New watches: who doesnt love them? As fans, the latest releases keep us interested and thirsty for more. Weve never had so much to choose from, but have we finally reached the point of too much of a good thing? Lets discuss.Ah, the good old days It wasnt so long ago when most watch brands released their newest wares on an annual basis. Baselworld and SIHH were the in-person forums where all was shown and shown all at once Attending these shows and providing coverage on all the new watches was a test in stamina and memory. As a reader, it probably felt like pure overload. After all the dust settled, though, people could sift through the news from these shows at their leisure for, literally, a...
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Porsche Designs Chronograph 911 GT3 can be configured in many details to perfectly match an owners car. Every watch is an individual piece made to order, and it is exclusively available to owners of a Porsche 911 GT3.In the past, when there have been discussions on the relevance of a luxury watch, one argument was that you can wear a watch in a bar to underline your personality. Your precious car parked anywhere outside just didnt have any effect while you were inside. With Porsche Designs Chronograph 911 GT3 this changes because your watch shows which car you drive!This watch has some characteristics which distinguish it from other Porsche Design models, and you can only buy it if you are a...
Somewhere in 2014, Balazs wrote an article on two possible sleeper watches. His explanation back then: A sleeper is a watch that has no significantly high price tag today but is likely to gain value or become more sought-after in a few (more) years time. This could be because of historical significance, because it was produced in a smaller number or maybe because like everything in life fashion changes. Five years ago nobody would care about a 1980s Casio or Seiko quartz watch, nowadays thousands of trendy teenagers rummaging throughout their dads drawers in hope of a working example that they can wear with their skinny jeans, knitted hats and flannel shirts.Omega Seamaster 300M 2531.80Out...
Welcome, one and all, to the preliminary round of March Mania 2021, here on Fratello. Are you a watch maniac like we are? If so, youre sure to love our month-long feature. 96 watches reviewed last year line up for a battle royale like nothing thats gone before. We need your votes. We want your comments. Help us decide the champion and share in its glory Let the games commenceIn this round, your task is simple: vote for your favorite watch. Below you will find a selection of 12 timepieces that we covered here on Fratello throughout 2020. Why not refresh your memory by clicking the links and reading those eruditely penned odes to wrist-wear? Once youve made your selection, vote using the poll ...
On today's installment of TBT we'll take a look at a highly polarizing watch, the omega GMT Master 16753. It's a omega that evokes serious 1970's and 80's imagery with its color scheme and two-tone metal combination, but it has somehow remained relevant to collectors. You could easily chalk admiration for the watch up to being a vintage omega, but I don't think it's that simple. Let's take a closer look.If you're a vintage watch admirer, you're certainly familiar with the omega GMT Master. Introduced in 1954 and designed in conjunction with Pan-Am for its pilots, it's a legend amongst sports/tool watches. Amongst our team, there are several of us who own or have owned vintage stainless mode...
Wrist Game or Crying Shame is here and youll soon see that we arent afraid to plumb the depths to find inexpensive and intriguing watches. Lets see if todays TAG Heuer Formula 1 Professional represents a good catch. But firstLast week, I discussed the JLC Geophysic 1958 and my trying experience at the local AD. Despite that sad happening, the watch itself rose above for a convincing 83% Wrist Game win. It just goes to show that while most of us hated taking physics in school, the word itself doesnt scare us so much. This week, well be discussing the TAG Heuer Formula 1 Professional.The TAG Heuer Formula 1 ProfessionalThese days, its quite hard to believe that TAG Heuer was once in desperate ...
Omega Speedmaster Mark IIIts Speedy Tuesday Once in a while we ask someone to contribute to Speedy Tuesday. Today I am honored that my long time friend Ruckdee was willing to do a write-up on how he got his Omega Speedmaster Professional Mark II. It isnt a story about the watch, but a story about things that matter in life and sure, the watch plays an important role here.My Speedmaster Professional Mark II by RuckdeeSeeing RJ's recent call for a Speedmaster Mark II, I feel I should contribute with a small story of my own.?It may be more about the journey than the watch itself, so please bear with me. If you are a son and you are not speaking to your father or mother, I highly recommend you ...
