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The vote is drawing to a close With just two remaining, the Czapek Antarctique Terre Ad lie is holding a decent (and ratified)) lead over the A. Lange Sohne Datograph Lumen. This is not a result anyone saw coming. This was not what we expected when we started out on this road, way back on March 1st. It looks like were about to crown a worthy but highly surprising winner to the March Mania experience, but there is still time for it all to changeThe vote will close at 3:30 pm on April 7th. Thats two days from now. It also happens to be the same day Watches and Wonders begins, so make sure you tune back in to see the abundance of novelties we have in store for you then.At the time of writing t [...]
Our recent article about one of our readers and his Speedmaster Mark II inspired some others to share their stories with us. This week, we feature stories from Stuart Lees and Mark Talbot about their Speedmaster Professional watches.Both stories have one thing in common: it took quite a while before both authors finally purchased the Omega Speedmaster. But it was due to very different reasons, I must add. Stuart bought a number of other Omega watches first, as he didnt find the Speedmaster an appealing watch in the beginning. He even found it a bit of a boring watch. But when he saw one isolated from any other watch, it enabled him to admire it without any distraction. He then pulled the tri [...]
Browsing the forums at WatchUseek, I decided to click the Seiko/Citizen/Orient forum for a change. I noticed all these posts with subjects which look like total jibberish to me. Weird feeling, because I was under the impression that after almost 10 years of this watch crazyness, I could identify most watch descriptions. Anyway, a good way to start was to click a thread called Pics of your current Seiko collection where WuS??visitors are being asked to participate by showing their Japanese watch collection. Pictured below is the Seiko Gyro Marvel watch with automatic movement cal.290 dated ca 1959. Owner Robert has a bunch of Seikos in his collection and shows them with pride!By the way, I do [...]
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 [...]
I read about this brand before, also on WristWatchReview.com, but the last Dutch copy of Miljonair Magazine (and I am not the target audience probably -)) did a small essay on bling watches. Ritmo Mundo and ofcourse the terrible creations for hiphopping USA, Jacob Co were both heavily mentioned in the article as being awfully hip and populair amongst Paris Hilton, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, 50 cents and a lot of his iced homies.To quote probably the same target audience, these watches are like school on sunday no class! [...]
We reported about the Oris Movember Edition 2018 before, but our focus was mainly on the good cause it supports, not the watch. I assume you also want to know about the watch, not only the cause it supports. So we requested a Big Crown Pointer Date Movement Edition 2018 for a review, and here it is.Oris Movember Edition 2018This watch goes by the name of Movember Edition 2018, but in fact, I am looking at a Big Crown Pointer Date model with some tweaks. As I wrote in the past, compared to the standard Big Crown Pointer Date in 40mm, this Movember Edition has rose gold coloured hands (4N) and a matching gilt minute track on the dial. The writing is also in this gold colour where-as the Arabic [...]
As most of you probably are member of LinkedIn, please join the Passion for Watches-group If you are not a member of LinkedIn, consider signing up.. its a great (free of charge) platform to stay in touch with business partners, former colleagues, to search for people (either recruitment or subject experts) and for business opportunities.Anyway, lets get together in the Passion for Watches-group and see what other watch enthusiasts are doing. Perhaps you have more in common than your passion for watches!Click the LinkedIn logo above or the URL below to join the Passion For Watches-group!https://www.linkedin.com/e/gis/56533/4DEF84174391 [...]
Here is a short review of my Ingenieur ref.3227 after exactly 3 months of ownership.I dont think its necessary to give background information on this watch, as I have done this in the past (here and here) and you can read all about the vintage Ingenieurs (including the 1976s SL) on this page by Larry Seiden, Marco Schoenenberger and David ter Molen.Although this purchase might seemed as an impulse three months ago, I always had a weak spot for the IWC Ingenieur. The packaging and the manuals that come with this watch are very nice. The black box with its leather interior keeps the watch in place perfectly. However, who is going to use it anyway once you put the watch around your wrist? The w [...]
Omega?Speedmaster Pro 145.022This weeks Speedmaster is something that came out of a dusty cabin in Finland. Aki from Finland received this Omega Speedmaster Professional reference 145.022 from his dad, after it had been collecting dust for years. Although the papers and original invoice have been lost, the watch still has the original red box from 1982.Speedmaster Pro 145.022The Omega Speedmaster Professional 145.022 was introduced in 1968, the first watch to have the Lemania based caliber 861 movement. In comparison to the previous Speedmaster Pro 145.012 model, the most obvious changes are the dial, chronograph second hand and bracelet. Under the hood, Omega stopped using the column wheel [...]
When talking about watch collecting, its important to remember why were in this hobby: to have fun. At least that should be why. Yes, lets admit, it can be easy to get into heated debates over which brand has the finest movement finishing, the slickest adjustable clasp, or even, *gasp*, the highest resale value. But when its all said and done, its always best to view our personal watches as things that bring us joy. After all, theres something to be said for the guy who rounds off his box of Pateks and Langes with a G rald Genta Mickey Mouse Retro Fantasy just because it makes him smile.To me, the new TAG Heuer Connected a Super Mario Limited Edition has the potential to be that one really f [...]
It couldn't be any better. I like everything about the Oris Star. The shape, dial, bezel, wearability, and functionality. The only detail some modern critical eyes might object to would be the 36mm diameter. On the other hand, the watch is perfectly balanced thanks to the original bracelet, fitted with an Oris signed clasp.? I kept my eye on it for a few years. I wasn't actively hunting it, but I stopped and stared anytime one crossed my path. It was the 1,000 plus price tag that always chased me away. When I accidentally bumped into one Oris Star for half the price, I?didn't hesitate and bought it right away. And I?am telling you that even after a?year I?am still surprised at how well balan [...]
