Journey To The Moon With The Barrelhand Monolith
We still don't know what the Barrelhand Monolith will look like, but we know it will be special. The 3D-printed case, for instance, will feature the Air-Lock crown system. Unlike a screw-down crown, an Air-Lock crown is always sealed. Inside the watch will beat the M1, a caliber that uses a Sellita SW300 as the starting point but, after some serious upgrades to make it more robust, now carries the Chronofiable A8 certification for shock resistance. The dial is still a mystery, but the case back has been in the news already. And that’s not just because it’s something special but also because it did something special. It went to the Moon! And that extraterrestrial spot is where the...
Isotope Launches HydriumX Will Return Red & Wall Return Clock
In 2021, Isotope launched its successful Hydrium collection of dive watches with the limited HydriumX Will Return model. Based on the well-known shop door sign that indicates when the proprietor will return and the shop will reopen, the watch sold out quickly. The Hydrium case has since been the canvas for many interesting and attractive watches. However, not a week goes by without founder Jose Miranda receiving an email asking about the Will Return. Now, two and a half years later, it finally returns - but not in the form you might expect.The original HydriumX Will Return, with bold red hands and a light blue bezel, was a 100-piece limited edition, earning a GPHG nomination in the Challenge...
So You Want To Buy An Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch...
It is no surprise that we receive quite a few messages concerning the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch. Over 500 articles on Fratello cover this chronograph, which results in some questions, especially from first-time buyers who are asking for some guidance when buying their first Omega Speedmaster.The current Omega Speedmaster Professional 310.30.42.50.01.001The classic Omega Speedmaster Professional MoonwatchDespite wearing my Speedmaster Calibre 321 (2020) and Speedmaster Apollo 11 Moonshine (2019) more often than my regular Moonwatch, I still feel if there's one Speedmaster to own, it’s the standard Moonwatch model with a Hesalite crystal. It's a great watch to own and wear, and you sho...
Hot Take: The Seiko 5 Sports Mooneyes Limited Edition
Seiko has released a flurry of special and limited Seiko 5 models since the collection staged a comeback in 2019. Today marks the debut of a new model, the Seiko 5 Mooneyes Limited Edition. Fans of hot-rodding culture in Japan, America, and worldwide should find this one fun.Mooneyes is a supplier of custom car parts and was founded in the 1950s in California by Dean Moon. The Sante Fe Springs-based speed shop is notable for creating the first Cobra for Carroll Shelby in 1962. After this, the company’s two-eyed logo became legendary on the hot-rodding scene. As a car nut who lived in Detroit, I remember the stickers being common on custom classics. When Dean Moon passed away in 1987, S...
New: Breitling Navitimer B19 Chronograph 43 Perpetual Calendar
Breitling introduced a new perpetual calendar chronograph caliber to celebrate the brand's 140th birthday last year. The impressive movement was featured in a trio of rose gold limited editions. Today, caliber B19 gets a permanent foothold in Breitling's collection. This is the Breitling Navitimer B19 Chronograph 43 Perpetual Calendar.With such a descriptive name, I hardly have any work left to do. It kind of says it all, doesn't it? Well, let's try to dig a little bit deeper nonetheless.The Breitling Navitimer B19 Chronograph 43 Perpetual CalendarLet's start with the obvious: the new Navitimer B19 combines a chronograph and a perpetual calendar in a 43mm case. This stainless steel housing f...
Three Non-Swiss Watches For $20,000
Welcome back to another episode of Fratello On Air! This week, we’re each choosing three non-Swiss watches with a budget of $20,000. The task is tricky, though, because $20,000 is enough to afford great pieces from the usual suspects, but it means being picky if choosing just one from a costly brand. Get ready for some surprises! For our listeners, the watch content begins after approximately 19 minutes....
IWC Ingenieur
I promised to get back on my new watch ?? At first, I was looking at watches again, but couldn’t make up my mind. Although I like the new GMT-Master IIc and the Milgauss, it wouldn’t add much variation to my current collection. Then I was looking at the Royal Oak Jumbo, but I am not ready yet to spend over 8K Euro on one wrist watch.However, as I have written before, I am a huge fan of the 1970s design of Gerald Genta. He designed the Nautilus, Overseas, Royak Oak and… the Ingenieur. The original ref.1832 Ingenieur SL is highly sought-after I believe, and the prices paid for those are unbelievable. So I decided to settle for a brand new one! To be honest, IWC isn’t m...
