Watches Blog Wrist Watch Reviews

OK Fratelli, pop quiz: 39.7 or 42 millimeters that is the question Of course, you've already seen the watches in the picture above. But I think those measurements alone would already give away which watches we're talking about. Yes, were discussing the Omega Speedmaster. And to be more specific, the First Omega in Space (FOiS) and its bigger brother, the Professional Moonwatch. I never thought I would be able to pull off wearing the 42mm Professional Moonwatch on my 17cm wrist. So, I decided to get the 39.7mm FOiS. But one year later, I ended up selling it and got myself the new Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch. Here's why!Before I really got into watches, I had a 43mm Seiko SNP005 Kinetic [...]

We love to be surprised by little details in the design of a watch. We look for novel ideas that make a watch special to us. As such, were often drawn toward things that qualify as slightly moreunusual, shall we say.Some watch collectors like to focus on one style of watch and one style alone. Sometimes that could be a category of watches (like dive watches); sometimes it could be variations of one particular model (like Speedmasters, for example). I, however, buy all my watches to wear. Consequently, I prefer variety rather than collecting within a particular niche. It gives me much more versatility so I can match my watch to my mood, the occasion, or perhaps to what Im wearing.Looking for [...]

You can opt for a BP with a standard black dial C with white numerals and indexes or retro-colored ones in the Heritage version or silver in the Edition Las Vegas, or deep Le Petit Prince blue, if youd prefer. Of all these dial executions, the IWC Big Pilot's Watch IW501015 is by far the wildest. Unexpected, even, although what once was blue now turns green in the world of watches. Green is THE color right now. So what would you do if you had the choice? Would you go for black, blue, silver, or radiant green instead?There are two types of green in the IWC collection. There are four Spitfire references with a bronze case and a matte green dial that has strong military green vibes. And there [...]

After last weeks publication of my article on watch collecting (and thanks for all the amazing comments!), I also received a few messages about my preference for Omega.Although I did touch on the topic of Omega and its connection with my family, I thought I will freshen up a story that I wrote a few years ago.Why Do I Love Omega?I am often being asked why I only buy and wear Omega watches. Well, thats not entirely the case of course. I also own watches from other brands like Oris, Rolex, Hamilton, Grand Seiko, Seiko, Chronoswiss, Breitling, Swatch, G-Shock, and a bunch of other perhaps lesser-known ones. And in the past, I've owned IWC, Sinn, Audemars Piguet, Linde Werdelin, and others as we [...]

Dont call it a complication (because, technically, it isnt). Despite that weird fact, the tourbillon mechanism is one of the simplest to understand yet complicated to create that our industry has to offer. Invented to eliminate (or reduce, at least) the effect of gravity on the isochronous performance of a watch, the tourbillon has achieved almost mythic status over its 220-year life. And, as it reaches yet another milestone in its history, it seems only right to acknowledge and celebrate its inventor: the peerless Abraham-Louis Breguet.June 26th, 1801. It sounds like any other day, but it was on this day that, after ten years of hard work and patient development, Abraham-Louis Breguet filed [...]

The Moonwatch is undoubtedly the most popular Speedmaster model and always has been. But there are variations that we consider to be very interesting as well, and worth collecting. The Speedmaster Mark II 145.014 is such a reference, for example.For a long time, I neglected the Speedmaster Mark II, officially a Speedmaster Professional Mark II, as well. Mainly because of the case shape, which didnt appeal to me. Not in the last place because I thought it would be uncomfortable on the wrist. I regret to this day that I didnt buy one in the early days of being a Speedmaster collector, as these watches could be picked up dead cheap. A few hundred Euro would get you a nice looking Speedmaster Ma [...]

