Watches Blog Wrist Watch Reviews

Rob dials in Maurice Lacroix HQ to speak with Thi baut Bentz, International Product and Marketing Director of the brand to discuss Fridays release of the Aikon Venturer GMT. A short and snappy episode, tune in to stay on top of this weeks watch news.Robs keen to know a few things about the new Aikon Venturer GMT. He asks the thinking behind the design, what Thi bauts favorite element is, and whether we can expect more from the Venturer GMT in the future. Bentz shares his insights into Maurice Lacroixs target demographic with women and millennials high on his list of priorities going forward.Theres some exciting stuff in the works for Maurice Lacroix in the coming months, with new manufacture [...]

As the new year begins, so too does the machine that is the wonderful world of watches. I hope everyone had a good break over Xmas and New Year. We saw very little in terms of new releases and news over the break, but slowly life begins again, and we have a few bits and pieces to talk about today!Top of the list has to be the almighty Omega debuting the much-hyped and worst kept secret: the new Moonwatch. At Fratello, we are big on all things Speedy, so you can imagine how excited we were One of my favorite silhouettes from Zenith also received a facelift I like what the brand has been doing with the Chronomaster revivals of late Our good friends at Ace Jewellers Amsterdam are also back with [...]

Ive always enjoyed doing interviews. Having the opportunity to pick the brains of industry executives is a real privilege (which you can add to the long list of privileges we as watch reviewers get to enjoy). Normally, we find ourselves asking the same old questions. In these interesting times, however, it is all changed.Brands are being forced to think, feel, and react. This is undoubtedly the biggest crisis watchmaking has suffered this century. Yes, the financial crash eventually sent shock waves through our world, but it was business as usual. A little choppy, yes, but normal enough to stay the course and keep doing what had always been done.Those times are gone. We live in a new world. [...]

During the Baselworld novelty presentation at Maurice Lacroix, we were happily surprised by the new Masterpiece collection. Apart from the Square wheel' and Mystery' line-up, perhaps the most interesting novelty was the Masterpiece Gravity. We already posted some live wristshots on our @fratellowatches Instagram account. Now, we present our hands-on review of the Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Gravity with better photos.Maurice Lacroix describes the Gravity as the force that is intended to attract admiring glances'. And to be honest, the Gravity was the first thing?that caught our attention on the presentation tray, containing some of the novelty watches for this years Baselworld.The large and [...]

Pontos S Diver PT6248On March 10th of this year, we already introduced the Maurice Lacroix Pontos S Diver to you on Fratellowatches. However, all we had were the press photos and as you know, wed like to take our own pictures of (new) watches. So during the Baselworld exhibition in April, we visited the nice people at Maurice Lacroix and had a look at their new collection.The Pontos S Diver is a new watch in the Pontos collection and we think they are going to hit jackpot with it. A very cool looking divers watch, either with bracelet or leather NATO strap.Divers Watch Divers FeaturesIn order to be a divers watch, it definitely needs some necessary divers watch features. This means more tha [...]

Maurice Lacroix Pontos S Diver PT6248I rarely write about Maurice Lacroix watches on Fratellowatches and I actually don't know why. Back in 2008, I asked What to think of Maurice Lacroix? and it received quite a few interesting responses.Anyway, just recently I've become quite intrigued by their Pontos collection. Although I have a weak spot for some of their complicated watches for a long time (especially their Masterpiece Collection, the Moonphase model) I started to like their Pontos collection.Polished Facet On The LugsI am a sucker for chronograph watches, and the Pontos collection has a number of very cool watches with this type of complication. However, some days ago I received their [...]

The days of Maurice Lacroix being an entry level brand is long gone (click here), especially since the introduction of the Masterpiece collection. During BaselWorld 2010, that is going to be held from March 18 till March 25, Maurice Lacroix will be introducing a number of interesting models.Most interesting are the two different Phases de Lune timepieces, since a moon phase is a complication that speaks to everyones imagination. The Phases de Lune are from different Maurice Lacroix collections, namely that of the Pontos and the Les Classiques.First, the Les Classiques Phases de Lune Automatique. A classic shaped moonphase timepiece, with a day and month indicator near 12 oclock, and a very s [...]

