Rado Sintra XXL Automatic
I have never cared much about Rado watches because of the lack of mechanical movements. Just recently my attention was drawn to the re-introduction of the Rado Diastar with automatic movement. I also noted that Rado introduced their high-tech ceramic Sintra watch with an automatic movement. Well, finally :-). I??have to??admit that I like the concept of unscratchable watches by using ceramic materials, but??I always linked this watch to old people??who play tennis all day.??But don’t let me hold you back from purchasing??this Rado Sintra XXL! With the introduction of the use of mechanical movements, it might attract the younger crowd as well.As always, this ETA driven automatic Rado ha...
Passion for Watches Group @ LinkedIn
As most of you probably are member of LinkedIn, please join the ‘Passion for Watches’-group! If you are not a member of LinkedIn, consider signing up.. it’s a great (free of charge) platform to stay in touch with business partners, former colleagues, to search for people (either recruitment or subject experts) and for business opportunities.Anyway, let’s get together in the ‘Passion for Watches’-group and see what other watch enthusiasts are doing. Perhaps you have more in common than your passion for watches!Click the LinkedIn logo above or the URL below to join the Passion For Watches-group!https://www.linkedin.com/e/gis/56533/4DEF84174391...
Heuer 300SLR Caliber 1887 Limited Edition Review
Heuer – or TAG Heuer – only got limited attention here at Fratellowatches, but that’s going to change today. Recently, I had the opportunity to see the Heuer 300 SLR and TAG Heuer Carrera Caliber 1887 in the flesh and handled both of them. The Heuer 300 SLR is a chronograph to my liking, the column wheel in-house chronograph (although some voices whisper Seiko when discussing this movement) is a very straight-forward but impressive movement. The sleek case design with its elegant lugs and chronograph pushers and the brown dial with orange details make this 300SLR a great tribute to 1960s chronograph watches. Also, true Heuer fans will be excited that this watch has no sign ...
Speedy Tuesday Speedmaster Date 'Panda'
Speedmaster DateIt’s Speedy Tuesday! Today we have an OMEGA Speedmaster Date reference 323.30.40.40.04.001 or ‘Panda Speedy’ as the owner calls it. OMEGA has been using these ‘Panda’ dials in different models, including the Speedmaster Professional (Apollo 11 35th Anniversary edition in 2004 and the Speedmaster Mitsukoshi edition for the Japanese market in 2003). This Speedmaster Date also has a white dial with black sub registers, looking like a Panda face.As you can see, the Speedmaster Date case is not much different from the “Moonwatch” with its brushed sides and polished facets on the lugs. The 40mm case is just slightly smaller than the “...
#TBT Breitling 814 Top-Time Chronograph
It's rare that I am able to try on a vintage watch before purchasing it. That sounds funny, but unlike the new watch buying experience, most of my forays into the classic world don't involve a flashy store, a gratis glass of sparkling water or Champagne, or an anxious salesperson. No, the bulk of my purchases are made online. Therefore, I target watches that typically pick up on a similar theme as they probably look similar to something I already own that I like. Sometimes, though, if I'm lucky, I get to ogle vintage pieces in person and try them on for size and looks. Here again, though, my in-person experiences have always led me down familiar thematic paths. This all changed recently, tho...
Inspired by the past made for the present The new Hanhart Pioneer One
The new Pioneer One the timeless chronograph that has been admired in past decades is now back with a contemporary design and technology. The relaunch of this classic model lifts it onto the next level to exceed the desires and expectations of today's most critical watch lovers. By adapting originality to the latest standards of watchmaking, Hanhart brings the unique charm of the early 50s back to life.Perfect legibility with modern technologyThe exclusive watch manufacture from the Black Forest understands to merge functionality and precision engineering with exclusive, unique design like no other. Established in 1882, Hanhart has created countless masterpieces that still follow the same ru...
Hands-On With The Seiko SLA019J1 Marinemaster
The Seiko Marinemaster 300 is one of the best watches I got in recent years. Period. Emotions aside, this watch is so much bang for the buck, that it wins hands down from other diving watches by brands like Tudor, Oris, Longines and perhaps even IWC, Omega and considering what you’d get for the money. Quite a bold statement, but when I received it in January 2015, it had a list price of $2000 and there was nothing that came close to the specifications the Marinemaster 300 had for that price. Now, they discontinued the Marinemaster 300 (SBDX017) and introduced this Seiko SLA019J1 or ‘1968 Automatic Diver’s Limited Edition’ as it is officially referred to. Is it still ...
