Watches Blog Wrist Watch Reviews

Hidden away in the other launches section of the Cartier press site, the new Santos de Cartier was kept company by the new Indomptables de Cartier and the new Ballon Bleu releases. The new Santos, however, was a watch that I wrote off in my head as far too big and a bit too flashy. The first case measurement of 47.5mm told me everything I needed to know. Or so I thought Seeing the watch in person at the Cartier touch-and-feel session at Watches And Wonders 2022 had me scratching my head. Was this the 47.5mm monster I had read about? Surely, it couldn't be. It wasn't half as big or flashy as I had imagined. And on the wrist, it just worked like a charm. Perhaps the second case measurement of [...]

I'm always a bit ashamed when people ask me what movement is inside my own Cartier Santos Galb e XL from 2006. It houses a very reliable ETA 2893, which can be serviced by basically any watchmaker in the world. So it's certainly not something to be ashamed of, especially because the watch looks so good. But ever since Cartier launched its Collection Priv , Cartier Paris (CPCP) in 1998, the brand has been trying to impress us not only with that beautiful skin, but also with very impressive movements underneath it. Today, those efforts result in the launch of Cartier's most technical and complex piece to date. Behold, the Cartier Masse Myst rieuse.Here at Fratello, we look at numerous press re [...]

Cartier has a rich history when it comes to dial design. And when it comes to the Tank models, we've seen it all. That makes sense. The watch originated in 1917, so by the time the '70s and 80s came around, it's only natural that the designers had begun to play with new ideas. Their creativity coupled with the perfect blank canvas resulted in some stunning models. The amazing design found in those watches makes a comeback in the latest releases for Watches Wonders 2022. Today, Cartier presented three new precious-metal Tank Louis Cartier references and two Tank Must models which join the current lineup.First created in 1917 by Louis Cartier, the Tank's signature profile has been a timeless [...]

Founded on the 31st of October 2015, the Singapore Watch Club (SWC) started out as a group of Instagram watch friends who decided to get together discussing their shared love of watches over a few beers. Six years later, the club has gathered a significant following, providing a place for enthusiasts to come together and discuss and appreciate their common interest. With its doors wide open for passionate fans of horology, upholding its core values of sincerity, passion, and humility. Tom Chng, the club's founder got in touch with us to share the exciting news of these releases. And with Watches And Wonders right around the corner where Cartier will share this year's novelties, it comes as a [...]

Cartier is one of the only constants of watchmaking, defiantly sticking to its guns whatever may come. Whether the trend of the year is green, small watches, or large tool divers, Cartier keeps its identity and focus. Granted, we have seen the occasional dip into unknown waters with the release of watches like the Calibre de Cartier divers. But when you think of Cartier, the first image is of a Tank or a Santos, designs that have endured for over a century. That said, the best Cartier watches arent strictly rectangular. Even round wristwear has its place among the brands greatest designs.Though there is no getting away from geometric cases, yes, there is more in the refined and very French c [...]

The pursuit of perfection is a doomed undertaking. Take the creation of the perfect watch, for instance. Building an ideal watch that is entirely without technical and aesthetical flaws, defects, or shortcomings is the watchmaker's vision. Unfortunately, its one that will never materialize. But when you change perspective from creator to audience, perfection is something that can be perceived. Some hear perfection in Bach, see it in a statue by Michelangelo, or experience it when wearing a Cartier Tank Solo. And that experience can lead to strong feelings love, even. Let's try and find out why you can't help but love the Cartier Tank.The Cartier Tank was designed by Louis Cartier at the end [...]

If you've read my first-ever story on Fratello, you already know this by now. But in the first two years of my collecting journey, I was on the run. Im not sure what I was running from exactly, but I was buying watches fast. And when you go fast, you don't always make the best decisions. That's how I ended up with a 1974 Rolex Datejust. It was a 1603 with a beautiful blue pie-pan dial and pretty yellow tritium lume pips. But it was also attached to a very worn-out Jubilee bracelet. To cut a long story short, it didn't give me the butterflies when I was wearing it, so I ended up selling it after a few months.?That Rolex Datejust was supposed to be the star of my collection at that moment. Its [...]

