It seems like Im on a roll with rare Jaeger-LeCoultre pieces of late: hot off the camera is a set of the magnificent Gyrotourbillon 1 (we did a review of the Gyrotourbillon 2 as well). This version has a skeleton dial; a massive rose gold case, perpetual calendar, and of course, the signature multi-axis tourbillon all made up of 679 parts, 117 alone of which are jewel bearings.As usual, click on any image for a larger versionIt also runs for slightly over eight days, powered by two vertically stacked and sapphire-topped barrels which is a nice touch, but Im not sure why youd need to see the state of wind if youve got a power reserve indicator on the front. This is especially impressive con...
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Only three watches, but a lot of style, individualism, and charisma. Today more about the sharp-edged rotating UG Cabriolet watch, the timeless Futurematic with a surprisingly high price tag, and the first European electric watch LIP R 27. Let's go!Want to know why we didn't feature a vintage watch (wish)list for October? Because I continuously fail at one of the rules of sane collecting C one in, one out. I believe this rule is a good principle, and honestly, I plan on sticking to it. My only problem is that I am not sure at what stage I will start to apply this rule. So if you've read the TBT articles over the last two months, you know I haven't stopped growing my vintage watch collectio...
In all honesty, this definitely wasnt omegas strongest year when it comes to new releases, but they had at least some surprises. Like this omega Daytona 116588 TBR.A gem-set Daytona isnt exactly a new thing, but a dial like this weve never seen before on a omega Daytona. Their new Cosmograph Daytona ref. 116588 TBR(-003) has a bezel set with 36 trapeze-cut diamonds while the dial is diamond pave with this interesting structure of yellow gold. Our friends from Revolution magazine dubbed this one the Eye of the Tiger, as the dial should (or could?) remind us somewhat of a tiger. Lets just hope it isnt a panther. As you can see, the Arabic numerals 15, 30 and 45 are also made of yellow gold. Th...
The world of watches is very much part of the wider universe of style. Wearing a watch the right way is not a stand-alone thing. Clothing can elevate the presence of a watch greatly. Its no coincidence that the legendary men are often also considered style icons because of their choice of watches. Paul Newman, Steve McQueen, and Sean Connery are just three examples of icons whose names are forever connected to watches they wore.When it comes to style, originality is often key in being labeled a style icon. For this first article, I have selected three style icons and their watches. While not all their stylistic choices when it comes to watches have stood the test of time, it doesnt take away...
Join us for the Fratello x ORIS Baselworld 2019 Novelties event on April 25th in Amsterdam, The Netherlands.We would like to invite you to join an evening with ORIS and Fratello in Amsterdam on April 25th. During this evening, ORIS will present to you their Baselworld 2019 novelties in the ORIS boutique in Amsterdam.Besides all ORIS novelties from the Baselworld 2019 show, you will be meeting the people from ORIS, Fratello and other watch?enthusiasts. There will be drinks and bites, and well organize a lucky draw that evening. gallery-1 {margin: auto;} gallery-1 .gallery-item {float: left;margin-top: 10px;text-align: center;width: 33%;} gallery-1 img {border: 2px solid cfcfcf;} gallery-1 .g...
The story on the iconic IWC Portugieser watch is one that is well known in enthusiasts' circles. Today, IWC introduces an update of their entire Portugieser collection. From a three hands watch to a perpetual calendar.But first, let's do a quick rundown of the Portugieser and why it is such an iconic watch. Back in 1939, IWC watchmakers created a big watch on special request by two dealers from Portugal (hence the name) that had the precision of a pocket watch. At that time, IWC was well known for its precision pocket watches and the Portuguese dealers wanted to have that same level of accuracy in a wristwatch. Smaller wristwatches were the trend in those years, but unable to deliver the sam...
The ultimate toolwatch the omega Explorer II, aimed at speleologists and cave explorers.Some time ago, Michael Stockton wrote quite a love letter (as one of our readers wrote in the comments) on the omega Explorer 1016. While the reference 1016 Explorer was being produced already in 1963 and kept in production for 26 years, omega introduced another Explorer in 1971. The Explorer II. This watch was not a successor of the Explorer 1016, but an additional timepiece with an additional function. The Explorer II was aimed at speleologists or cave explorers, who could lose the sense of time during their work. When you are not exposed to daylight, its feasible to lose track of time and whether you ...
