NOMOS Club Campus Vs. Oris Aquis Great Barrier Reef III
All right, with three quarter-finals down, these are the final two contestants entering our 2022 Summer Splash showdown. We are still on the hunt for the ultimate colorful summer watch. This time, we focus on aesthetics first. No monochromatic stuff allowed. We want something bright and cheerful to wear out in the sun. In this last quarter-final, we see the entry of the NOMOS Club Campus Future Orange and the Oris Aquis Great Barrier Reef III. It’s orange versus teal, diver versus do-it-all. Let's get ready to rumble!Ben will defend the Oris, while Thomas puts forward the NOMOS. Let's hear what they have to say about their respective candidates.Thomas: NOMOS Club Campus Future OrangeOk...
Hands-On: Omega's Latest Aqua Terra Worldtimer Models
It’s no secret that I’m still looking for a multi-time-zone watch to add to my collection. I’ve considered many options, including the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Worldtimer. Until recently, however, I had never tried it on because I deemed its 43mm size too large for my 17cm wrist. But after having worn the new Aqua Terra Worldtimer for a little over a week now, I realize that I might’ve been wrong all along, especially now that there’s a titanium version.There’s just something about a watch that lets you track multiple time zones. It immediately makes you think about traveling and vacation, even though I travel within the same time zone for most of my hol...
Balazs's GADA Watch: Speedmaster 145.022 Transitional
I was already preparing for this article when Mike and I recorded this week’s Fratello On Air podcast about our perfect three-watch collections. My picks were the Submariner 14060, a Patek Philippe 5196G, and a Omega Speedmaster Professional. Not just any Speedy, though. The only watch that I currently own from this lineup is the Omega Speedmaster 145.022 “Transitional.” Writing this article was not difficult at all. To me, this Speedmaster is my GADA watch.My history with this timepiece is well documented. If you search on Fratello, you might even come across a piece (or two) I wrote about my Omega Speedmaster 145.022 Transitional. It was my third Speedmaster, and it has ...
Hands-On: Sphaera Epoch Classic Rusty
The Sphaera Epoch Classic Rusty is not just a timepiece; it embodies emotion wrapped around your wrist. It whispers tales of yesteryear and adventures untold, with each glance at its weathered face stirring a deep, resonant connection to the timeless dance of hours and minutes. This watch doesn’t just mark time; it marks moments, imbuing them with an aura of antiquity and the warmth of a cherished heirloom. It’s a companion that carries the weight of history and the promise of the future, all while sitting quietly, ticking away the seconds with the steady heartbeat of a bygone epoch.How did you like that intro? It was generated entirely by AI, in this case, using Microsoft’...
Revisiting The Chopard L.U.C Qualite Fleurier In Lucent Steel
Some watches make an instant impression. They dazzle and overwhelm you, leaving you dazed and confused. The Chopard L.U.C Qualite Fleurier isn't like that. This is a watch that, after you've first seen it, gets under your skin. It seeps unnoticed into the watch-occupied caverns of your brain, only to make an appearance months later. At Watches and Wonders this year, I had the pleasure of seeing all the Chopard novelties. These included the elegant and understated L.U.C Qualite Fleurier in Lucent Steel, a sublime watch that underwent very demanding tests to achieve a seal of approval from the Fondation Qualite Fleurier. Recently, I have been thinking about that watch more and more. My thought...
The Best Watches Under $5,000: Mike's Picks
The Fratello Favorites series has taken us to the $5,000 limit, and that’s a tricky place to play. This was once the land of opportunity, but it now feels like no man’s land in a search for the best watches. Rising prices mean that brands like Omega and have disappeared from the scene. That’s okay because there are plenty of nice watches, but since my colleagues have already published articles, many pieces have been discussed. So I’ll take a slightly different direction with my choices.For most people, $5,000 is not a small sum. Despite the crazy rise in retail prices among luxury brands, many consumers haven’t decided to open their wallets further. Unfortunate...
Bulova Accutron Forum
About seven years ago, in 2001, I had this Bulova Accutron Spaceview wrist watch. I wrote a review on that watch and posted it here.I bought it off eBay and wore it for about a year or so before I traded it again. I remember that I was too afraid of damaging the movement, which would result in having a useless watch in my drawer. Repairing an Bulova Accutron is expensive and time consuming. Good spare parts are hard to find. However, there is hope. The Watch and Clock Forum created an Accutron forum. Perhaps I should have kept it and wait until there was this Accutron community ?? The nicest Accutron Spaceview I’ve ever seen is a triangular cased 14ct white gold version on a leather st...
