Watches Blog Wrist Watch Reviews

Time for a treasure hunt. And, as you would expect, X marks the spot. The treasure you're seeking is the Ulysse Nardin Diver X Skeleton LE. There are only 175 pieces of this watch around waiting to be discovered. The reward is a provocative and polarizing watch. A watch that helps you to get in touch with your inner buccaneer because of its outrageous styling without compromise. Ulysse Nardin has been about adventure, discovery, and marine chronometers since 1846. And this latest creation revives that adventurous spirit in a futuristic fashion.The Diver X Skeleton looks to be the result of a Ulysse Nardin Diver and a Blast from the Executive Skeleton, slamming into one another. That's exactl [...]

Speedy Tuesday is here Just recently, after a few of our posts on Instagram (follow @fratellowatches also on Instagram) we got in touch with Kathleen Yap. She followed-up with her precious Speedmaster in white. In case you didnt know, also ladies can join Speedy Tuesday with specific ladies Speedmaster watches.Kathleen is wearing one of our favorite ladies Speedmaster models, reference 324.30.38.40.04.001. A white dialed 38mm Speedmaster, much like the Speedy Reduced we know from the mens collection, with an automatic chronometer movement caliber 3304. This model is available on a stainless steel bracelet as well as on an alligator strap in white (reference 324.33.38.40.04.001).The case back [...]

Perhaps the mother of all modern wrist watches, the Rolex Datejust. Although it has been succeeded by the Datejust II (which we described here as the new cool), the 36mm Datejust remains a classic timepiece.Rolex introduced the Datejust collection in 1946 and although those very first Datejust models are looking a bit different from the models we know from the 1960s-now, they are unmistakably ancestors of the current Datejust II.For todays standards, a classic Datejust might just be a bit boring. It is its history that makes it a cool watch though. It is probably the most recognized Swiss wrist watch, youve seen them on the wrists of tourists, colleagues, movie stars, singers, politicians an [...]

Actually, there are two Top 5s. One with watches in the more affordable range and one with watches that should be considered extreme haute horlogerie. Since I joined Ernie Romers of Watchuseek during BaselWorld, Ive put both Top 5 lists in the BaselWorld forum at Watchuseek. Click here to go there.Here are two teasers from both lists. In the extreme haute horlogerie list, I only picked two established brands and one of them is Patek Philippe with their Perpetual Calendar Chronograph ref.5270. With a price tag of approx. $155,000.- USD definitely not for everyone, but for those who can You need this watch. Period.In the other Top 5, I picked Omega as one of the brands with a model worth ment [...]

Earlier this week, we broke the news about our first ever Fratello a Oris collaboration in the form of the Big Crown Bronze Pointer Date. If you read the release, you'll know this one is near and dear to me, so I thought I'd share some additional views on this limited-edition watch.It was back in 2019 at Baselworld when I first saw the newest Big Crown Pointer Date models. I was truly impressed. As I've mentioned before, I really enjoy how Oris manages to keep its models fresh by adding color. But Oris doesn't just run into the direction of trends by just adding the typical colors. Instead, they go in unorthodox directions that sound a little strange on paper but look incredible in person. T [...]

The Speedmaster long before it became know as the MoonwatchIt is Speedy Tuesday Today we have a guest contributor that writes about his much beloved Omega Speedmaster. Our friend from WatchesandArt in Germany has sent us his story on his love for Speedmasters and queste for the right one (CK2998-61).Over the years, I have had different Omega Speedmasters from different periods of time. I started with the famous Moonwatch, an unworn example in 1998 which I kept for over a decade before letting it go. In the meantime, many other Speedies from different periods of time arrived on my wrist, references such as the reference 145.022 from 1969, 145.012 from 1967 and 145.003 from 1965. None of them [...]

