How I Began And Ceased Being A Watch Collector
Welcome to my contribution to Fratello Collector’s Week 2.0. I will not introduce my collection in detail, but I will give you a few examples to illustrate the way I choose watches to buy. What I will present to you, though, is a personal story about the development of my passion for watches. If you’d like to follow me on this path, you will learn how I got into watches, how I became a collector, and how I stopped building a collection in its original sense. You’ll also learn how I currently grow my ensemble of watches.The watch that ignited my interest was a dive watch. I've been a diver for quite a while now - since 1984, to be exact. It must have been at the beginning of...
The New Grand Seiko SBGW303 European LE
There’s no doubt that Grand Seiko releases many limited-edition watches. Most are pleasing, but every so often, one comes along that makes me sit up and take notice. Today’s Grand Seiko SBGW303 is a good example of such an occurrence. Unfortunately, the watch will only be available in Europe, so the rest of the world may wish to plan a trip.Yes, it’s a constant comment here from our readers that Grand Seiko has what seems like a year-round non-stop schedule of limited-edition releases. Some decry this behavior while others find it exciting. Label me as a middle grounder because, on one hand, I enjoy more versus less when it comes to Seiko. On the other hand, I’ve seen...
Will We See More Watch Microbrand Groups In The Future?
Most watch brands nowadays are part of a conglomerate. Luxury groups such as LVMH, Swatch Group, and Richemont own many of the traditional watch brands. But what about microbrand groups? Chasing economies of scale is equally beneficial for small brands. Huddling together can provide much greater striking power. So will we see more microbrand groups emerge in the future?AnOrdain recently acquired Paulin in a bold move to form something of a microbrand group. Let's have a closer look at current microbrand groups and why we may or may not see more of them in the near future.My VPC Type 37HWWhy microbrand groups make senseAs I am currently starting a watch brand of my own, VPC, I experience firs...
Watches I Like To Look At But Can't Wear
Art is in the eye of the beholder. Is that true for watches too? Yes, your particular taste in watches is highly personal. But what looks nice on the screen of your smartphone and in the shop window might not look so good on your wrist. That's why I would like to state that the right watch is on the wrist of the beholder. Sometimes the mix of wrist, case shape, and/or shades and textures seems to be a good formula on paper, but it just doesn't add up in real life. Allow me to give you a few examples of watches I like to look at but can't wear. There are a few icons and lookers on my list that I wish were not there, but the wrist doesn't lie…The shortlist you're about to be confronted w...
Audemars Piguet Royal Oak "Jumbo" Extra-Thin In BMG/ Titanium
Last week, we received word about additional releases from Audemars Piguet. We’ll cover what I think is the most interesting of the bunch with a brief overview of the new Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin in BMG and titanium. Among all those words, if you failed to pick out the key piece, it’s the “BMG.” Let’s peel back the onion…In preparation for this article, I had a look at the Royal Oak section on the official Audemars Piguet site, and I must confess that I was surprised. There are a lot of models in this line. For a watch that borders on unattainable, it blew me away. Well, with today’s Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin in BMG and...
Studio Underd0g Launches The 03Series With A Salmon Dial
We all know the world is divided between people who like salmon skin and those who don’t. Whenever I prepare salmon at home for my family, I make sure to buy the kind with the skin still attached. I heat the butter in the frying pan, add the salmon skin side down, and let it simmer for a bit. That helps create the crusty layer I enjoy so much when cutting through a tender salmon filet. And I don’t know about your family, but I always end up with other people’s salmon skins on my plate too. If you’re anything like me, then I’m sure you’ll thoroughly enjoy Studio Underd0g’s new 03Series because its dial is inspired by the salmon and its shimmering skin...
Photo Essay: The Rare Panerai Mare Nostrum
Here’s something you don’t see every day! I was recently lucky enough to have some lens time with this rare beauty: a pre-Vendome Officine Panerai Mare Nostrum chronograph. Only 500 were made. I recall having the opportunity to purchase one for not that much money in the early 00s; like everybody else in that position, I’m now kicking myself. It’s a simple, functional timepiece with trademark Panerai legibility, but some interesting twists like that unusual crown, which not only lacks the locking guard, but is also rather curiously shaped. (It winds well, though). The watch is powered by a manual wind ETA 2801-2 with a Dubois-Depraz 3217 chronograph module; these were...
