A few months ago, I wrote why I did not buy the famous and much praised Grand Seiko Snowflake. Today I will tell you why I bought the Grand Seiko SBGJ201 Mt. Iwate instead.Without writing too much about the background story (you can read that here), I was undoubtedly after the Grand Seiko SBGA211, or Snowflake. I was mesmerized by the structure of the dial, ever since I handled it during my first trip to Japan in 2015 to see the Grand Seiko manufacture. Sure, there were some cons for me as well about this watch, like the power reserve indicator and the titanium material, but the beautiful snowflake structure of the dial and the Spring Drive movement were more important to me. There's nothing...
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The German R-L-X forum has this populair Welche omega habt Ihr im Moment am Arm?-topic. You dont have to understand German to know what it says I guess. The most exotic omega watches come along in this thread, as can be seen below. One of my favorite vintage omegaes is the Explorer II, a.k.a Steve McQueen omega, a.k.a Freccione. I dont recall seeing Steve McQueen wearing this watch (he did wear a omega Submariner though), so I dont know why this watch is being called the Steve McQueen omega anyway.Anyway, the ref.1655 Explorer II I found in this thread is a handsome looking watch and I really could live with this vintage time piece if it wasnt for these crazy prices they are asking.Even thou...
Dear Fratelli, can you relate to this? You look at a new watch for quite some time, and it climbs higher and higher on your wish list. And then, suddenly, you see it in a video or a picture in a way that you hadnt seen it before. Or, you see it on a certain strap for the first time, and you immediately know youll be adding it to your collection. For me, that was the case with the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso. As soon as I saw it on this brown calfskin strap by Casa Fagliano, I knew a Reverso would be mine very soon.A quick disclaimer to start off with, though I just picked up this watch a week ago, and Im still very much honeymooning with it. So, please excuse the wave of positivity as you read ...
Its not everyday that you get to drive an AMG but with the launch of the new IWC Ingenieur Chronograph Sport Edition for the 50th anniversary of AMG we received an invite that brought back memories of our AMG on Ice experience earlier this year. Only this time we went to the AMG headquarter in Affalterbach, near Stuttgart in Germany. With a tight schedule in multiple countries we travelled there by car instead of the usual plane.So after picking up our rental we went towards Germany where we arrived after a few hours. Time to change the Mercedes 180 for an AMG GT s and the AMG E?63 s. As soon as we sat down behind the wheel we wait for the magic words ESP off, but that is not going to happen...
It's time for our annual Fratello Christmas Special, where we take a long look at a special watch.? This year, we choose two with the Omega Speedmaster Apollo 11 50th Anniversary in gold and the Breitling Navitimer ref.806 1959 Re-Edition.We're well aware that both the Omega Speedmaster Apollo 11 and the Breitling Navitimer have been reviewed ad nauseam during 2019, so why have we returned to such a well-trodden subject?? That's an easy one to answer because we happen to have both side by side and your author has worn both extensively for well over a month.? Consider it a chance to hear the specs once more, if only briefly, but to hear more about what it's like to live with either of these i...
Welcome to the Speedmaster World Cup. In the absence of Euro 2020, we thought our beloved readers might enjoy a tournament of a different kind. Weve assembled eight groups (A C H), each governed by a different Fratello team member. Each writer has been assigned four watches, which they will pitch to you during the group stages.All we need you to do is vote for your favorite to move on in the competition. The next round will be the quarter-finals, which will see the eight group winners go head-to-head for your votes. The four winners progress to the semis. Following that, a third-place play-off will precede the final round, due to be held on Sunday, December 13th (get the beers in ). If you ...
Uncertainty seems to be the only certainty at present. Its an odd time indeed and for some theres little comfort to be found. Lets do our best to focus on the watches we enjoy today and will continue to enjoy after life returns to a relative state of normalcy.It was February 14th Valentines Day for the single and forgetful that I flew to Orlando with my family for a weeklong vacation. We saw the mouse, made a light saber, took a Disney cruise, and I picked up a couple watches including the fantastic Oak Oscar Olmsted. It was a great vacation, but it was already a little strange. The USA had cut off travelers from China and the large groups from the massive country were notably absent in thi...
Well, it's come to a close in perhaps the most fitting fashion, but rather than reflect on the stunning silver screen conclusion to the Daniel Craig era (for fear of spoiling it for those of you yet to watch it) it's time to appreciate the generous helping of wrist candy we were treated to over the past 16 years. Since 1995's Goldeneye, Omega has furnished our super spy with watches aplenty, but how do the watches seen on Craig's wrist since his 2006 debut stack up against one another? Here are my top five Omega watches of Daniel Craig's James Bond era in reverse order.As always, I'm sure this will stir up some controversy, so let me have it in the comments section. Feel free to bring in com...
Only last week, I received this exact question at least three times during a discussion on purchasing a (new) watch.I received this question by email and twice during a discussion in the flesh. In a time where omega has issues delivering their goods to the final customers, or at least to fulfil the demand, theres a limitation on what you can buy. But if we include vintage and pre-owned watches, theres still enough to choose from. Were not into paying over retail for anything, so forget about the grey market supply for omega. Or douchy ADs who are willing to sell you one for a premium.You Asked Us: What omega would you buy?So basically, the question was directed at me. What omega I would buy....
This is going to be a highly debatable list. It's going to be far too short of a list. That's also why it's going to cause some annoyance amongst sneakerheads and time geeks alike. First of all, there isn't room for all the iconic trainers of the past you will find either your favorite shoe or even brand missing and why I paired the shoe with a certain watch was a very subjective process. This is not exact science people, it's a gut feeling. But it comes from a true love for both sneakers and watches, so please keep that in mind. So, with that disclaimer out of the way, here we go The 11 most iconic Sneakers and the watches that go with them.Before we really start, please take note that your...
