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The 140th anniversary of Seiko's foundation has brought us many a limited edition in 2021. And the year is far from over. And it's not just Seiko that's throwing a party. The new celebratory limited edition Grand Seiko Quartz GMT SBGN023 also joins in. And the unlimited versions (SBGN019 and SBGN021) in the Sport Collection provide a sportier counterpoint to the chic black and gold LE.Grand Seiko found a new way to present its 9F quartz GMT caliber. It all started for Caliber 9F in 1993. Despite being almost 30 years old (where has the time gone?) the 9F series is still one of the finest movement series in its class. That's because of the movement's durable qualities and precision of ?10 to [...]
We like to talk about vintage watches a lot within the Fratello team. While the daily routine is largely focused on the most recent developments in the world of watches, the most fun for many of us lies in the world of vintage watches. It's a world full of history, remarkable watches, incredible stories, and quirky details. It inspired us to come up with a series of articles focusing on the best watches per decade from a select group of brands. Some of them priceless, some of them still affordable. In this installment, we will take a look at the best King Seiko, and Grand Seiko watches from the 1970s.In the 1960s, we witnessed developments that challenged the status quo of watch design forev [...]
Finding Rolex Submariner alternatives over 10,000 is not very easy. You might think this is the case. If you want something with a minimum water-resistance of 300 meters, and a diving bezel, it gets really thin with results. Unless you add some precious metals to the game.Some of the Submariner fans werent overly happy with my chosen title in a previous article where I showed seven? Submariner alternatives under 5,000. And let me state it once more, I have nothing against a Rolex Submariner, and if you want one, you should get one. Luckily, most of you acknowledged my intentions to show whats out there, for less money. Just not everyone has 10,000 to spend (or retail price if youre overly lu [...]
We like to talk about vintage watches a lot within the Fratello team. While the daily routine is largely focused on the most recent developments in the world of watches, the most fun for many of us lies in the world of vintage watches.It's a world full of history, remarkable watches, incredible stories, and quirky details. This week we will dive into the world of King Seiko and Grand Seiko.It inspired us to come up with a series of articles focusing on the best watches per decade from a select group of brands. Some of them priceless, some of them still affordable. But all of them are interesting watches. In this installment, we will take a look at the best Seiko watches from the 1960s.In the [...]
Part of me was scared to over-hype this interview/podcast in case youd feel let down by the end of it. Then I re-read the interview, listened to the Podcast (enduring an hour of my own voice), and revisited the Lapinists Instagram account and realized that, if you class yourself as a fan of vintage Seiko or Grand Seiko, you wont possibly be disappointed. On the contrary, Im willing to wager you will be totally amazedAbout a week ago, I conducted an interview with Kamil, otherwise known as the Lapinist (@lapinist_watchrestoration on Instagram). He wasnt comfortable coming on Fratello on Air himself, but after sharing the content (and the images of Kamils work with Balazs) he agreed to hop int [...]
March Mania marches on When we started the competition, we had 96 watches. Now were at the stage when the last 16 will be scythed in half to leave just eight still standing. At that point, the 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 your votes fall?Were at the business end of the groups now. Gerard and RJ both have just two watches left. We need you to pick your favorite in this quick-fire round. Tomorrow we will have the last two competitors from Mike and Tomass groups before Ben and Bert step into the fray on Wednesday. Then, the [...]
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.Here come the last four standing from Gerard and from RJs 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. [...]
Welcome, one and all, to the first round proper of March Mania 2021, here on Fratello. Are you a watch maniac like we are? If so, youre sure to love our month-long feature. 96 watches reviewed last year line up for a battle royale (super-size Coke, please) like nothing thats gone before. We need your votes. We want your comments. Help us decide the champion and share in its glory Let the games commenceIn this first round proper, your task is a bit different from your task in the preliminaries. Below you will find the eight remaining timepieces of each of our Fratello competitors in four head-to-head contests of two timepieces. The seedings in the preliminaries dictate the match-ups. So its n [...]
In our Sunday Morning Showdown, two of our writers go head-to-head in an epic showdown for the ages. Strong opinions and hysterical hyperbole are welcome (so feel free to join in with the fun in the comments section below). And dont forget to let us know which watches youd like to see torn to shreds/effusively exalted next week. Well try and feature as many of our readers choices as we can. This week serves up a conundrum. With the prices between Seiko and Grand Seiko converging, our writers consider what this means for the options. Do you part with your cash for the highest-end Spring Drive diver from Seiko, or go in through the entry point with a similar Grand Seiko?Specifically, we are fo [...]
Ive written quite extensively on the new Grand Seiko 9SA5 Hi-Beat 36,000 movement before and indicated that it could (as I think many of us hoped it would) become a new cornerstone of the brands catalog. Today, with the official announcement of the new platinum-cased Heritage Collection Series 9 SLGH007, we get to see the 9SA5 in action once more. The only danger with this release? That youll be too bewitched by that beautiful black dial to noticeThe Heritage Collection Series 9 SLGH007 watch is a special piece. Sure, it features one of the brands most impressive movements. Yes, it has an artful dial. Of course, it is fashioned from platinum. But what is perhaps most important about the Heri [...]
Yesterday and today, Grand Seikos and Seikos Media Experience is taking place. Digitally, of course. Where this is used to be a separate journey to Japan, and a fully packed congress room in Basel, were now following Grand Seiko and Seiko on our screens.The same will apply for Watches Wonders and Time To Move, but it is the way it is. Nevertheless, Grand Seiko had a +1 hour presentation on their new global strategy and new watches for 2021. Remember the 2019 24 Seasons collection? Meet the four new GMT 24 Seasons watches of the Grand Seiko Heritage collection.24 Seasons Grand Seiko GMT24 seasons? We have four Correct. But in Japan, they experience each season (Spring, Summer, Autumn, and W [...]
