Chronos WearablesTired of wearing your Smartwatch on one wrist and your prized timepiece on the other at the same time? You wish there was a gadget to combine both, without having to swap your strap? ?? Look no further! We have the solution for you; meet Chronos Wearables. The smart disc that attaches to the back of any watch. Though this may sound like an extract from a cheap and pushy TV Shop commercial, it is actually true. The device we are about to have a closer look is the missing link between smart technology and your existing watch collection. A gadget that can turn any watch, and I mean any, into something like a Smartwatch.So far we have seen 2 types of smart watches; the Apple or ...
Chopard L.U.C GMT One Rose GoldA few weeks ago we visited London for a special presentation by Chopard. Their manufacture line, L.U.C, is celebrating its 20th anniversary this year. For this special occasion the company released two new models; the Chopard L.U.C GMT One and the Chopard L.U.C Time Traveler One. In our previous article that we published a few weeks ago we already talked about four models. The versions of the Time Traveler One made of steel, rose gold or platinum. We also covered the steel GMT One as well. However we also saw something that day that we could not discuss with you before.Rose GoldChopard made three versions of the Time Traveler One, you might already have wondere...
Sacha Davidoff Reports On The November 2016 Watch AuctionsBack for their fourth Geneva watch auction, Aurel Bacs & Livia Russo in association with Phillips auction house continue to set the bar high. Whenever their watch auctions take place, the entire watch community is buzzing and especially paying very close attention to results. Their Geneva auction is set to be a record setting auction again and we are looking forward to being there. ?They also have a thematic sale upcoming in Hong Kong with 38 stunning examples of each milestone reference in the history of the brand. We will sadly not be able to attend, but with the passion that HK collectors have for vintage , we can imagine it w...
60th Anniversary2016 marks the 60th anniversary of the automatic Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Memovox. Reason to celebrate with the Master Memovox Boutique Edition, limited to 500 pieces only. These 500 pieces have a blue ‘rich dial with beautiful thick applied hour markers, inspired by their 1970s Memovox watches.Jeager-LeCoultre Caliber 815In 1956, JLC used the self-winding caliber 815 to power the Memovox watches of that time. This new Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Memovox Boutique Edition is equipped with JLC caliber 956, a direct descendent of the original caliber 815. This movement requires two crows, as you can see. One to set and correct time, the other crown to wind the spring that powe...
The Delma Shell Star Automatic is one of the brands most iconic models and is a true dive watch. An ideal companion, it is equal to the toughest challenges, whether on the open seas, under water, on a mountaintop or on any other adventure. The new edition of this timeless stainless steel watch from Delma again demonstrates the traditional Swiss watch brands mastery.In 1975 Delma launched its first professional dive watch, the Delma Shell Star, which proved to be a landmark for the company, extending its legacy of underwater timepieces. The new Shell Star retains the distinctively sporty appearance and is now equipped with a helium valve and a rugged stainless leather strap. Its automatic mov...
Fortis Dornier GMTFortis is at it again. You?might remember that since a few years now we follow this Grenchen brands activity on Fratello Watches. Just this year we have already looked at two of their new releases. Michael?had a Classic Cosmonaut Chronograph to play with, while I took the Aeromaster Steel Chronograph for a test drive. Both were really cool watches. Lets jump back a bit in time though. Its the end of March, we are at Basel having coffee with Andreas from Fortis. He tells us that the brand has something interesting coming this year. He shows us the design of a pretty handsome watch. No prototype yet, just the renderings. It looks promising. Fast forward to today (early Novemb...
What is Speedy Tuesday?It all started in a sunny Cannes in 2012, where I stayed over for a holiday. I also remember it was actually in the Radison Blu hotel there, where I made a wristshot of one of my Speedmaster watches and posted it on-line saying Speedy Tuesday (it was a Tuesday). Then, together with the team, we decided to make it a recurring item here on Fratello Watches. We are all Speedmaster fans, some of us have impressive collections, some of us only have one. But we all love the Speedmaster, for many different reasons.Our first Speedy Tuesday event took place in 2013. An official event with the support of Omega, in the ESA/Estec Space Expo visitor centre. A few more followed, wit...