Its been more than a week since the new Zenith Chronomaster Original dropped. I took some time to gather my thoughts on what has quickly become one of my favorite 2021 releases. Do I have any reservations? Lets see!So, a person walks into the local Omega AD or boutique. He or she casually browses the display cases, but, meanwhile, this person knows exactly what they want. The Speedmaster Professional is the watch that will find its way to this buyers wrist. A ritual like this has been going on since the late 1960s because this is the legendary watch most associate with Omega.The A386 cameand wentNow, shift to Zenith, and while space exploration isnt a part of the brands backstory, taking par [...]

Horological ArtWhat happens when an artist also is?a watch enthusiast? He or she hopefully creates some horological art We have our own artist on-board, by the name of Teun van Heerebeek, who surprises you with his recurring Watches Pencils articles here on Fratello. People including us love this stuff and some of you even contacted us to have it on print (which can be done so via this link). However, there are more horological artists around. Meet Cay Broendum.Cay BroendumYou might recognize his name from his Rolex and Omega artwork that is shown on his own website(s), or from his interview with Hodinkee in 2013. We thought it would be interesting to talk to him once more. His artwork, t [...]

A few years ago, when I was still in banking, I noticed that IWC became the new Rolex for many colleagues. Where the Rolex Submariners, Datejusts, Day-Dates and of course Daytonas were part of the appearance?of many colleagues for many years, there was a clear shift going on to IWC watches. My explanation for this would be that IWC changed its direction a bit from being a manufacturer of tool watches to being the manufacturer of watches for a wide(r) audience. Understandable. At that time I?also??decided to buy an IWC; an Ingenieur ref. 3227-01. Based on the heritage of a pure tool watch, but with the finish and elegance of a modern wearable mechanical timepiece.A watch I wore a lot and I [...]

..seem to have all the luck, like Edwin at the Lange Soehne forum @ TimeZone.comClick here for his posting [...]

So I won the Fratello Speedmaster World Cup 2020. Actually, I didnt win anything; it was the watch I was assigned to as custodian for this competitions length. Is it my merit that we came out first? I doubt it. It has to be the charm of the 321 Ed White.One thing is for sure; I have not written so much, so many times about one single watch than I did about the 321 Ed White. So this article will be my victory lap. Lets how a look at each piece now. Well pay tribute to my amazing teammates who took up the glove (and failed), one after the other ???Group E: Balazs and 321 Ed WhiteI presented my four Speedies pretty late in the World Cup, being in?Group E. More came after me, but more about them [...]

OMEGA Speedmaster Professional Apollo 11Its Speedy Tuesday and today we put this stealth Speedmaster Professional Apollo 11?limited edition in the spot lights. Stealth? Yes, as it appears to be a regular Speedy Pro Moonwatch until you take a closer look at the caseback. The special engraving tells you that this is a limited edition (9999 pieces) to commemorate the Moonlanding on the 21st of July 1969, at 2:56 GMT. This Speedmaster Professional Apollo 11?ref. 3560.50 (or ST 345.0223) was introduced in 1999 for the 30th anniversary of the Apollo 11 mission in 1969.Apollo 11? SpeedmastersDuring the Apollo 11 mission, astronauts Michael Collins, Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong were all wearing Sp [...]

Hanging out with friends is fun. Hanging out with friends on a Podcast when the friend in question happens to be James Thompson, AKA Black Badger? Thats a whole lotta awesome. Join us, as we pollute your airwaves with some top quality jive, touching on lume, Fordite, and our shared sporting tragediesThe Black Badger brand is one of the best-known non-watch brands in the watch industry. James has been beavering (or badgering?) away up in Gothenberg for the past couple of decades since he fled his native Canada because he may or may not have been being pursued by the KGB (listen to the podcast if you want to find out why that seems possible/likely):Since founding Black Badger, James has been o [...]

During one of the get-togethers we organized, we came across this very special Omega Constellation that one of the guests brought in. Now, I have to admit that I have a weak spot for the Constellation. Not only the Constellation pie-pan models from the 1950s or the recent Constellation Globemaster, but I also happen to like the Constellation Manhattan and Constellation95. Some call this a guilty pleasure, but I dont feel uncomfortable at all to admit this. Actually, I even own a Constellation95 in gold stainless steel.Constellation ManhattanThis type of Constellation, that is still in production today and referred to as the Constellation Manhattan, celebrates its 35th anniversary this year. [...]

