It seems to be some kind of accepted spin-off hobby by omega collectors world-wide, spotting omega watches on the wrist of famous actors, singers, models, presidents, sports people, and soccer players wives (see picture below). This spin-off activity can therefore be pretty exhausting, as most famous personalities actually wear (gold) omega watches. I wonder if not spotting a omega on a movie stars wrist isnt going to be a better challenge.Results of this spin-off hobby can be found on the German omega Forum (also known as Das omega Forum or www.r-l-x.de). They have (currently) 189 pages of pictures with famous people wearing a omega. The Dutch omega Forum has only 26 pages, but remember tha...
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If theres one thing that Grand Seiko absolutely masters, it is the art of dial making. This collaboration piece between Texas-based dealer Timeless and Grand Seiko is the perfect example of that.Grand Seiko needs no introduction here on Fratello, we covered them a lot in the last few years, and with good reason. It took us a while to get acquainted with the high-end watches from Seiko (and since 2017, Grand Seiko is operating as a separate legal entity). Still, once this bug has bitten you, it becomes tough not to compare them to high-end Swiss watch brands. Based on their extreme efforts in finishing dials, hour markers, hands, and basically all other parts, Grand Seiko is an exciting brand...
As the dizzy haze of Christmas and New Years dissipates, we face the grim reality of returning to work. The only option is to work from home for some of us, preferably still in sleepwear. But with restrictions lifting in certain regions, office managers enforce presenteeism, requiring us to suit up and commute. To make the journey more palatable, here are my choices for the best office wristwatch.Well, firstly, what is an office watch? Were used to pilots, divers, and explorers watches. It is less common, however, to relegate timepieces distinctly to an office or work environment. Brands often prefer their models to emanate a tough and enduring air. By contrast, the typical office space does...
2020 was a challenging year for everyone involved in the watchmaking industry. The calendar was turned upside down, and expectations turned inside out. No one had any clue of how to successfully navigate a now, almost-entirely digital landscape. However, through a mixture of good timing and exceptional design, Bvlgari came through a difficult 12 months looking stronger than ever. The new monochrome Bvlgari Octo Finissimo S reference 103464 is a continuation of that success and sets up 2021 to be even better than the year before.As it turned out, LVMHs decision to drop the majority of its brands releases in January last year couldnt have worked out better. No one knew the sweeping restriction...
We like to talk about vintage watches a lot within the Fratello team. Though most of what we write about is primarily focused on the most recent releases and developments, for many of us, a lot of the fun can be found in the sometimes weird and often wonderful world of vintage watches. Its a world full of history, remarkable watches, incredible stories, and quirky details. It inspired us to come up with a series of articles focusing on the best watches per decade from a select group of brands. Some of them are priceless, some of them still affordable. In this installment, we will take a look at the best Zenith watches from the 1990s.This week we will continue our journey through watch histor...
2019 was an amazing Speedmaster year, not only because of the 50th anniversary of Apollo XI and the Speedmasters celebrating this, or the re-introduction of the famous caliber 321 but also because of the many Speedy Tuesday events we were able to organize.Together with Omega, we hosted 8 events from January 2019 till December 2019. We visited Japan, Italy, Germany, Switzerland, the United States, Singapore, and Hong Kong to meet with you and celebrate our passion for the Speedmaster. It was amazing to meet many of you during these events, and it felt heartwarming every single time, even in places where weve never been before. Thank you for that. I also would like to thank all people that bro...
Not particularly a fan of quartz, but I dont hate it either. Especially when it is done right, in a special way or with specific functionality (think Breitling ExoSpace or Omegas X-33 for example). The Grand Seiko does not provide digital or specific functionality, but the quartz movement surely is special. In fact, I prefer a Grand Seiko 9F quartz movement over some of the (non-Grand Seiko) mechanical movements out there. So before you click away, because it is about quartz, you might want to keep reading.Some times, quartz can be done in an interesting way, even without digital functions. Like omega did with their Oysterquartz movements, it was in production for roughly 25 years (starting ...
