Watches Blog Wrist Watch Reviews

Just recently, I wrote why I love Omega watches so much. I received many wonderful responses, including a lot of questions about vintage Omega watches. This led me to the idea of creating an overview of the 10 vintage Omega watches I like best.It is not easy, to come up with an overview of just 10 vintage Omega watches that are my absolute favorites. It sounds easy and I could just mention 10 Speedmaster references, but we've published an overview of my favorite Speedmasters before. And, not many people are aware, but I also collect Constellations and have a weak spot for some other (vintage) Omega watches as well. So I tried to come up with a nicely balanced overview of 10 vintage Omega wat [...]

Sacha Davidoff Reports On The November 2016 Watch AuctionsBack for their fourth Geneva watch auction, Aurel Bacs Livia Russo in association with Phillips auction house continue to set the bar high. Whenever their watch auctions take place, the entire watch community is buzzing and especially paying very close attention to results. Their Geneva auction is set to be a record setting' auction again and we are looking forward to being there. ?They also have a thematic Rolex sale upcoming in Hong Kong with 38 stunning examples of each milestone' reference in the history of the brand. We will sadly not be able to attend, but with the passion that HK collectors have for vintage Rolex, we can imagi [...]

Today, Patek Philippe has announced the new Patek Philippe Ref. 6301P Grand Sonnerie. In a beautiful video presentation, because of Covid-19, Patek Philippe presented this beautiful platinum 6301. It was an incredibly well done digital presentation, with a few words from Thierry Stern and a product presentation by their Head of Watch of Development, Philip Barat.The Patek Philippe Ref. 6301P is a new Grand Sonnerie, with a minute repeater and a jumping seconds complication. On the black enamel dial, you will also find two power reserve indicators one for the movement (72 hours) and one for the sonnerie (24 hours).Patek Philippe Ref. 6301PWhat weve been shown is a stunning 44.8mm platinum wat [...]

This year marks the 15th anniversary of the Red Bull Air Race, with a short pause between 2011 to 2013. Since its return, a year later, it became one of the most spectacular flying competitions. Spanning over four continents (Europe, North America, Australia and Asia) and over 40 locations from the legendary Indianapolis Motor Speedway to the Zayed Port in Abi Dhabi, it offers a rather large variety of different sites. The 2018 race calendar included France, Japan, USA, UAE among many others. The Red Bull Air Race also came to Budapest, Hungary. It happens to be the capital city of my home country. On a pretty picturesque track over the River Danube and in front of the magnificent Parliament [...]

Yesterday, just prior to the start of Baselworld 2019, the new Breitling Superocean Collection debuted.? We had the chance to take a look at a couple different sizes.When most think of Breitling, chronographs come to mind.? With a stalwart such as the Navitimer (you can read our recent review of the new 1959 Reissue), other models often dont get the same level of press, but Breitling has actually been making dive watches since 1957 and theyre quite popular.? With the new Breitling Superocean Collection, the brand updates its collection (versus the prior Superocean II) with an astounding five different diameters 36, 42, 44, 46, and 48mm.? So, theres truly something for everyone and every gen [...]

Every now and then, it feels like the stars align for a brand. A recent model becomes hugely popular due to its brilliant design, and the brand follows up with a confident next step. Everything comes together and results in perfection. This is exactly how the new Longines Spirit Zulu Time GMT feels. The watch represents a maturation of the brand's Spirit line and an exciting step in the right direction. It maintains all the design elements that made the Spirit models so popular and builds on the solid foundation established in 2020. Though the Spirit chronograph was already a stunning riff on the time-only model, this latest take brings a whole new level of potential to the Spirit. It also t [...]

