On January 16th of this year, Gene Cernan passed away. He was the Last Man on the Moon during the Apollo 17 mission in 1972. Before that, he flew on the Gemini 9A and Apollo 10 missions. This year, Omega introduced the 3rd Speedmaster Apollo XVII limited edition. In two flavors. In stainless steel (1972 pieces) and in gold (72 pieces). We have a closer look at the gold model.Omega Speedmaster Apollo XVII Reference 311.63.42.30.03.001In all honesty, the rendered images that I came across before the official launch did not make me very excited about this watch. But as always, you need to see a watch in the flesh before you can judge it (best). The Omega Speedmaster Apollo XVII 45th anniversary...
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At least for us in Europe, a spotting a Grand Seiko watch in the flesh is still as rare as spotting a Japanese supercar like the Nissan GT-R.Perhaps it mainly has to do with price, as the Nissan GT-R starts at 169.600 here in The Netherlands (cars are expensive here in general). Grand Seiko is winning turf though, as its popularity is ever increasing. Enough has been written about the quality of the watches, and thats never really a discussion anyway. It is the unknown, that plays a role for these watches (and cars).Anyway, in 2019 Grand Seiko celebrates the 20th anniversary of their Spring Drive technology and Nissan the 50th anniversary of their sportscar, the GT-R. For this anniversary, G...
When is a watch considered to be a classic? Next year, the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra will be celebrating its 20th birthday and it just made me wonder if thats old enough to be one. Anyway, today Omega is introducing to you the Aqua Terra Small Seconds in 38mm and 41mm.The Seamaster Aqua Terra is a watch that has been on my want list for many years, but I never came to actually pull the trigger. Once I was super close when I was shown a PGA edition (with green seconds hand) during a holiday in Italy with my family. But, I am bad at making decisions in a foreign country at a jeweler shop without having done my homework in advance. So I let it go and to this day I kinda regret it. Is the Seama...
Sure, the new Vacheron Constantin Historiques American 1921 watches mark the 100th anniversary of a watch nicknamed American 1921, so its time to welcome another version of VCs classic drivers watch to the paddock, this time in ice-cold platinum But will it be a success 100 years after it first saw the light of day??The very first wristwatch was reputedly invented in 1868 but it looked completely different from what we are used to now. I always felt we live in times in which our choices depend so much on the prevailing trends, but also on the standards and pressures others put on us. I really wish people would make more diverse choices in terms of fashion, but also watches. Undoubtedly, even...
This year Panerai surprised?us with 3 limited editions. That might sound a bit silly, and indeed it wasnt?th et Panerai presented limited editions, however, h ?w they will be offered which surprised us.2019 was chosen by Panerai to be the year of new Submersibles. Except for new 42 mm and 47 mm models in the more or less regular collection, new models in the BMG-Tech, Carbotech, and Chronograph lines were introduced as well. And, as expected, within these different model lines 3 special limited edition models are presented and offered in a very special package.Three Panerai Submersible 47 mm Special Editions gallery-1 {margin: auto;} gallery-1 .gallery-item {float: left;margin-top: 10px;text...
When Omega introduced the Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon back in 2013, I was destined to buy one. An amazing full ceramic piece with their in-house developed chronograph. What more could you wish for? That came only five years later, with the introduction of the Apollo 8.Well, a year later (2014), Omega introduced the Grey Side of the Moon, which made a choice more difficult even. An excellent platinum-like dial with an anthracite ceramic case color. We reviewed the Grey Side of the Moon here. Then, in 2015, Omega did something they better couldnt have done in my humble opinion, they released a few too many variations on the Dark Side of the Moon. There was the black black, the pitch blac...
When it comes to watches, there are two major characteristics that usually work as a filter and, ultimately, show-stoppers for me. First of all, I dont like barrel cases because I find them chubby and cumbersome. Secondly, I try to avoid chrome-plated cases. And yet, here we are. How did the barrel-shaped Oris Waterproof in a chromed case make it into my collection?I am over that period when I had a serious problem not bidding on anything I remotely liked. Im pickier now, and I dont suffer from FOMO every time I see a watch listing that I like. When I really like something, I give it a few more hours or days and come back to the listing later. If I forget the listing completely, I take it as...
About a year ago, I wrote about Mondanis book 100 years of omega, which is a must have if you are a (serious) omega passionate. Now, especially for the iPhone user, Mondani Editore created an iPhone app (Apple users like to use this shortcut for application) that contains 182MB of information about omega wristwatches. Since omega, and especially vintage omega, is booming this might be a well-aimed shot from the creators of this iPhone [killer] app.For a fraction of the price of the book (which is around 299 Euro), you will buy your own electronic copy of 100 years of omega, which contains over 500 high quality pictures, updated prices and enables you to search omega models on model, product...
Recently, I was able to review another Bell Ross, the BR01-96. Significantly bigger than the BR03-92?Heritage I had a while back for review, but still quite comfortable on the wrist. This BR01-96 comes very complete, with two straps and accessories to swap these straps yourself. How much I like it on pictures and other people, during the process of reviewing this watch, Ive learned that these square shaped Bell Ross instruments are not for me. However, I can surely appreciate the design and craftsmanship that Bell Ross has put into them.Go to Watchuseek or follow this link to read the Bell Ross BR01-096 Review Thanks to Watch-Site for the Bell Ross....
