Introducing: The King Seiko Vanac SLA087 And SLA083
The Vanac name may not ring a bell for anyone but the most hardcore King Seiko enthusiasts, but that did not stop Seiko from reissuing the watch in a new guise. Today, we see the introduction of the King Seiko Vanac SLA087 in purple/gold and the SLA083 in white/gold. As you can see from the pictures, we got to try these two new models. Seiko is also releasing dials in blue, brown/gold (a limited edition of 700 pieces), and light blue. If you like 1970s design and seriously nice finishing, read on!King Seiko VanacThe King Seiko Vanac line dates back to the 1970s - more precisely, between 1972 and 1974. Interestingly, nobody seems to know where the name comes from or what it means. Seiko often...
Fratello Talks: How To Buy A Vintage Watch
Have you ever wanted to buy a vintage watch but been put off by potential pitfalls? Well, this episode of Fratello Talks is the one for you. Today, Nacho, RJ, and Thomas share their advice on buying vintage watches. They’ve been doing it themselves for years. In Thomas’s case, there’s even a history of working as a dealer for Amsterdam Watch Co. On today’s show, they combine their expertise and distill some advice that everyone taking their first steps toward vintage timepieces should hear. So be sure to tune in whether you’re teetering on the edge of your first vintage purchase or a connoisseur in the field. And if you’re one of the latter, we’d lov...
Shaw Harley-Davidson And Bell & Ross A Combination Of Expertise
An interesting combination by Bell & Ross and Shaw Harley-Davidson. Shaw Harley-Davidson is the current world champion in modified Harley motorcycles and together with Bell & Ross, they present the one-off custom Nascafe Racer.As my motorcycle knowledge is very limited (understatement), I hereby copy an excerpt of the Bell & Ross press release:The methods used by Bell & Ross master watchmakers when developing and assembling their timepieces was employed by the Shaw Harley-Davidson master technicians when building the project bike, which is based on the Harley-Davidson? FXSTB Softail? Night Train, one of the more radical Softails long, low and naked and named by Willie G. Davi...
Hands-On: The Seiko SRP777 Versus Seiko 6309
After we were among the first to show you the new Seiko SRP777, SRP775, SRP779 and SRP73 in this post, I couldn’t wait to get my hands on them and see if they are just as good as the original Seiko 6309. Michael wrote a wonderful review for our #tbt feature on the Seiko 6309 here?and he concluded with “It's a cornerstone piece for any collection and it looks good in most settings. It's also one of those watches that tend to get the respectful nod from those wearing watches 10-20 times more expensive.”.He?also made me enthusiastic about the Seiko 6309 and found myself buying one from a Seiko collector in the United Kingdom. All parts were original and the watch was in good o...
MOONWATCH ONLY 60 Years of OMEGA Speedmaster
We are proud to show you some previews of the upcoming Moonwatch Only – 60 Years of Omega Speedmaster edition. It is the new and updated version of the Moonwatch Only book that was introduced in 2014. The?book that should be the standard for all books on watches just got better (and more complete).Moonwatch Only is one of, or perhaps it is, the best book about watches available. Not only because it goes into every tiny detail, but also because it has some clever diagrams and charts on how to detect the correctness of a certain watch. In this case, Speedmasters. We reviewed the Moonwatch Only release from 2014 in detail in this article?introduction evening of the book?and we organized a...
#TBT Breitling Chrono-Matic Ref. 2110
We are celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Chronomatic. The watch portals and mostly watch enthusiasts such as Jeffrey Stein (@on_the_dash) have already summed up everything factual about the Caliber 11, its development, its originality and break-through meaning. So, I think we can allow ourselves to be a bit sentimental now, right?Breitling is my OmegaYou know that RJ sold a?car to get his first Speedmaster? Well, the time I?wanted my first Breitling I?didn't do that. Not that I?didn't want to, but I?didn't have a car or anything else I could sell for that matter. It was in 2002. I?came to the capital city of Slovakia as an 18-year-old student with just enough money to cover the rent fo...
This Week in Watches, March 7, 2020. CWC, Zenith, Anonimo, and more.
