It is no secret to regular readers that I like the Zenith Defy line of watches. These are some of the very few integrated-bracelet sports watches with a clear identity. They do not take the design-first approach of, say, a Royal Oak, nor do they strive for elegance like a Laureato. Zenith, instead, pushes into more technical, modern territory. My gripe, however, has always been size. The models I

Even if you aren’t a Panerai fan, this is kinda special:Rol, at the Paneristi forum wrote:Believe me, it was quite difficult finding anybody to identify this watch, butthanks to the superb Paneristi???s Vintage reference section, I was able todiscover this watch which my father gave me about 4 years ago, He gotthe watch in 1945 and wore it as a pocket watch all his working life.Can???t be ma

I just finalized a write-up for Watch Freaks, a blog hosted by Alon Ben-Joseph. It is about web 2.0 and horology and how this combines. Or should combine in my opinion ??Click here to read the article ‘what did web 2.0 did for horology?’An example of what it didn’t do for Ebel.

Today, it is the press day for BaselWorld 2010. However, tomorrow the doors are opening for everyone who’d like to attend the biggest watch expo in the world. I will be there, together with Ernie Romers of WatchUseek and Frank of Monochrome.Soon, we will know if there will be a new Explorer or a new Submariner in stainless steel! ??Please keep an eye on my own forum over at WatchUseek, wher

In 1970, Omega developed a Speedmaster that was a bit different from the then current Moonwatch models. They called it the Alaska project (it had to withstand extreme temperatures, especially those on the dark side of the Moon) and therefore Omega came up with the solution of an external casing made of red-anodised aluminium. The project title Alaska was from then on used for every assignment they

Just recently I wrote about the new Omega Globemaster Annual Calendar (click here). The responses on our social media channels were a bit mixed, especially about the writing on the dial. However, like always, it is something you can only really judge when you saw the watch(es) in the flesh. Today we did. Our first appointment in BaselWorld, on the first day, was with Omega and the entire Fratello

Last year, I reviewed the Grand Seiko SBGM021, a similar looking model of what we have here today. However, the Grand Seiko SBGJ017 GMT has a hi-beat movement and a less casual appearance. Let’s have a look.Grand Seiko?SBGJ017The ivory dial of the aforementioned SBGM021 is something I really love about that watch. It gives a great contrast with the hands and a playful appearance. This Grand

I think that for those of us who enjoy vintage watches, we've really been spoiled for choice over the past several years when it comes to new watches with a retro look. Brands such as Longines, Omega, Seiko, Doxa and even Rado have introduced some rather faithful reissues of beloved pieces and many of them even border on affordable. Today, we take a look at a recent release with a vintage theme fr

The Heuer Carrera in the 1980sThe Eighties were a decisive decade for the future of Heuer: the TAG corporate group assured the future of the prestigious brand. Heuer became TAG Heuer and the Carrera chronograph was reborn with a new movement. The Quartz Crisis strongly affected the watchmaking industry in late Seventies and early Eighties. Cheap electronic watches from the Far East inundated the w

With Baselworld 2019 around the corner, we take a look at new releases in the Laco Erbstuck Collection.We’re definitely looking forward to Baselworld 2019 for all the normal reasons: new watches, seeing friends from around the world, and endless espresso.? Ok, we get tired of that last part, but you get the point.? On the other hand, there’s no doubt that 2019 qualifies as a very diffe

Speedmasters and racing. The two go together like strawberries and cream. One of the very first advertisements for this chronograph showed a race car driver using his Speedmaster. Although it never had an official role in racing, there are plenty of race car drivers who used the Speedmaster. For this Speedy Tuesday, we talk to Speedmaster enthusiast, collector, and car racer Nick Boon.Through Inst

I'm not the resident micro brand writer at Fratello, but every once in a while, a watch slips through the cracks and lands on my table. This is what happened with this one, the Marloe Watch Company Morar Beacon.If you have not heard of the brand before, don't worry. Marloe Watch Company is a very young company that hails from the UK. It started out as a Kickstarter brand but slowly and surely grew

One of the finest arts in the world of watchmaking brings the new dials of the Breguet Classique 7137 and 7337 models to life. The time-honored craft of guilloche takes years to master. But for Breguet, the years of training required to operate these archaic machines, are clearly years well spent.When a watch collection is defined by its adherence to traditional styles and values, the use of genui

We’re back with another episode of Wrist Game or Crying Shame after a one week hiatus. This week, we go vintage with an original Bulova Oceanographer Snorkel 666 Devil Diver. Before we do…The last time we got together, I showed you a beautiful ’90s Vacheron Chronograph. Folks, you crushed hard on this one and gave it overwhelming support on the way to an 86% win. What a rush! Wel

There are case backs that are nothing more than the back of a case. And then we have case backs with beautifully crafted artworks from which you cannot tear your gaze.? ?Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against a plain flat steel case back decorated with a decent Heuer, Breitling, or Tissot logo. Even “naked case backs have their own charm. But once you've seen a mass of case back steel co

This is probably the only watch in the world with a pair of pushers at two and eight o’clock that need to be pressed at the same time. And the purpose of the Securiton watch is no less fascinating than its design. Join us on an exciting exploratory journey of a unique wristwatch with a built-in alarm-triggering system. It’s the wee hours of a quiet Tuesday morning, April 26th, 1977. Al

I'm a major fan of blue! I was always proud of my colorful wardrobe until my wife said, But everything is blue! That's also why I got myself the Tudor Black Bay Fifty-Eight in this color. It matches the rest of my wardrobe perfectly. I love wearing this watch on its proprietary bracelet, and the feeling of confidence it inspires in me. Some people complain that they can't get the right fit, but, f

Last year, Breitling launched the new Super AVI collection in five editions, each paying homage to a legendary aircraft. Appropriately, the launch took place at the National Aviation Education Center in Dallas. And even more fittingly, expert pilots wore the namesake models in flight to reflect their vintage planes. Breitling sure likes to amp up the theatrics! Following the flashy unveiling, I sp

Following the launch of its initial concept watch last year, Awake continues to develop its Mission To Earth line. Building upon its prior design and leaning further into the astronomical background, the latest concept - the Awake Mission To Earth Chapter III - combines two trends that seem to be having a moment recently, making this a sports watch that is very much of its time.Aside from the Miss

Another Friday, another Top 5! In this series, we take one classic watch and choose our five favorite references ever produced. Four of these references will be based on the historical importance of the specific watch in the grand scheme of things. Though there may be some overlap, it's not a question of which references are the most collectible or of the highest value on the market. The fifth pic