Jaeger-LeCoultre had a strong game this year during the SIHH in my opinion. It is actually one of the Richemont brands that didnt seem to be searching for its own?identity, but did what it does best: design great watches using their heritage and impressive collection of in-house movements. The Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Chronograph is my favorite from their new collection. In this article, I will show you why.Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Chronograph ?Using HeritageMy first appointment at the SIHH this year was a coffee with the Dutch representative of Jaeger-LeCoultre. I had an interview planned with Stephane Belmonte later that day, and I thought it would be wise to already have a quick look at the...
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What to do if you like the omega Submariner and GMT-Master models but you wouldnt want to be caught dead with a omega? You look for alternatives ofcourse Besides the usual alternatives like the Omega Seamaster Professional or even the cheaper MarcelloC rip-offs, what about spending some extra bucks (or whatever currency you have) and buy something more exclusive?As an alternative to the Submariner or Sea-Dweller diving watch, take a look at this Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Besides their rather classic looking watches, Blancpain also features this sporty diver in their collection. This large (45mm) watch is waterresistant to depths of 300 meters, features an inhouse mechanical self-winding moveme...
When On Her Majestys Secret Service was first released in 1969, people were not sure whether this was a step in the right direction for the Bond franchise. Fifty years later, the film is still good for a heated discussion, but the film has cemented its place in the history of the Bond saga. So it seems only right that Omega celebrates the 50th anniversary of the movie with the release of the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M 50th Anniversary Of On Her Majestys Secret Service.When discussing the classic James Bond film, to me, its all about the movie that features Sean Connery, Roger Moore, and George Lazenby. Although many people have their doubts about Lazenbys portrayal of Bond, his one-time perf...
Funny, when I unboxed this new Oris Aquis Calibre 400 for this review, I couldnt stop looking at the dial. I know it should be all about the in-house caliber 400, but Ill tell you that it took a few minutes before taking the watch off again to have a glance at the new Oris movement.The dial (and watch) look quite similar to their Aquis Ocean Cleanup limited edition. That watch was a bit smaller, and there are some aesthetic differences, but it just reminded me of that one. If youre a watch fanatic, you havent missed the introduction of the new Oris movement: Calibre 400. It is interesting that Oris decided to introduce the movement first, and a few weeks later introduce the first watch to be...
In February of this year, Grand Seiko announced four new GMT watches as new additions to their Elegance collection. Two of the four models are the Spring Drive powered SBGE269 and SBGE 271. The other two are the mechanical Hi-Beat SBGJ249 and SBGJ251. Together these four models form the special Seasons series of watches. This series focuses on the changing of seasons that inspired the dials for these watches. I had a chance to go hands-on with the mechanically powered SBGJ249 and SBGJ251. With the world opening up again, could these be your next travel companion?When it comes to GMT watches, there is no better brand than Grand Seiko. The brand offers a variety of different models that featur...
While browsing the ViaPaneristi forum, I came across a post by AdrianNJ. He shows off his neat collection, and one of the watches really stands out. this D.Dornbluth Sohn! Good Taste!Picture by AdrianNJ...
If youve been paying attention since 2017, you might have noticed that Omega has been up to something. Every first (Speedy) Tuesday of the year, the brand has released either a new Speedmaster or something Speedmaster-related, like the caliber 321 re-introduction in 2019. This year, the 65th anniversary of the legendary chronograph brings us the Omega Speedmaster Calibre 321 in Canopus Gold, reference 311.50.39.30.01.001.I am very proud and honored to be able to go hands-on with this new Speedmaster Calibre 321. Its an incredible reproduction of the first Speedmaster CK2915, but in Omega's own white gold alloy, Canopus Gold. As the name suggests, it features the beloved 321 chronograph movem...
Welcome back to our Watch On Your Wrist? Instagram extravaganza Tag your watch snaps with fratellowatches to be in with a chance to win!Every week, we select four images. You can vote in the article for your favorite image. The winner moves on to the semi-final round (held every fifth week between the previous four weekly winners). Win that and youre into the final, which will be held at the end of the year. There will be five finalists in 2020 and ten from next year on.Basically, if you like winning things and there will be a prize for the champion of 2020 this year represents your best shot. So get snapping, get tagging, and get sharing. And dont forget to vote for yourself ObviouslyView ...
Since 3 years, Hamilton is the main sponsor of the Volkel Air Show in The Netherlands. This Air Show will take place on the 25th of May 2014, but Fratellowatches was invited to come to the press event that was held on the 7th of May.Hamiltons ambassador and pilot Nicolas The Quick Corsican Ivanoff (who currently races in the Red Bull Air Race World Series) was present to treat us with some impressive flying skills in his plane. Ivanoff will also be the first pilot to open the Air Show on the 25th of May.The association with aviation goes back a long way, to 1919. That was the year when a Hamilton watch ensured that the very first US airmail postal service flight was operated in a timely mann...
It's no secret we love a chronograph or two here at Fratello. There's the obvious Moonwatch, but Navitimers and Daytonas get some attention too. But there are plenty of cool chronographs outside of the trifecta of iconic two pusher timers. Today's Pre-Owned Picks selects chronographs worth a punt on the largest online watch marketplace. All watches are offered with original box and papers.All these watches were selected carefully by me without any influence from Chrono24. I chose the topic and found suitable wristwatches that related to the topic. I only request the high-resolution photos from Chrono24 without the watermark. As these are only my suggestions, it is worth always carrying out y...
