Fratello On Air is back with another brand-focused episode. We truly promise that were not on a Swatch Group parade, but we will hit our third marque within the portfolio. Hamilton is our topic today with Balazs and Mike on the erm mic. Enjoy it because the guys really enjoy this brand.Before we get to what was once Americas most famous watch brand, we talk a little bit of news. Mike brings up the latest MING 22.01 GMT and asks Balazs what he thinks about caller GMTs. In the end, both think this is a subject that receives more scrutiny than necessary. But its not Hamilton time yet, because next, its time for aHandgelenks KontrolleBalazs is on point with his Hamilton Intra-matic chronograph...
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This week on Wrist Game or Crying Shame, I enjoy a neo-vintage Patek Philippe Gondolo 5014G. The question will be whether you feel the same or not. But firstLast week, I showed you the more recent Omega Seamaster Bullhead in white dial form and a healthy dose of red, white, and blue. Well, folks, I literally couldnt have scripted a more appropriate watch post election because this oddball finished with a Wrist Game win by wait for it four measly votes. Our Head of Operations, Daniel, is currently administering a recount. I expect results by 2022. Todays watch is bound to polarize, but I dont care. Lets talk about the Patek Philippe Gondolo 5014G.Patek PhilippeI absolutely need to level wit...
Fratello On Air is here with Balazs and Mike. This week, vintage Zenith is in focus as the duo roll through their favorite models out of Le Locle. Youll be surprised with this list because the El Primero doesnt factor so heavily.Zenith dates way back to 1865 with its founding in Le Locle, Switzerland. While we wont go back that far at all, we will look backward at some of our favorite models. Of course, Zenith makes some fantastic new models (ooh, we love that Chronomaster Original!), but bring two vintage nerds together and vintage is what you get!Handgelenks KontrolleAs always, Balazs and Mike kick off with a Handgelenks Kontrolle. Balazs is sporting his Casio G-Shock GW-B5600 with Bluetoo...
For this article, I picked 5 omega watches without box and papers. I am a collector and like to have my watches full set or at least as complete as possible. But what if you just want to buy a watch to wear? It saves you from storing boxes in your attic, safeguarding certificates and warranty cards, it is only you and the watch.It might be just a false assumption that everyone is a watch enthusiast or collector like ourselves here. You just might want to wear a watch and thats it. It is also how it often used to be in the past. When someone bought a watch in the 1980s, or even before, very often the box at least was left behind at the retailer. Just put the watch on your wrist, take your pap...
Theres nothing like news on a Friday and today some colorful, and attractive, information hit our mailboxes with the introduction of the Breitling Navitimer Swissair Edition.? In stainless steel and 43mm (as a Navitimer should be sized), Breitling tells us that this watch is the first to come of within a capsule collection of models that will harken back to the golden age of civilian airline travel in the 60s and 70s.? The watches will feature the names of historic airline brands and the colors that they used.? Honestly, I think its a relevant idea for the brand, especially since Breitling has earned its reputation as a pilots watch.? It doesnt hurt that the first release looks so damn good ...
Steve S shows his 5970 in white gold on the Paneristi Forum.Congrats on the watch Steve!...
Ever since the Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon came out (in 2013), Ive known I would need to acquire it at some point. I am not talking about one of the recent variations, but the original one. The OG of Dark Sides. Heres my love letter to that watch.This might come a bit unexpected, because my focus is collecting Omega Speedmaster Professional watches, or at least models that are in the line of Moonwatch descendants. And yes, I do have a Mark II, Speedmaster 125, Speedmaster LCD, Speedmaster X-33, etc. that are already the odd ones in my theme. When Omega introduced the Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon in 2013, with its case diameter of 44.25mm, I was smitten by it. The all-black ceramic...
Brycen is swimming against the stream with the 26mm LeCoultre Baron on his wrist. If you dont care what other people think about your wristwatch of choice, a modestly-sized watch can bring unexpected gratification. I know how Brycen feels. My Mido Radiotime is only 23mm wide, but I wear it more proudly than I wear my omega GMT-Master 1675. As much as I like the GMT-Master, there are so many people out there that love it as well. Not only does that make prices for the GMT-Master go higher, but it also makes sporting it a bit of a status game which spoils watch collecting for me. I find wearing a small and often impossible-to-recognize, whatever-style-you-like watch the highest level of watch ...
In 1920, Cartier released a bell-shaped watch called Cloche de Cartier. It was original yet a bit quirky. The Cartier Priv collection is growing with new models inspired by this asymmetrical watch.?The Priv collection is a line that draws attention to the Cartiers much-vaunted past. Last year the French Maison presented the Tank Asym trique, today we can get acquainted with the renewed Cloche de Cartier.The StoryCartier is a brand well-known for weird shapes. As we can see, this collection is very specific but intensely characterful as a result. As a luxury market lover, I am full of admiration for brands that make bold moves such as this. The Priv line is neither easily digestible nor pa...
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...