Breguet Marine GMT 5857 Haute Horology For The Avid Traveller
The advent of GPS has sadly rendered chronometers obsolete for navigational use. However, the beauty of Breguet retains relevance today. This is perfectly demonstrated with the latest member of the Marine collection, launched earlier this year at Baselworld, the Marine GMT 5857.The Marine collection fuses the traditional and contemporary with handsomely pleasing results. This latest version includes a second timezone, a useful complication for all travellers including intrepid seafarers.Breguet has always been an exemplar of haute horology, favoured by aristocrats and the notable figures whom line the pages of history books. A reputation for innovation, Abraham-Louis Breguet conceived many i...
Watch Of The Year 2013 Chronos24.pl
It is that time of the year again! What are the finest timepieces of 2013? Our partner website in Poland, Chronos24.pl, organizes the Watch Of The Year election for the 4th time in a row.As a reader, you can vote for your favorite Watch of the Year 2013 timepiece. Chronos24.pl allows you to pick one watch from all the nominated timepieces. The nominated timepieces have been chosen by the Chronos24.pl team,?Dariusz Chlastawa (president of the Polish Watch and Clocks Collectors Club) and watch journalists Elizabeth Doerr, Kristian Haagen and Miguel Saebra.Click here to go the Watch of the Year 2013 page and vote for your favorite 2013 timepiece!...
Speedy Tuesday Omega Speedmaster Panda
It is Speedy Tuesday! This week we have one of the most sought-after Apollo XI limited edition models to show you, the Speedmaster Professional Apollo XI 35th Anniversary watch also known as ‘Speedmaster Panda’. This 2004 Speedmaster Professional commemorates the Moon landing of 1969, with a limited production of 3500 pieces only. Omega Speedmaster ‘Panda’ 3569.31This Speedmaster Professional Apollo XI edition was the first commemorative model for the Moon landing that looked a bit different from the regular Speedmaster Professional 3570.50. The silver white dial with applied Omega logo and markers and silver coloured hands make give it a totally different appearance ...
Hands-On with the Fortis Monolith Chronograph
When we draw a relation between watches and space the first brand comes to readers' minds is Omega and the legendary Moonwatch the Speedmaster. We all know the story, I don't want to bore you with the details. As we could read about it recently on our fellow bloggers' very educative site NASA still uses the Speedmaster as a backup instrument for astronauts. However NASA is not the only key player in this game. Their – once – arch-nemesis ROSCOSMOS (Russian Federal Space Agency) also uses a Swiss company to produce them watches that they can issue to their astronauts. This relationship is not as old as Omega's but still stretches out just over 20 years having delivered the first w...
Piaget Polo S 2016's Most Controversional Watch?
An evening in Amsterdam with the Piaget Polo SAlthough the Piaget Polo S was already introduced in July, the Piaget team visited Amsterdam to introduce it to the (watch) press of The Netherlands, Belgium, Luxembourg and Scandinavia.This was the reason for us to join the party and have a look at the much talked about Piaget Polo S timepiece. Piaget Polo S – Up ClosePiaget released a very interesting mens watch earlier this year, the?Emperador Coussin XL 700P with a ?movement that shows a strong resemblance with (Grand) Seiko’s Spring Drive. It’s a revolutionary movement that is finally being adopted by ...
Timex x Todd Snyder Beekman
It took us some time to have a closer look at Timex x Todd Snyder Beekman because it took us some time to find its original inspiration Timex Southampton for side by side shooting.It is easy to become posh when collecting watches. But I challenge you, when was it the last time you left the house with a quartz watch on your wrist?Why shall Timex Beekman be in one's collection?A collector once said: A true collector shall have all the variety of watches in his collection and should be able to rotate a stellar 10K timepiece with a 100 bucks quartz piece. Would you like to know the name of the collector so you can go and punch him? Don't google. Just read the name under the headline of this arti...
