Watches Blog Wrist Watch Reviews

I never really liked Coke too much.I was always a Pepsi guy. No, I'm not talking about the drink. I could not care less about the age-old debate of which soda is better. I'm talking about two specific Rolex GMT-Masters. The choice is between Pepsi (blue/red) or Coke (black/red) bezel inserts.I shared the reasoning behind my decision to go with reference 1675 in this old TBT article of mine. To me, the colors on the bezel were the primary factor. I liked the look of a vintage Sub, but I dug the GMT with its Pepsi insert. It added a pop of color to the watch. For the longest time, I thought that no other GMT would take its place. Until this week cameDon't worry, I'm still Team Pepsi, but for [...]

My first sports Rolex was a Sea-Dweller 16600, and I think it is still one of their best looking divers watches in the collection. For this weeks episode of Pre-Owned Picks, I selected Rolex Sea-Dwellers from 5 different generations. From the first reference to the current steel model on steroids.I was so proud back in 2003 when I purchased my Rolex Sea-Dweller 16600 from 1996. It was a bit of a stealthy Submariner, without that cyclops but with the chronometer-certified movement inside. Water-resistant to 1,220 meters, and with the cool-looking helium valve in the case band. The sapphire crystal was thick and sat much higher on the watch than on the Submariner models. The package included a [...]

We are gliding on very thin ice here. Does a privately modified Rolex 116520 in full black PVD coating open a taboo topic?I have a friend that wants me to hear me say I like modern Rolex Daytona watches. He wants it so badly that he left me his 116520 for a week so that I would test it out and feature it on 52Mondayz. A week later, I got a text message asking what the verdict is. My reply? Im not feeling it. But, after much heckling, I gave the watch another chance. It stayed on my wrist a month longer. And then for another four weeks after that. I could easily start a new series called 12Monthz because of this Daytona and how I postponed writing about it multiple times. People in advertisin [...]

Welcome to Wrist Game or Crying Shame, where you can vote even if you're not allowed to travel This week, we'll take a look at the Rolex Precision 6694, a relative oddity within the brand's semi-modern repertoire. But first?-Last week, I tempted you with the 90s Eberhard Aviograf, a watch that few of you had ever seen. Well, seeing it the first time brought feelings of amore as you blessed this watch with an 86% Wrist Game vote. That Eberhard was a manual wind watch and, with the Rolex Precision 6694, we have yet another for your consideration. This one just so happens to sit within an Oyster case while sporting a screw-down crown better flex those fingers!Now before you start your collecti [...]

In this Sunday morning column, two of our writers go head-to-head in an epic showdown for the ages. Strong opinions and hysterical hyperbole are welcome (so feel free to join in with the fun in the comments section below). And don't forget to let us know which watches you'd like to see torn to shreds/effusively exalted next week. We'll try and feature as many of our readers' choices as we can. This week it's the turn of the Rolex Cosmograph Daytona 116500LN. Let the battle commence.Last week, everyone imagined that Robs attempt to defend the Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 series might cause him fatal damage. Surprisingly and unexpectedly proving the worth of these polls he lost out to Balazs b [...]

Rolex has a rich history of advertising built for decades. The brand has produced some of the most remarkable ads ever created by a watch brand. In this recurring series, we take a look at the most iconic ads Rolex has created over the years.One of the most exciting and fun things to do when diving into the history of a watch brand is to look at their advertising.?Rolex has always been a brand that has created some of the most remarkable ads in the industry, not least because they are connected to outstanding achievements and famous people. Some of the advertisements are stylish, some of them are thought-provoking, and some are blessed with an excellent sense of humor. All of them represent [...]

