Omega's New Seamaster PloProf, Planet Ocean, And Ultra Deep
For the 75th anniversary of the Seamaster collection, Omega also decided to reintroduce the Ploprof (1200M) in a size that is close to the original from the 1970s. In addition, we find a new dial color for the Planet Ocean 600M and Ultra Deep. These three watches are Omega's finest when it comes to water resistance, and they’re now available with distinctive Summer Blue dials.All 11 references that Omega announced to celebrate the Seamaster's 75th anniversary feature special blue dials. The depth of the blue differs from model to model and depends on the water resistance of the watch. This is why the Aqua Terra models have a light shade of blue, the 300 and Diver 300M are a bit darker,...
Introducing: Oris Divers Sixty-Five Cotton Candy In Steel
Oris has a special place in my heart. The brand’s Art Blakey was my first serious mechanical watch purchase a little over three years ago, and I still very much enjoy that watch. Since then, the impressive Calibre 400 has been introduced, which also means that prices for many of the brand’s watches have gone up significantly. Luckily, though, Oris also still introduces fun watches with trusty Sellita movements for more affordable prices. And that’s exactly the category these new Divers Sixty-Five Cotton Candy models in stainless steel fall under.For me, Oris is that accessible and informal brand that lures new watch enthusiasts with fun and creative watches. Don’t get...
Vintage Watches, Auctions, And Heritage Departments
Fratello On Air returns, and we talk about recent controversies related to vintage watches, auctions, and heritage departments. We spare our usual chit-chat in the beginning and loop in a watch-related sighting in an upcoming Christopher Nolan movie. If you like candid talk, we hope you enjoy today’s episode!...
The Best Summer Watches Lex's Picks
The summer is for traveling to a destination that will enable you to live your very best life. First, you have to get to your destination in style and on time - cue the first watch, the Longines Spirit Zulu Time GMT 39mm. And once you get to the temporary paradise of choice, you want to shine - Casio G-Shock GMW-B5000PG-9 from the 40th Anniversary Recrystallized Series - and have fun swimming, diving, running, cycling, hiking, etcetera - Certina DS Action Diver 38mm. Here are my picks for the best summer watches.There's a time and place for everything, including different watches. Are you attending a wedding? That’s the perfect time and place for a dress(ier) watch. Come to think of it...
#TBT The Scarce Mercedes-Branded Competition By Benrus
A “gift for a man who has everything . . . even a sports car!” says the 1959 ad promoting the Benrus Competition, a watch personalized with one of eight car crests. Besides this Mercedes version, Porsche, MG, Jaguar, Triumph, Corvette, VW, and Thunderbird models were available.I admit that I saw this watch for the first time this week when it was listed by one of the watch dealers I like to follow. Now and then, Avocado Vintage Watches surprises me with a watch I haven’t seen before or one that hasn’t resurfaced for a long time. As a classic car enthusiast, I was instantly attracted to this watch. Not to mention, it looks like an Omega Seamaster CK2913 twin. I donR...
New: The Ming 37.08 Starlight With An Arresting Aventurine Dial
The Ming 37.08 Starlight is the brand’s newest release, and it’s a natural beauty that reacts dramatically to the light. As we’ll see, this watch uses the latest case format, which fits well on wrists of various sizes. Potential buyers will also like that a bracelet is standard and that the model will be produced annually.Aventurine is one of my favorite dial mediums. I can recall seeing the Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonphase Aventurine and was taken by the sparkly purplish material. Sparkly surfaces aren’t my normal inclination, but aventurine is a form of quartzite rock, and because it’s natural, I enjoy it. That Omega model came out in 2012, and since t...
Introducing: The Vero Open Water 38 In White And Yellow
I’m surprised we’ve never covered the previous version of Vero’s Open Water. It’s a no-nonsense 41mm watch with a DLC-coated bezel and a selection of colorful dials. I remember it was quite a hit on Instagram when it came out. Now, based on that predecessor, the US-based brand is introducing the Vero Open Water 38. It has a similar clean design as before, but it comes in a smaller 38mm size, has a Cerakoted dial and bezel, and features an updated bracelet. Today, I’ll take a quick look.Vero calls itself the champion of the modern American field watch. That’s quite the statement to make, but I think I have to agree with it. Watches like the USDA Forest Serv...
