Watches Blog Wrist Watch Reviews

Everybody wants to be unique. That's why everybody wants to wear a Rolex. With an annual production of close to one million watches, Rolex is a paradox of luxury. Yes, the brand produces exclusive watches, but it does so in very large numbers. Theyre not enough to satisfy the market, but we've touched upon that subject in many other stories already. And to use a trusty clich|, all Rolex watches look the same. But that can literally be changed. You can change the Jubilee bracelet for a NATO strap, but you can also have a professional watch tuner make your Rolex into a unique piece. Customizing Seiko watches and G-Shock models is way less controversial, and altering Omega watches is also a thi [...]

A dive watch does a lot. Its a tool for a safe dive in lieu of (or in combination with) a dive computer. Its becoming an acceptable GADA (Go Anywhere, Do Anything) in modern culture. And, of course, dive watches capture an aesthetic and serve as robust companions for all of us non-divers. But of all the dive watches with all the additional complications possible, there are hardly any that have a moonphase indication. The Oris Aquis Dat Watt Limited Edition and Blancpains Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Quantime Complet Phases de Lune show the phases of the Moon within the confines of a unidirectional divers bezel. The Panerai LAstronomo Luminor 1950 Tourbillon Moon Phases Equation of Time GMT com [...]

Its is a hypothetical question for most of us, but its one youve asked us often, so we decided to take a stab at answering it. Given 10,000, which three watches would you pick to start a watch collection today? Now, all of our editors already have a watch collection of sorts, and (perhaps because of that) most of us dont have 10K burning a hole in our pockets right now. However, it still makes for an interesting exercise, as there are so many watches out there today that offer a ton of value. Picking just three watches that, together, come in under the price limit is not as easy as you might think, but each of our editors will take their best shot Each authors choices are bound to be differe [...]

An Omega Speedmaster under 2,000 are you sure that's even possible? Sadly, this amount won't buy you a hand-wound Moonwatch anymore. Nevertheless, there are some Speedmaster variations that you can buy for around (or sometimes even under) 2,000. One of them is the Omega Speedmaster 3511.50.00 with its cool reverse-panda dial and automatic movement.Since the late 1980s, Omega has been making smaller variations of the Speedmaster that have come to know as the Speedmaster Reduced. They feature a smaller case, an automatic chronograph movement, slightly different design elements, and, of course, a more attractive price tag.Speedmaster 3511.50.00 Image via ZeitAuktion.Omega Speedmaster 3511.50I m [...]

Welcome to Strap Check, a new column on Fratello where our editors showcase their favorite watch/strap combinations. We all know the feeling. When you've been wearing a watch for weeks on the same strap, there comes a time when the excitement starts to fade a little bit. Maybe that's the time when you start looking but looking for what? A brand new watch? Sometimes the answer lies not in the watch, but the strap on which you wear it From the classic to the unique. From cheap NATOs to bespoke leather and special bracelets. This is where we get excited about perfect combinations that make you feel like you've got a brand new watch on your wrist. So tune in every week for a new combination. Are [...]

Our recent article about one of our readers and his Speedmaster Mark II inspired some others to share their stories with us. This week, we feature stories from Stuart Lees and Mark Talbot about their Speedmaster Professional watches.Both stories have one thing in common: it took quite a while before both authors finally purchased the Omega Speedmaster. But it was due to very different reasons, I must add. Stuart bought a number of other Omega watches first, as he didnt find the Speedmaster an appealing watch in the beginning. He even found it a bit of a boring watch. But when he saw one isolated from any other watch, it enabled him to admire it without any distraction. He then pulled the tri [...]

I have a sizable watch collection. When people ask, which they often do, I tell them its around 75 pieces. Thats probably a relatively accurate median, but it fluctuates above and below that number as I churn through the lower realms of my hoard on a regular basis, gifting, selling, or trading watches that deserved a long look but never quite cracked my rotation. But is there any rhyme or reason to this hulking morass of timekeepers? Well, for a long while there was a lot of rhyming but not much reasoning. The chance acquisition of an Omega Speedmaster MK40 changed all that and reminded me where I came fromOkay, not literally. I know exactly where I come from. As a Dublin-born, Manchester-ra [...]

From an outside perspective, watch collecting is often seen as an exclusive past-time for the wealthy. But as soon as you take a closer look, you begin to see that there is another side to it. It is one that is much more humble and down-to-earth people who enjoy a Seiko diver, Vostok Amphibia, or a digital Casio watch as intensely as some might enjoy a Rolex, Omega, or Patek. This is where I made my start. A time in my life when the watch budget was non-existent, as a university student living in the city of M1nster in North-Western Germany. Considering my limited means at the time, I still look back fondly on those first steps into the world of watches and what they taught me. And looking [...]

Welcome to Strap Check, a new column on Fratello where our editors showcase their favorite watch/strap combinations. We all know the feeling. When you've been wearing a watch for weeks on the same strap, there comes a time when the excitement starts to fade a little bit. Maybe that's the time when you start lookingabut looking for what? A brand new watch? Sometimes the answer lies not in the watch, but the strap on which you wear it From the classic to the unique. From cheap NATOs to bespoke leather and special bracelets. This is where we get excited about perfect combinations that make you feel like you've got a brand new watch on your wrist. So tune in every week for a new combination. Are [...]

