Watch Strap Review 62 Fluco From Germany
Throughout this series, I've had the pleasure of reviewing straps from many makers worldwide. It was my goal, in a way, to provide a platform for everyone. After all, it might be easier for a watch guy in the US to order from a company stateside. Equally, a European might favor a brand based in the EU. Yet, there are only a handful of German brands that I managed to feature, despite the country having an enormous watch scene. Besides, I also live here. I needed to right this wrong. But this was not the main reason that I chose Fluco for our September Watch Strap Review.Rather, it was the wide variety of awesome straps that the company creates and features brilliantly online. Fluco offers som...
Fratello And Oris Take Part In World Cleanup Day 2022
As part of its Change for the Better campaign, Oris invites enthusiastic collectors to participate in cleanup events across the globe. Armed with litter pickers, high-vis vests, latex gloves, and Oris caps, many watch fans descend to their local beaches to rid them of waste. Litter is an unfortunate fact of life, and a few hours over a weekend won't greatly reduce the overall impact. But spending that time with a group of like-minded conservationists allows us to reflect on our influence on ocean pollution. Last weekend, members of Fratello in the Netherlands headed to Scheveningen beach, and I joined the RedBar Southeast chapter at Brighton Beach.As part of the campaign in the UK, RedBar So...
Will Tudor Dominate The High Range Of Swiss Watches?
When I started collecting watches in the 1990s, Tudor only had a small presence in the European market. The brand exported most of its models to Asia, and the ones remaining in Europe consisted mainly of Submariners and Prince Chronographs.Third-party movements from ETA powered both, and some of the parts clearly came directly from . That changed drastically for us Europeans in 2010 and two years later in the USA, where Tudor also did a big reintroduction campaign.The rebirth of TudorIn 2010, Tudor introduced the Heritage Chrono. In 2012, the Black Bay 79220R made its debut, and so did the Pelagos 25500TN. Tudor put itself back on the horological map, and prices of vintage Tudor models also ...
Fratello's Top 5 Recent All Blacked-Out Watches
Another Friday, another Top 5! Last week, we took a look at some of the best recent releases with stunning green dials. As of this week, we would love to proudly add the Fratello Minase M-3 Nori Exclusive Edition to that list. Obviously, last week’s article was part of the buildup to that new release. This week, we will move on to a different concept than a dial color but one that is built on color nonetheless. For this week’s Top 5, we selected the best recently released blacked-out watches. Often seen as stealthy timepieces, these all have black dials, black cases, and, of course, black bracelets or straps. The concept can lead to stunning visual results, but would you ever buy...
New: Arcanaut Arc II D'Arc Matter With Scandinavian Slate Dials
Don't you love it when watch brands dare to veer off the beaten tracks? We have plenty of middle-of-the-road watches, so something unique is always welcome. Well, we have something like that today. Meet the Arcanaut Arc II D'Arc Matter with a slate composite dial and lume in four color choices.And these aren't just unique-looking pieces. They will also be rare. Only 25 of each color will be available in 2023. However, small future batches are to be added. So if you want one, act decisively.Arcanaut Arc II D'Arc MatterWhat we have here is the familiar Arcanaut case, CNC machined in Copenhagen. It measures 40.52mm across and has a very distinct shape. The lugs, for instance, are executed in ne...
A First Look At The All-New Batavi Atelier
Have you always been interested in the Dutch brand Batavi, but none of its watches have ever convinced you? Well, in that case, the all-new Batavi Atelier might make you pull the trigger this time. Just like the rest of the watches in the brand’s portfolio, the Atelier packs a lot of value for the money. And, of course, the designs feature some original colorways. The watch is a little more on the dressy side this time, but, especially on the bracelet, it still looks plenty sporty. Let’s take a quick look at the all-new Batavi Atelier.By now, we know that the Dutch brand Batavi is all about delivering a lot of watch for the price. Not only that, but it’s also famous for its...
What Makes A Watch Highly Legible?
Legibility - it’s one of those terms that gets thrown around liberally in the watch world. A good watch should be easily legible. Otherwise, it fails to serve its primary purpose. In particular, tool watches are kept to a high standard here. But how is great legibility achieved in watch design, and what myths surrounding legibility deserve busting?As much as we love intricate designs that make us gaze at our wrists for minutes on end, at its core, a watch should be instantly legible. It is a topic that seems obvious, but I think it is worth exploring nonetheless. Let's get stuck in!Legibility as a design objectiveBefore anything else, let's have a look at what legibility in watches act...