Ressence Introduces The New Type 5 L
I love Ressence, and I love classic night divers, so when I read that the Belgian brand would release a version of its Type 5 dive watch with a full-lume dial, I was all eyes and ears. But I was also curious to discover how Ressence founder Beno?t Mintiens would make that work. My initial thought was that he’d take the existing Black Black version of the Type 5 and equip it with a white luminous dial. Doing so would create a version with the traditional look of a night diver. But we are talking about Ressence here. “Traditional” is not part of the brand’s vocabulary. Instead, we are treated to a beautiful gray version of the watch. The result is another striking timep...
New: Ceramic Blancpain Bathyscaphe Calendar And Bracelet
Blancpain introduces a new Bathyscaphe Quantime Complet in black ceramic and two dial colors as well as a brand-new bracelet in full ceramic. The Maison is doubling down on its zirconium dioxide offerings to great effect. The new bracelet will be available as an additional option to several existing ceramic Bathyscaphes, broadening your range of choices. Let's have a look at these releases from the watchmakers from Le Brassus.Blancpain Fifty Fathoms BathyscapheBlancpain is perhaps most famous for its trailblazing Fifty Fathoms. The Bathyscaphe version of it debuted in the late 1950s. Blancpain intended it to be a more wearable counterpart to the pretty hardcore regular Fifty Fathoms. After ...
Fratello Talks: Our Favorite Recently Released Watches
Hi there! Welcome to the latest episode of your favorite watch podcast, Fratello Talks. This week, Nacho is joined by Daan and Lex to run through some of their favorite recently released watches. Having not done one of these recaps for a while, we thought we’d look back to some of the latest introductions post Watches and Wonders. As you might have come to expect, we’ve seen a ton of new watches released from the world’s biggest brands. However, there are also a handful of novelties from less popular brands that we also show some love to. Tune in to check out this summary of our favorites! But before we dive into the new watches, let’s see which ones are on the wrist ...
Hands-On: Casio G-Shock Gravitymaster GR-B300
The Gravitymaster isn’t the best-known model in G-Shock’s Master of G series, but it is just as capable and impressive as its collection mates. The newest addition to the Gravitymaster lineup is the GR-B300 series with a design inspired by fighter jets. These three watches feature a fully analog display focused on providing info for all your adventures in the sky. It makes these three new models interesting oddballs in the Master of G series, and that’s why it’s time to find out more.G-Shock is one of those brands that constantly adds new models to the lineup. Blink once, and you might miss some of them. One of the perks of being a Fratello writer is that I have a cha...
Girard-Perregaux Laureato
Last year, I have been posting a lot on watches. A brand you can’t ignore in my opinion. However, this year I promised myself to have a good look around for other interesting watches and brands. Earlier this year, I bought myself an IWC Ingenieur and a vintage Titus chronograph in 18kt rose gold (very very thin ;)) and now I am investigating other watches for a possible future purchase. I had my share of impulse purchases in the past, and most of them ended-up on the various sales corners again.A while ago, I read an article about the Girard-Perregaux (GP hereafter) Laureato. GP is a brand that you won’t see much, perhaps because their name isn’t as known as the , Patek, I...
BREAKING NEWS: NICOLAS HAYEK PASSED AWAY
Swatch Group Press Release:“Biel/Bienne, 28 June 2010 – With deep sadness and regret we inform you that Mr. Nicolas G. Hayek, Chairman and Delegate of the Board of Directors of The Swatch Group Ltd. unexpectedly passed away today due to heart failure during work at his beloved Swatch Group.Mr. Nicolas G. Hayek's greatest merit was his enormous contribution to the saving of the Swiss watch industry and the foundation and the commercial development of the Swatch Group. Mr. Nicolas G. Hayek's extraordinary vision enabled him to realize and ensure the sustainability of a strong watchmaking enterprise with high Swiss added value. He is rightly recognized as a leading entrepreneur in t...
Linde Werdelin The One Hard Black II DLC Review
Just recently, I was able to test drive the Linde Werdelin The One Hard Black II DLC timepiece, including The Rock instrument. I shared my experience and thoughts about this watch and instrument on the Linde Werdelin forum over at Watchuseek.Although I think you just should click the link and go read the article, I can tell you in advance that I really love this timepiece. Stealth looking when dressed casual, and very notable when suited up. The watch feels remarkably light (although it is stainless steel, not titanium) and has the same comfy dimensions as my Linde Werdelin 3-Timer (review here). The Rock is an instrument I have no personal use for at the moment, but it was nice to have a go...
