Watches Blog Wrist Watch Reviews

Howdy neighbors, its time for another installment of Wrist Game or Crying Shame. This week, we travel down a couple of kilometers with the IWC Porsche Design Ocean 2000. Lets see if your thoughts about this watch are as deep as its depth rating. Before we doLast week, I brought you back to my brief stay in old San Juan with a look at a very period Breitling Chronomat UTC. It turns out that you really dont like going on cruises with me because you got seasick over this one to the tune of a 73% Crying Shame loss. Ouch Lets see if todays IWC Porsche Design Ocean 2000 fares any better.The Porsche Design line was epic under IWCIts just too easy for me to get sentimental about IWC back in the earl [...]

For IWC everything began in 1868 with the American engineer and watchmaker, Florentine Ariosto Jones, who decided to leave the USA and travel to Switzerland to look for new and better business opportunities. Basically, he wanted to escape the cost of labor in his home country, and use more affordable labor in Switzerland. Not long after, he founded the International Watch in Schaffhausen where he used the force of the river Rhine to power his machines. With its American roots, IWC has since become a household name in the Swiss watch industry. Let's have a look through the IWC brand history highlights.Florentine Ariosto Jones was a man with a plan. Jones was born in New Hampshire in 1841 and [...]

Sometimes it's nice to force yourself to like something. When you intuitively know something is good, but you can't see it or feel it right away. Sporadically, if you try long and hard enough, that feeling will eventually come. And when it does, it just feels so darn good Back in the 90s and early 2000s, IWC made pilot's watches that looked like flight instruments. Almost a bit boring, even, but beneath that dull layer of functionality lay a world full of adventure waiting to be discovered by those who persevered. And I did just that. From the Zero's comes this IWC Doppelchronograph Ref. 3713 a watch thats double the fun for those who dare.Back in the 90s ?I lusted over three IWC pilot's w [...]

You can opt for a BP with a standard black dial C with white numerals and indexes or retro-colored ones in the Heritage version or silver in the Edition Las Vegas, or deep Le Petit Prince blue, if youd prefer. Of all these dial executions, the IWC Big Pilot's Watch IW501015 is by far the wildest. Unexpected, even, although what once was blue now turns green in the world of watches. Green is THE color right now. So what would you do if you had the choice? Would you go for black, blue, silver, or radiant green instead?There are two types of green in the IWC collection. There are four Spitfire references with a bronze case and a matte green dial that has strong military green vibes. And there [...]

As soon as you enter the world of mechanical watches, it seems like you enter an alternate reality at times. Especially when you have the privilege to write about luxury timepieces, watches that cost thousands and often tens of thousands of Euros are not uncommon to end up in your hands. While experiencing expensive timepieces from up close is absolutely amazing, there is always the reality that most of them will never be a permanent part of my life. But its time to dream a little and come up with a list of vintage watches I would buy if they were affordable.When it comes to the question of what is affordable, its obviously very personal. It has as much to do with your spending power as much [...]

Welcome back to Wrist Game or Crying Shame where, this week, we take a look at a mid 90s classic. The IWC Fliegerchronograph IW3706 is in focus. But first?Last week, we looked at the TAG Heuer Carrera 1964 that was reissued back in 1996. You lot truly enjoy a retro manual wind chronograph Despite the fact that this model was a bit overpriced, it stopped, started, and reset all way to an 87% Wrist Game win. Let's stay in the same era and the same color scheme for that matter. Will the IWC Fliegerchronograph IW3706 have an on-time arrival or will it fail to leave the terminal?IWC rocked the 90sI know that I bring this up somewhat frequently, but I just can't help it. IWC really had their act t [...]

A woman or man who's in charge of a large transcontinental aircraft, its crew, and its passengers deserves a watch that underlines that person's role. A Big Pilot could do the job when you're piloting a single-seater, but when cruising wide-body passenger jets, a complicated Big Pilot is more fitting. And while I'm no captain, I went soaring high above the clouds with the IWC Big Pilot Perpetual Calendar anyway.I must admit I had some problems during take-off. I mean not actually becoming airborne, but putting on the XL complicated Big Pilot took some effort. Not that the combination of calfskin strap and folding clasp are difficult to understand or operate, but because it takes some time to [...]

The original IWC Big Pilot's Watch is a classic. But it's also an XL heavyweight that you're constantly aware of. It practically takes a giant to wear the 46.2mm original inconspicuously. The new smaller version of the BP comes in a more practical size L. And, although I don't want to give it all away already, flying on auto with the slimmed-down IWC Big Pilots Watch 43 is possible. You're only aware of the watch when you want to be and that is a massive upgrade.The new steel Big Pilots Watch 43 comes with either a traditional black dial or a more fashionable and contemporary blue variant. The big box we received at Fratello HQ contained the blue-dialed version and came with a brown and a ve [...]

RJ chats with the guiding IWC into the next phase of its development, who, coincidentally, also happens to be the same man that designed IWCs current manufacturing headquartersSome people have all the talent [...]

Fratello on Air is here and this episode is quite a bit different. Balazs and Mike enter into a game of two questions. Enjoy!Balazs and I are inquisitive folks. We acted on this trait with a very different type of show. Each of us came up with two questions for the other person. The rules? They were simple The question had to relate to watches in some way and neither of us could prep the other person ahead of time. The hypothetical looms large and your hosts had to think on their feet. We think youll enjoy this candid listen.Wrist check and the newsBefore hitting the main topic, we do a wrist check and then mention friend-of-the-show Jason Heatons new book. Depth Charge sounds like a rivetin [...]

