Watches Blog Wrist Watch Reviews

These days, watch purists love to hate the date. Well, the date window, that is. It breaks the symmetry of the design, they say. Its an eyesore, they claim. And of course, If I need to know the date, I can just check my phone. Now, I cant say these sentiments are totally invalid. As someone with a variety of watches and a smartphone, there are days when a clean, dateless watch is exactly what I want. But imagine you lived a hundred years ago. Youre in a sticky situation, with no calendar, no newspaper, and no human nearby to ask, and you urgently need to know the date. With nothing at hand but your only timepiece, you think, Golly, the date on my wristwatch would sure be the bees knees!Unfor [...]

When it comes to practical complications, its difficult to argue against the everyday usefulness of the calendar. Sure, complications like the minute repeater or rattrapante are romantic, awe-inspiring displays of watchmaking prowess. But are their functions of any real consequence to most of our daily lives? Likely not. The calendar, on the other hand, affects us all whether we like it or not. Without the ability to keep track of the day, date, month, and year, our modern societies would collapse. From the humble and economical date complication to the regal perpetual calendar, these complications offer some of the most useful timekeeping information outside of hours, minutes, and seconds. [...]

I like the quiet contenders. On school sports day, they're the ones that lag behind at a snail's pace, reserving their energy before pulling a last-minute trick out of the bag and surging past everyone like a little Duracell Bunny. If they're particularly cunning, they'll throw a curveball and trip an opponent up, ever-so-sneakily before the finish line. I'm also quietly competitive. I like to gather all my facts. Observe other people. Study their strategies before conceiving and executing a nefarious master planIs that what smaller watchmakers do, do you think? They may not stand directly under the limelight or indeed, have the financial backing or the marketing they need to steal another's [...]

England's Auld Enemy has gone. They've checked out. They've been dismissed in a cruel fashion. Yes, Scotland, as harsh as it seems for a team that laid it all on the line, is out of the European Championship. The Scots were a compelling competitor, led by their inspiring captain Andy Robertson, but a couple of flat performances (interjected by a towering effort against England) have put paid to their hopes of a somewhat Grecian run to the cup. But with one rival gone, another ancient foe steps into the frayAs it happens, we have a very tasty last sixteen tie lined up for tomorrow evening. That's right, England will play Germany in the last sixteen, in what promises to be an absolute roller c [...]

The last year or so has certainly been special, but now that things are reopening, its time to get back out there. Perhaps youve 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!The great reopeningThe trio is back Balazs, Jorg, and Mike talk about watches from the past year that people should try in person. Balazs goes fancy and lists a Lange as one of his favorites. Jorg picks a tough [...]

Recently, I chatted with one of my favorite artists, Misha Mansoor, about his newfound interest in watches and how it all started. Misha is the founder and one of three guitarists in the American metal band, Periphery. His collection starts with an interest in watch mechanisms and grows to the appreciation of design and history. Whether you're into this type of music or not, Misha is a highly knowledgeable and passionate collector of watches and one of the nicest guys in the music business.Periphery is one of my favorite rock bands in existence. As soon as I heard the opening riff to Icarus Lives from Periphery's eponymous first album, I was hooked. The music is heavy for many tastes but is [...]

Three of us recently got together from three different countries to talk about our favorite pieces from Watches and Wonders 2021. As youll see, the choices are eclectic!Balazs, Jorg, and Mike came together to talk about their favorite novelties from Watches and Wonder 2021. The picks were surprising Just like the recent episode on Watches and Wonder from Robert-Jan and Rob, a Rolex did not make the cut. That didnt stop the team from discussing the newest wares from the untouchable brand, though.Pick six Watches and Wonders 2021You can also listen to this Fratello on Air podcast via Soundcloud,?Apple Podcast,?Google Podcast,?Deezer,??Stitcher, and?Spotify. Please subscribe to the channel so y [...]

On the third day of Watches and Wonders, we can make up the balance and share our favorite watches from the show. Three watches each, and a bonus watch, so we talk about 8 watches in total.Surprisingly, no watches from Patek Philippe, Rolex, or Tudor are in this overview of our favorites. Instead, with one or two exceptions, we selected pretty wild watches (at least for us). Included are A. Lange Sohne (twice!), a Cartier, a Moser Cie, a Louis Moinet (actually a set of 4), a Louis Vuitton, a Nomos, and a Jaeger-LeCoultre.Our Watches and Wonders FavoritesYou can also listen to this Fratello on Air podcast via Soundcloud,?Apple Podcast,?Google Podcast,?Deezer,??Stitcher, and?Spotify. Please [...]

If youve spent as long in and around the luxury watch industry as I have, youll know the feeling Im about to describe: sometimes, you love a brand for all the right reasons and adore its products because each and every one has a distinct character, a story to tell, or a level of craftsmanship that blows your mind without seemingly having to try, and yet somewhere, in the back of your mind, you feel like there might be more to come. Often, in ways we cannot predict, brands are still able to surprise us. And, in doing so, show us a vision of something yet more majestic that could be just around the corner. The A. Lange Sohne Little Lange 1 Moon Phase first bewitched me, before sending me on a [...]

Some brands have icons. What we mean by that is a particular model that has not only stood the test of time but also come to define not just the brand but also an entire market segment. Sure, the term is grossly overused, but when using it to describe the Lange 1, there can be no doubt we are in the presence of an icon. What makes the Lange 1 family different from, say, the Rolex Datejust or Submariner is exactly how much variation there is within it. The A. Lange Sohne Lange 1 Perpetual Calendar is really a model in its own right, and this particular iteration lives up to the long and prestigious history that came before it.From a distance, the models within the A. Lange Sohne collection [...]