Watches are all about stories and experiences. That dent in the bezel reminds you of a particular holiday. You might have worn one of your watches on your wedding day. A watch might have been worn by an actor in your favorite movie. These are all things that you remember when you look down at your wrist. And I think the way you acquired a watch is just as significant as the memories you create with it when you wear it.?There are many different ways to acquire a watch, of course. You could, potentially, just walk into an AD and buy one. Or you might have to get on a waiting list for a while before getting the call. Maybe your watch was a present from your wife or your manager, or it was passe [...]

The history of the Pasha de Cartier is shrouded in mystery. Yes, the watch is named after the Pasha of Marrakesh, Thami El Glaoui. And it's also true that he commissioned a waterproof watch from Louis Cartier in the early 1930s so he could wear it swimming. Another fact is that in 1933, the Pasha got his desired watch. But here is where the mystery begins. No one knows exactly what the watch looked like, though experts point in the direction of the water-resistant gold Tank |tanche. What we do know is that the watch didn't look like the Pasha we know today. The G rald Genta-designed Pasha de Cartier only debuted in 1985. And when it did, it fit right into the decade of greed. With its exuber [...]

This is largely going to be a visual exercise. What you're about to see is three Fratelli Sofia, Nacho, and Jorg trying on a wide range of watches. Nothing new so far, I agree. But what they will be doing is wearing very differently sized watches, ranging from the elegant Cartier Tank Solo to the beast-like Omega Seamaster Ploprof to see and feel what fits and what doesn't. We are trying to settle a watch/wrist size dilemma is there such a thing as a watch thats too big or too small? Since this is no exact science, there is and will be plenty of room for debate.Whether something is too big or too small in the case of a watch is always and I repeat, always a matter of personal preference. The [...]

Here at Fratello, we love to shine the spotlight on special projects that members of the watch community are working on. Today we have the pleasure of introducing a new YouTube channel: Winters Bui Photography Watches. Its being launched by Lydia Winters and Vu Bui. And if their names ring a bell, you might know them already. Perhaps from their positions at Mojang Studios as Chief Storyteller and COO, respectively. The Swedish video game developer was responsible for the creation of the well-known sandbox video game, Minecraft. But if you don't know them from that already impressive side of their career, you may have come across their Instagram pages, where they often post stunning pictur [...]

As the dizzy haze of Christmas and New Years dissipates, we face the grim reality of returning to work. The only option is to work from home for some of us, preferably still in sleepwear. But with restrictions lifting in certain regions, office managers enforce presenteeism, requiring us to suit up and commute. To make the journey more palatable, here are my choices for the best office wristwatch.Well, firstly, what is an office watch? Were used to pilots, divers, and explorers watches. It is less common, however, to relegate timepieces distinctly to an office or work environment. Brands often prefer their models to emanate a tough and enduring air. By contrast, the typical office space does [...]

We welcome you back to Wrist Game or Crying Shame with a take on the Cartier Ballon Bleu. Will you take it or leave it? Well have to see, but before we get thereA couple of weeks back, I showed you the JLC Master Control Ultra Thin, and an overwhelming 93% of you did the right thing by awarding that watch a Wrist Game win. Hey, 7%-ers, its ok to be flat-out wrong sometimes This week, with the Cartier Ballon Bleu 36 on deck, we will talk about something decidedly more divisive. Its just the kind of article that should help blow some time while you wait for New Years Eve (seriously, this period between Christmas and NYE just feels like a weird no mans land).Cartier and suchIf you havent notice [...]