In-Depth: Researching The Vintage Movado Museum Watch
Sometimes, an item can become so ubiquitous that we fail to question its history. Such is the story of the Movado Museum Watch. Sure, there’s a commonly told story, but for an item that even horology neophytes recognize, the history is brief and lacking. What started as a typical fact-finding mission turned into an ongoing search for more.You’re instantly forgiven for uttering the words “Who cares?” after reading “Movado Museum Watch.” After all, the once-pure design has been raped, pillaged, and left for dead in every way imaginable over the past 60 years. The idea of a simple watch that evoked a sundial with the Sun at high noon started and ultimately be...
The Cartier Santos-Dumont: Current Vs. Vintage
The Cartier Santos-Dumont was one of the first wristwatches ever made. Louis Cartier designed it at the request of his friend, the Brazilian pilot Alberto Santos-Dumont. He was looking for a watch he could read while flying. The Cartier Santos(-Dumont), with its signature square shape and quirky screws, is now a true icon. The Santos-Dumont is the dressier option next to the “regular” Cartier Santos, which often comes in bigger sizes and on an all-steel or full-gold bracelet. In today’s Sunday Morning Showdown, we’ll put the current variations of the Santos-Dumont up against the vintage ones to see which you prefer.Mike will defend the vintage Cartier Santos-Dumont, a...
Factory Visit To Audemars Piguet in Le Brassus
Elizabeth Doerr, journalist for Revolution Magazine, visited the Audemars Piguet factory in Le Brassus and additionally got some tanning on the Hydroptere, the world’s fastest sailing boat.Besides visiting AP’s factory (see picture above), Elizabeth also had a look in the AP museum and the nearby Audemars Piguet Renaud et Papi facility. The Renaud et Papi facility is wear all the complicated magic happens for Audemars Piguet and some other brands.Take the tour that Elizabeth took by clicking this link and enjoy the great pictures....
The Bremont MBII/TWG (The Watch Gallery): A Quick Overview
The Bremont MBII was designed by Nick and Giles English, the brands founders, to be the “definitive aviation chronometer” and to embody everything that is meant by the phrase “made in Britain.” This limited edition piece created in conjunction with British retailer The Watch Gallery in London was to take that a step further and create a totally one off MBII that would be severely limited in numbers.With thanks to Alt1tude.com for the pictures.This unique collaboration has taken the best the MB (Martin Baker) range has to offer, as well as a few surprises, and rolled it in to one watch. The result? The MBII/TWG, limited to 30 pieces worldwide.The watch itself doesnR...
Hands-On With The Chopard L.U.C. Engine One H Tourbillon Timepiece
Remember our previous article on the Chopard L.U.C. Engine One by our contributor Angus Davies? Earlier this year, during BaselWorld, we got?acquainted with the Chopard L.U.C. Engine One H Tourbillon in titanium. Limited to 100 pieces only.L.U.C. Engine One H TourbillonThe L.U.C. collection of Chopard is – as you probably know already – their most prestigious selection of watches that are being manufactured in their Chopard facility in Fleurier, Switzerland.The Chopard L.U.C. Engine One H Tourbillon has more or less the same appearance as the previous discussed Engine One Tourbillon, but with a different shaped case. Clearly influenced by racing cars, the dial had a number of red...
Speedy Tuesday Speedmaster Price Guide
Every week we receive a lot of questions regarding Speedmaster prices. What’s a good price for this Omega Speedmaster 105.012 or what should I expect to pay for a Speedmaster Snoopy Award or a Speedmaster Gemini IV?We already helped starting collectors a bit forward with our two-part Speedmaster Buyer’s Guide here and here. However, we also thought it might be a good idea to create an Omega Speedmaster Price Guide.Speedmaster Price GuideTo be able to create a price guide, there are several data sources you can use. It eventually will make a difference as well, whether you are using the prices of an Omega sales forum or the bidding prices of auction houses. We decided to use data ...
Hands-On Omega Seamaster 300 Spectre Limited Edition Review
Omega was so nice to ship us their new Omega Seamaster 300 Spectre limited edition for a hands-on review. Now, I am more a Speedmaster kinda guy, but the Seamaster 300 made a very good impression on me from the start. This might have to do with the roots of both watch collections, that are so close and go back to 1957. Omega introduced the Seamaster 300 CK2913, Railmaster CK2914 and Speedmaster CK2915 that year, all with the same type of watch case, broad arrow hands and purpose (professional use).Spectre will be the 24th James Bond movie and a lot of watches have been used since the first adventure of 007 on screen (Dr. No). Since 1995, Omega has been the proud supplier of James Bond’...
