Watches Blog Wrist Watch Reviews

Marc Menant from Jaeger-LeCoulte mailed me some information on their new Master Compressor Diving Navy SEALs watches. The grade 5 titanium cases with unidirectional bezel and water resistancy of 1000 meters meet the most stringent requirements for the United States Navy SEALs diving watch. Jaeger-LeCoultre consulted snorkelling record holder Patrick Musimu about the relevance of Jaegers diving watch innovations.The Master Compressor Diving models have a shot-peened ceramic bezel and are engraved with the Navy SEALs emblem. Before paying thousands of dollars for a vintage COMEX diver from Rolex, you might want to investigate these new three models from Jaeger-LeCoultre.Jaeger-LeCoultre introd [...]

The story goes that after a polo match in India, some British officers challenged their friend Cesar de Trey to create a watch that was able to resist the serious beatings caused by polo sport. Once back in Europe, Cesar de Trey (businessman) shared the problem with Jacques-David LeCoultre, who creates the Reverso watch in association with Jaeger. The Reverso watch was patented in 1931 (the 4th of March to be precise) and was originally designed by Rene-Alfred Chauvot.Almost 80 years later, the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso is still going strong and it is one of the classic watches that can also easily be referred to as a cult watch. The rectangular shape, the Reverso mechanism, the inhouse movem [...]

When youre not spending your own money, or, in this case, spending money that doesnt exist, youre less inhibited by the value of the cash. If I had 10,000 to splurge, I would firmly have one eye on trying to have some money left over. However, in this case, I am ready to spend, spend, spend So, with this fictitious 10,000 burning a heavy hole in my pocket, what three watches would I buy to create one wholesome watch collection?Its always quite a fun game to play, spending money you dont have. I find myself doing so regularly, and not just on watches. I enjoy browsing the seven-figure property market from time to time. Theres me, counting the pennies in my piggy bank while questioning the arc [...]

You might have a permanent headache realizing you didnt pull the trigger on that Rolex GMT-Master or Submariner ten years ago. You know what the problem is with my dearest Longines 5699? That I was basically 25 years late to the partyThe last online listing for a Longines ref. 5699 that I bothered to inquire about was about three years ago. I remember it very precisely, as it were yesterday. I studied the Longines 5699 in more detail and instantly fell in love with it. Being slightly naive, I sent the seller an email asking the price for which hed part with the watch. The Longines you inquired about is a truly rare and special beast. The price is 95,000. I passed out. I dont think I even man [...]

Every now and then, it feels like the stars align for a brand. A recent model becomes hugely popular due to its brilliant design, and the brand follows up with a confident next step. Everything comes together and results in perfection. This is exactly how the new Longines Spirit Zulu Time GMT feels. The watch represents a maturation of the brand's Spirit line and an exciting step in the right direction. It maintains all the design elements that made the Spirit models so popular and builds on the solid foundation established in 2020. Though the Spirit chronograph was already a stunning riff on the time-only model, this latest take brings a whole new level of potential to the Spirit. It also t [...]

The question in that subtitle is directed at Longines. Its not that I dont think 40mm is a good size, but this is just so much better. Don't get me wrong, there are plenty of folks out there who are still uncertain about wearing any sub-40mm wristwear. But just dont use the term unisex or even mention the fact that it works on both men and women. In the face of watchfemme and the new wave of 36-38mm sweetness, does that make the new Longines Spirit 37 perfectly pitched at everyone?Just the other day, I had a client meeting in which a woman was wearing a 42mm Explorer II while I was wearing my 37.7mm Serica 4512. Did I feel emasculated? Nope. This is reality, and the fact that brands still m [...]

With Nacho having kicked off this series with his picks, its now my turn to select three watches within a 10K budget. In all honesty, I was struggling with this concept. For me, the desire for a particular watch comes first, and how I budget for it is a secondary thought its heart over mind. Im keen to know if any of our readers have five figures set aside expressly for jump-starting a respectable watch collection. In my experience, watch collecting was a journey with a bumpy start and full of mistakes. Im probably still making those mistakes now but learning a little more each time. For some, its too much risk to make a costly mistake. So, rather than deterring the curious from this cozy co [...]

I might not be 100 percent objective at all times, but here, my personal taste is an advantage. I do own more shoes, belts, and straps in various shades of brown than black. The monochrome architects look is not for me, but beiges and browns with a dash of color? Yes, please.What I do miss, though, is a tasty CHOCOLATE dial in my watch box. This past year saw a few delicious options being released. The first one that came to mind is the new Omega Seamaster 300 in Bronze Gold.Except for the Canopus Gold Speedmaster, I would easily name it as my favorite Omega of 2021, hands down. Match it up with some CHOCOLATE-flavored accessories, and you're set for success. If two of the dive watches in [...]

Here at Fratello, we love to write about our favorite watches. We are big fans of the chronograph, with many articles dedicated to this seemingly humble complication. In fact, right now, we are running another one of our super-popular competitions, The Fast And The Fratelli. This competition is dedicated to determining the best racing chronograph of the last ten years.Now, this article is not dedicated to chronographs per se, but rather, something that the majority of chronographs have. Thats it sub-dials How could you write a whole article about sub-dials? I hear you cry. Quite easily With sub-dials forming such an essential part of so many watches, I wanted to look at some of my favorites. [...]

With the Longines Heritage Classic Limited Edition For Hodinkee, the New York-based crew once again show us that being precise doesn't have to collide with great style. Au contraire, being fashionably late is simply not done with the chronometer precise watch that will have you arrive on time and in style. Limited to 500 pieces, the watch is a classic with some contemporary tweaks.The Longines Heritage Classic Limited Edition For Hodinkee looks familiar, and yet it also has your brain scramble for clues. You think you've seen this watch before, but where, when, and how? Well, you haven't seen it before, it just looks a bit like the Heritage Classic Sector Dial (L2.828.4.73.0). The brushed st [...]

