Watches Blog Wrist Watch Reviews

Today is, of course, the last day of February, the day before the madness begins As Rob highlighted, we love a good competition. Thus last week we wondered how cool it would be to celebrate our championship with a bang, and here we are. Do you fancy the brand-new Hamilton Intra-Matic Auto Chrono? Check out what you have to do to win this watch!Play the game!To win the Hamilton Intra-Matic Auto Chrono, all you have to do is:Subscribe to our NewsletterFollow Fratello Watches on InstagramSubscribe to our YouTube channelTake part in MarchManiaSounds easy, right? It is. As soon as the March Mania tournament kicks off tomorrow, go ahead and dive right into the comments section. Well be looking ou [...]

Although the name De Ville Tr sor is not new, the new Omega Tr sor ladies collection definitely is. Most ladies watches are based on gents models within the Omega collection: smaller diameters, different dials and colors etc. This is the case for many watch brands out there. The new Omega Tr sor ladies collection though, is all-new. They could have picked an entirely new name, or a new collection even, as it doesnt look like anything released before. I had to think about it for a bit, as I am used to look at watches that are based on something existing. Even when Omega introduced the De Ville Tr sor in 2014, with the hand-wound Co-Axial in-house movement, there were elements in there that we [...]

The design of the Submariner 114060, is unmistakably Rolex, despite the size and use of modern materials such as ceramics. Compare the modern 114060 to the 1953 Rolex Submariner 6204 and you will immediately notice that these watches share the same DNA.Owning and wearing a Rolex Submariner is one thing, but to dive into the history of this watch is quite a task. To make it somewhat easier for you, we hereby show you the history of the Submariner in a nutshell, including a table with most important references since 1953 till the current line-up of Submariner watches.Diving Into Rolex SubmarinerThe Rolex Submariner is a watch with an interesting story. Introduced over 60 years ago, the current [...]

Last January, at the SIHH in Geneva, Cartier launched two new Drive de Cartier models. Two models that, despite the name, not have that much in common besides the shape of the case and the large blued hands.?Drive de Cartier Moon PhasesOne is the Drive de Cartier Extra Flat, the watch that made headlines, as soon as it was presented, a stunning dress watch in white- or pink gold. And the other one is the Drive de Cartier Moon Phases' that we're having here this week, a watch which is also not to be sneezed at.The Moon Phases' model shares the typical details with the earlier Drive de Cartier models, that were launched last year. For instance the 40mm x 41mm cushion-shaped case, the guilloche [...]

This years marks the 50th anniversary of the Rolex Sea-Dweller. For that occasion, theres the new Rolex Sea-Dweller reference 122600 with red writing on the dial. A larger case, a cyclops, red writing on the dial and a new movement. Lets have a look.The New Rolex Sea-Dweller Ref. 126600Almost 3 years ago, I wrote about the new Rolex Sea-Dweller reference 116600. You might remember that this was the long awaited successor of the 16600, but now with ceramic bezel and matte finished dial. Between 2009 and 2014, there was no Sea-Dweller in the collection. As of now, that reference is being discontinued (run for the stores, you investment buyers) and being followed up by this new Rolex Sea-Dwelle [...]

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 [...]

Its Speedy Tuesday This week we have an interesting Omega Speedmaster for you, the reference 105.003-63. Thats right, one of the very first models of this reference number. The Omega Speedmaster 105.003 is considered to be the 3rd generation of Speedmasters, as the CK2915 and CK2998/105.002 (basically the same watches) are its predecessors.The interesting part about this particular Speedmaster is that it still has the Alpha hands that were also on the CK2998 and ST 105.002 references. Most of you will know the 105.003 as the first watch with the white baton hands, as pictured below. However, these official database results from the Omega website also tell you that the 105.003 was delivered w [...]