Although Zenith still produces watches way beyond my comfort zone, Im glad they remember and honor their past as well. In most of the currently available model lines (DEFY, Chronomaster, Elite, and Pilot), conservative models can be found. I see the Zenith DEFY Classic 41 mm as one of them.Im a great fan of most integrated bracelet(*) watch models. So yes, I like the Patek Philippe Nautilus, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak, the IWC Ingenieur, and the Vacheron Constantin 222 and Overseas. I like the Girard Perregaux Laureato, and I could have liked the Piaget Polo S if its bracelet, quality-wise, hadnt been such a disaster. Ultimately, I have to admit that it even might be possible that Im goin...
Its time for our annual overview of Top 10 omega watches according to our readers. Based on the reads per article, we created an overview of the Top 10 omega watches that you like best. We have been publishing this overview of the Top 10 omega watches for a few years now, and we keep it up-to-date based on your reading behavior.In Fratellos 17 years of existence, we have covered omega very frequently. Not only because we like their watches a lot, but also because we know that you do. Did you know for example, that the demand for omega watches is unmatched on websites like Chrono24? In recent years, the demand for omega has increased to an amazing extent while the production numbers are suppo...
Welcome back to Wrist Game or Crying Shame, where your votes are counted immediately no matter where you are This week, we visit a florist while taking a look at the Oris Chronoris while being a tourist. Some of that is true, but firstLast week, I showed you a lightweight Hamilton Khaki Pioneer Aluminum with an anodized blue finish. You were anything but sad as you voted this interesting and highly recyclable automatic to a 63% Wrist Game victory. This week, well also bring up a watch that may have slipped your mind. After all, 2005 was a long time ago and well before people started getting together at drinking establishments to show off their watches. Its the Oris Chronoris 2005 Replica E...
Fratello Watches has a strong focus on vintage watches. Ever since 2004 weve been covering vintage watches once in a while, but since 2015 we have a steady feature on them with our TBT articles. We think it is about time to list the best read TBT articles so far.Top 10 Best Read TBT ArticlesYou will find Seiko to dominate this list, but youre probably not surprised about that. Seiko watches are interesting, most of the time affordable and have a lot to offer. The other brands will not be a surprise as well. Some of the smaller brands that weve covered in our TBT feature did not make it to the Top 10, but are certainly not less interesting. Unknown makes them perhaps a bit unloved. With o...
We bring you a look at the updated TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 16, a slightly changed chronograph that should continue to appeal to fans everywhere.Although its not breaking news, we recently received additional information on changes to the TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 16.? Due to the popularity of this model, the changes are definitely more evolutionary than revolutionary as TAG would be foolish to toy with success. Still, I think the changes are for the better.A Basis of Comparison TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 16In order to provide you with some background on what has changed (the new model is above), lets see where weve been with the TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 16.? I was cruising through TAGs si...
Sustainable is a hot word right now. For better or worse, every industry (including petroleum) is bandying about the s word in hopes to jump on the bandwagon and attract as many customers as possible. But some companies are being environmentally conscious for sustainabilitys sake (though increased sales dont hurt). Oris is one such company. And, as the modern saying goes, they were doing it before it was cool.Visit the Oris website (on phone or computer) and youll see a page layout unlike that of any other watch company. At the top, theres a slideshow banner displaying the newest releases and promotional videos. Directly beneath that is a selection of self-produced articles about Oris. Almos...
