In this weekly Pre-Owned Picks series, a Fratello editor will select some watches from the pre-owned market and explain why it is an exciting offer (or watch). This week, we have two watches from omega (both with a touch of gold), an Omega Speedmaster, a Breitling Aerospace, and a Sinn 142.If youve been a reader of Fratello for a while now, you are probably aware that (especially) Michael Stockton and I have been going into the gold watches direction for a while now. I have some gold Omegas, including two Speedmasters and several Constellations, either in gold or bi-color. It is a material I fought against for a long time, as I felt it isnt me, or perhaps because I felt too young to be weari...
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Chronoswiss although its name suggests otherwise was founded in Germany by Gerd R. Lang in 1983. In 2012, Gerd R. Lang sold his shares to the Ebstein family in Switzerland. Although I own a Chronoswiss myself (click here for the review on the Chronoswiss Regulateur I did in 2002), I lost a bit track of the brand over the last few years. During our meeting with Chronoswiss in BaselWorld 2013 I was happily surprised to see that they still produce the wonderful tuna-can shaped cases with ribbed details and large onion shaped crown. In fact, in 2013 Chronoswiss introduced their 30th anniversary edition of their R gulateur watch in both gold and stainless steel. Coincidentally, it is the 25th a...
Although its one of the more straightforward horological complications, the alarm function is still rare among modern timepieces. Then again, most watch complications are obsolete these days. We can use our phones instead of a chronograph, a moon-phase, triple date, and, of course, timekeeper. But watchmaking is not always about practicality. Sometimes its about style and tradition. And what could be more stylish than a mechanical alarm? Specifically, a Master Control Memovox by Jaeger-LeCoultreThe Vall e de Joux, where JLC resides, represents the unspoiled and peaceful nature, Switzerland is famous for. It was here, where during the long winter months, watchmakers of the valley developed an...
It couldn't be any better. I like everything about the Oris Star. The shape, dial, bezel, wearability, and functionality. The only detail some modern critical eyes might object to would be the 36mm diameter. On the other hand, the watch is perfectly balanced thanks to the original bracelet, fitted with an Oris signed clasp.? I kept my eye on it for a few years. I wasn't actively hunting it, but I stopped and stared anytime one crossed my path. It was the 1,000 plus price tag that always chased me away. When I accidentally bumped into one Oris Star for half the price, I?didn't hesitate and bought it right away. And I?am telling you that even after a?year I?am still surprised at how well balan...
When talking about watch collecting, its important to remember why were in this hobby: to have fun. At least that should be why. Yes, lets admit, it can be easy to get into heated debates over which brand has the finest movement finishing, the slickest adjustable clasp, or even, *gasp*, the highest resale value. But when its all said and done, its always best to view our personal watches as things that bring us joy. After all, theres something to be said for the guy who rounds off his box of Pateks and Langes with a G rald Genta Mickey Mouse Retro Fantasy just because it makes him smile.To me, the new TAG Heuer Connected a Super Mario Limited Edition has the potential to be that one really f...
Omega?Speedmaster Pro 145.022This weeks Speedmaster is something that came out of a dusty cabin in Finland. Aki from Finland received this Omega Speedmaster Professional reference 145.022 from his dad, after it had been collecting dust for years. Although the papers and original invoice have been lost, the watch still has the original red box from 1982.Speedmaster Pro 145.022The Omega Speedmaster Professional 145.022 was introduced in 1968, the first watch to have the Lemania based caliber 861 movement. In comparison to the previous Speedmaster Pro 145.012 model, the most obvious changes are the dial, chronograph second hand and bracelet. Under the hood, Omega stopped using the column wheel ...
As most of you probably are member of LinkedIn, please join the Passion for Watches-group If you are not a member of LinkedIn, consider signing up.. its a great (free of charge) platform to stay in touch with business partners, former colleagues, to search for people (either recruitment or subject experts) and for business opportunities.Anyway, lets get together in the Passion for Watches-group and see what other watch enthusiasts are doing. Perhaps you have more in common than your passion for watches!Click the LinkedIn logo above or the URL below to join the Passion For Watches-group!https://www.linkedin.com/e/gis/56533/4DEF84174391...
Here is a short review of my Ingenieur ref.3227 after exactly 3 months of ownership.I dont think its necessary to give background information on this watch, as I have done this in the past (here and here) and you can read all about the vintage Ingenieurs (including the 1976s SL) on this page by Larry Seiden, Marco Schoenenberger and David ter Molen.Although this purchase might seemed as an impulse three months ago, I always had a weak spot for the IWC Ingenieur. The packaging and the manuals that come with this watch are very nice. The black box with its leather interior keeps the watch in place perfectly. However, who is going to use it anyway once you put the watch around your wrist? The w...
We reported about the Oris Movember Edition 2018 before, but our focus was mainly on the good cause it supports, not the watch. I assume you also want to know about the watch, not only the cause it supports. So we requested a Big Crown Pointer Date Movement Edition 2018 for a review, and here it is.Oris Movember Edition 2018This watch goes by the name of Movember Edition 2018, but in fact, I am looking at a Big Crown Pointer Date model with some tweaks. As I wrote in the past, compared to the standard Big Crown Pointer Date in 40mm, this Movember Edition has rose gold coloured hands (4N) and a matching gilt minute track on the dial. The writing is also in this gold colour where-as the Arabic...
I read about this brand before, also on WristWatchReview.com, but the last Dutch copy of Miljonair Magazine (and I am not the target audience probably -)) did a small essay on bling watches. Ritmo Mundo and ofcourse the terrible creations for hiphopping USA, Jacob Co were both heavily mentioned in the article as being awfully hip and populair amongst Paris Hilton, Brad Pitt, Matt Damon, 50 cents and a lot of his iced homies.To quote probably the same target audience, these watches are like school on sunday no class!...