Oris has a good habit of bringing limited editions in their Aquis line to contribute to ocean conservation. This week we received a question from Apostolos, I guess one of our readers in Greece.You Asked Us: Will the dial of my Oris Aquis Clipperton fade in bright sunlight?Heres the original text of Apostolos question:Subject: WATCH DIALS AND SUN EXPOSUREHello,I recently bought an Oris Aquis Clipperton. Its graded blue dial is a real joy. The question is, is it ok to use in direct sunlight regularly, or it will soon fade and lose its fantastic contrast?Thank you,ApostolosMr. Ulrich Herzog explaining Oris contributions to Ocean conservationOris Contribution to Ocean ConservationAlready in 201...
The Paneristi Vancouver Get ToGether reports (2 parts) can be found here and here at Paneristi.com.Nice to see so much variation:...
Earlier this year, Seiko announced a new spring drive movement intended to mark a new beginning for the brand. And with this new Spring Drive caliber is a great way to celebrate their 60th anniversary. Time to have a closer look at the Spring Drive 9RA5.Grand Seiko was born from a simple and ambitious aim, simply to create the best watches possible. With a small selection of Seiko's top watchmakers put to work in the late 50s, the first Grand Seiko was launched in December 1960. With numerology being very important, in Japan, the number 60 marks a moment of new energy and rebirth.Grand Seiko 60th AnniversaryAmong a selection of special edition watches celebrating this milestone, the brands m...
Recently, at Fratello HQ, we re-lit the flame of an age-old question: should/could you aspire to be a one-watch guy/gal? Well, some of us agreed, and some disagreed that it is even possible. When entertaining the notion of scrapping the collection, pawning everything off, and choosing the one, we suggested possible candidates. Somehow unavoidably, a number of omega watches popped up in our discussion. And it's not hard to imagine why. The brand has built an impressive reputation. Its high-quality luxury timepieces are not only versatile but also reasonably sized for both men and women. But this left me wondering: is omega the only way to go? Or is it the easiest?You could look at a omega Sub...
As the name predicts, this watch is waterresistant till 1000 meters below the surface. It is the chronograph version of the U-series by Sinn. Made out of u-boat (submariner) steel. The S version, has a black coating added to the u-boat steel.This watch has a mechanical automatic chronograph movement, Sinn caliber SZ 02 (basis caliber 7750 by ETA/Valjoux). The watch has a diameter of 44mm and has a 18mm thick case. It weighs 135 grams. A large and heavy watch for the professionl diver The watch comes with either a rubber strap or a stainless steel bracelet. The full list with specifications is available at the Sinn website, click here.At WatchUseek a wrist test has been posted by Dimitris, cl...
Member *2112 of WatchUseek and ofcourse owner of the great dedicated Sinn 142 (I am wearing my 142St.S today!) website shows off his collection A nice variety of watches he has here, vintage and new Almost every watches (except for the Sinn 142 maybe) reflects a great balance between design and functionality. *2112 writes he getting rid of the AquaTimer soon.. Too bad, because it definately makes a statement in his collection!...
Last weekend, on July 10th, it was three years ago that we together with Omega introduced the Speedmaster Speedy Tuesday Ultraman, or ST2. In this article, I look back on that special day, and on the Speedmaster ST2.ST1 and ST2 side-by-sideSpeedy Tuesday UltramanA few months after the successful launch of the first Speedy Tuesday, the Tribute to Alaska III (or ST1), we had another idea for a special Speedmaster watch. The idea was for a watch that should be a nod to the rare Speedmaster Ultraman, which is basically a standard Speedmaster Professional 145.012 with an orange chronograph second hand. A lot of extras were added to the Speedy Tuesday Ultraman, including a luminous silhouette of U...
I fully realize that my taste in watches is not what you could call traditional by any stretch. I adore the likes of URWERK. I love bold black and bright yellow color schemes. And I cant get enough of the liberal use of alternative materials in watchmaking (think carbon fiber composites!). Thats not very classic, yet I do have a healthy respect for timeless classicism in watch collecting.Being a part of the Fratello team, I, of course, have a strong appreciation for the Omega Speedmaster and its historical journey to the stars. I may not own a Speedy just yet, but thats only because Im taking some time to find the right one. There are many other staple watches that many of our kind covet and...
I like to keep things simple. I know theres a skeletonized dial version of the Zenith Defy Classic, yet I prefer the reference with this beautiful blue dial. It doesnt distract that much from the beautiful case design and its combination of brushed and polished finishing.Zenith is that sympathetic brand from Le Locle, where Berti and I went to a few years ago to have a look inside the manufacture. You can find our report here (with lots of images). Ever since (and before), a Zenith is high on my list, but I always only considered to buy one of the El Primero models. Like the colourful Rainbow Flyback Chronograph from the 1990s. Does this new Defy Classic change my wishes for a Zenith? Lets h...
This week in Pre-Owned Picks, I am selecting watches from Patek Philippe in steel cases that could be yours for under 9,000. Yes, a four-digit steel Patek is a steal. But you will not find an Aquanaut or Nautilus at that price. Sorry But that's not to say the choice is restricted to quartz pieces for ladies. You may find something quite fascinating in the line-up.For a brand as prestigious as Patek Philippe, the common case material is gold. Patek elects to use the more alluring precious metals to complement the elegant case designs and delicate movements. Casting a case in stainless steel is almost an affront to the Swiss forefathers. As such, the steel Patek has become a rarified oddity re...