Start your engines, folks, because its time for Wrist Game or Crying Shame This week, we fire up the TAG Heuer Carrera 1964 from back in 1996. Lets see if it will hoist champagne on the podium or go out in a DNF. Before we go thereLast week, we discussed a watch that supports racing of a different kind. The Rolex Yacht-Master II was intended for sailboat racing and it seems that that small crowd was the only group who voted for this watch. As a result, this one capsized with a 73% Crying Shame loss This weeks watch is far more of a classic, but it is a modern reissue of sorts. Lets see what you think about the TAG Heuer Carrera 1964.Weve often written about how TAG Heuer has continued its ev [...]

We usually don't find an NDA document in our mailbox. I can't remember having to sign a nondisclosure agreement before any event. So when you receive one from A. Lange Sohne, you know something big is about to happen.A. Lange Sohne invited us to Dresden last week, to meet up with Anthony De Haas (Director of Product Development). He talked us through the latest family member of the Glashutte company that re-established in 1990: the A. Lange Sohne Odysseus. According to A. Lange Sohne, there was demand from their existing clientele for a sportier watch in steel. They listened and designed an A. Lange Sohne in stainless steel. Without further ado.A. Lange Sohne OdysseusA Lange watch and [...]

Hey there, its Wrist Game or Crying Shame, out attempt to bring power to the people!? This week, we check out a Rolex Datejust Tuxedo diallets see if youre spiffy enough for this dapper do!Before we get to the Rolex Datejust Tuxedo dial, lets chat about last weeks Breitling Cosmonaute with a Lemania 1873.? This watch cruised to a rather decisive 60/40 Wrist Game win.? Honestly, I tried to throw in a controversial one as that watchs $5K+ price tag was a bit of a spicy meatball, but you all lapped it up with gusto!? Onwards and upwards as they say and we move on to a bit of an oddballRolex Datejust Tuxedo DialIf youre an American, youve likely rented a tuxedo for some sort of formal occasion.? [...]

Trip To New York!Its Speedy Tuesday I remember that a few years ago, I wasnt too fond of all the limited edition Speedmaster Professional models that were being introduced. However, over time that changed a bit although I still do not get all of them and I am now looking forward to Baselworld each year to see if there is a mission patch model or limited edition in the new collection. One of the biggest regrets I had when it comes to watches, is that I did not buy the Omega Speedmaster Professional Snoopy when it came out in 2004.Ive come so close to pull the trigger on a Snoopy Speedmaster a few times, but it was either too expensive in my opinion (which I regretted later again) or not com [...]

We like to talk about vintage watches a lot within the Fratello team. While the daily routine is largely focused on the most recent developments in the world of watches, the most fun for many of us lies in the world of vintage watches. It's a world full of history, remarkable watches, incredible stories, and quirky details. It inspired us to come up with a series of articles focusing on the best watches per decade from a select group of brands. Some of them priceless, some of them still affordable. In this installment, we will take a look at the best Heuer watches from the 1970s.In the 1960s, we witnessed developments that challenged the status quo of watch design forever. The sheer amount o [...]

Despite all the things happening in the world that are holding us back, the last two months of the year flew by. So when our Managing Editor Nacho asked me to come up with my Top 5 Watches of 2021, I was surprisingly caught off guard. But looking back at the year behind us, I can only say it has been a very long year with plenty of great releases. Its been so long that its hard to believe that some of these watches were actually released in 2021. That made it quite tough to come up with a top-5 list of my favorites.A fair question would be if I can ignore the watches we as a Fratello team have released in collaboration with the different brands. Of course, I cannot ignore them, but they will [...]

Since I live in Geneva, I got the opportunity to stop by Antiquorum and check out some of the watches in the houses upcoming May auction. They tend to have large catalogs so I do recommend looking through this one in advance or you might miss something cool as I have several times in the past.Antiquorum has just finished its Hong Kong sale and, overall, it looked like strong results across the board. I went back over it and was surprised as they sold some things well over what I expected. It is always interesting to see what kind of momentum auction houses carry from one country to another in the same season. I think it will do well, but auctions are always a bit of a gamble. Hence, the fun [...]

