Watches Blog Wrist Watch Reviews

Omega broke the internet with the release of the new Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Master Chronometer. The new Moonwatch is a hot topic, and I thought it would be interesting to make a hands-on comparison between the former Moonwatch and the new one. Everyone can see and read specifications, but how do these Moonwatch updates and changes look like in real life? Lets have a closer look.You dont mess with a classic, thats the unwritten rule. And if you do so, you need to be very very careful. And thats exactly what Omega did with the long-overdue update for their iconic Moonwatch model. Our incredibly in-depth introduction article on the new Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Master Chronometer can be [...]

Speedmaster enthusiasts and collectors love accessories for their watches. I am no exception myself, to be honest. Omega has just introduced three new Speedmaster Moonwatch Velcro straps. We received two of these to try out.As you know, astronauts who used the Speedmaster during EVA (Extra-Vehicular Activity), wore them on velcro straps over their spacesuit. Ed White even wore two of them in 1965 That same year, the Omega Speedmaster (105.003) was qualified by NASA for all manned space missions. You can read about that here.These Velcro straps came in handy for the spacesuit, but are way too long for your wrist, of course. The original velcro strap also has a special internal NASA code: SEB1 [...]

When Omega introduced its Speedmaster Professional Moonphase in 2003, it wasnt an entirely new model. Already back in 1985, Omega introduced the SpeedyMoon 385.0809 and two additional references. The 2003 model, reference 3876.50 for the leather strap version and 3576.50 for the one on the bracelet, is based on the 1980s SpeedyMoon.In this article, I will have a closer look at the now discontinued Omega Speedmaster Professional Moonphase 3876.50 and try to explain why it is underrated, in my opinion. It has been discontinued since 2018, so you will have to search the pre-owned market for one or try to reach out to some authorized dealers who still might have one in stock. This Speedmaster Pr [...]

Yesterday, Omega announced its new Speedmaster Silver Snoopy Award 50th anniversary watch (click here). The third Speedmaster with the Snoopy theme and the 4th watch commemorating the Apollo 13 mission.I am lucky enough to own the first two Speedmaster Snoopy watches (2003 and 2015) and the Apollo 13 watch from 1995. But, thats not a reason to blindly buy the next one as well. I need to like no, love a watch before I spend that much money on one. Perhaps it would be different if I had unlimited financial resources, but I dont. I need to make choices. Spoiler alert, though: I did order the new Snoopy. The first deliveries will take place in November, weve been informed.Without further ado, le [...]

In a year where prices finally seem to be stabilizing, I think there will be a ton of attention on the May auctions in Geneva and those that will take place in April in Monaco and Hong Kong as well (after this article is being written). The pandemic resulted in a massive price hike among newer watches, but specifically with some of the smaller independent brands and then the bigger icons like Rolex sports models, Patek Philippe Nautilus, and AP Royal Oak. We've also seen Cartier make a big leap in the past years. Meanwhile, in the vintage watch market prices have remained somewhat the same and now appear to again offer better value than their modern counterparts.For example, when a recently [...]

With the introduction of the new Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Ultra Deep in titanium, the line-up of Seamasters has become even more interesting. It is the oldest collection in the Omega catalog and started all the way back in 1948. Before the Constellation (1952), Speedmaster (1957), and De Ville (1967). In these almost 75 years of Seamasters, Omega made some pretty iconic watches you should definitely know about.Although the first Omega Seamaster watches looked nothing like a dive watch, this changed in 1957 with the introduction of the Seamaster 300. At the same time, Omega also introduced the Railmaster and the Speedmaster. Despite the fact that I have a weak spot for these first Seamast [...]

Rolex, Audemars Piguet, and Patek Philippe watches are not the only ones people buy as investment pieces. I often receive questions about investing in Omega watches as well, especially when it comes to Speedmaster models. The Speedmaster Silver Snoopy Award from 2015 saw an increase in value few modern Speedmasters could match. Because of this, a noticeably larger audience has suddenly started considering the prospect of investing in Speedmasters.Whether a watch is a good investment or not isnt something only flippers care about. I find that those looking to make their first big purchase also consider this question as well. Buying ones first luxury watch is often a big deal, and many people [...]

