Real dedication by a mono-brand collector. A beautiful 24.5 pounds weighing set of 5 five books on the Illinois Watch Co. was written by one man, Frederic Fred J. Friedberg.Last week, I stumbled across this article in the LA Times. They did a great article on Freds work and made me realize I know nothing about Illinois watches. This American brand was creating beautiful art-deco style timepieces but was put out of business about 90 years ago.Fred Friedberg and only a part of his collection. Photo by Allen J. Schaben / LA TimesIllinois Watch CoFriedberg became a watch collector in the late 1980s, which was a pretty unusual hobby back then. He was an attorney in his 40s, and by accident, he bu...
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Its Speedy Tuesday This weeks topic is about a very rare Speedmaster that you will will come across only seldom, the Omega Speedmaster Split-Seconds 3540.50 or Rattrapante. Introduced in 1999, this Speedmaster had an odd looking case and a carbon fibre dial and was the first Speedmaster with a rattrapante complication. Only few of these watches have been made during a short time span. There was even an Italian market-only model, with a blue dial. The regular version has a run of 5000 pieces according to some sources.Omega Speedmaster Automatic Rattrapante ChronometerThe version pictured above (photo credits Antiquorum) is the reference 3840.50, with a leather perforated racing strap. This Om...
Hey folks, welcome back to Wrist Game or Crying Shame where today weve got a humdinger of a specimen with the Hamilton Khaki Aviation Aluminum. But firstLast week, I classed it up around here with a Jaeger-LeCoultre Perpetual Calendar and you folks responded in a big way. This stunner brought home a massive 89% Wrist Game win. If you were getting warmed up for more complications, then todays Hamilton Khaki Aviation Aluminum just might come off as a cold shower. Im sorry about that, but I really like this watch.Its hard to believe that the Hamilton Khaki Aviation Aluminum debuted all the way back in 2014 at Baselworld. But is it so hard to believe? I ask that simply because Im not so sure any...
Who amongst our readers has proclaimed that their luxury wristwatch purchase was an investment? Okay, that was just a wall of noise. Let me refine the question. What about justifying the cost because you can pass the watch on to the next generation when the time is right? Alright, I hear you this is a crowd I can work with.Even for affluent people, putting down big bucks for a flashy timepiece inspires a slight level of guilt. That money could have bought a family holiday, a new lawnmower, or even a new business venture. Regardless of the options, we choose to swipe our cards on fancy high-tech tickers we strap to our wrists. To compensate, we employ all sorts of reasons to convince ourselve...
Jean TodtJean Todt is no stranger to travel. He is the President of the FIA, Fe?de?ration Internationale de l'Automobile, an organisation which oversees motorsport and promotes road safety. His work takes him around the globe.Travel is nothing new for Mr Todt. He would grace television screens most weekends during the Formula One season, sat at the pitwall. His immense intelligence was successfully employed in the higher echelons of motorsport, masterminding strategy. He was instrumental in helping Scuderia Ferrari secure 14 Formula One World titles and 106 Grand Prix victories.Jean Todt during his Ferrari-period, already wearing Richard Mille timepiecesWhilst travel is often perceived as gl...
I don't know about you, but when it comes to games of chance, or contests, or giveaways, I'm a bit of a skeptic. Going in without a single ounce of hope that you'll win is probably the safest bet. Getting your hopes up is a sure way to get disappointed. However, lets go back to earlier this year when Jeremy (@Chronolytical) decided to organize a photo-contest giveaway using Instagram as a platform, with the prize being a beautiful Cartier Tank Solo. Having already given away the punchline in the title of this article, instead, I will tell you more about this specific contest, my experience taking part, winning despite not being all that hopeful, and Jeremy's future plans to keep the ball rol...
Ayrton Senna is the legendary (and three times World Champion) F1 driver who passed away 25 years ago (already). Today we show you a watch he gave to his mentor,?Angelo Parrilla, who discovered Senna when he was 18 years old in 1978.Last Sunday was packed with sports for me. Meaning I watched the 1000th F1 race in the morning (local time), that took place in China and in the afternoon I watched Tiger Woods winning the Masters title. Then, my eye caught the Phillips auction on May 11-12 in Geneva, where they will offer a watch linked to Ayrton Senna, the Brazilian F1 driver that won three World Championships (1988, 1990 and 1991). I remember that Ayrton Senna died in an accident during the 19...