There are different ways a watch can grab your attention for the first time. There seem to be some more common examples for an encounter that can cause a lasting impression, though. But, whichever circumstance turned you into a watch enthusiast, I feel confident that passion was involved. This is my very personal story, along some detours that initiated my passion for watches.I dont remember which was my first watch. I do remember a cheap plastic quartz watch, which I wore as a child, that looked cool because it had a black case. And I remember how discontent I felt when this watch with a 30m waterproof rating died after some diving in a pool.My first watch that spawned a lasting impression [...]

Welcome one and all to our new Sunday afternoon Pod-Column, Watching Sports (Or WASP, for short).To celebrate this new Fratello feature, host Rob Nudds welcomes fellow sports fanatic Balazs to the virtual booth. This week, the despicable duo look back on Super Bowl LV and the remarkable achievements of 43-year old Tom Brady, as he guided the Buccs to their second championship while picking up his seventh (seventh) in the process.We talk about team building, Bradys place in both NFL and general sports history, and why the heck the GOAT is wearing an IWC these days?Well be indulging one of our favorite pastimes and picking the perfect watch for several of the leagues biggest stars. What would [...]

In our Sunday Morning Showdown, 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 dont forget to let us know which watches youd like to see torn to shreds/effusively exalted next week. Well try and feature as many of our readers choices as we can. This time, two top echelon chronographs trade blows. The Omega Speedmaster Dark Side Of The Moon in ceramic and the IWC Pilot's Chronograph Tribute To 3705 in Ceratanium.In some ways, these watches sit at opposing ends of the spectrum. The recently-announced IWC Pilots Chronograph pays tribute to the 90s [...]

Welcome back to Wrist Game or Crying Shame, where, this week, we take a look at the IWC Portuguese Vintage. To consider this one, youll require a large wrist and a pretty large wallet. Before we head down the pathLast week, I discussed a fancy piece of horology with the Breguet Tradition 7027. What a stunner Thankfully, most of you agreed as this watch danced its dapper duds to a 74% Wrist Game win. Heck, even our most prolific commenter, Chow, is thinking about donning his leisure suit every week to find a reason to wear such a watch. Please send us a pic This week, we stay on the slightly dressier side of things, but we up the size spec with one of historys all-time favorite big watches. I [...]

This new IWC Pilots Watch Chronograph ref. 387905 is a tribute to the famous and highly collectible 3705 from the 1990s. This IWC Fliegerchronograph Keramik, as it is called, was introduced in 1994 and made of youve guessed it ceramic. This watchs production lasted just a few years, and the total production of this IWC was around 1,000 watches.Today, we show you the IWC Pilots Watch Chronograph Tribute to 3705. Indeed, a very similar watch to the original 3705 from 1994 but with a few important differences. When written in full, the differences consist of the case diameter, the case material, and the movement. Yet, I will still call this a tribute, as sometimes it is not so much about creati [...]

And so we now move into the end of November, and towards December. The final month of what has been a somewhat unorthodox year, and indeed not what any of us had predicted when we welcomed-in 2020. It's been a slightly quieter week in the world of watches in terms of news, but that doesn't mean we've had nothing of note.We've seen Laco begins its countdown towards its centenary, Nezumi Studios launch a collaboration with thrash metal legends Anthrax, MBF release the uniquest piece unique youre likely to find, and IWC drop a colorful Big Pilot. Let's have at it This week, Rob and Dave take it in turns to present their top watches of Week 47, 2020.Laco Edition 95Rob: As a long-time lover of Ge [...]

This week, I am looking at brands that have designed watches for the Stuttgart-based sports car brand, Porsche.I partly took inspiration from Tomas' TBT article on the Porsche Design by IWC reference 3704 that you can read here. Scrolling through Chrono24, I found more awesome watches that co-branded with Porsche. Before Porsche Design became, well, Porsche Design.All watches are pre-owned and picked from Chrono24. Every week we pick a few pre-owned watches from Chrono24, the largest market place for wristwatches in the world watches that we love ourselves, or think they will be interesting to you. So, to be clear, we picked the watches, Chrono24 only send us the images without their waterm [...]

It would feel like wearing a real Porsche on your wrist if it were made of steel. The full-titanium case and integrated bracelet seem are robust enough but wear more like your favorite dress watch. Let's dig deeper to discover the charm of the titanium Porsche Design chronograph by IWC.I have a very dear friend with whom I share not only a passion for watches but also for classic cars. Peter is a Porsche Garage owner, chief mechanic, and trusted caretaker of my 1981 911 SC. Anytime I pass by his workshop, I stop for a while and we chat about life, cars, or watches. As Peter wields a wrench as often as I type, I mostly see him with hands blackened by oil and a Casio watch on his wrist. But so [...]

Hey there, its time for Wrist Game or Crying Shame where you get to play a little pick em choose em. This week, we super size things with an IWC Big Pilot. But firstLast week, I showed you a modern-day Omega Speedmaster Mark II Co-Axial with a racing dial for just under 3,600. You gave this one the checkered flag as it motored to a 78% Wrist Game win. Im pretty happy about that one, but I wonder if youll be happy with todays IWC Big Pilot.Do you remember big watches? Well, back in the early 2000s, lets just say they were a, um, big thing. You can lay a lot of the blame or credit on a then pluckily resurging brand called Panerai. But there were fast followers from the more established names. [...]

This week I am highlighting five of my picks of the IWC Aquatimer, ranging from 1968 to the present day.The concept of a bespoke, wrist-worn timing device for deep ocean diving began earlier than most people appreciate. Omega and Hamilton had novel ideas to retain waterproofness in the 1930s. Most famously, Panerai provided a luminescent and over-sized wrist-watch, with a case made by Rolex, for the Marina Militare. Not often were these watches commercially available outside of naval use.Turning the tidesBut there was a seismic shift by the middle of the 20th Century with the introduction of the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms in 1953. Soon after came the Rolex Submariner. At the time, these watches [...]