PaceMasters Racing-inspired Paddock Chronograph
Paddock Chronograph – a racing-inspired timepiece from PaceMasters Watches featured with Carbon Fiber dial and Genuine Alcantara strap, powered by a hybrid Meca-Quartz movement is now live on Kickstarter starting from $379.Racing inspirationThe Paddock name comes from the limited access enclosed area on the racing circuit behind the pits in which the teams keep their motorhomes and where all the behind-the-curtains racing life happens. There is no admission to the public to this area, and one should have a special Paddock Club Admission to get there, which makes Paddock Chronograph feel on the wrist like a privileged pass to the world of racing.Hybrid Meca-Quartz movementJust like a mo...
Speedmaster Prototype Up For Auction
Already during the Apollo mission, Omega came up with new and interesting Speedmasters for future use by NASA.All these watches were using the Alaska codename, in order not to wake up the competition during. The Swiss watchmaking industry is a small world and when some of the competition resides in the same (small) Swiss city, even a late night bar or restaurant visit can be tricky. That’s why brands like Omega like to use codenames for special projects. For everything concerning NASA, Omega used the codename Alaska. Already during the days of Apollo, Omega created Speedmaster variations using this codename (here’s the white dial Alaska, and here’s the white dial Alaska II,...
#TBT 1960's Alpina 10 Seastrong From A Swedish Diving Pioneer
It came with everything a collector could dream of. A long wait before the watch pops up. Bad pictures featured in the online listing and a blind bid, that ended in winning an all original and never-before-serviced watch. Unbelievable provenance unveiling that my Alpina 10 Seastrong has had hundreds of dives in Swedish waters. Including some of the first few pioneer dives to explore WW2 shipwrecks.Let's take it from the top. One night, two years ago, I was checking listings for Alpina 10 Seastrong divers' watches. My heart skipped a beat when I spotted this model listed in a Swedish auction. The pictures were horrible and it looked like the minute hand was missing. A few random watch shots o...
Bulova Oceanographer Snorkel 666 Feet The Return Of The Devil Diver
There are several divers from the ’60s and ’70s that are still charming today. Think of the Doxa Sub 300, the Longines Skin Diver, or the Bulova Oceanographer, for example. These are fantastic vintage pieces that are sturdy and rugged vintage tool watches. There’s something else they all have in common too - they all have re-editions.The Longines Skin Diver came out a few years ago, and the market loved it. Doxa has made many reinterpretations of the Sub 300 as well. Lately, we have seen the release of the carbon Sub 300. Bulova has an extensive vintage portfolio from dive watches to LED watches and more. It was only a matter of time before the brand reached back and pulled...
Seiko Prospex SNJ029 And SNJ031 Are Blockbuster Successes
I’m sick to the stomach. It just isn’t fair. I thought I’d been through this already. I had just about managed to convince myself that I didn’t need last year’s SNJ025 and then Seiko decided to release the new SNJ029 and SNJ031. Needless to say, my resolve is in tatters.I shouldn’t complain. For this kind of money, you’re getting a huge amount of watch. Better still, you’re getting an under-the-radar cult classic, brought bang up-to-date with on-trend colorways. To be quite honest, it was the green that did it for me. I have a micro-collection of Casio Mudmasters that I rarely wear but can’t stop buying because of their mastery of color. ...
Vacheron Constantin Historiques American 1921 (2021)
The Historiques American 1921 Excellence Platine is a watch that made me realize that Vacheron Constantin is still the boss. In the past, things were much easier than they are today. Once upon, we had the big three, the holy trinity, the masters of watchmaking clearly defined: Audemars Piguet, Patek Philippe, and Vacheron Constantin stood atop the mountain. All others could do little but marvel at their superiority. There was a huge gap between that trio and whichever brand came next. Those were simpler times.Today, it’s much more complicated. New high-end brands have entered the game and are right up there with the holiest of holies. Even in the same stable as Vacheron Constantin, the...
