Watches Blog Wrist Watch Reviews

Depending on where you are in the world, it might be starting to look a bit like summer. In my neck of the woods (Dresden, Germany) were alternating our modes of transport between cross-country skis, rollerblades, and catamarans on a near-weekly basis. Back home in Britain, Ive heard that Manchester is careening from 25 degrees one week to a cozy 4 the next. Anyway, knowing my kinfolk thats still warm enough to reach for the board shorts and lager, so lets say its time for a list of my top six summer stunners chosen for every situation.Summer is a fabulous time of year. All the doom and gloom of winter (especially a Covid winter) will soon be behind us and with restrictions looking to ease a [...]

Wrist Game or Crying Shame is here again and its time to have a look at the Tudor Heritage Chrono. This is the watch that brought Tudor back in the game, but will you let it play? Before we answer that questionLast week, I showed you a discontinued delicacy with the Seiko Spring Drive Tuna. You gobbled up that ahi with a convincing 67% and hoisted it to a 67% Wrist Game win. This week, with the Tudor Heritage Chrono, we look at a watch that has just begun its second decade completely unchanged. Whether Tudor just plain forgot about this watch or if this watch soldiers on because its so good is a topic for another day. Today, were here to hear a little yarn from me about this watch because it [...]

For some reason the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra collection struck me as younger, but Omega put out a press release about the 15th anniversary this year of this watch. In 2002, the Aqua Terra was introduced as another sub collection of the Seamaster family. Although Omega has only a couple of watch families, like the Seamaster, Speedmaster, Constellation and De Ville, some of them have quite a few sub collections. The Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra is what I always believed their answer to watches like the Rolex Datejust and Explorer. Watches that are very versatile and can be worn under almost any condition.Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Through The YearsFirst introduced with the caliber 2500 movem [...]

Just recently, Zenith introduced its new Chronomaster Sport El Primero. We take a look at this chronograph and compare it to the obvious competitor: the Rolex Daytona.In this video, we talk about the new Zenith Chronomaster Sport with El Primero caliber 3600 and the elephant in the room. Is it too similar to the Daytona, or is it different enough to make a comparison with the Daytona pointless? The Zenith Chronomaster Sport is using ingredients from its past models (DeLuca, for example) but also brings some new elements to the table.Zenith Chronomaster SportTo us, the main attraction is in the El Primero movement. This caliber 3600 is a wonderful movement, with historical significance, and c [...]

This is going to be a highly debatable list. It's going to be far too short of a list. That's also why it's going to cause some annoyance amongst sneakerheads and time geeks alike. First of all, there isn't room for all the iconic trainers of the past you will find either your favorite shoe or even brand missing and why I paired the shoe with a certain watch was a very subjective process. This is not exact science people, it's a gut feeling. But it comes from a true love for both sneakers and watches, so please keep that in mind. So, with that disclaimer out of the way, here we go The 11 most iconic Sneakers and the watches that go with them.Before we really start, please take note that your [...]

Only last week, I received this exact question at least three times during a discussion on purchasing a (new) watch.I received this question by email and twice during a discussion in the flesh. In a time where Rolex has issues delivering their goods to the final customers, or at least to fulfil the demand, theres a limitation on what you can buy. But if we include vintage and pre-owned watches, theres still enough to choose from. Were not into paying over retail for anything, so forget about the grey market supply for Rolex. Or douchy ADs who are willing to sell you one for a premium.You Asked Us: What Rolex would you buy?So basically, the question was directed at me. What Rolex I would buy. [...]

Well, it's come to a close in perhaps the most fitting fashion, but rather than reflect on the stunning silver screen conclusion to the Daniel Craig era (for fear of spoiling it for those of you yet to watch it) it's time to appreciate the generous helping of wrist candy we were treated to over the past 16 years. Since 1995's Goldeneye, Omega has furnished our super spy with watches aplenty, but how do the watches seen on Craig's wrist since his 2006 debut stack up against one another? Here are my top five Omega watches of Daniel Craig's James Bond era in reverse order.As always, I'm sure this will stir up some controversy, so let me have it in the comments section. Feel free to bring in com [...]