The 1950s and 1960s are periods with a lot of exploration. From the Moon to the depths of the sea with the Deep Sea Special project. Today we will go on exploration in the snow, ice, and high peaks with the Rolex Explorer.Watches with a good story always score. The Rolex Explorer is no exception. Launched in 1953, this was a true explorer and pioneer in the world of tool watches. While summiting Everest in 1953, Sir Edmund Hilary famously wore a Rolex Oyster Perpetual. It is said that this watch directly inspired the design and development of the Rolex Explorer.About the illustrationThe snow scooter featured in this image is based on the 1950s Polaris Sno-Travelera?an era-appropriate pairing [...]

Welcome back to Wrist Game or Crying Shame, a weekly series that makes you feel like a boss. Let's see if you'll own today's candidate, the Rolex Explorer II 16570 Polar. But first?-Last week, we did a 180 and featured an early 90s svelte dress watch from Vacheron Constantin known as the Les Historiques 31110. This one came in platinum and, if I may say so, truly looked the part. As for what part that was, let's give it the leading role as a winner because this watch took home a convincing 64% Wrist Game victory. You might also recall my remark that detractors lacked good taste? Well, my feelings remain unchanged.But for those detractors that loved the icy white color of the VCs dial, Ive go [...]

A US Air Force veteran who was stationed in Thailand bought a brand new Rolex Daytona in 1975 (ordered it in 1974) for $345USD. He even received a 10% discount.In this episode of the PBS Antiques Roadshow, he hears about todays value of his watch. An estimate between $500K and $700K USD because of the condition of this watch and because it is very complete (warranty papers, the original Rolex brochure for the Cosmograph, two receipts, and the two original boxes). The watch has been rarely worn, as the owner found it to be too nice to be used in or near saltwater, so he kept it in the safe. The reaction of the owner when appraiser Peter Planes tells him todays value? Priceless.Enjoy the video [...]

Rolex has a rich history of advertising built for decades. The brand has produced some of the most remarkable ads ever created by a watch brand. In this recurring series, we take a look at the most iconic ads Rolex has created over the years.One of the most exciting and fun things to do when diving into the history of a watch brand is to look at their advertising.?Rolex has always been a brand that has created some of the most remarkable ads in the industry, not least because they are connected to outstanding achievements and famous people. Some of the advertisements are stylish, some of them are thought-provoking, and some are blessed with an excellent sense of humor. All of them represent [...]

Rolex has a rich history of advertising built for decades. The brand has produced some of the most remarkable ads ever created by a watch brand. In this recurring series, we take a look at the most iconic ads Rolex has created over the years.One of the most exciting and fun things to do when diving into the history of a watch brand is to look at their advertising.?Rolex has always been a brand that has created some of the most remarkable ads in the industry, not least because they are connected to outstanding achievements and famous people. Some of the advertisements are stylish, some of them are thought-provoking, and some are blessed with an excellent sense of humor. All of them represent [...]

I am excited and honored to write my first article for Fratello Magazine. I have been thinking a lot about the first topic to talk about and, in the end, I decided to write about the iconic Rolex Daytona ref. 16520.Because from my point of view, this model really stands-out in the history of Rolex and represents one of the timepieces whose value increased more over the years. In 1988, after the discontinued production of the manual winding Cosmograph, Rolex launched the first references of the self-winding chronograph with sapphire crystal on the market: 16520 for the stainless steel model, 16523 for the steel and gold model, and 16528 for the gold model.Rolex 16520-Mark 1 to 8The main chara [...]

Youve seen them on the bookshelves at (vintage) watch dealers and collectors: the Mondani books. We talk to Giorgia Mondani, who joined her family business at a young age and shared her love for (Rolex) watches with her +180.000 followers on her Instagram account.The Mondani books are massive in weight and size and are a bit more serious than nice looking coffee table format books. These are books with a purpose. They help collectors to research their vintage (Rolex) watches and ensure they know what to look for. As you know, it is all about the details when collecting vintage watches.Ive been a follower of Mondani for many years and bought a large number of their books myself. It started wi [...]

