Watches Blog Wrist Watch Reviews

Here is a short review of my Ingenieur ref.3227 after exactly 3 months of ownership.I dont think its necessary to give background information on this watch, as I have done this in the past (here and here) and you can read all about the vintage Ingenieurs (including the 1976s SL) on this page by Larry Seiden, Marco Schoenenberger and David ter Molen.Although this purchase might seemed as an impulse three months ago, I always had a weak spot for the IWC Ingenieur. The packaging and the manuals that come with this watch are very nice. The black box with its leather interior keeps the watch in place perfectly. However, who is going to use it anyway once you put the watch around your wrist? The w [...]

The IWC Ingenieur reference 3239 that I review here was introduced in 2013, IWCs year of the Ingenieur. You have to know that ?IWC is restyling an entire collection, every year, to keep it fresh and up-to-date. So in 2013, IWC introduced a number of new Ingenieur models. From a simple straight-forward stainless steel model to a carbon version and a platinum model with perpetual calendar.Well, if you are a long time reader of Fratello Watches, you probably know that I have a preference for so-called purist watches. I have and have had my share of G|rald Genta designed timepieces, including an IWC Ingenieur of a previous collection. I decided to trade that Ingenieur for another Genta designed [...]

Welcome back to Wrist Game or Crying Shame, the online fun fest that allows you, the reader to decide whether a given watch has been naughty or nice.? This week, we take a look at an original 70's IWC Ingenieur SL Jumbo.? Let's see if it's too round to get down the chimney in your house right before the holidays But before we begin?-Sigh.? Just when I think I'm trying to do something creative and bring you a real surprise, you shoot me down.? Last week, I tried to make things colorful during this oft-gloomy time of year with the tri-colored Rolex Day-Date Tridor.? That 12,950 Euro watch went down in a ball of fanciful flames as it lost support with a 55/45% loss in favor of the Crying Shame [...]

With the F1 of Spa-Francorchamps coming up this weekend we look back at our trip there some weeks ago. We joined IWC and AMG for the 24hrs of Spa and had the opportunity to wear an IWC Big Pilots Watch. Having that watch on the wrist for a few days, I got quite used to it despite the fact that I feel that 40mm is the perfect size for a watch. That being said, lets have a look at the IWC Big Pilots Watch IW501001 and if I would buy one.IWC Big Pilots Watch First ImpressionsMy initial thought when opening the box was that its clearly called Big Pilots for a reason. With a stainless steel case that measures 46.2 mm its one of the biggest watches I have ever worn. With a thickness of 15.6 mm its [...]

Most people who know me know that Im not a huge modern day IWC fan. This week two incidents made me have the IWC Mark XVIII Le Petit Prince as 52Mondayz watch for this week anyhow.IWC Mark XVIII Le Petit Prince edition, ref IW3270 04C 52Mondayz, week 29The first matter was the news that Georges Kern stepped down from IWC and went to Breitling. Mr. Kern was one of the reasons that Im not such an IWC fan. After having seen his speech in front of a group of investors, I realised that IWCs philosophy didnt match mine. Something which was clear by IWCs watches of roughly the last 10 to 20 years as well by the way.Models which kept my interest throughout the years though were the IWC Pilot Watche [...]

Once upon a time, it was easy to get brands new pieces in your hands on the day of their release. We used to have physical fairs to enjoy, but the global pandemic has put paid to that for many of us. Nowadays, seeing novelties on or before release is very difficult so we were thrilled when IWC made a special effort to send us the Chrono 41 model so we could put it through its paces in advance of its launch today.The new IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph 41 may look familiar but is actually a brand new fusion of design, movement, and case size. Visually, it most recalls the IWC reference IW377714 (Pilots Watch Chronograph Edition Le Petit Prince), bringing the blue sun-ray dial and red going seco [...]

