Watches Blog Wrist Watch Reviews

Limited editions are a hot topic today, bot in sales as well as in discussions. Perhaps in the pre-internet age, it was less transparent and as a result, less complaining. What we have here today is a perfect example of a limited edition without a real reason, yet it is starting to become a really sought-after watch.27 CHRO C12This gold Speedmaster Professional dates back to 1992 and was limited to 999 pieces to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the 27 CHRO C12 movement, the predecessor of the famous calibre 321 movement. That is right. It celebrates a movement that was not even used in the Speedmaster, but its successor was. But does it affect the coolness of the watch? Heck no. This watch [...]

We already briefed you about the new Seamaster Ultra Deep in titanium, but Omega also adds three models in steel. Available on a steel bracelet and on a rubber strap.The technical specifications of the caliber 8912 movement, the pending patents, the ISO 6425 certification, (etc.) are all identical to the Seamaster Ultra Deep model I discussed here. Whats different, is the case shape and the material of the case and bracelet. To start with the latter, the steel that Omega uses for the Seamaster Planet Ocean Ultra Deep is called O-Megasteel.Seamaster Ultra Deep in O-MegasteelThree different models, in total 6 variations (on strap and bracelet) are available in this new O-Megasteel alloy. It is [...]

Finding Rolex Submariner alternatives over 10,000 is not very easy. You might think this is the case. If you want something with a minimum water-resistance of 300 meters, and a diving bezel, it gets really thin with results. Unless you add some precious metals to the game.Some of the Submariner fans werent overly happy with my chosen title in a previous article where I showed seven? Submariner alternatives under 5,000. And let me state it once more, I have nothing against a Rolex Submariner, and if you want one, you should get one. Luckily, most of you acknowledged my intentions to show whats out there, for less money. Just not everyone has 10,000 to spend (or retail price if youre overly lu [...]

We like to talk about vintage watches a lot within the Fratello team. Though most of what we write about is largely focused on the most recent releases and developments, for many of us, a lot of the fun can be found in the sometimes weird and often wonderful world of vintage watches. Its 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 are priceless, some of them are still affordable. In this installment, we will take a look at the best Omega watches from the 2000s.By the turn of the millennium, Switzerland had proudly rec [...]

Every collector likes bargains. Or at the very least, like the feeling that fair value for money has been had. Although the definition of value is relative and will vary from collector to collector we all have a different sense of aesthetics after all there are some things that hold across the board.This article will try to identify those watches, both new and on the secondary markets. Pricing, where given, is a rough guide only.Let's first define what's important:1. Some sense of differentiation from other similar pieces, be it pricing, movement, aesthetics or other technology;2. An in-house movement would be nice, but not a necessity;3. Sound aesthetics and design; something with atten [...]

Our headquarters has recently been swimming with Hamiltons latest fare. Pleasingly, the American-born, Swiss-made brand saw fit to send us a big box of its newest watches for review. And the Khaki Aviation Pilot Pioneer Bronze is the first under the lens.Its always a treat for us to get our hands on all the models in the catalog rather than just the selected few the brand wants to crow about. Why? Because it allows us to make choices, to decide upon our favorite models, and choose how best to cover them. When it came to the Pilot Pioneer Bronze, RJ took such a shine to it that he made a short video tribute, which you can now watch below.Of course, it is our job to deliver the news of new rel [...]

Bund-strap haters beware, there's a new sheriff in town The new Hamilton Khaki Field Automatic Chronograph takes the rugged good looks of the brand's beloved field watch and transforms them into a beefy Flieger-style chronograph offering. Hamilton has quite literally dared to go big in this latest offering in their Khaki Field lineup. But is this a watch that flies too close to the sun, or is it a bull's eye? As one of the few Fratello proponents for a bund strap, I was given a special mission to strap this one on and head to the front lines to see if this truly was a watch worthy of the leather it sits on.Size does matterBefore I get started, there's something you should know about me and m [...]