Since Maurice Lacroix introduced their Masterpiece series (around 1990), they are able to compete with brands like Chronoswiss, Omega, Ebel and probably some more established brands. Maurice Lacroix is a relatively new player (1975) and in 2006 they introduced their manufacture chronograph movement. Maurice Lacroix produces 150.000 watches per year, of which 40.000 watches have a mechanical movement.How come that Maurice Lacroix gets so little attention from serious watch collectors and afficinados? Their price setting is really competitive and I have yet to see some complaints about the quality of these watches. One of the few things I can think of, is that Maurice Lacroix ruins their credi [...]

The vintage Omega Constellation is the watch that basically started it all for me. The passion for watches that is. A number of relatives of mine had (and have) an Omega Constellation and it were these timepieces that got me interested in watches in the first place. I inherited a nice vintage Omega Constellation from 1968 which I truly cherish as it has been on the wrist of my grandfather for over 40 years (on a daily basis).?I also bought some Constellation watches myself as well through the years.So, it is about time I give the vintage Omega Constellation a bit of well-deserved attention here on Fratello Watches. A few months ago, we (Bert Buijsrogge and I) visited a collector of rare and [...]

Today, Omega introduces its gents Constellation 41mm. We had the opportunity to go hands-on with the new Constellation 41mm, a watch based on the 1982 Manhattan.If youre looking for a historical overview of the Constellation Manhattan, check out our previous articles here and here. The Omega Constellation 41mm watch is very similar to the recently introduced 39mm version. But there are, of course, a few differences that I would like to share with you, along with some lovely hands-on images taken by our friend @nd_graphy. Thanks!Omega Constellation 41mmBut first of all, let me tell you that I believe that the Constellation based on the 1982 Manhattan is an under-appreciated watch. I happen to [...]

Finally, the Omega Constellation received some necessary attention In 2018 we saw the introduction of the new ladies' models, but now the gents' version has also been updated. Officially, it's Omega's 5th generation of this type of Constellation (although I disagree with that and believe it to be the 6th). Let's have a closer look.But first, let me tell you why this collection means a lot to me (I also wrote it here on Fratello Magazine). It might surprise you to learn why Im so excited about a watch that hasn't been featured much here. The Omega Constellation is the first serious watch I ever received. It was back in 1998 when I graduated, and my mother knew Id been deeply in love with this [...]

Omega ConstellationYou probably know me best for being an avid Speedmaster fan and collector. But my passion for watches started actually with the Omega Constellation. I wrote about this in-depth when I did a write up on the Sedna gold version of the Omega Globemaster. Anyway, the Globemaster is part of the Constellation family. The Globemaster has a history with the old Constellation watches. In the past, there used to be a legal issue with the name Constellation in the USA, so Omega used Globemaster instead. This was only for a short period though, and only few of those watches are around.Omega Globemaster ReviewEven though the in-depth Omega Globemaster review as pointed out above contain [...]

A watch is a bold statement and a piece of jewellery for the modern woman as it needs to be practical and distinctive. Timelessness, modern design combined with excellent craftsmanship and quality make ultra-feminine watches desired and suitable for both basic tee with leather pants, and more formal satin slip dress. Meet the new Omega Constellation Manhattan.Modern Woman's Choice?For the past 37 years, the Omega Constellation Manhattan has dominated the world of women's watches. To update its iconic luxury ladies timepiece, Omega has launched a new version of legendary Constellation. The classic design by Carol Didisheim has revolutionised unisex watches, as its remarkably versatile look m [...]