Gold and steel is a combination that we need to celebrate more. The glorious combination of utilitarian steel and exclusive gold is the perfect combo for people looking for something unique. Watch fans often prefer either full steel or full gold watches. In order to show that there are some glorious bi-color watches out there, I have come up with a list of the seven best gold and steel watches currently available. So bring out the double-breasted suits, pinkie rings, and glorious haircuts of the 1980s because we are going on a trip back in time.While that last statement might come across as trying to make fun of bi-color or two-tone watches, its certainly not how I feel about them. In all ho...
While the SIHH overpowers the media this week with watches on show there, I thought it would be adequate to give some pushback. Happily, I am allowed to wear the?Omega Speedmaster Blue Side of the Moon to do so. This is the watch Robert-Jan did an extensive hands-on review on two weeks ago, complete with incredible close-up pictures by Bert Buijsrogge. Tip: head over to that review first, if you didnt already do so.Omega Speedmaster Blue Side of the MoonThe Omega Speedmaster Blue Side of the Moon on my wristAs most has been said and shown on this watch in the above-mentioned excellent review, I had to look for something additional to write about. I found it in the material where the watch is...
Pontos S Diver PT6248On March 10th of this year, we already introduced the Maurice Lacroix Pontos S Diver to you on Fratellowatches. However, all we had were the press photos and as you know, wed like to take our own pictures of (new) watches. So during the Baselworld exhibition in April, we visited the nice people at Maurice Lacroix and had a look at their new collection.The Pontos S Diver is a new watch in the Pontos collection and we think they are going to hit jackpot with it. A very cool looking divers watch, either with bracelet or leather NATO strap.Divers Watch Divers FeaturesIn order to be a divers watch, it definitely needs some necessary divers watch features. This means more tha...
Speedmaster DateIts Speedy Tuesday Today we have an OMEGA Speedmaster Date reference 323.30.40.40.04.001 or Panda Speedy as the owner calls it. OMEGA has been using these Panda dials in different models, including the Speedmaster Professional (Apollo 11 35th Anniversary edition in 2004 and the Speedmaster Mitsukoshi edition for the Japanese market in 2003). This Speedmaster Date also has a white dial with black sub registers, looking like a Panda face.As you can see, the Speedmaster Date case is not much different from the Moonwatch with its brushed sides and polished facets on the lugs. The 40mm case is just slightly smaller than the Moonwatch / Speedmaster Professional and makes it a comfo...
Its 2021. The world has become so accustomed to having been turned on its head by the relentless pandemic that began sweeping the globe more than a year ago that it seems the worlds ears have sprouted feet of their own. Thats right: this is the new normal. Brands are getting more and more creative. Some are looking within themselves for answers, digging through their archives and searching their true souls for messages their followers desperately need to hear. Meanwhile, TAG Heuer and Porsche decided to turn their attention outward and, incidentally, toward one another. As such, Im pleased to announce the TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 02 Porsche special edition watch.Values make brands what they...
Omega Speedmaster 125Its Speedy Tuesday This weeks Speedmaster for our Speedy Tuesday is a bit of a strange duck in the bite, but has quite an interesting story to it. In 1973, Omega celebrated their 125th anniversary by introducing a limited edition Speedmaster 125 for this occasion. The Speedmaster 125 was the first automatic chronograph watch that was chronometer certified. The Lemania based caliber 1041 movement has only been used in this Speedmaster 125 watch and was based on the more common caliber 1040 movement.Enough for the tech-talk. As you can see on Omegas Extract of the Archives document pictured above, Omega limited the production of this Speedmaster 125 to 2000 pieces only. Yo...
