When we introduced you to the new combination of a 1908 in yellow gold paired with a Settimo bracelet on April 1st, the price of the full-gold ensemble was CHF 33,400. On that same date, the cost of gold was reported at US$3,120.93 per ounce. As I write this on June 10th, the price of gold per ounce is approximately US$3,329.85. The price went up by 6.7%, but with great pleasure, I can inform you that the price of the full-gold 1908 has not followed that trend or risen in price. Well, not yet. Life has certainties, like death, taxes, and price increases. But now, with the price out of the way, lets focus on the watch that received the Midas touch and walked away better for it. Lets go hand...

We re back with the latest release from Brellum. The new Pandial Marina Tricompax Chronometer LE is a nautically inspired chronograph available in two case materials. Brellum may be a small brand, but buyers can expect a finely finished watch with a flourish of details. Plus, the customer service experience is unique and often includes founder Sebastien Muller, who responds directly to queries.After covering multiple debuts from Brellum, I ve realized that the brand has hit upon a different and seemingly successful strategy. Some may rue the idea of a brand that produces small, limited runs of each release, but why spend loads of money on inventory? It also allows the company to continue to ...

Today on Fratello Talks, Nacho, Thomas, and Lex join forces to discuss the topic of watch styling for enthusiasts, sharing some of their thoughts, opinions, and methods. Though some people like to think of watches as functional objects, they are closer to fashion accessories in today s world. As much as that might sound like blasphemy to some, it s hard to deny that it s the truth. Many watches have blurred the lines between function and fashion, so it s worth acknowledging the potential sartorial implications of wearing watches. So, whether you choose to dress with or around your watch, tune in and share your thoughts on the topic in the comments. Now, let s get into wrist check.This video ...

Chrono24 is the worlds largest marketplace for watches, and today marks the launch of its new brand identity and global brand campaign, Time Is Our Thing.Cristiano Ronaldo took a stake in Chrono24 in 2023Chrono24Since its inception in 2003, Chrono24 has established itself as the international marketplace for luxury watches, offering a staggering selection of approximately 560,000 timepieces. With around 3,000 dealers and 60,000 private sellers spanning more than 120 countries, it s no surprise that the platform sees more than nine million visitors monthly. Whether you re in the market for a brand-new model, a cherished pre-owned piece, or a vintage gem, Chrono24 ensures a seamless experience...

Failure is not an option, said actor Ed Harris in the 1995 movie Apollo 13 as he directed the successful efforts by the Mission Control team to save the crew. Harris played the role of Gene Kranz, the actual Chief Flight Director during that mission and many more, including Apollo 11, the first lunar-landing mission. In the movie, Ed Harris wore a Seiko 6139-6002 chronograph. However, in real life, Kranz wore a white-dial Seiko 5 6119-8460 Sports Diver. That s the watch Seiko decided to make a re-edition of, as well as its black-dial counterpart. Let s take a look at these new limited editions.Chief Flight Director Gene Kranz at his console in the Manned Spacecraft Center s Mission Control C...

If we polled a large group of die-hard watch fans and asked them to associate a word with Breitling, the answer would be something like pilot or chronograph. However, if we were to run the same experiment among the general populace, a surprisingly different answer might emerge. It turns out that diving and, in particular, the Superocean Heritage, is a huge crowd-pleaser. Therefore, a revamp of the lineup requires serious consideration and planning.Today, Breitling announces a new Superocean Heritage collection, and folks, I ll spoil it right here: the brand nailed it. As we ll see, the watches represent an evolution rather than a complete change (the Superocean brought a much-needed wholehea...

Seiko has given us a multitude of PADI Editions over the past decade or so. I am the proud owner of the Seiko Turtle SRPA21 PADI Edition that came out in 2016. I don t wear it often these days, but I used to wear it a lot after buying it. That watch is why I always follow the new PADI Editions with interest. Seiko graces us with two PADI Editions in vibrant green this year. The first is the Prospex SPB501 Diver s Watch 1965 Heritage, and the second is the Prospex Samurai SRPL53. The Japanese brand also introduces a second Samurai model, the blue Prospex SRPL51. The last is a regular addition to the brand s catalog. Let s find out more.I m thinking back to that?Seiko Turtle SRPA21 PADI Editio...