Meistersinger 15 Years Single Handed
Did you realise that it was 15 years ago that Manfred Brassler introduced his signature watch, the Meistersinger Scrypto 1Z Einzeigeruhr?Neither did I, and I don’t exactly know how to feel about it. On one hand the Meistersinger single handed watches to me feel like they’ve been here forever. I can’t remember that they didn’t exist. Seen in that light, fifteen years is only a short period to grow a watch which seems to be here for ever.On the other hand fifteen years is quite a period. Do you know what other things happened 15 years ago? Of course we all remember 9/11, however this is something of such an impact even today that it’s difficult to place it in time...
Mobile Apps For Watch Enthusiasts You Want To Have!
Mobile AppsIf you are an avid Instagram user like I am you probably came across these #watchessentials images. What you see in these photos are stuff people carry around with them on a daily basis. Things like car keys, belts, wallets, sunglasses and of course, watches. You rarely see an image that does not have a phone in it and it is obvious why. Whether you like it or not, smartphones became a part of our lives. We stream music and movies on them, store our data. Also to manage our social platforms, measure our daily activities, browse the world wide web and in rare occasion actually even make calls.While we can debate whether is it healthy how attached we are to our gadgets these days th...
An informal Q&A session with Panerai CEO Jean-Marc Pontroue.
After the extraordinary Panerai Combusin Experience in Italy – on which we reported here – we had the possibility to sit down with Panerai CEO, Jean-Marc Pontroue (JMP). Coming from Roger Dubuis, he’s now Mr. Panerai, and we were eager to know what that means for him.#gallery-1 {margin: auto;}#gallery-1 .gallery-item {float: left;margin-top: 10px;text-align: center;width: 50%;}#gallery-1 img {border: 2px solid #cfcfcf;}#gallery-1 .gallery-caption {margin-left: 0;}/* see gallery_shortcode() in wp-includes/media.php */The setting is the?terrace of hotel?Avgvstvs in Forte Dei Marmi, adjacent to it’s green and at that time sun-drenched garden. Is has to be said that, afte...
The Ocean Crawler Dream Diver Limited Edition
After a sell-out release of the original Ocean Crawler Dream Diver earlier this year, the Rochester, New York-based brand is back with a new limited-edition re-issue. The newest release features three new dials including a Blue Carbon Fiber, Red and Orange dials colors.The original Dream Diver release debuted with a run of 300 units. This reissue will see the same number of watches hit the shelves, with each striking colorway strictly limited to 100 units each.The Ocean Crawler Dream Diver has been designed to be the ultimate diving watch. Every single watch has been wet tested to ensure it can withstand depths of up to 2000 feet. When designing the Ocean Crawler Dream Diver, the brand consi...
Wrist Game or Crying Shame: IWC Aquatimer Cousteau Divers
Ahoy friends and all aboard for this week’s edition of Wrist Game or Crying Shame. We’ll take a look at the very first IWC Aquatimer Cousteau Divers. But first…Every time I try to have a little fun around here, you guys go and get all kinds of serious. And so it was with the Corum Bubble Shark Diver. You burst my bubble because this expressive diver sunk into the abyss with a 75% Crying Shame loss. Boo hoo! Staying on theme with the water ready, though, let’s see if you’ll turn a kinder eye to the IWC Aquatimer Cousteau Divers.Jacques Yves CousteauIf Richard Dawson were still alive and hosting one of my all-time favorite TV game shows, Family Feud, I’d try...
The New Grand Seiko SBGE Models 253, 255 And 257 On The Wrist
What’s better than having a watch for a hands-on review? Having three, of course. Especially if that brand that supplied you with them is called Grand Seiko. While they only differ in color, the Grand Seiko SBGE253, 255, and 257 offer great versatility for any watch lover. These new SBGE models might fill the void that the previous ones (SBGE201, SBGE215, SBGE248) left in terms of looks and size.They are simple, cleaner, and more elegant. While these are not necessarily attributes of a sports model, I’m sure many of you who found the previous versions too bulky will enjoy checking these out. So let us help you with that.Grand Seiko CollectionsIf we want to position these new SBGE...