Lange and Sohne is back with a host of new releases. In this brief article, we take a look at the flagship model, the limited edition Triple Split chronograph in pink gold with dark blue dial.Lange and Sohne rarely fails to impress. Since returning to the market in 1994, theyve made some incredible watches that easily rank amongst the best of the best from the likes of Patek and other high end brands. Today, Lange returns with a new version of a watch that first debuted back in 2018 the Triple Split chronograph. The original model came in white gold with a gray dial whereas todays piece is in pink gold with a bold blue facade.The Long Triple SplitLange will make 100 pieces of its newest Tri [...]

The vote is drawing to a close With just two remaining, the Czapek Antarctique Terre Ad lie is holding a decent (and ratified)) lead over the A. Lange Sohne Datograph Lumen. This is not a result anyone saw coming. This was not what we expected when we started out on this road, way back on March 1st. It looks like were about to crown a worthy but highly surprising winner to the March Mania experience, but there is still time for it all to changeThe vote will close at 3:30 pm on April 7th. Thats two days from now. It also happens to be the same day Watches and Wonders begins, so make sure you tune back in to see the abundance of novelties we have in store for you then.At the time of writing t [...]

Ladies and gentlemen, we are finally there. The end of a long, long road weve traveled together over the past month is now in sight. At the end of this bloody royal rumble that saw 96 watches lineup on March 1st, we have just two remaining. The surprise 2 seed from Jorgs group, the Czapek Antarctique Terre Ad lie, and the irrepressible top seed from Berts crop, the A. Lange Sohne Datograph Lumen. From a neutrals perspective, it could hardly be a better match-up. An up-and-coming modern classic look set to mesmerize watch lovers for decades, versus an irrefutably impressive slice of the Hautest?Horlogerie going.?This Grand Final vote will remain open for seven days, so youve got plenty of t [...]

When we started the competition, we had 96 watches; now, were down to four. The remaining writers are now into their second head-to-head match-up. The winner moves on to the final; the loser goes home. At this point, its simply the best of the best. Your favorite four watches battle it out for eternal glory. Who will be crowned the winner of March Mania? Its up to you to help decide who will be the King!Were at the sharp end now. We have four heavyweights left in our March Mania competition. The semi-final stage starts now All four of our contestants can see the finish line where eternal glory awaits. Tomas and Bert clash in the second of our semi-finals. Its Lange on Lange. Blood on blood. [...]

We are at the stage where our writers go head-to-head and hope to battle their way through to the semi-finals. At this point, each of our writers has only one watch remaining. Today, we have our last quarter-final that sees a bust-up between Ben and Bert. We need your help to find out who will be one of the four final contenders. Where will your votes fall?Were at the sharp end now. Ben has one watch left, as does Bert. We need you to pick your favorite in this March Mania quarter-final. Following this round, the semi-finals commence this coming Monday, so youve not got long to register your opinion. Go hard or go home. Its time to leave it all on the courtLogin to your Fratello account and [...]

March Mania marches on When we started the competition, we had 96 watches. Now were at the stage when the last 16 have been scythed in half to leave eight standing. At that point, our writers will have just one watch remaining each. So today, for the very last time, the watches that started in the preliminaries together will go head-to-head for the division champion crown. Where will the votes land?Thats it we are down to the final two match-ups to determine our group champions. Ben and Bert both have just two watches left. The quarter-finals commence tomorrow, so we need you to pick your favorite in this quick-fire round as youve not got long to register your opinion. Lets do this thing!L [...]

Roll up, one and all, March Mania has reached its second round At this stage, our eight competing writers get a rest. Rob and Dave will present our weary warriors remaining four watches over the next four days, with each post featuring the winners of two first-round votes.Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to finally help us decide the champions of Mike and Tomass groups. The last two pieces standing trade blows for the right to exit the group stage as king of the castle, and march on to the quarter-finals with their head held highLogin to your Fratello account and drop us a comment. Who did you vote for and why? Whats your prediction for the later rounds? The Omega Speedmaster 321 [...]

Rob and Balazs scoot through five major sports leagues (and touch on a sixth) as they seek out the very best on-field threads available right now. Pairing each jersey/team with a watch model or brand, is, of course, their secondary task.Weve got lots of Rolex, Breitling, Lange, and other heavy hitters, wild creations like Hublot, Artya, and HYT, fun stuff like Neff and Casio, and loads more watchmaking wonders to discuss. Jump in and enjoy, and let us know your favorite jerseys in the comments section. Today, were touching on the MLB (baseball), NHL (ice hockey), NFL (football), NBA (basketball), and the EPL (soccer). If were not talking about your favorite sport, make sure to let us know ab [...]

Roll up, one and all; March Mania has reached its second round At this stage, our eight competing writers get a rest. Rob and I have presented our weary warriors remaining four watches over the past four days, with each post featuring the winners of two first-round votes. After today we move onto the Sweet Sixteen, how exciting!Here come the final four warriors from both Ben and Berts groups. The writers arent going head-to-head just yet, so the seedings attached to each watch stay put from the previous round. By the end of the week, well be down to the final two from each initial group of 12 as we barrel towards the showpiece final. As always, what we need from you is simple: vote for your [...]

Roll up, one and all, March Mania has reached its second round At this stage, our eight competing writers get a rest. Rob and Dave will present our weary warriors remaining four watches over the next four days, with each post featuring the winners of two first-round votes.Today we have the four top dogs from Mike and Tomass groups. The writers arent going head-to-head just yet, so the seedings attached to each watch stay put from the previous round. By the end of the week, well be down to the final two from each initial group of 12 as we barrel towards the showpiece final. As always, what we need from you is simple: vote for your favorite watch and let us know why in the comments below. Reme [...]