Karina and RJ talk about the Grand Seiko SBGJ201, also known as the Mt. Iwate, due to the structure of the dial. A beautiful stainless steel 44GS case style Grand Seiko, with Hi-Beat GMT movement.The Grand Seiko SBGJ201 Mt. Iwate was not his first choice, as the Snowflake (reference SBGA211) also made quite the impression. The Snowflake turned out to be one of the best-selling Grand Seiko models. In this video, we talk about what made me pick the Mt. Iwate over the Snowflake.Grand Seiko SBGJ201Grand Seikos reference SBGJ201 has a diameter of 40mm and a thickness of 14mm. The relative thickness is partly due to the GMT complication on the movement. Inside, is caliber 9S86, a Hi-Beat automatic [...]
Were back with a look at two Grand Seiko watches. One happens to be brand new, but its already gaining loads of attention. Does the new Grand Seiko White Birch have what it takes to dethrone the Snowflake in a battle of textured white dials?Over the last ten years, Grand Seiko has transformed itself from an eccentric JDM media darling into a legitimate global player. For certain, the brand no longer requires the ooh-ing and aah-ing of journalists and collectors to sell itself to the greater public. With a mix of models that draw upon past designs intermixed with a number of modern pieces, Grand Seiko has a lot to offer. Still, out of the entire lineup, theres one watch that fans love most. T [...]
When I opened up our Fratello mailbox this morning, I found Grand Seikos press release on this new SLG005 White Birch watch. I couldnt help to think of the house where I grew up. In my memories, it was a large house with a nice garden and driveway. At the end of the driveway, where the road started, was a white birch.I write in my memories, as in reality, the house wasnt that big. I realized this when the same house next door was offered for sale on a popular housing platform. But as a kid, you perceive things in a different way, perhaps. What I noticed when looking at our previous neighbors house for sale, is that our old house was also partly on the pictures. It looked so different, and a [...]
Wish lists are common among the watch hopeful. No matter the popular brand, you can find discussions about what people think is coming down the pipe. Today, as it relates to Seiko and Grand Seiko, Id like to turn our attention away from what will probably come towards what Id actually like to see.Its been over five years since I joined the Fratello team. During that time, Ive woken up to almost daily emails from brands showing their new wares and its something that still excites me. No matter the brand, I enjoy looking at the newest of the new. Its important to note, though, that for the longest time, we received almost nothing from Seiko and Grand Seiko. Yes, these brands were present at Ba [...]
In our Sunday Morning Showdown, two of our writers go head-to-head in an epic showdown for the ages. Strong opinions and hysterical hyperbole are welcome (so feel free to join in with the fun in the comments section below). And don't forget to let us know which watches you'd like to see torn to shreds/effusively exalted next week. We'll try and feature as many of our readers' choices as we can. Todays showdown continues some unfinished business. In part two of our GMT Wars saga, the Grand Seiko SBGJ237 aims to finish the fight against the Rolex GMT-Master II Batman.Cast your mind back to May last year. Benny and Bobby faced off in Part One of the fabled GMT Wars. At the time, Rob won with th [...]
In our Sunday Morning Showdown, two of our writers go head-to-head in an epic showdown for the ages. Strong opinions and hysterical hyperbole are welcome (so feel free to join in with the fun in the comments section below). And don't forget to let us know which watches you'd like to see torn to shreds/effusively exalted next week. We'll try and feature as many of our readers' choices as we can. In todays showdown, our writers get wet n wild with hefty professional divers. With such a mass of metal, you could even confuse them for diving bells. The Omega Seamaster Ploprof 1200M takes on the Grand Seiko SBGH257.I dont know about you, but last weeks Showdown was a blast. The writers wave their [...]
In our Sunday Morning Showdown, two of our writers go head-to-head in an epic showdown for the ages. Strong opinions and hysterical hyperbole are welcome (so feel free to join in with the fun in the comments section below). And don't forget to let us know which watches you'd like to see torn to shreds/effusively exalted next week. We'll try and feature as many of our readers' choices as we can. Todays showdown is all about the practical wristwatches for the every-day-adventurer the Rolex Explorer 214270 versus the Grand Seiko SBGH279.Last week was the finale of our silver screen Bond watch mini-series. The ensuing votes resulted in Jorg and the Spectre Aqua Terra taking the victory with 59% [...]
First things, first, Happy Christmas to all of the Fratelli From the team here at Fratello Watches, we hope you all had a wonderful day yesterday and that there were many horological gifts under your Christmas trees Whether those watch-based gifts were from friends, family, or even self-bought that's not important!Around this time of the year, brands (or, more specifically, the people working for the brands) traditionally tend to have wrapped things up for the Christmas break. Yes, even the watch industry needs a Christmas break That said, there have still been some exciting things that came up this week. Let's have a look!Grand Seiko GS9 club and SBGE263 Eagle US LEIn some exciting news for [...]
Who doesnt like multi-functional, go-anywhere, do-anything watches, eh? And when it comes to gift buying, youre probably best off covering as many bases as you can. I thought long and hard about the kind of watch its hard to criticize. Although these choices are certainly not dainty watches, the versatility and wearing enjoyment promised by GMT Dive Watches is out of this world.I would say if youre buying for a guy or girl that is known to like big, sporty watches, and is a fan of techy, over-engineered aesthetics, this is a list for you. Theres a range of price points below, starting below 2,000 and moving up to a shade over seven grand. But the great thing about all these watches, despite [...]
