Fratello
Last week, I had the pleasure of visiting the Toronto Timepiece Show. I was also a jury member for the Timepiece World Awards, so I had some formalities to attend to. But more about that later; let’s talk about the show first. Toronto Timepiece Show Over 75 watch brands exhibited at the Toronto Timepiece Show, […] Visit Report: Toronto Timepiece Show And Timepiece World Awards 2025 to read the full article.
Fratello
Cartier is a brand that has been on an absolute roll in recent years. Some readers may remember a time when self-proclaimed watch geeks unfairly considered Cartier “a jewelry brand that also sells watches.” However, the tide of perception has truly shifted in the last decade or so, and Cartier’s timepieces now seem hotter than […] Visit Entry-Level Cartier: Four Options From New To Vintage to read the full article.
Fratello
Welcome to another Sunday Morning Showdown! Daan and Thomas face off with two affordable vintage-inspired dive watches this time. Thomas defends the Lorier Neptune, while Daan represents the new Baltic Aquascaphe MK2. These contenders have the aesthetic of ’50s and ’60s dive watches and house modern Miyota movements in 39(.5)mm cases. The Lorier costs US$599, […] Visit Sunday Morning Showdown: Lorier Neptune Vs. Baltic Aquascaphe MK2 to read the full article.
Fratello
Switzerland, Germany, and Japan make up my “big three” of the watchmaking world, with France on the rise. Yet, of all these hubs, Japan has been slow to embrace the microbrand trend. Big brands, including Seiko, Grand Seiko, Citizen, Orient, and Casio, dominate the market. Recently, however, independents such as Kurono Tokyo, Hajime Asaoka, Kikuchi […] Visit Introducing: The Kiwame Tokyo Kurotsuki And Usuki Models to read the full article.
Fratello
About a month ago, Dave wrote about a new series of dress watches from Praesidus. This was a first for the young brand that usually focuses on military-themed field watches and chronographs. But even if it is a dress watch, it would not be a Praesidus without a link to a historical military event. The […] Visit Hands-On With Two Praesidus Victory Watches - Champagne And Classic to read the full article.
Fratello
Nivada Grenchen is always fun to explore. The brand was well regarded in the 20th century for tough tool watches, including a series that went to Antarctica. This led to the Antarctic watch line, and today, we’ll look at a vintage example. Revitalized in recent years, Nivada Grenchen has been going from strength to strength, […] Visit Value In Vintage: The Nivada Grenchen Antarctic to read the full article.
Fratello
There is something about a watch tied to a good story. Whether it is a mythical creature, a historical figure, or a place that sparks the imagination, the right narrative can elevate a watch beyond being just another diver in the lineup. Spinnaker has leaned into this idea more than once, but its latest release […] Visit Spinnaker And Scottish Watches Team Up For The Nessie Pearl Diver to read the full article.
Fratello
Another Friday, another list! Today, we’re continuing our series focusing on budget-friendly watches. Not too long ago, we compiled a trio of lists covering the best available watches under €500. For this new series of three articles, we’ll double the budget and focus on the best watches under €1,000. Last week, we kicked off the […] Visit Fratello’s Top 5 Watches Under €1,000 From Small Brands to read the full article.
Fratello
Earlier this year, Formex surprised us with the skeletonized Formex Essence Ceramica. It showcased just how far the brand could push modern materials and finishing at an accessible price point. The sleek, all-ceramic case and bracelet showcased Formex’s technical prowess, while the skeletonized dial guaranteed a big visual statement. Now Formex returns with a solid-dial […] Visit Hands-On With The New Formex Essence Ceramica Automatic COSC 41mm to read the full article.
Fratello
Who likes to keep a secret? This guy doesn’t! However, when we visited David Candaux at Geneva Watch Days 2025, we had to promise to keep our collective mouths shut about an upcoming release. Almost four weeks later, I’m excited to talk about the new DC12 MaveriK. This was easily one of my favorite pieces […] Visit Hands-On With The New David Candaux DC12 MaveriK to read the full article.
Fratello
Since 2020, ID Genève has produced watches with a more sustainable and equitable future in mind. The brand’s 100% Swiss-made timepieces feature innovative components, such as self-healing carbon fiber, reprocessed stainless steel, and leather-alternative straps. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of the 17 Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs) of the United Nations, ID Genève launches the […] Visit ID Genève Introduces The Circular SDG Timepiece At Climate Week New York to read the full article.
Fratello
Two of Britain’s most contrasting watch brands are pairing up again. After the London-exclusive Gimlet, Fears and Studio Underd0g have headed across the Atlantic with another cocktail-inspired collab. Introducing the Manhattan, a watch that blends the elegance and heritage of Fears with Studio Underd0g’s irreverent spirit. Only 300 pieces of the Fears × Studio Underd0g […] Visit Introducing: The Limited And Very English Fears × Studio Underd0g Manhattan to read the full article.