We ve visited with Armin Strom since the Baselworld days. Indeed, the brand was founded in 2009 by Serge Michel and Claude Greisler in Biel, Switzerland. This makes the company, comparatively speaking, one of the old guard in haute horlogerie. Admittedly, my interest in this style of open-worked watch has only recently begun, and I now enjoy seeing the watches and hearing the rationale behind each. Every so often, though, a watch comes along and catches me, which causes me to follow the brand more closely.In August 2024, I had an appointment with Armin Strom and set my eyes on the new Dual Time GMT Resonance C First Edition. This white gold watch with twin sky-blue grenage dials was gorgeous...

Today on Fratello, we re sharing the story of how two adventurers crossed Antarctica on foot in 1989. One of those men, Reinhold Messner, wore an Omega Speedmaster on his wrist during the journey.Traversing a vast expanse of ice, snow, and howling winds is no small feat. Antarctica is one of the starkest landscapes on Earth. In an environment almost as unforgiving as Mars, even the smallest error can be the difference between life and death. Even the most experienced explorers have lost their lives on that icy continent. From November 13th, 1989, to February 12th, 1990 (92 days), Reinhold Messner from Italy and Arved Fuchs from Germany crossed Antarctica entirely on their own. They had the h...

Alpina dropped two unassuming and atypically subtle watches during this years Watches and Wonders. So unassuming, in fact, that they got drowned out by all of the noise made by other manufacturers. Luckily, we had Fratellos Mike with a keen eye for vintage spotting the Alpina Heritage Tropic-Proof. The two watches impressed him, so I took the opportunity to go hands-on now that the dust has settled, to see whether these are indeed winners.The Alpina Heritage Tropic-Proof comes with either a black or white dial. Each version costs $1,795. Lets have a closer look!The roots of the Alpina Heritage Tropic-ProofAs you can see from both the pictures and the name of the watch, these pay homage to Al...

It s hard to believe that the Glashtte Original SeaQ debuted back in 2019 as part of the Spezialist collection. The watches were added to the permanent catalog, honoring the brand s Spezimatic Type RP TS 200 from 1969. Since the initial release, new dial colors and materials have been added. For the smallest offering in the lineup, the 39.5mm model, new strap options and a display case back are now available. Plus, the brand will retrofit the display case back into previously purchased models for a relatively nominal fee. Let s take a fresh look at this wearable classic diver.There are several options on the market with skin-diver cases, but none are as lovely as the Glashtte Original SeaQ...

ArtyA is one of those brands Ive had on my radar for a while, but nothing ever quite spoke to me. The designs were bold, sure, but often felt more provocative than purposeful. Pieces like the Son of a Gun and Burning Spider always left a lot to be desired in my mind. Ive never been one for the niche art-watch scene. But thats not the case anymore. In the last few years, ArtyA has quietly evolved into something far more focused. The brand has found its footing through an impressive command of sapphire and nano-sapphire case construction paired with increasingly technical mechanical chops. The watch were looking at today, the new Luminity Wavy Micro-Rotor, feels like the culmination of that pr...

Most Fratello readers saw Top Gun, right? And something tells me most of you have also seen Top Gun: Maverick. Something also tells me that all who have seen those action-packed movies wanted to be Maverick or Iceman. Who wouldnt want to fire the afterburners and just send their F-14 Tomcat? With a cool pilots watch on the wrist, daydreaming about doing just that becomes a tad more realistic. The new IWC Pilots Watch Automatic 41 Top Gun Lake Tahoe and Mojave Desert are linked to the famous US Navy Fighter Weapons School, the actual name of the Top Gun flight school. They also got me thinking about extraterrestrial settings where these two new ceramic watches would excel. The white Lake Taho...