With the introduction of the new Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Ultra Deep in titanium, the line-up of Seamasters has become even more interesting. It is the oldest collection in the Omega catalog and started all the way back in 1948. Before the Constellation (1952), Speedmaster (1957), and De Ville (1967). In these almost 75 years of Seamasters, Omega made some pretty iconic watches you should definitely know about.Although the first Omega Seamaster watches looked nothing like a dive watch, this changed in 1957 with the introduction of the Seamaster 300. At the same time, Omega also introduced the Railmaster and the Speedmaster. Despite the fact that I have a weak spot for these first Seamast [...]

Its Speedy Tuesday Our successful Speedy Tuesday Event that we organized on the 29th of October in ESA-ESTECs official visitor centre Space Expo led to a number of Speedmaster purchases. Even up till now we receive e-mails and notifications from people who bought a (new) Speedmaster as the Speedy Tuesday Event inspired them to do so. We are happy to hear these stories and some of them are rather special.One of the cool stories we got so far are the purchases of very beautiful CK2998 watches, a bunch of new Speedmaster Professional 3570.50 models, a 105.003 and an X-33. We have covered the Omega Speedmaster Professional X-33 before and although we think it is an ugly watch, the features and t [...]

In 2015, the Speedmaster Silver Snoopy Award watch was introducing during BaselWorld. A watch that sold out in one day at the show, to Omega's network of dealers and boutiques. This watch commemorated the 1970 Apollo 13 mission where the Speedmaster played a very important role in the safe return of astronauts Swigert, Lovell and Haise. The full story can be read here, and we also included it in our Speedy Tuesday magazine that came out last year.Omega Speedmaster Apollo 13 Silver Snoopy Award boxSpeedmaster Silver Snoopy AwardOffered for $27950USDOmega produced 1970 pieces of this watch, featuring a white dial with Charles Schulz' beagle on the 9 o'clock subdial and the text Failure is not [...]

As we introduced you to our Catawiki Favorites (Editors Choice) a? few weeks ago already, this time we show you three different watches of our choice: Zenith El Primero Chronomaster, a Bell Ross (by Sinn) chronograph and a Cartier Tortue in gold.This article is a partnership with Catawiki, but our selection consists of watches that we picked and theres no interference from Catawiki regarding the editorial work. If you are not registered on Catawiki yet, we urge you to do so. It is free or charge and will make bidding and marking watches as interesting a lot easier, click here to do so.As always, let me start by saying that before you bid on a watch, you should have done your homework. A lot [...]

I like the hypothetical and that brings us to a seemingly outlandish question that may become a little less so. By the end of this article, you will get to answer whether youd put down your hard-earned money to buy a steel sports Rolex even if you dont want it. It seems like an easy one, but lets seeI dont daydream enough, but when I do its often about scary great white shark encounters or hitting a World Series deciding homer in the bottom of the ninth with two outs and a full count. Sometimes, though, I think about watches. And when I do, its a thought thats probably not too original. Ive got this wild plan where Im in some sort of out of the way town and there just so happens to be a Role [...]

The story on the iconic IWC Portugieser watch is one that is well known in enthusiasts' circles. Today, IWC introduces an update of their entire Portugieser collection. From a three hands watch to a perpetual calendar.But first, let's do a quick rundown of the Portugieser and why it is such an iconic watch. Back in 1939, IWC watchmakers created a big watch on special request by two dealers from Portugal (hence the name) that had the precision of a pocket watch. At that time, IWC was well known for its precision pocket watches and the Portuguese dealers wanted to have that same level of accuracy in a wristwatch. Smaller wristwatches were the trend in those years, but unable to deliver the sam [...]

Today we'll take a look at a significant watch in the history of dive watches: the Jenny Caribbean 1500. Just to clear the air preemptively, the name on the dial states Philip Watch, but as I'll touch upon later, Jenny did build the watch. Perhaps innovation was easier in the 1960's because the market was comparatively wide open and hungry, but with the Caribbean, we shall see how David actually stood up to the Goliaths of the era. TBT is here and it's time to go deep!The Jenny Caribbean 1500 is from the family of the first commerically available 1000M diversJenny (as always said, pronounced like Yenny and not like the character in Forest Gump) was founded in Switzerland in 1963 and basical [...]

