Buzz Aldrins Speedmaster!Once in a while we have guest contributors for the Speedy Tuesday topic. Todays it is Boris of the Watches and Art blog and contributor to WatchTime.net. Just recently, he also contributed to Speedy Tuesday with his wonderful Omega Speedmaster ref. 2998-61. Today, Boris contributes with a story on his Omega Speedmaster Professional 145.012, supposedly the same reference that Buzz Aldrin had in space. Although it has never been confirmed and weve seen other references for Adrins watch as well.Note In the meanwhile we know that Aldrin and Armstrong wore 105.012 references and Collins wore a 145.012 during the Apollo 11 mission. This has been confirmed to us by Omega.O...
Blog
Wrist Game or Crying Shame is here with a look at the TAG Heuer Carrera Telemeter. Its a watch that gave us a window into at least part of the brands future. Will you fall for its trailblazing ways? Before we get to thatLast week, I shared the IWC Fliegerchronograph IW3706 with you and all I can say is, WOW You fine folks brought this one onto the runway with an 83% Wrist Game landing. I know these were popular, but this blew me away. Do we have a future collectible on our hands? Perhaps, but thats a discussion for a different time. This week, after only a week off, we go right back to talking about the Carrera. However, this TAG Heuer Carrera Telemeter is a newer watch that is somewhat sign...
Yeehaa The 13th episode of Fratello on Air, talking about some of the 60th anniversary Grand Seiko releases.The main topic of this podcast is a preview on some of Grand Seikos novelties for 2020. It is a BIG year for them, due to the 60th anniversary of Grand Seiko. Corona or Covid-19 ruined it a little bit, as Grand Seiko was about to host their first Grand Seiko Summit in Japan, but decided to introduce their new watches nevertheless. Mainly digital, but we see that some of the new releases are traveling around the world to be introduced to journalists and collectors. Since this week, we have a few of them (see our Instagram feed), but that was after we recorded this podcast.After the mand...
Welcome, one and all, to the first round proper of March Mania 2021, here on Fratello. Are you a watch maniac like we are? If so, youre sure to love our month-long feature. 96 watches reviewed last year line up for a battle royale (super-size Coke, please) like nothing thats gone before. We need your votes. We want your comments. Help us decide the champion and share in its glory Let the games commenceIn this first round proper, your task is a bit different from your task in the preliminaries. Below you will find the eight remaining timepieces of each of our Fratello competitors in four head-to-head contests of two timepieces. The seedings in the preliminaries dictate the match-ups. So its n...
The Grand Seiko Hi-Beat SLGH002 watch is the latest in a long line of rootin tootin anniversary release from the hyperactive Japanese brand.And I love it. In fact, I take that back. I?adore it. And when you see the hands-on pictures we took of this baby when it passed through our headquarters in the Hague, I am sure you will too. But dont be distracted by the movement. The watch we received to photograph was a pre-production non-working sample. The movement that will feature in this watch is a princely caliber, but, for now, we had to make do with a sweet sticker on the inside of the sapphire display window. I thought that was worth mentioning right off the bat, on the off chance anyone assu...
If I didnt already have one, I would seriously consider this IWC Ingenieur 3227-01 that is for sale over at Horloge Platform Nederland. This discontinued model was only in production for a short time, 2005 2008. IWC introduced this new Ingenieur model in 2005, to be a worthy successor of the original IWC Ingenieur SL model as designed by Gerald Genta in 1976/1977. Last year, I wrote an article on Gentas classics and their current versions here on Fratellowatches (click here to read the article) and although I concluded that this revised Ingenieur is only influenced by its original design (unlike the almost unchanged Patek Philippe Nautilus or Audemars Piguet Royal Oak), it is still an impre...
