Oris Classic Date Or Save Up For an Omega De Ville Prestige?
Rodrigo is in the need of a dress watch with a brown leather strap. He noticed the Oris Classic Date that retails for under $1000, but he also has a couple of other thoughts he shared with us. He already owns the Omega De Ville Hour Vision, with a black leather strap and he likes the idea of being a one-brand guy.Finding the right classic dress watch isn’t easy. I’ve been struggling with this myself for a while, and also mentioned this in articles like this one. So let’s see how we can help Rodrigo.You Asked Us – Oris Classic Date or an Omega De Ville Prestige?Good afternoon, dear friends at Fratello Watches,I am a young man who started “collecting” watche...
IWC Portugieser Chronograph Classic Bucherer Blue Editions in Red Gold
The 130 years old retailer from?Lucerne in Switzerland collaborated with 11 different watch manufacturers to come up with their special Bucherer Blue Editions watches. This IWC Portugieser Chronograph Classic Bucherer Blue Editions in red gold is their 18th watch in this collaboration series. Previously, we reported about the Tudor that Bucherer did for this Blue Editions series, you can read it here. That watch is now well sought after by fans of the brand. Will the same thing happen to this IWC Blue Edition? Let’s zoom in a bit.IWC Portugieser Chronograph Classic Bucherer Blue EditionsWith a limited run of just 88 pieces, this IWC Portugieser Chronograph Classic Bucherer Blue Edition...
#TBT Calendar Auto Orient Diver Ref. T19735
Today, on #TBT, we take a look at a Calendar Auto Orient Diver, another rare 1960’s Japanese diver.? Oh, and Happy 4th of July!Unless you’re a real Japanese watch?otaku, this could easily be the first time you’ve laid eyes on the Calendar Auto Orient Diver ref. T19735.? It’s not a common watch and it’s a watch that I’d only seen a couple times in the back corners of forums when curious folks decided to ask what it was and what it might be worth.? Replies to such questions were often nonexistent.? But when you’re cruising through sales and auction sites in Japan, you stumble upon things – lots of things.? In fact, I recently took ownership of a ...
Top 5 Watches Under 1000 Euro
With this article, we show that a cool watch does not have to break the bank. We selected five awesome timepieces for you that cost less than $1,000 (or $1,000).Our last Top 5 article about cool diver watches for this summer was well received. We thought it would be fun to write another Top 5 article.Top 5 Watches Under 1000This time, however, we would like to concentrate on another topic. This is a subject that most of us have to deal with from time to time; budget. We all have (imaginary) lists with watches that we would like to own at one point. Most of the time, the reason these pieces will stay on this list forever is not their lack of availability, or because your significant other won...
This Week in Watches: July 4, 2020 Independence Edition
Welcome to This Week in Watches for July 4, 2020 the Independence Edition. Today, the USA celebrates its independence from the UK. And the UK? Today, the pubs reopen! Who knows which will cause bigger fireworks, but we wish you all well. Now, let’s get into some news.Yema Flygraf PilotSpeaking of independence, Yema is a company on its own that’s doing some great things. We’ve got an early scoop on a new release from them called the Flygraf Pilot. Firstly, the 39mm three-hander has a 24 hour inner ring and boasts 990 feet of water resistance. Then, Yema equips the watch with its in-house MBP1000 automatic under either a black or grey matte dial.I really like the dial details...
You Asked Us: Will Watches Go Out Of Style? Join The Discussion!
To us - the passionate watch community - the idea of watches going out of style seems unlikely. Then again, we are not the majority. Although our internet echo chambers may often convince us that 99% of the general populace lives, eats, and breathes luxury watches, we have to accept that isn’t the reality. Society could shift against us and our treasured ticking totems.I’m guessing that a lot of us don’t give two hoots about whether watches are “in” or “out” of style. I would happily wager that some of us are positively allergic to the concept. It seems likelier still, that some of us would almost relish the idea of being “outsiders”, or ...
