Some brands have icons. What we mean by that is a particular model that has not only stood the test of time but also come to define not just the brand but also an entire market segment. Sure, the term is grossly overused, but when using it to describe the Lange 1, there can be no doubt we are in the presence of an icon. What makes the Lange 1 family different from, say, the omega Datejust or Submariner is exactly how much variation there is within it. The A. Lange Sohne Lange 1 Perpetual Calendar is really a model in its own right, and this particular iteration lives up to the long and prestigious history that came before it.From a distance, the models within the A. Lange Sohne collection ...
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Today, we have news of the Rado Captain Cook Automatic 2019, a subtle update to a favorite that first debuted at Baselworld 2017.At Baselworld 2017, Rado truly surprised the watch media by reintroducing a long-forgotten name, the Captain Cook.? First introduced in 1962, the 35mm stainless steel diver had classic looks, decent capabilities and a specific trait thats highly desired by collectors: an inward sloping bezel.? We reviewed an original model a couple years back here on Fratello and you can see it above.Rado Captain Cook 2017Rado Captain Cook A Well Played ReissueThe 2017 model brought things into this millennium but just barely by upsizing the case to a still modest 37mm and by ad...
We are approaching the end of a very awkward year, to say the least. No (Speedy Tuesday) events, no traveling, and no proper GTGs could be organized. Instead, weve been hosting a series of Speedmaster Stories from our readers and Speedmaster enthusiasts. This week, we feature TJs story about his Omega Speedmaster 3590.50.In his story, TJ talks about his youth and his first encounter with a Speedmaster. Only years later, he actually purchased his own Speedmaster Professional. It is interesting to read how he deals with the fact that the watch has received some replacement parts over the years during the mandatory services and repairs. Sure, it has a negative effect on the resale value of the ...
Reverse PandaAround this time of the year some watch websites already start to speculate about the latest novelties brands will release during BaselWorld. There are trends however, patterns if you like, that come in waves year after year and will have an impact on the novelties. Just think about the emergence of smart and connected watches or the bronze cased models from a few years ago. It seems that this year watch manufacturers are again reaching back to their old playbook. They are pulling out something that worked for them many years ago and as a matter of fact, never went out of style. It is not a case shape or complication rather a design element that characterizes the whole watch; pa...
One of the first things that you learn from watch magazines, blogs and collectors is that quartz watches are off limit. They lack soul, they are cheap or at least cheapen the watch and basically cant be taken seriously when youre into collecting watches.Whenever someone asks what my profession is, I tell him or her that I write about watches. Mechanical watches. As this makes the explanation that I am only writing about serious watches redundant. But it is of course not the truth, theres more to this than the movement of a watch. Gerard wrote about his love for G-Shocks a number of times, including in one of the recent You Asked Us features. But what about more expensive watches that have a ...
When I saw the introduction of this new Grand Seiko White Birch watch last month, my initial response was mainly one of surprise. It was the same watch as last year's Hi-Beat SLGH005, but with a Spring Drive movement. What in the worldBut it wasn't just the switch to a Spring Drive caliber that separated the new SLGA009 from the SLGH005. The dial also changed, and upon further inspection, there were also several changes in the hour markers, the lugs, and the bezel. These changes only became apparent to me when seeing the new White Birch in real life.The Grand Seiko White BirchLast year, upon receiving the watch in our office for a review, I concluded that the Grand Seiko White Birch SLGH005 ...
Heuer (and later on TAG Heuer) has a strong relationship to racing, hence the names of their watches (Monaco, Monza, Silverstone, Daytona, Carrera and so on). In 1975, Heuer shocked the world by introducing a timepiece with a LCD and LED combination. Quartz driven of course and operated by two separate movements. In 1977 which was a fine year Heuer ditched the LED display and replaced it by a LCD display as well. The LED screen was a power consuming display which probably caused a lot of reliability issues.LED-Forever, a website dedicated to these type of watches, has put up one of the rarest versions of them all, the Heuer Chronosplit Ferrari Edition (r102.703-3) as sold in 1978. Famous d...
Welcome, one and all, to the preliminary round 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 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 round, your task is simple: vote for your favorite watch. Below you will find a selection of 12 timepieces that we covered here on Fratello throughout 2020. Why not refresh your memory by clicking the links and reading those eruditely penned odes to wrist-wear? Once youve made your selection, vote using the poll ...
Compared to last week, week 8 was relatively easy on the news. But still, there was enough to fill this TWIW episode, lets dive into it.IWC Portugieser Hand-Wound MonopusherIWC Schaffhausen has unveiled the Portugieser Hand-Wound Monopusher Laureus Sport for Good?Edition. With this limited model, the Swiss watch manufacturer continues its?support of social sports projects run by its partner. IWC?has been a partner of the Laureus Sport for Good Foundation since 2005.?The Portugieser Hand-Wound Monopusher bears reference 515301 and is IWCs?14th Laureus special edition watch. Youll find our review of one of the earlier editions, the Da Vinci Chronograph Laureus,?here.This special edition watch...
What are you going to write about a watch that so many people know? my wife asks me this week. I told her to count all the articles written about Speedmasters.These are my confessionsThe Breitling SuperOcean ref 2005 you see here can take a break after 50 years of being ready to sink into 600 foot waters. It is not only because I do not dive, I do not swim One would call me a perfect fit for this late 1960s diver. To be perfectly precise, I can't swim. Which means I can guarantee that this Breitling SuperOcean will never see water in the years to come. The closest it will get to the ocean will be stretching it here over the map. a map that took a few calls and a bit of driving around the cit...
