With this 7th episode of Watch Strap Review we are leaving the world of fashion and return to the roots of strap making. We started with small homemade watch straps, craftsmen who do this for the pure passion of creating something cool for our beloved watches. This edition features a name, or brand if you like, firstly (and mostly) introduced to the Paneristi. If you have a Panerai and looking for a custom made strap I bet?you already came across this name. You can find their products on every forum, every Panerai GTG and on the wrists of the occasional Panerai buyer?as well as celebrities. Yet they remained humble and continue to provide us with their outstanding vintage looking straps. I a...

After a one-week hiatus, #TBT is back!? Ironically, your author was on a plane for much of the last two weeks, which makes this week s edition all the more special.? Enjoy!If youre like me, you spend a lot of time in other countries for work or pleasure. I honestly go through periods where I forget who I was talking to about what and where I held the conversation. With this type of instability that is generally accompanied by fairly radical time zone changes, travellers such as myself look for little things that help make globetrotting easier. Favorite passport holder or document keeper? Check. Certain pair of headphones that block out the chattering plane neighbor or, worse, loud snorer? Ch...

If you are a regular reader of our Speedy Tuesday publications, you know that there are quite a number of variations on the Omega Speedmaster watch. One of them was this 2012 Omega Speedmaster First Omega in Space or FOiS in short. The Omega Speedmaster FOiS was initially introduced in 2012 as a 40th anniversary numbered edition model, to commemorate the fact that astronaut Wally Schirra wore an Omega Speedmaster (CK2998) in 1962 during his Sigma 7 flight.The 2012 stainless steel Omega Speedmaster FOiS has – compared to the normal Omega Speedmaster Professional – a?smaller case (39.7mm), lack of crown guards and the famous alpha hands instead of the white baton hands. The movemen...

For a few years in a row now, Tudor is one of those brands that s getting a lot of love from watch enthusiasts during the annual Baselworld exhibition. In our article of last week, where we featured our team s favorite watches (25 in total) and 5 let-down watches, Tudor also got a number of mentions. Not only did Tudor introduce the new North Flag watch (we talked about it here), but they also introduced a?revised Pelagos collection.Not long after Tudor introduced the Pelagos 25500TN, I wrote a review about it here. I was quite impressed as, as it felt like it was a modern interpretation of the – then discontinued – Sea-Dweller 4000ft/1220m. This year, Tudor decided to put their...

Its weekend! We decided to come up with some easy-to-digest content for the weekend, as youve probably been doing enough reading all week. From now on, we will publish our Weekend Watch Lists feature every weekend, to show you overviews with information about the consumer watch market. Our overviews are based on data from on-line watch consumers. Per list we will indicate the countries from which we used the data, as this will vary to keep it interesting. It will be interesting to see how much taste in watches can differ per country and continent. Data is retrieved from?Chronolytics.ch, watch market research company that operates under the flag of Ebner Verlag (publishing house of magazines ...

I am not going to lie to you: writing about watches is one of the coolest jobs ever. I do not have a journalistic background nor do I pretend to? have one. I just love watches and I can t remember exactly when, but it started when I was a little boy in the 1980s. Although I have several degrees in IT & Information Management, watches became a true passion of mine along the way. Every spare minute of my time went into learning, reading and eventually writing about watches. In the – almost – 11 years that Fratello Watches is on-line, I was able to make some very cool trips to Switzerland and Germany to visit manufactures. However, a couple of brands also invite me – and o...

Truth to be told, my knowledge is limited regarding American watch brands. Of course I know the big brands, some of their mile stones perhaps a bit more in detail, but that s basically it. Not that I am not interested in them, but since I live and work in Europe and am being ‘covered in Swiss and German watches here, there are not many occasions I can use to learn about them. What s more, their availability here in Europe is very limited. Very limited. I trust that our contributor Michael Stockton, who actually has its roots close to the American watch making area (near RGM) in Pennsylvania, will do an in-depth article on American watches and its industry some day, to teach our Europe...

It s Speedy Tuesday! One of our readers, Rob, mailed us with some great news. He purchased a beautiful Speedmaster Professional 105.012-66CB from the first owner.Rob explains: ….. the watch was purchased by the previous owner while he was in the medical corps of the Navy (in the midst of the Vietnam War, although I m not sure if he actually wore it overseas or saw action). He wore it for a little while, but eventually moved on to something else and basically just left it in a drawer for decades. Thankfully, the original papers were kept with the watch and given the light use over the ensuing decades, the case and dial are quite possibly the cleanest I ve ever seen for this reference.It...

In my first years of watch collecting, I remember I was able to borrow this Day-Date 18238 from my friend Gerard – who s also a contributor for Fratello Watches – for a few days and it felt like magic. At that time I was a student and walking around with a yellow gold Day-Date on a President bracelet probably looked a bit ridiculous. However, during all these years, the idea of owning one at some point never let me go. Up to this day, I still don t have a Day-Date with President (or Oyster) bracelet but the wish is still there and very alive.The lack of Day-Date ownership can be explained though. The good ol Day-Date in 36mm is considered to be relatively small these days. N...

Long-time G-SHOCK fans will make a beeline for the new MRG-G1000. The watch has a hardened titanium case and uses hybrid technology to achieve unsurpassed precision. Ever since the first design was launched in 1983, the G-SHOCK has been considered the pioneer in the tough watch category within the wristwatch market. All of the watches are exceptionally rugged and shock-resistant and designed with the Triple 10 concept.The Japanese brand sets a new benchmark with the MRG-G1000, thus entering the high-quality timepiece segment. The piece is distinguished by its sporty design, finest materials and innovative functions. For the first time, the legendary G-SHOCK shock resistance will be guarantee...