The IWC Pilots watches were always amazing tool watches. At some point, like many other brands, IWC decided to bring more variation to the game: enter the IWC Pilots Watch Automatic Spitfire.Since 1948, IWC delivered its Pilots watches to the British Army and Navy and the Mark 11 with its caliber 89 movement is being regarded as an icon. Over the years, IWC continued to develop and innovate their Mark watch and today we are looking at the Mark XVII in their collection. Not the 18th iteration, as after the Mark 11, Mark XII followed. Besides the classic Pilots watches, like the Big Pilot, Chronograph and Double Chronograph, IWC also introduced their Spitfire Mark-series based on that collecti [...]

A few years ago, when I was still in banking, I noticed that IWC became the new Rolex for many colleagues. Where the Rolex Submariners, Datejusts, Day-Dates and of course Daytonas were part of the appearance?of many colleagues for many years, there was a clear shift going on to IWC watches. My explanation for this would be that IWC changed its direction a bit from being a manufacturer of tool watches to being the manufacturer of watches for a wide(r) audience. Understandable. At that time I?also??decided to buy an IWC; an Ingenieur ref. 3227-01. Based on the heritage of a pure tool watch, but with the finish and elegance of a modern wearable mechanical timepiece.A watch I wore a lot and I [...]

The story on the iconic IWC Portugieser watch is one that is well known in enthusiasts' circles. Today, IWC introduces an update of their entire Portugieser collection. From a three hands watch to a perpetual calendar.But first, let's do a quick rundown of the Portugieser and why it is such an iconic watch. Back in 1939, IWC watchmakers created a big watch on special request by two dealers from Portugal (hence the name) that had the precision of a pocket watch. At that time, IWC was well known for its precision pocket watches and the Portuguese dealers wanted to have that same level of accuracy in a wristwatch. Smaller wristwatches were the trend in those years, but unable to deliver the sam [...]

The IWC Portugieser Chronograph is one of the most recognizable watches in the industry. Its clean and clear display is often taken for granted, but it is a masterpiece of dial design, with particular attention paid to the spacing and layout of all information. Now fitted with an in-house caliber, the Portugieser is ready to be the go-to watch of the next generation.In recent years weve seen the fashion watch industry move over to exceptionally pared-back designs. The success and proliferation of brands such as Daniel Wellington, Olivia Burton, and Ted Baker may not seem all that relevant to readers of Fratello Magazine, but lest we forget the massive effect the high-volume sales of the fash [...]

Besides a chronograph or GMT, there are only a very few mechanical complications one would need. Purists can debate whether a tourbillon is a complication, but its one of those examples of a complication that has little use today. Its just there to admire and enjoy.A perpetual calendar is somewhere in the middle. Having a calendar on your wrist that shows the day, date, month, leap-year, and moon phase, is simply pretty cool. It might come in handy, but its mainly there to show the craftsmanship of Swiss watchmakers who are able to program a calendar for the coming centuries.Portugieser Perpetual Calendar 42The first word that comes to mind when putting this watch on the wrist is impressive. [...]

Where a number of brands have huge difficulties delivering their novelties before (or in the) summer, IWC announces a special summer edition of their Portugieser Yacht Club Chronograph. For this occasion, the IWC Portugieser Yacht Club reference?IW390507 has been fitted with a stunning sun burst blue dial with white subdials as well as a beautiful?blue rubber strap.IWC Portugieser Yacht ClubAs always, the IWC Yacht Club comes with their in-house calibre?89361 movement. This chronograph movement has a flyback function and the chronograph hour and minute subdials are located at 12 oclock. The running seconds can also be found at 6 oclock. The large red chronograph second hand gives a nice cont [...]

Good day, everyone. Mike is in the saddle today and here with your pre-owned highlights. With me at the helm, there's a strong chance of vintage in the forecast and likely occurrence of gold drizzle. Shall we begin?Photo courtesy of Chrono24 and Oliver ClarkePre-Owned Highlights: Rolex Datejust 1600 Ghost DialOur first pre-owned pick comes to us courtesy of Chrono24 and the Los Angeles-based sellers Oliver Clarke. What we have here is a Rolex Datejust 1600. If you were guessing that a 36mm Datejust would find its way into this article because of my recent obsession, you scored However, this isn't just any old Datejust. This is a smooth-bezel model in steel and gold. More than that, though, [...]