Although its one of the more straightforward horological complications, the alarm function is still rare among modern timepieces. Then again, most watch complications are obsolete these days. We can use our phones instead of a chronograph, a moon-phase, triple date, and, of course, timekeeper. But watchmaking is not always about practicality. Sometimes its about style and tradition. And what could be more stylish than a mechanical alarm? Specifically, a Master Control Memovox by Jaeger-LeCoultreThe Vall e de Joux, where JLC resides, represents the unspoiled and peaceful nature, Switzerland is famous for. It was here, where during the long winter months, watchmakers of the valley developed an [...]
Chronoswiss although its name suggests otherwise was founded in Germany by Gerd R. Lang in 1983. In 2012, Gerd R. Lang sold his shares to the Ebstein family in Switzerland. Although I own a Chronoswiss myself (click here for the review on the Chronoswiss Regulateur I did in 2002), I lost a bit track of the brand over the last few years. During our meeting with Chronoswiss in BaselWorld 2013 I was happily surprised to see that they still produce the wonderful tuna-can shaped cases with ribbed details and large onion shaped crown. In fact, in 2013 Chronoswiss introduced their 30th anniversary edition of their R gulateur watch in both gold and stainless steel. Coincidentally, it is the 25th a [...]
In this weekly Pre-Owned Picks series, a Fratello editor will select some watches from the pre-owned market and explain why it is an exciting offer (or watch). This week, we have two watches from Rolex (both with a touch of gold), an Omega Speedmaster, a Breitling Aerospace, and a Sinn 142.If youve been a reader of Fratello for a while now, you are probably aware that (especially) Michael Stockton and I have been going into the gold watches direction for a while now. I have some gold Omegas, including two Speedmasters and several Constellations, either in gold or bi-color. It is a material I fought against for a long time, as I felt it isnt me, or perhaps because I felt too young to be weari [...]
Some articles take more effort to write than others. But this will be an easy one. Why? Because I love the Seamaster PloProf. It took me way too long to purchase one, and when I was ready for it, Omega discontinued it.But I was lucky, Omega was able to help out. Since May 2019, I am the very happy owner of a Seamaster PloProf. I love that watch. It looks completely out of this world. From across the room, it looks uncomfortable, clunky, and heavy. Heavy it is for sure, but due to the shape and dimensions, it actually wears quite nicely and compact on the wrist. Dont believe me? Try one.Omega still produces the titanium models, with a newer movement and without a date. However, I prefer the S [...]
We break down the event that unveiled the Omega Seamaster Ultra Deep and think about the future.Its been days since the reveal of the Omega Seamaster Ultra Deep at the British Museum in London, but the event left a lasting impression with me.? For certain, the creation of a watch able to withstand 15,000 meters of depth was extremely impressive, but there were other things at work that made this day significant.? Like every other site, we were Johnny on the spot with an article once the embargo dropped, but lets now take a deeper look at what happened that day, the reaction to the watch, and what we think might develop as a result.London Never a Bad ChoiceI love London and to those who know [...]
Watches Under 1000 EuroA mechanical watch doesnt need to cost you an arm and a leg. Although one could say anything above 50 Euro for a watch is luxury anyway. According to some studies and reports on (Swiss) watches, everything above 500 Swiss Francs is considered to be a luxury watch. I dont like the term luxury very much, I just like to see or own a good watch. Preferably a mechanical watch.13 Mechanical WatchesAlthough I have watches in my personal collection that are way above 1000 Euro, I dont mind wearing a cheaper watch. If it is a fun and good watch, why not? It is about the love for watches, not the love for money. Hence, 13 watches under 1000 Euro.Our German colleagues over at W [...]
If I ever would get myself another IWC (I had a caliber 89 IWC for a short time) I will buy an Ingenieur Larry Seiden, Marco Sch??nenberger and David Ter Molen wrote a very nice article on this great timepiece by IWC. You can find it here.I have a weakness for luxery sportswatches like the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo, so I would definately get myself the IWC Ingenieur SL Jumbo like the one below, ref.1831. If I only had the money.. [...]
After coming down from the interview with World Number One Primo? Rogli? last week, Fridge and Freezer are back in the Smooth Booth, foraging around in a bulging mailbag. This week, the boys select two very watch-centric questions for one another.This week, the terrible twosome tackle questions about dress watches (the best ones and the very definition of the genre), which watches one should buy to commemorate achieving the PADI diving certification, why they collect watches and sports memorabilia, and Rob fields the easiest watchmaking hes ever been asked: which watches would you recommend buying as a his and hers wedding gift?Next week, well be back on the boards and the ice to round up th [...]
Hundredth-anniversary wristwatches do not come around that often. Especially watches that are recreations of designs of the time, yet still appealing to todays consumer. In 2017, Oris kept the faith in one of its original Big Crown pilots watches from 1917. This is my story about how and why the Oris Big Crown 1917 became my wedding watch.The story began in March 2017. I, along with some friends, found myself in the Oris Baselworld booth enjoying the hospitality. Soon after, a dapper-dressed fellow by the name of Matt Miller, aka @sunflowerman on social media, arrived. Miller is accustomed to sketching inside showrooms, on trade-show floors, and at famous landmarks. Even whilst surrounded by [...]
