Weve seen more gold Speedmasters in recent years than ever before. The recent introductions of the Speedmaster Apollo 11 Moonshine, Apollo 17 in yellow gold, and the new Moonwatch models in white gold and Sedna gold, for example, have brought a lot of color to the #SpeedyTuesday news feed on Instagram. But what about a platinum Speedmaster?This precious material has been used for the Speedmaster since 1994, but only in very small quantities. How come? It is not so much the fact that processing this rather gummy material is challenging, and therefore expensive, but because the demand is just low. Many of you prefer white gold over platinum (for a considerably friendlier price), with almost th...

The last time we featured Armin Strom on Fratello was over a year ago. It was February 2020, way before the corona craziness hit us. That article was my 52Mondayz piece on the Gravity Equal Force, a watch I fell in love with then and there. Today Armin Strom is launching something even more intriguing, the Tribute 1.If you read any of my?Gravity Equal Force articles, you remember that the watch was the first of the brand s new collection, System 78. Well, since today, that collection has yet another timepiece thanks to the Tribute 1.System 78With the System 78 collection release, Armin Storm aimed to target a different audience form its core fan base. While designers stayed true to the brand...

You might not have heard of watchmaker Jacques Bianchi from Marseille before. Bianchi has a workshop that faces the Old Port (Vieux Port) in Marseille, France. It is in this workshop, where Bianchi worked on numerous watches. Including those of Cousteau, Mayol, and a bunch of COMEX divers. The JB200 we have for you here today on Fratello is not something new or invented. No, Bianchi has solid experience when it comes to creating watches that stretches back nearly 40 years.Back in 1982, Bianchi designed and produced the JB200 divers watch. And that was no biggie for him either. Bianchi had proper experience with water-resistant watches, dealing with Sea-Dwellers, Submariners from COMEX divers...

Dive watches are incredibly popular with watch collectors and not just those collectors who are qualified to venture beneath the waves. There seems to be a particular love for dive watches from collectors who rarely even leave the confines of their desks. Hence the popular term desk divers became a part of everyday vocabulary in the watch-collecting community. Until recently, my own collection was dominated by dive watches. While I am a qualified diver, I ve not been in quite some time, so the desk diver tag is probably more appropriate at this point in time. So, why then do collectors continue to adore dive watches when they will likely never be able to push their watches to the limits of t...

Italian fashion brand Gucci celebrates its 100th year of existence in 2021. To celebrate the centenary, the brand has created a collection of high-end watches. Or rather, the brand announced over 30 high-end timepieces in four different collections. The most eye-catching for watch enthusiasts is, without a doubt, the Gucci 25H collection. For the collection, Gucci combines an in-house developed family of movements with design looks clearly inspired by the growing popularity of luxury sports watches. Let s have a look at these new Gucci watches.In all honestly, I did miss the announcement of the Centenary models back in April. With all the Watches & Wonders craziness going on, these new w...

The case and the bezel are the same. So is the dial style. The major difference in the new Superman Skin Diver is the treatment of the indexes. The lime green Super-LumiNova has been ditched in favor of beige and the polished silver marker borders are nowhere to be seen.I?was so intrigued by the re-edition of the 1963 OG, that I?instantly asked for a?hands-on review sample. I liked it so much, I even nominated it for our pleasantly crazy March Mania tournament. While I was busy thinking about purchasing it, it sold out. Its one of the few watches that I have really fond memories of. The latest Navygraf Marine Nationale GMT?didnt really push my buttons, to be honest. But when Yema recently wh...

They say the clothes maketh the man. Is it true, therefore, that the case maketh the watch? Watchmaking is many different things to many different people. Perhaps its angles of appreciation are so multitudinous because its disciplines are so many. Watchmaking is not one simple craft. Knotted up within the field of horology are many distinct areas of expertise. While movements (and their jewels, and wheels, and hairsprings, and so on) represent one portion of those disciplines, the case represents another. This craft is, in itself, a pursuit that requires years of experience to master. Citizen believes it has taken a mighty step forward in this field with its Super Titanium watch cases.Thanks...

It s a crying shame that dive watches were replaced by dive computers way back when. What could dive watches have become had we relied on them solely for measuring depth and timing how fast our body absorbs gasses before we simply run out of air and have to make an emergency ascent? Let s not go there. There s some technology that we should be thankful for and computerized diving equipment is one of them. Luckily though, dive watches are still just as stylish and collectible today as they were before dive computers even came onto the scene and attempted to deliver a near-death blow to these wristwatches altogether.What s more, despite a heavily saturated market, we havent forgotten those bla...

Titonis most minimalist watch series, the Line 1919, presents the companys first-ever self-developed and manufactured movement. The name of this series pays homage to the founding year of the Swiss brand.The Line 1919 celebrates Titonis long-standing promise to produce classical timepieces that remain true to the finest tradition of Swiss watchmaking. The first-ever self-developed and manufactured movement in Titonis history, the T10 caliber, ticks at the heart of all models in this series. We recently discussed the origins of this caliber on Fratello here.Timeless design at its purestThe design of this series is inspired by purist minimalism and brings timeless elegance in line with the bra...

With Rob the little man Nudds on the road, Balazs takes over the mic and welcomes Dave down the pub Sergeant to the smooth booth to round up the NBA playoffs action. This podcast player is blocked because you did not accept marketing cookies. Change cookie settings How will Fridge fare without Freezer? And what on Earth is the wee man s excuse for leaving the Horntail untended? Tune in to find out.Find and follow us on Instagram at @davesergeant, @ferenczibazs, and @robnudds....

