Watches Blog Wrist Watch Reviews

New releases from A. Lange Sohne are rare. When they do come along, they should be given the respect and attention they deserve. While the latest A. Lange Sohne Lange 1 Time Zone is not a new model per se, it does feature a new caliber, which thoroughly bolsters this models presence in an already star-studded catalog.The Lange 1 model first emerged in 1994 as the soon-to-be icon charged with establishing the brand as a major player. It was the piece that put the Lange family name back on the map. Since then, it has remained (in several forms) a mainstay in the Lange catalog.Thanks to its defining role, the Lange 1s memorable layout has remained largely unchanged since inception. Different [...]

Oh hi there, its This Week in Watches for June 2, 2019.Yes, its been a few weekends since weve come out with This Week in Watches.? The news has been fairly light since Swatch Groups?Time to Move?event and we took the opportunity to give you a look at many of the?Apollo 11 50th Anniversary?happenings around the last weekend.? Well, guess what?? Theres more Apollo today, but we also have some news of watches.? Lets begin.Tissot Chrono XL NBA CollectorYou know, the old Dream Team that boringly beat up on a bunch of second tier players in the 1992 Barcelona Summer Olympics must have had a profound effect on my European brethren.? Theres rarely a week that goes by that Im not asked if Im related [...]

ChronographsBefore we hit it with our top 10 chronographs overview, a few words about this list. A chronograph is one of the most popular complications (besides a date), and it is actually a very complex mechanism. It is the reason why some brands still dont have their own chronograph movement and use one from a third party.Chronograph ModuleYou might have heard about a chronograph module or add-on module. This means that theres a base movement for hh:mm:ss (and date), and a little additional movement module that is put on top of the base movement. A well-known module manufacturer is?Dubois Depraz. A brand like Audemars Piguet for example, uses their own in-house manufactured caliber 3120 mo [...]

Vintage RolexVintage Rolex is no hype, it is here to stay. It does come with waves though and so do the prices of some of the models. Today, a double red Sea-Dweller is less expensive than it was a couple of years ago, but in general, you could say that almost all of the vintage Rolex sports models are a solid investment. I have never lost money on a (vintage) Rolex. I bought my first Rolex GMT-Master 1675 for 1800 Euro in 2003 and made a nice profit not long after (as part of a trade for a more expensive piece). However, when I wanted one back again, I needed to cough up around 4500 Euro in 2013 for a similar reference 1675. Now, in 2016, you have at least to bring 6 or 7K Euro for a nice 1 [...]

On the first Tuesday of 2021, Omega unveiled a slew of new Speedmaster Moonwatch references. Among which were the surprising proprietary Sedna (rose) gold and Canopus (white) gold models. But to its core, Omega kept things straightforward with the stainless steel Moonwatch. In the steel guise were four references with either Hesalite or sapphire crystal on the front glass. Each choice of crystal also had the option of a steel bracelet or strap. But only one reference ended up on my wish list. And it was compelling enough for me to sell my beloved First Omega in Space to own it. I am talking about the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional Co-Axial Master Chronometer reference 310.30.42.50. [...]

Edward Heliosz made quite a list on watches that appeared in movies Definately worth checking out. [...]

My 2007 Panerai Luminor Base (Logo) has to go, if you are interested, please let me know. It comes complete with box+papers, OEM rubber strap, bezel protector etc.You can either contact me by mailing me ([emailprotected]) or by visiting the Chrono24 and check the contact details. https://www.chrono24.nl/panerai/1439107.htm [...]

Although we had an in-depth review of tegimented Sinn watches here last month, written by Ming Thein, we also covered the most technology-packed Sinn 103 for Watchuseek. This 103 in titanium features all the Sinn technologies that solve real problems. No tourbillon, minute repeater, dead beat second or other haute horlogerie complications over at the watch company from Frankfurt, only inventions that solve real issues. This of problems watch can have with moisture, shocks and friction of small parts.This 103 Ti DIAPAL, being the most expensive Sinn 103 model available, is still very interesting for those who are looking for a reliable chronograph watch (featuring a second time zone as well). [...]

Let me start off this article with a personal question what would be the perfect watch collection for you? Some of you may have thought long and hard about this already, and you could list off all the watches you could ever desire. For others, its a question that may catch you off guard, and you may have to get back to me in a few years. But for me, its a question that has constantly guided all of my watch acquisitions since 2016. Assembling a collection that suits what I value in watchmaking as well as my budget is a task I do not take lightly. Each watch I buy does not exist in a vacuum but as a part of my greater horological vision. As such, I find it best that I follow some rules. One of [...]

My first sports Rolex was a Sea-Dweller 16600, and I think it is still one of their best looking divers watches in the collection. For this weeks episode of Pre-Owned Picks, I selected Rolex Sea-Dwellers from 5 different generations. From the first reference to the current steel model on steroids.I was so proud back in 2003 when I purchased my Rolex Sea-Dweller 16600 from 1996. It was a bit of a stealthy Submariner, without that cyclops but with the chronometer-certified movement inside. Water-resistant to 1,220 meters, and with the cool-looking helium valve in the case band. The sapphire crystal was thick and sat much higher on the watch than on the Submariner models. The package included a [...]

Ever since the introduction of the new Oris diver watches, the Oris Divers Sixty-Five models, people have been praising them. A cool retro watch with a very affordable price tag. We have reviewed a couple of the Oris Divers Sixty-Five variations ever since (the original Sixty-Five, the 42mm model, and just recently we reviewed the green dial version).ComparisonThis article however, is not another review, but a comparison between the retro Divers Sixty-Five and the watch that inspired it. The original Oris diver Waterproof from the 1960s. How close is the Oris Divers Sixty-Five to the original? What is so good about the Sixty-Five and what could have been done better in our opinion? Lets go.O [...]