Well, well, well. After a hiatus of almost exactly four months, WASP returns for the (very) long-awaited LIVE Episode 10. This was so important to Balazs and me that we even went down the route of decimal show numbers to ensure we kept our promise.And keep it we did (eventually) Now, for the first time in ages, the Fridge Freezer presenting duo have the chance to chat in person. The show was recorded in one take and is available in audio-only format too. You can find that on Spotify, or wherever you get your podcasts.In this show, we rattle through our favorite watches from Balazss private collection, mock my old-fashioned diameter preferences when it comes to Rolex, and discuss what those [...]

Right off the bat, I know what youre thinking: Ben, you think the world needs another Omega Seamaster variation? Thats fair, and we did get a slew of new Omega releases, mostly within its sea-faring collection. Yet, my suggestion to Omega is to consider dive watches that dont plunge to the ocean floor but are pretty comfortable in the coral reefs. Im referring to reimagining the Seamaster 120. It shouldnt be a 1:1 recreation of a particular reference, but instead, a modern reinterpretation with a sprinkle of heritage flair.Just this week, news of the Seamaster Planet Ocean Ultra Deep dominated the watch world. Id been saying for a while that a civilian version of the record-breaking Planet O [...]

In early 2020, Omega introduced the new Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch. But the concept of the Moonwatch itself is not new, so its difficult to speak of a new watch when it has been already around for over 60 years. But this latest upgrade was so massive, that for the first time in nearly 25 years, many will actually see it as a new Moonwatch. Not only did we have the time to play with it for a few weeks when it was first released, but a number of the Fratello team (myself included) have also bought one since.As you know, this isnt my first Speedmaster (and hasnt been my last either). So its interesting to compare it directly to previous Moonwatch models and also give you an update on ho [...]

OK Fratelli, pop quiz: 39.7 or 42 millimeters that is the question Of course, you've already seen the watches in the picture above. But I think those measurements alone would already give away which watches we're talking about. Yes, were discussing the Omega Speedmaster. And to be more specific, the First Omega in Space (FOiS) and its bigger brother, the Professional Moonwatch. I never thought I would be able to pull off wearing the 42mm Professional Moonwatch on my 17cm wrist. So, I decided to get the 39.7mm FOiS. But one year later, I ended up selling it and got myself the new Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch. Here's why!Before I really got into watches, I had a 43mm Seiko SNP005 Kinetic [...]

Grey can be seen as a nondescriptive and cold color, but in reality, it can be so much more. The razor-sharp Audi RS color Nardo Grey appearing on vinyl-wrapped M3s by arch-rival BMW only underlines one thing. Like the new look for the Oris Big Crown Pointer Date, there is an inherent elegance to a sharp grey that just works. But, there are an equal amount of grey items that will look at home in a hospital ward if you get it wrong, so just be sure to pick the right shade.Consider this my curated collection of some of the coolest items to be born from the grey mists of COVID boredom. Watches and gear in SHADESOFGREY are cool accessories that work with dark blues and blacks but will fail with [...]

We already briefed you about the new Seamaster Ultra Deep in titanium, but Omega also adds three models in steel. Available on a steel bracelet and on a rubber strap.The technical specifications of the caliber 8912 movement, the pending patents, the ISO 6425 certification, (etc.) are all identical to the Seamaster Ultra Deep model I discussed here. Whats different, is the case shape and the material of the case and bracelet. To start with the latter, the steel that Omega uses for the Seamaster Planet Ocean Ultra Deep is called O-Megasteel.Seamaster Ultra Deep in O-MegasteelThree different models, in total 6 variations (on strap and bracelet) are available in this new O-Megasteel alloy. It is [...]