Jaeger-LeCoultre ReversoThe Reverso collection is so iconic, it almost doesnt need any further introduction. However, for those who never took the time to read about one of the most famous rectangular watches, heres a little background:The design for this reversible watch dates back to the 1930s, 1931 to be precise. Polo players were sick and tired of broken and damaged crystals on their timepieces when playing this noble game. Jaeger-LeCoultre came up with the idea of making it possible to flip the watch on your wrist, so that the crystal was protected from serious beatings. In 1931, Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced (and patented) the Reverso watch. Through the decades, the Reverso developed and...
The most famous watch brand from Geneva did not only shocked the World with their new range of omega Oyster models, but also introduced a range of watches that belong to the omega Cellini collection. Admitted, I dont have a lot going on for the previous Cellini models and that includes the revamped Cellini Prince models. However, I was happily surprised to see that omega came up with classic but modern-sized dress watches in Basel.omega introduces three different versions of the Cellini: Cellini Time, Cellini Date and Cellini Dual Time. Each available in two different materials for the case and buckle, namely 18 carat white gold and 18?carat Everose gold. Each version is then also available ...
Marc Menant from Jaeger-LeCoulte mailed me some information on their new Master Compressor Diving Navy SEALs watches. The grade 5 titanium cases with unidirectional bezel and water resistancy of 1000 meters meet the most stringent requirements for the United States Navy SEALs diving watch. Jaeger-LeCoultre consulted snorkelling record holder Patrick Musimu about the relevance of Jaegers diving watch innovations.The Master Compressor Diving models have a shot-peened ceramic bezel and are engraved with the Navy SEALs emblem. Before paying thousands of dollars for a vintage COMEX diver from omega, you might want to investigate these new three models from Jaeger-LeCoultre.Jaeger-LeCoultre introd...
Searching for the right watch roll or watch box can be quite a journey. I have tried many boxes, including the now-discontinued Orbita aluminum case and a bunch of wooden boxes as well. None of them really wowed me, though, until I saw a handmade wooden watch box from Officina Creativo.Watch boxes by Officina CreativoI had already noticed Officina Creativos work on Instagram, and not too long ago, my friend Ralph (@fiftyfathommilspec) brought his custom-made Officina Creativo case to the watch get-together we reported about here. I was thrilled and got in touch with Richard, the owner of Officina Creativo, to discuss the possibility to create a box for some of my Speedmaster watches. Althoug...
You can't control your heart. And a watch lovers heart, especially, tends to skip a beat when it encounters something that strikes a chord. And boy, did my heart skip a beat when I sat down during Grand Seiko's touch-and-feel session during Watches And Wonders. It has been a few weeks since the event in Geneva, and Ive been trying to calm my heart ever since. But there is just no denying it. Even after a cool-down period of a few weeks, I've fallen for the Grand Seiko Evolution 9 GMT SBGE285 Mist Flake. What is it that makes my heart go boom?I can tell you right away why my heart goes boom when I look, feel, touch, and wear the Grand Seiko Evolution 9 GMT SBGE285 Mist Flake. It's the combina...
At Watches and Wonder 2021, we saw several beautiful new watches launched by many different brands. Some were expected, and some were a bit of a curveball and caught us by surprise, but in a good way At the digital event, TAG Heuer launched its new Aquaracer Professional 300 collection. The release marked a new generation of the famous model, with a refreshed look that blended a bold-yet-elegant contemporary look with a functional and versatile form.After the launchs success and the subsequent availability of the watches from boutiques and dealers, TAG Heuer has revealed an unprecedented look behind the scenes of the fascinating advertising campaign that accompanied the launch. So sit back a...
Speedmaster Pro Ref. 145.012-67Today we feature one of the most popular vintage Speedmaster watches with a caliber 321 movement: The Speedmaster Pro reference 145.012. We have featured this specific reference number many times before here, as it was one of the watches that was worn by an Apollo 11 crew member in 1969. Also, as it is one of the most common caliber 321 Speedmaster models, it means you are able to source one without too many problems (and money).Speedmaster Professional 145.012We did a comparison between this Speedmaster Prfofessional 145.012 model and a modern Speedmaster Professional 3570.50 in the past (click here for that story), to show you the changes Omega applied to the...