Two Broke Watch Snobs
One Watch for Everything: 14 Hands-on Reviewed Picks Under $1,500
Looking for one watch that can handle nearly everything? These 14 hands-on reviewed picks balance comfort, durability, versatility, and character.
Results for Mercedes Hands
4,157 articles · 20 videos found · page 3 of 140
Two Broke Watch Snobs
Monochrome
Hands-on - The Quiet Luxury of the Rolex Oyster Perpetual 34 in Solid Gold
2026 marks the 100th anniversary of the Oyster Perpetual, the game-changing waterproof watch that altered the course of Rolex’s history. Put to the test by British swimmer Mercedes Gleitze as she swam across the English Channel with a gold Oyster on her wrist in 1927, the hermetic Oyster case was further upgraded with a self-winding […]
Fratello
Ready For A Treat? Hands-On With The Lebois & Co Heritage Atelier Small Seconds
Lebois & Co doesn’t need an introduction here on Fratello. We’ve been covering the brand since its (re)introduction in 2014. Last year, Lebois & Co introduced the Heritage Small Seconds collection, inspired by the original models from the 1940s and 1950s. Today, we see two new variations featuring special dials made by Swiss dial specialist […] Visit Ready For A Treat? Hands-On With The Lebois & Co Heritage Atelier Small Seconds to read the full article.
Monochrome
Hands-on - The Ressence Type 11 with Proprietary Movement, a Game-Changing Step for the Brand
Founded in 2010 by Belgian industrial designer Benoît Mintiens, Ressence questioned, from the start, something fundamental: how we read time. Its patented Ressence Orbital Convex System (ROCS), with its constantly rotating discs replacing conventional hands, has become one of the most recognisable displays in modern independent horology. Until recently, however, Ressence relied on a seriously […]
Fratello
Hands-On With The Daring And Downsized Tudor Black Bay Chrono 39 “Bumblebee”
Just like an actual bumblebee, Tudor’s new Black Bay Chrono 39 appeared out of nowhere at the beginning of June. We hadn’t even had a chance to recover properly from Watches and Wonders yet. Tudor, on the other hand, was ready to go again with one of the most exciting releases of the year. Following […] Visit Hands-On With The Daring And Downsized Tudor Black Bay Chrono 39 “Bumblebee” to read the full article.
Video
Hands-On With Every New IWC Watch For 2026 With Global CEO
A walkthrough of the entire IWC 2026 lineup with Chris Grainger-Herr, including the Pilot, Portugieser, and Ingenieur novelties.
Two Broke Watch Snobs
Seiko 5 GMT vs Vaer G2 Meridian: Hands-on Affordable GMT Watch Showdown
We compare the Seiko 5 GMT and Vaer G2 Meridian after hands-on testing to see which affordable GMT better balances character, comfort, and travel-ready practicality.
Two Broke Watch Snobs
Citizen Eco-Drive vs. Citizen Automatic: Which Affordable Dive Watch Wins After Hands-on Testing?
We compare the Citizen Promaster Eco-Drive and NY0040 hands-on to see which affordable dive watch offers the better ownership experience.
Two Broke Watch Snobs
Steel vs Titanium Dive Watches: Which Makes More Sense After Hands-on Testing?
Compare steel vs titanium dive watches using our long-term hands-on insights. Understand how comfort, case wear, ownership, and cost contribute to the verdict.
Fratello
The Ice-Cold Anti-Summer Watch: Hands-On With The Straum Frozen Metal Titanium
The Straum Frozen Metal Titanium adds a new dial treatment to the brand’s Jan Mayen platform. Its white perimeter gradually gives way to bright silver at the center, creating what Straum calls a reverse fumé. The result is a dial that appears to be caught right as it freezes from the outside in. This is […] Visit The Ice-Cold Anti-Summer Watch: Hands-On With The Straum Frozen Metal Titanium to read the full article.