At Watches and Wonders 2022, IWC dazzles your eyes with the snow-white ceramic Pilot's Watch Chronograph Top Gun Edition Lake Tahoe and calms you back down again with the camouflaged green Woodland. Many people have told me that I have gone beige lately. And that's right, I like a bit of beige in a watch IWC's Mohave models, for instance, but also the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Small Seconds I tried not too long ago. With that knowledge, you would expect me to prefer the blended-in Woodland over the blizzard-like Lake Tahoe. But it's the black-and-white Lake Tahoe that stole my heart.Love at first sight. It happened to me back in August 2021 in Geneva during a visit to the IWC boutique. It [...]

While the Laco brands history of supplying the German airforce during World War II is a controversial topic on these pages and others (especially because the brand still engraves the side of its cases with the item code assigned to Pilots watches by the Third Reichs Reichsluftfahrtministerium), many of the luxury brands (and plenty of the humdrum) found themselves on the wrong side of history during those dark days.You need only mention brands such as BMW, Hugo Boss, Kodak, or IBM to realize that a troubling level of collaboration or at least association existed between the heads of those companies and the Nazi regime. Despite the dark chapters in these companies shared history, there all st [...]

In the past, I have found my gold Omega on the wrist of a stuffed animal. And for a long time, there was a Seiko on my daughter's nightstand. Can you guess the reason why? Because it was so pretty in the dark. Of course, theres no one to blame for that but me. My daughter has no idea about the value of these things. It means, however, that I need to take care that my watches are not easy for my daughter to grab. An expensive mechanical watch is no toy for a child.Owning and wearing a precious watch comes with a responsibility the responsibility of taking care of a valuable item. There's a reason why parents don't gift their daughter or son a costly watch before they have reached a certain ag [...]

We like to talk about vintage watches a lot within the Fratello team. Though most of what we write about is largely focused on the most recent releases and developments, for many of us, a lot of the fun can be found in the sometimes weird and often wonderful world of vintage watches. Its a world full of history, remarkable watches, incredible stories, and quirky details. It inspired us to come up with a series of articles focusing on the best watches per decade from a select group of brands. Some of them are priceless, some of them are still affordable. In this installment, we will take a look at the best IWC watches from the 2000s.By the turn of the millennium, Switzerland had proudly recla [...]

Every watch enthusiast can think of a great discontinued timepiece that should return to the spotlight in a more modern version. At the Fratello offices, we are no different. It inspired us to come up with a series about watches that the Fratello editors would like to see make a comeback. Some of the watches are iconic, some of them are less popular. But all of them are loved by at least one of our editors. Lets look at some of our favorites in this series. Jorg kicks off with the IWC Ingenieur SL Jumbo Ref. 1832.In Fratello team discussions, we regularly dive deep into the archives of a brand to talk about some of the watches from the past that we love. As a result, the question, Wouldnt it [...]

Were back with more block-rockin beats errrr, talk Balazs and Mike return (quickly) to talk about vintage watch opportunities in 2022. If you love the old stuff and are looking for value, tune in and relax!Thats right, the dastardly duo of Balazs and Mike is back, and we return to one of our favorite subjects the vintage watch market and where to find opportunities. As we know, theres little out there that hasnt been uncovered. However, that doesnt mean that value doesnt exist. Theres no highfalutin talk during this podcast, so your trust funds are safe!Vintage watch picks for 2022After a bit of a Handgelenks Kontrolle, we head off into our vintage watch picks for 2022. Balazs talks about An [...]

The year 2021 was an amazing one for IWC, thanks to so many great Pilot watch releases and the brands innovative way to show its new watches to the world. By using large containers located in several cities around the globe with live connections to Schaffhausen, it gives those viewing the watches the chance to directly ask questions about the new IWC Pilot's watch collection. But the brand has a long-standing history and reputation when it comes to its pilot's watches. In fact, IWC has been designing and manufacturing them since 1936.IWC delivered the 55mm pilot watch ref. IW431 to the German Luftwaffe in 1940 and the Pilot's Mark 11 to the British Royal Air Force in 1948. You will find that [...]