Xetum is a relative new brand that should be followed closely by fans of modern design watches.? Xetum uses proven watch manufacturing techniques combined with a fresh design of cases and dials. Ive met Jeff Kuo CEO and founder of Xetum in 2009 and he showed me some prototypes of his watches. I was really impressed by his work and am very glad to see that his watches made it to production shortly after.Xetum deserves attention, not in the last place because of their eco-friendly production methods and initiatives. Italian cork lining in Xetums watch straps, a rubber wood watch box and a protective outer carton box made of ecological fibers, to name a few. Inside their well designed watches...
Much time has passed since the last Fratello event, for reasons known to all of us. So, we are extremely happy to announce that we will be having our first event on October 1st after an extensive hiatus. We feel very proud that it will be in partnership with an incredible watch brand: Grand Seiko. To top things off, the event will take place in a very special location la ville de lamour Paris!Together with Grand Seiko Europe, we have organized an event for 15 of our readers in the beautiful Grand Seiko boutique on the Place Vend?me in Paris. The event will start at 11:00 AM when we will welcome you to the Grand Seikos Paris location together with Fr d ric Bondoux, President of Grand Seiko Eu...
Allow us to proudly introduce the Fratello-designed collaboration watch. This time, weve teamed-up with Oris to bring you the Fratello a Oris Big Crown Bronze Pointer Date with oxblood red dial. With a festive palette and a heartwarming story behind its creation, it is the perfect watch with which to kick off the holiday season.RJ and his Fratello a Oris Big Crown Bronze Pointer DateFratello a Oris Big Crown Bronze Pointer DateRobert-Jan: It is with great pride that we are introducing the Fratello a Oris Big Crown Bronze Pointer Date. This adventure to create a watch together with Oris has been a great experience from start till end. Michael Stocktons idea of creating a bronze watch with a r...
Magus Bosse, regular on TimeZone and owner of the Ornatus Mundi site, posted an essay on Minerva watches on TimeZone. And not to forget, Magnus Bosse is moderating the official Blancpain forum.The first collection (called 1858) of Minerva after their change of management is showed on the TimeZone Minerva Forum.Below, youll see the Minerva Coll. 1858 Cal. 48 White Gold case/grey dial. By clicking here you will find the complete essay by Magnus.Picture by Magnus Bosse....
Here at Fratello, we love to write about our favorite watches. We are big fans of the chronograph, with many articles dedicated to this seemingly humble complication. In fact, right now, we are running another one of our super-popular competitions, The Fast And The Fratelli. This competition is dedicated to determining the best racing chronograph of the last ten years.Now, this article is not dedicated to chronographs per se, but rather, something that the majority of chronographs have. Thats it sub-dials How could you write a whole article about sub-dials? I hear you cry. Quite easily With sub-dials forming such an essential part of so many watches, I wanted to look at some of my favorites....
Where a number of brands have huge difficulties delivering their novelties before (or in the) summer, IWC announces a special summer edition of their Portugieser Yacht Club Chronograph. For this occasion, the IWC Portugieser Yacht Club reference?IW390507 has been fitted with a stunning sun burst blue dial with white subdials as well as a beautiful?blue rubber strap.IWC Portugieser Yacht ClubAs always, the IWC Yacht Club comes with their in-house calibre?89361 movement. This chronograph movement has a flyback function and the chronograph hour and minute subdials are located at 12 oclock. The running seconds can also be found at 6 oclock. The large red chronograph second hand gives a nice cont...
On the 11th, 12th and 13th of July 2008, the vintage sports car event Le Mans Classic is to be held. Richard Mille is the main sponsor of the event and is also the official time keeper.Especially for the Le Mans Classic 2008 event, RM created a Flyback Chronograph as pictured below. This is the RM 011 Flyback Chronograph watch, that should breathe the same atmosphere and style as the event itself. The green and white checkered logo at 12 oclock marks this watch as being a special Le Mans Classic watch!The RM 011 features a skeletonized automatic, winding movement with adjustable rotor geometry with flyback chronograph in hours, minutes and seconds, 60-minute countdown timer, 12 hour totalize...