Uncertainty seems to be the only certainty at present. Its an odd time indeed and for some theres little comfort to be found. Lets do our best to focus on the watches we enjoy today and will continue to enjoy after life returns to a relative state of normalcy.It was February 14th Valentines Day for the single and forgetful that I flew to Orlando with my family for a weeklong vacation. We saw the mouse, made a light saber, took a Disney cruise, and I picked up a couple watches including the fantastic Oak Oscar Olmsted. It was a great vacation, but it was already a little strange. The USA had cut off travelers from China and the large groups from the massive country were notably absent in thi [...]

Welcome to the Speedmaster World Cup. In the absence of Euro 2020, we thought our beloved readers might enjoy a tournament of a different kind. Weve assembled eight groups (A C H), each governed by a different Fratello team member. Each writer has been assigned four watches, which they will pitch to you during the group stages.All we need you to do is vote for your favorite to move on in the competition. The next round will be the quarter-finals, which will see the eight group winners go head-to-head for your votes. The four winners progress to the semis. Following that, a third-place play-off will precede the final round, due to be held on Sunday, December 13th (get the beers in ). If you [...]

It's time for our annual Fratello Christmas Special, where we take a long look at a special watch.? This year, we choose two with the Omega Speedmaster Apollo 11 50th Anniversary in gold and the Breitling Navitimer ref.806 1959 Re-Edition.We're well aware that both the Omega Speedmaster Apollo 11 and the Breitling Navitimer have been reviewed ad nauseam during 2019, so why have we returned to such a well-trodden subject?? That's an easy one to answer because we happen to have both side by side and your author has worn both extensively for well over a month.? Consider it a chance to hear the specs once more, if only briefly, but to hear more about what it's like to live with either of these i [...]

Its not everyday that you get to drive an AMG but with the launch of the new IWC Ingenieur Chronograph Sport Edition for the 50th anniversary of AMG we received an invite that brought back memories of our AMG on Ice experience earlier this year. Only this time we went to the AMG headquarter in Affalterbach, near Stuttgart in Germany. With a tight schedule in multiple countries we travelled there by car instead of the usual plane.So after picking up our rental we went towards Germany where we arrived after a few hours. Time to change the Mercedes 180 for an AMG GT s and the AMG E?63 s. As soon as we sat down behind the wheel we wait for the magic words ESP off, but that is not going to happen [...]

Dear Fratelli, can you relate to this? You look at a new watch for quite some time, and it climbs higher and higher on your wish list. And then, suddenly, you see it in a video or a picture in a way that you hadnt seen it before. Or, you see it on a certain strap for the first time, and you immediately know youll be adding it to your collection. For me, that was the case with the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso. As soon as I saw it on this brown calfskin strap by Casa Fagliano, I knew a Reverso would be mine very soon.A quick disclaimer to start off with, though I just picked up this watch a week ago, and Im still very much honeymooning with it. So, please excuse the wave of positivity as you read [...]

A few months ago, I wrote why I did not buy the famous and much praised Grand Seiko Snowflake. Today I will tell you why I bought the Grand Seiko SBGJ201 Mt. Iwate instead.Without writing too much about the background story (you can read that here), I was undoubtedly after the Grand Seiko SBGA211, or Snowflake. I was mesmerized by the structure of the dial, ever since I handled it during my first trip to Japan in 2015 to see the Grand Seiko manufacture. Sure, there were some cons for me as well about this watch, like the power reserve indicator and the titanium material, but the beautiful snowflake structure of the dial and the Spring Drive movement were more important to me. There's nothing [...]

The German R-L-X forum has this populair Welche Rolex habt Ihr im Moment am Arm?-topic. You dont have to understand German to know what it says I guess. The most exotic Rolex watches come along in this thread, as can be seen below. One of my favorite vintage Rolexes is the Explorer II, a.k.a Steve McQueen Rolex, a.k.a Freccione. I dont recall seeing Steve McQueen wearing this watch (he did wear a Rolex Submariner though), so I dont know why this watch is being called the Steve McQueen Rolex anyway.Anyway, the ref.1655 Explorer II I found in this thread is a handsome looking watch and I really could live with this vintage time piece if it wasnt for these crazy prices they are asking.Even thou [...]

