Omega's Highlights Throughout The Years (2021)
A manufacturer of watches that goes to extremes. Omega sent its creations to the moon and the bottom of the deepest point on earth, the Mariana Trench. But Omega is also a brand you associate with the glamour of movie star George Clooney, the adventures of secret agent James Bond, and the biggest sports event on the planet, the Olympic Games. Omega is everywhere and it's always right on time because it continues to push horological boundaries with its ultra-precise Master Chronometers for example. Join us for a brief overview of some of Omega’s historical highlights.Since 1848, Omega has set itself the goal of seeking out and pushing boundaries. The watch brand from Bienne, Switzerland...
Tour De France 2022 With Tissot: The Man In Green Wins Stage 8
The Tour de France, 2022: A bolt of green emerges from the accelerating pack. Hitting a top speed of 54km on the gradual incline towards the finish line, the beguiling Belgian Wout Van Aert sits up in his saddle, head tilted towards the sky, eyes closed. His arms stretch out behind his torso as he arches his back to touch the line with his chest. It's a glorious celebratory pose. Like an Eagle flexing for flight, he sits proudly atop the mountain. Another stage win. His lead in the Green Jersey competition extended. Ten bonus seconds for his irrelevant placement in the GC. A hard day. A good day. And most certainly, a job well done.By this point, I am on the top deck of a VIP spectators̵...
Interview With Rolf Studer, Co-CEO Of Oris
Part of the schedule at Oris’s New York Harbor LE release event with Billion Oyster Project allowed for interaction with Rolf Studer, the co-CEO of Oris. He was gracious enough to sit down with me and talk about the brand, sustainability, and what it means to be a “citoyen”.I sat down with Rolf Studer at the back of the Oris Airstream trailer that had been towed to the New York Harbor release event. What had been an RV has been converted into an intimate Oris showroom on wheels. There’s a small dinette at the back, existing seemingly for exactly this kind of interaction. Studer is a laid-back individual but full of intensity, like a mainspring that is eternally wound ...
Straum Levels Up With The Opphav Damascus (2022)
This is not the first time I’ve written about the Straum Opphav in one shape or form here on Fratello. I can clearly recall sitting in a Dresden train station last summer when I first came across the Norwegian start-up. I was impressed by the visuals alone and the apparent attention to detail. When I saw the prototypes in the metal in mid-Autumn, I was even more impressed. Straum had launched two models - the regular Opphav and the limited-edition Rastarkalv with its dial made of fossilized wood. Apart from the unique dial, the Rastarkalv also features a case made of beautiful Damascus steel. After feedback from its vocal and active fan community, Straum has now released the Opphav wit...
Richard Mille Takes The Record For World's Thinnest Watch
After reading this article, you will have a very thin story to tell in the coffee corner. It will be wafer-thin. Just 1.75mm, in fact, but that's record-breaking, so it's also highly impressive. You will also be able to introduce a new word - Gronograaf. That's the name of Gronefeld's latest creation, the brand's first-ever chronograph. And if you want to show your sustainable side, you could bring up the Zenith Defy Extreme E Island X Prix Edition, a watch made for an electric off-road race. The most sustainable part of the watch is the strap that's made of old racing tires. What a great start to the week.There's a new world order. Not too long ago, the 1.8mm-slim?Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Ult...
Differences In Omega Speedmaster Bezels
Does the term “Dot Over Ninety (DON) bezel” ring a bell? When it comes to collecting or buying Omega Speedmaster watches, it’s all in the details. After bringing back the beloved DON bezel on the Speedmaster Speedy Tuesday “Ultraman” in 2018, Omega started doing so more often. The Apollo 11 models from 2019 also have this feature, as do the 2020 Silver Snoopy Award 50th Anniversary and the Speedmaster Calibre 321. Then, in 2021, the standard Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch also received the DON bezel. There’s also the very rare “220” misprint bezel, which you can find on some of the Speedmaster Professional ref. 145.022-69 models from 1970. ...
Introducing: The New Minase Uruga Collection
The brand-new Uruga collection from Japanese watchmaker Minase presents an intriguing array of 42mm and 31mm options. “Uruga” is an acronym of the Japanese words uruwashii and () and miyabi (, also read as ga), which mean “beauty” and “elegance.” First impressions indicate that the brand is delivering on both principles.?Minase Uruga - an interesting case structureJapanese watchmaker Minase is no stranger to us here at Fratello. We collaborated with the brand on the Fratello Minase M-3 Very Peri.” Now Minase is introducing a new series of watches under the Uruga collection in both 42mm and 31mm case sizes. Each offers the choice of a steel bracel...
