Fratello On Air returns with what we think is a fun episode. We talk about big watches that work for smaller wrists and small watches for larger wrists. Balazs and Mike exist on both sides of the wrist border, so theres plenty of personal experience on this subject.Balazs and Mike are here to talk about large watches for those with small wrists and vice versa. Its a show chock full of ideas and, thankfully, watches. Some other topics weave their way in as well.Handgelenks Kontrolle and Sneakers!Before hitting the main topic of large watches for small wrists and the reverse, though, Balazs talks about one of his favorite other subjects sneakers. First, theres a Handgelenks Kontrolle that sees...
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A US Air Force veteran who was stationed in Thailand bought a brand new omega Daytona in 1975 (ordered it in 1974) for $345USD. He even received a 10% discount.In this episode of the PBS Antiques Roadshow, he hears about todays value of his watch. An estimate between $500K and $700K USD because of the condition of this watch and because it is very complete (warranty papers, the original omega brochure for the Cosmograph, two receipts, and the two original boxes). The watch has been rarely worn, as the owner found it to be too nice to be used in or near saltwater, so he kept it in the safe. The reaction of the owner when appraiser Peter Planes tells him todays value? Priceless.Enjoy the video...
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...
We receive quite a number of questions regarding the Speedmaster, and some of these messages are very similar. One of the recurring questions we receive about the Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch is in regards to its Moon heritage.One of the Fratello readers asked us the following question: Which modern Speedmaster is closest to the original Moonwatch?We do get this question quite often indeed, so today, well share our answer (or opinion, as you wish). The number of different Speedmaster models in the current Omega collection can be a bit confusing for people. The Moonwatch is, by definition, a hand-wound watch, but not all hand-wound Speedmasters are considered Moonwatches. Think of...
Sinns EZM (Einsatz Zeit Messer) watches were always dedicated for professionals who need to depend on their watch, like firefighters They need to know how long one can stay in a building burning with all the smoke (even with air tanks), to take someones pulse etcetera. While Sinn used to have the EZM4 for firefighters, it ceased production a while ago. Now, Sinn introduces the EZM7.Click here to read my article on the EZM7 on MotoringExposures Wednesday Watch....
Sometimes, you need to pave the way for something new. Therefore, my IWC Ingenieur 3227 01 is for sale. I have written several times about this watch (here and here for example), but there comes a time of letting go some of your collection pieces to get something else.This type of Ingenieur isnt in production anymore and is therefore probably the shortest in production-Ingenieur model, from 2005-2009. List price was 5.900,= Euro which was a bit steep, I am asking 4.100,= Euro. Offers are welcome though, but if it doesnt fetch enough, it will remain to be in my collection of course.The watch comes complete with box, papers, booklets, IWC soft strap etcetera. As complete as it left authorized ...
The Breguet La Tradition was launched in the mid-2000s to much fanfare and many subsequently mixed reviews amongst fans and connoisseurs here was a watch that put the escapement on the dial side, was constructed in a very traditional 18th century style (note the odd, almost arbitrary shape of the bridges and sub-plates), finished unusually (but very well indeed) and launched at a reasonably accessible price for what it offered.Even the architecture was pretty unusual: the time dial was pushed to the top of the watch, regulateur-style, with the barrel in the center and going train laid out across the bottom of the watch. Theres also a little power reserve indicator tucked away at top-right, ...
Fratello On Air is here, and we finally get around to answering a readers question about vintage chronograph movements. Are there differences? Which do we like best? We attempt to answer some of these questions in a chatty, non-technical way. We hope you enjoy it!Balazs and Mike love a good reader question, and after over a month of travel and tackling different subjects, it was time to respond. Our reader sent us a question about vintage chronograph movements. Which do we like, are there differences, and should some be avoided? Well, we arent watchmakers, so the technical discussion is light. Still, little differences find their way into the conversation along with some of our favorite watc...
I often call the omega Datejust the mother of all modern wristwatches. The very first omega Datejust was introduced in 1945, and todays Datejust still shows a very close resemblance.A Datejust was actually my first omega. A 1969 Datejust reference 1600, that I got back in 2003, right after my graduation. A 36mm watch that goes with everything, and to be frank, it is a watch that deserves at least a try by every watch collector. For this reason, I selected five pre-owned omega Datejust references I would rock myself.omega DatejustAll pre-owned omega Datejust models in this overview are selected from Chrono24. Always make sure to do your homework when buying pre-owned watches. Theres enough in...
Recently we found our way to Germany to join A. Lange S?hne at the Classic Days at Schloss Dyck. This picture-perfect location welcomed many classic cars in pristine condition. Upon our arrival, we found our way to the House of Lange'. Here we joined the other guests for the program of the day and launch of the Lange 1 Daymatic.House of Lange at the Classic Days Schloss DyckClassic Days Schloss DyckStarting with a relaxing stroll around the exhibition area on the museum island, right next to the castle was already amazing. This is where all the masterpieces are on display, that participates in the Concours d'Eleganza. All cars are categorized from A to I, each with its own class covering ca...
