Wrist Game or Crying Shame returns with a look at the Omega Seamaster Bullhead, a kooky chronograph from one of our favorite brands. But firstLast week, we went double pusher with the Oris Chronoris 2005 Replica Edition. This rather lovely symmetrical chrono walked away with a startling 80% Wrist Game win. This week, we keep things extremely uniform with the Omega Seamaster Bullhead. Now, it was apparently one Winston Churchill who stated that, if you cant dazzle them with brilliance, baffle them with bull. On that note, lets see just see how brilliant this Bullhead is!Omega Seamaster Bullhead Chronograph from 1969 from the Omega Museums collectionThe Omega Seamaster BullheadIt was way back ...
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And all of a sudden, 2021 is done. In case you're wondering what happened from a horological perspective, I tried to reconstruct the year in about 1,500 words what struck me, stayed with me, and what have I learned in the last year. And thats important, if you ask me, because it's easy to look back at what happened, but learning from the past to understand the present and the future is the hard part. So let's have a look at Watch Year 2021 in retrospect, and check the lessons learned that will help us cope with the horological future.Numbers don't lie. The most popular (most-read) stories of 2021 with you, our beloved readers, were about omega, Seiko, and the Omega Speedmaster, of course. Th...
When Grand Seiko was re-introduced in 1988, their first models had quartz movements. Then, in 1998, Grand Seiko introduced the 9S calibre movement. The first two mechanical calibres for Grand Seiko that were introduced in 1998 were their calibre 9S51 and 9S55. The latter might sound familiar to you if you are into Seiko watches, as it was the base calibre for the 8L35(b) movements used in the Marinemaster series for example. These first two Grand Seiko movements were regulated to perform well within chronometer standards and had a power reserve of 50 hours. Since then, the 9S calibre movements have improved by (a.o.) using innovative materials (resulting in an accuracy of -5/+3 seconds a day...
Today I have something out of my usual comfort zone in front of me A Panerai PAM01164. Im pretty happy to admit that usually, Im not much of a fan of gold, and there are not many modern watches Id specifically choose to purchase or wear in gold, be that yellow gold, red gold, or even white gold. Im a stainless steel guy who would consider dabbling in titanium, but thats about it.Nonetheless, I have this red gold Panerai Submersible to take a look at today, so lets do just that Say hello to the Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 3 Days Automatic Oro Rosso, reference PAM01164, an updated version of the PAM00684, which was, for all intents and purposes, the same watch but with an inferior water-r...
You might remember the Bukowskis watch auction from October last year, where two Speedmaster CK2915 watches were auctioned. One of them fetched the world record price for the Speedmaster,?$275,508 US dollars. This Speedmaster CK2915-1 from June 1958, was actually a very early model and had the correct?7077/6 bracelet as well. Last year marked the 60th anniversary of the Speedmaster, which Omega celebrated extensively (including the introduction of a 60th anniversary model of their Speedmaster). But what would be the best thing to buy in the 60th birth year of the Speedmaster? Right, a CK2915 watch.The buyer of the Speedmaster CK2915-1 watch from Bukowskis contacted us and was happy to answer...
Today we'll kick off what I think (and hope) will become a fixture on Fratello Watches called This Week in Watches. For those of you who follow baseball, perhaps you grew up watching something on TV with a similar name but focused on baseball. Well, we won't have the San Diego Chicken here and the Wizard of Oz won't be doing any backflips, but what I aim for is a loose recap of what's gone on during the week. I (or perhaps my colleagues may jump in as well) won't cover everything, but we'll try to hit the high and low points along with other random findings that we come across as the week progresses. As for publishing, we'll shoot for later Friday (Central Europe time), but the weekend m...
I try not to complain too much about my job (because that would be pretty ridiculous), but when our newly minted Managing Editor asked me to pick my Top 5 watches released in 2021, I felt obliged to whine a little bit given my unusually hands-on involvement with a trio of releases this yearSo I cant put the Czapek in there?Well, maybe an honorable mentionNo Minase either?Rob, its too transparentCome on, man. Youve gotta let me put the NOMOS on the list.No. Not a chance. Pick someone elses watches, for goodness sake.Alright, Nacho. Youll get your way this time, because Im in an uncommonly?good mood, but dont expect me to be so forgiving next year. For any of you reading Fratello for the first...
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...
If youve been paying attention since 2017, you might have noticed that Omega has been up to something. Every first (Speedy) Tuesday of the year, the brand has released either a new Speedmaster or something Speedmaster-related, like the caliber 321 re-introduction in 2019. This year, the 65th anniversary of the legendary chronograph brings us the Omega Speedmaster Calibre 321 in Canopus Gold, reference 311.50.39.30.01.001.I am very proud and honored to be able to go hands-on with this new Speedmaster Calibre 321. Its an incredible reproduction of the first Speedmaster CK2915, but in Omega's own white gold alloy, Canopus Gold. As the name suggests, it features the beloved 321 chronograph movem...
When you have around 1000 Euro to spend on a watch, you can go Japanese with Seiko or Citizen, you can find your way in the numerous Kickstarter projects or microbrands, but is there also still something from the established Swiss brands for you?Longines HydroConquestWhy talk about a watch that has been on the market for 10 years? Well, some times a watch is interesting enough to give it some (new) coverage for a couple of reasons. One is that this watch has become so well-known and a best seller from Longines, we want to know see ?why. In this case, we thought it would be interesting to focus on this watch due to its interesting price point (for such a large Swiss brand) and see what it ha...