Italian fashion brand Gucci celebrates its 100th year of existence in 2021. To celebrate the centenary, the brand has created a collection of high-end watches. Or rather, the brand announced over 30 high-end timepieces in four different collections. The most eye-catching for watch enthusiasts is, without a doubt, the Gucci 25H collection. For the collection, Gucci combines an in-house developed family of movements with design looks clearly inspired by the growing popularity of luxury sports watches. Lets have a look at these new Gucci watches.In all honestly, I did miss the announcement of the Centenary models back in April. With all the Watches Wonders craziness going on, these new watches...
Watches Wonders is here, and as you may have seen, it has announced itself this morning with a glut of new releases from a multitude of brands. It may take you a while to get through all of the new release articles here on Fratello, but dont skip by this one, as Piagets Novelties are gold Yes, I entirely meant that terrible pun, and I stand by it.Piaget has given us new takes on both the Polo Skeleton and the award-winning Altiplano Ultimate Concept. Both are excellent models, tailored for the discerning collector. Still, both have been given lockdown facelifts which elevate them for a new year, new me attitude.Piaget Polo SkeletonThat was a mouthful to say. The Polo is an essential model f...
This coming Wednesday, the Fortuna Exchange auction will take place. A monthly live auction where you can bid on watches and jewellery. In this month, Fortuna offers 45 watches of which we selected 4 to show you.omega Milgauss 1019The rare omega Milgauss reference 1019 is a watch that was meant for engineers and scientists. A watch that could be used in professional environments, where it could be exposed to (strong) magnetic fields. The IWC Ingenieur and Omega Railmaster were its main competitors at the time, also offering anti-magnetic watches.The Milgauss was created in 1956 as the result of a collaboration between CERN, the famed European Organization for Nuclear Research, and omega. To ...
Chronoswiss R gulateurBefore I start with the review of the Chronoswiss Flying Regulator, let me give you a brief history on my own experience as a Chronoswiss R gulateur owner. It must have been around Christmas 2000, when I got my own Chronoswiss R gulateur. R gulateur, not Regulator. At some point, Chronoswiss changed the wording.1987The Chronoswiss R gulateur model that I have for over 15 years, is reference CH1223. There was only one different reference before this one, which was a hand-wound watch (reference CH6322). The first Chronoswiss R gulateur was created by Gerd R. Lang (founder of Chronoswiss) in 1987, and had this Unitas based movement, turned into a regulator watch. Hour, min...
RUBBER B a company located in Miami, Florida introduced vulcanized rubber straps for a number of omega sports models. Their rubber straps will fit seamlessley to your omega Oyster case and the original omega clasp of the Oyster bracelet will fit without a problem. I came across these straps by reading Jakes omega Blog where he covered RUBBER B straps already. Go over there to see some more pictures of the straps, including some close-ups of the strap attached to the original omega clasp.This rubber strap could be an excellent alternative if you dont want to wear your omega with a bracelet while swimming, on the beach or just during summer. RUBBER B claims the straps to be of an impeccable ...
Before the start of any significant watch event, predicting what were likely to see while we await releases with bated breath is par for the course. But, while arrivals are frequently the topic of discussion, models likely to depart the scene for good are less often thrown out for consideration. Only introduced in 2016, the omega Air-King 116900 has been a candidate for the chop for the last two or three years. Thats quite understandable, too. Fair or otherwise, it is one of the most openly reviled omega sports models among aficionados.Why exactly is it that the 116900 Air-King isnt popular? There are various reasons, but the most common blame is that its design isnt omega-like or even worth...
Yesterday, Omega announced the Speedmaster Professional Speedy Tuesday limited edition. Watches were available for reservation immediately via the official Omega website. We werent sure if people would truly take to the watch and the process, but you did. Massively. Yesterday was an unreal experience and I would like to share some of it with you today.First of all, if you reserved one of the 2012 Omega Speedmaster Professional Speedy Tuesday Limited Edition watches, congratulations All watches were reserved in just a few hours time and that was beyond expectations. I reckoned it would take a couple of days, but it went faster. Far faster.We feel sorry for those who missed reserving a piece d...