Browsing the forums at WatchUseek, I decided to click the Seiko/Citizen/Orient forum for a change. I noticed all these posts with subjects which look like total jibberish to me. Weird feeling, because I was under the impression that after almost 10 years of this watch crazyness, I could identify most watch descriptions. Anyway, a good way to start was to click a thread called Pics of your current Seiko collection where WuS??visitors are being asked to participate by showing their Japanese watch collection. Pictured below is the Seiko Gyro Marvel watch with automatic movement cal.290 dated ca 1959. Owner Robert has a bunch of Seikos in his collection and shows them with pride!By the way, I do...
In 2021, Omega updated the iconic Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch with the caliber 3861 movement. A very good reason to update our Speedmaster Buyers Guide as well!This guide dates all the way back to 2014, and since then, a lot happened. Not only did we have our own way with Omega and the two Speedmaster Speedy Tuesday watches (in 2017 and 2018), Omega also introduced a number of interesting Speedmaster watches to the collection. What about the Speedmaster Calibre 321 from 2020, or the new Moonwatch Master Chronometer models in gold? Time for us to update this Speedmaster Buyers Guide.In this Speedmaster Buyers Guide, we give you an overview of the most important references of the Speedm...
Our recent article about one of our readers and his Speedmaster Mark II inspired some others to share their stories with us. This week, we feature stories from Stuart Lees and Mark Talbot about their Speedmaster Professional watches.Both stories have one thing in common: it took quite a while before both authors finally purchased the Omega Speedmaster. But it was due to very different reasons, I must add. Stuart bought a number of other Omega watches first, as he didnt find the Speedmaster an appealing watch in the beginning. He even found it a bit of a boring watch. But when he saw one isolated from any other watch, it enabled him to admire it without any distraction. He then pulled the tri...
I remember that in the 1990s, parents of my friends and even some of their grand parents at that time, were wearing Rado watches. The shiny black ceramic timepieces that looked stylish a bit BO style and were impossible to get scratched. Most of them were quartz watches though, so I quickly lost interest in them as I merely saw them more or less as a lifestyle or design product.Now to be honest, Rado has not been on our radar for a while, except during BaselWorld 2013 when we took the orange Rado HyperChrome Court Collection watch for our Last Queens Day article. This Rado HyperChrome Court Collection combines the typical Rado style of ceramic cases (and bracelets) and mechanical movements...
The vote is drawing to a close With just two remaining, the Czapek Antarctique Terre Ad lie is holding a decent (and ratified)) lead over the A. Lange Sohne Datograph Lumen. This is not a result anyone saw coming. This was not what we expected when we started out on this road, way back on March 1st. It looks like were about to crown a worthy but highly surprising winner to the March Mania experience, but there is still time for it all to changeThe vote will close at 3:30 pm on April 7th. Thats two days from now. It also happens to be the same day Watches and Wonders begins, so make sure you tune back in to see the abundance of novelties we have in store for you then.At the time of writing t...
In the words of the almighty Chuck D of Public Enemy, Dont believe the hype, its a sequel. As an equal, can I get this through to you. The words are just as powerful in the context of todays world of watches. I am well aware that debunking hype is actually preaching to the choir here at Fratello. But we sometimes have to deal with the effects of hype, even in the world of vintage watches. Luckily, there are still so many great watches with equally amazing stories that are not affected by their show-off factor and social media craze. During my 12-month journey writing Fratellos Buying Guides, I found that sometimes its hard to deny hype. As the series draws to a close, Id love to share some t...
Hey there team, it's time for a little bit of Wrist Game or Crying Shame. This week, we travel back to the days before 007 donned an Omega. Appropriately enough, this week's watch is the Omega Seamaster Pre Bond Automatic. Whether or not this one leaves you either shaken or stirred remains to be seen. But first?-Last week, I took you on a trip down memory lane to El Paso, Texas with a story on the Panerai Luminor Marina PVD Destro. This limited-edition model from 2008 wasn't minty fresh, but that didn't stop it from bringing home a refreshing 59% Wrist Game win. I'm starting to get the feeling that Panerai is making a comebackC and I like it Today's Omega Seamaster Pre Bond Automatic tones i...
Sometimes, when I forget about my monthly paycheck, I think about very exclusive watches. When these thoughts are in my head for too long, I sometimes even visit The PuristS website.The indepth articles and reviews on this site are great and make you want to forget about your monthly paycheck for a long long time (at least I do) This article for example, about Daniel Roths 8-day tourbillon, is a very nice read!...
Inspired by a posting in one of Facebooks many wrist watch related groups, this week Ill wear an Alain Silberstein Krono Bauhaus 2.Alain Silberstein Forerunner of avant garde watch makingIn the nineties of the last century, Alain Silberstein (1950, Paris) was THE forerunner of avant garde' watch making. And he still is an influential watchmaker in terms of original designs. Many of todays unconventional watch designers, like for instance Max B1sser, love the inspiration?by Alain Silberstein. MBF even presented collaborations with him, the first one being the LM1 Silberstein in 2009.Primary colours and geometric shapesSilbersteins watches can easily be determined by the use of three bright p...
It's not often that we talk about a platinum watch here on Fratello. One of the last reviews I did on a platinum watch was on the Vacheron Constantin Historiques Americain 1921. That was an impressive and hefty watch. This time, it gets even heavier, as the platinum Day-Date 40 reference 228236 comes on the President bracelet.If you're a Fratello regular, you might know that I have a weak spot for omega's flagship. Despite the current situation regarding the availability of watches from this Genevan brand, omega remains a brand that speaks to one's imagination. Just as importantly, omega is a brand that manufactures incredibly good watches from a quality standpoint.omega Day-Date in Platinum...