Welcome to my top list of chronographs that have become icons. The focus is on modern interpretations of chronographs that have stood the test of time. Whether by sheer brilliance or historical significance.My list is made up of modern timepieces but the core design DNA stretches back decades. There are some examples in this list that are square-millimeter-perfect recreations and some whose design and mechanisms have evolved over time. No matter the evolution, the term iconic applies to all of these chronographs. But I am always keen to know your personal choices. Especially on any watches I may have missed. Importantly for me, an icon needs to be identifiable with only the silhouette.Withou [...]

I'll have a coffee and every Omega ?bSwatch MoonSwatch to start the week, please. Do I have to ask what you did last weekend? Do you want to talk about camping outside the nearest Swatch boutique? Please share your adventures and let me know if you scored one of the eight, not eleven, possible planets the Sun is a star, the Moon is a satellite, and Pluto is NOT a planet according to the International Astronomical Union (IAU). Or in the very possible case that its been mission impossible, its good to share your frustration over a coffee to get it out of your system. If you really don't want to talk about it, maybe speculate with me on an updated Daytona; what should it look like, and what sh [...]

Hey there, its time for Wrist Game or Crying Shame where you get to play a little pick em choose em. This week, we super size things with an IWC Big Pilot. But firstLast week, I showed you a modern-day Omega Speedmaster Mark II Co-Axial with a racing dial for just under 3,600. You gave this one the checkered flag as it motored to a 78% Wrist Game win. Im pretty happy about that one, but I wonder if youll be happy with todays IWC Big Pilot.Do you remember big watches? Well, back in the early 2000s, lets just say they were a, um, big thing. You can lay a lot of the blame or credit on a then pluckily resurging brand called Panerai. But there were fast followers from the more established names. [...]

The OMEGA Speedmaster CK2915!Just recently, I got in touch with a watchmaker by the name of Sampo from Finland. He mainly collects Omega watches from the 1950s and 1960s? and works for one of the Omega Service Centers. His main interest goes into the Seamaster 300 watches, Railmasters and Speedmasters from that era. Only two years ago he decided to go vintage and sold his new watches and bought a beautiful Speedmaster 105.012-66, Speedmaster 105.003-63, a Ranchero CK2990, Railmaster 2914-1 and two Seamaster 300 CK2913 models.? An incredible collection so far, but he recently added a Speedmaster CK2915 as well. The very first Speedmaster from 1957.Omega Speedmaster CK2915By coincidence, he fo [...]

We would like to invite you for an exclusive Grand Seiko event. This will take place on December 7th in Amsterdam and will be organized by Fratello, Watching Magazine, Horloge.info and Seiko Nederland B.V.This is your chance to have a closer look at the Grand Seiko brand and their incredible craftsmanship. Besides having lunch in style, there will be a number of presentations, exclusive Grand Seiko and Credor watches to admire up close and a demonstration by one of Grand Seikos Master Craftsmen with a Snowflake watch.Location: Amsterdam, The NetherlandsDate: December 7th, Start 12:00 (Ends at 16:30)There will be only a very limited number of available seats, so make sure to sign up asap.Plea [...]

The NBA has a new champion since Thursday night; the Toronto Raptors.?We do not talk about sport here at Fratello. We have our occasional articles from various car racing events or golf, for example.Perhaps a sportsman gets onto a list when we talk about famous watch wearers. Pretty much that's about it. However, we love sports, and I, for one, am a huge basketball fan. As such, I was following this year's NBA finals with great enthusiasm to see if the NBA finals-rookie and underdog Toronto Raptors (a city I will be visiting in August) would be able to defeat the All-Star-studded Golden State Warriors or get schooled by the last two years' NBA champion. Well, the Raptors did it. A franchise [...]

At Baselworld 2019, after years of seeing many new releases from the brand, the TAG Heuer Autavia Isograph was the primary focus.Thats right, we walked into the TAG Heuer booth, sat down in the conference room and aside from seeing a digital presentation of a new Golf watch, we physically saw one watch. Ok, thats not exactly true. We saw a handful of different variants of the same watch and that ought to tell you how important the new TAG Heuer Autavia Isograph is to the brand. And whats more, this new piece kicks off a new lineup with more models to come. A new chronograph will be announced later this year and in a case that differs from the current retro Heuer Heritage Autavia that is on t [...]