Monochrome
Hands-on - The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Tech Date, a Truly Purposeful Three-Hour Dive Watch
Dive watches are, by nature, rather conservative instruments. Since the 1950s, the basics have barely changed: a robust water-resistant case, luminous hands and markers, and a rotating bezel, often undirectional, graduated over 60 minutes. Blancpain played a big part in setting up these design codes with the Fifty Fathoms during the 1950s. Seventy years later, […]
Video
This Hand-Painted G-Shock is ONE of a KIND 🎨 (Only 500 Made!) #casio #gshock
Meet the Casio G-Shock "Vandalism" from iflwatches. This isn't mass-produced; every single dial is hand-painted one at a time, meaning the art on yours will be entirely unique to you.
Fratello
We Didn’t Scratch It! Hands-On With The Stone-Washed Montblanc Iced Sea Automatic Date 0 Oxygen
I swear, the watch came out of the box looking like this; we didn’t do anything to scuff it up. The brand that sent us the watch did this on purpose. The latest Montblanc Iced Sea Automatic Date 0 Oxygen is a black dive watch that looks like it has been diving in the harshest […] Visit We Didn’t Scratch It! Hands-On With The Stone-Washed Montblanc Iced Sea Automatic Date 0 Oxygen to read the full article.
Two Broke Watch Snobs
Best Field Watches Under $500 We’ve Ever Reviewed Hands-on
The best field watches under $500 aren't always the obvious ones. Read through our hands-on verdicts to find out the winners that earned lasting wrist time.
Monochrome
The ABCs of Time - Alternatives to Central Hands to Break Conventions
Look at most analogue watches, and you’ll see central hour and minute hands, and the majority have central seconds as well. It’s a perfected design that can be traced back to Ancient Egypt, when sundial shadows moved across the dial plate in a clockwise rotation. We’ve already looked at Unconventional Ways Watches Can Relay Time […]
Two Broke Watch Snobs
Best Quartz Field Watches for Grab-and-Go Practicality: Hands-on Reviewed Picks
Explore the five best quartz field watches for grab-and-go wear. Get honest hands-on insights on comfort, readability, durability, and everyday practicality.
Fratello
Hands On Horology 2026 Hosted By Oracle Time Magazine - Photo Report
Last month, I attended the second — and soon-to-be annual — Hands On Horology event. Hosted by Oracle Time at Protein Studios in Shoreditch, London, the show brought together watch brands from around the world. Representatives from Switzerland, France, Italy, Germany, China, Japan, Britain, Norway, the United States, and many other nations filled the venue. With […] Visit Hands On Horology 2026 Hosted By Oracle Time Magazine — Photo Report to read the full article.
Video
Why I chose a Breitling Superocean 42
Hands on review of the Breitling Superocean 42
Two Broke Watch Snobs
Best Watches for Weekend Wear: Relaxed Picks We’ve Reviewed Hands-on
Our favorite weekend watches after hands-on testing, including relaxed quartz, dive, GMT, chronograph, and microbrand picks across every budget.
Fratello
Don’t Sleep On These Cushions - Hands-On With Three Fears Brunswick Models
Sometimes, as a watch enthusiast, you just connect with a brand. Fears is such a brand for me. I find this revived English indie watch company a prime example of how to establish yourself in a slightly higher segment than most. As much as I appreciate the company from a distance, I had spent little […] Visit Don’t Sleep On These Cushions — Hands-On With Three Fears Brunswick Models to read the full article.
Two Broke Watch Snobs
Are Omega Watches as Good as Everyone Says? 10 Years of Hands-On Testing
After 10 years of hands-on testing, we look at whether Omega watches live up to their reputation, from the Speedmaster and Seamaster to quieter enthusiast picks.