Omega RailmasterWait a second, the Omega Railmaster is far too new to be featured on TBT Well, for sure, the discontinued watch from Omega?is not so far removed from our mindscape, but it is gone. I had a recent visit from family and my Dad, who is seemingly a master in finding overlooked but worthwhile objects, wore a 39mm (39.2mm but who's counting?) ref. 2503.52.00 version during most of the visit. I noticed it because, well, I notice the watch on anyone and everyone's wrist and I thought, damn, that is one seriously good looking piece that deserves a longer, more reflective view. It simply one of those watches that just feels so right. So, here we are and here you go the Omega Railm...
is what I often like to say to my fellow watch friends when they start again asking the same silly questions about Cartier.It was 1983 or 1984 when I bought my first real watch; the Cartier Santos. That was, of course, the square watch in steel with yellow gold lunette and steel bracelet with yellow gold screws. It was hot like hell and became the most copied watch. It was also that watch that made me interested in the history of the brand since the dealer told me that the design was inspired by the first men's wristwatch, launched by Cartier in 1904. So you can imagine that it did not take long before I became obsessed with watches in general, especially with Cartier.Cartier Watches From Co...
Today would be the birthday of Steve McQueen (24th of March), him being an avid omega wearer, I though it might be a good day to write about one of the new introductions based on an all time classic sports watch. The omega Explorer.Perhaps the classic omega sports watch of all times is the Explorer (or Explorer I, as it is sometimes referred to). Even James Bond wears an Explorer in the original books by Ian Flemming. The first Explorer models (1953) are quite similar to the current model, although it has ? of course been updated through time to keep up with modern requirements of the consumer. However, what didnt change was the diameter of 36 mm.Now, in 2010, omega introduces the 39mm vers...
Vacheron Constantin presents a strictly limited split-second chronograph (Rattrapante) as an addition to its Excellence Platine collection. The movement inside this watch is a modern interpretation of a classical Rattrapante movement with a number of enhancements, including a peripheral winding rotor. Almost every other part of this watch is made of platinum.Traditionelle Split-Seconds Chronographe Ultra-Thin Collection Excellence Platine is a strong contender for one of the longest names for a watch model. This name also is a funny mixture of French and English words. The French words Rattrapante and ultraplat the brand obviously considers too exotic for an international audience. Nonethele...
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...
Welcome to Wrist Game or Crying Shame, where you can vote even if you're not allowed to travel This week, we'll take a look at the omega Precision 6694, a relative oddity within the brand's semi-modern repertoire. But first?-Last week, I tempted you with the 90s Eberhard Aviograf, a watch that few of you had ever seen. Well, seeing it the first time brought feelings of amore as you blessed this watch with an 86% Wrist Game vote. That Eberhard was a manual wind watch and, with the omega Precision 6694, we have yet another for your consideration. This one just so happens to sit within an Oyster case while sporting a screw-down crown better flex those fingers!Now before you start your collecti...
Every watch enthusiast can think of a great discontinued timepiece that should return to the spotlight in a more modern version. At the Fratello offices, we are no different. It inspired us to come up with a series about watches that the Fratello editors would like to see make a comeback. Some of the watches are iconic, some of them are less popular. But all of them are loved by at least one of our editors. Let's look at some of our favorites in this series. This time, it's Tomas who wants the 1960s Breitling SuperOcean ref. 2005 redone.In Fratello team discussions, we regularly dive deep into the archives of a brand to talk about some of the watches from the past that we love. As a result, ...
In the 160th year of Heuers existence, TAG Heuer has graced us with a string of Carrera releases. The year started with the Carrera Silver Dial Limited Edition. In June, we saw the release of the Carrera Montreal Limited Edtion. And today sees the brand releasing the new Carrera Sport Chronograph 160 Years Special Editions. These two new timepieces are the first limited editions based on the new Carrera Sport Chronographs equipped with the Heuer 02 manufacture movement. And they are an homage to a great Heuer classic from the 1960s.To celebrate 160 years of the Heuer name, TAG Heuer has not just paid tribute to its rich history. This year, the brand also updated its collection of Carrera Chr...
Speedmaster Pro Racing 3570.40Its Speedy Tuesday The moment youve all been waiting for. This weeks Speedy Tuesday is about the Speedmaster Professional Racing models, both old new. You probably know the re-edition that OMEGA did in 2004, the reference?3570.40.00 Speedmaster Professional. Last week, we received photos from one of our readers (Martijn Hofman) Speedmaster Pro 3570.50 that was converted to this Racing edition by his watchmaker. The reference 3570.30 model was for the Japanese market, but apparently the dial and hands are still available as spare parts. More about customization? Check Shanes Speedmaster Paramedic here.As you can see, the orange chronograph hands, hour markers an...
This year is superb for enthusiasts of chronographs After the introduction of the bronze Bell Ross Bellytanker (4900 Euro) and Tudor Black Bay chrono in two-tone (5240 Euro), Oris comes with a steel and bronze chronograph under 4000 Swiss Francs.Already shown to the guests of our ORIS x Fratello event on April 26th, but under strict publication embargo for today. The latest addition to the Sixty-Five collection is this 43mm diameter chronograph. By no means a small watch, despite the fact that 43mm sounds reasonable today the lug-to-lug size measures 52mm and gives it serious presence on my 18cm wrist.Sixty-Five Chronograph in Steel BronzeIt is no secret that I am a fan of two-tone, Ive be...