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Fratello Watches has a strong focus on vintage watches. Ever since 2004 weve been covering vintage watches once in a while, but since 2015 we have a steady feature on them with our TBT articles. We think it is about time to list the best read TBT articles so far.Top 10 Best Read TBT ArticlesYou will find Seiko to dominate this list, but youre probably not surprised about that. Seiko watches are interesting, most of the time affordable and have a lot to offer. The other brands will not be a surprise as well. Some of the smaller brands that weve covered in our TBT feature did not make it to the Top 10, but are certainly not less interesting. Unknown makes them perhaps a bit unloved. With o [...]
52Mondayz week 21 is not about the watch Ill be wearing this week. Its a tribute to the watch my wife is wearing. Not only this week, not only this month, not only this year. However every single day during her work as chef at her own restaurant Limoncello during the last 10 years.The Omega Seamaster Professional 300 Chronometer Mid-Size, reference 2252.50.00Life for a watch at the wrist of a chef is harsh, extremely harsh. Steam, ice, water, grease, and continuously hitting everything from the oven to the sink, from the espresso machine to the bar.Hotel and catering industry-worthyIn my professional life as a watch dealer Ive had many chefs as valued and loyal customers. And Im very please [...]
Last weekend was an important one for watch collectors and enthusiasts. Perhaps also for investors, I might add.?Weve seen (or heard about) some of the results of the Rolex 6062 (5mio USD) and Rolex Daytona 6263 3.7mio USD) for example. You can debate the hot air in these prices, but someone paid these amounts so it is as real as it gets. But what about the Omega Speedmaster watches we wrote about recently, that were auctioned through?Antiquorum and Christies. I am talking about the skeleton Speedmaster in gold and the two gold 1980 Speedmaster Professional Apollo XI pieces.Auction ResultsLets start with the piece that was skeletonized by no-one else than Armin Strom: the Speedmaster?Jubilee [...]
Omega didnt show us everything in BaselWorld, as we already noticed some images on Instagram from some Italian colleagues and collectors talking Seamaster Edizione Venezia. Just a few days ago, Omega officially announced this special watch that will only be for sale at the Omega Boutique and the T Fondaco dei Tedeschi by DFS (department store) in Venice.Omega Seamaster Edizione VeneziaThe Seamaster collection (1948) is actually the oldest line-up from Omega in the current families of watches. The Constellation was introduced in 1952, Speedmaster in 1957 and De Ville in 1967. The very first Seamaster models have little to do with the current line up of watches. The Seamaster slowly transforme [...]
We give a lot of Speedmaster coverage, but mainly on (Speedy) Tuesdays. Today we make an exception, as?we were invited to join the Omega Speedmaster Event in London, with Apollo 11 astronaut Buzz Aldrin, former NASAs engineer James H. Ragan who was responsible for testing and selecting the Speedmaster and actor George Clooney, a long-time space and Speedmaster fan.Speedmaster Event in LondonThere is no secret that I love the Speedmaster. Ive told this many times before, but the Speedmaster is the model?that got me into watches in general and one that I collect myself. A love that resulted in starting the Speedy Tuesday feature and has been celebrated with its own limited edition watch for it [...]
You might have read it before here on Fratello Watches, but on May 15th, Christies has their Rare Watches auction. Three lots in that auction are pieces that you might have read about in a couple of our Speedy Tuesday articles. The white and yellow gold Omega Speedmaster Professional of the 1980s and a stainless steel version from the 1980s. All three with display backs. Actually, the first Speedmaster models with a display back. Lets have a look.Speedmaster Professional Reference 345.0808The first Speedmaster watch with display back in Christies Rare Watches auction catalog is this reference 345.0808 that dates back to ca. 1985. Lot 65, to be exact, was the first stainless steel Speedmaster [...]
Almost a month ago, I told you about the upcoming Moonwatch Only 2nd edition (60 years of Omega Speedmaster). During the annual trade show in Basel, I received a signed copy of this 2nd edition of what I quoted as this book sets a new standard in 2014. Lets have a look at this Moonwatch Only 2nd edition book.Moonwatch Only 2nd Edition BookThat said, I can keep this review short and just say that the best book just got better. However, that wouldnt do justice to the book and doesnt answer the question why you should upgrade from the first edition (here is my review of Moonwatch Only first edition).The image above was taken during the book presentation at BaselWorld, a few weeks ago. On the le [...]