The Longines Spirit in 40mm, otherwise known as the L3.810.4.53.0, is our favorite pick from this new collection. Time for us to do a hands-on video with this pilots watch.In our recently published hands-on review on the Longines Spirit, you can read about the background of this watch, the importance of the 5 stars on the dial, and the L888.4 movement. However, we also think it is a good idea to publish more videos of the watches we receive for review. So heres the video review of the Longines Spirit L3.810.4.53.0. It is a five-minute breakdown on the Spirit collection and this matte black dial version in particular.Weve said it before, but it is worth saying again: seeing a watch in the met [...]

The Omega Seamaster Calendar ref. 2627 is such an exciting and historically significant watch. Yet, aside from the hardcore Omega fans, it seems as though it mostly flies under the radar for the average vintage collector. Nevertheless, this 1950s beauty deserves a lot more attention. In this article, well try to give the watch just that.Reference 2627 is not a huge watch, nor was it made in endless executions. However, the Seamaster Calendar was a technologically advanced piece for its time. So much so that even today, one can wear it proudly and enjoy its useful features.History Of The DateThe brand introduced the earliest Seamaster watches in 1948, just a few years after the end of WW2. Du [...]

This year has been another solid year for the Longines brand. With such global appeal and consistently strong sales across a variety of price points and demographics, it would be easy for Longines to rest on its laurels. Throw into the mix the fact the brand is supported every step of the way by the Swatch Group and the impetus to innovate diminishes further. And yet, despite how easy Longines could have made life for itself, a constant desire to improve has seen some of the most impressive releases in the brands history hit the market in 2020. The Longines Spirit Collection is no exceptionThere are many ways to sell watches in the modern world. Some brands focus on the product refinement it [...]

With all this talk about the new Speedy, Wrist Game or Crying Shame reviews the Omega Speedmaster White Gold Moonphase. But firstLast week, we reviewed the unorthodox Seiko Landmaster Spring Drive. This watch was incredibly polarizing in the comments section, but the supporters won out and gave it a 64% Wrist Game win. It turns out that entry level Spring Drive is still Spring Drive. Todays pick shares only one major cosmetic similarity with last weeks subject and thats the hue of its case. This time, though, we go fancy. Its time for the Omega Speedmaster White Gold Moonphase.The Omega Speedmaster MoonphaseThe Omega Speedmaster Moonphase has always been an odd duck in my book. It carries th [...]

When I think of a diamond-encrusted watch, I tend to think of AP, Patek, or even Rolex, achieved in a traditional way, using techniques borrowed from jewelry. But this diamond-encrusted TAG Heuer Carrera Plasma Tourbillon Nanograph turns this idea on its head. Introducing new-to-the-industry methods, this Carrera completely redefines the diamond-set watch. Unapologetically modern, this piece reflects the brand's passion for the avant-garde. It truly lives up to the TAG Heuer name for those who might not know, TAG stands for techniques d'avant-garde. The Oxford Reference Dictionary defines it as a term used in the arts to denote those who make a radical departure from tradition. And simply lo [...]

In our Sunday Morning Showdown, two of our writers go head-to-head in an epic showdown for the ages. Strong opinions and hysterical hyperbole are welcome (so feel free to join in with the fun in the comments section below). And dont forget to let us know which watches youd like to see torn to shreds/effusively exalted next week. Well try and feature as many of our readers choices as we can. In todays episode, we set out on a grand voyage for exotic dive watches over 10,000. The new 2021 Omega Seamaster 300 in Bronze Gold takes on the Glash��1tte Original SeaQ Panorama Date.Again we are selecting a new 2021 watch for our Sunday Morning Showdown series. But this time, the contender was not part [...]