Which vintage Omega Speedmaster should I buy today? We get this question a lot. And a lot doesn't mean once per week, but at least a dozen times per week. It is also a very valid question, as it can be quite a minefield out there. Especially with today's prices on these watches, you need to be careful. But it is a very personal question, which applies not only to vintage Omega Speedmasters but also to watches in general.Its very difficult to advise you what to buy, as its an incredibly personal decision. I might like and buy a watch for a completely different reason than you do. But at least I can give you a rundown of some of the options and tell you my preferences when it comes to buying a...
Choosing between a omega or an Omega is a question nearly as old as time itself. With all the hype surrounding the new Submariner Date, we ponder whether the stalwart Seamaster 300M is actually the better deal.No matter the aspirational product, two fierce rivals typically exist within the space. Cars, clothes, cameras, and most certainly watches are great examples. When it comes to dive watches, there are loads of options out there from loads of brands. But when it comes down to choosing a daily watch that can do it all, it seems that omega and Omega rule the conversation. Its no secret that weve loved and felt that the Omega Seamaster 300M represents one of the best deals in the watch univ...
Welcome back once again dear Fratelli You spoke, we listened. You voted, we counted. And now only six Summer Splash wild card picks remain. Which one of these underdogs will go on to the final splashdown? Will one of these unlikely last-minute picks dethrone the editors picks for a major upset in the finale? Theres only one way to find out. In the meantime, you can check out the final six choices, and cast your vote!After your vote in the Wild Card round one, round two, and round three, the two top picks from each round have been selected in the least corrupt and fairest way possible. We aim to assure a clean, Kraken-free contest So thats it, the bell is about to ring: gloves up and no shots...
Today Im going to launch one of the most requested watches since the launch of Watches and Pencils. It will be all about this famous?thirst quencher:Old NicknameThe nickname Pepsi for the omega GMT-Master seems to be quite old. I found several sources that go back multiple decades. It is an old and at least one of the most famous nicknames. Almost every watchnerd knows what youre talking about when you speak about the omega Pepsi. Intentionally, omega created the famous blue/red bezel by request of Pan-Am. This airliner asked omega to develop the watch because the flights were becoming longer and pilots needed something to read multiple timezones. One of the requested features in this projec...
The omega Submariner is a legendary dive watch. Safe to wear in a tux as well as in the briny depths. As I write this sentence, a gentleman sitting opposite me on the train comfortably wears one as he feverishly types on his laptop. With a storied history and proven dependability, the Submariner has become the trophy for the hard-working backbone of society. As a result of more well-to-do ambitious workers in this era, demand outweighs omegas steady output. Therefore, it hasnt taken long for prospective buyers to seek out alternatives. These brands still cement a stake in aqua nautical timekeeping. The watches also go toe-to-toe with the Sub in features specific to diving. Without further ad...
Chronoswiss kicks off its Watches and Wonders showing with the new Open Gear ReSec Paraiba, a limited edition model with a dramatic handmade guilloch dial.Whenever I see a new Chronoswiss, I must admit that two distinct memories come to mind. Firstly, I think about seeing Chronoswiss watches from the 90s with their massive crowns and how my Dad almost bought one. My next and final recollection is far more recent. I return to recent Baselworld events, seeing the watches, and recall the evening Chronoswiss cocktail event. While those things are in the past, one thing continues on and thats Chronoswiss and some mighty fine looking watches. Today, that continues with the new Open Gear ReSec Par...
