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Speedmaster MoonphaseIts Speedy Tuesday Our weekly recurring topic on the Speedmaster has become one of the most popular topics here on Fratellowatches.This week, we have quite an uncommon Speedmaster for you. Only the shape and reference number reveals that it belongs to the Speedmaster-family. This OMEGA Speedmaster ref.3330.20 (case number 375.0034) is a stainless steel / gold chronograph with a calendar and moonphase (click here for some other Speedmaster Moonphase articles).Introduced in 1990, this automatic OMEGA Speedmaster Moonphase 3330.20 comes with the OMEGA caliber 1150 movement. A movement based on the ETA/Valjoux 7750 caliber. Besides time and chronograph functionality, this wa [...]

It is Speedy Tuesday and we have this Speedmaster Missions box for you Although Im at the SIHH in Geneva, following presentations and doing pictures for our instagram channel (follow fratellowatches on instagram), nobody can hold us down!!?Todays Speedmaster topic is the suit case with all the Speedmaster Missions models, a Speedmaster 1957 re-redition and a spare OMEGA caliber 1861 movement.There are 50 of these cases by OMEGA, introduced in batches of three. The first batch of the Speedmaster Missions collection?was 40 suit cases in 1997, and afterwards OMEGA produced / sold another 2 x 5 cases (1 in 1997, 1 in 1998).OMEGA Speedmaster MissionsAlthough I am not sure what the list price pri [...]

Magnetism, it is actually one of mechanical movements biggest enemies. That, and dropping your watch on the tiles in the bathroom. Numerous brands have tried to take precautions and some of them took it to another level. Were sure you know about the IWC Ingenieur and the Rolex Milgauss. The latter one even has this lightning-shaped second hand to indicate its very very anti-magnetic.Perhaps you havent heard about the Railmaster before. Or perhaps you did, but didnt link it to anti-magnetic watches. However, the first Railmaster that was introduced in 1957 had a double case to prevent it from being influenced by magnetic fields. Especially designed for scientists, technicians and other people [...]

Omega Speedmaster Co-Axial Caliber 9300 ReviewIts Speedy Tuesday Sometimes, its refreshing to see other peoples opinions on a watch. On a Speedmaster for example. Today, we give the stage to ?ukasz Doskocz, Editor in chief chronos24.pl. We did a Speedy Co-Axial 9300 Review here before (click here), which was actually the best read article on FW in 2012.The legendary Moonwatch in a brand new stylistically and mechanically version. Now with manufactured automatic movement, date and large(r) steel case.Each year, the watch industry produces tens if not hundreds of millions of timepieces. At the same time as many as couple of hundreds (if not thousands) new models join myriads of already exist [...]

?? 2Albert Einstein (1879 1955)?? Exhibition for the centenary of the Theory of relativity:the new doctrine of time according to Einstein.The exhibition is the most comprehensive and expensive event devoted to Albert Einstein ever staged. It is running from June 16, 2005 to April 17, 2006 at the Historisches Museum in Switzerland???s capital city of Bern. Named ?? 2person of the century?? by Time Magazine, Albert Einstein lived in Bern from 1902 to 1909 ?? ? the most scientifically fruitful period of his life. His Longines pocket watch is being displayed for the first time at this exhibition as an eloquent reminder that with his theory of relativity Einstein changed forever our percepti [...]

Mr. Genta, I need a steel sports watch that has never been done before, I want it to be something totally new and waterproof. That was the message to G rald Genta by then Audemars Piguet CEO Mr. Golay. Not much later, the Royal Oak was born. The rest is history. Today, it is one of the most coveted watches in the world.There was a time, not even too long ago, that I wore a Royal Oak watch on the wrist almost every single day. It was my dream watch. Ever since I saw the watch in one of the Audemars Piguet catalogs, I decided that a Royal Oak was my grail watch. My first purchase was the Royal Oak 15300. A 39mm watch with APs then relatively new in-house developed caliber 3120. I couldnt have [...]

Andrew Babanin wrote a great essay on the Rolex caliber 3135 at TimeZone. He starts his review with the following short, simple but yet so caracteristic introduction, Rolex is a manufacture with old traditions and one hundred years of history. Rolex is always considered a luxury watch, giving assurance to its owner.I would like to review a quite common model Rolex Submariner (Ref. 16610). The case and the bracelet are made of stainless steel. It is a COSC certified automatic chronometer with central seconds and date indicator. Theres a special Triplock screwed down crown with increased water protection. And what follows is everything beyond short and simple.. a superb review on the caliber 3 [...]

Yesterday I was visitting Gerards watch store and while I was there drinking some coffee, I browsed the latest Antiquorum catalogue for the upcoming auction of the 15th of June.Just now I noticed a post by Felipe on WatchRap.com which describes (in pictures and text) some of the highlights of that auction. Felipe visitted the auction preview in New York in person with some watch friends and took a lot of pictures.This Patek ref.2499 for example, estimated between 200.000 and 250.000 USD:Picture by Felipe.See for your self. [...]

Bas van Dorp emailed me the following story:Some months ago, I went snowboarding for a week with some friends. As everyyear, I just wear my Omega Speedmaster Pro during snowboarding. I figured thata Speedmaster Pro should be able to deal with this quite easily.However, after a few days on the slopes, I noticed a rattling sound comingfrom my watch. It sounded as if something had come loose. Ooops The watchwas was still running, but I had these visions of what could happen when apart would get stuck in the escapement or somewhere in the geartrain. Igathered all my courage and I decided it was the best thing to to open thewatch immediately.I didnt have a caseback tool at hand, and the pliers on [...]

