Casio G-Shock Retro
In 1983, Casio introduced the G-Shock. As the name suggests, this watch is able to take a few serious blows. This ref.DW5000 watch was in those days (for me) the coolest of the coolest. Ofcourse, being a little guy (only 7 years old), it was way too big for my wrists, so I (or my parents) settled for a much smaller digital Casio watch, that I still have somewhere.Anyway, 20 years later, in 2003, there was this Project Team Tough-model (DW5000SP) to celebrate the first DW5000 G-Shock. It was only available in Japan (officially) and came in a very nice giftbox. I ordered one right away via eBay and was amazed by the nostalgic feeling that this watch gave me. Although I wear it seldomly (and ju...
Give Away Cool Accessories From Sinn Spezialuhren
After shipping the last few items from our previous Give-Away, we already come up with some new interesting give-away items. This time, in close cooperation with Sinn Spezialuhren from Germany.We love Sinn, functional timepieces with a highly innovative focus. This company from Frankfurt am Main in Germany can count on the horological heart of many (on-line) watch enthusiasts out there. Also outside of Germany of course.In case you missed our last Sinn review of their reference 140 ‘Space Chronograph’, please click here to read it. In the past, we covered Sinn several times with cool photo shoots by Ming Thein as well as in-depth reviews.Give-Aways by SinnIn order to win one thes...
Like a modern Panerai for smaller wrists
If you're weak for the pillow shaped oyster cases of the past, but having trouble fitting them on your wrist, than E.C.Andersson North Sea might be something for you. It measures 40mm in diameter, 10mm thin and sits just right – No matter wrist size.But let us start from the beginning, what is E.C.Andersson and why did it suddenly appear on the highly competitive watch scene? The answer is quite simple, detail manufacturing is my true love, states the founder with the same name, Erik C Andersson.It all started when he was a young boy and he's grandfather showed him how to build miniature steam engines. I was awed by the fact that such small metal parts could work together and create su...
TAG Heuer Carrera HEUER 02T Tourbillon chronograph review
Let’s say you’ve always fancied a tourbillon watch but never had the hefty funds required to own one. In today’s market there are several ‘affordable’ watches that feauture a tourbillon. Although affordable is a personal thing of course but with an average price tag of around 100K for a tourbillon, buying one for roughly 15K classifies it as affordable instantly. Let’s have a look at the TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer 02T Tourbillon chronograph.Being part of the Carrera manufacture line, the Heuer 02T tourbillon has the same case design as the Heuer 01 line. Both are fitted with their own calibre movements that evolved from their first in-house movement.Modular c...
Hands-On Certina DS-1 Powermatic 80 Special Edition Review
We already talked about a DS-1 briefly when we reported on their event just this past month.Bert wrote that piece focusing on the occasion, the new DS-1 Big Date and its technical improvement, the Nivachron hairspring. That watch came out to mark the 60th anniversary of the introduction of the DS (Double Security) system and the first Certina DS that came to the market in 1959. However, Certina's list of novelties for 2019 did not end with the Big Date. There is one more watch to talk about, the Certina DS-1 Powermatic 80. Now, this is not a new model line by any means. The brand already has several models out under such a name. However, this new DS-1 Powermatic 80 is the latest special edit...
Hands-On With The Sinn 206 Arktis II The Cool Blue
One of the watches that left quite an impression since its introduction in Basel earlier this year, is the Sinn 206 Arktis II. Based on the no-nonsense 206 (and its predecessor the Sinn 203) diving chronograph, but with a touch of ice blue.In our ‘Hot Take‘ of this watch, we already gave some background information on this new Sinn 206 Arktis II and its specifications. Admitted, with Sinn it is very often about specs, but in this case, I’d say that they’ve really done a nice job to spice it up a bit (or better said: cool it down) with some color. The ice blue makes this watch stand out. Although I love the original 203 and the regular 206 references from Sinn, you cou...
5 Seiko Watches That Make Me Happy
In this article, I share with you my top 5 Seiko watches from the current collection that put a smile on my face.Sometimes, you’d almost forget about Seiko watches with all this ongoing Grand Seiko news. Its popularity is immense and ever-growing, but what about talking about some cool Seiko watches? One of my all-time favorites would be of course the Seiko Space Walk SPS005 (click here for our review), but what about the watches you can buy today from Seiko?Top 5 modern Seiko watchesI made a selection of 5 watches from the current Seiko catalog, that I wouldn’t mind adding to my modest watch collection. Without further ado, let’s have a closer look.1. Seiko Prospex SLA021J...
