One of the well-intentioned tips I received as a beginner watch collector was that quartz watches do not have a soul. A brand like Blancpain actively advertising that it never made a quartz watch and never will do so fueled the sentiment that quartz watches were not interesting for the real watch collector.When I looked at a omega Oysterquartz for the first time, it left me a bit puzzled. The shape was right up my alley, but I couldn't grasp why omega decided to use a quartz movement inside such an expensive watch. Though there wasn't much on the internet in those days, after some research, I found some images of the movement used in the Oysterquartz Day-Date, omega caliber 5055. The quartz ...
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Meet the new Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch, with a new movement. The new Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch has the caliber 3861 Master Chronometer movement, a new case, dial, and case back. In this article, you read everything theres to know about the new Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch.I am super excited, as today is a very special (Speedy) Tuesday, as Omega announces its successor to the Speedmaster Moonwatch that has been in the collection since 1996. Bringing an update to an all-time classic needs to be done with care, and thats exactly what Omega did. They took their time and updated the bits and pieces that everyone felt needed an update (the bracelet comes to mind). Besides that, Omega included a...
It may seem a little early to talk about news' of Baselworld 2020. But news has been breaking from the organiser and from major brands lately, and we don't want you to miss out.A while ago, Fratello has been informed by Grand Seiko and Seiko that the brands have cancelled their presence at Baselworld 2020. Instead, they will be staging their own GS Summit in Tokyo in early March.After exhibiting for 30 years, Seiko has cited the dates of the 2020 event as the official' reason for its departure. Scheduled for 30th April C 5th May, the fair is too late for the manufacturer because it conflicts with the Golden Week (a major holiday in Japan).Following suit, Casio, maker of G-Shock, has also an...
In May, we asked you to participate in a small contest on Instagram. We asked you to share your Speedmaster story. Why is it special to you? Why did you purchase it? And has it witnessed any memorable moments on the wrist.The rules were that it shouldnt be longer than 100 words (very challenging). Well, it took some time, and a little bit of work behind the scenes, but were finally ready to announce the winners of this little SpeedyTuesday contest.13 WinnersEveryone who participated is a winner of course, but we selected 13 IG stories to publish on the dedicated Speedy Tuesday website. You can find them here.We loved that astronaut Terry Virts also participated on Instagram with his story o...
Weve covered the new new Longines Spirit collection ad nauseum since its recent release, but were not quite done with it yet. I have been keen to get my hands on one of the three handers since they hit the market. Finally, I got my chance with the Longines Spirit L3.811.4.93.6.For those wondering what that reference number stands for, it equates to a blue dial and a metal bracelet. In my opinion, this is the most handsome iteration of the new collection, but my favorite feature is one shared by all the Spirit models. Youve probably seen it already, but lets take a few minutes to focus on its uncommon harmony. Im talking, of course, about the interaction between the seconds hand and the minut...
Cant you hear, cant you hear the thunder? You better run, you better take cover. Or so said the Men At Work. Now, before you shake your head, thinking, There goes Brandon again with the song references, lets take a moment to consider that statement. Whether or not you actually have to run and take cover all depends on the storms proximity, doesnt it? Lets be honest here; if its five kilometers away, you could probably just?leisurely stroll and take cover. And sure, with these newfangled phones and radar apps, you could flick some screens and figure that out. But thats no fun, now is it? For us watch lovers, whats an even more satisfying way to determine the distance between you and tempest? ...
In our Sunday Morning Showdown, 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 dont forget to let us know which watches youd like to see torn to shreds/effusively exalted next week. Well try and feature as many of our readers choices as we can. This time out, we have not one, not two, not three, but FOUR brand new Breitling Premier Heritage chronographs in the showdown arena. Each watch will be vying for your vote, but not as individuals. Instead, todays showdown is a tag-team brawl where two watches on one team need most of the voting share to ...
After I graduated in 2002, I bought this omega Sea-Dweller from my first (few) salaries. A used 1997 model with tritium dial (boy, did I want the Super Luminova model back then) with just minor scratches from every day use by its previous owner. In December 2007, I decided this watch needed a complete overhaul since it was 10 years old already and I had been wearing it almost on a daily basis for years. Schaap ~ Citroen is the local omega dealer here in The Hague (they have 8 stores in The Netherlands) so I brought the watch with me and asked for a complete overhaul. The sapphire crystal needed replacement (scratched), a new bezel inlay was required and a fresh brush on the bracelet and case...
Yesterday (about an hour ago), we read that Eugene Cernan, the Last Man on the Moon, passed way age 82. Eugene Cernan was in space three times, with Gemini 9A, Apollo 10 and Apollo 17. Apollo 17 being the last Apollo mission in 1972. Two Speedmaster watches were commemorating that particular mission. One in 2002, with which you received his Last Man on the Moon book, and the later 2012 edition with the coin dial.We wrote about that last watch in 2013 already, but thought it would be appropriate to publish it once more. We also recommend you to watch Last Man on the Moon, a beautiful documentary (Netflix offers it in some countries) about that trip.Speedmaster Professional311.30.42.30.99.002I...
I've been collecting and buying watches since the late 1990s. At some point, I was fortunate enough to make a career out of my passion for watches. I focused mainly on collecting Speedmasters, and I was lucky enough to have the help at the very beginning from the legendary Chuck Maddox. I was also fortunate to meet and learn from my now-colleague Gerard, who used to have a watch shop for many years.During the course of time, I made a lot of mistakes, including rookie ones. And even today, I still sometimes fall into these traps. So I've come up with a list that would have helped me in my watch collecting or buying journey. Had I known these things, they may have prevented me from making typi...