Hands-On With The Impressive Seiko Prospex SLA073
We all know that Seiko releases an astounding number of watches every year. Because of that, it’s hard to remember all or even most of them. But every year, we get at least one marvelous standout that will find its place in your memory. This year, we have already seen the SJE093 (a 38mm remake of the 62MAS), the third Rowing Blazers collection, the Prospex SPB381, SPB383, and SPB385 GMT dive watches, and the higher-end King Seiko SJE089 and SJE091. Staying on the higher end of things is the new Seiko Prospex SLA073. This new version of the 1968 Diver’s Modern Re-interpretation combines some serious cave-diving-inspired style and an upgraded movement for impressive results.When it...
#TBT A Vintage Take On Alternative Rectangular Cool
I love to read stories about watch selections that follow a theme. When I spotted Thor’s list of unusual rectangular watches last Saturday, I instantly started to put together a list of my own featuring rectangular vintage watches. Well, here we are! Besides two crazy mechanical complications, you will also find classic style and even a quartz watch in today’s #TBT feature. Fasten your wristbelts!I have to admit that none of the highlighted watches below have populated my wrist in the last 365 days (at least). Yeah, I have way too many watches. In my defense, though, when I read Thor’s article, I didn’t need to open the safe to start collecting memories of all the gre...
Technology Omega Uses As The Official Olympic Timekeeper
Le Tour de France, Wimbledon, Copa America, and UEFA Euro 2024 are all happening right now. If that’s not enough, from July 26th to August 11th, the Summer Olympics will take place in Paris. It’s a very intense summer for sports (or winter if you’re watching from the Southern Hemisphere). At some of these events, like Le Tour and the Olympics, you’ll see prevalent branding from Tissot and Omega, respectively. That’s not only because they’re event sponsors but also because they’re vital partners in charge of timekeeping.In reality, Swiss Timing is behind the timekeeping for both events. It’s part of the Swatch Group and thus works in partnership...
Introducing: Christopher Ward C65 Super Compressor Elite
Christopher Ward has developed a distinct style over the past couple of years, but there is still great variety in the different releases. A great example of an aesthetic that differs from the brand’s signature style is the new C65 Super Compressor Elite. This watch celebrates the funky Super Compressor divers from the ’70s. But while the execution of the design might find its roots in the rich history of dive watches, technologically, this is very much a modern watch. It’s time to find out more about this latest addition to the brand’s popular line of retro divers.Four years ago, Christopher Ward introduced its first C65 Super Compressor model. As Tomas said back in ...
Fratello Talks: Finding The Perfect Summer Watch
Hello, and welcome to a sunny and warm episode of Fratello Talks! This week, Nacho, Lex, and Daan discuss summer watches. More specifically, they look at the ways they go about picking their ideal watch for the season. Is there such a thing as a perfect summer watch? If there is, you can follow Daan’s method to find it. We also outline some categories, specs, and styles that make a watch ideal for the warm weather, active lifestyles, and water-based activities we often enjoy in the summer. Whether it’s a cheap and cheerful watch with which you can enjoy carefree days abroad or an action-ready piece with all the specs to take on sand, surf, and sun, if you follow our advice, you&#...
The Louis Vuitton Tambour One Year On
This week, exactly one year has passed since the Louis Vuitton Tambour 40mm Automatic appeared in its new braceleted guise. With heavy hitters like the Polo ’79 having appeared this year, what are my thoughts on the Louis Vuitton Tambour one year on?There’s no escaping from the fact that retro and integrated bracelets are big winners in the infatuation game. They’re number one on many people’s grail lists and the top style you’ll see flaunted on social media. But the tide seems to be turning towards more modern timepieces. With this in mind, the nouveau Tambour has held its own against the competition.What does the new Louis Vuitton Tambour mean for the brand?Be...
Gerald Genta: It even gets better!