My great grandfather, my grandparents and my father all bought (or got) Omega watches in the 1960s. My grandfather still wears his Omega Constellation (which I reviewed here) and my father owns his grandfathers Constellation and an Omega Geneve. He doesnt wear any of them, but a OW mechanical military style watch instead (I dont know why). However, I recently took my great grandfathers Constellation (which was bought in 1965, my dad still has the box, booklet, papers and original bill) with me for a small service. The watch lost its original crown, it was terribly scratched on the caseback, didnt have an original Omega crystal, the Constellation symbol on the caseback was sitting loose and t [...]

Since Omega started making in-house movements (again), you could say that they stepped up a bit on the horological ladder. Their Hour Vision is a very interesting watch, not only because the caliber 8500 movement, but also because of the classic case design that resembles their 1960s models. Furthermore, their Hour Vision has this nice sapphire centre part in the watch case, enabling you to look at the movement when wearing the watch.I just noticed that there is one for sale via one of the Dutch watch forums (DeZinVanLuxe) and Chrono24 for just over 2500 euro. The sellers asks more through Chrono24, but that gives you some room to bargain, I guess. Perhaps because the local (Dutch) forum see [...]

A new addition to my collection is Omega Ladymatic. But this model is not the first time Ive encountered the range, of course. I wore the yellow gold version on my wrist during the photoshoot for Omega Ladies Club in New York. I'll admit, it wasn't love at first sightI never thought that such a wild and unconventional design could be for me. However, I found myself dreaming of a statement-making timepiece more than ever before. Why? There is an uncompromising sensuality to the design of the Ladymatic that I couldnt forget. In steel, more so than in gold, the strength and sensuality of the piece are apparent.Why dont more people feel this way about the Omega Ladymatic?All I wanted was a sexy [...]

Rodrigo is in the need of a dress watch with a brown leather strap. He noticed the Oris Classic Date that retails for under 1000, but he also has a couple of other thoughts he shared with us. He already owns the Omega De Ville Hour Vision, with a black leather strap and he likes the idea of being a one-brand guy.Finding the right classic dress watch isnt easy. Ive been struggling with this myself for a while, and also mentioned this in articles like this one. So lets see how we can help Rodrigo.You Asked Us Oris Classic Date or an Omega De Ville Prestige?Good afternoon, dear friends at Fratello Watches,I am a young man who started collecting watches not a long time ago. I own an Omega DeVil [...]

I am delighted to be sharing my research on a newly discovered and unique Omega coming up for auction at Antiquorum in Geneva. You can see the full catalog here. But first, I will go back through a bit of history to put things in context.When we think of Omega watches, each of us will likely have an image of a particular watch pop into our minds. In my case, it's usually a Speedmaster. However, among its peers of the biggest brands at the top of the Swiss watchmaking industry, Omega is one of the most varied. Historically speaking, it might even be the broadest. It has covered more categories, made more references and calibers, and ventured into more prototypes than many of its peers.A uniqu [...]

When Omega introduced their De Ville Tr sor back in 2014, it was only available in white, yellow and Sedna gold. The watch received a lot of appreciation, but it was merely out of reach for many of us. Omega listened and came with a stainless steel version.Two versions, with a blue dial (that we have here today) and one with a silvery opaline dial. The Omega De Ville Tr sor in white gold is a watch that I looked at many times in boutiques, but the price tag of 12.800,- was a bit too steep for me. A pity, as it ticks a lot of boxes for a proper dress watch. A few months ago, during the Time to Move event in Switzerland, Omega showed us the new De Ville Tr sor, with models in gold and stainles [...]

One of the best surprises of BaselWorld this year was definitely the Omega De Ville Tr sor with its Master Co-Axial caliber 8511 hand-wound movement. Available in white gold, yellow gold and Sedna gold (red).Although we know Omega especially for their sports watches in the current collection, their De Ville and Constellation line-up is important as well. These classic looking collection have quite a history and one could say that the Constellation was at one point the flagship of the brand. However, the Constellation took a different course since 1982 with their Manhattan design and the De Ville was until 1999 a toned down collection with a lot of dress watches.In 1999, Omega introduced thei [...]