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3 weeks ago | 
fratellowatches.com | Lex Stolk |Thomas Van Straaten |Jorg Weppelink |Balazs Ferenczi
There’s more than new Ingenieurs to see at IWC’s booth at Watches and Wonders 2025. Yes, there’s also a quintet of new IWC pilot’s watches. First up are three new pilot’s chronographs linked to Apple Original Films’ upcoming movie F1, which is set to release worldwide this summer. There’s also more complicated stuff — specifically, the Big Pilot’s Watch Shock Absorber Tourbillon Skeleton XPL and the Pilot’s Watch Performance Chronograph Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month.
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2 months ago | 
fratellowatches.com | Balazs Ferenczi |Lex Stolk |Jorg Weppelink |Robert-Jan Broer
Hello, and welcome to Fratello Talks. In today’s episode, we’re taking on the challenge of building a €15,000 watch collection. Nacho, RJ, and Lex have crunched the numbers and leafed through the catalogs and each selected three modern (currently available at retail) watches that they would buy if they had a €15K budget. It’s a hypothetical exercise and meant to be just a bit of fun, but ultimately, it’s still a challenge trying to leverage the budget to get the most bang for their buck.
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2 months ago | 
fratellowatches.com | Balazs Ferenczi |Lex Stolk |Jorg Weppelink |Robert-Jan Broer
I don’t have a lot of vintage watches on my wishlist anymore. Some, I was lucky enough to find over the years. Others, I moved on from or saw in the metal, which changed my perspective about them. Very few examples, though, still make my heart beat faster. I must admit that most of these models come from Angelus. Sadly, we don’t see these too often on the market anymore. So whenever one appears, it gives hope to our small but enthusiastic community. There are some gems still out there.
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2 months ago | 
fratellowatches.com | Henry Black |Balazs Ferenczi |Robert-Jan Broer |Jorg Weppelink
Ceramic is a material that has been used in watches for decades. It comes with some significant advantages over more traditional stainless steel. However, there are also a couple of issues to consider. Recently, I spent a significant amount of time with the IWC Pilot’s Watch Automatic RAAF (ref. IW3281-02). This is a modern interpretation of the IWC Mark 11 that was provided to members of the Royal Australian Air Force (RAAF) after World War II.
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2 months ago | 
fratellowatches.com | Balazs Ferenczi |Robert-Jan Broer |Jorg Weppelink |Michael Stockton
All watch enthusiasts have certain itches they need to scratch. I’m sure you know what I mean when you read an article with “collection” in its title. Whether we collect a brand, a complication, or whatever we like, there’s always a model topping the wishlist, making us say, “Well, I’d like to own one of those someday.” For me, that has always been a vintage Submariner. Last year, the itch was scratched when I finally put my hands on this beautiful Rolex Submariner 5513.
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2 months ago | 
fratellowatches.com | Balazs Ferenczi |Daan de Groot |Jorg Weppelink |Robert-Jan Broer
It’s been a little over a year and a half since Nivada Grenchen introduced the Antarctic Diver to us in May 2023. Since then, the Swiss brand has released many timepieces, including chronographs and watches with integrated bracelets. This, however, is the first time that a new model has been added to the Antarctic Diver collection. Today, the Nivada Antarctic Diver Green launches in two versions. Only 150 pieces will be available on the market, 75 with a date function and 75 without.
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Dec 8, 2024 | 
fratellowatches.com | Dave Sergeant |Henry Black |Balazs Ferenczi |Robert-Jan Broer
Straum’s recent release of the Micro-Adjust Clasp for its bracelets is a godsend. It’s the accessory I knew I needed but perhaps not quite how much. As a proud owner of a Jan Mayen Fratello Limited Edition, I was excited to see how this upgrade would enhance the watch’s overall experience. Spoiler alert: it does not disappoint. Out of the box, the Micro-Adjust Clasp arrives in a small metal tin that fits snugly into the Straum-branded accessory case included with all Jan Mayen watches.
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Dec 8, 2024 | 
fratellowatches.com | Henry Black |Balazs Ferenczi |Thomas Van Straaten |Robert-Jan Broer
In this latest edition of Fratelli Stories, Fratello reader Dan speaks about the three most special watches in his extensive collection — a Citizen, Seiko, and Edox. These three watches help connect him to warm memories of his two grandfathers. One of the best elements of this hobby has to be the people. I don’t know about you, Fratelli, but the social component of watch collecting/enthusiasm is what keeps me very much connected to it.
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Dec 8, 2024 | 
fratellowatches.com | Daan de Groot |Balazs Ferenczi |Thomas Van Straaten |Michael Stockton
We know you’re probably reading this in your pajamas like you should on a Sunday morning. However, imagine you have an invitation to a more formal party during the coming Christmas holidays. Of course, you have to decide which watch you will wear. So, what if you had to choose between the Echo/Neutra Rivanera or the Serica 1174 Parade? These recent releases each provide a different take on where the design of modern dress watches is heading. But which one would you vote for?
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Dec 7, 2024 | 
fratellowatches.com | Balazs Ferenczi |Thomas Van Straaten |Michael Stockton |Dave Sergeant
I first saw the new Nivada F77 Black Ceramic during this year’s Geneva Watch Days. It must have been one of the earliest prototypes, if not the first, and it took me a while to understand. Let me explain. A ceramic watch looks like a PVD/DLC-coated piece to the naked eye. That is until you pick it up. The unmistakable feel of ceramic hits differently from any coating I have seen in the industry. I needed to put my hands on a ceramic F77, so I asked nicely, and Nivada delivered.