Granulated Gold Grandeur Chopard L.U.C Perpetual Twin CronotempVs Edition
CronotempVs is a collectors/enthusiast/amateurs community dedicated to sharing the passion of horology. Founded in Madrid in 2009, the purpose is to connect watch enthusiasts away from the public eye. The members of the watch illuminati reside around the world. Initially, they just talked watches among themselves, but things have changed in recent times. The group has worked on projects with brands like ?A. Lange & Sohne, Audemars Piguet, Breguet, IWC, Jaeger-LeCoultre, Oris, and many others. And when I say projects, I’m talking watches. A special watch created by both the aficionados and the brand. The granulated gold grandeur of the Chopard L.U.C Perpetual Twin CronotempVs Editio...
Five Of The Best German Watch Manufacturers (2021)
I like the quiet contenders. On school sports day, they're the ones that lag behind at a snail's pace, reserving their energy before pulling a last-minute trick out of the bag and surging past everyone like a little Duracell Bunny. If they're particularly cunning, they'll throw a curveball and trip an opponent up, ever-so-sneakily before the finish line. I'm also quietly competitive. I like to gather all my facts. Observe other people. Study their strategies before conceiving and executing a nefarious master plan…Is that what smaller watchmakers do, do you think? They may not stand directly under the limelight or indeed, have the financial backing or the marketing they need to steal an...
New Girard-Perregaux Laureato Pink Gold & Onyx
Sometimes watches just have to grow on you. For ages, the Girard-Perregaux Laureato just couldn’t make my heart beat faster. That was until the brand released the Laureato Infinity Edition in 2020. It was then that all the pieces of the puzzle finally fell perfectly into place. What seemed like a relatively simple dial change made all the difference, and it has made me appreciate the entire Laureato line a lot more as well. With the introduction of the Girard-Perregaux Laureato 42mm Pink Gold & Onyx, I am once again reminded of the brilliance of the black onyx dial. In combination with the 18K rose gold case and bracelet, it makes for an absolute stunner of a watch.Within the realm...
Best Watches Under $2,000 Today: Thomas's Pick From King Seiko
I am sure you recognize this. You have a number of amazing watches, but one just seems to gobble up the majority of your wrist time. It’s that one watch that seems to be part of you, the watch that fits your style and lifestyle to a tee. Not that it is necessarily your best watch. Maybe it’s not even your best-looking one. But it is just the one that you gravitate toward.Honestly, this is the case for me. So, when I was asked what I think is the best watch for under $2,000, the answer was clear. It would be my King Seiko SPB281J1.King Seiko SPB281J1The re-issued King Seiko now comes in six dial colors. I am specifically describing my own SPB281J1 with the silver vertically brushe...
A Trip To New York With Oris And The Billion Oyster Project
As I write this, I’m on a flight from New York back to my home base in California. I’ve just put down the book The Big Oyster by Mark Kurlanski, of which I’ve only read a few chapters so far. The book was one of a few gifts provided to those who attended Oris’s release of the New York Harbor Limited Edition Aquis. But truly, the trip itself was the best gift. Getting to learn more about Oris and its partner for this release, Billion Oyster Project, was a reaffirming experience. I’m beginning to understand more of how the luxury industry can serve and support environmental efforts in a way that is genuine and productive. I also made some friends within the watch ...
Watch Dreams Come True With Swatch, Maurice Lacroix, And More
This week, it's all about making watch dreams come true. Why I am in such hopeful spirits? Because I finally got myself the Omega Swatch I was looking for. A relatively small dream, maybe, but smaller ones come true more easily and are therefore more fun. But for those who want to dream big, attending the upcoming Antiquorum auction taking place in Monaco on July 19th might be a good idea. That's because some extremely desirable watches from Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, and will be under the hammer. And for those who have colorful dreams and/or dream of making the world a better place, there's the Maurice Lacroix Aikon #tide Benzilla, a wild, artistic creation done in upcycled plastic.V...
Hands-On: The New Titoni Impetus 83751 S-626R
Historic Swiss watchmaker Titoni has been quietly making watches in its in-house facilities in Grenchen, Switzerland since 1919. You read that right - for over a century. With a focus on Swiss values and affordability, Titoni’s mid-range mechanical watches embody its motto: It is not the desire for growth and quantity but first-class quality and the love of details that matter. Today, the family-owned independent brand is in the hands of the fourth generation, which continues to demonstrate Titoni's credo with the attractive full-steel models in the Impetus series. The latest Impetus 83751 S-626R in a 39.5mm case with an integrated bracelet offers a svelte, classy style for everyday us...
