Hands-On Watch Review:?Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch New Vs. Old
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? Let’s have a closer look.You don’t mess with a classic, that’s the unwritten rule. And if you do so, you need to be very - very! - careful. And that’s exactly what Omega did with the long-overdue update for their iconic Moonwatch model. Our incredibly in-depth introduction article on the new Omega S...
Hands-On With The Geckota S-01 Phalanx ETA 2824 Military Watch
I’ve been aware of Geckota for years. To be frank, if you fancy yourself a watch lover and you’ve not heard of this active strap-merchant then you might be doing something wrong. However, I’d happily give you a pass if you’d missed on the brand’s watches as they often feel like a bit of a sideline to the main event. I’ve had a few Geckotas in my hands over the years and I’ve always been pretty satisfied with the build quality>price ratio. However, at around $775 (depending on the exchange rate), the Geckota S-01 Phalanx Military watch is quite a different proposition from the brand’s usual wares. So how does it fare?Truthfully, the more I lo...
Rob Visits The Schofield Watch Company
I remember saying to someone recently that I wasn’t really one for the unboxing experience. I even said it in an article on Fratello (maybe more than once). Well, I might have changed my mind. Or maybe I should say this: I am a fan of boxing - excellent boxing. I am a fan of turning a marvelously created object over in my hands. I like to enjoy every considered angle, every purposeful facet, and every joyful flourish. Recently, I made my way down to Upper Beeding, just ten miles north of Shoreham-by-Sea, to visit my old friend Giles Ellis of Schofield Watch Company. While there, I collected my very own Schofield B4 that I reviewed on these pages upon its release in summer.I’ve wa...
Chanel J12 Marine: My Guilty Pleasure Watch
Everybody has them, but should they? I'm talking, of course, about guilty pleasures. A guilty pleasure could be defined as something that you enjoy but is frowned upon by your peers. If your peers, for example, happened to find out your favorite song of all time is Baby One More Time by Britney Spears, you would be embarrassed. But why should you be? If that song raises the hairs on the back of your hand, sends shivers down your spine, and puts you in a state of bliss, you should not feel ashamed. Rather, you should be happy. You should celebrate that you have the ability to feel such wonderful things because of your so-called guilty pleasure. And it's the same with watches. That's why I wan...
How To Ship A Watch: From Packaging To Customs Declarations
Shipping a watch is a pretty easy and smooth operation. Well, until it isn't. In such cases, it's essential to be ready and educated if things go wrong. Sometimes your watches need to move around the globe without your personal protection. When RJ and Nacho fielded the idea of sharing some advice and experience on shipping watches with our Fratelli, I had a sneaking suspicion it would be assigned to me. And honestly, I am delighted it was, as this very idea has been sitting on my to-write list for over a year. So let me dust off my notes and share some insights on shipping and packing watches that you'll hopefully find useful.The art of packingWhy was I chosen for this piece? First of all, I...
#TBT The Gallet Big Date Chronograph Riddle Solved
I have hardly ever been as excited as I am today. The mystery of the Gallet Big Date chronograph puzzled me for years. Was it real or not? Not even the greatest Gallet collectors I know could help. All that changed when I bought a copy of the Joseph Hagn Wholesale Merchandise Catalog from 1958.Let’s take it from the very beginning. And when I say “very beginning,” I mean my very first story for Fratello. It was on January 10th, 2019 that I introduced you to the Venus 211 caliber in a Bucherer chronograph. Four years, two days, and more than 300 of my stories later, we are here again with the fascinating Venus 211, featuring a big date that goes from 00 to 39. As befits a pr...
Hublot Unveils The New Classic Fusion Original Lineup
Back in 1980, Carlo Crocco shocked the watch industry by releasing the first Hublot watch. It combined a case in yellow gold with a black rubber strap. This combination was deemed blasphemous by the traditionalists. Until then, rubber had been perceived as a material used for cheap, mass-produced quartz watches. But Crocco’s idea turned out to be a visionary one and, over time, became an industry standard. To remind us of that very special first Hublot watch, the brand introduces the new Hublot Classic Fusion Original in three different materials and three different sizes. It shows that Crocco’s creation is as relevant and exciting as ever!To me, the Hublot Classic Fusion is one ...