Seiko 5 Sports availability, reporting from The Netherlands
Slowly but surely the new Seiko 5 Sports collection becomes available in most parts of the world. This week it was the turn of our homeland, The Netherlands, and we went there to witness.Seiko Netherlands chose the bi-annually and famous Trade Mart in Utrecht to introduce the new 5 Sports line to their existing, and newly interested, dealers. At this Trade Mart fair, a dedicated booth was set up to show the feeling and image of this fresh, sporty, and easily accessible line.Further investigation of the Seiko 5 Sports seriesWhile all(*) ?models were on show here, we took the opportunity to investigate the actual content of the new series further. Making a breakdown of all models shed some ins...
Watch Releases: TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph Calibre 02
TAG Heuer rounds off its 160th anniversary with a new lineup of Carrera Chronograph Calibre 02 models. We break down the news and give our thoughts.160 years as a company is certainly something to honor and TAG Heuer has steadily rolled out the goods in proper celebratory fashion. In January this year, we saw the beautiful Carrera 160 Years Silver Limited Edition. This was a faithful retro model that harkens back to the original 1963 model designed by Jack Heuer.Then, just a short couple of months ago, the first mainstream release came to light. We broke down the new 44mm Sport Carrera and came away impressed by the colorful, yet cohesively designed chronographs. Today, though, we finally ge...
Wrist Game or Crying Shame: Corum Bubble Shark Diver
This week on Wrist Game or Crying Shame, we bring in the Corum Bubble Shark Diver. This is one weird watch. But first…Last week, I brought in some serious style with the Girard-Perregaux Sea Hawk 7100. Ok, it was a bit blingy with its polished bracelet and bi-color vibes. Perhaps it was due to these traits that the watch finished in a near dead heat at 50/50 (the fine print does show an 8 vote general election Crying Shame loss, but I think the electoral college would show this as a Wrist Game winner). I think that type of result is spot on because it supports what I always say – that 50% of the population has no fashion sense. I’ll leave it to you to translate that cryptic...
Hands-On With The Seiko Prospex SNR045 Limited Edition
One of the great things about Seiko is the fact that it makes watches at many price levels. That’s something you won't find with a lot of brands. Many try to maintain a certain spot in the market while looking at the competition to make their products more (or less) appealing. Yet Seiko has a wide range of watches from the affordable to the high-end (and even higher with sister-brand Grand Seiko). Being a fan of dive watches in general, it was great to find the limited edition Seiko Prospex SNR045 (fitted with a Spring Drive movement) on my desk for a review.Something I've always noticed is the build quality on Seiko watches. The SNR045 did not disappoint on that front. Of course, you ...
Hands-On With An Unusual Junghans Meister Agenda
The Meister Agenda is a watch I can’t forget about. Over the last five years, I’ve found myself visiting coming back to the Junghans website again and again. Ever since I stumbled upon the weekly calendar complication out of necessity, I’ve not been able to shake my desire for one…One of my companies develops a software platform that we’re constantly updating with new features. If you are a bit familiar with software project planning, there is something called agile development. Rather than waiting two years for a programmer to “finish”, the new product is retooled and refined on the go. We release updates in 2-weeks intervals, called sprints. Such m...
Summer Splash Wild Card Decider: NOMOS, Oris, And Tudor (2021)
Welcome back once again dear Fratelli! You spoke, we listened. You voted, we counted. And now only six Summer Splash wild card picks remain. Which one of these underdogs will go on to the final splashdown? Will one of these unlikely last-minute picks dethrone the editor’s picks for a major upset in the finale? There’s only one way to find out. In the meantime, you can check out the final six choices, and cast your vote!After your vote in the Wild Card round one, round two, and round three, the two top picks from each round have been selected in the least corrupt and fairest way possible. We aim to assure a clean, Kraken-free contest! So that’s it, the bell is about to ring:...
Hands-On With The Gerald Genta Mickey Mouse Watch (2021)
“A what?” And “How much did you say that thing costs?!” These have been recurring comments I’ve heard while wearing this Gerald Genta Mickey Mouse watch. Or, as it is officially called, the Arena Retrograde Mickey Mouse reference 103613. And I understand. Especially when a bit of context is missing.Truth to be told, it was often comments made by people who know I do something to do with watches. People who have heard of , and perhaps of Patek Philippe, but that’s about it. Yes, I also hang out with that other kinds of people (I won’t say “normal”). My first encounter with a Retrograde Mickey Mouse watch must have been years ago when my co...