Omega Speedmaster Super Racing With Spirate System
This new Omega release is not only about a new Speedmaster but also about pushing boundaries in terms of accuracy. Meet the Omega Speedmaster Super Racing 329.30.44.51.01.003, featuring the new Spirate System. This watch is a visual tribute to the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra “Bumblebee” (the black and yellow version) introduced exactly 10 years ago, which was antimagnetic to over 15,000 gauss.When Omega introduced its Co-Axial escapement in 1999, I couldn’t anticipate the impact it would have. I didn’t know it would inspire continuous innovations and improvements to create the Master Chronometer movements that Omega uses today. It was a game-changer for sure, but I had...
#TBT A Stunning Perfecta Hiding Another Big Date Mystery
It’s not often that you bump into a big-date watch that you have never seen before. Well, I did, and I can’t wrap my head around it. Dear Fratelli, I need help uncovering the story behind my Perfecta Big Date.It’s been a few weeks since I shared my Gallet Big Date story. In the case of Gallet, it wasn’t the movement that puzzled us, it was the watch. The Venus 211 is quite a fascinating movement, and we have seen it powering so many different watches.Perfecta discoveryOr rather shall I say a perfect discovery? I think was following an auction where I was after an Enicar chronograph. As I always do, I scrolled through all the lots offered in the auction. What struck me...
My Crush With The Seiko Skyliner 6220-9970
It’s great to be back with another review of a vintage Japanese watch, and this time, it’s an affordable and findable piece. We go back to the era that I think is the heyday for most watch companies, the 1960s. The Seiko Skyliner 6620-9970 is our target, and I think you’ll enjoy it.Yes, it’s time for another review of a vintage Japanese watch, and today’s Seiko Skyliner 6620-9970 is a lovely specimen indeed. The watch in focus dates all the way back to 1965. That’s not overly significant in itself, but it supports my belief that the mid-’60s were a truly magical time for Seiko. Some truly iconic pieces debuted during this period, including the 62MAS,...
Introducing: The New Grand Seiko SLGA021 Lake Suwa
Grand Seiko introduces its third watch release of 2023. This time, it’s a deep-blue-dialed addition to the Evolution 9 collection boasting a five-day power reserve. The new SLGA021 finds inspiration for its dial in the quietly rippling waters of Japan’s Lake Suwa right before dawn. The opaque indigo dial has been carefully crafted to reflect these soft waves that delicately adorn the lake’s surface. The sweeping Spring Drive seconds hand adds to the tranquil scene as an embodiment of the distant breeze that shapes the water with its ghostly presence. As always, the brand’s signature touch of poetic artistry captures a scene beautifully and turns it into yet another vi...
Breaking Down The Brand TAG Heuer
It's all about motorsports. Heuer was synonymous with them, even before it became TAG Heuer in 1985 when the company founded in 1977 by Akaram Ojjeh bought the Swiss watch manufacturer. Techniques d’Avant Garde (TAG) and Heuer were already very active in the fast-moving and glamorous world of motorsports, and the new, combined entity only strengthened the bond further. The legendary Ayrton Senna helped TAG Heuer rise up after the Quartz Crisis, and the reigning Formula 1 champion Max Verstappen also wears the red and green badge. So does Mario, by the way. American F1 world champion Mario Andretti? No, Mario Kart. Is the brand taking things too far with that? Is there still original He...
Fratello Talks: The Watches We'd Like To See In 2023
Daan, Laurits, and RJ talk about the watches they would like to see introduced by brands in 2023. Daan is hoping that Vacheron Constantin will come up with a smaller Overseas, while Laurits would like to see a new Milgauss from . RJ is in for a “proper” re-edition of a gold Piaget Polo with engraved lines on the case and bracelet. What are the watches you want to see appear this year? Let us know!...
Fratello's Top 5 Current Cartier Watches
Another Friday, another Top 5! This week, we decided to leave the affordable watches for a minute to focus on something else. This week’s Top 5 is a look at the five best watches in Cartier’s current catalog. The brand has a wide selection of classics that are widely loved by watch fans all over the globe. With a rather large regular collection of different models, the Prive collection, and the Fine Watchmaking collection, there is plenty to choose from. For this list, we selected five models from the regular collection that show the brilliance of Cartier watches perfectly.Diving into the world of Cartier is an immersive experience, but that doesn’t necessarily make the bra...