Welcome to Wrist Game or Crying Shame, where you dont need the House, Senate, Lords, Commons, or even a quorum to cast your vote on which watch should take office on your wrist.? Today, we come out of left field with the omega Day-Date Tridor.? But firstIm kind of angry at you readers.? You were downright rude to what I thought, and still think, is a super cool dive watch: the TAG Heuer Super Professional.? Apparently, you like your TAGs with more color, less mechanicals, or a bunch of buttons on the side as you gave this watch a serious Bronx Cheer with a 75% Crying Shame vote.? Well, thats more Super Professionals for me, then!? Lets see how you feel about todays eccentric pick, the omega ...
In the eight years since SpeedyTuesday first graced the internet, we have covered many Speedmaster watches and stories. One of the earliest stories we did in 2012, on the Alaska III watch we discovered, led to the first Speedy Tuesday watch produced in conjunction with Omega in 2017.But, amongst my favorite stories that you shared with us, is the Speedmaster that was found in a drawer, belonging to a grandfather who worked for the NSA. Another epic one is the story from Nick, who worked on the movie The Spy Who Loved Me in 1976 and used the money earned to purchase a new Speedmaster a year later, as his Moonwatch that he received as a birthday gift from his father in 1971 was stolen a few y...
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...
OK, be honest with me. When you hear the name Bvlgari, what are the first things that come to mind? Gold? Diamonds? Snakes? A funny name spelled with a V instead of a U thats pronounced like a U anyway? Or, dare I suggest, high horology? If youre reading Fratello, its probably safe to assume youre at least somewhat familiar with Bvlgari watches. However, Id be willing to bet every last penny of my lunch money that high horology was not the right answer to that question.Ill be honest with you. As a child of the 90s, for the longest time, I merely associated Bvlgari with Colosseum-shaped rings and boldly branded bling. And therein lies a dilemma. How does a legendary jewelry brand cross over i...
Welcome to Wrist Game or Crying Shame, the weekly serial that allows you to govern your own state of wrist wear affairs. Todays subject is the omega Submariner 14060, a popular aspirational steel dive watch. Well see what you think in a bit. But firstLast week, I brought something bright and bulbous with the Chronoswiss Timemaster. It turns out that a wrist lantern and massive onion-shaped protuberance for a crown do not a winner make. The Chronoswiss got pummeled on the way to a 59% Crying Shame loss. Thats a real shame because I find it rather unique. Todays pick is far more common and I know some?miesepieters will whine about yet another omega.The omega Submariner 14060 is Still a DealI c...
Here at the Fratello offices, we get a lot of questions from you, our readers. Probably the most-asked questions are centered around the topic of what to buy for different budgets. The most popular budget question is what watch to buy for under 5,000 in different watch categories. That's why we decided to set up a small series of articles focusing on the best watches that you can buy within that budget. In this installment of the series, we will look at the best modern dive watches available for under 5K. Let's find out what some of your potential best modern dive watches are.Dive watches are by far the most popular watch genre nowadays, and thats not just something we see hear our readers. ...
A couple of weeks ago, our very own Ben Hodges enjoyed an illuminating back-and-forth with one of his musical heroes. The gracious Misha Mansoor of the metal band Periphery took some time out of his day to chat about timepieces. Today, we revisit that interview with the audio supplied by Misha, interspersed with the fearsomely inane commentary of Ben and Rob.Okay, were not?that bad. In fact, theres a good argument to be made that we might be mildly entertaining. From my perspective, the highlight of the show is definitely my spot-on impression of Bens delicious British accent, but he would probably disagree. He might point to the first-hand testimony of one of musics most talented guitarists...
On the Dash, a website about Heuer Chronographs (for both on your wrist and in your racingcar) has a very nice section on vintage catalogues on chronographs. Click here for the vintage catalogues. The gallery of fake Heuer watches may come in handy when you are looking for a vintage piece to add to your collection. Great website!...
Its Speedy Tuesday On this very last day of 2013, we thought it would be nice to do a side-by-side article on three different Speedmaster 57 models. One of them is the very first Omega Speedmaster from 1957, reference CK2915 with caliber 321 movement. The holy grail to a lot of Speedmaster collectors and enthusiasts. The other two are homage watches to this very first Speedmaster CK2915 and feature some of the characteristics that this watch has. One of them is the Omega Speedmaster 57 Replica or re-edition that was in production from 1998 to 2003 and the other one is the Speedmaster 57 Caliber 9300 that was introduced in 2013.In the photo above you see (from left to right): Speedmaster ref....
This year Cartier surprised us with a new collection, the Cl de Cartier. Cl is French for key and refers to the winding crown of this watch. Cartier positions the Cl de Cartier line-up in the same range of iconic collections as the Santos and Tank. Very ambitious, but Cartier is one of those watch manufacturers that probably can live up to it, creating a new iconic model that is. For designing the Cl de Cartier, the maison was inspired by the perfect circle.Cartier Cl de CartierThe first thing that came to mind when seeing the Cl de Cartier from the front is the C-shape of the case, as Omega called it with their Constellation line-up of the late 1960s, early 1970s. However, the curves ...