Watches Blog Wrist Watch Reviews

WatchUseek, considered to be the No.1 interactive watch portal, is having a Grande Finale 2009 event This means that WatchUseek, in combination with its sponsors, will celebrate the end of 2009 and the start of 2010 by giving away a number of watches to registered members of WatchUseek that enroll for the contest!The instructions are quite simple Ernie Romers, director of WatchUSeek, wrote a small FAQ for all attendees.How can I participate?Simple, enter the competition as soon as it is published in here.What else should I know about this Grande Finale?The Grande Finale 2009 is for WatchUseeks members, moderators and sponsors only. Not yet a member? Register here!What does WatchUseek need fr [...]

Drive de Cartier- Mens Only CartierLast January when Cartier presented the Drive de Cartier watches at the 2016 SIHH in Geneva, there was a lot of traffic at the Cartier booth. Almost every journalist talked amongst each other about this new watch, in the corridors. Cartier is always presenting quite a few watches at the annual show in Geneva, but it's not every year that La Maison launches a steel mens only model, in the main stream category.?Well a?mens watch the Drive certainly is, not because of its robust dimension of 40 x 40mm, since ladies wear any size these days, but because of its masculine styling?and details. The Drive on my 18cm wrist Hands-On With The Small Complications Drive [...]

Its Speedy Tuesday We have another vintage model for you in store today, literally. This OMEGA Speedmaster Professional 145.012 dates back to 1967 and has the famous column wheel chronograph caliber 321 movement. Actually, it is the very same watch that NASA astronaut Michael Collins was wearing during the Apollo 11 mission in 1969. You can read more about that here.In the meanwhile, weve covered so many of these 145.012 and 105.012 reference numbers that we actually lost track. It seems to be one of the most wanted and most affordable vintage Speedmaster models out there. However big however -, they are becoming more difficult to find in a nice and original condition.This particular Speedm [...]

That green dial really means business And its about time. This rash of TAG Heuer Carrera Sport Chronographs is exactly what I think the family needed a return to form. Sensibility might not create headlines but it does underline classics. And that, as far as Im concerned, amounts to a low-key triumph for a very divisive mainstream brand.TAG Heuer is one of those brands that splits opinion. There are some who believe that the brand lost its way after TAG acquired Heuer in 1985. Others just as ardently extol it as the beginning and the end of the conversation when it comes to luxury sports watches (you know who you are). You may find yourself in either camp, or you may have yet to decide where [...]

It doesnt feel like much time has passed since my previous Why I bought- article. My subject last time was the new caliber 3861 Moonwatch with sapphire crystal. I find myself reaching into my admittedly shallower pockets again for another brand new 2021 Omega watch under five months later. This time it was the turn of the heritage diving watch, the Seamaster 300. Another new watch isnt doing my vintage watch street cred, nor bank account, any good. And I already have the Tudor Black Bay to fulfill my dreams of diving with Jacques Cousteau. So, where did the urge to own the new Seamaster 300 come from? Lets find out.Firstly, what is the Seamaster 300? The Seamaster is one of Omegas most proli [...]

If the name sounds familiar to you, it is no coincidence. There already was a Longines Heritage Military before but in the current collection, theres only this one today and we review it today for you.RAFThe Longines Heritage Military takes inspiration from the pilots watches used by the British Royal Air Force during World War II. You might have seen very similar models from Omega, most recently in the movie DunkirkC as Tom Hardy's character, an RAF pilot, is wearing one. Though that watch had a large steel bezel it is essentially the same design. Longines produced the same watches with and without the steel 60-second bezel just like Omega. They were special orders from the British Ministry [...]

If you're already a fan of the Luminor Submersible 1950 3 Days Automatic Bronzo PAM00671, but 47mm is just too big for you. Dont fret, I might just have the perfect solution. You could consider the new Panerai Submersible Bronzo Blu Abisso PAM01074 a bronze, 42mm people-pleaser with an annual production of 1,000 pieces per year. Is this Piccolo Bronzo a Paneristi-worthy watch, or is this simply a creation to try and lure in a new crowd? Get ready for a wild ride that will start with a visit to Panerai's website.To get an impression of Panerai's bronze offerings, I first went to the official website. During my visit, I spotted four different bronze Submersible models. Three of them come in a [...]

