Watches Blog Wrist Watch Reviews

Every once in a while we receive the question whether we could live with just one watch, and which watch that would be. You have probably also fantasized yourself of trading (all) the watch in your collection for just one watch.One Watch Only!In this article, we take a look at watches that we find interesting in a certain price bandwidth. From an entry-level mechanical Seiko to something haute horlogerie. Of course, our picks might change over time (or by the week) as new models are being introduced all the time (as in well over a week during BaselWorld 2017). However, if we?were going to pick only one watch, chances are quite big that wed select an iconic model.That said, only having one wa [...]

The Speedmaster has the best ambassador in the world The Moon. Since 1962 the Speedmaster has played a role in space exploration and in 1965 it became the official watch to wear during EVA. But the Speedmaster can also be seen on the wrists of many other ambassadors.Brands using ambassadors isnt exactly something from the last few years, although it sometimes does appear that way. The use of ambassadors to promote a watch or watch brand often results in very strong reactions from the crowd. Those who are not so deeply interested in watches dont care much and often gives them a way to make an association with a brand. In case of Omega, think of Cindy Crawford and the Constellation or perhaps [...]

The world of collecting vintage Rolex watches is an interesting one, where passion and friendship are key in order to attend GTGs (GetToGethers) like these. One of the most respectable vintage Rolex collectors (world wide) is Dutchman Philipp. Together with one of his friends he organized a superb GTG for collectors and enthusiasts who are passionate about Rolex (and watches in general).People from all over the world came over to Maastricht to join this Vintage Rolex Passion GTG. The first photo reports is up at the Vintage Rolex Forum website right now, posted by the host of the meeting.The world of collecting vintage Rolex can also be a messy one, we therefore advice you to seek all the ex [...]

My great grandfather, my grandparents and my father all bought (or got) Omega watches in the 1960s. My grandfather still wears his Omega Constellation (which I reviewed here) and my father owns his grandfathers Constellation and an Omega Geneve. He doesnt wear any of them, but a OW mechanical military style watch instead (I dont know why). However, I recently took my great grandfathers Constellation (which was bought in 1965, my dad still has the box, booklet, papers and original bill) with me for a small service. The watch lost its original crown, it was terribly scratched on the caseback, didnt have an original Omega crystal, the Constellation symbol on the caseback was sitting loose and t [...]

Speedy Tuesday is here This time we show you something special that one of our readers sent to us. Chris from Australia sent us photos of his Omega Speedmaster Professional Moon Phase Skeleton. A platinum Speedy Pro that Omega created in 2003 together with master watchmaker Armin Strom.Armin Strom is well-known for his skeleton and engraving work and is responsible for this beautiful hand finished ref. AT145.0058 Speedmaster movement caliber 3604A.This movement, based on the Lemania 1884 is the skeletonized version of the Lemania 1874. A movement weve seen in other Speedmaster Professional Moon Phase watches as well, being Omega caliber 1866.Only 57 pieces have been made of this skeleton Spe [...]

Its Speedy Tuesday As promised, something special for today Or should I say something customized? Where there are products with fans, it is only a matter of time before the first modded products will show up. Shane is one of our readers that took the liberty of creating his own version of the Speedmaster, using all original Speedmaster parts of course. Anyway, I asked Shane to do the talking.Vanilla Speedmaster 3570.50I wanted to write about a single watch, my first Speedmaster. It started out as a vanilla 3570.50 but it wouldnt stay that way, or any particular way, for long. Its a nice case study of what drives me to customize watches, of the differences that a few small parts make, and of [...]

Hold up, hold up. Smartwatches have a place in our industry. Im not going to tell you you need to shelve your mechanical babies in favor of a modern, super-duper, all-singing, all-dancing, endlessly connected contraption. No. Im not that guy. But I am a guy who is becoming a little more comfortable with keeping one of these luxury gizmos in his stable. I havent always felt this way, but the latest TAG Heuer Connected has started to change my mind.When I think about my former opinion on luxury smartwatches, it didnt really make much sense. I was quite comfortable dismissing them out of hand. Sure, I knew they were highly functional. Sure, I knew they could, in theory, make my life easier. But [...]