Today's TBT will be Baselworld 2017 focused as we're still basking in the afterglow of the show. And, even though we've covered it already, I'll use this column as a platform to discuss why I, a vintage diehard, ordered the Omega Speedmaster 1957 reissue. Maybe my purchase of this watch surprises you and maybe it doesn't, but let's discuss it anyhow.The trio of 60th Anniversary Pieces during our AppointmentA Trio of Beautiful WatchesOmega, if you've not yet read, debuted a trio of 1957 reissues to mark the 60th anniversary of introduction for the Railmaster, Seamaster and the Speedmaster. Omega allows you to purchase these watches in one of two ways: individually or as a set of three. To cl [...]
On January 16th of this year, Gene Cernan passed away. He was the Last Man on the Moon during the Apollo 17 mission in 1972. Before that, he flew on the Gemini 9A and Apollo 10 missions. This year, Omega introduced the 3rd Speedmaster Apollo XVII limited edition. In two flavors. In stainless steel (1972 pieces) and in gold (72 pieces). We have a closer look at the gold model.Omega Speedmaster Apollo XVII Reference 311.63.42.30.03.001In all honesty, the rendered images that I came across before the official launch did not make me very excited about this watch. But as always, you need to see a watch in the flesh before you can judge it (best). The Omega Speedmaster Apollo XVII 45th anniversary [...]
Yesterday we introduced you to the Omega 60th anniversary trilogy. Today, we had our meeting with Omega and had a closer look at their new collections. We received many questions and comments about the Speedmaster. Lets try to answer a couple.Speedmaster 60th Anniversary Reference?311.10.39.30.01.001I can be super short about the new Omega Speedmaster 60th anniversary limited edition. I ordered one. So did two other guys of the Fratello Watches team. We were simply blown away by it. Based on the comments and likes we received on Instagram and Facebook and the numerous e-mails and whatsapp messages we received, you like it as well but have some questions.How many?First, there is the differenc [...]
In 1957, Omega introduced three watches for professional use: the Railmaster for scientists and engineers, the Seamaster 300 for divers and the Speedmaster for sports, race car drivers and engineers as well. Now, 60 years later, Omega felt the time was right to bring hommage to these watches. Let us introduce you to the 60th anniversary limited editions of the Railmaster, Seamaster 300 and Speedmaster.Holy Trinity of OmegaThe rumor machine started a while ago already, will there be a re-edition of the Speedmaster CK2915? What about the Seamaster 300 and Railmaster? Those are also 60 years old. Very true, and of course Omega did not forget about that. You dont need to be psychic to see what w [...]
Don't judge and stop shaking your head. Just because there's a serious amount of yellow gold staring you in the face, you neednt leave this page. Just hear me out for a bit. If you read automotive magazines, today's feature is akin to that one article about an exotic that most of us will never ever be able to afford. Maybe, just maybe, we say that even if we had the money, we'd never conspicuously consume such an object because it would just prove so impractical. Well, live a little and journey with me as we go big-time with a look at the gold Omega Seamaster 300. Trust me, you'll want to hang around The Gold Omega Seamaster 300 is Over the TopA dive watch such as the gold Omega Seamaster 30 [...]
This is part II of our Speedmaster Professional 145.022 Buyers Guide (part 1 can be found here), with a number of updates since the previous publications (2015 and 2017).This second part of the 145.022 Buyers Guide goes into the details of the Speedmaster Professional 145.022, details you should pay attention to when you are in the market for this reference. We are receiving a healthy amount of e-mails and messages to help some of our readers with their quest for a Speedmaster Professional 145.022. There are quite some of these watches out there that have been tampered with or have been serviced with authentic parts but from a later era. That also affects the value of the watch.As always, th [...]