Worn & Wound
Hands-On: the Slomo Glance
First impressions leave a lasting mark, which is why packaging can matter so much. I don’t typically start a hands-on article by discussing packaging, but with the Slomo Glance, it really got things off to a good start. The box is a simple, natural-colored craft paper-wrapped card/heavy stock with a simple black print, which I love. So much, in fact, that the strap boxes for our Model 2s have been made this same way for several years. Regardless, the box, which is several inches long, a few inches wide, and just a hair over one inch thick, features the brand’s logo in large print spanning most of the box’s length, with the central, extended O split down the middle. Though there are no instructions on the box, the design is intuitive and clearly opens by sliding these apparent covers off to expose the inside. As you begin to slide the covers off, you are treated to a pleasant graphic surprise: the inner box has lines that align with the O, creating the illusion that it is being stretched as you pull the covers. Additionally, text appears saying “hurry up and slow down.” It’s fun and clever, making you excited for what you’ll find. With the outer covers off, a new cover is revealed and lifted by a black ribbon, finally exposing the watch within. I’ll get to the rest in a bit… It doesn’t happen that often anymore, but sometimes I just see a new watch by a new brand, think it’s cool, and say, “Hey, can you send one over?” Something about the watch jus...
Two Broke Watch Snobs
Best Field Watches for First-Time Mechanical Collectors: Hands-on Reviewed
After years of hands-on watch reviews, these are the field watches we think make the most sense for first-time mechanical buyers.
Video
Vacheron Constantin improved my Grail Watch
Hands-on review: Vacheron Constantin Overseas Cardinal Points Dial Time
Two Broke Watch Snobs
Are 5 Affordable Dive Watches Better Than 1 Luxury Diver? Our Hands-On Verdict
Should you buy one luxury dive watch or build a five-watch affordable collection? We break down the real ownership tradeoffs using watches we’ve reviewed hands-on.
Fratello
Hands-On With The Farer Pilot Series II Curtis - A Fresh Take On The Pilot’s Watch
When I think of Farer, I don’t necessarily associate the brand with pilot’s watches. Moreover, I don’t link it to any particular watch category at all, even though I’ve previously reviewed a couple of iterations of the Farer World Timer. Instead, the brand is best recognized for its compelling use of color. That said, the […] Visit Hands-On With The Farer Pilot Series II Curtis — A Fresh Take On The Pilot’s Watch to read the full article.
Fratello
Hands-On With The Versatile And Thoroughly Modern Charlie Paris Alliance
Charlie Paris has been designing and assembling accessible watches since 2014. The Alliance line represents the French indie brand’s take on a go-anywhere, do-anything (GADA) model. I got a chance to go hands-on with the Charlie Paris Alliance in two versions. This is how we got along. The Charlie Paris Alliance features a sunburst dial. […] Visit Hands-On With The Versatile And Thoroughly Modern Charlie Paris Alliance to read the full article.
Fratello
Hands-On: The New Doxa Sub 200 T.Graph II - An Iconic Dive Chronograph Returns
Few brands wear their history as comfortably as Doxa. While many heritage-driven watch companies seem trapped in endless cycles of archival recreation, Doxa has spent the better part of the last decade refining a formula that already worked. That consistency is precisely why the debut of the Doxa Sub 200 T.Graph II matters. The modern […] Visit Hands-On: The New Doxa Sub 200 T.Graph II — An Iconic Dive Chronograph Returns to read the full article.
Monochrome
Hands-on - The Revival of a Charming Chimer with the Angelus Tinkler 1958 Quarter Repeater
Unveiled by Angelus at Watches & Wonders 2026, the Tinkler 1958 Quarter Repeater is a re-edition of the brand’s pioneering mid-century automatic, waterproof quarter repeater wristwatch, which was already a rarity in its day. Engaging sight, sound and touch, we’re going hands-on with the more luxurious, 15-piece limited edition of this charming chiming revival piece […]
Video
The Perfect Vintage Rolex? 🤔
Is the early 1980s two-tone Rolex GMT-Master the perfect vintage watch? From its gorgeous gilt nipple dial to the perfectly matching tritium hands, this classic proves that two-tone watches are incredible and making a...