Watches Blog Wrist Watch Reviews

Although we had an in-depth review of tegimented Sinn watches here last month, written by Ming Thein, we also covered the most technology-packed Sinn 103 for Watchuseek. This 103 in titanium features all the Sinn technologies that solve real problems. No tourbillon, minute repeater, dead beat second or other haute horlogerie complications over at the watch company from Frankfurt, only inventions that solve real issues. This of problems watch can have with moisture, shocks and friction of small parts.This 103 Ti DIAPAL, being the most expensive Sinn 103 model available, is still very interesting for those who are looking for a reliable chronograph watch (featuring a second time zone as well). [...]

A while ago, I wrote an article about my Top 3 favorite world timer watches (click here). Ever since I first saw the Nomos Zurich Weltzeit watch at the SalonQP in London last year, I was waiting for it to finally arrive, to see whether it would get a spot in the Top 3 of my favorite world timer watches.The version I had in my hands in London was a prototype or at least a version that was subject to a few changes, but it worked perfectly and was easy to adjust.Luckily, with the new Zurich line-up and Tangomat GMT watches, Nomos decided to enlarge their watches to 39-40mm. This way I could properly give them a try, as the inital Nomos models were way too small for me. A few weeks ago, I was ab [...]

You love mechanical watches but dont want or cant afford to pay thousands of dollars for them? There are quite some alternatives on the market for small(er) budgets and beginning watch enthusiasts, like the watches from Guy David. This label is from Gassan (with whom we did an interview earlier this year) and aims at the young and starting watch enthusiasts with this line-up of fashionable mechanical watches for a very friendly price.For instance, this mechanical automatic diver is water resistant to 200 meters and has a diameter of a whopping 47mm.AC Watch Company sells them via their web shop, prices start at 199 Euro. Watches come with a 2 year warranty. [...]

The following article is by no means meant to discourage you from buying vintage [Rolex] watches, damage the reputation of certain sellers or to doubt particular watches being for sale at this moment.Recently, a number of Rolex enthusiasts and collectors started doubting the origin and authenticity of certain vintage Rolex watches that were listed for sale. If you are not at home in this material, you have to know that collectors of?vintage?Rolex timepieces love the so called tropical dials [those that faded to a brown color due to over exposure to the sun],patina hour markers and patina hands. Prices of Rolex watches that have these tropical dials (click here for a bizarre example that my f [...]

I've had the privilege of handling many rare timepieces in the past; some of them make more of an impression than others, for various reasons. The Gronefeld One Hertz is one of these but for a very different reason. Built by brothers Bart and Tim Gronefeld, the One Hertz is actually the least complicated watch they have built previously of Renaud et Papi, they also completed the GTM-06 tourbillon minute repeater.The watch ticks, in one-second increments like a (gasp) quartz watch. Flip it over, though, and it's clear that something much more special powers the hands of course an entirely mechanical caliber, developed in house.The rest of this post will be a concise but admittedly s [...]

This 18 carat white gold Rolex Submariner ref.?116619LB is the indisputable King of the Submariner family. No one is probably ever going to take a dive with it, but they know they can if they want to. Or need to. You never know (the James Bond theme comes to mind).Dutch Rolex / watch collector Ryan5446 is the owner and photographer of this stunning Submariner. This watch is nick named Smurf but I am sure it has nothing to do with its size or weight, but everything with the nice blue color of the dial and Cerachrom bezel. Furthermore, it has all the specifications of the regular line-up of the Submariner watches, with the exception of the Submariner No Date ref. 14060m, which havent been repl [...]

Browsing through the catalogue of MARCH LA.B is like watching an episode of HBOs Mad Men. As a tribute to vintage watches, MARCH LA.B introduced a line-up of interesting timepieces that wouldnt look bad on Don Drapers followers.Clearly being a design brand, which normally would not be something that appeals to me, the models theyve created are very similar to the real thing of the 1960s. After having had a look at their website, I was even more certain that the people behind the MARCH LA.B brand are very capable of providing great design and creating interesting timepieces.Obviously, they are not targeting at watch collectors or aficionados only, as they also incorporated quartz (Ronda) move [...]