On the third day of Watches and Wonders, we can make up the balance and share our favorite watches from the show. Three watches each, and a bonus watch, so we talk about 8 watches in total.Surprisingly, no watches from Patek Philippe, Rolex, or Tudor are in this overview of our favorites. Instead, with one or two exceptions, we selected pretty wild watches (at least for us). Included are A. Lange Sohne (twice!), a Cartier, a Moser Cie, a Louis Moinet (actually a set of 4), a Louis Vuitton, a Nomos, and a Jaeger-LeCoultre.Our Watches and Wonders FavoritesYou can also listen to this Fratello on Air podcast via Soundcloud,?Apple Podcast,?Google Podcast,?Deezer,??Stitcher, and?Spotify. Please [...]

We get our first look at the Rado Golden Horse Collection, an exciting set of new releases with a retro-inspired piece and a lineup of modern watches.I really don't have anything against Rado, but up until the release of the Captain Cook diver at Baselworld 2017, let's just say that the brand's offerings weren't to my tastes.? For certain, they always looked different and advertised the use of advanced materials such as ceramics long before others followed suit.? I think it was the overly modern looks and the fact that most used quartz movements.? But with the Cook, things began to change and today, we're happy to see things continue in the right direction with a first look at the Rado Golde [...]

While the watch world is busy with the ongoing breaking news of the two fairs and major-brand launches/non-launches, the rest of the world continues to tackle the devastating impact of the coronavirus pandemic.If you read a lot of watch news, you could be forgiven for thinking the industry is on its knees. Here at Fratello, were trying to take a more positive approach. Surely this industry is not just a victim? What about those who have sprung into action to support? We don't hear much, but there are watch brands, large and small, who have launched initiatives that deserve your attention.Luxury GroupsLVMH announced a donation of 16 million Chinese yuan (2.1 million euros) to The Red Cross So [...]

Introduced during Baselworld 2010, the new green Rolex Submariner ref.116610LV (click here for the initial photos I took) immediately got its nick name: The Hulk Submariner. Not being too enthusiastic about the colors of the dial and bezel myself, I did notice that there was quite some interest for this watch from the start.Now, few months later, this The Hulk Submariners availability improves every week and it seems to become the favorite watch of many Rolex aficionados. At least at the Dutch Rolex Forum. My friend Michael bought one last week and shows it here on Fratellowatches. I have to admit, that after having seen it in the flesh, it is much better than it was in the Rolex display in [...]

You dont have to spend too long in or around the luxury watchmaking industry to be aware of the modern Rolex classics such as the Submariner, GMT Master II, or the Datejust. Within the modern collection, a few more complicated watches exist, like the Sky-Dweller, Yacht-Master II, and Cellini Moon Phase. Although less common these days, complicated watches have played a huge part in the brands history.For example, one?of the rarest Rolex models, very much sought after by worldwide collectors is reference?8171. This 38mm model features a complete calendar with moon phase complication also. It is nicknamed Padellone by Italian collectors. It gets this moniker from its dimensions in relation to [...]

In recent times, we have seen the popularity of smaller watches surge. Compared to the previous norm of watches ranging from 42 C47mm (I'm looking at you Panerai, Breitling, and Hublot), this reduction in size has been welcomed by most. Personally, I love the more proportional look of watches under 40mm on the average wrist. This doesn't mean I enjoy my 42mm Speedmaster any less, but it does mean that I can enjoy smaller watches without getting any odd looks. These shifts in perception are not instant. In fact, they can take several years. And though early re-adoption of the 34 C38mm watches likely came from the rise in popularity of vintage watches, brands have been quick to catch up to the [...]

I might not be 100 percent objective at all times, but here, my personal taste is an advantage. I do own more shoes, belts, and straps in various shades of brown than black. The monochrome architects look is not for me, but beiges and browns with a dash of color? Yes, please.What I do miss, though, is a tasty CHOCOLATE dial in my watch box. This past year saw a few delicious options being released. The first one that came to mind is the new Omega Seamaster 300 in Bronze Gold.Except for the Canopus Gold Speedmaster, I would easily name it as my favorite Omega of 2021, hands down. Match it up with some CHOCOLATE-flavored accessories, and you're set for success. If two of the dive watches in [...]