Support International Anti-Poaching Foundation And Win
International Anti-Poaching Foundation SupportOur friend James Henderson of Tempus Fugit started an initiative to help the?International Anti-Poaching Foundation?(IAPF) raise funds. This organization fights against wildlife crime as it is sweeping our precious planet. Incredible animals such as the elephant and rhino (and many others) are being hunted and killed by criminals and this just has to stop. Now.IAPF needs your financial support in order to train, equip and manage the anti-poaching rangers. These anti-poaching rangers are defending the World’s natural heritage for the current and next generation. James Henderson of Tempus Fugit contacted several watch brands or related compan...
#TBT Hamilton Chrono-Matic
The missing link. Some of you may remember the article I wrote earlier this year pitting the Zenith A386 against the Seiko 6139 in a battle of two of the earliest automatic chronographs. I mentioned that I did not own an example of the 3rd entrant in the early automatic wars: the Calibre 11. Well, those days are over as I recently added one of these rabbit-eared specimens to my stable. My choice of model, however, may surprise you slightly as I went down the path least traveled or discussed. Then again, in light of yesterday’s Vintage Market article, I did mention that any Cal. 11 was a godo idea to consider.? In any case, get those wrists moving in order to keep that movement running ...
Hands-On with the TWCO Sea Rescue Diver Tactical Model
When we get our hands on the TWCO Sea Rescue Diver, it's hard to believe that it was already two years ago that we reviewed a watch from TWCO for the first time. Being a start-up microbrand at the time with only two years in the existence.?We now are looking at another addition to the growing collection of TWCO watches. The brand was introduced back in 2012 by Robbert Suurland. He’s a young watch aficionado and watch maker from the Netherlands.TWCO Sea Rescue Diver Tactical ModelNow 4 years later TWCO is expanded?the collection with the TWCO Sea Rescue Diver Tactical Model as they call it. Already in the collection for a long time, the Sea Rescue Diver is a sturdy dive watch which you ...
New Summer Watches From NOMOS The Club and Ahoi Aqua Models
Summer started and Nomos shows us two new watches: the Club and Ahoi Aqua models. Two watches in siren white and powered by the in-house developed DUW3001 movement.Club and AhoiAqua Series – Club and AhoiThe Club and Ahoi are two different collections, where Ahoi comes a bit more close to the original Nomos designs, the Club was aiming at a slightly different audience. Younger perhaps, but at least a bit sportier. The Ahoi is Nomos’ diver watch, or at least something you can wear near (or in) the sea. A perfect (summer) holiday watch! Where the recent Autobahn watches weren’t everyone’s cup of tea (nor should they be), the Aqua versions of the Nomos Club and Ahoi will...
Watches & Pencils #39 Daily Beater
Some of you only have one watch (although we’ve never met you), others have a big collection of watches.?But, almost everyone has a daily beater.Above illustration is not only a word joke, but there is actually a deeper layer in it: brands could up end up as daily beater by “mixing” components the right way. What's the right mix? Read on.MotivationsWe often buy watches and try to expand our collection. But, like a human body, most of the time everything keeps centralized around the heart. We try to find that single versatile piece, to use as a daily beater. The watch that suits almost every occasion. It's the most valuable piece in the collection, in an emotional way. What ...
A Deeper Look at the Omega Seamaster Ultra Deep
We break down the event that unveiled the Omega Seamaster Ultra Deep and think about the future.It’s been days since the reveal of the Omega Seamaster Ultra Deep at the British Museum in London, but the event left a lasting impression with me.? For certain, the creation of a watch able to withstand 15,000 meters of depth was extremely impressive, but there were other things at work that made this day significant.? Like every other site, we were Johnny on the spot with an article once the embargo dropped, but let’s now take a deeper look at what happened that day, the reaction to the watch, and what we think might develop as a result.London – Never a Bad ChoiceI love London ...