Introduced during BaselWorld 2011 and often discussed already, the Rolex Explorer II ref. 216570 has been out for delivery to dealers. In The Netherlands, Precision Watches (sponsor of Fratellowatches) is the first to have one in stock already.The large orange 24-hour hand refers to the first model Explorer II in 1971 (a.k.a Freccione or Steve McQueen Explorer) with reference 1655 and I think Rolex did a neat job on their homage. Rolex aficionados all over the world have been discussing the broad hour and minute hands and whether this was either good or bad. There is no verdict yet, let the sales numbers do the talking. Personally, this would be the modern Rolex Id buy if I was in the runnin [...]

About a year ago, I wrote about a book called Vintage Panerai by Ralf Ehlers and Volker Wiegmann, both Paneristi from Germany. These guys have written the successor of their first book and it is currently available for pre-order. Their second book is being called Vintage Panerai The References and can be ordered at vintage-panerai.de for 169 Euro. Their first book, Vintage Panerai Watches with History, is also still for sale for 79 Euro.The Vintage Panerai The Legends book is documenting 34 different vintage / historic Panerai watches. The peculiarities and differences between the References 3646, 6152, 6154, 6152/1 and the GPF 2/56 are explained in detail and with rich reference to varia [...]

Wish lists are common among the watch hopeful. No matter the popular brand, you can find discussions about what people think is coming down the pipe. Today, as it relates to Seiko and Grand Seiko, Id like to turn our attention away from what will probably come towards what Id actually like to see.Its been over five years since I joined the Fratello team. During that time, Ive woken up to almost daily emails from brands showing their new wares and its something that still excites me. No matter the brand, I enjoy looking at the newest of the new. Its important to note, though, that for the longest time, we received almost nothing from Seiko and Grand Seiko. Yes, these brands were present at Ba [...]

Dia dhuit, watch peeps!? Its time for This Week in Watches for October 5, 2019!For this episode of This Week in Watches, we have?a lot to cover.? It seems that the entry of October has brands already thinking of the holiday season and where theyd like you to spend your money.? Lets see if this weeks new treats provide that level of temptation.? Here we go!Breitling and OuterknownOne of Breitlings squads happens to focus on surfing.? And when it comes to surfers, there are few who are better known than Kelly Slater, an American surfer with 11(!!) world championships under his belt errrr, board shorts.? Slater also founded a company by the name of Outerknown, a sustainable apparel brand.? Wel [...]

As soon as you enter the world of mechanical watches, it seems like you enter an alternate reality at times. Especially when you have the privilege to write about luxury timepieces, watches that cost thousands and often tens of thousands of Euros are not uncommon to end up in your hands. While experiencing expensive timepieces from up close is absolutely amazing, there is always the reality that most of them will never be a permanent part of my life. But its time to dream a little and come up with a list of vintage watches I would buy if they were affordable.When it comes to the question of what is affordable, its obviously very personal. It has as much to do with your spending power as much [...]

Last Saturday during the Chrono24 GTG in Karlsruhe (youll find our event report here) my attention was drawn to a Rolex GMT-Master in steel and gold. One way or the other, Robert-Jan and myself spoke about this watch on our way to the GTG (a 5-hour drive). And you know what happens next. Youll mention that some attendants to the GTG actually have this watch with them.Rolex GMT-Master 16753In the early seventies, the steel and gold 16753 version was an addition to the stainless-steel and full-gold models of the Rolex GMT-Master. The steel and gold version became available with a black dial and rotating GMT-bezel, as well with a brown dial and gold-brown colored bezel. Its the latter this 52Mo [...]

