H. Moser & Cie. Streamliner Small Seconds favorite watches of 2023

Fratello On Air: Our Favorite Watches Of 2023 — Including Grand Seiko, Moser, And More

The year isn't quite over, but we've chosen some winners

November 28, 2023

comments 16

Fratello On Air returns with a fresh new episode! Though 2023 still has a month left in the tank, we’re ready to declare our favorite watches thus far. This week, you’ll hear about a wide variety of pieces at different price points and why they made the list. Enjoy the ride!

Yes, we’re in the final stretch of 2023, and that means it’s time to look back upon the year. We do know that there will still be new releases to come, but that’s okay. Plenty has crossed our keyboards and wrists over the past 11 months. Our favorite watches make the airwaves this week along with the normal banter that starts the show.

Handgelenks Kontrolle

Before discussing our favorite watches of 2023, we take some time to recount last week’s adventures in London. Both Mike and Balazs were in the big city for the last Time4APint session of the year. It was a great time with even better people and watches! There were even some boutique visits before Balazs returned to Germany. Of course, we discuss sneakers but not for too long this time! Regarding the Handgelenks Kontrolle, Mike is wearing his vintage Universal Genève Polerouter. Balazs has the fresh new Certina DS Super PH1000M, an amazing diver at an even more amazing price. Be on the lookout for his upcoming hands-on review!

Our favorite watches of 2023

For the main topic, we each attempt to name three of our favorite watches of 2023. I say “attempt” because we both unknowingly chose the same watch for one of our picks! We discuss the following pieces:

H. Moser & Cie. Streamliner Small Seconds Blue Enamel
Bvlgari Octo Finissimo CarbonGold
Ming LW.01
Grand Seiko SBGW305, a watch that both of us chose without conferring beforehand!
Zenith Chronomaster Original Black and Defy Revival Shadow
Fratello × Nivada Grenchen Racing Chronograph, a watch that Balazs helped design

We’d love to hear your favorite releases so far for 2023 in the comments section below. As always, we thank you for listening, and if you have any ideas for future episodes, feel free to let us know!

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Zenith
Fratello On Air: Our Favorite Watches Of 2023 — Including Grand Seiko, Moser, And More

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MB
MarkBu says:

Nov 28, 2023 at 09:44

I only bought one watch released in 2023 and that’s the Certina DS-2 Sea Turtle Conservancy, so that’s my watch of the year by definition, I guess.

Looking at my current possible list, everything on it was released in 2022 or before. I don’t think this means it’s been a bad year for watches, more likely that my acquisitive stage is fading away.

Reply
1. DG
  GoldenYears says:
  
  Nov 28, 2023 at 11:16
  
  Hi Mark,
  I didn’t buy any new watches in 2023 that I can recall. Old age brain 😩 That’s quite unusual for me.
  
  Well, technically I did buy a new Casio G-Shock to replace the Casio ProTrek watch I gave away.
  
  But I don’t count this as a watch purchase. It was rather inexpensive and more like a replacement.
  
  In 2024, I plan to buy my first Japanese watch – a Grand Seiko SBGW 291 – in Q1. I’ll be traveling to Asia and the US over the holidays so maybe I might pick up something else but it would not be planned.
  
  All the rest of the watches I want haven’t been made yet, if that makes any sense. My acquisition stage is definitely slowing.
  
  Considering my age, my last watch (or exit watch) may be in 2024 or 2025.
  
  Having owned a Certina DS Dive watch for a few years, I can attest that Certina is a good brand and even better value. I always watch for local sales which can range from 30-50% off on Certina watches. I gave that watch to my brother-in-law who wears it daily and loves it.
  
  Reply
2. Enuona says:
  
  Nov 28, 2023 at 14:29
  
  Although I went for a different DS (different user criteria/scenario), I do believe yours was the best release from Certina this year. Fixed or screwed bars would have been interesting…
  
  Reply
EB
Erico says:

Nov 28, 2023 at 10:23

All your favorite watches are in the 37mm – 40mm range, you all have such tiny wrists? Would be nice for you to make another favorite list for 41mm+ watches!

