OMEGA Speedmaster Mark V Reference 376.0806
A 1984 Speedmaster Mark V Reference 376.0806It’s Speedy Tuesday! Today we have something quite special, an OMEGA Speedmaster Mark V from 1984. OMEGA introduced the Speedmaster Mark series in 1969 with the Mark II and it lasted till the Mark V (1984). The OMEGA Speedmaster Professional (either 145.022 or – as we know it now – 3570.50) was always available as well during these 25 years.Chris L from Manila sent us some pictures of his Speedmaster Mark V, that is in his collection since 2006. A time piece that is hard to get (there is currently only 1 for sale on Chrono24) for Speedmaster enthusiasts. Although most of the Mark series are very well documented on the legendary Ch...
#TBT Heuer Camaro 7220 NT
Sometimes, at Fratello Watches, we receive emails from our readers asking questions about specific watches or articles. Sometimes, they are comments that a reader doesn't feel comfortable in posting. Every so often, though, we receive a message asking if anyone on the team is interested in buying a certain watch.?? Today's article is about such a message and because the timepiece in question is from yesteryear, it fits perfectly in our #TBT feature. The brief story on this watch is the type that I personally love to read but have never happened to meuntil now. Settle into your 3-point harness and fire up your big block V-8, #TBT is going back to the early 1970's with a Camaro, the Heuer Cama...
Hands-On With The Longines Master Collection Annual Calendar And It Is Under 2000 Euro
Most of you who want to buy a watch, select based on price and brand name. It turns out that very few are after a specific complication. But for those who do care about functionality, there are a couple of interesting propositions on the market for perpetual calendars, moon phase?watches, chronographs, divers and now an annual calendar as well. Brands like Montblanc and Frederique Constant achieved?being able to offer a perpetual calendar under 10.000 Euro not long ago. This year, Longines makes it possible for you to buy an annual calendar with their Longines Master Collection Annual Calendar watch for under 2000 Euro.Longines Master Collection Annual CalendarThis year, Longines caught us b...
A Collector's Talking Piece Formex Swiss Watches
Here's why my new Formex watch made my (every) dayAn unaltered customer review by Robert Block, California USA Software executive and passionate watch nerdMy watch collection, like most I suspect, covers all the bases the chronograph, dress watch, sports watch, the watches for work and weekends as well as some vintage pieces. For me, each watch tells more than just the time. They are my personal style, statement and represent craftsmanship, tradition and passion.?Each addition has been chosen with care and there is a story and a reason behind each timepiece I collect. As a software executive in Silicon Valley California, I spend a large part of my time solving problems with the latest hardwa...
Photo Report: Hong Kong Speedy Tuesday Event
After our Singapore Speedy Tuesday Event, we travelled to Hong Kong to host the Speedy Tuesday event on Thursday, June 27th.Similar to the report of the event in Singapore, we share the pictures that we took during the Hong Speedy Tuesday Event. In the same constellation (no pun intended) as in Singapore (together with the Head of Brand Heritage Petros Protopapas, former NASA engineer James H. Ragan), we did presentations and a panel discussion in Hong Kong. Of course, there was also the opportunity to try the new Speedmaster Apollo XI watches. These watches are being delivered to the markets as we speak.I was very happy to see so many enthusiast Speedmaster fans in Hong Kong, and we also (a...
Photo Report: Singapore Speedy Tuesday Event
Last week we held our Speedy Tuesday events in Singapore and Hong Kong. Together with Omega’s Petros Protopapas (Head of Brand Heritage) and former NASA engineer James H. Ragan, we travelled to these two great places to host the Speedy Tuesday events.I already briefly gave a summary on the trip itself in yesterday’s Fratello on Air podcast (episode 2), but here’s the photo report of the events itself. Let me start by saying that it was inspiring to be in Singapore and Hong Kong. I’ve been to Singapore before when I was still in banking, and I was happy to be back. However, on the contrary to my previous visits, I had only a little time to explore the city. The Speedy ...
