Watches Blog Wrist Watch Reviews

In 2006, Panerai introduced their PAM00249 (Radiomir 1936) that featured a California dial. Limited to 1936 pieces only, and collectors jumped on it. Before I head over to my review of the PAM00424 (Radiomir California 3-Days), a few words on the dial first.California DialsThe term California dial is said to be coined by dial maker Kirk Rich, who did dial restoration and refinishing in the 1970s and was located in Los Angeles. In short, the California dial is a combination of an Arabic and Roman dial, as can be seen on the images. According to this story, this dial layout was at some point referred?to as California dial because clients of Kirk Rich found it easier to use that name than talk [...]

Check this nice essay, written by SteveG.Photo by SteveG.Click here to read it. [...]

The variety of luxury sports watches is continually growing. More and more brands are extending their offerings by this category. But, are these new alternatives better than the classics? Are they alternatives at all? That depends on your requirements. Here are 13 alternatives to Rolex and Patek Philippe sports watches.It has become a matter of course that the popular sports watches from Rolex and Patek Philippe are not available to the average watch aficionado. The demand is vast, and the supply is scarce. Unless you are willing to pay a considerable premium on top of the already high prices for these watches, you will end up on a potentially endless waiting list. Therefore, any watch that [...]

Omega's current Seamaster Professional Diver 300M has become a proper staple of the brand's collection. Beloved by fans of the brand and still one of the best dive watches under 10,000, it feels like we can't get enough of that watch. So finding out that Omega has decided to bring the watch world's most popular color to the collection was exciting indeed. You've most likely seen the classic blue and black models. Ask RJ which his favorite is, and he'll quickly tell you it's the white-dialed model with a black ceramic bezel. My personal favorite was the black ceramic and grade 5 titanium model until now Now, out of all the releases we have seen from Omega today, there's something about this [...]

The new Submariner lineup hobbled the internet the other week. Now that the dust has settled to some degree, I thought Id weigh in with my thoughts.Love it or hate it, you cant deny that Rolex news is big news. And theres probably no bigger topic in the watch world than a new Submariner. If we were talking cars, this is akin to a new Porsche 911, a new Corvette, or perhaps a 4-series BMW. By the way, for as awful as 2020 has been, weve gotten new editions of those icons too But back to watches because as the owner of what I personally think is the last classic Submariner in the 14060M, I always ask myself one question when a new one comes to light. Would I trade up to buy the new one?Goodbye [...]

The race roars on with the Cartier Roadster Chronograph versus the Seiko SRQ029. And what a spectacle it will be Its going to be a track battle between two watch equivalents of early 1970s race cars. The Cartier Roadster will be represented by the Matra-Simca MS670, a Group 5 prototype equipped with a howling 2,999 cc V12 engine the one which, some say, is the best-sounding engine ever produced. The Seiko SRQ029, a 2019 watch that celebrates 50 years of Seiko chronographs, appears on the circuit in the shape of a Toyota 7. This Group 7 car with a Yamaha chassis was powered by a 3-liter [...]

2021 has arrived and like so many of you, I have been thinking about what watch I should choose next. As you have probably noticed from my personal choices, I've never been an enthusiast for gold. In my opinion, steel rivals gold and two-tone watches. At least, that was always the wayuntil now. It's been tough to figure out what steel watch should be on my wish-list for 2021. Luckily, at the end of last year, Omega released its new Tr sor collection, shining as it does a spotlight on Moonshine gold.Moonshine gold is nothing new for the Tr sor collection. In 2019, just one year after the introduction of the Tr sor line for women, the Swiss brand presented two new Tr sors made of Moonshine gol [...]

It might not be the first thing that comes to mind when buying a pre-owned or vintage Speedmaster, but what kind of accuracy should you expect from a pre-loved timepiece? Most of the buyers and collectors are more concerned about the watchs aesthetics than the technical condition of the watch, it seems. Lets have a closer look at the accuracy of the Speedmaster and what falls within acceptable parameters.In my opinion, patina has become a bit of a buzzword. Sometimes, it is as if it is the only thing that matters when it comes to buying a pre-owned or vintage Speedmaster. Sure, it is important how a watch looks, but theres more to it than the yellow or green color of hour markers. Ive made t [...]

This isnt exactly a new watch. Bvlgari introduced it as the Diagono in 1998, an aluminum watch with a quartz movement. Later on, more models were added, including chronographs with automatic movements.Late last August, in Geneva, Bvlgari introduced the Bvlgari Aluminium chronograph reference 103383. Just a few days before, Bvlgari gave me the Aluminium chronograph to wear. I have been wearing this watch on and off, and today I am sharing my thoughts about this watch with you. Lets have a closer look at this watch, meant for millennials (as can be seen in this video).Bvlgari Aluminium chronographOn the one hand, Bvlgari being so clear about its target audience rules me out for this watch. I w [...]

For modern and vintage watch fans alike, the word Breitling typically draws the mind to one watch the Navitimer. Yes, the Navitimer is THE Breitling for most, and hyperbole doesnt enter the picture when saying its one of the most iconic chronographs of all time. Now, five years into a Breitling revival, we finally have a new rendition of this important watch.Breitling has come a long way since the arrival of Georges Kern in 2017. The popular brand has methodically updated just about every single one of its product lines during this period. Under Kerns leadership, Breitling has upped the finishing of its watches, restored model lines like the Chronomat, and has created some epic vintage reiss [...]