Hot on the heels of the Fratello team's visit to Zenith in Le Locle, it's time to talk more Zenith.A joke, you say?? It's not April 1st and this isn't a comedy site.? So, really, does your author truly have the audacity to bring the commonplace Seiko 6139 chronograph into the ring against the legendary, and FAR more valuable, Zenith A386 El Primero?? Well, if you clicked on this, you likely noticed loads of prose.? So, the simple answers are: this is no joke and I will attempt to convince you that these two timepieces are worthy of a battle royale.? In the end, though, you'll likely want both in your collection.First, let's discuss a little history.? In the 60's, with a large shift to automa [...]

Personally, I like the idea of a limited edition release. But I have started hating the frequency with which brands like to use the words limited edition. And thankfully, some brands have taken a step back and realized they might have pushed the limits of the credibility of these two words.? But it does not necessarily mean there are no worthwhile limited editions anymore. We saw some pretty amazing limited-edition releases in 2020. These are my favorites of last years string of limited releases.While there is something to be said about brands actually overusing the term limited edition, the behavior it sparks in consumers remains mindblowing. There is hardly a consumer phenomenon as powerfu [...]

The first Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Compressor I laid my hands on was a Master Compressor Memovox in 2004 and as far as I recall, there were no other Compressor models at that time. I really liked it and still do but it seems that the Master Compressor models in general are not as well received by collectors and enthusiasts as the more conservative Reverso and Master collections. Ive tried and tested Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso and Master watches in the past, but never gave the Master Compressor really a chance.In the past, weve reviewed a couple of Jaeger-LeCoultre watches, like the Gyrotourbillon, the Reverso Gyrotourbillon 2, the Master Minute Repeater, Master Tourbillons and the Reverso Cla [...]

We told you this would be fun. After four weeks of voting, you, the Fratelli, have selected the winning Instagram images that have made it through to this, the second semi-final. One more hurdle awaits these champions. Winning this week's vote guarantees the image a place in December's final. Better still, it puts the photographer behind the image in the running for some very tasty prizes indeed Below you can find the winners of the last four rounds'. Some cases were obvious from the start. In other instances, we saw heavy voting battles (and surprising last-minute swings) between the contestants. However, in the end, there could only be one winner each week. Now we need you, dear readers, t [...]

Although the focus seems to be on the new Panerai Luminor Due this year, with a small diameter, I like to give some attention to the new Panerai Luminor Base Logo and Luminor Marina Logo. These watches used to be equipped with the Unitas/ETA movement, but now have the new caliber P.6000 movement. Developed and manufactured at Panerai in Neuchatel. Lets have a quick look at these new watches.Before I start, let me tell you that all watches are water resistant to 10 bar (~ 100 meters) and have the P.6000 movement, that offers a power reserve of 72 hours. As you can see, the dials are not the typical sandwich dials, but instead have painted numerals.Panerai Luminor Base LogoThree new references [...]

Golf and watches go together very well. Although there are only very few golf players who actually wear a watch during the game itself, the association is clear. Precision, prestige and enjoying the finer things in life. Last weekend was the final of the Omega European Masters 2018 in Crans Montana, Switzerland. A tournament that has been around since 1923 and title sponsored by Omega since 2001.Omega European Masters 2018On the golf course in Crans Montana, you will find the most beautiful scenery you can wish for. The golf club Crans-sur-Sierre has a length of over 6200 meters and is located at an altitude of approximately 1500 meters. Walking this legendary course will treat you with some [...]

Speedy Tuesday is here One of the Speedmasters that I didnt discuss on Speedy Tuesday before is the Broad Arrow Automatic. OMEGA introduced this Speedmaster Broad Arrow in 2001, based on the Speedmaster Professional case dimensions, but with an automatic movement.This automatic movement has been topic of several heated discussions in those early years. What was the case? The Frederic Piguet based caliber 3303 movement had some issues with the chronograph function. A number of cases are known where the chrono hands didnt reset properly to zero or just stopped functioning. The late Chuck Maddox was on top of it with his OMEGA caliber 33xx failure blog posts.It seems that after a fix of the Spe [...]