This year, Roger Dubuis showed us a couple of new pieces. But one of the pieces that we liked best, is this?Excalibur Spider Pirelli. Thats right, Pirelli. A partnership with the sole sponsor of Formula 1. It isnt just a container partnership, but Roger Dubuis is actually using the rubber of F1 tyres. Used rubber, that they plucked from the circuit.?Roger Dubuis?Excalibur Spider PirelliNot sure whether some staff members of either Pirelli or Roger Dubuis will do the plucking of tyre parts themselves on the F1 circuit of Monaco, but fact is that they exactly seem to know which tyre they have been using for the straps. Each strap will have a code that matches the product code (like a serial nu [...]

Roll up, one and all, March Mania has reached its second round At this stage, our eight competing writers get a rest. Rob and Dave will present our weary warriors remaining four watches over the next four days, with each post featuring the winners of two first-round votes.Your mission, if you choose to accept it, is to finally help us decide the champions of Mike and Tomass groups. The last two pieces standing trade blows for the right to exit the group stage as king of the castle, and march on to the quarter-finals with their head held highLogin to your Fratello account and drop us a comment. Who did you vote for and why? Whats your prediction for the later rounds? The Omega Speedmaster 321 [...]

Meet Omegas latest addition to the 300M collection: The Seamaster Diver 300M Black Black reference 210.92.44.20.01.003. This 43.5mm diameter diver watch looks similar to the titanium and ceramic edition of? 2019, but now in all-ceramic.What I love about the 2019 Seamaster 300M Diver in titanium ceramic (reference 210.92.44.20.01.002) was the diameter size of 43.5mm and the fact it has no date. I am a sucker for no-date watches, as I rarely use the date on my own watches. Consequently, I prefer to keep things clean. So, I am giving the new no-date Seamaster 300 Black Black a very warm welcome to the collection. Without further ado, lets have a look.Omega Seamaster 300M Black BlackOmega often [...]

Im a bit of an oddball when it comes to watch collecting. I just dont like to buy watches that other people have. Or at least the ones that too many other people have. If youre familiar with my collection at all, you may be shaking your head, screaming Hypocrite by now. After all, the first two good watches in my current assembly were a Tudor Black Bay and a Rolex Submariner. How much more cliche could I possibly get? Hear me out, though.My Black Bay and Submariner were the first two grails I acquired. Mine are watches that, while fairly common, are loaded with memories and sentimental value. As such, they are pillars of my collection that will never leave until I pass them on to my children [...]

We have partnered with Catawiki to bring you a selection of interesting watches theyve auctioned. Different from the other auctioneers in the market, Catawiki started originally in 2008 as a website where collectors could manage and keep track of their collections (comics for example). Then, because of growing popularity of the website, Catawiki started to host weekly auctions for collectible objects, including comics, art, antiques, classic cars, books and watches.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. A tough one, as we could choose from a nice variety of watches (and brands). Ho [...]

This years Baselworld was different in many ways but has been particularly memorable for me. It was definitely a Baselworld edition with a strong focus on the independent watchmakers.Not only at Les Ateliers (part of the Baselworld venue), but also the brands exhibiting at the Hyperion Hotel a looming tower of interest is overflowing with all types and levels of independents.?The mad dash to visit every brand that piqued our interest in the run-up to the fair is akin to a high-octane episode of X Games.So which models really stood out this year? Which brands smashed it out of the park? Let's take a look at our Top 5 and why they made it on to the list:Patek Philippe Reference 5168GSimple [...]