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 [...]

My girlfriend bought me this box, suitable for 4 (large) watches. The Panerai is 44mm, the Sinn is 44mm as well I guess and the other two are 40mm. There was also a cloth with it to clean the box, it is made out of wood and has a sort of piano finish on it which makes it very shiny [...]

The Rolex GMT-Master (II) finally stepped out of the shadow of its diving brother, the Submariner. With the introduction of the ceramic Pepsi and Batman (on Jubilee) recently, the hype is real. Long waiting lists and market prices far over retail result in disappointed customers, but that doesnt seem to slow down the demand. On the contrary.I can imagine why the Rolex GMT-Master II is so much in demand. It is a great daily companion, with the added value of an extra timezone. I had my share of GMT-Master watches, including a few vintage 1675s and a GMT-Master II 16710. When I was ready to purchase a GMT-Master II Ceramic or Batman in 2017, I was confronted with the above-mentioned demand for [...]

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 [...]

Once rejected by watch enthusiasts, now one of the most sought-after Patek Philippe's models, the Aquanaut is a major source of buzz for pretty much everyone. Therefore, it seemed inevitable that Patek would address the dearth of options for its female collectors sooner rather than later. Of course, Patek Philippe masterfully embraces not only the hottest color in the watch industry but also appeals to the serious watch lover with different types of movements. Lets take a look at the five new iterations of the Aquanaut Luce, revealed earlier today.Green enters the mainstreamHow wonderful is it to admire such intriguing new releases? The women's Aquanaut Luce has been with us since 2004. Its [...]

Crisis. A Patek Philippe butterfly clasp is covered with hairline scratches. Was it my doing? Incredulously, I realize that it was handed to me in this condition. I find myself torn between a feeling of shock and happiness. The same clasp is worth more than a top piece or two in my own collection, and yet it is scratched. But why does this fill me with happiness? Have I lost my marbles? Is it schadenfreude? Or is it something elseThis is the first time I've handled this enigma of a sports watch on a rubber strap that goes for 50-60,000 Euros pre-owned, or new after a 5 year wait for your local AD to get one in stock, and, for me, it's a momentous occasion.The occasion was made all the more m [...]

1997, 21 years after the introduction of the Patek Philippe Nautilus stainless steel sports watch, Patek Philippe introduced a new watch aimed at a younger clientele: the Aquanaut. Now, in 2016, almost 20 years later, they?introduce a new variation on the Patek Philippe?Aquanaut?Travel Time, a watch that was introduced in 2011: It is the reference 5164R, where the R stands for rose gold.Ive always been a fan of the Patek Philippe Nautilus 3700/1A and 5711/1A and prefer them as clean as possible (no complications), as it was meant to be in my opinion. That is a bit different with the Aquanaut. Perhaps I am a bit too much of a purist when it comes to watches, but the Aquanaut always was the ne [...]

Since the early 2000s, a special project team (Advanced Research Department) within the Patek Philippe manufacture is occupied with the future of (haute) horlogerie. In 2017, their effort resulted in two major innovations: the new Spiromax(R) balance spring made of Silinvar(R) and a new solution to set a second time zone in timezone watches.To welcome these innovations, the manufacture is launching the sporty and elegant Aquanaut Travel Time Ref. 5650 Patek Philippe Advanced Research in a limited edition of 500 watches, the first ones to be endowed with both of the avant-garde developments.Aquanaut Travel Time Ref. 5650GThe Patek Philippe Aquanaut celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2017. The [...]

One of the best designed watches in my opinion is the Patek Philippe Calatrava ref.5127. I dont know what the idea is behind Pateks reference numbers, as they dont seem to be logical, but if you want to order one at your nearest (un)authorized Patek dealer it might come in handy. Anyway, I will call it Calatrava in this post, without mentioning the reference all the time. Patek has a lot of Calatrava models in their collection, but the one below is the one in particular when I addressed one of the best designed watches. It has no sharp edges or hard lines in terms of design, the lugs have only this slight bend towards the strap (or bracelet for the /1 models) and the dial is perfectly clea [...]

To a lot of people, Patek Philippe equals mechanical and complex complications such as a perpetual calendar, minute repeater or even a chronograph. However, lets not forget that Patek Philippe also has a powerful collection of subtle Calatrava timepieces. Today, we will have a look at this Patek Philippe Calatrava 5227. At first sight, the?Patek Philippe Calatrava 5227?seems to be a Calatrava like any other Calatrava youve seen, but again it are these subtleties that make it stand out.The Calatrava was first created in 1932 and earned an important spot in the Patek Philippe collection ever since. Their sleek and elegant designs might seem very generic to the untrained eye, but upon closer in [...]

New releases from Patek Philippe dont always feel this new. We are used to seeing minor updates to a collection that often feels more entrenched than established. But that is fair enough. When you can arguably claim to be the G.O.A.T. why mess with a winning formula? However, with the release of the Patek Philippe Ref. 6007A-001 Calatrava watch in steel, the Genevan manufacture has shown its aware of how much times are changing.For the past five years, Patek Philippe has been working on a new manufacture in Geneva. The Plan-les-Ouates site was signed off in 2014 to aid Patek Philippes desire to internalize as many aspects of production as possible. Some interpreted the manufactures construct [...]