Welcome back to Wrist Game or Crying Shame, the weekly serial where you get to play monarch. Lets see if youll award the royal crown to the Rolex Air-King. But firstLast week, I tried to present value to you in the form of a rare Breitling Superocean Chronoworks. It turns out that this rarity was caused by its initial price of nearly 40K Even a reduction down to roughly 15,000 wasnt enough to save this science experiment as it fell to a thundering 73% Crying Shame loss. That Breitling was once the brands veritable head of state, but was quickly deposed. Now lets focus on a monarch with a far longer reign, the Rolex Air-King.The Rolex Air-King debuted in 1945Internet lore tells us that the Ro [...]

Speedy Tuesday is here I thought it would be nice to zoom in on the differences between a Speedmaster Pro from 1967 and a Speedmaster Pro from the current collection. We get a lot of questions per e-mail (and Facebook) about Speedmasters and which one people should get, so our comparison might help you (or them) to make the right decision.The Speedmasters pictured above are todays subject of Speedy Tuesday. On the left you see a 1967 Speedmaster Professional ref.145.012 and on the right a 2012 Speedmaster Professional ref.3570.50, both on [time correct] stainless steel bracelets and in their original Omega boxes.BackgroundI dont want to do the whole Speedmaster rehearsal here, as weve covere [...]

Grand Seiko is introducing a new version of their Hi-beat movement, the 9SA5. And what better way to do it than in an over-the-top gold Grand Seiko limited to 100 pieces only?At least Grand Seiko now has our (and your) attention with this new reference SLGH002 with a retail price of 45,000. Besides the awesome looks of the 44GS case and the use of gold, what is it that makes it so special?For Grand Seikos 60th anniversary, the brand has created a beautiful watch that looks like the 44GS design from 1967 and theyve made it of 18K yellow gold. If thats not impressive already, Grand Seiko also uses this (relatively) small batch of limited edition watches to introduce something pretty important. [...]

The most classic wristwatch of all times is perhaps the Rolex Datejust. Not the first wristwatch (some are still fighting over that one), but the most recognizable wristwatch that could be seen as the granddaddy of all modern wristwatches. The Rolex Datejust was introduced in 1945, in the same year that the company celebrated its 40th birthday. A lot has changed since then, but a lot hasnt changed either. Put that very first Datejust reference to a modern one, and youll see it clearly has the same DNA. This year, Rolex introduces the Oyster Perpetual Datejust 41 in steel and white gold.Rolex Datejust 41 in Steel and White GoldI only have one Rolex Datejust myself (a vintage reference 1600 fr [...]

Good morning. In an attempt to deliver you some news you may have missed without causing you to choke on your cornflakes, I will preface it with this: It is wholly unsurprising. In fact, it is such a common occurrence, that perhaps I should start reporting when A. Lange S?hne doesnt win at the Golden Balance awardsAwards are good. They provide us with some idea of industry direction. Thats never absolute, but they can be useful for ascertaining more what the industry itself wants us to pay attention to (irrespective of what the buying public are voting for with their wallets). Major awards like the Golden Balance are useful to those of us who cannot afford to buy many of the watches that wi [...]

The story of the Speedmaster began in 1957, when OMEGAs Claude Baillod designed the watch for his manager, Head of Creation Pierre Moinat. The first few models (CK2915 and CK2998) had a symmetrical shape and were replaced by the a-symmetrical case as we happen to know it now, in 1963. When the Speedmaster was chosen by NASA to become part of the astronauts equipment, OMEGA added the wording Professional on the dial in 1965. The rest is history and has been discussed and documented by many, including here at Fratellowatches.Besides the Moonwatch, OMEGA developed and produced a number of Speedmaster watches that were not part of the Professional series. We would say that the Speedmaster Reduce [...]

Last year, TAG Heuer celebrated the 50th birthday of an icon. The Heuer Monaco was one of former CEO Jack Heuers finest contributions to watchmaking (and, unwittingly, the silver screen). Following a rush of special edition timepieces dropped in 2019, TAG Heuer treats us to three more references (two dial colors) in the same vein. As 2020 slides towards non-existence, the TAG Heuer Monaco reminds us that it is still a relevant player in the sports chronograph category, now more than half a century after its debut.Its tough to do the same thing over and over again while remaining interesting. Even though I am not a huge fan of the TAG Heuer Monaco, I respect it plenty enough to have enjoyed t [...]

On July 21st, exactly 50 years after Armstrong and Aldrin set foot on the Moon, Omega re-introduced their Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch caliber 321. In platinum. Meet the Omega Speedmaster reference 311.93.42.30.99.001.My first Speedmaster was a reference 145.012-67, produced in February 1968 according to the Omega archives and with caliber 321. At the time, in 1999, the watch was even cheaper than a caliber 861 with less mileage, but those days are long gone. In hindsight, I am happy that I chose the caliber 321 Speedmaster as a first watch (although I was actually after a more modern one, for daily wear) and I still have it today. Never sell your first Speedmaster, as they say!Over th [...]

Yesterday I received a velcro strap, made by Carl over at gasgasbones.com. This strap looks really great on my vintage Speedmaster and gives the watch its authentic astronaut look Today I wore the watch on the velcro strap while co-driving a classic Austin Healey 3000 from 1963. Both the driver and myself were wearing Speedmaster caliber 321s.This strap is the V1 model from his website, with the NASA product number label and custom made length to fit my wrist perfectly. [...]

We know youve been waiting for Speedy Tuesday We know we have This weeks Speedmaster is a very rare model, a white gold 25th Anniversary Speedy that has been chronometer certified.This Speedmaster Professional Chronometer ref. BC 148.0062 (ref. 348.0062 with the white gold bracelet) was introduced in 1994 together with a version in stainless steel and a version in platinum. The white gold version is the only one that has been chronometer certified. It is basically a caliber 861 movement but since it was regulated to become a chronometer (and received chronometer certificates), it has been numbered 864. Omega also did some decorative work on this Lemania based movement.Just like the platinum [...]