If youve ever been to NASAs Kennedy Space Center recently, watched the Apollo 13 movie or.. even better.. witnessed it yourself, you know that the NASA astronauts used to have a strong preference for Chevrolet Corvette sports cars.The picture above shows the Apollo 12 crew with their beloved Chevrolet Corvettes. Astronauts Charles Pete' Conrad Jr., Richard Francis Gordon Jr. and Alan LaVern Bean with their 1969 Corvette Stingray coupes. Wired magazine did a nice article on NASA astronauts and their Corvettes last year, from which the picture above was taken (click here).In the book Last man on the Moon by astronaut Gene Cernan, he also refers to the Corvettes several times, being the choice ...
First things first. This Panerai Luminor Tourbillon GMT PAM00768 is not a new watch. The Lo Scienzato (the scientist) collection has existed since 2010. It pays tribute to the Tuscan genius Galileo Galilei.In 2019, Panerai introduced this Luminor Tourbillon GMT PAM00768. It is a bold watch, with its 47mm case diameter and skeletonized dial and tourbillon complication. Most of the time, I am not particularly interested in reviewing watches that are priced out of the ballpark. I like to review what is on my own horizon or radar, and what I can feasibly afford. A 145,000, watch is definitely not within my budget for watches. But, sometimes, when a watch is very special or has a certain complica...
In 2013, Oris released the Aquis Depth Gauge spawning a new collection of modern dive watches. This deep diver had a unique mechanical depth gauge highlighting Oris ambition to create practical applications rather than superfluous complications. Without further ado, lets dive into my first 52Mondayz column below.Oris Aquis CollectionThe Aquis was made a bonafide collection when the core design cues of the Depth Gauge were later separated into time-only, chronograph and many special edition watches. A subtle facelift in 2017 introduced even more angular design cues cementing the Aquis as Oris best selling model across all regions. The Aquis had always escaped me though. At the time, my intere...
Although most IWCs are not my cup of tea, I make exceptions for the Portugieser and the Ingenieur as pictured below. This photo was taken by a TimeZoner by the name of Lauranceyap at the IWC Forum.Actually, this IWC is the only IWC I can see myself wearing in the future. I guess my weakness for integrated bracelets plays part It is 42mm in diameter and has the inhouse IWC caliber 80110. Pricing seems to be on par with other brands that use inhouse movements or movements of similar quality. In the Sales Corner over at TimeZone and on Chrono24.com?you can find pre-owned 2006 models for around 4000 Euro....
One of my favorite aspects of being a part of the Fratello team is getting to grips with watches that I may not otherwise get the chance to see up close. As we all know, the best way to get to know a watch is to see it and feel it in hand, tracing the cases curves and seeing how it interacts with the light. Theres just no substitute, in my opinion. Photographs can only show so much of a watchs character. Take the Chronoswiss Open Gear ReSec Jungle, for example-Having seen photographs of the watch, I had long adored the wonderfully mesmerizing and flowing colors of the dial as the light caught the intricate grooves of the guilloch pattern. I had this niggling feeling that despite how good th...
Thats right, were back at it again And gosh, how we missed it. Brand events where our readers can meet, mingle and learn are finally possible once more. Our first post-pandemic event took place at the Vendome Grand Seiko Boutique in Paris. Fr|d|ric Bondoux (CEO Grand Seiko Europe) and his team treated us on an unforgettable, information-packed day....
The Octo Finissimo, Royal Oak, and Nautilus have made it onto my list of five of the best steel sports watches of all time. Would they make it onto yours?If you've experienced any measure of success in life, you're bound to have considered owning a luxury sports watch as a means of commemorating those achievements. Reaching such a milestone in the first place, however, takes considerable perseverance, determination, and, of course, a fraction of knowledge about the luxury watch industry itself. Which steel sports watch appeals to you the most?How much should the heritage of a brand influence the direction your heart wants to follow when choosing one? The answer to those questions may be infl...
In this Sunday morning column, 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 don't forget to let us know which watches you'd like to see torn to shreds/effusively exalted next week. We'll try and feature as many of our readers' choices as we can. This week, weve got something special for you. Its finally happening RJ and Rob go head-to-head on a divisive Speedy. The Omega Speedmaster X-33.Last weeks omega Air-King battle between RJ and Jorg was a real humdinger. Normally, I have a pretty good idea of which way a vote is going to swing. But th...
Between the introduction of a new watch and the actual delivery to the market can be quite some time. Weeks, months and sometimes even over a year. It is one of the biggest frustrations of watch consumers.In some cases, it is understandable that it might take a little longer, when specific materials are used or when a watch is completely hand-built and hand-finished. The Panerai Submersible BMG-Tech PAM00692 I have here today is a watch that belongs to the first category. It uses BMG technology, a new light-weight metal that consists of different alloys. After this watch was introduced in 2017, it took a while before it hit the market. We recently received the Panerai Submersible BMG-Tech PA...
During BaselWorld, Bert Buijsrogge and I had the opportunity to have some alone time with the platinum Grand Seiko?SGBD201 which I called the high-end watch that impressed me most in Basel. Simply a stunning 43mm watch made of platinum with this amazing sparkling dial. The inner works were just as impressive, with Grand Seikos Caliber 9R01 movement. An 8-days movement with a power reserve indicator on the back.When I was visiting Japan in September, with some of our readers, I stumbled upon the rose gold version of this exact Grand Seiko master piece. I couldnt recall that Id seen it before, so I asked Seiko Netherlands to assist me with this and they dug up the initial press information. Ne...