There is something distinctive about the leather straps of yore. Something which we do not see in todays modern offerings. Although the quality of modern leather straps is undeniable, sometimes a watch calls for a period-correct counterpart with the signature features of the era. Strap thickness, taper, rounded ends, box-stitching, and hot-pressed lines on the keepers. Matteo Torre spent many years studying vintage watch ads and catalogs from the 1930s, 1940s, and 1950s. Thanks to this deep dive, Matteo Torre developed his own style that is based on precise reproductions of the era. It may sound unoriginal, but the results confirm quite the opposite. In today's oversaturated market, Torre St...
Mike from Switzerland asked us if we could advise him on where he should have his vintage, 1981, omega Rootbeer GMT Master 16753 serviced. At omega or one of their official service centers, or would a local watchmaker be a better idea?Where should I have my omega GMT Master 16753 serviced?From: MikeSubject: You asked usHello,I would like to contribute a question to You asked us. I recently purchased a 1981 omega GMT Root Beer reference 16753.The watch tells time but needs service as the crown is not secure. My question?is regarding the hands and dial. I dont believe they need to be replaced and Im afraid if I send the watch to omega for service, that is exactly what theyll do. What are your ...
This Sea-Dweller ref.1665 wasnt owned by Steve McQueen and neither did James Bond wear it during one of his missions. According to the seller of this 180,000 USD Sea-Dweller from 1967,???? it is:The first version of the Double Red Sea Dweller was produced in 1967. It is said that approximately 50 to 100 early versions were sent to dealers for promotional use. The existence of the Double Red Sea Dweller starts with the helium valve, it had been developed and the patent had been applied, but omega had not yet received final approval. Therefore, these watches were engraved on the case back with the words Patent Pending.This watch comes without box and papers, which makes me wonder what the pric...
We like to talk about vintage watches a lot within the Fratello team. While the daily routine is largely focused on the most recent developments in the world of watches, the most fun for many of us lies in the world of vintage watches. It's a world full of history, remarkable watches, incredible stories, and quirky details. This week we will be looking at some of the best Breitling watches from the 1960s.In the 1960s, we witnessed developments that challenged the status quo of watch design forever. While the 1950s introduced the sports watches next to the dressier timepieces people were used to, the 1960s took that trope to the extreme. The sheer amount of watches that pushed the visual boun...
One of my favourite places to go during Baselworld is Oris. The laid-back atmosphere whilst being in the midst of chaos is impressive in their booth and, just as important, they keep introducing interesting and attractively priced watches like this Oris Aquis GMT Date.Just before I left for Baselworld, one of my friends ordered an Oris Aquis Date. Not per definition a watch guy (yet), but someone who likes to buy a good watch once in a while. I can see him slowly growing into becoming a watch collector, or at least as an enthusiast. The Oris Aquis is a great example of a watch that suits the needs of most people who are looking to buy that one good watch. An automatic movement, great water...
German Krimis (detective series) on the television always drew ( draw) my attention. I cant exactly explain why, but it probably has something to do that I grew up near the German border so the surroundings/environment is very recognizable. Germany always had an advance on Dutch (not to confuse with Deutsch) television, they (probably) have more money to produce decent and professional TV series. A few weeks back I bought this DVD set of Derrick (Aus der Reihe) tv-series. Derrick was aired during 1974 1998 and was quite populair in The Netherlands. The two biggest roles were those of Stephan Derrick and Harry Klein, both detectives in Muenchen (Munich). Probably due to nostalgic reasons I b...
Were back with a look at two Grand Seiko watches. One happens to be brand new, but its already gaining loads of attention. Does the new Grand Seiko White Birch have what it takes to dethrone the Snowflake in a battle of textured white dials?Over the last ten years, Grand Seiko has transformed itself from an eccentric JDM media darling into a legitimate global player. For certain, the brand no longer requires the ooh-ing and aah-ing of journalists and collectors to sell itself to the greater public. With a mix of models that draw upon past designs intermixed with a number of modern pieces, Grand Seiko has a lot to offer. Still, out of the entire lineup, theres one watch that fans love most. T...