Let me address the elephant in the room first. Did you also think, hey, that new Aqua Terra in (fill in your color of choice) looks like a great alternative to the Rolex Oyster Perpetual I can't buy at my local dealer? I know I did. The Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150M 38mm with five new colorful dials is a fantastic alternative to not just the 41mm OP, but also the 36mm version of that watch I still have no clue why Rolex ever canceled the perfect 39mm OP. 38mm is the sweet spot for a luxury sports watch with a touch of color; it releases a perfect dose of color. Another important aspect of the watch's power to impress is the structure of the dial. Gone is the nautical, horizontal teak pa [...]

Remember the Seamaster Ultra Deep from 2019? It is the Omega watch that played a role in Victor Vescovo's Five Deeps Expedition, and went down to 10,927 meters. Now, in 2022, Omega introduces a version of that watch you can actually wear (as the 2019 piece had a thickness of 28.5mm). Meet the Seamaster Ultra Deep in titanium. Its part of the Planet Ocean collection and able to go as deep as 6,000 meters, or 20,000 feet.I saw and tried on the 15,000m water-resistant Ultra Deep when I was in the Omega Museum in Biel, Switzerland. Its an incredibly impressive watch, and definitely not suitable for normal wear. One could have guessed that the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean collection would receive [...]

The Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch in Moonshine Gold. There is an almost magical ring to those words that refers to the brilliant Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Apollo 11 50th Anniversary. That is, up until now. Today Omega introduces two new Speedmaster Moonwatch models in Moonshine Gold that show how glorious the combination of Omegas proprietary gold looks with two new very classy colors. The first comes in full Moonshine Gold with a very dark green dial and bezel. The second model comes with a panda dial executed in gold with black subdials and a black bezel. Both Speedmasters are proof that an Omega Speedmaster in Moonshine Gold is something truly special.It doesnt seem that long ago that Ome [...]

Omega's current Seamaster Professional Diver 300M has become a proper staple of the brand's collection. Beloved by fans of the brand and still one of the best dive watches under 10,000, it feels like we can't get enough of that watch. So finding out that Omega has decided to bring the watch world's most popular color to the collection was exciting indeed. You've most likely seen the classic blue and black models. Ask RJ which his favorite is, and he'll quickly tell you it's the white-dialed model with a black ceramic bezel. My personal favorite was the black ceramic and grade 5 titanium model until now Now, out of all the releases we have seen from Omega today, there's something about this [...]

Almost ten years after Omega introduced the Co-Axial Speedmaster 57, the brand comes back with an updated, slimmed-down model. The outgoing one had an automatic movement. This update, however, features a hand-wound caliber. In addition to the updated matte black sandwich dial with faux-patina details, the watch is now available in three additional colors. Lets take a quick look at what Omega has exactly done here.The new Speedmaster 57 is still a very recognizable watch, very much inspired by the CK2915. The case, although smaller in size, stays pretty much the same shape-wise, with a steel bezel and straight lugs. The dial still features a small seconds sub-dial at 9 oclock and a chronograp [...]

The Globemaster Annual Calendar debuted in 2016, and not too long ago, it received a few dial updates. One of them is the green-dialed model that I have here, reference 130.33.41.22.10.001. To tell the truth, when the 41mm Globemaster Annual Calendar came out in 2016, I wasn't immediately a fan. I love the 39mm Globemaster, but the annual-calendar version that came one year later had a few things about it that I didn't appreciate. The 12 months written on the dial was the most notable one, as I found that the text was too in-your-face. At least thats how it looked in the press images.But as soon as I put the watch on my wrist, I found that it wasnt disturbing at all. There are some watches t [...]

rOmega has released Apollo XI editions of the Speedmaster since 1969. The first was the famous gold Speedmaster Professional with a burgundy bezel, a massive gold dial with onyx markers, and a gold bracelet. Only 1,014 of these watches were produced. Of them, a number were presented to the Apollo astronauts, President Nixon, and a few more important people who played a role in NASAs space program.Again in 1980, Omega introduced a gold Speedmaster Professional Apollo XI. There were 320 numbered pieces in total, 20 of which were white gold. However, you could say that Omega made these Apollo XI limited editions a recurring event starting in 1989. That year marked the 20th anniversary of the Mo [...]