Jaeger-LeCoultre is one of the brands that has the most mechanical movements to pick from, all in-house developed and crafted. They can proudly say that they first design a watch and then create the movement for this particular design, instead of the other way round that we often see so much. Large watch cases with only a small mechanical movement inside is not something you will encounter from this brand from the Vall e de Joux in Switzerland.I was delighted when I received an invitation for their Master Class watchmaking course in Amsterdam, guided by one of their highly skilled watchmakers. Earlier this year, during their event at the 24 hours of the Nurburgring, I already received a shor [...]

Chopard L.U.CLondon in the Fall has an exceptional atmosphere. Maybe because I usually visit the city at this time of the year, but I've always enjoyed walking the streets of UK's capital. It was one of this perfect Autumn days that I arrived for a short but sweet watch introduction?by Chopard. If you have to mention something about independent family owned brands, such as Chopard, it has to be the fact that most of the people involved with the brand speaks with such a charisma and passion, the average spectator has a feeling that every word they say comes from their hearts. Pure and honest joy when they discuss a new project they are about to launch. At least this is how it seems for us. Th [...]

Establishing a disruptive concept based on integrity is not always easy. Especially when you have created a winning concept like Bvlgari did with the Octo Finissimo. That is why it has been interesting to see how Bvlgari has been expanding its Octo Finissmo collection. Can you keep the concept and characteristics of the Octo Finissimo alive when adding new watches to the line-up? And is there an end to what is possible? For now, the brand shows that the end is not in sight with the stealthy Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT Titanium.It is fascinating to see what Bvlgari comes up with every year regarding the Octo Finissimo. The brand struck gold with its sandblasted titanium version of the watc [...]

It?has been exactly 60 years since?the introduction of the first Rolex Day-Date, reference 6511. This is being celebrated by a dedicated Rolex Day-Date 40 exhibition at one of the largest retailers in The Netherlands, Schaap en Citroen. Even better, their boutique in The Hague was chosen for this exhibition. A home game for us, for a change.Rolex Day-Date?PresidentIn the last 60 years, a lot has changed about the Day-Date, but a lot has also remained familiar. Todays Rolex Day-Date 40 (introduced in 2015) is clearly a descendant of the very first Day-Date from 1956. A child can see that. It is the?watch that was worn by presidents. After?U.S. President, Lyndon Johnson was elected (and wearin [...]

With the F1 of Spa-Francorchamps coming up this weekend we look back at our trip there some weeks ago. We joined IWC and AMG for the 24hrs of Spa and had the opportunity to wear an IWC Big Pilots Watch. Having that watch on the wrist for a few days, I got quite used to it despite the fact that I feel that 40mm is the perfect size for a watch. That being said, lets have a look at the IWC Big Pilots Watch IW501001 and if I would buy one.IWC Big Pilots Watch First ImpressionsMy initial thought when opening the box was that its clearly called Big Pilots for a reason. With a stainless steel case that measures 46.2 mm its one of the biggest watches I have ever worn. With a thickness of 15.6 mm its [...]

Many of the readers of Fratellowatches come from the United States according to our statistics. In that respect, we feel that this part of our readers are probably more familiar with Hamilton than we are. You should know, that Hamilton wasnt very known in Europe until a few years ago when their PR machine started here as well. Especially with the Khaki models, they quickly conquered the market for affordable mechanical watches. The presentation we received by one of the Hamilton representatives last year in Basel was reason for us to have a closer look at this brand. We asked or a Hamilton Khaki Pioneer Pilot Chronograph watch and we received it for a hands-on review.The Hamilton company has [...]

Howdy-do fine folks and welcome to This Week in Watches for May 9, 2020 the Everything Edition. Ive given it this name because weve got quite the smorgasbord of new watches for you. So, grab your plates and hit the buffet!Christopher Ward C60 Sapphire EditionWhen I said we had everything, I meant it. We kick things off with a new Christopher Ward C60 Diver. This 40mm dive watch has a blue dial made from sapphire. With this, the Sellita SW200 automatic is visible. Christopher Ward tells us that creating such a dial takes 20 production steps. Lapping, grinding, and polishing are just some of the measures required to fit this slice of sapphire into a watch case. The watch has a display back in [...]

Wrist Game or Crying Shame is back after a lengthy hiatus with the Rolex Submariner 16613 Silver Serti. Yes, another Rolex, but it was time to review one of these dials. Before we doWhen we last met, I gave you plenty of James Bond references when I brought out the Seiko 7549-7009 Golden Tuna. I love that watch, but the real reason I wrote the article was to pick on, On Her Majestys Secrezzzzzzzz. Oh, sorry, Im up now and so were you because you gave the Seiko a 66% blessing. Well done Now, todays Rolex Submariner 16613 Silver Serti promises to bring real pandemonium in our comments section. Will it garner supporting votes? Has it reached a level of kitsch that has become cool? Lets seeThe R [...]

Setting quite substantial watches with diamonds is always a bold idea. The square shape, solid bracelet, and prominent steel screws are what define the Santos de Cartier. I have this feeling that to make the entire design even more outstanding only diamonds were missing. That was, of course, until nowNew Models From The Santos de Cartier CollectionThe French brand expands its Santos collection with three new timepieces. However, the pure asceticism of the case is gone, usurped instead by a glittering case encrusted with 206 brilliant-cut diamonds. The beautifully shaped concept comes in three different variations.The first one, my favorite, a stainless steel watch with a steel sun-brushed di [...]