For those of us in the Northern Hemisphere, summer is just around the corner, so it s time to start thinking about your daily watch for the coming months. While switching up straps is an easy way of changing the looks of your watch, more and more brands have started catering to those who want a colorful watch for the summertime. This has led to a great number of options to choose from. With the introduction of these colorful Rado Anatom models, the brand now offers a trio of watches that celebrate summer with the characteristic retro looks of the Anatom series. I had a chance to find out whether that leads to a winning combination for the months ahead.I feel that Rado s reintroduction of the...

NATO straps have seen a massive boost in popularity in recent years. Once used exclusively by military units, they are now one of the more common strap options I see on the street. For many people, a NATO-style strap is probably mostly a fashion statement. By this, I mean it is a strap that just looks cool or adds a certain tool-like quality to a watch. There is nothing wrong with that, but it would be selling these straps short because there are many advantages that go beyond looks. Finally, after years of disliking NATO straps due to the extra bulk they bring to a watch, I get it. Yes, I have reached enlightenment, and here s why.Some context, thanks to NATOFor those of you who don t know,...

Citizen has been knocking it out of the park the last two years. We have seen a constant stream of interesting releases. The best thing about them is that the prices are affordable, and what you get for the money is almost unbeatable. Sure, not every model will be to your liking, but Citizen has been thriving as a brand. The latest addition to the lineup is a new series of Zenshin 60 Super Titanium sports watches. They now join the series of vintage-inspired sports watches that impressed us a lot last year. On top of adding a name to this collection, these four models might be the best yet. Let me explain what makes them so impressive.Last year, I reviewed three Citizen Super Titanium series...

Writing about watches from a distance can be a challenging task. Sure, it s easy enough to understand the specifications, finishing methods, and purpose of a new release. However, seeing is believing. Then again, there are times when coming face to face with a potentially desirable watch ends in disappointment. Thankfully, the BA111OD Chapter 7 is a piece that delivers on more than specifications alone. We spent time with the Forest Green version on the bracelet, and here are my thoughts.The folks at BA111OD know that they have a tricky brand name. If one sees and pronounces it (using every ounce of a questionable understanding of French) as Baillod, then all is well. Consider the current gu...

Coming this month is the return of WatchIt! Watch Fair presented by 12&60. WatchIt! is a free one-day event where you can view, handle, talk, and buy watches in a friendly and relaxed atmosphere. This gathering for enthusiastic watch lovers and like-minded individuals boasts some of the best of what Britain and the world offer.Whether youre serious about watches or only just getting into them, everyone is welcome. WatchIt! is free to attend and open to all, and its central location makes it accessible for visitors from across the country. The event will showcase British and Swiss watches you usually only see online, making it an excellent opportunity to go hands-on with some of the most ...

I hereby declare 2025 as the first year of the Age of Elegance. Please dont confuse the era upon us with the opulence and glamour of the Edwardian age; the Age of Elegance focuses on understated modernity, functional style, and technical charm. Sophistication 2.0 takes design cues from the rich watchmaking tradition and elevates them using state-of-the-art materials, sometimes deemed unconventional, and future-ready designs that convey a new language everyone understands. Yes, in this article, were imagining the dress watch of the future. We also look at which watches already fit the Age of Elegance and wonder if you would wear, for example, a ceramic Cartier or a titanium Calatrava.Not too ...

It s Sunday morning, which means it s time for a coffee and another installment of Sunday Morning Showdown. This week, we chose two newer versions of watches that we pitted against each other back in 2022 and 2023. The Tudor Black Bay 58 GMT came out last year and is the smaller and slimmer version of the Black Bay GMT. As such, it is our favorite over its 41mm counterpart. Today, it takes on the 39mm version of the Longines Spirit Zulu Time, the brand s popular travel watch. Specifically, we picked the titanium model, which is closer in price to the Black Bay 58 GMT and adds the wearing comfort of a lightweight watch. Let s find out which of these two comes out on top.The recent introductio...