As the year comes to an end, some of our editors will be highlighting their favorite watches released this year. I think you'll agree that narrowing it down to just five watches is no easy feat, especially as this year saw so many special releases from big and small brands alike. From an update to the Omega Speedmaster and new Rolex Explorer models, to classics like the Patek Philippe Nautilus receiving a splash of color on its dial. Even microbrands kept busy this year, launching almost too many exciting watches to count during the past 12 months.So, needless to say, I was dreading making my list. Having spent far too much time slotting brands and in and out of the list, I feel confident in [...]

The race roars on with the Cartier Roadster Chronograph versus the Seiko SRQ029. And what a spectacle it will be Its going to be a track battle between two watch equivalents of early 1970s race cars. The Cartier Roadster will be represented by the Matra-Simca MS670, a Group 5 prototype equipped with a howling 2,999 cc V12 engine the one which, some say, is the best-sounding engine ever produced. The Seiko SRQ029, a 2019 watch that celebrates 50 years of Seiko chronographs, appears on the circuit in the shape of a Toyota 7. This Group 7 car with a Yamaha chassis was powered by a 3-liter [...]

The term rare has been a bit devaluated over the years with tons of rare watches jumping up here and there. I will tell you now what's truly rare in the vintage watch world finding a devoted female watch collector. Please allow me to introduce you to Sandy from Switzerland and her incredible vintage watch collection. I have been buying vintage watches for a few years now, but before Sandy, I had never traded any watch with a woman. I wish I had, but there is no directory that would allow you to list watch offers by a seller's gender. Watch collecting has always been the realm of men. Yet I always thought women could bring a new dynamic to the business. I guess my urge to see more women colle [...]

If all tanks were made by Cartier, wed have the time to live in peace. Such were the famous words of French designer Jean-Charles de Castelbajac. He's so right. Everybody prefers a (boring) life of peace over the horrors of war. Cartier's Tank is like a gun with a flower in the barrel. And of all the Tanks that Cartier built, the Cartier Tank Louis Cartier is probably THE Tank. It followed the Tank Normale in 1919, and it was the second Tank that Cartier launched. Even in its modern guises, the watch is still relevant today.All Tanks in the Cartier collection stem from the same idea. The design takes inspiration from a Renault tank in service with the French Army during WWI. Imagine looking [...]

Thank you for tuning in to the Fratello Auction Report. As some of you may know, auctions have continued to boast strong results this year. This coming after a surprisingly bullish run in 2020 amidst pandemic issues that reshaped the landscape of the watch business. World record prices have been set by online buyers, watch dealer trade shows have transformed into WhatsApp groups, Baselworld is pretty much dead, and modern/new watches have taken a firm position at the forefront of dazzling record auction prices.Since most buyers are more comfortable pulling the trigger on a new or recent watch online versus a vintage watch, it can, in part, explain why watches from the 1990s to new ones among [...]

I don't know about you, but when it comes to games of chance, or contests, or giveaways, I'm a bit of a skeptic. Going in without a single ounce of hope that you'll win is probably the safest bet. Getting your hopes up is a sure way to get disappointed. However, lets go back to earlier this year when Jeremy (@Chronolytical) decided to organize a photo-contest giveaway using Instagram as a platform, with the prize being a beautiful Cartier Tank Solo. Having already given away the punchline in the title of this article, instead, I will tell you more about this specific contest, my experience taking part, winning despite not being all that hopeful, and Jeremy's future plans to keep the ball rol [...]

If you like controversy, you came to the right place. Trying to answer a question like the one in the title of this article is always going to result in a deluge of criticism. To those who find themselves disagreeing with what I'm about to say, I say this: let it rain. Fratellowatches.com is an online watch-loving community like no other. We want to have those difficult conversations and pose complicated questions that garner more than one answer. And so don't take my assessment of what makes for the best watch brand in the world as the gospel truth or the final word on the matter: this is a starting point for a fun discussion. So let's have fun discussing it together.It probably won't surpr [...]