Watches Blog Wrist Watch Reviews

Its Speedy Tuesday This week we have this wonderful Omega Speedmaster 105.003 from Georg from Germany and it just returned from the watch spa. He bought all of his watches between 1984 and 1987, merely because he liked the look of them. As this was definitely a period where mechanical watches were out-of-fashion, he was able to pick them up for unbelievable prices. At least for todays standards. When mechanical watches tended to became a bit more main stream, when the first watch magazines popped up as well, he stopped buying them. It wasnt until recently that he started checking details on his purchases from 20 years ago.One his 1980s purchases is this beautiful Omega Speedmaster pre-Profes [...]

Its time for Wrist Game or Crying Shame, the weekly series that lets you stop or start your chronograph. This week, well discuss a unique blip on the Breitling radar with the Superocean Heritage Chronoworks. But firstLast week, I did my best to take you back to the era of Boyz II Men with a look at the TAG Heuer Link chronograph. Sadly, it was the end of the road for this ornate sports watch as it fell to a crushing 68% crying shame loss. Lets see if todays watch can bring some of that Motown Philly magic because our Breitling Superocean Chronoworks happens to sit in a showcase near the City of Brotherly Love.Pricey cars and suchIm not sure why high-end watches drive so many automotive compa [...]

Are there proper replacements for the watch worlds biggest icons? Thats a question that often has a personal answer. A little over two weeks ago, I tried answering the question of whether there are great alternatives for the good ol Rolex Datejust. Last week, Robert-Jan did the same for the Omega Speedmaster. In this article, we will be searching for five alternatives for the current Rolex GMT-Master II. The famous GMT-Master defined the category of GMT watches. Many of the watches in the same genre took inspiration from the original that started the legacy in 1954. So lets see if there are true alternatives for the current GMT-Master II.The original Rolex GMT-Master is one of the most iconi [...]

Ninety years ago, Jaeger-LeCoultre created the Reverso. It was an ingenious solution for polo players who wished to protect the glass of their watches while playing matches. The watch became the backbone of the Le Sentier-based manufacture. The most recent execution is the stunning Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Nonanti�� me. This pink gold two-faced watch celebrates the ninetieth birthday of the Reverso in a complicated yet elegant way. And it also doesn't lack originality.How do you like your Reverso? As a time-only watch with a solid case back like the recently presented green Reverso Tribute Small Seconds? And where do you stand on complications in a Reverso? Proper complications like a [...]

This year, I was happy to see a stainless steel Rolex Sky-Dweller during our appointment at BaselWorld. Introduced in 2012 already, but always in precious metals. Todays steel Rolex Sea-Dweller is partly precious metal, as the fluted bezel is made of white gold. Lets have a look.Steel Rolex Sky-Dweller reference?326934Although some say the new 43mm Rolex Sea-Dweller with red writing is the big news from Rolex this year, I think it was actually their Sky-Dweller in stainless steel that impressed me. A steel Rolex Sky-Dweller, with a 42mm case and a wonderful complication: the annual calendar. You will only need to correct the date on March 1st, and all other months are good to go. A clever me [...]

Welcome, one and all, to the preliminary round of March Mania 2021, here on Fratello. Are you a watch maniac like we are? If so, youre sure to love our month-long feature. 96 watches reviewed last year line up for a battle royale like nothing thats gone before. We need your votes. We want your comments. Help us decide the champion and share in its glory Let the games commenceIn this round, your task is simple: vote for your favorite watch. Below you will find a selection of 12 timepieces that we covered here on Fratello throughout 2020. Why not refresh your memory by clicking the links and reading those eruditely penned odes to wrist-wear? Once youve made your selection, vote using the poll [...]

I really like what Bvlgari does with its jewelry timepieces. Nine times out of ten, they are not designed for me, but that doesnt stop me from appreciating the craftsmanship that goes into their creation. From afar, I have admired the recent releases (especially the aventurine glass dial models RJ reviewed a couple of months ago). When I heard about the Bvlgari Octo Roma Tourbillon Sapphire Malachite watch I was interested but not excited. I expected it to be beautiful and beautifully made, but not something I would wear. Well, I was wrong againA full diamond bezel with diamond-studded lugs, Rob? Have you gone soft in the head? Perhaps, dear readers, perhaps. Yes, after many years of chasing [...]