In 2021, Omega updated the iconic Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch with the caliber 3861 movement. A very good reason to update our Speedmaster Buyers Guide as well!This guide dates all the way back to 2014, and since then, a lot happened. Not only did we have our own way with Omega and the two Speedmaster Speedy Tuesday watches (in 2017 and 2018), Omega also introduced a number of interesting Speedmaster watches to the collection. What about the Speedmaster Calibre 321 from 2020, or the new Moonwatch Master Chronometer models in gold? Time for us to update this Speedmaster Buyers Guide.In this Speedmaster Buyers Guide, we give you an overview of the most important references of the Speedm [...]
Watches are so versatile. From dress watch to tool watch, the opportunities to pick the one that fits you best?are endless. Personally, I tend to buy larger watches, usually chronographs with dark colored dials. That's my thing. That's why I was really looking forward to this piece that I had the pleasure of wearing for a few weeks. It is so out of the ordinary for me with its colors, but because of the timeless design it felt like a friend you have not seen in a while whom you finally reconnect. I truly enjoyed every second it spent on my wrist. I wear it as I type the article now but in a few days I will have to kiss good-bye to this Omega Seamaster Diver 300M ETNZ.Omega Seamaster 300M Bac [...]
In 2021, Omega updated the iconic Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch with the caliber 3861 movement. A very good reason to update our Speedmaster Buyers Guide as well!This guide dates all the way back to 2014, and since then, a lot happened. Not only did we have our own way with Omega and the two Speedmaster Speedy Tuesday watches (in 2017 and 2018), Omega also introduced a number of interesting Speedmaster watches to the collection. What about the Speedmaster Calibre 321 from 2020, or the new Moonwatch Master Chronometer models in gold? Time for us to update this Speedmaster Buyers Guide.In this Speedmaster Buyers Guide, we give you an overview of the most important references of the Speedm [...]
In 2021, Omega updated the iconic Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch with the caliber 3861 movement. A very good reason to update our Speedmaster Buyers Guide as well!This guide dates all the way back to 2014, and since then, a lot happened. Not only did we have our own way with Omega and the two Speedmaster Speedy Tuesday watches (in 2017 and 2018), Omega also introduced a number of interesting Speedmaster watches to the collection. What about the Speedmaster Calibre 321 from 2020, or the new Moonwatch Master Chronometer models in gold? Time for us to update this Speedmaster Buyers Guide.In this Speedmaster Buyers Guide, we give you an overview of the most important references of the Speedm [...]
In 2021, Omega updated the iconic Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch with the caliber 3861 movement. A very good reason to update our Speedmaster Buyers Guide as well!This guide dates all the way back to 2014, and since then, a lot happened. Not only did we have our own way with Omega and the two Speedmaster Speedy Tuesday watches (in 2017 and 2018), Omega also introduced a number of interesting Speedmaster watches to the collection. What about the Speedmaster Calibre 321 from 2020, or the new Moonwatch Master Chronometer models in gold? Time for us to update this Speedmaster Buyers Guide.In this Speedmaster Buyers Guide, we give you an overview of the most important references of the Speedm [...]
Along with New York, London, Tokyo, Hong Kong and Singapore, Frankfurt stakes its claim as one of the world's banking centers. With this distinction comes a large pocket of substantial wealth, which naturally makes luxury goods such as watches quite popular. As one who spends a lot of time in Frankfurt, I can tell you that it's a strange city as far as watches. Yes, there are a lot of high-end watch shops and brand-specific boutiques. However, aside from the recent influx of these single brand stores, I've generally found the others to lag behind other large cities in carrying new releases. Perhaps these shops have voluminous black books with waiting lists for the newest pieces or the lack, [...]
I guess it is safe to say that we are all awaiting for the James Bond Spectre movie to be released later this year. As you know, Omega has been their ambassador since 1995 (Golden Eye) with their Seamaster 300M watch. In Casino Royale and Quantum of Solace, the Seamaster Planet Ocean took over the role of the Seamaster 300M and in Skyfall, Bond?started to wear the?Seamaster Aqua Terra next to the Planet Ocean.It was expected that Omega would release another James Bond limited edition for the James Bond Spectre movie, as theyve done so in the past. Although I expect James Bond to wear both an Aqua Terra and a Planet Ocean or perhaps a Seamaster 300 as well? in the Spectre movie, let first h [...]