Sacha Davidoff Reports On The November 2016 Watch AuctionsAntiquorum is still the only major auction house which exclusively focuses on timepieces. Antiquorum Geneva & Hong Kong belong to FIDES, a private equity firm based in Zurich, and are separate from Antiquorum New York, which is no longer in the same group.With Julien Schaerer, the managing director and watch Expert based in Geneva, at the helm, we see his personal passion for vintage, especially his appreciation of niche brands, in the selection of watches. We also have observed that the team is working towards improvement of its position among watch auction houses as we remember they were at the top for many years. Etienne Lemena...
An UpdateI published this review exactly a year ago. I consider it one of the best reviews I ever did. Not because it is perfect in writing, or was the best read article on FW, but because it is?a watch that simply moved me.?But does it still move me, after one year and after trying the all stainless steel one and seeing the new Annual Calendar models? You can read that in the updated section, below.Omega Globemaster SednaThis must have been the feeling my grandfather had when he put his gold Constellation on his wrist in 1969. This review could be as short as that. However,?I am not writing this review for myself, but for you, our readers. Perhaps I should have saved this description of my ...
Recently, I was in the United States and took a couple hours to visit a place that had always been within 30 minutes of my house, the NAWCC Museum in Columbia, Pennsylvania. The National Association of Watch and Clock Collectors (NAWCC) is a well-known entity within the USA that essentially provides a meeting place with over 190 global chapters (admittedly, most are in America) for collectors of all things horology. It also seeks to help educate people about timepieces, servicing them and even reaches out to children in an effort to keep interest in timekeeping alive.The NAWCC Museum is in Watch & Clock CountryI was in the process of selling my house in the area and had never visited the...
Event report on the Glashuette Original Boutique OpeningGlashtte Original (Glashuette) kindly invited us to witness the opening of their new boutique in Vienna, Austria. As well while the, mostly German speaking, press was present they took the opportunity to introduce two new models in their caliber 36 Senator Excellence series.Two New Glashuette Original ModelsThe day started off with the introduction of the two new watch models, while the opening of the boutique was planned in the evening of the program. The weather was exactly what one can expect in the second half of October in Austria, not very inspiring. The venue where the two new watch models were revealed made pretty much up for t...
15 Years of MeisterSingerA few weeks ago, Gerard published an article on the 15th anniversary of MeisterSinger and its single-handed?watch. You can find it here. A must-read for all fans of MeisterSinger watches.Today, I review the MeisterSinger Circularis Automatic (reference?CC908). This watch comes in various executions, but I selected the Sunburst Blue version on a brown alligator strap for this review.MeisterSinger Circularis AutomaticThe MeisterSinger Circularis Automatic is something clearly related to the famous 1Z (1 Zeiger) or ‘No.1 as it is called nowadays, but it is their next-level watch (I hate the word product). Instead of the famous ETA 2801-2 or Sellita SW210 movement...
Speedmaster ArtworkOnly a few months ago, we did an interview with Danish artist Cay Broendum in this article. Not much later, we had an exchange of emails about Speedmaster artwork. Now that it is done and ready for ordering, let s have a look at this piece of art and tell you about some of its details.You saw it here first, on Fratello Watches Speedy Tuesday!Speedmaster 105.012/145.012As inspiration for this Speedmaster artwork, Cay Broendum used the Omega Speedmaster Professional 105.012 / 145.012.You can recognize this due to the use of the applied Omega logo at 12 o clock, the Dot Over Ninety bezel and drop counter weight chrono seconds hand. This could still be a transitional model fr...
