it over to the uber-modders in the watch workshop in Geneva.Some impressive Artisans de Geneve creations caught my eye in the past. In particular, those with a distinct restomod theme made an impact. The Honey Green Daytona was beyond sweet, and the Uncatchable GMT-Master II for Frank Abagnale Jr. was smart in every sense. The new Absolute Ruby sits on the other end of the spectrum o...

The Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch is truly one of the few iconic watch designs from the 20th century. Indeed, it may be one of the most recognizable designs in all of horology. Some of us, however, are fans from afar. We appreciate the Omega Speedmaster, but our eyes go elsewhere. For those enthusiasts after something with that Omega Speedmaster magic but a little extra spice, here are five suggestions that take the design brief in totally different directions.Before I begin, it is worth noting that I won t be spending much time going into the specifications of these watches. This article is not a review story. Rather, it is to spark a discussion about your favorite Speedmaster design that sit...

Around this table, the bravest knights will gather as equals. They will set forth in search of adventure, righting wrongs, protecting the weak and humbling the proud. If you can read this engraved in pink gold, youre up close and personal with an exclusive watch. This engraved line on the case back of the new Roger Dubuis Excalibur Knights of the Round Table, The Enchanter Merlin has been on 11 models since the extravagant series of timepieces debuted in 2013. The Arthurian legend also inspires the 12th watch. This time, the shimmering crystal palace that the wizard Merlin built to safeguard Viviane, the elusive Lady of the Lake, is the central theme. The limited-to-28-piece Poin?on de Genev...

We re back with another episode of Fratello On Air. This week, we re tackling a timely subject (no pun intended). With prices up over the last five years, we discuss watches that offer the best value at various price points. Oh, but there s a caveat: the pieces we discuss are actually available. For the benefit of our listeners, our watch talk begins approximately 15 minutes after the start.This podcast player is blocked because you did not accept marketing cookies. Change cookie settings Two episodes ago, we conversed about the best watches for new collectors. That seemed to resonate with our listeners. This week, we continue down a similar yet different path. Collectively, we ve witnes...

Last year, Tissot surprised us with a special-edition PRX featuring a lumed Grendizer on its blue dial. This year marks the 50th anniversary of the anime icon, so Tissot is back with yet another watch paying tribute to UFO Robot Grendizer. This time, the PRX received an all-black PVD treatment. Also, the layered black dial features a dynamic depiction of Grendizer, including a lume show in darker conditions.Last year s Tissot PRX UFO Robot GrendizerUnfortunately, the Fratello team doesn t have an anime fan on board. Last year, Lex introduced Grendizer,?also known as Goldorak, to people who d never heard of the character and tried to explain how he ended up on the dial of the Tissot PRX. Read...

Please dont call it an upgrade; it goes beyond that. When everything is new, you cannot speak of an upgrade anymore. The new Baltic Aquascaphe MK2 comes in blue, green, warm silver, and gray, all available in a 37mm or 39.5mm steel case. Its components are technically more advanced, and the design has been revised. The result is a better and more desirable product than before - look at that exclusive, new, very dapper, and sophisticated rubber strap featuring a Saffiano leather pattern! The only thing that remained the same is the spirit of the Aquascaphe, and thats a good thing.Fans of the Baltic Aquascaphe, raise your hands. Here at Fratello HQ, all of us are putting our arms in the air. T...

The Moon has always been fertile ground for watch design. From classic moonphase displays to bold tributes, brands have tried to capture the Moon s mystery and symbolism in different ways. CIGA Design takes a more literal approach with the Moon Walker, a watch that puts a miniature astronaut on your wrist and lets him wander across a detailed lunar landscape. Its bold, unconventional, and not the sort of thing youd call a traditional daily wearer. But in the right context, its also a lot of fun.Having followed this line of watches for a while, I was curious to see how it translated from the screen and into the hand. When CIGA Design offered me the chance to go hands-on, I jumped at it. Would...

Earlier this month, we hosted a Cartier Fratello event in Amsterdam to celebrate Cartier s 50th anniversary in the Netherlands. The brand organized an experience called Tank: The Journey of a Timeless Icon, which allowed guests to discover the evolution of this enduring timepiece.A warm welcome in Cartier styleWe invited some of our readers to the beautiful Cartier boutique in Amsterdam for a panel talk with Anthony Santiso (head of image and style at Cartiers headquarters), Kristian Haagen (Cartier expert and writer for several media titles), and Robert-Jan Broer. They discussed the history of the Cartier Tank model, its design codes, and the collection of Tank watches. The panel team als...

Many modern chronographs strive to strike a balance between vintage appeal and modern build quality. Few of those efforts result in a package as appealing as the Hanhart 415 ES Panda chronographs. These models revisit a 1960s design while delivering features expected in a contemporary tool watch.I had the chance to go hands-on with both the Panda and the Reverse Panda versions. I came away thoroughly charmed, so lets have a closer look!Hanhart 415 ES historyHanhart was founded in 1882 by Johann Adolf Hanhart in Diessenhofen, Switzerland, before relocating to Schwenningen in Germanys Black Forest two decades later. The company first gained a reputation for its stopwatches, which set the stage...

It should come as no surprise to those who regularly read my work that I m a fan of Tudor watches. In fact, to mark a significant personal milestone, I bought a Tudor Black Bay 58 for my 30th birthday. Today, though, we re looking at a very different watch, the Tudor Heritage Ranger.This is not the most recent iteration (which shares the case platform of the 39mm Black Bay 58). Rather, this is the original re-edition from the 2010s, which came in a broader 41mm case. This is a watch that I wrote about after having?worn it during a significant motorcycle accident, in which it literally saved my wrist from being broken. Without further ado, let s dive in.Making a case for the Tudor Heritage Ra...