Singer Track1 Proto For Sale & DLS Turbo On Show
In 2017, Singer Reimagined launched its first-ever wristwatch, the Track1 Chronograph. Singer Vehicle Design is a Los Angeles-based car tuning house specializing in restoring and upgrading the iconic Porsche 911 Carrera. Specifically, Singer focuses on the air-cooled Carreras (964 chassis for car nerds) phased out in the '90s. The Singer Reimagined Track1 Chronograph also draws from the past to revitalize the classic racing chronograph in a new dial layout. Since the watch’s launch in 2017, Singer has expanded the concept into four distinct collections based on this pioneering design. Yet, I still favor the original Track1 Launch Edition - and now there's a chance to own the original p...
The Ins And Outs Of Horage
Although we’ve covered the brand several times, Horage might not yet ring a clear bell for everyone. Let’s change that today. The brand has existed since 2008 when it introduced its first Omnium model. Amid a global financial crisis and without guaranteed access to a future supply of movements, that wasn’t the best timing. That’s why, in 2009, Horage hibernated while promising to make a caliber of its own. After six years, Horage’s K1 movement was ready to be revealed to the world. Together with the completion of a watch using the new K1 movement, the Horage brand was relaunched.In 2015, Horage’s Jonas K1 model was launched through a successful crowdfundin...
Exploring Evergreens: Panerai Radiomir PAM00210
In this installment of Exploring Evergreens, I have a closer look at my very own Panerai Radiomir. This is reference PAM00210, and I would argue that this is prime Panerai. Whether you agree or not, this is an archetypal Radiomir, the basic shape of which has been around since 1936. With hardly any aesthetic changes made since then, I think we can safely label this as an evergreen.The Panerai PAM00210 is what we would call a neo-vintage reference. It was produced from 2005 until 2012, and mine is an early one that dates back to the first year of production. Join me as I explore how this Panerai has aged over the last two decades and whether it is still an appealing proposition in 2024.True t...
Introducing: The Code41 Moon Inception
Today, we’ll take a look at the new Code41 Moon Inception. The latest model from the popular independent brand includes a moonphase display along with the option of a chronometer certification. As we’ll see, the watch offers a very different take on the complication, and I think it succeeds in its execution.I’ll kick this article off with a bit of a confession: moonphase complications and I aren’t the closest of friends. Unlike many friends I know (and my wife, for that matter), the current status of the Moon is of no relevance to me. Then, when I think of how moonphase displays are integrated into most watch dials, I find them either fussy or old-fashioned. Why muck ...
Hot Take: The Ulysse Nardin Blast[Amoureuxpeintre]
Today, we have news of a limited-edition release from Ulysse Nardin - the Blast[Amoureuxpeintre]. This is an interesting take on the brand’s Blast, combining UN’s creative spirit with the artistic focus of an increasingly popular designer.Ulysse Nardin is well known for its distinct watches, which often feature skeletonized dials, highly complicated movements, or both. The brand may be historic, but stylistically, the bulk of the collection is anything but. With the new Blast[Amoureuxpeintre], Ulysse Nardin has partnered with Vsevolod Sever Cherepanov, a designer who has worked for Nike and 1017 Alyx 9SM and created several brands. His designs are often monochromatic, and he trie...
Hands-On: Greubel Forsey Hand Made 2 Utterly Incredible
Listen, marginal gains matter in the world of high watchmaking. That's why the Greubel Forsey Hand Made 2 is better than the Hand Made 1. Greubel Forsey set out to create a watch 100% made by hand, and with the Hand Made 1, the brand almost reached its goal. That extraordinary watch from 2019 was 95% made by hand. Six years later, the Hand Made 2 does better than its predecessor with 96%. A 1% difference might not be much, but as I said, the little things matter, and numbers don't lie. But can they tell a story about beauty, expertise, ambition, innovation, and passion? That's why solely talking about numbers doesn't do the Greubel Forsey Hand Made 2 justice.The 2019 Greubel Forsey Hand Made...