Bas van Dorp emailed me a picture of his Seiko Monster. He wore it during his snowboard trip. As you can see, this Seiko Monster is like the Speedmaster Professional with NASA astronauts, worn on top of the (ski) jacket The large orange dial makes it very easy to read while being in full action!Seiko model: SKX781 K3, a.k.a. Seiko Monster, caliber 7S26 (automatic movement with day-date feature). Water resistant to 200 meters (660 ft). Stainless steel case with a diameter of 41mm (height: 12mm). Just google on Seiko Monster and you will find plenty of online dealers who sell this watch for a very reasonable price. The ski jacket is a Lowe Alpine and the gloves are by Ziener. [...]

I'm going to be straight-up honest and level with you (and any UN reps that are reading this): I wasn't excited about the visit to Ulysse Nardin. While I have a passing fondness for the brand that started my silicon obsession with the Freak what feels like a million years ago, those days, and the wide-eyed watchmaker that believed that by 2020 everything would be made from silicon, are long gone.But I came away from the Ulysse Nardin boutique impressed. Partly by our genial host Marie and her open, humble presentation, but also by the watches especially the crazily high-end pieces. Dont tell the three suitcases full of tool watches I have in storage. I might have a new loveIf you know me per [...]

When Rolex announced becoming the official timekeeper for the Formula 1 early December we thought it would be cool to do a Daytona-special here on Fratellowatches. For this occasion, we went out there and found this Formula 1 car of 2007 that has actually been used by Alonso.When you think of Rolex and Formula 1, the first watch that comes to mind is the Cosmograph Daytona. With its chronograph feature and tachymeter bezel this watch just breathes racing.Although Rolex produced chronograph watches since the 1930s, the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona wasn't introduced until the 1960s. The Daytona name was given to commemorate their sponsorship of races held on the Daytona Beach in Florida.Since we h [...]

Man, what a watch world we live in these days. Instagram. Hype. Waitlists. Premiums. Whether we like it or not, these are factors that have largely come to define the most popular segments of the collecting scene. As a watch brand, it can be a tricky landscape to navigate. What, exactly, do you do to survive? Do you humble yourself, observe the trends, and allow the desires of the market to dictate your offerings? Or, do you double down on what you do best and resolutely forge ahead?Good question, especially since both options may lead to absolute doom. Give the people too much of what they want? You run the risk of becoming yet another chided bandwagon jumper. Let your hubris get the best o [...]

A little while ago, we received a long email from our reader James. In his email, he admits he was a bit late to the game, but at least he did his homework and went through a lot of our Speedy Tuesday articles.Now, he has a question. About which Speedmaster to buy for himself to celebrate not only his first wedding anniversary but also the birth of his first child. But before he gets to his question, he first shared a bit of background with us.Speedmaster Mark IVJames: I was very touched by Robert-Jans story (Why I Love Omega So Much) from July 25th, 2018 I felt very similar. My grandfather always wore an Omega Speedmaster, which I really liked. I remember it as if it was yesterday: at a di [...]

Its Two For Tuesday time where we take a look at two watches that commonly cause hand-wringing at decision time. This week, youll need to muster some serious arm strength to lift those hands because were going BIG with the Panerai Luminor and Radiomir.The Legend of PaneraiI know that Ive mentioned this before, but the early 2000s hysteria caused by Panerai was a completely unique mania. There had been nothing like it up until that point in the watch world and theres been nothing since. Sure, the Royal Oak, Nautilus, and your steel sports Rolex du jour are impossible to find, but these are very specific cases. Nigh on 20 years ago, just about everything from Panerai was?unobtanium. The brand [...]