To start, let me make one thing perfectly clear: the Rolex Tiffany Oyster Perpetual doesn't exist. When something is turquoise blue, it's not automatically Tiffany Blue. In Rolex's current lineup you will find three references with that soft shimmering color that reminds me of a tropical sea, not a New York jeweler. The first reference is the Oyster Perpetual 31 and the models that follow measure 36, and 41mm. But good luck buying any of them, because Tiffany Blue is the watch color of 2021. Dealers don't have em, and on the secondary market, prices are soaring. The watch world has lost its marbles. Once again.The hype is real. Since Patek Philippe dropped the Nautilus 5711 signed Tiffany C [...]

Exotic materials titanium, ceramic, and carbon. What do we think of them for our watches? Tune in to the latest episode of Fratello On Air to find out what Balazs and Mike have to say.What happens when two vintage watch lovers come together to discuss exotic materials? Well, we had to open our minds and consider alternatives to our beloved stainless steel. In the first of a two-part series, we talk about materials that find their way to watch cases. Titanium, ceramic, and carbon are in play, and while they arent our favorites, we come up with some suggested models.Getting into exotic materialsAs always, we begin with the Handgelenks Kontrolle. Balazs is rocking his vintage Heuer Montreal and [...]

It's time for a new GMT from Grand Seiko This is exciting news because you, dear readers, have a thing for watches that measure more than one timezone and especially when they come from this upscale brand. Are you ready to check out the Grand Seiko Evolution 9 GMT duo?It's true that Grand Seiko offers all types of watches from dress to sport. However, the brands GMT pieces are some of its best. Within the Sport collection, one can find a GMT powered by Spring Drive, a Hi-Beat automatic, an automatic, and even quartz Sign me up for one of those tasty SBGJ Hi-Beat references Today's models represent a very slight departure from the Sport collection because these watches are termed the Grand Se [...]

For the people that are Grand Seiko devotees like we are at Fratello keeping up with the slew of new releases this year has been a full-time commitment. Now imagine if you are a watch enthusiast that is just getting into the magic of Grand Seiko. The maze that Grand Seiko has built can be hugely overwhelming. Do you go for mechanical, quartz, or Spring Drive? Do I go for a timepiece from the Elegance, Sport, or Heritage collection?? Well, we have an answer for you. If you are looking for an entry-level quartz Grand Seiko watch, look no further. The new Grand Seiko SBGP013 is your pick.For me, Grand Seiko is probably the only brand where I would first ask myself what kind of movement I would [...]

The Globemaster Annual Calendar debuted in 2016, and not too long ago, it received a few dial updates. One of them is the green-dialed model that I have here, reference 130.33.41.22.10.001. To tell the truth, when the 41mm Globemaster Annual Calendar came out in 2016, I wasn't immediately a fan. I love the 39mm Globemaster, but the annual-calendar version that came one year later had a few things about it that I didn't appreciate. The 12 months written on the dial was the most notable one, as I found that the text was too in-your-face. At least thats how it looked in the press images.But as soon as I put the watch on my wrist, I found that it wasnt disturbing at all. There are some watches t [...]

Today marks a special day, not only is it the birthday of my beautiful daughter, it is also the fourth anniversary of our Speedy Tuesday feature and the 70th birthday?and?the last working day of Stephen Urquhart, CEO of Omega.Stephen Urquhart was born May 31st 1946?in Trinidad and has both Swiss and British nationality (Scottish father and a Portuguese mother).?He started working for Omega in 1968 as an International Account Manager and as he told me during an event last year he got to communicate with NASA during that time because of his perfect English, which was something quite uncommon in Switzerland in those days. He worked for Omega for 6 years (must have been an exciting time!) befo [...]