Here we have the second of three Summer Splash Wild Card rounds for your voting pleasure. Its been a blast combing through your selections. You will notice that I lifted every single suggestion I could find (apologies if I missed any given my track record throughout this contest, it is highly likely Ive screwed up somewhere). You may be surprised to see your name or selection on this list, but you shouldnt be We read and consider every comment left on our articles and were doing our best to get back to all of you in due course. Thanks for your continued engagement. Now I turn things over to you to select your top two in this roundThe top two will go through to the Wild Card Decider, which w...
The story begins with Michel Parmigiani graduating in 1974 and starting a traditional watchmaking workshop shortly after. Dedicated to his greatest passion, restoration and creating unique pieces for collectors on a side line. In 1980 he was introduced to the Sandoz family and trusted with the restoration of their impressive collection of pocket watches and automatons. Over the years plans rose for a new authentic brand and in 1996 Parmigiani Fleurier (Pf) is born. As they mention on their website, built on a powerful conviction: restoring the value of Swiss watchmaking art as heritage, by making it part of an ongoing tradition of manufacturing expertise'. This is expertise realised with the...
Another omega this week, but this time a vintage and extremely rare model, the omega Commando ref.6429. We actually didnt hear about it before until our friends from Hodinkee blogged about it in 2009. A fellow watch enthusiast and collector from Singapore reminded me about it last week and that hed seen one for sale on eBay (which got pulled off rather quickly again).Although Christies who auctioned a few claims them to be produced in 1967, but Hodinkee is pretty certain it was produced in 1972 and only in 1972. The last one Christies sold for $25.000,- USD in December 2010 (click here). They must have indeed been very limited in production, since every model weve encountered has very clos...
Phillips auctioned off the Omega Speedmaster Professional ref. 145.012-67SP that belonged to American author Ralph Ellison. He wore it from 1968 till his death in 1994. Now it has sold for a whopping $667,800 including buyer's premium.The new owner of Ralph Ellisons Speedmaster 145.012-067SP is the Omega Museum in Biel. The museum will display it beside an impressive line-up of special Speedmaster from noteworthy owners.Its first owner, author Ralph Ellison, wrote the Invisible Man novel of 1952. It received the prestigious National Book Award in 1953. In 1998, the Modern Library ranked Invisible Man 19 on its list of 100 best English-language novels of the 20th century.Image of Ralph Ellis...
Gruss Gott, watch Sammler, its time for This Week in Watches for July 13, 2019.Ah yes, and were back this week with a look at all the news thats occurred over the last half fortnight.? Do you want to know something?? No?? Too bad because this is my space.? Ive become a bit of a rabid fan of cricket and have kept abreast of all things during this years World Cup that will come to an end tomorrow.? Will England or New Zealand claim victory tomorrow?? Lets see, but I will be watching from a barstool in an Irish pub somewhere strangely, British pubs just dont seem to make it outside out of Britain with quite the regularity of those houses or booze from the enterprising Irish.? But did you know ...
The omega GMT-Master (II) finally stepped out of the shadow of its diving brother, the Submariner. With the introduction of the ceramic Pepsi and Batman (on Jubilee) recently, the hype is real. Long waiting lists and market prices far over retail result in disappointed customers, but that doesnt seem to slow down the demand. On the contrary.I can imagine why the omega GMT-Master II is so much in demand. It is a great daily companion, with the added value of an extra timezone. I had my share of GMT-Master watches, including a few vintage 1675s and a GMT-Master II 16710. When I was ready to purchase a GMT-Master II Ceramic or Batman in 2017, I was confronted with the above-mentioned demand for...