Another week has gone by. It turns out not even James Bond is immune to the Coronavirus. But in happier news, a raft of new watches hit the market. With many new models, Grand Seiko’s 60th-anniversary celebration really took off this week. We’re keeping you in the loop on that with our various articles on the subject. But we haven’t forgotten the other novelties and news as well. Enjoy some of it grouped here in This Week In Watches.CWC T20 QuartzIn 1980, the British Ministry Of Defence released a tender specification for the first quartz watch issued to all branches of the British forces. While the tonneau-shape case? employed by the 70s mechanical models - was specified,...
A Stylish Re-Creation Of The Very First Grand Seiko Model Makes Waves
As you might have heard, 2020 is a special year for Grand Seiko - the brand’s 60th anniversary. For some time, a determined team in Seiko's Suwa facility in central Japan had been working on the creation of a watch that would be as precise, durable, comfortable, and beautiful as humanly possible. The re-creation of that legendary timepiece has just launched. And it is a beauty.The result of their efforts? A watch with a 14k gold filled case and a slim movement, whose precision met the highest international standard of the time. The level of their achievement was such that it was decided to call the watch Grand Seiko. Now, in this special year, a re-creation of the first Grand Seiko wat...
Fratello On Air: WASP 2.0 Omega, Seiko, Apple, Unimatic, And More Join The Sports Fest
Yo, yo, yo. We made it to “Edition 2” of WASP, the hotly-anticipated sequel to last week’s pod-column debut. The sweet hosting vibes of R&B (Rob and Balazs) take over Episode 41 of Fratello on Air to bring you your weekly round-up of sports news. Today, we welcome our first phone-in guest to the show, establishing a segment, which we hope some of our dear readers will partake in one day soon!Ranting Robbie enters the “smooth booth” and unloads about the recent controversy surrounding Bill Belichick’s legacy. It’s a brutal monolog, but the riposte is worth waiting for so hang tight....
Sunday Morning Showdown: The Price Is Right Seiko Vs. Grand Seiko
In our Sunday Morning Showdown, 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 serves up a conundrum. With the prices between Seiko and Grand Seiko converging, our writers consider what this means for the options. Do you part with your cash for the highest-end Spring Drive diver from Seiko, or go in through the entry point with a similar Grand S...
New Release: The Bremont WR-22 Chronograph
March is a very exciting month for the world of watches. It ends with Watches And Wonders but begins with a number of other events. These include the Bremont Townhouse, where the Henley on Thame brand showcases its novelties for 2022. In doing so, Bremont becomes the latest watch brand to join the long-standing tradition of partnerships between Formula 1 teams and watch brands. It does so in style, and with three new watches, specially made to honor its partnership with Williams Racing. But the brands' relationships will deliver more than just watches But more on that later on in the article. For now, let's focus on the highlight of the partnership, the Bremont WR-22. It’s a classicall...
Omega Seamaster Ultra Deep in O-Megasteel
We already briefed you about the new Seamaster Ultra Deep in titanium, but Omega also adds three models in steel. Available on a steel bracelet and on a rubber strap.The technical specifications of the caliber 8912 movement, the pending patents, the ISO 6425 certification, (etc.) are all identical to the Seamaster Ultra Deep model I discussed here. What’s different, is the case shape and the material of the case and bracelet. To start with the latter, the steel that Omega uses for the Seamaster Planet Ocean Ultra Deep is called O-Megasteel.Seamaster Ultra Deep in O-MegasteelThree different models, in total 6 variations (on strap and bracelet) are available in this new O-Megasteel alloy...
Why I Bought The Parmigiani Tonda PF Micro-Rotor
Parmigiani is still a young brand, yet the build quality of its watches is nothing short of astonishing. The watches coming out of the brand’s Fleurier workshops exceed the standards of high-end icons that sell for far more. In fact, Parmigiani has built complete watches for some of the most praised high-horology brands. Parmigiani itself, however, is still is more of an insiders’ tip. The restrained marketing of the past surely played a part in that. But Parmigiani has resolved to change this by appointing Guido Terreni as CEO, and the new Tonda PF collection that originated under this new management has created quite a stir. The signature model of this new collection is the Ton...
Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M 38mm
Let me address the elephant in the room first. Did you also think, hey, that new Aqua Terra in (fill in your color of choice) looks like a great alternative to the Oyster Perpetual I can't buy at my local dealer? I know I did. The Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M 38mm with five new colorful dials is a fantastic alternative to not just the 41mm OP, but also the 36mm version of that watch I still have no clue why ever canceled the perfect 39mm OP. 38mm is the sweet spot for a luxury sports watch with a touch of color; it releases a perfect dose of color. Another important aspect of the watch's power to impress is the structure of the dial. Gone is the nautical, horizontal teak pattern, and in...
NEW: Omega Seamaster Ultra Deep In Titanium (2022)
Remember the Seamaster Ultra Deep from 2019? It is the Omega watch that played a role in Victor Vescovo's Five Deeps Expedition, and went down to 10,927 meters. Now, in 2022, Omega introduces a version of that watch you can actually wear (as the 2019 piece had a thickness of 28.5mm). Meet the Seamaster Ultra Deep in titanium. It’s part of the Planet Ocean collection and able to go as deep as 6,000 meters, or 20,000 feet.I saw and tried on the 15,000m water-resistant Ultra Deep when I was in the Omega Museum in Biel, Switzerland. It’s an incredibly impressive watch, and definitely not suitable for normal wear. One could have guessed that the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean collection...
Two New Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Moonshine Models
The Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch in Moonshine Gold. There is an almost magical ring to those words that refers to the brilliant Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Apollo 11 50th Anniversary. That is, up until now. Today Omega introduces two new Speedmaster Moonwatch models in Moonshine Gold that show how glorious the combination of Omega’s proprietary gold looks with two new very classy colors. The first comes in full Moonshine Gold with a very dark green dial and bezel. The second model comes with a panda dial executed in gold with black subdials and a black bezel. Both Speedmasters are proof that an Omega Speedmaster in Moonshine Gold is something truly special.It doesn’t seem that lon...
Hot Take: Omega Introduces The SMP 300 In Green
Omega's current Seamaster Professional Diver 300M has become a proper staple of the brand's collection. Beloved by fans of the brand and still one of the best dive watches under $10,000, it feels like we can't get enough of that watch. So finding out that Omega has decided to bring the watch world's most popular color to the collection was exciting indeed. You've most likely seen the classic blue and black models. Ask RJ which his favorite is, and he'll quickly tell you it's the white-dialed model with a black ceramic bezel. My personal favorite was the black ceramic and grade 5 titanium model - until now! Now, out of all the releases we have seen from Omega today, there's something about th...
New Omega Speedmaster '57 With Manual-Wind Caliber 9906
Almost ten years after Omega introduced the Co-Axial Speedmaster ’57, the brand comes back with an updated, slimmed-down model. The outgoing one had an automatic movement. This update, however, features a hand-wound caliber. In addition to the updated matte black sandwich dial with faux-patina details, the watch is now available in three additional colors. Let’s take a quick look at what Omega has exactly done here.The new Speedmaster ’57 is still a very recognizable watch, very much inspired by the CK2915. The case, although smaller in size, stays pretty much the same shape-wise, with a steel bezel and straight lugs. The dial still features a small seconds sub-dial at 9 o&...
Celebrating 10 Years Of The Tudor Black Bay
Birth of the Cool is a compilation album by American jazz trumpeter and bandleader Miles Davis. Released in February 1957 by Capitol Records, the album is a landmark in jazz history, featuring unusual instrumentation and innovative, rich, layered arrangements heavily influenced by classical music. The music on Birth of the Cool is an important evolution of post-bebop jazz, and it helped other jazz artists to evolve further. And the Heritage Black Bay was the birth of the cool Tudor. The introduction of the retro-styled dive watch a decade ago this year was a giant step (John Coltrane pun intended) in becoming a brand that lived outside the shadow of . It also proved to be a benchmark in mode...
Titoni's New #tide Recycled Straps For The Seascoper 600 (2022)
Titoni often goes under the radar here in Europe. That’s a shame because the Swiss brand makes excellent watches. They’re made to do their job without the unnecessarily aesthetic “flourishes” many brands use to distract us from inferior-quality products. Titoni’s Seascoper 600 is just one such model from the brand’s catalog.You may recall reading a review of the Titoni Seascoper 600 back in December 2020. Ten points if you did. That’s because Rob reviewed the watch back then and was largely impressed by it. Coming in at $1,595, he believed there was a lot of watch on offer in return for parting with that cash. He was impressed by the level of quality...