Pre-Owned Spotlight: Vintage Seamaster Watches
Let me dedicate today’s Pre-Owned Spotlight to vintage Seamaster bargains. Bargains? Well, yes! These 1950s and 1960s Seamaster watches in the non-diver format are seriously undervalued in my book. And with the trends moving away from big sports watches, this might be a good time to snap one up. The only fair reason for them being relatively attainable is the fact that there are a lot of them. The great thing is that leaves us spoiled for choice!Two recent articles led me to this subject. First, Nacho shared his hunt for a ’90s Seamaster diver. Second, I recently went hands-on with a platinum ode to the original vintage Seamasters. So when I was asked to do a Pre-Owned Spotlight ...
?Zenith Shows Its Hand At LVMH Watch Week 2023
Once again, LVMH Watch Week hit me a lot faster than I expected. Following a great 2022 for the brand, Zenith shows its hand and is looking strong. It's no secret that I am a fan of the big Z from Le Locle and feel its strength in the watch world is still underplayed. It is actually a complete coincidence that, only two days ago, I wrote a story on the brand's efforts from 2022, and the wheels have already started rolling for 2023.I feel that Zenith has a well-thought-out portfolio for the first big event of the year, with the Defy series showing us a newfound breadth. From sleek 36mm Defy Skylines to a current-catalog Revival piece and the brash Defy Extreme Glacier, a one-brand watch colle...
Fratello's Top 5 Current Microbrand Watches Under $1,000
Another Friday, another Top 5! This week’s list is a continuation of last week’s topic, our picks for best watches under $1,000. In that article, I already hinted at a follow-up with our picks in that price range from microbrands. The reality is that microbrands significantly changed the landscape of affordable watches. With a strong focus on creativity and offering the best possible options for the money, quite a few of these brands have done very well. This Top 5 focuses on the current models we love and that offer great value for money at under $1,000. While it was even more difficult than last week to whittle our choices down to just five, after a healthy discussion among our...
Nacho's 2024 New Year's Watch Resolutions
It’s still the early days of 2024, and I admit I find myself somewhat unprepared. Though I’ve had approximately 275 hours in the new year to think before this article goes live, I can’t say I feel overly inspired going into it. That said, some of my resolutions will seek to address this directly. Looking at the rest of the year ahead of me feels like standing in front of a field of freshly fallen snow. The excitement of leaving those first few measured footprints is as enticing as it is unnerving. Sooner or later, though, I must take that first satisfying step and feel the powder compress into an inalterable icy footprint. Maybe that’s a bit overdramatic, but the feel...
Oris ProPilot X Kermit Vs. Miss Piggy Edition
Beware, this is a low-brow edition of Sunday Morning Showdown! We usually stick to watches, but this week, the emotions may run a lot higher. This is, after all, a battle between former lovers. It is a showdown between former spouses, even. Daan and Thomas will perform some post-marriage counseling for a certain Miss Piggy and Mr. K. the Frog. Can't we all just get along? Nope. Not this week!But before we release these former lovers into the arena, let's quickly look at last week's Sunday Morning Showdown.Last week's Sunday Morning ShowdownThe contenders last week were a bit more serious. In fact, they were a lot more serious! Two generations of the ceramic-bezel GMT-Master II went head to ...
Patek or Lange
That’s the question that keeps Michael Sandler of TZ busy ?? A lot of reactions, and it almost seems to be a vs Other brand.It is nice to see all those opinions, and sometimes Patek is getting the same blame as . “Do you want it because it says Patek?” Pfff… unbelievable. Some people tend to forget that buying a watch is very personal, either you like it better than the other or you don’t. Most of the time people can’t even explain why they like the other one better. And they don’t have to in my opinion. It is about taste, not about a name on the dial, especially not with watches with these kind of names on it.Oh btw, it is this watch:and this one....
Bargains In The Watch World
Every collector likes bargains. Or at the very least, like the feeling that fair value for money has been had. Although the definition of value is relative and will vary from collector to collector we all have a different sense of aesthetics after all there are some things that hold across the board.This article will try to identify those watches, both new and on the secondary markets. Pricing, where given, is a rough guide only.Let's first define what's important:1. Some sense of differentiation from other similar pieces, be it pricing, movement, aesthetics or other technology;2. An in-house movement would be nice, but not a necessity;3. Sound aesthetics and design; something with attention...