6 Watches From Our Wish List Listen to the Fratello on Air Podcast
When you’re a watch collector, there’s always a wish list. At Fratello, we are collectors in the first place, the writing part came (much) later. In this episode of Fratello on Air, Mike and RJ talk about the next 3 pieces on their radar. There’s no overlap in watches this time, just one brand that is mentioned twice.After the mandatory wrist check (see below), Mike and RJ discuss these topics. Our Fratello on Air podcast can be played via Apple,?Soundcloud,?Spotify,?Google Podcast, and?Buzzsprout....
Video Interview with Panerai CEO Jean-Marc Pontroue
During the Covid-19 lockdown, Robert-Jan spoke with Panerai CEO Jean-Marc Pontroue about this year’s Panerai introductions, the Panerai experience trips and whether Pontroue considers himself to be a Luminor or Submersible type of guy.Jean-Marc Pontroue, Panerai CEOOther videos from us can be found on our YouTube channel, here....
Doxa Sub 300 Carbon Aqua Lung US Divers On The Wrist
I’ve always been a fan of Doxa. When I started my journey into the wonderful world of watches, it was one of the first brands I came across. It amazed me how versatile Doxa’s line up was. It had vintage 38mm time-only pieces - gigantic watches in those days! Doxa made a handful of fantastic chronographs in the ’40s and ’50s. Some even came with a regulator dial layout. And, of course, you had its Divers’ watches, the Sub 300 series. So, when I received the press release of their new Sub 300 Carbon Aqua Lung US Divers, I knew I had to lay my hands on one.I prepared an article about the Sub 300 Carbon at that time, but that was only the beginning. I wanted to chec...
Nezumi Loews Reference LQ1.501 Will Brighten Up Your Wrist
I’m still not sure how comfortable I feel with Meca-quartz, but, ostensibly, that uncertainty odes nothing to inhibit me wearing Nezumi chronograph at least once a week. I’ve talked about my love for other models in the past. Those pieces are easier to digest. This model, however, is something rather special. The Nezumi Loews Reference LQ1.501 is far more vibrant than my usual fare. Let’s see how we got on…I like color. My obsession with sports (especially those of the American persuasion) means my wardrobe is jam-packed with vivid jerseys celebrating teams from coast-to-coast. As such, I don’t mind sporting a sizzling shade. Oddly, however, this proclivity for ...
Only Watch Watches That Could Only Be For Only Watch (2021)
This article is a direct counterpoint to the article I released 90 minutes ago. Whenever Only Watch lights up the internet, we are reminded of one thing: there’s no accounting for bad taste. Truthfully, however, what I define as bad taste could be seen as quite the opposite from another man’s point of view. Exactly how far apart my taste is from that of the future owners of these watches will become apparent when they go under the hammer in November. Before then, though, why don’t we have a bit of fun sharing our candid thoughts on the below…Please dive into the comments and tell me what you think of the watches featured in this article and the one from earlier today ...
5 Only Watch Watches We Wish Weren't Only For Only Watch (2021)
Every other year, we’re treated to that midsummer rush of madness known as Only Watch. The charity auction has done really, really well to establish such a foothold in the industry. The event is now highly anticipated by those of us tasked with covering industry releases full-time. It is a shot in the arm. It is a welcome refresher. To me, it is like Christmas morning except unlike my time as a child, I have absolutely no idea what I’m going to unwrap. And I love it…You can’t beat a good surprise. Every time Only Watch rolls around, there are a handful of brands that stand out head and shoulders above the rest. Remember the De Bethune/URWERK collaboration from 2019? I...
The Seven Best Chronographs Under $2,000 (2021)
We love the challenge of a good list here at Fratello. Especially when it comes to smaller budgets, it’s a great challenge to figure out the best options. With ever-increasing prices, it’s not always easy to come up with a list of affordable contenders. For this list, we picked the best mechanical chronographs under $2,000. As it turns out, there are plenty of options available for the money. But some of the obvious picks of the past are not an option anymore. So let’s find out what the best chronographs under $2,000 are.I am going to honest…I am one of those people that loves making lists. It doesn’t matter whether it’s about music, sports, or watches. Wh...
A Brief History Of Time: Nivada Grenchen's Complete Brand History
It's no secret that within recent years, interest in vintage watches has absolutely boomed. Not only have truly vintage pieces been selling for higher and higher prices, but for the latter half of the 2010s and now going into the 2020s, brands reaching back into their annals, pulling out historically important timepieces, and reproducing them has proved to be a winning business strategy.With this ever-surging interest in the wristwear of yesteryear, several brands have reemerged in the collective consciousness of the watch community at large, attracting both the newly-acquainted and long-time fans alike. Nivada Grenchen is one of these. Whether you're familiar with the brand and would like a...