Whos the best? Its an age-old debate that has no clear answer (although to most individuals, their own answer is clear). Youll certainly hear fewer calls for Lazenby and Dalton (although the latter lands at number two on my personal list), and certainly a lot of lamentation that Brosnan perhaps the most naturally perfect actor cast in the role was lumbered with sub-par plots and truly woeful scripts for the last two entries in his frustratingly curtailed catalog, but the fight between the Big Three of Connery, Moore, and Craig, will forever divide opinion.It is probably no coincidence that the three names that feature at the top of most Bond fans lists belong to the actors that held the role...
Gerard Nijenbrinks is a friend of the show since the early start of this blog and actually much longer than that. He is the guy from whom I bought my first Speedmaster, in October 1999. He has his shop Horloge Platform since 1989, where he currently specializes in pre-owned and vintage watches only after having been an official retailer for a number of brands as well.Always in for a new (horological) project, Gerard came up with 52mondayz.com, an fun and personal initiative where he will show one watch from his personal collection every week. So, starting on the 24th of February, he will post a picture of one of his watches every Monday. This project will continue for one year, showing 52 di...
Today, Omega introduces its gents Constellation 41mm. We had the opportunity to go hands-on with the new Constellation 41mm, a watch based on the 1982 Manhattan.If youre looking for a historical overview of the Constellation Manhattan, check out our previous articles here and here. The Omega Constellation 41mm watch is very similar to the recently introduced 39mm version. But there are, of course, a few differences that I would like to share with you, along with some lovely hands-on images taken by our friend @nd_graphy. Thanks!Omega Constellation 41mmBut first of all, let me tell you that I believe that the Constellation based on the 1982 Manhattan is an under-appreciated watch. I happen to...
Like I wrote on the 21st of December here, we decided to revive the Speedmaster Club and make it an international happening. We are now busy translating the website for the English speaking part of the world ??However, the forum is already open and people can sign up for a membership already Not only for the Dutch anymore that is. There is already some traffic on the fora, thanks to some of you Speedmaster enthusiasts who found it already!So, Speedmaster owners or soon to be Speedmaster owners, join the club!Click here to visit the Speedmaster Club site...
In the last decade, many people have jumped onto the Speedmaster bandwagon. With even some of the less talked about models getting caught up in the hype. This, in turn, results in steep price increases on the pre-owned and vintage market. We have seen this happen with Speedmaster Tintin, whose price has recently skyrocketed (no pun intended). The watch worlds media outlets publishing about them probably doesn't exactly help in keeping the prices sane, so we'll take our fair share of the blame. In this article, I will show you 5 Speedmaster watches that are (still) under the radar.On the one hand, I tend to do some serious eye-rolling when I see some of the price tags on (now-discontinued) Sp...
Omega broke the internet with the release of the new Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Master Chronometer. The new Moonwatch is a hot topic, and I thought it would be interesting to make a hands-on comparison between the former Moonwatch and the new one. Everyone can see and read specifications, but how do these Moonwatch updates and changes look like in real life? Lets have a closer look.You dont mess with a classic, thats the unwritten rule. And if you do so, you need to be very very careful. And thats exactly what Omega did with the long-overdue update for their iconic Moonwatch model. Our incredibly in-depth introduction article on the new Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Master Chronometer can be ...
Last week, I selected my Top-5 Oris Aquis Limited Edition divers watches made for the Change for the Better campaign. For the new Aquis Hangang Limited Edition, Oris partners up with Seoul KFEM to support the cleanup of South Koreas mighty Hangang River. We go hands-on with the first of the Aquis Limited Editions to feature a green dial.Busy times at the Oris headquarters in Switzerland. The brand from Holstein has graced us with a string of new releases in 2020. From the fun and upbeat Holstein Edition 2020?to the eye-catching Oris Divers Sixty-Five a Momotaro collab to the new 41.5mm Aquis Date, there is plenty to enjoy. And those are only a couple of the latest additions to the collection...
Marc Newson is the designer brain behind Ikepods designer watches. Although gone for a few years, they are back on the horological map since 2010 again. Since last year, Ikepod also introduced an hour glass designed by Newson. Each hand made hourglass comprises highly durable borosilicate glass and millions of stainless steel nanoballs, and is available in a 10 or 60 minute timer.This 3 minute video demonstrates how the Ikepod Hour Glass is being crafted and will keep you interested from start to end.The Hourglass from Ikepod on Vimeo....
Speedmaster RestorationIt is Speedy Tuesday Remember our feature on the Speedmaster Quartz LCD of one of our readers? Click here to read it in case you missed it or want to refresh your memory.This week, we feature this Speedmaster restoration project of one of our readers. A Speedmaster Quartz LCD ref. 186.0004 that dates back to 1977. It is actually a shout-out for help, read onLast week, we received pictures of this round Speedmaster Quartz LCD of one of our readers. The Speedmaster Quartz LCD was available in two flavours in the 1970s, a square shaped model and a round model. Both feature the quartz Omega caliber 1620 movement.Perhaps if you are a Speedmaster connoisseur you already no...
Some luxury watch brands don't get talked about nearly enough. It's a real shame because some of them are actually working their socks off to contend with the bigger names in the industry yet barely getting a pat on the back for doing so. Does this then mean that it all really hinges on the name on the dial anyway? Whilst the leading names of the watch industry have certainly earned their hype in a number of ways, I think today is as good a day as any to give some love to the underdogs that deserve more attention than they are currently getting.It really surprises me just how many of the following manufacturers are widely overlooked. Youll probably even have a few of your own to add to my li...