Someone at the Paneristi.com forum asks: Do you think it is better to wear PAM outside or inside long sleeves?? i feel so strange..better with the short sleeves, i think..but for people who are working and wearing long sleeves, how?Well, to be honest.. I hate short sleeves. Especially in combination with a suit, short sleeves are never an option. So, long sleeves and a Panerai. Although I think a Panerai goes very well with a suit, sleeves might be a problem. Some cuffs just dont allow it to hide a Panerai. So most of the time, it will look like Nads picture below.Picture by Nad.Another option, also given as an answer in the forum, is to start wearing tailored shirts. According to the forum, [...]

Today, well seek to answer an age old conundrum posed by prospective buyers: Rolex Submariner or GMT Master II?If you happen to write for a magazine such as, say, Fratello for long enough, your friends and colleagues begin to come with all sorts of questions about watches.? From fashion brands to odd 40s pieces that once belonged to a loved one, Ive seen them all.? But if theres one topic that comes up more so than any other, its about Rolex.? Specifically, more often than not, people ask whether to buy the Rolex Submariner or GMT Master II.Rolex Submariner or GMT Master IIDespite the repeated calls for the death of mechanical watches due to the rise of smart watches, the ritualistic desire [...]

We like to talk about vintage watches a lot within the Fratello team. Though most of what we write about is primarily 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 still affordable. In this installment, we will take a look at the best Breitling watches from the 1990s.This week we will continue our journey through watch his [...]

The patina comeback kid bounces back into the spotlight, trending again after a few quiet years. Bronze is cool, but I don't think we can stress this enough: not all bronze is exactly the same. The entire point of bronze is the fact that it is the only watch case material that becomes a part of you. And I don't mean the green wrist-circle you got from that huge 45mm crusty green bronze diver back in 2014. The Oris Big Crown Pointer Date Bronze is a sleeker and more elegant twist on the golden-tinged alloy, and it now comes on the brands most comfortable bracelet.Bronze does develop a patina, just like a Rolex Submariner from the 60s. Born when it was an actual tool, it all but loses its resa [...]

Finally, the Omega Constellation received some necessary attention In 2018 we saw the introduction of the new ladies' models, but now the gents' version has also been updated. Officially, it's Omega's 5th generation of this type of Constellation (although I disagree with that and believe it to be the 6th). Let's have a closer look.But first, let me tell you why this collection means a lot to me (I also wrote it here on Fratello Magazine). It might surprise you to learn why Im so excited about a watch that hasn't been featured much here. The Omega Constellation is the first serious watch I ever received. It was back in 1998 when I graduated, and my mother knew Id been deeply in love with this [...]

Omega Seamaster Jedi Let's get this straight once and for all!When you start collecting vintage Omega watches from the 1970s and come across the big chunky Seamaster chronographs the top 3 models you will find are: reference 176.001, reference 176.007 (these 2 are basically the same) and reference 176.0005 or the so-called Omega Seamaster Jedi. This due to the fact that these models were produced in fairly large numbers, not too expensive to buy and you can find them all over the internet (eBay etc.).The next thing that will happen is that you start to like the chunky TV-shaped case of the Omega Seamaster Jedi 176.0005 and you slowly start to fancy that model over the others. You search for [...]

2020 was quite a year in all respects and thats true regarding timepieces. Here were some of my favorite watches over the past 12 months.I recently penned an article on the vintage Japanese watches that entered my collection during 2020. That was a seriously fun article to write, but what about new watches Japanese or not? Well, I am here to say that this year, of all years, was one of my favorites when it came to new releases. Perhaps I focused more on them than in the recent past, but I dont think so. With so many approachable luxury releases (and many in my favorite dive genre), I really enjoyed myself. Oh, and then there were the bracelets Seriously, for such a wild year, watch companies [...]