The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games are fully underway And what better opportunity to have a look at this extraordinary set of watches? Omega already introduced (and released) them during the Summer of 2018 in anticipation of the 2020 Games. Little did we know back then that the Games of the XXXII Olympiad would be postponed. However, thanks to Omegas precocity, we have been lucky enough to enjoy these watches three years in advance.Before we start, I just want to remind you that Omega introduced all five of these Speedmaster Tokyo 2020 limited editions separately, but also as a set. Each individual watch was limited to 2020 pieces, and only 55 sets were produced. They were all intended for sale in [...]

The Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean collection is over 10 years old. In this article we already gave you some background on the Seamaster and Planet Ocean in particular. A fact you should know is that in 2007, the models were slowly upgraded to Omegas in-house calibers (8500 and later on, in 2011, 9300). Other improvements were the use of ceramic for the uni-directional diving bezel. Last year in June, Omega suddenly dropped the ceramic bomb on the Seamaster Planet Ocean like they did on the Speedmaster 9300 series and called it Deep Black. I was able to wear one for a few weeks, and here are my thoughts about it.Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Deep BlackJust a few months after BaselWorld, Omega i [...]

Montblanc is releasing a mesmerizing new model today that pays tribute to Minerva's rich heritage in the most sophisticated way. The brand's latest timepiece, the 1858 Split Second Chronograph Limited Edition 18, comes on a never-before-seen case color with a classy complication.This is an exciting watch. Not only do we have an enticing complication (a manufacture rattrapante, no less) to fawn over, its encased in a very unusual one could?even say unique case material. If you didnt know you needed a bit of Lime Gold in your life, youre welcome. With Watches and Wonders just around the corner (starting April 7th, so get it in your calendars), Im excited enough as it is. Releases like this onl [...]

Nowadays it seems that something new is coming out of the Omega Headquarters in Biel/Benne every week. If you think like that you are not far from the truth.As the die-hard Omega fans might know, the brand did not start its life as Omega SA.? Louis Brandt established his business in 1848 in the city of La Chaux-de-Fonds. The name if the company; La Generale Watch Co. ?After the founder's death his 2 sons took over the business and in 1894 they released their new movement. It was the 19-ligne. At the time the movement was one of the most accurate calibers around. It was revolutionary for every component could be replaced without modification by any watchmaker in the world. Furthermore, the pe [...]

Youve seen pictures of bronze watches before, some with almost no patina at all, and some that looked like theres a forest growing on them. How quickly does the Fratelloris (Oris x Fratello collab watch) start to develop patina? A question we received a number of times of people who ordered one. In this video, well show you.Together with Karina, I talk about the development of patina on the Oris Big Crown Pointer Date in bronze. We show you a brand new Oris that we just unboxed versus the one I have been wearing since December 1st (or actually a few days before the introduction day).Bronze PatinaBronze has been used for many years now for watches. One of the first watches in bronze I ever ca [...]

Welcome back to our Watch On Your Wrist? Instagram extravaganza Tag your watch snaps with fratellowatches to be in with a chance to win!Every week, we select four images. You can vote in the article for your favorite image. The winner moves on to the semi-final round (held every fifth week between the previous four weekly winners). Win that and youre into the final, which will be held at the end of the year. There will be five finalists in 2020 and ten from next year on.Basically, if you like winning things and there will be a prize for the champion of 2020 this year represents your best shot. So get snapping, get tagging, and get sharing. And dont forget to vote for yourself ObviouslyV [...]

In my career, I have been lucky enough to visit hundreds of top retailers in the Northern Hemisphere. Some I just passed through, picking up information as I went. Others I worked with occasionally, learning a little from each of them. A handful, however, I worked with extensively. Perhaps the retailer Ive worked with the most is Ace Jewelers in Amsterdam.During my time with NOMOS Glashutte, we produced two special editions together. Since then, the brand and retailer have produced two more. Our working relationship was always fun, mostly because the team at Ace never sits still. They are always moving, always striving, always looking for a way to get ahead of the curve. As such, I thought s [...]