Its weekend! We decided to come up with some easy-to-digest content for the weekend, as youve probably been doing enough reading all week. From now on, we will publish our Weekend Watch Lists feature every weekend, to show you overviews with information about the consumer watch market. Our overviews are based on data from on-line watch consumers. Per list we will indicate the countries from which we used the data, as this will vary to keep it interesting. It will be interesting to see how much taste in watches can differ per country and continent. Data is retrieved from Chronolytics.ch, watch market research company that operates under the flag of Ebner Verlag (publishing house of magazines ...

Last year I ordered a couple of Seiko watches for myself. In fact, I only did so after seeing one of the JDM (Japan Domestic Models) in the Seiko boutique in Amsterdam. There I realized two things: 1. There is more to Seiko than I thought, 2. I need to learn all these nicknames and reference numbers. Not long after I decided to pull the trigger on a Seiko Baby Tuna SRP231. A super cool looking black watch with automatic movement and rubber strap. After I received that watch, I was amazed how this watch could offer so much for the money I paid (I think it was less than $300 USD if memory serves me correctly).Not long after, I decided to order the Seiko Sumo SBDC001, basically the standard mod...

As I write the latest installment of #TBT somewhere over the Atlantic, looking down at my left wrist, I am constantly reminded of something; there is no justice in the world of vintage watches. I say that because if justice truly prevailed, todays featured watch would be far more valuable than it is today. Id be crazy to suggest that watches such as vintage Heuers are overpriced because, as a devout free-market supporter, I believe that consumers speak loudly and freely with their wallets. What I am here to tell you, though, is that there are credible alternatives out there for now that might allow you to keep some of that hard-earned green in said billfold. Without further ado, todays #TBT ...

Nick, Speedmaster enthusiast and avid Speedy Tuesday reader, fell in love with Omega s Speedmaster after he watched the 1969 moon landing as a teenager while being in France. When he turned 21, he received a 71 Omega Speedmaster Professional ‘Moonwatch as a birthday gift from his dad.Unfortunately, a couple of years later (1974) when Nick worked in the movie industry in the United Kingdom, the watch was stolen on the set of Intimate Reflections. While this movie – as Nick puts is – was an infinitely forgettable film, it did launch his career in the industry. Besides his watch, also his brand new Nikon F2 camera was stolen from the set.Nick explains that he had to take his...

As you ve probably read by now, introduced this new version of the Yachtmaster (we did an overview on this relatively young collection a while ago). While I wasn t really overwhelmed during Baselworld this year, – as always – did create three neckbreakers for their 2015 collection. I am talking about their new line-up for 39mm Oyster Perpetual watches, the new Day-Date 40mm collection and this Yachtmaster ref.11655 in Everose gold with its new Oysterflex bracelet.I ve had a 2004 Yachtmaster in my personal collection at some point, which I really cherished as well, but somehow became the victim of one of those up-trading swaps for another watch. I know how much some hard core...

Its weekend! We decided to come up with some easy-to-digest content for the weekend, as youve probably been doing enough reading all week. From now on, we will publish our Weekend Watch Lists feature every weekend, to show you overviews with information about the consumer watch market. Our overviews are based on data from on-line watch consumers. Per list we will indicate the countries from which we used the data, as this will vary to keep it interesting. It will be interesting to see how much taste in watches can differ per country and continent. Data is retrieved from Chronolytics.ch, watch market research company that operates under the flag of Ebner Verlag (publishing house of magazines ...

One of our readers and watch enthusiasts, Richard, went back from a small collection of watches to just one timepiece. In this story he tells you why he sold all of his other watches to have just one watch; the ochs und junior mese (note the lack of capitalization).My ochs und junior mese has been my daily watch for more than a year now. Time to write down some words about this very personal watch and a very personal watch company.It was somewhere in 2011 that I first came across watches from ochs und junior. I dont know exactly where, but what I do know is the model I liked best: the settimana junior. On the one hand I liked the design and also its weekday complication. On the other hand it...

Casio with its G-Shock concept has over 30 years of history when it comes to toughness. In 1981 a team of only three members led by Kikuo Ibe was formed to produce a watch which could fulfil the Triple-10 concept; able to resist a 10 meter fall onto a hard surface, water resistant to 10 bar, 10 year battery life. In 1983 and over 200 prototypes later, Ibe s team came with the first G-Shock, the DW-5000.Despite the enormous achievement it was in those days, when a watch was still considered a delicate instrument, G-Shock has evolved tremendously. The watch we re reviewing here is one of G-Shock s latest creations and is a very good example of the G-Shock evolution.The?Casio?G-Shock GPW-1000RA...

Honestly, sometimes you get lucky. If youre like me and make it your lunchtime or evening pastime to comb through forums or eBay to look at vintage watches on offer, youre greeted with an absolute smorgasbord of pieces. Some are awful, some are overpriced, some are great and some are mysterious. I tend to go down the mysterious route more and more as I like to think that I know how to cull the herd when looking at grainy, often terrible, pictures in a listing and, besides, this is where decent deals can still be found. Granted, I gamble selectively and normally with low stakes; vintage Seikos are my usual game.Normally, when I receive these gambled upon pieces, Im greeted with a watch covere...

Its weekend! We decided to come up with some easy-to-digest content for the weekend, as youve probably been doing enough reading all week. From now on, we will publish our Weekend Watch Lists feature every weekend, to show you overviews with information about the consumer watch market. Our overviews are based on data from on-line watch consumers. Per list we will indicate the countries from which we used the data, as this will vary to keep it interesting. It will be interesting to see how much taste in watches can differ per country and continent. Data is retrieved from Chronolytics.ch, watch market research company that operates under the flag of Ebner Verlag (publishing house of magazines ...