March Mania Preview: Rob’s Favorites And Dark Horses Take To The Center Circle…
We’re two days out from March. Normally, that wouldn’t get me so excited. I hate spring. It’s my least favorite season. My dear old mum used to express horror at how openly I derided the gamboling lambs, fresh green shoots of optimism, and the soft, diffused post-winter sunlight. What can I say? All that new life puts me on edge… Give me autumn — the season of death — any day. But not this year! Oh no, this year, spring holds the greatest treat of all — another knock-out competition on Fratello. This time, we’ve admitted 96 watches we reviewed last year to the March Mania arena. Only one will walk away victorious… It’s time to play ball…
As you will see in the coming week or so, I’ve taken more of a back seat in this contest. It’s not that I didn’t want to write and fight my way to the final. I really did. But an event of this magnitude needs a commissioner. And as the most pedantic/least likable team member, I thought I’d put my hand up for the job.
Removing myself from the running, however, has its benefits. It means I’m free to pass judgment (fairly or otherwise) on my teammates’ choices. So, without further ado as our milky-faced/stony-hearted overlord would say, let’s get to it.
On your marks…
Every one of the eight competitors suiting up for this competition had to pick their favorite 12 watches that either they or I reviewed last year. It’s only when you put together a retrospective of this nature that you realize just how many different and exciting pieces we covered during 2020. It’s also a testament to the watch industry for churning out so many worthwhile pieces in an otherwise rubbish year. Apologies to all the kids/lambs that were born in 2020 — your birth year sucks. On the plus side, it can only get better.
And that’s because this is a really different type of contest. It’s a free-for-all. It’s a bloody punch up.
The selection process for March Mania was really different and a heck of a lot easier than it was for the Speedy World Cup. There was less crossover, fewer arguments of who got what, and an altogether serene vibe surrounding watch allocation. And that’s because this is a really different type of contest. It’s a free-for-all. It’s a bloody punch-up. There are rules, sure, but not so many. It’s a voting extravaganza with daily polls that every member of the Fratelli can get their teeth into. And yet despite this contest’s chaotic nature, there are some stand-out pieces that look tough to take down.
The runaway favorites
There are some clear powerhouses to contend with in this line-up. RJ, for example, has the Omega Speedmaster Caliber 321 that earned Balazs victory in the Speedmaster World Cup. It would be incredibly dull if that watch once more romped to victory but, I hate to say it, it is a distinct possibility. Should we have omitted it from the selection? NO! We are not scared. Whatever happens, will happen for a reason. the 321 might be the king of the Speedies but will it emerge from March Mania a two-time champ? I don’t think so…
Over in Gerard’s group we’ve got heavy hitters like the Patek Philippe Nautilus and the Rolex Day-Date. Among his other selections are some real curveballs but either of those doozies could give the 321 a run for its money on the open market. And don’t sleep on Jorg’s Tudor Black Bay Fifty Eight in blue, the Czapek Terre Adélie or Tomas’s A. Lange & Söhne Zeitwerk Date… These are watches I expect to see making a run for the Elite Eight if not beyond…
I believe in Ben (someone better make me a T-Shirt with that on it). Specifically, I believe in his selection of the Konstantin Chaykin Dracula. Cute? Ja. Cool? Unbeatably so. Will it be enough to carry him through to the grand final? I reckon it stands a chance, but let’s not forget he might have to go through Bertie’s battle-tested ST1 or perhaps his classic Rolex Submariner 116610…
My dark horses
Unsurprisingly, our merciless-yet-approachable dictator (the world-famous Robert-Jan Broer), has a couple of humdingers in his lineup. Here at Fratello, we’re a little Bvlgari-biased so it’s hard to tell if the love we have for the Octo Finissimo collection is reflected worldwide, but there’s a real chance this modern classic could find itself duking it out with the AP Royal Oak that also calls RJ’s group home when we get down to the sharp end of this contest.
Over in Tomas’s group, we have the Laventure Transatlantique, which I covered back in 2020. Y’all know I love me a little bit of Laventure, so I’m not surprised one of the guys picked it up. I was, however, surprised that three of them requested it to join their line-up. Does it bode well for the Transatlantique? Everyone I’ve met who’s held a Laventure has come away impressed. The brand doesn’t have the name power or the physical reach to convince everyone but this model could make a run at the Sweet Sixteen (which, in my opinion, would be a massive success for such a new brand).
The Seiko Prospex SPB185
Lastly, I have a lot of faith in the Seiko Prospex SPB185. It qualifies as a March Mania underdog because it isn’t a marquee model. Despite that, it was one of our most-read articles from last year and, well, it’s simply an awesome watch. Remember, once these guys make it through the prelims (and surely all the Seikos we have lined-up for your voting pleasure will do just that), they only have to beat the watch in front of them. Head-to-head, the Seiko Prospex SPB185 becomes a tough out for any of these superstars.
…sexy straps…
I hope you’re all as excited as I am. Remember, sign up for a Fratello account and get commenting: the five readers that make the biggest contribution to the event throughout the month of March will find some sexy straps in their mailboxes in due course.
Let it begin…
