Im pretty sure many of us either thought about buying or actually bought a watch from our birth year. I know I have at least thought about it. But it never happened. When I was looking for one back in the late 90s, I could have bought a 1968 omega Submariner 5513 Meters First, but I didnt like it that much. Stupid? With current knowledge, absolutely. But they were different times back then, kids. I didnt like it enough to wear it, and that was that. Recently, though, we had a talk here at HQ about why you should (not) buy a watch from your birth year. For instance, ask yourself: is that omega really the one you want? I will share some views and ideas with you. But Im also curious how you fee...
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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. This week sees us (mosh)pit two quartz-regulated titanium barnstormers in a battle like no other the Omega Speedmaster X-33 and Breitling Aerospace. Life in the ISS and above the clouds may be the primary intent of these watches, but Jorg and Ben share a passion for music, which led them to uncover an unintentional benefit of both the Omega and BreitlingHip hop see...
We like to talk about vintage watches a lot within the Fratello team. Though most of what we write about is primarily focused on the most recent releases and developments, for many of us, a lot of the fun can be found in the sometimes weird and often wonderful world of vintage watches. Its a world full of history, remarkable watches, incredible stories, and quirky details. It inspired us to come up with a series of articles focusing on the best watches per decade from a select group of brands. Some of them are priceless, some of them still affordable. In this installment, we will take a look at the best TAG Heuer watches from the 1990s.This week we will continue our journey through watch his...
Today, I received a mail by a long time watch friend that included a picture of Tom Hanks wearing an OMEGA Speedmaster Professional. This photo was featured in an article (this one) in The Washington Times about Tom Hanks and his political preferences. I am pretty sure you saw or know the Apollo 13 movie, where he plays the role of NASA astronaut Jim Lovell.In the Apollo 13 movie, he is wearing [more or less] the same Moonwatch as the NASA astronauts did. It is nice to see that Tom Hanks also likes to wear a Speedy Moonwatch in his own time, where he probably can just pick out any watch he wants to have.Actor, director and producer Tom Hanks is not on the list of official OMEGA ambassadors b...
During the SIHH 2016 in January, IWC showed us a range of new Pilot models or upgrades of existing models. One of the models that received a lot of attention was the IWC Pilots Watch Timezoner Chronograph 3950.Although I love the clean designed IWC Mark XVIII, Mark VIII Le Petite Prince edition, Big Pilot and the new BP Heritage watch in 48mm, I have to make an exception for the new IWC Pilots Watch Timezoner Chronograph 3950 as well.At first sight, Ive found this watch to be relatively cluttered when it comes to the design. It also reminded me a bit of the Breitling Aviastar (I covered that one here). ?But when I gave it a closer look, the watch definitely has these IWC design features and...
When I bought my first Speedmaster Professional (on the 1st of October, 1999), I was completely captured by the beauty of this historical chronograph. Weeks, perhaps even months, I was browsing the internet for more detailed information on the Speedmaster series. It rapidly occurred to me that buying a vintage Speedmaster wasnt something easy, as it like always is in the details. Luckily, the world wasnt craving for tropical brown dials and all original flimsy bracelets, so at some point I was quite comfortable buying my first caliber 321 Speedmaster Professional ref.145.012 for approximately 800 euro (2000 Dutch guilders).The fun thing is, that I always seem to return to Omega Speedmaster...
Welcome to a special episode of This Week in Watches. I say special because its a one-brand show today as we bring you the Panerai Edition where Ill run down each and every new model for 2020.What youll notice in this Panerai edition is a real focus on case materials. Its almost as if Panerai has transitioned into a Formula 1 chassis builder with its suite of cool composites. And for those who have scoffed at reduced water resistance in the recent past, rest assured that 300 meters it the theme here. Lets get to it.PAM01118 Luminor Marina Carbotech 44The Luminor Marina Carbotech 44 closely follows yesterdays PAM01117 Luminor Marina. This watch also celebrates the 70th anniversary of Luminor...
This series was actually my idea, and boy, do I regret it The premise of this idea is to help guide a watch-loving newbie down the right path to a hypothetical starter collection. I'm normally not indecisive, but here, the word doesn't even start to explain my situation. As I am in the middle of a personal consolidation of my collection, it makes the concept even more poignant. But when I try to tell you how to spend 10K wisely, these are loose guidelines only, not a gospel.Embarking on this quest was difficult, believe me. You have no idea of the number of watches I've mentally sorted through to get to what I find is a curated but fluctuating three-watch collection. I'm not mentioning which...
Introducing the new limited-edition Omega S Well, we havent heard that in a while. At least for a good six months. That may not sound like a long time ago. But over the last few years, learning about the latest Omega limited edition has been a regular occurrence. The steady release of exclusive Omega watches, mainly in the Speedmaster and Seamaster range, seemingly became a way of life. However, we see fewer and fewer Omega timepieces produced at a capped amount in recent times. So today, I am looking at the possible reasons for the sudden shift. Sorry to bait and switch you in the intro if you were hoping for something new from Omega. Hopefully, I can give some insights and advice on models...
It is no secret that passionate watch collectors (and journalists) have a slight preference for vintage watch models. The same goes for the Jaeger-LeCoultre Memovox. Whatever version they created in Le Sentier, most collectors just shrug their shoulders and referred to a vintage Memovox model. On January 15th we already briefed you about the?Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Memovox limited edition and other models in the new Polaris collection. However, nothing beats a good hands-on review, so they sent us their?Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Memovox and here we are. After a few weeks of having this watch in my possession, I think I can write down some helpful notes on this limited edition of 1000 pieces....