Every Wednesday is Watch Wednesday at MotoringExposure, the blog for fast super cars and exotic cars. Although the watch related articles are most of the time less in-depth than the ones posted here at Fratellowatches, they are still worth reading for the intermediate and advanced watch collectors.This week, it is all about the Omega Seamaster Professional Diver 300M, also known as the James Bond watch in times of GoldenEye, Tomorrow Never Dies, The World Is Not Enough, Die Another Day and Casino Royale. Although the SMP in GoldenEye was a quartz movement driven watch and the Casino Royale featured the more recent Co-Axial version, these watches are basically all the same (with some minor op...
When I opened up our Fratello mailbox this morning, I found Grand Seikos press release on this new SLG005 White Birch watch. I couldnt help to think of the house where I grew up. In my memories, it was a large house with a nice garden and driveway. At the end of the driveway, where the road started, was a white birch.I write in my memories, as in reality, the house wasnt that big. I realized this when the same house next door was offered for sale on a popular housing platform. But as a kid, you perceive things in a different way, perhaps. What I noticed when looking at our previous neighbors house for sale, is that our old house was also partly on the pictures. It looked so different, and a ...
Longines was so kind to lend us their Legend Diver Date timepiece for a while. This means that I can wear it for a while and our photographer Bert can take his time to shoot some proper photos of the watch.I have a weak spot for vintage watches, but I am not so keen on having them serviced or repaired to often. When you buy a vintage watch, you absolutely need to take into account that it will need an overhaul at some point. Also the fact that not every part might be available anymore is not very attractive to me. When a watchmaker (or factory) is out of parts, it means you are left behind with a watch with issues. Trust me, I had my share of watches that needed parts that werent around anym...
In mid-September, Oris arranged an event, which, at first glance, seemed to celebrate their Dat Watt Limited Edition watch. It is not unusual for watch brands to have partnerships with organizations outside the watch world to stage events that associate their products with these organizations. As we are talking luxury products here, these events commonly exhale a rather luxurious spirit. But the event Im going to report on here delivered a completely different message.If you dont remember Oriss Dat Watt watch, take a look at Balazss article on it. Oris dedicated this watch to the Wadden Sea, the worlds largest tidal flat system that extends across 500km along the coasts of Denmark, Germany, ...
Oris's Change for the Better campaign wants to make a difference. The company partners up with various nonprofit environmental organizations and clean-up movements that work around the world. Other than raising attention to these causes, Oris also releases beautiful timepieces, and through them, they support the project financially. Their new Oris Aquis Dat Watt Limited Edition is the next one in line.The company's latest project is with Common Wadden Sea Secretariat, a trilateral organization aiming to protect and conserve the Wadden Sea, the world's most extensive unbroken tidal flat system. Oriss new watch is the latest in a line of timepieces dedicated to special marine life conservation...
I am happy to admit that my taste in watches spans from the classic and reserved to the more out there and wacky pieces. Ive made no secret of my love for avant-garde and non-traditional watch design. Its not always easy for brands to step outside of conventional design, either by their own self-imposed boundaries or by what they perceive to be their fanbases boundaries. Sometimes, these boundaries can only be overcome by the input of someone not connected with the brand or its history.Such collaborations can often end one of two ways. A big swing and miss, or something which adds a valuable point of difference and indication that a brand is willing to experiment with creativity. Today I am ...
Last week we visited Milan where we held our second Speedy Tuesday event this year (and more to come). In this article, you will find some impressions of that day.If youre new to Speedy Tuesday and wonder what it is about, please visit this introduction page on the topic. If you are already familiar, and perhaps already part of this movement, simply continue to read.This year started with an amazing cool Speedy Tuesday event in Switzerland, where we (with about 50 Speedmaster enthusiasts) witnessed the introduction of the caliber 321 re-birth. Omega kept this introduction especially for the Speedy Tuesday community, even before the press got to see it, to show their appreciation for enthusia...
Although most novelties are already covered on the TimeZone Basel 2007 Forum, tomorrow????I will post an overview of what I think are the nicest new time pieces. And then, on to the SIHH 2007 starting tomorrow in Geneva.Universal Geneve with microrotor, 43mm model. The large watches arent over yet ??...
We introduce a new series here on Fratello: Wrist Game or Crying Shame and we kick things off with the Omega Speedmaster 3210.52 Casino Dial.Welcome, watch fans, to something new here on Fratello.? Higher power-willing, Ill be bringing you this feature every Wednesday afternoon (European time).? The theme of Wrist Game or Crying Shame is pretty simple.? Ill present a watch in all its glory or lack thereof due to my strict usage of sellers photos and when you reach the bottom of the article, you wise people will be given the opportunity to vote on whether you think this watch is a fair deal or not.? Now, Ill make this clear, neither Fratello nor I am endorsing any of the watches or sellers ...
Also known as the Seamaster PloProf, Omega developed this watch in the late 1960s in close cooperation with the COMEX company and Jacques Cousteau. Solely designed and developed for professional use, this divers watch was being nicknamed PloProf (Plongeur Professional) by those involved. Earlier this year, I wrote a small review (click here) on the current Omega Seamaster PloProf 1200M, a successful re-designed timepiece based on the original PloProf.The new PloProf 1200M is a superb divers watch, although collectors or connoisseurs probably prefer the original PloProf. Therefore, I am bringing this beautiful and original 1970 Seamaster PloProf 600M (166.0077) to your attention that is cur...