Last week we held our Speedy Tuesday events in Singapore and Hong Kong. Together with Omegas Petros Protopapas (Head of Brand Heritage) and former NASA engineer James H. Ragan, we travelled to these two great places to host the Speedy Tuesday events.I already briefly gave a summary on the trip itself in yesterdays Fratello on Air podcast (episode 2), but heres the photo report of the events itself. Let me start by saying that it was inspiring to be in Singapore and Hong Kong. Ive been to Singapore before when I was still in banking, and I was happy to be back. However, on the contrary to my previous visits, I had only a little time to explore the city. The Speedy Tuesday event itself was hel...
King Seiko versus Grand SeikoYou cant imagine this today, but back in the 1960s, Seiko made two of its manufactories?compete with?each other. These two plants were?Suwa Seikosha and?Daini Seikosha. The objective was simple, to design beautiful watches and create the most accurate movements. Suwa Seikosha introduced the very first Grand Seiko in 1960. Not much later, in 1961, Daini Seikosha came with the first King Seiko. The rivalry went on until the 1970s. This history is documented everywhere on the internet, yet official documentation is not really available on the subject (or only in Japanese language).Grand Seiko is pretty well known. After an absence of 24 years, not counting the quart...
How did the Easter Bunny treat you this weekend? No, don't tell me, keep it to yourself. And since you might not want to share too much with your colleagues either, here's a bit of coffee corner watch talk to kick off the week featuring G-Shock, a space-going Omega Speedmaster in yellow gold, a rare and complicated F.P. Journe creation, plus an upcoming exhibition at the Mus|e International dHorlogerie in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland.Some people mix and match like there's no tomorrow. And by that, I mean they combine watches and clothing without considering if the soul of the watch matches the spirit of the attire. But others do, and for those picky G-Shock-wearing mixers and matchers, the...
Throughout the haze of confusion that was Spring 2020, there were watch announcements aplenty. Yet many were buried by more pressing news items. The new Khaki Aviation Converter collection by Hamilton was unfortunately not given much exposure at the time of the unveiling. So, let us change that and provide this tactical Hamilton with a second chance. To its credit, Hamilton was precisely on time with its release schedule just like the Swiss railway network. But, as with any battle, the first casualty is the plan.Now we are on the road to recovery, we can provide some breathing space for this collection of practical tool watches with a cracking design. The Converter part of the name refers to...
Its Speedy Tuesday today and after the recent passing away of Neil Armstrong perhaps the most famous Speedy owner we thought we need to focus on a special Speedy. What would be better than to put a Speedmaster in the spotlight that has a moon and stars on the dial?Picture from Antiquorums Omegamania auction.One of our friends and avid readers of Fratellowatches sent us two pictures of his ref. 345.0809 Speedmaster Professional Moonphase. This particular model has been re-introduced in 1999 with some minor changes to the dial (and a modern bracelet). However, Speedy enthusiasts prefer the original model which has a somewhat cleaner dial and the famous reference 1450 bracelet.The movement in...
Welcome back to Wrist Game or Crying Shame, the weekly article that puts your hand eye coordination skills to the test. Yes, we ask you to click a button in order to tell us if youd wear our watch of the week or not. Today, we look at a white whale of sorts with the Grand Seiko SBGX115. But firstLast week, I asked you to look at a homely kinda old omega Submariner 14060. It wasnt overly special, but it was special enough in your eyes to conquer with an astounding 85% Wrist Game win. Id liken that 15% to the one person who didnt vote for Derek Jeter on their Hall of Fame ballot. Jeez, and I cant stand the Yankees Were going to keep on the diving theme today with a look at the very recent, but...
Since they began their association with Phillips auction house to reboot the watch department, the power couple, Aurel Bacs Livia Russo, have been rocking the watch auction scene. They have done that with exciting auctions and impressive results. Their two upcoming Geneva auctions in May, including their thematic stainless steel chronograph sale (entitled Start-Stop-Reset), are again impressive. The catalogs are simple and elegant yet bold and exciting. The adrenaline filled action in the room during their auctions is something that watch aficionados fly in to see live or watch via streaming video.There are a few smart moves to note for this team that has put them on top. It begins with the...