Being a big fan of Gerald Genta designs, I just found an article by Desmond Guilfoyle about the design work that Genta did for Omega in the 1960s. I’d read in several magazines and websites that Genta was responsible for some of the Omega Seamaster and Omega Constellation designs, but never knew which ones exactly.Picture by Ms. Stefania Slenzio von LUXURY GRIFFES S.A.Desmond was able to get in touch with Evelyne Genta, Gerald’s wife, and managed to have her asking him which models he designed for the most famous brand from Bienne. It seems – and I suspected this already – that he at least is responsible for designing the Omega Constellation C-model from the late 1960...
Omega's Extract Of The Archives How It Works
Why you want an Extract of the ArchivesWhen I bought my first vintage Omega Speedmaster, I wanted to know more about this specific watch. Information on the Speedmaster I could find on-line or in magazines, but I was curious to learn about the history of my own Speedmaster. For this, Omega – and a number of other brands – are able to provide you with an extract from the archives.Omega’s?Museum And ArchivesI ordered quite a few of these Omega Extract of the Archives documents over the years as I feel they do add value to the (vintage) watch.?It also gives you a production and shipping date, as well as the country it was originally shipped to. But what exactly are these archi...
Hands-On With The IWC Da Vinci Chronograph Edition Laureus Sport For Good Foundation
In front of us is the 11th Laureus IWC special edition in the famous blue color: the IWC Da Vinci Chronograph?Edition ‘Laureus Sport for Good Foundation’.?Let’s have a look.Laureus Sport for GoodThe Laureus Sport for Good (here after: Laureus) is a charitable organization that was founded by Richemont and Daimler in 2000. The goal of Laureus is to use sports to make the world a better place, without voilence, discrimination and disadvantage. Supporting over 100 programmes in approximately 40 countries, Laureus tries to make a social change. ?Since 2005, IWC has been a partner of Laureus. Every year they create a Laureus limited edition watch, of which part of the proceeds g...
Summer Special: 60's Vintage Diver Shootout Part 2
Andwe're back with part 2 of our Summer Special: 60's Vintage Diver Shootout featuring four archetypal watches from brands that are still here today. To recap, in the first episode, we provided a rundown on the specs of our combatants while providing a little flavor on each watch's history. The frontrunners, in most minds would clearly be either the Red Submariner Date or the Omega Seamaster 300 Big Triangle, two classics that tend to find themselves at the tops of many collector's want lists. The other horses in this race may come off as long shots, but both the Doxa 300 Searambler and the Seiko 6159 Professional bring their own unique merits to the derby. Let's walk through the particular...
Sunday Morning Showdown: Seiko SLA037J1 Diver's Watch
In this Sunday morning column, two of our writers go head-to-head in an epic showdown for the ages. Strong opinions and hysterical hyperbole are welcome (so feel free to join in with the fun in the comments section below). And don't forget to let us know which watches you'd like to see torn to shreds/effusively exalted next week. We'll try and feature as many of our readers' choices as we can. This week, we’re reverting to our traditional format. Two writers; one watch. Today, Balazs is gunning to consign “Bobsled Bobby” to his third straight defeat. The object of his disgust? The SLA037J1 55th Anniversary Diver's watch handily reviewed by Jorg for this week’s Watch o...
The Nivada Chronomaster "Paul Newman" Panda Valjoux 23 (2021)
What would you call a modern watch that looks like the vintage model that served as inspiration? A re-edition, right? The measurements would be a tad larger to accommodate modern tastes, perhaps. Maybe, the design might have some minor changes. But otherwise, the watch would be identical to the original. Inside, however, you'd have a new, often automatic, movement. Now, imagine the same scenario with a watch that is not only the spitting image of the vintage counterpart but has the same movement as well? The new Nivada Grenchen Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver Paul Newman Panda and Reverse Panda are precisely that.The vintage Chronomaster, “Paul Newman” models, are sought after amo...
The Grand Seiko SBGE269 And SBGE271 GMT Watches Are An Unexpected Revelation...
Stormy. Slick. Sophisticated. Shimmering. Smokey? Smart… These are some of the words I would use to describe the new Grand Seiko SBGE271 (the black dial) and the SBGE269 (the white dial). I’ve never been a massive fan of Grand Seiko’s elegance collection but occasionally find myself taken by one or two of the models. These bad boys have my attention because their existence is justified by one thing and one thing alone. It just so happens that one thing is something I definitely like: texture.I’m straight of the back of two special edition projects that gave me the chance to play around with my love of texture. The Minase Dividio we released back in March was my take o...