Vintage Panerai
Yesterday, I received the book ‘Vintage Panerai’, written by Ralf Ehlers and Volker Wiegmann. Vintage Panerai describes the history of some historic Panerais, including information on their original German and Italian owners. The book contains a lot of detailed information on the swimmers equipment, assignments and background of the owners. Including lots of pictures. Ralf Ehlers and Volger Wiegmann did a pretty good job on this original concept! If you are into Panerai watches and interested in more than ‘just’ the watches… you probably are going to like this!You can order your copy via https://www.vintage-panerai.de/.It is a small sized book (21x21cm), written...
Speedmaster Professional Apollo-Soyuz Meteorite Dial | Fratellowatches
Apollo-Soyuz MissionSpeedy Tuesday! Today we have another Speedmaster Professional from one of our readers and avid Speedmaster fans, Darren. He submitted this limited Speedmaster Professional Apollo-Soyuz with meteorite dial. A special version from 2010 that commemorates the Apollo-Soyuz mission from 1975. The Apollo-Soyuz mission, or ASTP (Apollo-Soyuz Test Project), started at the 15th of July and they returned on the 24th of July 1975.Speedmaster Pro 311.30.42.30.99.001To commemorate this, OMEGA already had a Speedmaster Professional back in 1975, limited to 500 pieces and with the Apollo-Soyuz logo on 12 o’clock. Later on, in 1995 and 2000, OMEGA again introduced a Speedmaster to ...
Fratellowatches Featured In German Watch Magazine Chronos
With a bit of pride (I’ve been a long timer reader of the German Chronos magazine) I am able to tell you that our article and photos on astronaut Reinhard Furrer and his Speedmaster has been published in Chronos magazine. The article is in German and is based on one of our most popular blog articles on 2012, about the actual astronaut’s Speedmaster we’ve been able to locate.You can order your copy of Chronos magazine here...
Speedy Tuesday OMEGA Speedmaster Professional X-33 | Fratellowatches
It is Speedy Tuesday! After a few weeks of recurring vintage Speedmaster topics, it is time for a modern classic. The OMEGA Speedmaster Professional X-33. Introduced in 1998 and also already in use during the Space Shuttle STS-89 mission of that year.Today we have a Speedmaster Professional X-33 reference 3990.50, also known as the 1st Generation X-33. In 2001, OMEGA introduced an updated version (reference 3991.50). This updated version had a different finish on the bezel. Also, because the 1st Generation models could have some issues with their pushers, they did an update with regards to the construction. The 1st Gen X-33 also had a unidirectional bezel where the 2nd Generation X-33 had a ...
A. Lange & Sohne Zeitwerk Minute Repeater
Leading up to A. Lange & Sohne’s new model introductions in Geneva last January, I was on the edge of my seat with anticipation. I think very highly of the brand and was ready to be wowed by something special. The brand did not disappoint as they introduced a stuninng piece with my favorite complication: the Zeitwerk Minute Repeater. The minute repeater is the ultimate complication in my opinion. All other complications are visual wonders: whether a tourbillon, chronograph or world timer. The minute repeater, however, is one of the few mechanical complications, aside from the alarm, that addresses your sense of hearing.Normally, a minute repeater is being activated by a slide and w...
We Answer: What Is The Right Speedmaster For Me?
A little while ago, we received a long email from our reader James. In his email, he admits he was a bit late to the game, but at least he did his homework and went through a lot of our Speedy Tuesday articles.Now, he has a question. About which Speedmaster to buy for himself to celebrate not only his first wedding anniversary but also the birth of his first child. But before he gets to his question, he first shared a bit of background with us.Speedmaster Mark IVJames: “I was very touched by Robert-Jan’s story (Why I Love Omega So Much) from July 25th, 2018 – I felt very similar. My grandfather always wore an Omega Speedmaster, which I really liked. I remember it as if it w...