Hands-On: Nomos Glashutte Tetra Neomatik in Red
I love me a good rectangular watch. So, when the all-new and limited NOMOS Glashutte Tetra Neomatik arrived, I immediately asked if I could wear it for a few days. It’s big and it’s bold, and therefore, it’s very much a statement on the wrist. But it’s also so much more wearable than you’d expect. Let me tell you why I think this is my favorite watch from the NOMOS collection. Oh, and beware, dear Fratelli: after reading this you might feel the urge to get yourself a square watch!Up until now, I had never had the opportunity to wear a NOMOS watch for more than just a quick try-out session. The minimalistic design of the Saxon brand’s watches, however, has ...
?The New Linde Werdelin Oktopus Moon 3DTP
Linde Werdelin might be based in London, but in this, its 20th-anniversary year, the brand shows us its Arctic roots. As I'm in Norway, I do know that Denmark isn't exactly the Arctic, but for our readers in Malaysia, Australia, or Wyoming, it might as well be the North Pole. And with the new Oktopus Moon 3DTP, Linde Werdelin plays into the stereotype in a good way. The brand’s watches might fly in the face of vintage-small-cased trends, but that is why we love them. Yes, I feel a strong Viking kinship, even if the new Linde Werdelin Oktopus Moon 3DTP makes me feel inadequate.I’m not a small guy at 6’3″, but the bold chunkiness makes me question my spindly arms. As th...
How To Prevent Buyer's Remorse When Shopping For A New Watch
It is probably my least favorite part of the whole watch-collecting hobby. That feeling you get when you open your watch case and there is a watch reproachfully staring at you. Why don't you ever pick me? You reach for it, but at the last minute, you decide to grab another that you just enjoy wearing more. You have to admit to yourself, “This was not the right watch for me.” Contemplating ways to minimize money lost on the misfit, you walk away with your favorite watch strapped to your wrist. Maybe tomorrowHow come we end up with watches that we do not actually enjoy wearing? Is there anything we can do to prevent such buyer's remorse in the future? I am particularly eager to hea...
Hands-On: Three New Yema Urban Traveller Models
The Wristmaster Traveller is a standout series within the Yema collection. We know the French brand predominantly for its dive watches, sports chronographs, and military versions of either of the two. But last year, the Yema Wristmaster Traveller Micro-Rotor Limited Edition was one of the brand’s most exciting releases. Now Yema adds three new models with great new dials to the Traveller lineup. It’s time to find out more about the Yema Urban Traveller.It was only last November when Yema made waves with its Wristmaster Traveller Micro-Rotor Limited Edition. Besides being the next design step in the evolution of the Traveller collection, the watches were the talk of the town thank...
A Handful Of Highlights From Only Watch 2023
This past week, news broke concerning the Only Watch 2023 lots. This year, 62 pieces will go under the hammer in Monaco, and the proceeds will go toward research on Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Aside from it being a great cause with nearly CHF 100 million raised over prior events, the watches tend to be exciting! Today, we'll share several of our favorites.Only Watch 2023 promises to be an exciting event once again when it kicks off on November 5th. Here, we get to see watch brands bring unique pieces to auction for a worthy cause. Sometimes, the watches are very much in keeping with the brand's DNA, while other times, they're quite wild. We also get to see relatively low-cost brands show up...
Feminine Watches I Love: Baby-G BG-169PB
Summer is here, and with it comes watches suited for the season. This is another installment of my Feminine Watches articles, but it could easily be my addition to our Best Summer Watches series. The Baby-G BG-169PB collection is bright, bubbly, and certainly ready for anything summer has in store. Never mind that it’s marketed for women. If you have ’90s nostalgia and aren’t afraid of bright colors, these watches are for you.The first time I saw the BG-169PB watches, I had some thoughts and feelings. I was reminded of elementary school in the ’90s, where a friend of mine had a Baby-G with the same rubber-coated roll cage. I was reminded of Tamagotchis - digital keych...