RUBBER B a company located in Miami, Florida introduced vulcanized rubber straps for a number of Rolex sports models. Their rubber straps will fit seamlessley to your Rolex Oyster case and the original Rolex clasp of the Oyster bracelet will fit without a problem. I came across these straps by reading Jakes Rolex Blog where he covered RUBBER B straps already. Go over there to see some more pictures of the straps, including some close-ups of the strap attached to the original Rolex clasp.This rubber strap could be an excellent alternative if you dont want to wear your Rolex with a bracelet while swimming, on the beach or just during summer. RUBBER B claims the straps to be of an impeccable [...]

In December 2008, I notified you that the Heiniger-era of Rolex ended with the resignation of Patrick Heiniger after being CEO for 16 years. Before that, his father Andre Heiniger lead the most famous watch firm from Geneva since 1963. From December 2008 till today, Bruno Meier lead Rolex into the twenty-tens. Evil sources assumed the resignation of Patrick Heiniger had something to do with Bernie Maddofs scandal, but was never confirmed.Today, I tell you that Bruno Meier is already being replaced by a new CEO. Former head of Rolex Italy Gian Riccardo Marini (64) has been appointed as Rolexs new CEO. Gian Riccardo Marini had been managing Rolex Italy since 2000 and is now ready for the next [...]

Yesterday, Dale Vito (a passionate watch enthusiast and dealer) from The Netherlands got robbed from a few time pieces. Although he is alright, he would like you to keep an eye out for the following watches:Rolex, Submariner Date, reference number 16613, serial number N-. Extra serialnumber engraved by hand by Heetmanunder one of the lugs 2366 605. This is a stainless steel/gold model with a blue dial and bezel. This watch was stolen with box and papers. Unusual is the fact that although the watch has an N-serial it was sold in 2003 by Rolex AD Heetman in Rotterdam.Rolex Day-Date, reference number 18039, serial number 7306123, 18ct white gold, creme (panna) dial with roman numerals and comp [...]

For Watchuseek, I just finished this article on 50 years of Sinn Spezialuhren. A German brand with a focus on functionality and technology, celebrating their 50th anniversary this year with a special pilots chronograph Model 358.Personally, I have a weak spot for Sinn watches. Not only their price quality ratio is magnificent, I also like the link between their Sinn 142 (based on the Sinn 140) and the space program. I used to own a Sinn 142.St.S (black model) but unfortunately sold it a few years ago. You can read more about this particular model here, here and here.Another great cult Sinn is the EZM1, which was reviewed for Fratellowatches by Bas van Dorp. Click here.Anyway, make sure to c [...]

Marc Newson is the designer brain behind Ikepods designer watches. Although gone for a few years, they are back on the horological map since 2010 again. Since last year, Ikepod also introduced an hour glass designed by Newson. Each hand made hourglass comprises highly durable borosilicate glass and millions of stainless steel nanoballs, and is available in a 10 or 60 minute timer.This 3 minute video demonstrates how the Ikepod Hour Glass is being crafted and will keep you interested from start to end.The Hourglass from Ikepod on Vimeo. [...]

Only last week, I received this exact question at least three times during a discussion on purchasing a (new) watch.I received this question by email and twice during a discussion in the flesh. In a time where Rolex has issues delivering their goods to the final customers, or at least to fulfil the demand, theres a limitation on what you can buy. But if we include vintage and pre-owned watches, theres still enough to choose from. Were not into paying over retail for anything, so forget about the grey market supply for Rolex. Or douchy ADs who are willing to sell you one for a premium.You Asked Us: What Rolex would you buy?So basically, the question was directed at me. What Rolex I would buy. [...]