We Take A Closer Look At Two Gold Omega Speedmaster Professional Apollo XI Watches
My First Encounter with a Gold Omega Speedmaster Professional Apollo XIWhen I bought my first Speedmaster in October 1999, it didn't take long to get in touch with other Speedmaster enthusiasts. One of them referred me to a watch maker that was close in my area that was more or less specialized in Speedmaster watches. I got in touch with him and the first time we met he was wearing this crazy gold Speedmaster Professional with burgundy bezel and engraved caseback filled with red lacquer. At the time, I didn't know about this specific model but I knew it was something special. Apparently, I had the honor to come across the gold Omega Speedmaster Professional Apollo XI numbered edition, refere...
The Retro Trend Continues Introducing The IWC Mark XVIII 'Mark 11'
IWC has a long history regarding pilot’s watches. Their iconic Mark 11 dates back to 1948 and that’s why IWC thought it is time to resurrect it in the current Mark XVIII. Meet the ‘Tribute to Mark XI’ version. Limited to only 1948 pieces, so you have to be quick.The original IWC Mark 11 was in production from 1948 till the early 1980s, before being replaced with the Mark XII. The IWC Mark 11 was fitted with a IWC Caliber 89 movement, hand-wound and ticking at 18.000vph. A movement they used in various other watches as well. After that, IWC used Jaeger-LeCoultre movements and ETA movements for their Mark-series Pilot watches. This new IWC Mark XVIII ‘Tribute to M...
Oris Staghorn Restoration LE and the Coral Restoration Foundation
The Oris Staghorn Restoration Limited Edition has been introduced as a special model in Oris’ new Aquis line. Sales of this watch will support the Coral Restoration Foundation (CRF) in Key Largo, Florida.The Coral Restoration FoundationThe Oris Staghorn Limited Edition at Pickles Reef, Key Largo, FloridaOcean conservation traditionOris has quite a tradition contributing to marine-life saving projects and ocean conservation. Since 2010, amongst other projects, they teamed up with projects in Australia, the Maldives and the Red Sea. For every project Oris introduced a special divers watch, from which part of it’s proceeds are donated to the belonging project.Oris Chairman Ulrich He...
Summer Special: 60's Vintage Diver Shootout Part 1
Ah summertime, it's finally officially here despite the fact that it's been seriously hot throughout most of northern Europe for the last couple of months. With Summer comes vacations and that means that most of us will make our way towards the beach or at least a refreshing pool. And what watch to wear? The natural response is a dive watch, that casual genre of timepiece that can handle the water just as easily as the condensation dripping from the glass of a poolside cocktail. But let's say you're a real vintage nut and the thought of wearing the same newer (read: watertight) diver for 1,2 or 3 weeks in a row sounds mundane, then we have some suggestions. In today's article, we'll head bac...
Hot Take: MING 18.01 Abyss Concept
We take a look at the MING Abyss 18.01 Abyss Concept, a new foray for the detail-obsessed micro brand.Today we’ll give you look at the MING Abyss 18.01 Abyss Concept, a model that brings in several firsts for the small micro-brand that designs its watches in Malaysia, but primarily utilizes Swiss suppliers for their construction.? It’s been nearly two years since we first took a look at a MING watch, the titanium 17.01, but they’ve definitely remained on our radar.? With a focus on details, serious quality, and often working with high-end watch maker Schwarz-Etienne, these aren’t your typical Kickstarter micro-branded watches.? In fact, their current lineup of watches...
Hands-on Anonimo Nautilo Vintage Review
Italians know how to go stylish. And Anonimo, the Swiss brand with Italian roots is no exception. With their new model, they enter slightly new ground with a bit more moderate dimensions and the right dose of a vintage touch. The result is eye-candy.Anonimo’s signature consists of expressive masculine watches that frequently come in bright colours. Their strength is tool watches. And they prefer to walk off the beaten track. They were the first to present a dive watch with a case made of bronze. They have created several models with extreme depth ratings. Anonimo’s new model is not as loud as its sisters. Examining its details is a lesson in design.Even though the brand exists si...