Looking At The Ulysse Nardin UFO Table Clock Like It's The Ark Of The Covenant
I like big clocks and I cannot lie. The French antique comtoise clock hanging in my parent's house, for instance. But also the highly decorated table clock my grandmother left me and that has found a place in the bookshelf. And if I had the budget for it and the matching design house on the coast but that is a different matter I would give the Jaeger-LeCoultre Atmos in Marc Newson design a prominent spot. And since the Ulysse Nardin UFO table clock landed on my Fratello desk, I also put it on my imaginary list. Another great thing: I felt like Indiana Jones when I uncrated the UFO.The Ulysse Nardin UFO table clock (Ref. 9023-900LE-3A-BLUE) is spectacular in every way. Even the box it comes i...
New: The Zenith Chronomaster Original E-Commerce Edition
I’ll just come out and say it. There is no chronograph in the world that I love more than the tri-color Zenith El Primero! An irreverent statement coming from a writer at Fratello, I know. After all, it’s no secret that we love our Speedies around here. However, an absolute, exclusive enthusiasm for the Omega icon is actually not a necessity. And personally, there is just no other chronograph that speaks to me the way the tri-color El Primero does.Known these days as the Chronomaster, everything about the watch just does it for me. From its history as the world’s first high-frequency automatic chronograph in 1969 to its unmistakable blue and gray sub-dials, the watch rings ...
Watch Strap Review 53 Velle Alexander Straps Revisited (2021)
Our December 2019 Watch Strap Review featured a small brand from icy Minnesota, Velle Alexander. At the time, the name represented nothing more than a passionate young man doing what he does best in the corner of his small Minneapolis apartment. A lot has changed since 2019, and Velle Alexander is now an established watch strap brand. It would only make sense to revisit Alex, look at his new goods and talk about what has changed over the past two years since we last met.Don't worry; we will be back with some fresh new makers next month for those interested in new ateliers. At the same time, we will also add another country to the Watch Strap Review map. Until then, however, let's look at the...
The updated G-Shock Square GW-M5610U with module 3495
Of course, the number of G-Shock Square variations is almost endless. But in my opinion, the ones closest to the original DW-5000C from 1983 are the most significant. Their modest appearance never gets old. In the current line-up, the closest aesthetic corollary would be reference GW-M5610 and, when it comes to the technical side of things, the GW-5000 could be seen as the closest successor. A combination of those two, in my opinion, would be a perfect re-edition or homage to the original DW-5000C, but that’s something for another day.While most of us enjoyed the summer holidays, G-Shock slyly updated the module of the aforementioned important Square models. In this article, I’ll...
H. Moser & Cie. "Changing Lanes" How To Remodel A Brand (2021)
In watchmaking, branding matters. Having a clear message and an easily communicable public persona is essential for success. But founding a brand without any heritage to point to is tough sledding. That is why it is more common today than would have been comprehensible 30 years ago, to find old names being bought by or transferred to new owners with a vision of reshaping that brand into something entirely new for the modern world. We've seen this happen many times with varying degrees of success. Brands like Czapek, Vertex, and Fears have all gone this route. For today's case study, however, we're going to take a look at the remarkable rise of H. Moser & Cie. and assess how a brand went ...
Hands-On: Frederique Constant Highlife Automatic Skeleton (2021)
It's been almost three weeks since Geneva Watch days, but that does not mean that there isn't anything left to cover from the event's releases. Amongst the novelties revealed, the Frederique Constant Highlife Automatic Skeleton was one that certainly caused quite an impression. Skeleton dials and movements have been around for many a moon, and can sometimes come across as gimmicky. Especially when found in more affordable brands, where these gaps in the dial and movement reveal nothing more than a humble undecorated movement. However, this is not the case in these two new additions to Frederique Constant's collection. Here, the stylized world pattern on the dial of the Highlife models is rei...
The Ultimate Omega Speedmaster X-33 Guide
Omega just introduced the new Speedmaster X-33 iteration, the Marstimer. But in case you are not familiar with the X-33 story, let me introduce you to this Speedmaster instrument and explain why it is such a space-relevant watch.On March 25th, 1998, Omega released the Speedmaster Professional X-33 reference 3290.50. Indeed, this digital Speedmaster Professional (mind the Professional) was qualified by NASA for use on Space Shuttle missions.Speedmaster LCD HistoryBut 20 years before that, Omega already had digital Speedmaster models in the collection - the Speedmaster Professional LCD ST 186.0004 and the Speedmaster (non-Professional) ST 386.0809. The ST 186.0004 debuted in 1977 and had an LC...