Omega Speedmaster Moonphase Vs. JLC Master Control
Welcome to another episode of Sunday Morning Showdown. Last week, we put the vintage and modern steel versions of the Vacheron Constantin 222 up against each other. Even though there are quite a few years between those two watches, you’d probably be happy with either. This week, however, we expect the matchup to be more polarizing. The bold Omega Speedmaster Moonphase Meteorite - Daan’s choice - is a watch made for the true Speedmaster enthusiast. On the other hand, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Chronograph Calendar - Thomas’s contender - is any watch enthusiast’s dream, but it’s certainly a little more reserved.Let’s see which of the two will claim ...
IWC Ingenieur 3239 Closer To Genta
IWC introduced the stainless steel Ingenieur with integrated steel bracelet in 1976, designed by Gerald Genta. Last week, during the SIHH 2013, IWC again introduced the Ingenieur collection. One of them, Ingenieur ref.3239 comes very close to the original Genta designed Ingenieur, according to IWC. If you are a regular reader here on Fratellowatches, you can probably skip the next few sentences.Gerald Genta, one of the first dedicated and independent watch designers (he was on the OMEGA payroll for a long time) designed the Royal Oak 5402ST in 1972. Audemars Piguet asked him to come up with an all stainless steel luxury watch. Rumour is, that this was an overnight request and that he deliver...
The Watch Editor's Pick Kristian Haagen
Chronos24.pl and Fratellowatches.com are proud to present you this new, special, bi-weekly section dedicated to our fellow watch journalists and bloggers. Ever wondered what they really like? read on.Without going into the long-lasting dispute about who is a journalist, who is a blogger, and which of this two is better (like it matters) we tried to find out about a? more interesting topic: what are the personal favorite watches of watch editors and which timepieces would they purchase when having unlimited resources. In the next coming weeks (every other Monday) we will bring you some of the biggest names from the world of watch editors, both acclaimed authors with an impressive track-record...
Omega Speedmaster Professional Apollo XIII 45th Anniv
I would like to abuse this week’s Speedy Tuesday to do an educated guess on the novelty that Omega is going to present to us during BaselWorld (19th of March till the 26th of March). Almost every year, Omega introduces a limited or special edition Speedmaster to commemorate historical achievements of NASA where a Speedmaster was involved.For example, every five years, Omega introduces a Speedmaster Professional Apollo XI limited edition, to commemorate the moon landing in 1969. Last year, it was the Omega Speedmaster Professional Apollo XI 45th Anniversary edition (we covered it here), limited to 1969 pieces.So, going through the list of Apollo missions, it shows that Omega could comme...
Hands-On With The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver Chronograph (Live Photos and Official Price)
In 2010, Audemars Piguet introduced the Royal Oak Offshore Diver to us, reference 15703 (a review can be found here). That watch made quite an impression on me to be honest. I am a sucker for the original Royal Oak references, from the 5402 to the current 15202, so I actually surprised myself that I liked that Diver so much.Last week in Geneva, we had the opportunity to go hands-on with the new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver Chronograph. A two-register chronograph version of the Offshore Diver. These four new Offshore Diver Chronograph watches will be exclusively available in Audemars Piguet boutiques. Audemars Piguet decided to come colorful this year and will offer this timepiece...
Hands-On With The Breitling Navitimer 01 Blacksteel
Although you’ll find Breitling not very often covered on this – and other – websites, they are still highly in demand according to the numbers we showed you last week. The Navitimer is our favorite Breitling model and comes in many variations. One of the models that looks a tad bit different from the others is thisBreitling Navitimer 01 Blacksteel. Let’s have a look.Breitling Navitimer 01 BlacksteelJust recently I had a Navitimer in my hands from someone who was visiting our office. A Breitling Navitimer with an automatic B23 calibre (based on Valjoux 7753), probably from around 2011 or 2012. How different is the look of this Breitling Navitimer 01 Blacksteel compared...
Diver Prim Orlik 52Mondayz, week #5-2020
With only 300 pieces ever produced, the prices of the Prim Orlik easily fetch north of $10,000. The Prim Orlik is undoubtedly the most sought-after watch to ever come out of the Czechoslovak industry. Many international buyers would immediately buy. But sadly, there are no offers. Only very seldom does one pop up for sale, and when that happens, it's often offline.Pioneering Prim OrlikThe Prim Orlik thoroughly deserves its cult status. It's the first Czechoslovak watch with a stainless-steel case, the first Prim water-resistant watch, the first Prim watch with Incabloc, the first Prim watch with radioactive luminant, and the first Prim watch with a plastic strap. And, most importantly, the P...