A member of the Dutch Rolexforum posted a few pictures of his vintage ref.1675 Rolex GMT-Master from 1960. This GMT-Master has a beautiful aged dial, that Rolex collectors point out as a gilt tropical dial.The wording on the dial are special as well, since it only says Officially Certified Chronometer instead of the Superlative Chronometer Officially Certified wording. The reference before this one (ref.6542) used to have this wording on the dial as well. Before you think it is an older dial in a newer case, its not, as the diameter of the dial is different. The owner of the watch claims that this particular model was only in production for less than 12 months.Please note the beautiful sleek [...]

Rolex collector Mike Wood is offering 10 (!) vintage timepieces for sale at the Military Watch Resource. An incredible collection of some very sought-after Rolex models. Trades are not welcome according to the for sale ad, so if the money is flowing back into his passion for watches, I am very curious to know what it will beStarting in the left upper corner (and going clockwise), you see a:Rolex Thunderbird Turnograph in 18ct white gold and stainless steel, circa 1968. This is a very rare watch as it was issued to the Peruvian Air-Force (Fuerza Aerea del Peru). Fitted to Rolex USA Jubilee bracelet. (Ref. 1625);Rolex Mk I Great White Sea-Dweller. No original documentation. (Ref. 1665);Rolex B [...]

You all know Universal Geneve as a watch brand that had some great models like the tri-compax chronographs and the Polerouter model. The Polerouter has a lot of vintage watch fans, and there is even a dedicated website for this particular model (click here).Universal Geneve also made military watches, and one of these models were sold to the Royal Dutch Army. These watches were issued to the Dutch soldiers during the late 1930s, just before World War II started for The Netherlands (on the 10th of May 1940). The dial of the Universal Geneve features a W symbol, which was the initial of Queen Wilhelmina of The Netherlands. Queen Wilhelmina ruled The Netherlands from 1890 till 1948 and is the g [...]

Ben Saunders (pictured left), who seems to be the most favorite candidate of Dutch talent show The Voice of Holland, chose a Rolex Submariner ref.16613!Ben Saunders went to Jaap (on the right) of Precisionwatches to get his new crown. Ben, who picked up his new watch at PrecisionWatches, used to wear Cartier before. This coming Friday, we will probably see him wearing his new Rolex during the first The Voice of Holland show in 2011.More information on the Rolex Submariner 16613 can be found here. [...]

Introduced during Baselworld 2010, the new green Rolex Submariner ref.116610LV (click here for the initial photos I took) immediately got its nick name: The Hulk Submariner. Not being too enthusiastic about the colors of the dial and bezel myself, I did notice that there was quite some interest for this watch from the start.Now, few months later, this The Hulk Submariners availability improves every week and it seems to become the favorite watch of many Rolex aficionados. At least at the Dutch Rolex Forum. My friend Michael bought one last week and shows it here on Fratellowatches. I have to admit, that after having seen it in the flesh, it is much better than it was in the Rolex display in [...]

On the 30th of October 1972, Gerald Genta (then having an important assignment for Audemars Piguet) filed a patent in the United States for his master piece, the Royal Oak. From what I read, he already documented this design in Switzerland on the 6th of December 1971.As you can see in the drawing below, is that the famous bezel screws of the Royal Oak are not aligned in the round direction of the clock. Perhaps it did not matter for this patent registration, or it has been done on purpose to show that the screws would actually work. This drawing should be reflecting the first AP that made it to the flesh, the ref.5402ST a.k.a Jumbo.The patent of Gerald Genta/Audemars Piguet is easy to find i [...]

Last Friday, a friend and I visited the Miljonair Fair. Not that we are millionaires, probably not even together, but Amsterdam Diamond Center (part of Gassan Diamonds) gave us tickets to come to the show.Gassan Diamonds had one of the biggest booths at the fair, including a few shop-in-shop boutiques from Jaeger-LeCoultre, IWC, Omega, Breguet, Ebel, Breitling, Cartier and Ateliers de Monaco. Being a huge fan of Atelier De Monaco, I was very pleased to see them here. Pim Koeslag of Atelier De Monaco took a lot of time to show their timepieces and do some explanation on them.Pim Koeslag giving some explanation on one of their exquisite timepieces to my friend Ger.Below, youll see some of the [...]