Speedy Tuesday Omega Speedmaster Reduced White Dial
Omega Speedmaster Reduced White DialThe Omega Speedmaster Reduced was once the watch for the fellow who wanted an automatic version of the Moonwatch, or simply wanted to have a smaller timepiece than a 42mm giant chronograph. This particular model was introduced in 1988 and came in several different versions.Best known version is probably the black dial model, often being held for a Moonwatch (but it is not, read our Speedmaster Reduced versus Moonwatch here). Omega also used the Speedmaster Reduced for their bright coloured racing series (Schumacher had one). However, one of our readers owns a rare white dial version. Now you will come across a white dial version in a bi-color Speedmaster R...
Hands-on With The MB&F HM6 Space Pirate Fratello Watches
It has been a few months since the release of Max Busser’s Horological Machine No. 6. An introduction that basically went with a Big Bang! Not the Hublot kind of big bang, but with a birth of the universe kind of big bang. The news about the MB&F HM6 ‘Space Pirate’ was about everywhere on the internet on the day of introduction.At first I’ve to admit that I wasn’t too fond about this timepiece. However, that was mainly because I was under the impression that this organic shaped watch was very large. Unwearable, was what I thought.I was wrong though. Seeing the MB&F HM6 ‘Space Pirate’ in the flesh, there’s nothing not to like about it ac...
Stowa Flieger Blue Limited
Together with WatchTime.net, Stowa created a new version of one of their iconic pilot’s watches. The Flieger Blue is based on the original design from 1939 and will be limited to 100 pieces only.Stowa produces watches?since 1927 and is known for their Flieger watches. Since 1996, watchmaker Jorg Schauer joined Stowa and together with designer (and watch collector)?Hartmut Esslinger they introduced a couple of new Stowa models. Stowa’s Flieger watches and Bauhaus designs are being developed and manufactured in the German Black Forrest, where they have their own watchmakers, engravers and goldsmiths to deliver a constant high quality in everything they do.What Stowa did very well, ...
Pre-BaselWorld 2017 Omega Speedmaster Automatic Racing Dial
Even before the SIHH 2017 starts, Omega announces some BaselWorld 2017 news. Besides the Speedmaster Speedy Tuesday limited edition, they announce the Speedmaster Automatic Racing Dial and the Speedmaster Automatic 38mm. We will cover the ladies 38mm model at a later stage, but let’s have a look at the Speedmaster Automatic Master Chronometer with racing dial.Speedmaster Automatic Racing DialJust like last year, when Omega actually announced their Speedmaster Moonphase Co-Axial Master Chronometer during SIHH, it is now time to unveil their Speedmaster Automatic Racing Dial. Also equipped with a Co-Axial Master Chronometer (caliber 9900) movement, of course. While Omega some times still...
Master Grande Tradition Gyrotourbillon Westminster Perpetuel by JLC
Jaeger-LeCoultre is not only a high-end watch manufacturer but a very important one in the industry. The company, that came to existence in 1833, has been at the forefront of innovation. The company's founder Antoine LeCoultre's very first invention was an instrument that was able to measure the micron. It was called the millionometer. That set JLC on a path that brought them 1,200 calibers over time. Jaeger-LeCoultre has over 400 registered patents. Their manufacture, still to this day, masters old techniques in the decoration of their timepieces. Guillochage or grand feu enamelling just to name a few. JLC is also an expert in over 180 different watchmaking (and watch related skills) in the...
Eterna Caliber 852 52 Mondayz, week #3 -2020
I thought long and hard about what watch I should feature in today's 52 Mondayz articles. Eventually, I decided that it should be my Eterna 852, and here's why…I wanted a watch that is clean and simple. Something I can leave on my wrist the whole week, no matter what I’m wearing. I'm into chronographs and that would be my normal go-to style. But this week I wanted something different. This week I wanted a time-only piece that was big enough to satisfy my relatively large wrist. I'm into jumbo watches ?like my Omega 2505 or the Angelus 216 ?and have acquired a few over the years. While customers of the day (back in the 50s or 60s) considered these models huge, they are hardly hu...