Watches Blog Wrist Watch Reviews

Its a valid question, but to answer it, we also need to add another word to the equation chronometer. Youve probably heard of a chronometer (different from a chronograph), and it may even be written on the watch that youre wearing right now. But, what is COSC? And what is a chronometer?Ten points if you worked out that COSC is an acronym. Im sorry to say those points arent worth anything, and you cant trade them in. Points are nice to have, though, even if they dont mean prizes. It stands for Contr?le Officiel Suisse des Chronom�� tres, also known as the Official Swiss Chronometer Testing Institute. You can see why people stick to COSC; its far less of a mouthful.Tell me more about this mysti [...]

Thats right, no masks, no Covid Pass, and all the top-tier brands gathered in one arena. And this includes a rather large stand from Rolex, a strong move in this non-Baselworld year. WOW, how much I missed this, even after attending the Geneva Watch Days. The Oslo Watch Fair is not perfect, with many brands missing due to an AD hosting the fair, but impressively so. This is nothing but welcome and says a lot about the strong market in Northern Europe. Many attendees were actually from central Europe and even the UK. So heres a big thanks to my Fratello colleague Lex for reminding me that I live 10 minutes away from the event, and Jaeger-LeCoultre for the invite.Image courtesy of @pylsogramTh [...]

Captain Cook? No, it's Captain Nemo I'm thinking of when I look at the black, shiny, and semi-transparent aquatic watch on my wrist. Let's go hands-on with the RADO Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic as we welcome a little steampunk to our livesAccording to Wikipedia steampunk is a retro-futuristic subgenre of science fiction that incorporates technology and aesthetic designs inspired by 19th-century industrial steam-powered machinery. I couldn't have said it better myself. One look at the black RADO Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic and ?I think of Jules Verne's Captain Nemo aboard his futuristic submarine Nautilus a vessel both incredibly luxurious and technically advanced. It must be the mix of [...]

The panda dial is without question one of the most iconic dial color configurations out there. But although slapping two black sub-registers on a white dial might make it a panda dial, it doesnt necessarily make it a great one. One of the brands that perfectly understood that is Hamilton. The Hamilton Intra-Matic Auto Chrono is the perfect example of a panda dial done very well. I got the opportunity to go hands-on with it and experience what it is that makes this model such an attractive piece.There is something magical about the high contrast black and white dial that gives the panda dial its wide appeal. Its a stylish statement like a mobsters black shoes with white spats. But as with any [...]

A trip around the world which started on August the 5th in Goodwood, UK, would end at the same airfield exactly 4 months later. With their goal in sight, the two pilots and their Silver Spitfire, however, first touched down in The Netherlands to pay homage to the country the Spitfire dwelled in most of its life.We witnessed the IWC Silver Spitfire Longest Flight Amsterdam Stopover event at Lelystad Airport on December 4th, 2019. gallery-1 {margin: auto;} gallery-1 .gallery-item {float: left;margin-top: 10px;text-align: center;width: 50%;} gallery-1 img {border: 2px solid cfcfcf;} gallery-1 .gallery-caption {margin-left: 0;}/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */Steve Boultbee [...]

Zenith kicked off the 50th anniversary of the El Primero with a trio of watches first shown during, but not at, SIHH in January.? At Baselworld 2019, the celebration continued with additional pieces the brand that the brand has named Zenith El Primero A386 Revival.It was only a couple months ago that we first laid eyes upon Zenith's 50 Years of El Primero Anniversary Set.? It was a set offering three different expressions of the famous movement that first debuted in 1969.? A futuristic Defy, a modern Chronomaster, and a re-edition of the original A386 were included in this run of 50 sets for 50,000 CHF.? We liked the notion, but most of us vintage grouches were really hoping for either a lim [...]

What do you remember about the Rolex Datejust II? Do you remember what you thought of it at the time? Is it a model you pine for daily, still wear proudly, or had completely forgotten ever existed? I find myself in the latter category way too often, so I thought Id take a moment to look back on the watch that time forgot; the failed future hero that Rolex never cares to mention.Sports history is littered with nearly men and women. There are countless tales of careers that got off to a blistering start only to fall foul of injury, contract squabbles, or some other misfortune. Whenever I think of the Rolex Datejust II, those stars that came tantalizingly close to reaching the top of their resp [...]

Friend of the show Boris Pjanic who deals in watches and occasionally writes about them too, found this bi-color Rolex Datejust reference 6605 with German writing on the dial for the indication of the chronometer movement.Boris writes us the following:Collecting and trading watches for over 16 years has enabled me to pursue my love and passion for vintage watches which was instilled deep inside of me as a child.? What I recall is that as a child I used to look at the windows of jewelers in town when my parents too me for a stroll.? While I am not coming from a family of jewelers, nor do I possess any other relation to the business, I have always been wanting nice watches.? Not necessarily fr [...]

This week, Balazs and Rob tackle the subject of watch brand ambassadors in the four major professional sports leagues in North America.Amazingly, six episodes in, this is a topic that hasnt been fully addressed. In our pilot episode, we touched upon Tom Bradys ambassadorship for IWC but he is far from alone in the NFL, with Justin Jefferson of the Minnesota Vikings coming in atop Balazs list of football-playing watch lovers and Aaron Rodgers of the Green Bay Packers is Robs pick.The MLB throws up a couple of throwbacks, with Balazs stretching all the way back to the fifties for his selection. Rob, meanwhile, reaches back about a decade to call upon a superstar that played in the modern era.T [...]

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 [...]