You might have read it before here on Fratello Watches, but on May 15th, Christies has their Rare Watches auction. Three lots in that auction are pieces that you might have read about in a couple of our Speedy Tuesday articles. The white and yellow gold Omega Speedmaster Professional of the 1980s and a stainless steel version from the 1980s. All three with display backs. Actually, the first Speedmaster models with a display back. Lets have a look.Speedmaster Professional Reference 345.0808The first Speedmaster watch with display back in Christies Rare Watches auction catalog is this reference 345.0808 that dates back to ca. 1985. Lot 65, to be exact, was the first stainless steel Speedmaster [...]

One of the highlights of the first day at the SIHH for us is this Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Calendar in stainless steel with a meteorite dial. We will soon get back to you with a hands-on article but we thought it would be nice to already show you some first photos.This watch will be available in gold as well, but we actually prefer the stainless steel model (reference Q1558421). This Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Calendar watch features a day, date, month and moon phases indication. Besides showing the time of course. Since all meteorite cuts show different patterns, you could say you will have a unique watch with this Master Calendar piece.Inside ticks JLCs caliber 866 movement and consists of 305 [...]

Welcome to the Eighties Also known as the Greed Decade. As I came into the world in 1977, I grew up in the Eighties with all its decadence and glory. But the one aspect that has always stuck with me is its horrible style. It was big, loud, and over the top. But now, in my early forties, I have fully embraced the 1980s as an era that influenced me greatly. So creating a list of the watches from the 1980s that are still cool today was like eating a burger with David Hasselhoff: its not always stylish, but it sure is a good time!Where to begin with a list like this? Lets lay out some basics about this, or else we will end up with an out of control party that features the members of Motley Crue [...]

This new IWC Pilots Watch Chronograph ref. 387905 is a tribute to the famous and highly collectible 3705 from the 1990s. This IWC Fliegerchronograph Keramik, as it is called, was introduced in 1994 and made of youve guessed it ceramic. This watchs production lasted just a few years, and the total production of this IWC was around 1,000 watches.Today, we show you the IWC Pilots Watch Chronograph Tribute to 3705. Indeed, a very similar watch to the original 3705 from 1994 but with a few important differences. When written in full, the differences consist of the case diameter, the case material, and the movement. Yet, I will still call this a tribute, as sometimes it is not so much about creati [...]

To us the passionate watch community the idea of watches going out of style seems unlikely. Then again, we are not the majority. Although our internet echo chambers may often convince us that 99% of the general populace lives, eats, and breathes luxury watches, we have to accept that isnt the reality. Society could shift against us and our treasured ticking totems.Im guessing that a lot of us dont give two hoots about whether watches are in or out of style. I would happily wager that some of us are positively allergic to the concept. It seems likelier still, that some of us would almost relish the idea of being outsiders, or being known as those who actively shun the norm in favor of our enl [...]

At the end of the 1955 Farnborough Airshow, the British Prime Minister, Sir Anthony Eden, flew in an Avro Vulcan bomber. Though most pilots were bundled up in military flight suits and helmets, one figure stood out, cutting a dash in his tailored Savile Row business suit, shirt, and tie. It was the Vulcans flamboyant pilot, Wing Commander Roland Roly Falk, and that was his standard flying garb.Overalls were from the biplane and propeller era. Falk saw the modern jet cockpit as an extension of his office and dressed accordingly. One of the maxims he applied to an aircraft was, If it looks good, then it will fly well. This was certainly true of the Avro Vulcan, which Roly also piloted on its m [...]

Hey, hey, hey, it's This Week in Watches for April 28, 2019.For many out there, you're coming off of school holidays surrounding last week's Easter Weekend.? That meant egg hunts, chocolate (I used to like those Cadbury Eggs one of them was enough for me), candy, environmentally unfriendly green plastic grass to line those Easter baskets, and food.? If forced to rank the big holidays in terms of food, I'd put Easter dead last.? No matter where in the world I've been, it's always full of things like ham, smoked fish, and other things that make me feel pretty damn unhealthy.? Anyhow, one thing I do like about Easter are the colors.? Pastels rock!? But getting back to the matter at hand, let' [...]