The Patek Philippe Ref. 5070P is NOT my grail watch. And that's because the watch, although the object of my desire, is not the object of my extended, difficult quest. I don't actively chase the hand-wound, old-school chronograph, so both technically and literally, it's not my grail watch. Why go on a wild goose chase for something I can't afford? But in an imaginary watch world, my grail watch is a platinum Patek Philippe that would look great with a pair of jeans (and a pink sweater).Actively pursuing the platinum Patek Philippe Ref. 5070P, with its radiant blue dial and old school looks and movement, is nothing more than a foolish and hopeless search for or pursuit of something unattainab...
Two for Tuesday is here and this time we are going for the gold Thats right, its time to dig between the couch cushions to collect all that dough. Youll need it as we pit the new Omega Sedna Speedmaster against the Canopus Speedmaster.Its been a couple of weeks since Omega dropped its quartet of new Speedmaster models. Were still frothing at the mouth here and, as such, have plenty more new Speedy content on the way. The newest Speedmaster models look like a sure-fire hit. While that in itself may not be wholly surprising, the release was different this time, though, and the watch cognoscenti seem to notice.The stainless steel models have gotten most of the press for good reason. Theyre more...
My favorite Tag Heuer silhouette receives a new facelift with the TAG Heuer Monaco Green Dial Limited Edition release. Green dials have been a bit of a hype colorway this year, and you know what? I'm entirely OK with that. I'm not one to jump on the bandwagon, but when a brand does the hype color as nicely as this, I can only sit back and admire the view.This tasty green-dialed beauty is limited to just 500 pieces. It celebrates this year's Grand Prix de Monaco Historique, of which TAG Heuer is the Official Sponsor. The TAG Heuer Monaco is also the Official Watch of the Formula One Monaco Grand Prix. This goes to show there is more than just a tenuous link between the Monaco watch and its Pr...
GoodPlanet and OMEGARemember our trip to Capri in May 2011 to join OMEGA during the introduction of the new Seamaster Planet Ocean? During this event, Yann Arthus-Bertrand joined for an evening and it was announced that OMEGA support his work for the GoodPlanet foundation. The GoodPlanet foundation released a movie Planet Ocean to demonstrate whats going on in our oceans today and what the consequences of our abuse of these oceans might be in the future.Last week, Fratellowatches attended the screening of this movie in Amsterdam. Hosted by OMEGA and Mooi PR, the Planet Ocean movie was shown to the press in The Dylan hotel in Amsterdam. After a nice reception with drinks and some food, we wer...
Bas van Dorp emailed me the following story:Some months ago, I went snowboarding for a week with some friends. As everyyear, I just wear my Omega Speedmaster Pro during snowboarding. I figured thata Speedmaster Pro should be able to deal with this quite easily.However, after a few days on the slopes, I noticed a rattling sound comingfrom my watch. It sounded as if something had come loose. Ooops The watchwas was still running, but I had these visions of what could happen when apart would get stuck in the escapement or somewhere in the geartrain. Igathered all my courage and I decided it was the best thing to to open thewatch immediately.I didnt have a caseback tool at hand, and the pliers on...
The Historiques American 1921 Excellence Platine is a watch that made me realize that Vacheron Constantin is still the boss. In the past, things were much easier than they are today. Once upon, we had the big three, the holy trinity, the masters of watchmaking clearly defined: Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, and Vacheron Constantin stood atop the mountain. All others could do little but marvel at their superiority. There was a huge gap between that trio and whichever brand came next. Those were simpler times.Today, its much more complicated. New high-end brands have entered the game and are right up there with the holiest of holies. Even in the same stable as Vacheron Constantin, the Richem...
It has only been a little over a year since Omega successfully released the new 42mm Omega Seamaster Diver 300M at Baselworld 2018. It feels like a long time ago, but it hasnt been that long since the new Seamaster Diver 300M created quite a buzz at Baselworld.The renewed edition of? Omegas iconic divers watch received a lot of positive critics and has become one of our favourites as well. A little over twelve months later Omega has not been a part of Baselworld in 2019, and the focus has shifted to the Speedmaster. That doesnt mean that there are no Seamaster novelties to discuss for 2019. At the Swatch Groups Time to Move event, Omega introduced three new Seamaster novelties. First, there ...