If you're a fan of baseball, then you probably just finished watching the World Series (Congrats, Nats!).? And while the Chicago Cubs weren't in the hunt at the end of this season, they're a highly competitive team with a rabid fan base. ?In the spirit of America's pastime and related to the Cubbies, let's take a look at a neat story, the story of Ron Santo's Rolex President and the watch's current owner, Sean Madigan.I've mentioned it before that we receive a lot of email here at Fratello and it was one such day that Robert-Jan forwarded a message that served as the inspiration for today's story about Ron Santo's Rolex President.? Now, if you're European C and the last time I checked, Robe [...]

Some will remember that, for a period of exactly one year, which is 52 weeks, we published a rather popular column named 52Mondayz. Inherent to its name, after one year, this column came to an end. And although it has been a while since it stopped, we still get positive reactions concerning this feature.Revival of 52MondayzSo we think its a good time to revive 52Mondayz, although, with?a slightly different approach. Was it mainly me writing every Monday which watch I would wear that week, now all of the Fratello authors will take part in the fun. So, I will kick off this week, but next week youll learn about a watch worn by one of our other editors. This way, it will give an even larger spre [...]

There is the flashy coffee table type of Rolex book, and then theres the other, more educational one out there. On which end of the spectrum sits The Vintage Rolex Field Guide?For the first type of Rolex books, you usually need more than both hands, as those books often have impressive dimensions and ditto weight. The paper is thicker than the cardboard your fridge was packed in and the pages so glossy that you need sunglasses, so you don't burn your cornea. We all know which books I am talking about. And we probably all have a few of them at home, myself included.The Vintage Rolex Field GuideThe book in review today falls on the other end of the spectrum. A lot of black white pages. Many p [...]

Wrist Game or Crying Shame is here to see if you value history with a look at a Rolex GMT-Master 16700.Before we get into the Rolex GMT-Master 16700, lets spend a moment on last weeks subject, the Yema Bipole Duopoly.? For $569, or less than most of you spend on a pair of city-bound retro mining boots, you thoroughly denied this French oddity with a crushing defeat to the tune of 60% calling it a Crying Shame.? Ah but wait!? While the 40-percenters clearly lost the battle, one such Wrist Game voter climbed the highest mountain because he chose to vote with his wallet!? And that person was none other than Jason Heaton of?The Grey NATO,?Hodinkee, and other fame.? Now Jason calls the eternally [...]

Rolex has a rich history of advertising built over the course of decades. The brand has produced some of the most remarkable ads ever created by a watch brand.? Lets take a look at eleven of these ads Rolex has created over the years.One of the most interesting and also fun things to do when diving into the history of a watch brand is to look at their advertising. Rolex has always been a brand that has created some of the most remarkable ads in the industry, not in the last part because they are connected to outstanding achievements and famous people. Some of the advertisements are stylish, some of them are thought-provoking, and some of them have a nice sense of humor to it. All of them rep [...]

Rolex made a bold move this year by introducing their Sea-Dweller in Rolesor. Rolesor is Rolex definition of combining stainless steel and gold, as it combines the words Rolex and Or, French for gold.Although you can expect anything from Rolex, a bi-color Sea-Dweller was not something I was prepared for. The Rolex Sea-Dweller is a watch I always saw as their serious diving watch. The Submariner was available in different versions, ranging from a die-hard divers watch in steel to shiny sports watch fully executed in 18-carat gold. And in bi-color, of course, with several dial options including one with precious stones (serti dials).And you know what? I think the new Rolex Sea-Dweller with ref [...]

Lets have a look at three Rolex watches that hardly get attention from enthusiasts. It doesnt mean these are all easily accessible or even available at all, but they might be an interesting alternative to the Datejust, GMT-Master and Explorer models, for example.In every price segment, you can find something nice. In a lot of these segments, there are Rolex watches that might fit your taste and budget either new or pre-owned.?Every watch enthusiast probably recognizes the conversation discussing possible next purchases based on your love for the design, the complications and price and someone answers: For that money, there are some serious contesters. Ever thought about a Rolex?. Its an a [...]