Lets face it: most of us are never going to own a Patek Philippe. Most of us will never own an Hublot. If were being realistic, most of us watch aficionados may never even own a Rolex either. Im here to tell you thats okay. Really. It may, in fact, be good. We shouldnt strive to own everything we appreciate, and we should be mindful of what is lost in attaining these luxury and hyper-luxury watches.The hype machine is in full force. I blame Instagram. I blame YouTube. And I blame publications like us at Fratello and the rest. But really I blame us, the public, the consuming watch market. Were adrift in a perfect storm of ingrained FOMO (Fear Of Missing Out) blended with algorithm-driven envy [...]

While it isn't exactly breaking news, we have the lifting of an embargo on the new Breitling Curtiss Warhawk collection.? Curiously, Breitling showed one of the models back in November, but we are now treated to a three-piece collection of non limited special edition watches.? Let's take a look.The Curtiss P-40 Warhawk (photo courtesy of the United States Air Force)Fighter PlaneWith the Breitling Curtiss Warhawk collection, we have a themed line of watches dedicated to the Curtiss P-40 Warhawk, a legendary American single-seat fighter plane from World War 2 that was first built in 1938.? If you're not familiar with this plane, it saw serious action in both the European and Pacific theaters w [...]

We are very happy to have the CEO of Officine Panerai on our podcast, Mr. Jean-Marc Pontrou . We talk to him about the current status of the watch industry, how the brand is navigating these difficult times, and about the recent introduction of Panerais very own PAMCast.After the mandatory wrist check (see below), Mike and RJ discuss these topics. Our Fratello on Air podcast can be played via Apple,?Soundcloud,?Spotify,?Google Podcast, and?Buzzsprout.During the podcast, we discuss the PAMCast initiative by Panerai. With this content-based initiative, Panerai offers interesting stories to their fan base. You can visit the PAMCast here. The latest PAMCast is about the Luminor Blue Mare, and ca [...]

So its time for something completely different now Its weekend for us and probably most of our readers. Today we present you an easy to digest article. Going through our vast photo archive, we dug up the watch macro photo?A to Z. Some unpublished material or re-editited images. Taking a few detours to fill in the few missing brand names in the alphabet. Maybe an interesting quest for the upcoming Baselworld fair.Kicking it off with the A for A. Lange Sohne. We didnt want to zoom in too much as there is so much going on for this Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon.A. Lange Sohne Datograph Perpetual TourbillonB for Blancpain L-Evolution Tourbillon Carrousel, limited to 50 pieces. Note the crazy l [...]

Gerard is the instigator of the 52Mondayz feature, but we all thought it was a good idea to chime in. Besides the fact that it makes this a bit more personal and versatile, you also get to learn more about what we wear and why we wear it. So the first contribution from my hand will be about my Rolex Submariner with reference 116610.Rolex Submariner 116610LNAlthough the Rolex Submariner needs very little introduction, here's a recap of the history of this watch. This model was first launched in 1953, and this iconic diver has seen minimal change over the years. When comparing the current Submariner to the first models, you can clearly see the DNA of this watch. Over the years, it became more [...]

In this Sunday morning column, 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 don't forget to let us know which watches you'd like to see torn to shreds/effusively exalted next week. We'll try and feature as many of our readers' choices as we can. This week, I feel the need the need for speed In a clash of the chronographs, the Daytona?116500LN takes on the Omega Calibre 321 Ed White.But before we race ahead of ourselves, lets turn our minds back to last weeks brouhaha. I have to say; I was a little surprised to take home the Regatta Trophy. As [...]

Earlier this year, I was asked to write an article for Omegas Lifetime Magazine about the Trilogy watches. Including the Speedmaster 311.10.39.30.01.001 of course. From the first moment on, I was thrilled by this watch and I didnt need much time to order one for myself. As I am writing this, I am waiting for the watch to be delivered, but in the meanwhile I received a Speedmaster?311.10.39.30.01.001 for review. The so-called 0000/3557 number (and there are more of these 0000s, for sample and presentation purposes).Speedmaster 311.10.39.30.01.001A bit later, when I saw the watch in the flesh during BaselWorld, I was certain I made the right choice by ordering it. I read the positive reactions [...]

There are different ways a watch can grab your attention for the first time. There seem to be some more common examples for an encounter that can cause a lasting impression, though. But, whichever circumstance turned you into a watch enthusiast, I feel confident that passion was involved. This is my very personal story, along some detours that initiated my passion for watches.I dont remember which was my first watch. I do remember a cheap plastic quartz watch, which I wore as a child, that looked cool because it had a black case. And I remember how discontent I felt when this watch with a 30m waterproof rating died after some diving in a pool.My first watch that spawned a lasting impression [...]

600 pieces only, a weight of 12 Kgs and 600 pages telling the story of 130 Rolex Daytona watches in prestine condition, dated from 1960 and on. Pucci Papaleo Editore did an amazing job on describing these watches with this level of detail, delivering it in one book that is entirely bound by hand with a leather lined 8mm wood binding. The team of Pucci had some help from only the best vintage horology specialists, who consist of collectors, watchmakers and retailers.For photographing all these time pieces, the most advanced photography techniques have been used and in the end (it is about the result) it has been printed with the highest resolution possible.This said, it perhaps gives you more [...]

Launched in 1992, Bell Ross was founded by Bruno Belamich and Carlos Rosillo. The first Bell Ross models were very similar to those of Sinn Spezialuhren and officially, this collaboration lasted till 2002 (although Bell Ross made their own models long before that year). Most people who started their interest in watches just recently, probably know the BR Instrument watches best.In 2005, the first BR instrument was introduced and Bell Ross clearly have been inspired ever since. They have been introducing various models based on the famous flight panel instruments, including the BR 03-92 thats now being featured on Fratellowatches. A 42mm glass bead blasted steel case with black carbon pow [...]