Fratello
Glashütte Original was founded in 1845, and to commemorate this milestone, the brand has unveiled a stunning new PanoLunarTourbillon. As we’ll see, the watch showcases the best of the manufacture, featuring an in-house movement and dial. With a limited production run and flagship status, this watch won’t be for everyone, but it’s a great example […] Visit Looking At The New Glashütte Original PanoLunarTourbillon to read the full article.
Fratello
Tissot is one of our favorite brands here at Fratello. The company’s blend of history and industry-leading value also makes it a popular pick among buyers. Often, at the heart of this value proposition is an impressive movement. The Powermatic 80 has been in production since 2012, but it still offers impressive specs. Watches such […] Visit Tissot’s Beating Heart: The Powermatic 80 And Powermatic 80 COSC to read the full article.
Fratello
Usually, new dial variations tend to be the least surprising novelties in the watch world. If we’re talking about a new Grand Seiko dial, though, I’m all ears. When I first saw the Grand Seiko SLGB005 in a lineup of six models, it didn’t instantly grab my attention. The recently released “Sunrise” Tentagraph SLGC006 and […] Visit Hands-On: The New Grand Seiko SLGB005 With A Mesmerizingly Beautiful Purple Dial to read the full article.
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Is there such a thing as an endgame watch? It’s not something we often consider. But just about two weeks ago, Henry wrote an article about his new Rolex Sea-Dweller 16600, referring to it as the ultimate diver and his “endgame” watch. This got us thinking about what this would be for us, so today […] Visit Fratello Talks: Endgame Watches to read the full article.
Fratello
Independent watchmaking is often most interesting when it balances tradition with something fresh. That is exactly what Nicolas Delaloye has done with the Renaissance. On paper, it’s a classical dress watch with an enamel dial and a hand-wound movement. However, the case is made of tantalum, one of the most intriguing and difficult metals to […] Visit Introducing: The Nicolas Delaloye Renaissance In Tantalum to read the full article.
Fratello
Ming is probably best known for its simple, time-only watches. After all, these are the types of pieces responsible for the small brand’s dramatic rise in popularity. However, the eight-year-old brand has offered chronographs, GMTs, worldtimers, and other complications. In 2021, the first Ming watch with a date indicator arrived. It also included a moonphase […] Visit Introducing: The Ming 37.05 Lunatic to read the full article.
Fratello
I have had the pleasure of covering releases from Louis Moinet for several years. By and large, most of the watches have featured wild complications and materials. They’ve been fun, limited, and expensive. Therefore, when the brand debuted the 1816 Chronograph at Watches and Wonders 2025, we took notice due to its more modern design. […] Visit Hands-On With The Louis Moinet 1806 Chronomètre d’Observatoire to read the full article.
Fratello
You may very well be looking at the pinnacle of watch modding. The Artisans de Genève 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 […] Visit Modding To The Max: The Artisans De Genève Absolute Ruby Surpasses Anything The Watch Workshop Did Before to read the full article.
Fratello
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 […] Visit Five Non-Classic Omega Speedmasters Worthy Of Any Collection to read the full article.
Fratello
“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, you’re up close and personal with an exclusive watch. This engraved line on the case back of the new […] Visit Introducing Watch Magic: Roger Dubuis Excalibur Knights Of The Round Table, The Enchanter Merlin to read the full article.
Fratello
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 […] Visit Fratello On Air: Currently Available Watches Offering The Best Value to read the full article.
Fratello
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 […] Visit Introducing: The Tissot PRX UFO Robot Grendizer 50th Anniversary Special Edition to read the full article.
Fratello
Please don’t 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. […] Visit Introducing: The New Baltic Aquascaphe MK2 - An Updated Retro Cult Classic In Eight Variants to read the full article.
Fratello
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 […] Visit Hands-On With The CIGA Design Moon Walker to read the full article.
Fratello
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. We invited some of our readers to the beautiful Cartier boutique […] Visit Photo Report - An Evening With Cartier In Amsterdam to read the full article.
Fratello
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 […] Visit Hands-On With Two Handsome Hanhart 415 ES Panda Chronographs to read the full article.
Fratello
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 […] Visit Is The Tudor Heritage Ranger A Future Neo-Vintage Classic? to read the full article.
Fratello
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 […] Visit Sunday Morning Showdown: Panerai Luminor Marina Militare PAM05218 Vs. Breitling Superocean Heritage B31 Automatic 42 to read the full article.
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