Fratello celebrated its twentieth anniversary this 12 months. That’s proper; twenty years in the past, RJ began his very personal watch weblog from his neighbor’s storage…or was it his girlfriend’s attic? Anyway, that in itself may be very thrilling. Apart from that, in 2024, we launched our very personal wrist butter in your completely hydrated wrist pictures. However most significantly, we additionally had extra readers than ever and acquired greater than 30,000 feedback from you all. Thanks for that, expensive Fratelli. In the present day, I’ll spotlight essentially the most learn tales of 2024 and those who acquired essentially the most feedback. Let’s see what moved the watch fanatic neighborhood most this 12 months.
The MoonSwatch continues to be going robust
When you solely have a look at essentially the most learn articles of 2024, the Omega × Swatch MoonSwatch is the king. One large headline this 12 months was that the MoonSwatch grew to become available for purchase online within the US and China. However the brand new black and white Mission to the Moonphase fashions that includes Snoopy additionally acquired plenty of consideration. Lastly, the three new Mission on Earth editions additionally stirred issues up. It’s unbelievable how a lot consideration the MoonSwatch nonetheless will get over two years after its debut. Let’s see what occurs to the gathering in 2025.
The Japanese take an enormous piece of the Swiss pie
Aside from the MoonSwatch, the highest 10 tales of 2024 had been primarily about new Omega releases — extra on these later. Nevertheless, our readers additionally confirmed an enormous curiosity in Japanese watches, reminiscent of Citizen’s new Eco Drive-powered Super Titanium collection (later named Zenshin), Seiko’s shocking octagonal-bezel Prospex divers, and the IFL limited editions of the G-Shock CasiOak. As well as, extra opinionated articles on Seiko losing its value-for-money image and Citizen taking its place as the new king of affordable Japanese watches did effectively.
What acquired you speaking
Reasonably than simply highlighting essentially the most learn articles, it is likely to be extra attention-grabbing to see what articles acquired essentially the most feedback. In the long run, that’s the place the true engagement comes into play. Let’s begin with “comment-jerker” primary — Rolex. On the finish of the 12 months, Lex requested himself whether or not Rolex was still the undisputed king of watches in 2024. He may’ve saved himself some work if he had merely taken a have a look at profitable articles on classics like the latest Rolex Day-Date in yellow gold and people’s appreciation for the Rolex Submariner as just a great dive watch.
In the meantime, Rolex’s little brother Tudor definitely didn’t fall in need of consideration both. New fashions, such because the Pelagos FXD GMT “Zulu Time,” monochrome Black Bay, and Black Bay 58 GMT, acquired important appreciation. When Lex wrote about what was next for Tudor, he argued that the model may very effectively change Rolex because the producer of the last word gents’s software watches — do-it-all luxurious timepieces providing the proper stability of high quality, performance, and luxurious. Nevertheless, he additionally contemplated whether or not the brand forces its hand with too many limited editions.
Omega on the mind
We already stated it many occasions, however Omega had fairly the 12 months in 2024. The model used the Olympic Video games in Paris as an important excuse to introduce a powerful variety of enticing new references. The 12 months began with the new Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8, which incorporates a miniature Saturn V rocket on the dial. Nevertheless, that was solely only the start. After that, the Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch with a white dial took practically everybody’s breath away. And whereas we had been all nonetheless recovering from the introduction of the gorgeous new Speedmaster First Omega in Space for 2024, Omega launched a consumer version of its Speedmaster Pilot Flight Qualified.
However there’s extra than simply Speedmasters, after all. Whereas Thomas asked himself in February whether the Seamaster 300M was due for an update, the model couldn’t cease introducing new references to the gathering. First, there have been two particular editions, with one for the Olympics and one other for the 37th America’s Cup. Nevertheless, those that acquired essentially the most consideration had been the fashions launched towards the top of the 12 months. In case you missed them, be certain that to take a look at the new version in titanium and Bronze Gold, the classic black and white one, and the show-stopping “Silver Surfer,” as Lex so aptly nicknamed it.
Additionally, through the summer season, Omega launched a really clear trio of black-dial Seamaster Aqua Terras that charmed many people.
The battle for feedback
In fact, our Sunday Morning Showdown articles are the true area for our commenters. Jorg already wrote a summary of this year’s most notable battles, so please verify that out. Nevertheless, it’s virtually as if Thomas and Lex are competing for essentially the most feedback, or possibly they merely have a knack for provocative writing. In a single article after the opposite, they knew precisely the way to contact a nerve and hold the feedback flowing in.
Lex did so by sharing why buying a watch in place of another isn’t a good idea. He additionally tried to make complications great again, broke down the Longines brand, and known as upon all watch manufacturers and followers to stop the abuse of the best all-around watches out there.
On the similar time, Thomas continued with his successful Back to Basics series, gave quartz watches some well-deserved attention, and, after all, launched his debut watch and VPC brand. Nevertheless, 2024 was additionally the 12 months by which he asked himself whether he was losing touch with Rolex, admitted to really liking Hublot watches, and reflected on whether revising the “Holy Trinity” of watchmaking makes sense. You may resolve who will get the prize for essentially the most comment-provoking articles this 12 months.
Rising costs and declining desirability
A recurring theme all year long was the rising costs on the watch market. In January, Jorg took a have a look at whether or not the 2024 Tudor price increases would affect the brand’s success. Then, in February, RJ, Nacho, and Lex tried to make sense of the endless upward pattern on an episode of Fratello Talks. Later within the 12 months, Henry thought-about whether or not rising prices were changing the playing field for watch enthusiasts. Lastly, throughout the final three months, Lex tried to clarify that the decline in desirability (which he thought was good for veritable watch fans) was attributable to a bad case of luxury fatigue. We’re curious to see what manufacturers will do to their costs in 2025, however they’ll virtually definitely go up once more.
The shocking standouts of 2024
Lastly, we’ll title some standouts that acquired important consideration this 12 months and/or caught us off guard. Early within the 12 months, the gorgeous and understated Grand Seiko SBGX355 took the stage because the Quartz Snowflake. Additionally, Gerard’s hands-on review of the Cartier Tank Must SolarBeat acquired fairly some consideration, as did his article on Horage’s and Miniswys’s revolutionary invention, the Microreg.
In fact, we will’t neglect in regards to the introduction of Patek Philippe’s first new mannequin line in 25 years, the Cubitus. Fortunately, Lex tried to make sense of the divisive watch in his “Behind The Patek Philippe Cubitus” article. Apart from that, we noticed the return of the TAG Heuer Formula 1 in collaboration with Kith and the relaunch of an ’80s icon within the magnificent Piaget Polo 79.
All proper, there you may have it — our 12 months of horological highlights our most learn and commented-on articles! Oh, and let’s not neglect about Arnold Schwarzenegger getting stuck at German customs when he tried to bring some watches over whereas carrying a rose gold Royal Oak Offshore.
Expensive Fratelli, have an important 2025, and please hold studying and commenting within the coming 12 months. Whilst you’re at it, tell us your favourite article from 2024 within the feedback.
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