Video Interview With Astronaut Nicole Stott
A few weeks ago, we sat down with astronaut Nicole Stott when we were in Milan, to talk to her about being a Space Shuttle astronaut, Family and Speedmasters.A day before our Speedy Tuesday event in Milan, we had the opportunity to interview Nicole Stott in the beautiful city of Milan. The event report (with videos) of Milan can be found here.In the video, Nicole Stott is wearing her Omega Speedmaster 38 Co-Axial reference 324.38.38.50.03.001.Nicole Stott (1962) was part of NASA’s selection group of 2000. In 2009, she was flight engineer during the STS-128 mission and was in space for 90 days, 10 hours and 44 minutes. In 2011, she was Mission Specialist during the STS-133 mission and w...
#TBT Omega Reference 2639
When I look at the vintage time-only Omega watches that I own, I see a pattern. Most of them are from the ’50s. They have a larger 35mm+ case size and a second’s sub-dial at 6. I don’t know why, but I’m just drawn to these timepieces like this excellent reference 2639(-14) with golden stardust dial and Dauphine hands.Today’s subject is not my first 2639. Throughout the years I’ve been collecting watches, I came across a good few examples. Still, I have to say; this is the most beautiful example I have ever had. There is just something special about watches with black dials. Although I’m not a big fan of gold indexes and steel cases, it just works wel...
Chrono24 Job Opportunity: Head of VIP-Service
Love watches? So do we. If you’ve ever dreamed of working with luxury timepieces on a daily basis, read on. Chrono24, the world’s leading online marketplace for luxury watches, is hiring!Every day, Chrono24 brings together more than 500,000 watch lovers from all over the world. The site offers around 475,000 watches for sale from over 3,000 dealers and numerous collectors worldwide. A new era in buying watches has begun. Chrono24 is not only part of the change, but it is also leading the line.What can you expect?As Head of VIP-Service, you will have the opportunity to assemble your own team, which will support their top customers in buying and selling high-priced luxury watches. ...
A. Lange & Sohne Lange 1 Time Zone Watch Gets A New Caliber
New releases from A. Lange & Sohne are rare. When they do come along, they should be given the respect and attention they deserve. While the latest A. Lange & Sohne Lange 1 Time Zone is not a new model per se, it does feature a new caliber, which thoroughly bolsters this model’s presence in an already star-studded catalog.The Lange 1 model first emerged in 1994 as the soon-to-be icon charged with establishing the brand as a major player. It was the piece that put the Lange family name back on the map. Since then, it has remained (in several forms) a mainstay in the Lange catalog.Thanks to its defining role, the Lange 1’s memorable layout has remained largely unchanged sin...
Preview of Geneva, June 2020 Auctions: Phillips And Antiquorum
A little over a month later than usual mid-May, the Geneva watch auctions are back on. At last, some sort of normalcy has returned. Two auction houses will host watch auctions in Geneva before the end of June. Antiquorum and Phillips return to action. Meanwhile, Sotheby's has opted for bi-weekly online auctions since March instead and Christie's pushed back its sale for a second time to the end of July.Since March, when many countries began confinements, we've seen surprisingly strong results for online watch auctions. And while live auctions are returning, their format will be much changed. Travel restrictions remain in place. As such, t will be interesting to see how they fare without many...
Hands-On With Louis Erard Alain Silberstein Regulator Watch
A collaboration of the highest order. It is so good, you can't tell for sure who is helping who here. Contributions are equal. You can see both parties’ influence, but the end product feels different. It's just better. Louis Erard Alain Silberstein Le Regulateur combines best from both DNAs in a unique piece that doesn't have competitors. Why?I?always respected and admired Louis Erard for its obsession with regulators. Since the brand’s rebirth in the early 2000s, watches with three separate hands became its primary focus. That was a shame, but it was understandable. I can imagine it needs a lot of persistence to go against the mainstream.Alain SilbersteinFrench artist Alain Silb...
Introducing The New Bamford Revolution GMT "Joe Cool"! (2021)
The world needs fun watches! I’m sure we’ve all seen that guy who’s become part of internet meme legend, the guy with a sign? I feel that my first sentence would fit nicely on one of his signs. It’s true, though. While I love this industry dearly, sometimes it does like to take itself a bit too seriously, and we need fun watches to bring things back down to Earth. Well, how about this for one such fun watch? Introducing the new Bamford Revolution GMT Joe Cool!Who is Joe Cool? And why is Snoopy on the dial?Well, my eagle-eyed readers, you are correct that it is Snoopy on the dial. The cartoon beagle we all know and love so well. For fans of the Peanuts comic strips, yo...