When you are a watch collector, and especially one of chronographs, owning a watch with a Zenith El Primero movement is probably on your list (if not already in your box). If it is, you and I are kindred spirits. The El Primero is a legend of the industry. Since its launch more than 50 years ago now, it has never been held in anything but the highest esteem. It is one of the most elegant and expertly conceived calibers in history. Perhaps the toughest question for watch collectors hoping to add this icon to their stable is exactly which one to choose? By the looks of this new Chronomaster Revival Safari reference 97.T384.400/57.C856, this could be the one. But is it?I love a green dial on wa...

The last year or so has certainly been special, but now that things are reopening, it s time to get back out there. Perhaps you ve read Fratello like crazy, but have you been able to try on any of the great watches that came out over the past 12 to 18 months?Finally, the reopening is here. Sure, in places like the USA or Japan, they never truly closed. However, some folks have waited to head out until feeling comfortable. Here in Europe, stores were closed for something like six months! This podcast player is blocked because you did not accept marketing cookies. Change cookie settings The great reopeningThe trio is back! Balazs, Jorg, and Mike talk about watches from the past year that p...

I don t know about you, but when I think of Casio these days, I automatically think of G-Shock. The tough and rugged watches that we all seem to love so much. I do not think so much about Casio s other product lines, which is a shame because, as I found out, I m missing out on some really nice stuff, such as the latest Edifice collaboration with Formula One team Scuderia AlphaTauri. The new EQB-1000AT and ECB-10AT mark the second collaboration with the team. This one came after their name change to Scuderia AlphaTauri last year.Previously known as Scuderia Toro Rosso, the team announced its intentions to change its naming rights for the 2020 championship in September 2019. Despite various na...

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 King Seiko, and Grand Seiko watches from the 1970s.In the 1960s, we witnessed developments that challenged the status quo of watch design foreve...

It is quite a common feeling to find yourself overwhelmed by any new Casio G-Shock release. Why? Well, these watches are replete with niche functionality and occasionally unintuitive control systems. While perseverance (and reliance upon the instruction manual at first) is necessary, you will be rewarded with an everyday watch that will serve you well no matter the situation.? The Casio MTG-B2000BDE is a dutiful daily option. That is thanks, in large part, to the watch s Carbon Dual Core Guard Structure. You ve probably heard this term before in regards to G-Shocks, but let s dive in and find out exactly what is meant by it.Before we get to the focal point of this review (the Carbon Dual Cor...

Do you want something exceptional? Thats not me asking, its Alain Silberstein in an advertisement back in 2002. The Architecte Horloger with the mustache is promoting his new Krono Bauhaus, a limited edition of 250 pieces in many colors and one exceptional thing in common; a case clad in exclusive alligator leather. I spotted the reptilian chic Alain Silberstein Krono Bauhaus Alligator on Zeitauktion. And now Im asking you: do you want something exceptional?Do you know what triggered me when looking at the reptilian chic Alain Silberstein Krono Bauhaus Alligator on Zeitauktion? Two things: firstly, the very recent trio of Louis Erard Alain Silberstein watches that popped up at HQ. And seco...

Miles Daviss 1959 album Kind of Blue is considered by many critics one of the best and most influential jazz LPs and his masterpiece. On the album, trumpeter Davis plays together with legendary tenor saxophonist John Coltrane in a sextet with four other jazz greats to create a magical moment in music history. The album opens with the catchy and grooving So What and the third track on the album is the ballad Blue in Green. And its this tune that creates the perfect atmosphere to open your heart for the Seiko Presage Cocktail Time in blue and green.Listening to jazz arguably is nicer with a cocktail on the side. What about a drink at Star Bar Tokyos Ginza area? Hisashi Kishi, winner of the Int...

It couldnt be any better. I like everything about the Oris Star. The shape, dial, bezel, wearability, and functionality. The only detail some modern critical eyes might object to would be the 36mm diameter. On the other hand, the watch is perfectly balanced thanks to the original bracelet, fitted with an Oris signed clasp.? I kept my eye on it for a few years. I wasnt actively hunting it, but I stopped and stared anytime one crossed my path. It was the $1,000 plus price tag that always chased me away. When I accidentally bumped into one Oris Star for half the price, I?didnt hesitate and bought it right away. And I?am telling you that even after a?year I?am still surprised at how well balance...

In this article, we show you 8 interesting watches to wear this summer. Summer is about to start, and hopefully, it will be a nice one! We deserved it. And in case you didn t spend your holiday allowance (not sure if that s a thing outside The Netherlands, but here it s 8% of your annual salary you will get from your employer in May) yet, here are some options for a nice summer watch for all budgets.When I go on a holiday, I try to keep the number of watches I take with me very low. Most of the time, I will bring just two watches actually. An all-rounder and something really low-budget, like a Swatch or a Seiko SKX007. It also depends a bit on where I am going. On a campsite, I try not to br...

What up, indie fans - it s good to be back! It s always quite exciting writing these columns as it means I ve found some watches/projects that I think are super cool. I am always excited to hear what you think about them. I have a novel take on the Moonphase GMT concept, with 3D indications, a wandering satellite hours watch, and more. OK, let s do this.Vicenterra AstroLUNAFirst up is the novel Moonphase GMT concept I mentioned. I ve come across Vincenterra previously, with the equally excellent Tycho Brahe watch. Still, the new AstroLUNA takes things to the next level. Rather than a standard GMT hand, we have a small hand-painted 3D model of the Earth. You can see the meticulously detailed ...