Turn on the coffee machine because it s time for another Sunday Morning Showdown. In this week s battle, two retro-infused dive watches take center stage. The first is the recently released Panerai Luminor Marina Militare PAM05218. It s a modern remake of a 1993 classic made exclusively for the Italian Navy. It will face off against the new version of the Breitling Superocean Heritage 42. This watch also takes inspiration from a classic, and both contenders hail from renowned and widely popular brands. But which of the two will claim the victory this week? Let s find out!Last week s unveiling of the Panerai Luminor Marina Militare PAM05218 marked the first time that the brand reissued a mode...

It s always a pleasure to return to Geneva. The lake, the atmosphere, and, of course, the watch industry coming together make it feel like home for a week. Compared to Watches and Wonders, Geneva Watch Days has a different rhythm, feeling a little more relaxed but no less important. For me, it s as much about catching up with old friends as it is about seeing new releases. This industry still runs on face-to-face relationships, and that s one of the aspects I enjoy most. You can only get so far with emails and Zoom calls. Sitting down with people you know and respect, often over a coffee or late dinner, adds a depth that no digital interaction can replicate. All of this made for a memorable ...

Farer continues to roll out attractive and affordable watches packed with value. The British brand turned 10 this year, and I m impressed with how it has matured. Plus, as someone residing in the UK, I ve begun seeing an increasing number of the company s watches in the wild. Positively, today s new releases, the Three Hands Series III collection, should further increase the prevalence of Farers on wrists.With all the talk about overpriced watches, it s great to see a brand like Farer offering exciting and often colorful pieces with great movements at approachable prices. A decade ago, this was a fledgling microbrand with big ideas. Now, it s a reasonably sized independent with a wide lineup...

In a crowded field of microbrand watches, the Abinger Nimrod sets out to distinguish itself. It is pitched as a compact, versatile diver that also works as a travel companion. The question is whether this debut offers more than just a fresh name on the scene. I got a chance to try one and see what s what.The Nimrod combines robust specifications with a thoughtful concept. With the careful attention to proportions and details you typically associate with one-person passion projects, it is made to feel both rugged and refined. Lets explore what this newcomer brings to the table.A new player in townAbinger is the brainchild of Thomas Howison Hill, who discovered his love for mechanical watches ...

If asked which was more impressive, it would be hard for me to choose between the La Quete du Temps clock unveiled at the Louvre in Paris or the staff of Vacheron Constantin putting on a surprising show of music and dance in the Genevan manufacture the next day. VC started its celebration of 270 years of uninterrupted watchmaking history earlier this year at Watches and Wonders, and it culminated in the unveiling of a one-of-a-kind 6,293-part masterpiece thats not for sale but is the centerpiece of the Mecaniques d Art exhibition at the famous museum from September 17th to November 12th, 2025. The impressive and massive astronomical clock/automaton took seven years to develop. The Metiers dA...

Just one year ago, I was introduced to Lederer watches. The brand, founded by Bernhard Lederer, creates incredible movements with complex mechanisms. Constant-force escapements and twin gear trains are some of the impressive details. Last year, I fell in love with the Triple Certified Observatory Chronometer, a set of 44mm watches that had traveled to multiple countries. Now, there s a smaller set of models inspired by last year s release. We spent time with the new CIC 39 Longitude and loved every minute of it.Last year s Triple Certified Observatory Chronometer was an impressive release. Lederer sent the watches to the observatories in Besan?on, Glashtte, and Geneva for accuracy testing. ...

Another Friday, another list! We return to a series of budget-related lists after focusing on Geneva Watch Days for two weeks and finding the best collabs last week. Today, we re starting another three-list series focusing on budget-friendly watches. Not too long ago, we compiled a trio of lists covering the best available picks under $500. For this new series of three articles, we ll double the budget and focus on the best watches under $1,000. Once again, we will cover our top picks from major brands, followed by smaller brands, and conclude with the top quartz watches under $1,000.Before we jump into the list, a quick word on why we re making this a trio of articles. We could have also ju...

Hublot recently celebrated 10 years as the official timekeeper of the UEFA Champions League. To mark the occasion, the house released a special limited-edition Classic Fusion Chronograph. You may have noticed that we didnt cover it on Fratello. Why? Well, because such sponsorships and co-branded watches tend not to interest our readers all that much. Such releases, viewed individually, may not be our bread and butter, but zooming out and seeing them in context is a lot more interesting.Today, I would like to do just that. Hublot is an odd duck among big, high-end watchmakers. Few things showcase this as clearly as the brands atypical cultural footprint. Lets dive in!The holy trinity of horol...

In 2010, industrial designer Beno?t Mintiens started a company called Ressence. His mission was to create a mechanical watch that could tell people the time in the most user-friendly way possible. Now, 15 years later, the brand s watches are still in a league of their own, both in terms of design and the mechanics behind their domed titanium dials. To celebrate the company s 15th anniversary and the team s optimistic and human-centric way of thinking, Ressence presents a book called Ahead of Time. It contains interviews with 20 like-minded people who all give their views on the future, including names like Sam Altman (OpenAI), Luca de Meo (Kering), and Phil Shiller (Apple).Indeed, Ahead of T...