Just recently, Zenith introduced its new Chronomaster Sport El Primero. We take a look at this chronograph and compare it to the obvious competitor: the omega Daytona.In this video, we talk about the new Zenith Chronomaster Sport with El Primero caliber 3600 and the elephant in the room. Is it too similar to the Daytona, or is it different enough to make a comparison with the Daytona pointless? The Zenith Chronomaster Sport is using ingredients from its past models (DeLuca, for example) but also brings some new elements to the table.Zenith Chronomaster SportTo us, the main attraction is in the El Primero movement. This caliber 3600 is a wonderful movement, with historical significance, and c...
For some reason the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra collection struck me as younger, but Omega put out a press release about the 15th anniversary this year of this watch. In 2002, the Aqua Terra was introduced as another sub collection of the Seamaster family. Although Omega has only a couple of watch families, like the Seamaster, Speedmaster, Constellation and De Ville, some of them have quite a few sub collections. The Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra is what I always believed their answer to watches like the omega Datejust and Explorer. Watches that are very versatile and can be worn under almost any condition.Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Through The YearsFirst introduced with the caliber 2500 movem...
Wrist Game or Crying Shame is here again and its time to have a look at the Tudor Heritage Chrono. This is the watch that brought Tudor back in the game, but will you let it play? Before we answer that questionLast week, I showed you a discontinued delicacy with the Seiko Spring Drive Tuna. You gobbled up that ahi with a convincing 67% and hoisted it to a 67% Wrist Game win. This week, with the Tudor Heritage Chrono, we look at a watch that has just begun its second decade completely unchanged. Whether Tudor just plain forgot about this watch or if this watch soldiers on because its so good is a topic for another day. Today, were here to hear a little yarn from me about this watch because it...
Depending on where you are in the world, it might be starting to look a bit like summer. In my neck of the woods (Dresden, Germany) were alternating our modes of transport between cross-country skis, rollerblades, and catamarans on a near-weekly basis. Back home in Britain, Ive heard that Manchester is careening from 25 degrees one week to a cozy 4 the next. Anyway, knowing my kinfolk thats still warm enough to reach for the board shorts and lager, so lets say its time for a list of my top six summer stunners chosen for every situation.Summer is a fabulous time of year. All the doom and gloom of winter (especially a Covid winter) will soon be behind us and with restrictions looking to ease a...
Introduced in 1993, the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M celebrates its 25th anniversary in 2018. Therefore, Omega will be introducing an updated version this BaselWorld 2018. The Seamaster Diver 300M, introduced as the 2531.80 for the automatic version and as 2541.80 for the quartz model (both models featured in the Pierce Brosnan James Bond movies), came a long way. Available in mid-sizes as well and in a couple of variations (black dial, Americas Cup, chronograph, GMT, etc.).The Seamaster 300M basically evolved with Omegas grow regarding movements and materials. Where the Seamaster 300M was always based on ETAs 2892-A2 movement, later on with Omegas Co-Axial escapement, you will now see that th...
When you receive an announcement about a new watch from A. Lange S?hne you know you can expect something stunning. It's not often you actually get to see the watch before the official launch, which is today in Dresden, but on this occasion we did. And amazing it is in all its facets. Lets have a look at the new limited edition A. Lange S?hne Datograph Up/Down Lumen.About the DatographFirst launched in 2012 as a refined version of the classic column-wheel chronograph, the Datograph has been created in different versions through the years. Starting out as the Lange chronograph with flyback it has been upgraded with different complications. Current models either feature a power reserve indica...
Bi-colour was a long time coming. Some say it still isnt here, but I beg to differ. The combination of stainless steel and a precious metal has been back in business for a few years (or was it here all the time?) and I am heavily in love with it.Actually, the first serious watch that I got 20 years ago was a bi-colour watch. Without any research on the internet or influenced by other enthusiasts, I picked this watch. Meaning that I just liked bi-colour already at that time. Now that I am past 40, I care little about the general consensus or what other people think of what I am wearing anyway. I can imagine that if you are in your early twenties, it is more important to care about whats accep...
It's been a while since we reported about a Speedmaster sighting by a celebrity. In the past, we have seen Russel Crowe wearing one in many of his movies. He also had a Speedmaster in his private collection until recently. He auctioned numerous personal memorabilia away, including the watch, to-well, pay for his divorce. ?Ed O'Neill, the star of Modern Family, Married with Children and one of my favorite movies; The Adventures of Ford Fairlane also sports a Speedy regularly on and off screen. RJ also wrote a report about James Corden ditching is AP Royal Oak for an episode of Carpool Karaoke with Christmas Season favorite, Michael Bubl . I don't follow Corden closely so I'm not sure how ofte...
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 week serves up a conundrum. With the prices between Seiko and Grand Seiko converging, our writers consider what this means for the options. Do you part with your cash for the highest-end Spring Drive diver from Seiko, or go in through the entry point with a similar Grand Seiko?Specifically, we are fo...
Welcome to Strap Check, a new column on Fratello where our editors showcase their favorite watch/strap combinations. We all know the feeling. When you've been wearing a watch for weeks on the same strap, there comes a time when the excitement starts to fade a little bit. Maybe that's the time when you start looking but looking for what? A brand new watch? Sometimes the answer lies not in the watch, but the strap on which you wear it From the classic to the unique. From cheap NATOs to bespoke leather and special bracelets. This is where we get excited about perfect combinations that make you feel like you've got a brand new watch on your wrist. So tune in every week for a new combination. Are...