Popular WatchesOne of the things that fascinates me about the watch industry is that there are so many watch brands out there, with so many watch models to choose from. Yet, most people (including myself) find them selves keep getting back to some of the obvious choices. At least the watches that I think that are very obvious. Our colleagues from the German WatchTime website did some research together with watch market platform Chrono24, to identify the top 10 most popular watches.These watches are?the most sought-after models?on Chrono24, a website that has over 80 million pageviews a month. We?show you the top 10 most popular watches on Chrono24, searched-for between January 2016 and June [...]

After our Singapore Speedy Tuesday Event, we travelled to Hong Kong to host the Speedy Tuesday event on Thursday, June 27th.Similar to the report of the event in Singapore, we share the pictures that we took during the Hong Speedy Tuesday Event. In the same constellation (no pun intended) as in Singapore (together with the Head of Brand Heritage Petros Protopapas, former NASA engineer James H. Ragan), we did presentations and a panel discussion in Hong Kong. Of course, there was also the opportunity to try the new Speedmaster Apollo XI watches. These watches are being delivered to the markets as we speak.I was very happy to see so many enthusiast Speedmaster fans in Hong Kong, and we also (a [...]

In April 2009, just after I returned from BaselWorld 2009, I temporarily switched my Rolex Yacht-Master 16622 with a friends Submariner 16613.Although I really had to get used to all that gold on this Submariner, the watch was definitely an eye-catcher and felt right in terms of weight, size and looks. The blue dial was amazing, espcially during daylight.Since BaselWorld 2009, Rolex introduced the new stainless steel/gold Submariner 116613. Using their new style case, like the GMT-Master IIc 116710LN and the earlier introduced white gold Submariner 116619, it is evident that this is Rolexs way forward. It seems that Rolex listened to a lot of customers, and is firing their innovations to us [...]

Cartier PashaBefore we come to this about 18 year old Cartier?Pasha, you should know that?(until about 10 years ago)?the production of Cartier watches was done very differently than it is today. It was ?around 2007, when there was a complete change in the way of working and that the production of actually everything, was re-arranged at Cartier.Manufacture in La Chaux-de-FondsWhen Cartier finally decided not to rely on third parties anymore (for calibers and parts), they?built a huge 30.000 square meters vertically integrated manufacture in La Chaux-de-Fonds. Cartier also hired new staff and appointed the right people to do the job. Carole Forestier-Kasapi?(responsible for the development and [...]

The Seamaster Aqua Terra has been linked to golf for quite a while now. Players Sergio Garcia and Rory McIlroy even have their own versions of this watch. But today, Omega announces their Seamaster Aqua Terra Ultra Light, with a weight of just 55 grams!Ive seen better days, as I am kept away from the European Masters in Crans Montana this week because of a middle ear infection which doesnt allow me to take the plane to Geneva. I like playing golf, and although my skills are not on any serious level (by a stretch), I like to see how the pros play this highly addictive game. Going to Crans Montana in the past actually made me start playing golf (again), as one of the teaching pros there convin [...]

In 2021, Omega updated the iconic Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch with the caliber 3861 movement. A very good reason to update our Speedmaster Buyers Guide as well!This guide dates all the way back to 2014, and since then, a lot happened. Not only did we have our own way with Omega and the two Speedmaster Speedy Tuesday watches (in 2017 and 2018), Omega also introduced a number of interesting Speedmaster watches to the collection. What about the Speedmaster Calibre 321 from 2020, or the new Moonwatch Master Chronometer models in gold? Time for us to update this Speedmaster Buyers Guide.In this Speedmaster Buyers Guide, we give you an overview of the most important references of the Speedm [...]