Hands-On With The Chronoswiss Open Gear ReSec Electric Blue
The year is 1998, and Italian music group Eiffel 65 has unleashed its bizarre yet catchy “I’m Blue” onto the masses. The cult-like song tells the story of a strange blue man who lives in a blue world where everything is blue. Literally, everything is blue. It’s like this strange parallel universe where someone added a blue filter and turned it up to the max. Seriously, watch the video on YouTube, as it’s more than a little peculiar! What’s this got to do with watches? Absolutely nothing, but if this blue man wore a watch, it would undoubtedly be just as blue as the world he lives in. Not just a blue strap or a blue dial, no. Everything would have to be blu...
Watch Pouches For The Speedmaster Speedy Tuesday Watches
Depending on where I go, I almost always take an extra watch, and watch pouches come in rather handy. As a Speedmaster collector, I tend to take along one of my Omega Speedmaster Speedy Tuesday editions. I don’t like hauling too many watches at a time, so I only take a watch roll if I’m sure I can safely store my watches at my destination.Storage for your extra watch isn't a big deal, but it's a plus if it's something nice, right? Instead of the famous red Omega service cases, we thought of something more suitable for the Speedmaster Speedy Tuesday editions. Meet the Speedy Tuesday watch pouches.Speedy Tuesday watch pouchesFairly recently, I got in touch with Wesley Pijnenburg fr...
Audemars Piguet: New 37mm Royal Oak Offshore Models
In the 30th anniversary year of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore, we’re treated to a wide variety of new models. With the latest drop, the brand focuses on the 37mm Royal Oak Offshore, predominantly targeting ladies. But we know some gentlemen with smaller wrists also prefer wearing a 37mm Royal Oak. Whether that will also be the case with these blingy new models with diamond and gemstone-set bezels remains to be seen. There is also a new 37mm addition to the Royal Oak Offshore Music Editions. The year 2023 turns out to be quite a colorful one for the Royal Oak Offshore.In the last year of Audemars Piguet CEO Fran?ois-Henry Bennahmias, the brand puts out a wild variety of colorfu...
Le Chronographe Monopoussoir Louis Erard Massena LAB
Louis Erard is one of those brands that I follow closely. There is always an interesting story behind each of its models, whether it’s a remarkable collaboration, a great technical complication, or a wonderful, eye-catching dial. And what if it’s all three of those ingredients? That can be even better! I had a chance to try out Louis Erard’s latest collaboration with Massena LAB. The latter brand, founded by William Massena, has worked on a multitude of interesting limited editions. This is the second collaborative effort with Louis Erard, and it stands out immediately. But is it as good as it looks?Last year, the two brands unveiled the Le Regulateur Louis Erard Massena LA...
Tips For Buying Used Watches
Fratello On Air returns with another listener-inspired topic. This week, we tackle buying used watches and give some tips that we’ve learned over time. Expect a good back-and-forth dialogue while our co-hosts are traveling away from Germany. As always, we’re interested in your thoughts on a topic like this - we’re sure that many of you have great ideas!...
Introducing The Seiko SJE093: A Perfected 62MAS Reissue
I probably won’t have to tell you this, but the Seiko 6217-8000/8001, aka 62MAS, was Seiko’s very first professional diver’s watch in 1965. It’s the predecessor of all those magnificent Seiko divers that followed, and that’s exactly why it’s still such a desirable watch today. Over the past few years, we’ve seen quite a few Seiko divers that were strongly inspired by that first one. But the Seiko Prospex SJE093 that’s being introduced today is the most aesthetically similar re-edition yet.Over the past ten years, as with a lot of vintage icons, interest has grown quite a lot in the original Seiko 62MAS. Tomas already mentioned in his buying gui...
The Tissot Sideral: The Best Summer Watch For 2023
A few months ago, I visited the Tissot headquarters in Le Locle, Switzerland. I not only went there to have a look at the impressive production site but also to have a peek inside the brand’s archives. It's a big room with a huge amount of Tissot watches, ranging from the brand’s very early pocket watches to today's pieces.The Tissot Sideral StoryWhen going through the vintage watches with the brand’s heritage manager, we stumbled upon the Tissot Sideral S models. These mechanical watches from the 1970s utilized fiberglass cases in very funky colors. This material was light (four times lighter than steel), unscratchable, and unaffected by temperature changes. Developed and ...