#TBT French Yema Navygraf II
The reputedly indestructible and impenetrable Yema Navygraf II has a unique bezel sliding system that won my heart instantly.When I say Yema, the famous Superman Diver comes to mind for most vintage watch collectors. Mike reviewed the 1960's Superman with a unique bezel locking mechanism for #TBT a few years ago. We also covered last year's Yema Superman Heritage Bronze re-edition during its successful Kickstarter campaign. Recently, I ran into another Yema diver watch. It is still flying under the radar, but I dare say it is at least as astonishing as the Yema Superman. If not a bit more. Meet the Yema Navygraf II.Navygraf II is my French PloprofIf the Yema Navygraf II were a few sizes bigg...
Podcast: Fratello On Air #11 Where To Service Your Watch (And More)
Episode 11 is about the effect of the Coronavirus on the watch shows and the watch industry in general, where we service our watches and an open discussion on the Seiko and Grand Seiko limited editions.This means we are all over the place in this episode, but we decided to touch a few different topics since it was already a few weeks ago when we recorded our last Fratello on Air podcast.After the mandatory wrist check (see below), Michael and RJ discuss these topics in this 50-minute podcast. Our Fratello-on-Air podcast can be played via Apple,?Soundcloud,?Spotify,?Google Podcast, and?Buzzsprout....
Oris Releases New Gradient Blue Aquis Date?And A New Case Size
The latest news coming out of Holstein will surely please the fans of the Oris Aquis Date timepieces.The brand is releasing two new models, both Aquis divers and both with a date. That’s pretty much where the similarity ends, though. One of the cornerstones of Oris’s strategy is to create affordable and high-quality tool watches. Whether we are talking about timepieces for pilots or divers, this DNA crops up in all of them. The brand’s watches are built to last and have a very distinct “Oris” look. The Aquis collection is arguably the best-known Oris line among divers. The Oris Divers collection appeals to those with an active lifestyle. Both of the collection&#...
News: Grand Seiko 60th Anniversary Limited Edition Professional Diver's 600M
Despite the cancellation of Grand Seiko’s summit, the new watches are being introduced anyway (kudos for that). Thus, we’re kicking off with the new Grand Seiko 60th Anniversary Professional Diver’s 600M.That’s right, Grand Seiko was born in 1960 and celebrates its 60th anniversary this year. Not exactly the celebration they had in mind in Japan, but I am sure we will get an opportunity to see the watches live and to test drive them. For now, we’ll have to make do with the press releases they’ve shared with us.Grand Seiko 60th Anniversary Limited Edition Diver’s 600MThis watch might look familiar to you. It looks similar to the Grand Seiko Diver SBGA...
March Mania Preliminary Five: Mike Timex, Breitling, Tudor, Ming, And More
Welcome, one and all, to the preliminary round of March Mania 2021, here on Fratello. Are you a watch maniac like we are? If so, you’re sure to love our month-long feature. 96 watches reviewed last year line up for a battle royale like nothing that’s gone before. We need your votes. We want your comments. Help us decide the champion and share in its glory! Let the games commence…In this round, your task is simple: vote for your favorite watch. Below you will find a selection of 12 timepieces that we covered here on Fratello throughout 2020. Why not refresh your memory by clicking the links and reading those eruditely penned odes to wrist-wear? Once you’ve made your se...
Top 5 Watch Case Materials That Will Blow Your Mind
The watch industry, like many, is known for pushing the envelope when it comes to materials used in its products. Just think of silicon balance springs or dials decorated with flower petals, cigar leaves, or crystallized gold. And what about, well, Swiss cheese? All jokes aside, we felt that it would be fun if we took a closer look at watch cases and the astonishing materials they come in these days. So, I collected the Top 5 watch case materials that will blow your mind.?Needless to say, watch cases are not the only components with which brands like to experiment. You will find surprising materials all over watches! Still, this is the most prominent or visible part of a timepiece. Venturing...
Buying Guide: The Best Omega Watches From The 1950s
We like to talk about vintage watches a lot within the Fratello team. Where the daily routine is largely focused on the most recent developments in the world of watches, the most fun for many of us lies in the world of vintage watches. It's a world full of history, remarkable watches, incredible stories, and quirky details. It inspired us to come up with a series of articles focusing on the best watches per decade from a select group of brands. Some of them priceless, some of them still affordable. But all of them are remarkable watches. In this second installment, we will take a look at the best Omega watches from the 1950s.The best Omega watches from the 1950s? What does that actually mean...