LIC Honey brown mat Rooster Foot Strap Is Delicious (2021)
I actually don’t know what rooster foot tastes like. However, if it tastes half as good as it smells, it might well be my favorite food-in-waiting. And given that it smells half as good as it looks, the unusual material (that almost sounds kind of comical in a luxury context) is racking up the positive attributes. I bought this 20mm tapered leather strap from LIC in Belgium a few months ago and I fitted it to my original Nezumi Voiture “Quarts” model. It’s a handsome combo that I’m pleased to share with you today.No, “Quarts” isn’t a spelling mistake on my part. It is the unavoidable nickname given to the first generation Nezumi Voiture Meca-qu...
Go Deep! Hands-On With The New Oris Depth Gauge
You may remember my introduction to the striking black and yellow depth gauge that Oris released at the start of May. The Depth Gauge was one of Oris's most technologically advanced timepieces. It features a mechanical method for divers to track their current depth underwater. However, as I noted back then, mechanical depth gauge watches are not exactly commonplace in our industry.Before I get stuck into this review, I wanted to add a caveat that there is a limitation to the Oris Depth Gauge, and that is, it only tracks the current depth. Therefore, there is no record of the deepest point of the dive. Now, for decompression time calculations, this is an essential factor to take into account....
Seiko Prospex 1959 Alpinist Reinterpreted For A Modern Audience (2021)
Several records were broken on Mount Everest last week. There was a woman from Hong Kong who climbed the world’s tallest mountain in less than 26 hours, making her the fastest woman ever. And there was also a Chinese man who became the first blind Asian to climb the 8,849-meter mountain. I really don't want to take anything away from these people, but climbing Mount Everest doesn't seem that mythical anymore. Back in 1959 just six years after Everest was first summited Seiko released the first Alpinist. Mountaineering back then was the domain of an elite group of people; intrepid adventurers with deep pockets and big egos. We could be feeling intrepid with Seiko's Prospex 1959 Alpinist...
Seiko 6R35 And Soprod: Workhorse Movements In Flux
“Workhorse movements”. Whether you love that one or hate this one, as a genre, they power the vast majority of watches made. Sure, we’re familiar with the old standards like the ETA 2824-2 and copycat Sellita SW200-1, but the landscape is changing. Established but previously lesser-known movement manufacturers like Soprod are coming onto the scene. Seiko is actively shifting the price of its 6RXX movement family into Swiss workhorse territory. And new proprietary calibers are redefining the specs we’ve come to expect from “standard” movements. All this begs the question: what is the future of workhorse movements?To answer that, we might start with trying t...
Wrist Game Or Crying Shame: Franck Muller Endurance 24
Well, this is awkward… Here I am, about to make my debut in this column, and the watch that I wanted to write about has just sold out. Crap. I knew I should’ve written it up as soon as I saw it on Chrono24 for $3,800… I’m talking about the Franck Muller Endurance 24, and more specifically, an example with a racy red dial. Alas, as is so often my fortune in watches, the boat was docked and waiting, but I missed it again. That’s life, though, and I won’t lament it now. Instead, I’ve scoured the interwebs for the next-best version, and I think I’ve found one that can carry this article through. So, without further ado, I present the Endurance 24 w...
Harrison Ford To Sport The Hamilton Boulton As Indiana Jones
Get ready, Indiana Jones fans! Your favorite hero archaeologist is making a grand return to the silver screen on June 30th after a 15-year absence. This fifth installment of Lucasfilm's Indiana Jones franchise is billed to be the last hurrah of the saga. And with a title like Indiana Jones and the Dial of Destiny, it’s hardly surprising that there would be an affiliation to a watch.On his adventures this time, Harrison Ford's character Indy is sporting the Hamilton Boulton watch alongside his signature whip and fedora. At 80 years young, the actor has a fitting choice of the Boulton as a trusty companion in the film. Indeed, both Ford and the Hamilton watch hail from the early 1940s. W...
The New Maurice Lacroix Pontos S Diver 42mm
The last few days of May were fun for dive-watch fans. We saw more than a handful of watches come out right before the vacation season hits us. Among these fresh releases was the new and improved Maurice Lacroix Pontos S Diver 42mm. But instead of sending out a press release, the brand planned something much more fun than that. Following last year’s extravaganza in Miami where we saw the introduction of the Aikon #tide, this time, we jetted to Dubrovnik, Croatia for the launch.Maurice Lacroix invited some of its most important partners and a select group of journalists to reveal the latest generation of the Pontos line. We were there to witness it, and this is what we saw.Maurice Lacro...