In case youre not fortunate enough to own a perpetual or annual calendar, were now in September. The 9th month. So thats three-quarters of the way through the year. Weve seen plenty of new releases, but some were better than others. I appreciate that its hugely subjective, so I thought Id do a roundup of my top five watches of 2021. Ill also be providing some of the reasoning why these watches made the cut. And who knows, maybe by the end of the list youll find yourself adding something new and unexpected to your own!Ill be honest, this was a tough list to compile. I went back over the Fratello archives to recall some of the earlier releases from 2021, but I think Ive pretty much nailed down [...]

Often referred to as a doctors watch, a pulsometer chronograph is a handy tool that makes checking ones heart rate a breeze. Dont worry, though. Despite the nickname, you dont need to have a Ph.D. to use one. As one of the most straightforward chronograph scales out there, all it takes is a bit of curiosity, and, well, access to one. Thankfully, whether youre a medical professional, a cardio-loving athlete, or a chronograph nut on the prowl for something different, there is a pulsometer watch out there for you.Today, Im bringing you my top five picks for the best pulsometer chronographs on the market. If youd like a refresher on how to use one (as well as a tachymeter, telemeter, and asthmom [...]

Longines has done a brilliant job in combining classic vintage looks with quality modern construction and movements in its Spirit collection. Now, the young line expands in an exciting direction with the introduction of the new titanium models. But that's not all, a new dial color as well as detailing in gold give these new models a classy edge. These details elevate the watches well beyond what was already available in the lineup. A new strap option is a cherry on top of this already appealing new offering.The watches found in the Longines Spirit collection walk the line between the pilot and field watch aesthetics. This is certainly well-trodden ground when it comes to watch design. Howeve [...]

We like to talk about vintage watches a lot within the Fratello team. While the daily routine is largely focused on the most recent developments in the world of watches, the most fun for many of us lies in the world of vintage watches. It's 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 priceless, some of them still affordable. In this installment, we will take a look at the best Longines watches from the 1970s.In the 1960s, we witnessed developments that challenged the status quo of watch design forever. The sheer amoun [...]

These days, we seem to focus on the newest watch releases with a longing eye towards whatever might come next. We lap up the debuts and move on quickly. Furthermore, we also pine over those watches that are impossible to buy (ahem, Rolex). Its time to take a deep breath and realize that there are some truly great watches that are readily available and are, dare I say, modern classics. Lets have a look FOMO thats fear of missing out, for those of you who arent glued to your phone. Were addicted to platforms like Instagram where the pressure is on to keep showing something / anything new. In todays watch world, a competitive nature exists where yesterdays news is gone and forgotten in a heart [...]

Longines has been killing recently. I mean it The brand from Saint-Imier had a pretty good 2020, and it seems pretty intent on keeping that momentum going in 2021. The well-received Spirit collection knocked it out of the park and won plaudits from across the industry. The Heritage line of watches also saw a bit of a makeover with some stunning results. Longines was on a roll Now, as we enter into the second month of 2021, Longines has dropped another winner onto us. A watch we possibly didnt know we needed: enter the Longines Avigation BigEye in titanium.The Avigation BigEye is an instantly recognizable watch from Longines, and it has enjoyed a successful few years since its release. Now, w [...]

There are case backs that are nothing more than the back of a case. And then we have case backs with beautifully crafted artworks from which you cannot tear your gaze.? ?Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against a plain flat steel case back decorated with a decent Heuer, Breitling, or Tissot logo. Even naked case backs have their own charm. But once you've seen a mass of case back steel converted into rich shapes formed into sculptural elements, a fully plain case-back might strike you as a missed opportunity. Let's forget the notoriously known Omega or Rolex case backs for a while and lets set the stage for some more interesting ideas that deserve the spotlight. 1 You-name-it engraved or e [...]

When it comes to re-editions or vintage-inspired watches, we've seen quite a few over the years. Some are truly awesome and well-executed where others are nowhere close to being as good as the pack shots want to make you believe. The Longines Heritage Classic Chronograph is one of those watches you would rush to hold when presented with it in real life.Although I gravitate toward a certain type of watches when it comes to my personal collection (more rugged, sporty styles), that doesn't mean that I dont occasionally lust after something different. However, it must be said that experience has shown me these outliers rarely get the wrist time they deserve. Thats why getting the chance to wear [...]

When Longines introduced their Legend Diver a few years ago, it came in two flavors. A date and a non-date. At some point, Longines decided to only continue with the date version.Sure, Longines has its Skin Diver without a date, but thats not the same. I was very happy and a little bit surprised to see that the Longines Legend Diver in bronze has no date. I am not really in favor of date windows on a watch (exceptions exist of course), so I am biased anyway. We did a Wrist Game Crying Shame article on a Legend Diver No Date and you were brutal as well though, 78% voted for the Legend Diver without a date. Now, they make one again And it is in bronze!Longines Legend Diver BronzeWhat we have h [...]

This year has been another solid year for the Longines brand. With such global appeal and consistently strong sales across a variety of price points and demographics, it would be easy for Longines to rest on its laurels. Throw into the mix the fact the brand is supported every step of the way by the Swatch Group and the impetus to innovate diminishes further. And yet, despite how easy Longines could have made life for itself, a constant desire to improve has seen some of the most impressive releases in the brands history hit the market in 2020. The Longines Spirit Collection is no exceptionThere are many ways to sell watches in the modern world. Some brands focus on the product refinement it [...]