Formex is back with a bang and presents the new TS 3100 line. Featuring the patented and unique case suspension system, the new Formex looks sporty, yet has a very refined finish and is limited to 999 pieces. The brand is known for their motor sports inspired designs, which remind of the design of high performance racing cars. The carbon fiber bezel and the red accents on the dial and hands, add to the dynamic look of the 46.5mm stainless steel and titanium case. The position of the crown and the Chrono pushers were moved to the left, in order to accommodate the prominent crown protection shield.The patented case suspension system, not only protects the watch from shocks, but also significan...
Watch Roll – One of the most useful accessoriesWhen you own two watches you could say you already have a collection. So if you travel, even if it is to meet up with other watch collectors, or for a weekend away with your girlfriend, you need something to carry your watches in. A watch roll is the perfect solution. Now, they come in different sizes, materials and quality. Today we will have a look at the watch roll by Les Noble.Les NobleLes Noble, a Dutch company that is specialized in accessories like credit card holders, wallets, passport holders, leather iPhone cases etc, also carries a canvas watch roll in stock. The watch roll is nicely delivered and protected by thin paper and a c...
Jacques Cousteau – L OdysseeA few days ago, The Odyssee (or L Odyssee) movie has been released in France. It is a biopic about the life of Jacques Cousteau, his wife Simone and his sons Philip and Jean-Michel. It won t be in the theatres before January 2017 here in The Netherlands, but it will be on my to-do list that month.From the Wildbunch (distributor) website:Summer, 1946. The Cousteau family – Jacques, his wife Simone and their two children Philippe and Jean-Michel – live in their beautiful house by the Mediterranean sea. By day they dive, by night they watch the stars. It s paradise on earth. But Jacques is never content. He lives and breathes adventure and believes ...
Breitling Navitimer All BlackToday on #TBT, well take a look at an all-time classic, the Breitling Navitimer All Black. Its a watch that I never thought Id have a chance of owning, but thanks to fellow Fratello member Gerard, and especially to my wife, Ive been fortunate to add a beauty to my collection. Its funny, it was almost a year ago this time that I wrote about another Navitimer that I had sourced: it was a rare transitional reverse panda model purchased from Rene. So, once again, it seems that Autumn is Navitimer season C and with that, lets take a look at a very special chronograph.Adding the Breitling Navitimer All BlackWhen I picked up the aforementioned transitional Navitimer, I ...
Chopard L.U.CLondon in the Fall has an exceptional atmosphere. Maybe because I usually visit the city at this time of the year, but Ive always enjoyed walking the streets of UKs capital. It was one of this perfect Autumn days that I arrived for a short but sweet watch introduction?by Chopard. If you have to mention something about independent family owned brands, such as Chopard, it has to be the fact that most of the people involved with the brand speaks with such a charisma and passion, the average spectator has a feeling that every word they say comes from their hearts. Pure and honest joy when they discuss a new project they are about to launch. At least this is how it seems for us. Thes...
klokers KLOK-01When I grew up, I didn t have to use slide rules in school to do math. However, I also remember the white cupboard we had at home, with old calculators, a?caliper, a pair of compasses and a slide rule. All stuff that belonged to my father. Things he used in school and some times still used some of it to do calculations. Ask a kid now, and he probably will know the pair of compasses, but won t have a clue about a slide rule.Slide RuleA slide rule is an analogue device that can be used to do?multiplication and division. You had more complex slide rules that help you with other calculations as well, such as square roots, exponentials, logarithms etc. You have them as standard lin...
BaselWorld 2016 WatchesDuring our meeting with in Basel last March, we got to see a number of new watches. Sure, we get to see new watches every year, but this year the Geneva Giant had some pretty cool watches for us to see. The new Explorer in 39mm is something high on my wishlist, as is the new Daytona 116500,?but that one requires serious saving-up and a long breath regarding its waiting list (yes, also for us watch journalists). Air-KingA watch that quietly left the stage a couple of years ago, was the Air-King. This watch, often considered to be as an entry-level watch, had its own following and a long history in the collection. The Air-King model name was the last one of many...