Watch buckles and clasps can take many forms. In todays market, we are truly spoiled for choice. For some brands, the quest to manufacture the perfect clasp is eternal. At times, it can seem as we horologically smitten enthusiasts will never guess what nifty buckle innovations lay just around the bend. As watch manufacturers strive to set themselves apart, buckles and clasps, once an afterthought in design, are now becoming ever more critical to a brands prestige.For these brands, determining what makes the perfect clasp may not be as straightforward as one might imagine. The least we can do here at Fratello, however, is to make sure you understand your options and the styles available today...
Me and Mr Jones.we got a thing goin'onThe song, Me and Mrs. Jones, was a song originally performed by Billy Paul back in 1972. It alludes to the extramarital relationship between a man and his lover Mrs Jones.My relationship with F.A. Jones is more wholesome. Florentine Ariosto Jones was the American entrepreneur who founded the International Watch Company back in 1868. IWC have produced many beguiling timepieces since its inception.However, one that got away, was a limited edition hand-wound Portuguese F.A. Jones I saw a few years ago. The watch was available in different metals, but my favourite had a white dial and blued Breguet hands. It reminded me of my innocent youth as an angelic cho...
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. This morning, we set you the task of choosing between the same watch in different metals. The omega Day-Date 40 in yellow gold takes on its platinum sibling.When devising this weeks Sunday Morning Showdown topic, our writers knew they wanted to feature the omega Day-Date. Its one of the few current omega ...
I love Formula One. Id put it above all my other passions. Ahead of fast cars, guitars, movies, music, and, yes, even watches. I try to keep it quiet because whenever you mention an interest in F1, everyone feels the need to weigh in: Oh, it is just going around in circles, or- its not a real sport. F1 is where I feel no need to listen to anyone elses opinion or justify my passion for it. Thankfully, wristwatches are intrinsically linked to Formula One enabling me to combine my interests.Sporty wristwatches and Formula One coalesce in a natural way that benefits both industries. TAG Heuer was the official timekeeper for Formula One for several years, in what I consider its heyday. The 90s ma...
Golfer Rory McIlroy (we featured him here in the past) just signed up with OMEGA and left Audemars Piguet. OMEGA immediately captured him in an advertisement for the Aqua Terra collection, which they link to the golf sport. In the past, OMEGA has been sponsor of golf legend Ernie Els and during the years, added players like Greg Norman, Davis Love III, Sergio Garcia and Michelle Wie to their list of ambassadors. And now Rory McIlroy.No worries for Audemars Piguet though, they still have some golf players in their stable of ambassadors. What to think of Bel n Mozo, Bud Cauley, Christie Kerr, Louis Oosthuizen, Miquel Angel Jim nez and even more. A number of big watch brands want to be associat...
I didnt make Fratelloris up, it was one of the persons who purchased it last week. But it does sum it up perfectly, it was a great effort from both sides.Mike shared the entire story on how this watch came to life in his head, and how it finally came to us last week. You can read all about it here. The oxblood or burgundy red dial found its way into the bronze case of the Big Crown Pointer Date and it just looks amazing. What I noticed during the past week, is that the watch is very difficult to capture in pictures. Some of those who purchased it shared their images on Instagram and in the Oris Watch Club Facebook group and they did a better job than me.Wrist shot by James Stacey for Hodinke...
Wrist Game or Crying Shame returns with a look at a true legend: the Panerai Luminor 1950 Fiddy.? Do you have what it takes to wrist-tote one of these giants?Last week, on Wrist Game or Crying Shame, we asked you to envision taking a time machine back to the 80's or 90's, working hard, but then playing equally as hard on the ocean blue.? Along with this traveling and choice of leisure activities, we also bade you to consider wearing the omega Submariner 16803 Bluesy.? And while the watch we showed you quickly disappeared from internet history (remember, it was listed in Miami), roughly 64% of you were happy to channel your inner Robert Redford or later career Kevin Costner and saddle up with...
Part of me was scared to over-hype this interview/podcast in case youd feel let down by the end of it. Then I re-read the interview, listened to the Podcast (enduring an hour of my own voice), and revisited the Lapinists Instagram account and realized that, if you class yourself as a fan of vintage Seiko or Grand Seiko, you wont possibly be disappointed. On the contrary, Im willing to wager you will be totally amazedAbout a week ago, I conducted an interview with Kamil, otherwise known as the Lapinist (@lapinist_watchrestoration on Instagram). He wasnt comfortable coming on Fratello on Air himself, but after sharing the content (and the images of Kamils work with Balazs) he agreed to hop int...
Last weekend this Speedmaster Alaska I Prototype fetched CHF193,750 (including the premium). But what is this watch exactly and what makes it so special? For this Speedy Tuesday feature, we try to break it down for you.Speedmaster Alaska 1 ProjectOmega was already the chronograph of choice for NASA, based on the procurement and test procedures it was qualified in 1965 for all manned space flights. So, on the wrist of the Apollo astronauts, there were already the Speedmaster 105.003, 105.12 and 145.012 references. But the story did not end there. Omega was constantly working on projects and sometimes send unsolicited packages to NASA to give a watch a try. These projects for NASA received a c...
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...