The 140th anniversary of Seiko's foundation has brought us many a limited edition in 2021. And the year is far from over. And it's not just Seiko that's throwing a party. The new celebratory limited edition Grand Seiko Quartz GMT SBGN023 also joins in. And the unlimited versions (SBGN019 and SBGN021) in the Sport Collection provide a sportier counterpoint to the chic black and gold LE.Grand Seiko found a new way to present its 9F quartz GMT caliber. It all started for Caliber 9F in 1993. Despite being almost 30 years old (where has the time gone?) the 9F series is still one of the finest movement series in its class. That's because of the movement's durable qualities and precision of ?10 to ...
A watch company that uses the same e-strategy as Dell computers and Amazon.com? 121TIME.com is the first Swiss Made quality watchmaking company that use this direct sales and customization model. Each watch can be personalized with an engraving of text or a logo in the case back of the watch. Before that, you have to make a choice which type (or as 121TIME put it: theme) of wrist watch you like to have, which kind of bezel, dial and hands you want your watch to have, which type of movement you want to have and of course, which type of bracelet. Either stainless steel, rubber, carbon or a number of leather options. However, you can also start from scratch and start by selecting a quartz, quar...
Since a year or two, a friend and I are running the a Passion for Watches group on LinkedIn. Over 3,000 watch enthusiasts joined and a relative high number of them participate in discussions. One of the more recent discussions is really worth mentioning here, as it started three months ago and still receives comments on a daily basis. The initial post was quite a simple question, Audemars Piguet or Hublot. Which one would you buy if this was the choice?. The votes are unanimously for Audemars Piguet.Although being a huge Audemars Piguet fan myself en would pick it any time over a Hublot, I will have to admit that I am a bit biased and never did much research in the current line-up of Big Ban...
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, were sticking with omega but going back to our original format. So what do you think, dear readers? How much do you rate or hate the omega Sea-Dweller Deepsea?Last week was a joy. A neck-and-neck contest that rolled all week. Over 1,500 of you voted (thank you, thank you, thank you), and you...
If you have 10K to spare on a luxury watch, what should you do? Well, after you count your money, count your blessings. After that, I would suggest you take your time and find out what watch or watches match your taste, pique your interest, and fit your lifestyle. A bit of soul-searching is advisable before taking the plunge. And so is setting boundaries. So, without further ado, here's my take on starting a watch collection with 10K. And I promise you, I will save you a couple of bucks.I assume you've been infected by the watch virus for quite some time and you just can't seem to shake it. Perhaps youve done your research and browsed countless watch websites, ranging from obscure blogs and ...
Navigating the world of luxury watches as a young and up-and-coming brand with products priced well below the radar of many luxury enthusiasts is tough. What makes things decidedly easier, though, is listening to the community that has propelled your small business to a position few could dream of reaching in such a short space of time. Forstner has done just that. The release of the new Forstner Flat Link with end-pieces specially tailored to fit the pre-2018 Omega Seamaster is a triumph of public relations. Ask and we shall deliver, cries the god of Forstner to the rapturous cheers of his followers!You all know I like Forstner. I have my favorites within the collection and the Flat Link is...
As the new year begins, so too does the machine that is the wonderful world of watches. I hope everyone had a good break over Xmas and New Year. We saw very little in terms of new releases and news over the break, but slowly life begins again, and we have a few bits and pieces to talk about today!Top of the list has to be the almighty Omega debuting the much-hyped and worst kept secret: the new Moonwatch. At Fratello, we are big on all things Speedy, so you can imagine how excited we were One of my favorite silhouettes from Zenith also received a facelift I like what the brand has been doing with the Chronomaster revivals of late Our good friends at Ace Jewellers Amsterdam are also back with...
The new Chronomat trims the case diameter from 44mm to 42mm and brings back the unique Rouleaux bracelet. Those are the headlines, but as I have found, this new chunk of steel is filled with hidden details.I was a little shocked when my Chronomat turned up at my door in the middle of May. I placed an order for the limited edition Frecce Tricolori a day after the launch in April but fully expected an email informing me that I had missed out on securing one of the, justifiably limited, 250 pieces. Not only was I allocated an FT, but it was also delivered in less than a month.My own Frecce TricoloriMy eagerness to lay eyes on my guilty acquisition may have overcome my motor skills. I ripped the...
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 dive into the world of King Seiko and Grand Seiko.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 priceless, some of them still affordable. But all of them are interesting watches. In this installment, we will take a look at the best Seiko watches from the 1960s.In the...
Oris Bronze Watch Carl Brashear Limited EditionTo be honest, Id never heard about Carl Brashear before and did not see the Men of Honor movie. I also doubt?if the story, to which I will come back later, would have impact on my decision whether to like this watch, or not. Or better yet, that it would have add value to the Oris bronze watch for me, personally. I doubt that basically. I like the watch from the moment I saw it in the flesh during a preview of Oris BaselWorld novelties in Zermatt.Without further ado, here is my Oris bronze watch review.Bronze Watches EverywhereBronze is trending.?Panerai set the trend with their Bronzo (Luminor Submersible Ref. PAM00382) back in 2011. I know tha...
During my early teens ? we're talking late 80's into the 90's ? I can recall walking by Mayor's jewelers in any one of the many South Florida malls and looking longingly at the omega's displayed behind thick security glass. I've mentioned before that South Florida is omega land and it's for all the right and wrong reasons. What was the reason for the popularity? Call it a mix of Oceanside utility blended with seedy braggadocio and that pretty much comes to the point of why the Submariner is so ubiquitous in this region. Of course, omega makes a carnet of other watches and it's one of the non-sports models that enters the focus of today's TBT article. This watch, when I looked through those ...