IWC has a long history regarding pilots watches. Their iconic Mark 11 dates back to 1948 and thats why IWC thought it is time to resurrect it in the current Mark XVIII. Meet the Tribute to Mark XI version. Limited to only 1948 pieces, so you have to be quick.The original IWC Mark 11 was in production from 1948 till the early 1980s, before being replaced with the Mark XII. The IWC Mark 11 was fitted with a IWC Caliber 89 movement, hand-wound and ticking at 18.000vph. A movement they used in various other watches as well. After that, IWC used Jaeger-LeCoultre movements and ETA movements for their Mark-series Pilot watches. This new IWC Mark XVIII Tribute to Mark XI has the self-winding?35111-c [...]

I?am a?self-diagnosed vintage watch nerd. You can only imagine how many parcels, packages, and boxes I?have received over the years. What you cannot imagine is the creativity of some of the packaging that comes through. Watch collecting is supposed to be fun, right? Well, some of the featured wrapping techniques definitely prove it.If you have ever spent more than 3k or 5k on a watch, you can remember exactly how long you spent fawning over your new watch. I am pretty sure you spent the same amount of time studying each square centimeter of the packaging. Packaging comes in endless shapes, materials, and sizes. The packaging becomes a part of the story. It sets the scene, builds the narrativ [...]

Speedmaster enthusiasts and collectors love accessories for their watches. I am no exception myself, to be honest. Omega has just introduced three new Speedmaster Moonwatch Velcro straps. We received two of these to try out.As you know, astronauts who used the Speedmaster during EVA (Extra-Vehicular Activity), wore them on velcro straps over their spacesuit. Ed White even wore two of them in 1965 That same year, the Omega Speedmaster (105.003) was qualified by NASA for all manned space missions. You can read about that here.These Velcro straps came in handy for the spacesuit, but are way too long for your wrist, of course. The original velcro strap also has a special internal NASA code: SEB1 [...]

This is the second installment of our Your Speedmaster Story series with three new readers stories. A few weeks ago, we asked you to share your Speedmaster story?with us, and with the Speedmaster community. Besides admiring other people's Speedmaster watches, it's the stories that make the watches truly special.This week, we have stories from Luca (Italy), David (The Netherlands), and Simon (Hong Kong). They share with you (and us) their Speedmaster stories for this Speedy Tuesday installment. Featuring are a modern Speedmaster Professional, a vintage Speedmaster Professional (145.022-69), and the first Speedmaster Speedy Tuesday. Enjoy!Your Speedmaster StoryWe are interested in reading your [...]

This article has been on my mind for a long time now: The Omega Speedmaster in movies. We've covered the appearance of Speedmasters in movies and TV shows every now and then, but we never compiled a proper list of movies that featured Speedmaster watches.I know Apollo 13 has been the movie when it comes to the Speedmaster, but I only saw that movie much later than its release date. Back in 2000, after one year of owning my Omega Speedmaster, I visited the cinema with my then-girlfriend to watch Frequency. In that movie, the main character John Sullivan (played by Jim Caviezel) communicates with his long-dead father Frank Sullivan (played by Dennis Quaid) via an old ham radio. I enjoyed the m [...]

The Hamilton Ventura is one of those watches that pretty much every watch enthusiast knows. The Ventura takes all the classic conventions of what a watch should look like and throws them straight out of the window. The most famous wearer of the Ventura was without a doubt, Elvis Presley. Back in 2015, Hamilton launched the Ventura Elvis80 collection on what was to be Elviss 80th birth year. Almost six years after that, the latest additions to the collection are the Hamilton Ventura Elvis80 Skeleton watches. Are these two watches still the classic that Elvis wore? Lets find out!Its remarkable how I managed not to review or even wear a Hamilton Ventura before. As someone that is predominantly [...]