Click on all images for larger.After many sleepless nights of deliberation, it was time for a change. I sold my Lange 1815 to make room for something new in the collection. What would it be? After much hunting and poring over catalogs and visiting dealers, I decided on a Jaeger Le-Coultre Reverso Grande GMT (RGGMT from here on) in steel. The standard alligator strap wasn't very flexible or comfortable for me, and left the watch sitting high, so I went for the bracelet model.That was in early 2009. Two and a bit years on, am I still in love?Let's back up a little. There are three things that can happen to a watch after you've owned it for a while: either it grows on you, you like it as much a [...]

We introduce to you the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Commanders Watch Limited Edition watch. James Bond has been a wearer of some handsome timepieces ever since the first movie, including?the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M. A watch that is often being referred to the Bond watch, despite that he has been wearing slightly different watches in the last film (Spectre). What is the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Commanders Watch about? Lets have a look.Since 1995, Omega is the official watch for James Bond. So whats there to celebrate or commemorate, you might think? James Bond was created in 1953 and the first movie was Dr. No in 1962. No, 2017 marks the anniversary of You Only Live Twice (50th anniversar [...]

With this article, we show that a cool watch does not have to break the bank. We selected five awesome timepieces for you that cost less than 1,000 (or $1,000).Our last Top 5 article about cool diver watches for this summer was well received. We thought it would be fun to write another Top 5 article.Top 5 Watches Under 1000This time, however, we would like to concentrate on another topic. This is a subject that most of us have to deal with from time to time; budget. We all have (imaginary) lists with watches that we would like to own at one point. Most of the time, the reason these pieces will stay on this list forever is not their lack of availability, or because your significant other won' [...]

This is a situation that is getting sadder by the day. Former forward of Feyenoord, Michiel Kramer, did not sell his Rolex Day-Date because he thought he might get randomly robbed on the street. No, he did so because one of the convicted members of the so-called Rolexgang (who is currently serving a one-year prison sentence for robbery) confessed that Kramer was on their list. They were already tracking Kramer's movements with a plan to rob him of his watch. It was the certainty that he would get robbed that pushed him to sell for Kramer it was not a what if? It was a when?Footballer Michiel Kramer was not the only target, many other local celebrities are also on the radar of these Rolexgang [...]

The Zenith Piggy Bank proves marketing genius lives for centuries. This is the story of a clock that helped people save money.? I met my friend Matej a few weeks after he lent me his Seiko Superior to be reviewed for 52Mondayz. I was about to give him the Seiko back when my subconscious autopilot threw a mandatory question at him. The one all curious watch nerds give and get all the time: Any new vintage additions to your watch collection? As proven on multiple occasions, I didn't even have to wait until he opened his mouth. I knew immediately I would hear something that would keep me from sleeping.Zenith Piggy BankMatej mumbled first about some Seiko watches he likes a lot, then jumped over [...]

Since the introduction of the Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711/1A in 2006, the watch has reached a mythical status. Especially during the last few years, it seems this watch has been picked up by a larger audience than ever before.With a retail price of?26.810,- Euro, not an easy sell for an all stainless steel watch with no complications other than a date. Wrong These watches have a long waiting list today, and a pre-owned Nautilus 5711/1A is not a cheap alternative with prices starting at around 40.000,- Euro. It is the watch craze we live in today I am afraid, but it has gone to extremes with the Nautilus.Patek Philippe Nautilus 3700/1A and 5711/1A TodayThis article is a comparison between th [...]

Note: Yes, we know, the Vacheron 222 was not designed by Gerald Genta but by Hysek. We stand corrected.Since the early days of my watch addiction (I admit), I am a sucker for the designs of Gerald Genta in the 1970s. Most of the time, I neglect the Vacheron and drool on pictures of his Patek Philippe Nautilus, Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and IWC Ingenieur SL.I always found it hard to get proper information and pictures of the Vacheron Constantin 222, nowadays known as the Vacheron Constantin Overseas. The 222 was the last icon that Gerald Genta designed in the 1970s, just one year after the Patek Philippe Nautilus 3700 and IWC Ingenieur SL 1832. However, yesterday I stumbled across the The Hou [...]