Reply
1. Mike Stockton says:
  
  Nov 28, 2023 at 11:46
  
  Well, we do each own a variety of 41mm+ watches (the Speedmaster comes to mind as well as Doxa references, etc), but for 2023, nothing in that size range ranked as top 3 favorites. The Laurent Ferrier Grand Sport Tourbillon Pursuit came awfully close to making my list, though!
  
  Reply
Enuona says:

Nov 28, 2023 at 11:30

Tempted to pick the Laurent Ferrier Square Evergreen for the top spot, but then again, Blancpain nailed the diver category 100% with Tech Gombessa. The new reference dive watch design.

It is not a dress watch by the way.

Reply
MG
maciej-g says:

Nov 28, 2023 at 14:21

My favourite watches of 2023 (so far)… I promise I will try not to make a list too long, but it’s not easy.

I also leave out some of the extremely outworldly amazing creations from GF, LF, MG, etc…

If I was to choose one it would probably be the Chopard L.U.C 1860 Lucent Steel… in a way it’s “just a watch” but it’s part of it s perfection (just like the SGBY011 last year) – wonderful, wonderful…

Others I like……..

Reply
DK
Ayreonaut says:

Nov 28, 2023 at 15:25

I almost went the whole year without buying a watch…

but the Certina DS Super PH1000M orange dial was too good to resist!

Reply
CS
CS says:

Nov 28, 2023 at 17:39

Tag Heuer Carrera Glassbox os my watch of the year. Its just gorgeous, sized correctly, and hopefully provides a Northstar for the direction of TH in the future.

Reply
CS
CBalls says:

Nov 28, 2023 at 17:40

Tag Heuer Glassbox Carrera. Preferably he Skipper, but the Panda is also gorgeous. If this is the direction Tag Heuer is headed I’m all in.

Reply
MJ
Martinl says:

Nov 28, 2023 at 20:11

The only watch I bought this year that was released this year was the 6007G, so would probably go for that. Otherwise, the 5924G, the titanium Yacht Master, the 16202XT Titanium and new PloProf (though no one is going to see one of those until next year)

Reply
JB says:

Nov 28, 2023 at 20:33

Octo Finissimo is an unbelievable watch. I’ve been deep in my watch box this past year but nothing I own or purchased this year surpasses my Finissimo. Outside of my time in the mountains the Octo is my normal daily wear in stainless. It comes in at 99grams total, any idea what the carbon Finissimo weighs? The Finissimo wears so well most of the time I forget it’s on the wrist and well, the case has the dings to bear that out. The 138movement did get an upgrade, easily identifiable with 31 jewels.

Reply
KG
kevingoodman says:

Nov 30, 2023 at 01:47

Guys I enjoyed this podcast ( I actually enjoyed most of your content even the shoe discussion) You guys gave some strong choices, that rather I agree or disagree with showed an ongoing watch renaissance. It was great to see the various case shapes and materials that made your list. I think it has been a solid year for new releases

Reply
Jugistoteles says:

Nov 30, 2023 at 06:29

That Polerouter though. Dang.

Reply
MJ
Marvin Johnson says:

Dec 04, 2023 at 17:26

Great watches want to see some 1950s hamilton watches

Reply
SF
SteveF says:

Dec 05, 2023 at 14:44

That green strap is a perfect match Mike. Good call.

And as for not wanting to see you guys talk on video every week – that would be great, but I mostly listen on the drive to work and that’s not the best setting for video. I would have watched last weeks podcast though. The collection you guys brought out was a great one.

As for best of the year, the Fears Brunswick 40 Aurora really stands out – it’s an attractive watch in it’s normal varieties, but the mother of pearl dial is really spectacular in person. I’m also a fan of the ‘Mallard Green’ boutique editions in photos, but I haven’t seen them in person.

Reply