Introducing: Omega Speedmaster X-33 Marstimer
During today’s Speedy Tuesday event at the European Space Agency Visitor Center in The Netherlands, Omega introduced the new Speedmaster X-33. Meet the Marstimer ref. 318.90.45.79.01.003.It’s the fourth generation of the Speedmaster X-33, largely based on the X-33 Skywalker. It has the same 45mm 14.7mm titanium case and the same bracelet. So what’s new about the Omega Speedmaster X-33 Marstimer?Omega Speedmaster X-33 MarstimerAs you’ve probably noticed, the bezel has a specific red hematite color. This hue should be reminiscent of the dust on Mars. The bezel insert is made of oxalic anodized aluminum. You will also find the same color on the seconds hand, which has a ...
New: Kojima Productions NASA Anicorn Space Ludens
This is something a little different. It’s the Space Ludens watch by Anicorn Watches in cooperation with Kojima Productions and approved by NASA. Now that is a mouth full, is it not? Hey what is that on your wrist? Oh, this? This is a Kojima Productions NASA Anicorn Space Ludens. What are you wearing? And you can rest assured that people will inquire about your watch because this is an eye-catcher indeed.We have a lot to unpack here, so let's get stuck in.From Sapiens to LudensLoosely translated, “from knowing to playing”. This is the creed of game developer Hideo Kojima. If you played a lot of video games in the ’90s as I did, you surely know Metal Gear Solid. Hideo ...
A Visit To The Dutch Watchmaking School in Schoonhoven
At some point, don’t we all dream of being a watchmaker? I mean, how cool would it be to service your own watches or check a secondhand watch’s movement before you decide to buy it? I guess I’ve missed the opportunity to take that career path, but sometimes I still think about taking an evening course to at least get an idea of what’s actually going on inside my watches. That’s why I decided to take a look at the watchmaking school in Schoonhoven, the only one of its kind in the Netherlands.Well, to be fair, I didn’t actually decide to go all by myself. Last month, at a RedBar meetup in Amsterdam, I met two of the school’s teachers, Brendan and Hilbe...
Available Now: Fratello NOMOS Glashutte Weltzeit Blue Panda
Following last year's sell-out collaboration, the hotly anticipated NOMOS Glashutte Weltzeit sequel is out now! The new Blue Panda limited-edition model features an exclusive windmill icon for the home time and comes in a series of only 100 pieces.https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=AEkLTlirVWQIf you did not manage to get into the Fratello Shop last year within the first minute of the sale and missed the chance to pick up one of the original “Panda” Weltzeit watches, you may not want to hang around here too long. So, let me give you a gist of what we have in store (literally) for you this time.The “Blue Panda” modelThe new Fratello NOMOS Glashutte Weltzeit limited edition...
Available Now: The Fratello Minase M-3 "Nori"
It’s hard not to get a little carried away when talking about Japanese watchmaking. There’s something enchanting about Japanese culture that gets the creative juices flowing. You suddenly find yourself filled with inspiration, and words begin to fill the page in front of you. The narrative unfolds, and suddenly, there we have the new Fratello Minase M-3 “Nori” sat before you. Not every story comes first, however. Yes, sometimes the story inspires the watch, but other times, the watch inspires the story, as is the case with the Fratello Minase M-3 “Nori.” Deeply etched in the verdant allure of Japan’s natural aesthetics and refined craftsmanship, let&...
Watch Strap Review 70 Straps For Fixed Lugs By GLC
This month's edition of Watch Strap Review might be interesting for the vintage community but not so much for fans of modern timepieces. However, as I'm a vintage guy at heart and this is my column, I decided to write it anyway. Today, I'll review a few leather goodies that GLC Straps created for watches with “fixed lugs” - in other words, lugs that do not accommodate standard spring bars. Although other brands today might utilize these in their watches, the only one I could think of was Tudor with the Pelagos FXD.Regardless, it's an excellent topic and useful for the vintage community. For all you fans of modern watches out there, I still hope that you'll enjoy the story.Fixed l...