For Collector's Week here on Fratello, I thought it would be nice to tell you about collecting Speedmasters. I've been doing so since 1999. Even though that still doesn't make me an expert, I do have some advice for the beginning collector of Speedmaster watches.There are not that many watches that truly deserve the label iconic and, on top of that, are still somewhat affordable. The Omega Speedmaster Professional, however, belongs in that category. You can buy interesting Speedmaster models for a very acceptable amount below 4,000 or go as crazy as you'd like.Starting a Speedmaster collectionI am amazed that there are still some undiscovered beauties out there that can be had for a very dec [...]

The first step is standing up and saying it out loud: My name is Thor and I am a watchaholic. Some of us reached this stage in our watch collecting years ago but failed to realize it. You might have one display cabinet with ten watches; that's all good. But if you have another 40 at your office with weekly DHL deliveries there instead of your house, you're in trouble. If you have the walk-in closet full of dusty watch boxes like me, then maybe it's time to trim the fat.The definition of a collector from The Free Dictionary says that it is a person who collects books, paintings, stamps, etc., as a hobby or investment. So while it may be tempting, I'm not getting myself into the hot topic of b [...]

What is the quintessential watch? What is the watch even non-watch nerds recognize? Rolex? Maybe. The Crown certainly has been king for a long time. But times change, dynasties crumble, and every age has its end. It may be too early for most to see, but Rolex is departing from what it once was for (possibly) better shores. No longer a watch for the professional, intrepid citizen, Rolexs absence is leaving a huge void. Well, Oris has been quietly working to become the next watch, and the brand is just one watch away from ascending the throne.Rolex is an idea more than a watch. This is true more so now than it has ever been. The Crowns association with success and prestige has led to a worldwi [...]

This year marks the 65th anniversary of the Speedmaster, and Omega started the celebrations by showing us a beautiful Calibre 321 in Canopus (white) gold. However, even though we think it is a beautiful watch, its only available for the very lucky few due to its 80,000 price tag. But that doesnt mean that there isnt an alternative available.In this video, RJ talks about two alternative choices that feature the same Broad Arrow hands. The Speedmaster ref.3594.50 and the Speedmaster 57 60th-anniversary edition. One is based on the 42mm Moonwatch case and the other has the same straight-lug case with a diameter of 38.6mm like the Calibre 321 in Canopus gold.Speedmaster Calibre 321 in Canopus go [...]

I found my grail watch In this series, each Fratello editor will share their grail watch. Its the watch they want the most, and sometimes its their exit watch. Heres my story.The word grail, of course, relates to the Holy Grail or the Holy Chalice, the cup that Christians believe Jesus drank from at the Last Supper. The quest to find the Holy Grail made its way from religion to fictional literature, cinema, and video games. Today, many places around the world claim to be the home of the Holy Grail. Whether or not the cup is real, whether it (still) exists, and where its precisely located are heavily debated questions. Valencia Cathedral in Spain is one place claiming to have the actual Holy [...]

Like most Dutch people, I'm looking forward to the speed skating events of the 2022 Winter Olympic Games. And especially short-track speed skating on the small rink, because that's where we, most likely, can harvest a bunch of gold medals. In other countries, curling is the main event, or (ice) hockey, or biathlon, or downhill skiing. To be honest, I also enjoy sports I normally wouldn't watch because the Olympic setting adds significance to every event. And that's why we go hands-on, downhill, and round and around with the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Beijing 2022 watch a special edition, not a limited edition.It was in the Fall of 2021 that Omega presented the Seamaster Aqua Terra Beijing 2 [...]

Ever since I first got into watches, there have been a few pieces that have always struck me as special. The Rolex Explorer II 16570 is one example. Another is the Omega Seamaster 300 M ref. 2254.50. This is a watch that takes us back to the days of aluminum bezel inserts and Pierce Brosnan playing the world's favorite British secret agent. Though the original Omega SMP shares its 1993 birthyear with the author, the specific model I'll be making a case for today, the fifth-generation SMP, was released in 2000. With its sharp sword hands, it's this brilliant iteration of Omega's flagship dive watch that I'd love to see make a comeback today. As the latest reference in the Seamaster line (the [...]

The lions share of new watches you buy will drop in value like a rock the instant you put them on your wrist. Is that a bad thing? Not if you love the watch, wear it with pride, and start adding emotional value to it. But that will be worthless once you want to resell your watch. Is it the price you pay for losing interest in your former horological lover? Your poor choice from the heart made you lose money, some arrogant person might say with a superior smirk on their face. People who buy with the brain aim for watches with (presumed) resale value. But when you have this investment-like approach, you have way fewer choices. And as passionate watch aficionados would claim, the joy of wearing [...]

This article has been on my mind for a long time now: The Omega Speedmaster in movies. We've covered the appearance of Speedmasters in movies and TV shows every now and then, but we never compiled a proper list of movies that featured Speedmaster watches.I know Apollo 13 has been the movie when it comes to the Speedmaster, but I only saw that movie much later than its release date. Back in 2000, after one year of owning my Omega Speedmaster, I visited the cinema with my then-girlfriend to watch Frequency. In that movie, the main character John Sullivan (played by Jim Caviezel) communicates with his long-dead father Frank Sullivan (played by Dennis Quaid) via an old ham radio. I enjoyed the m [...]

The 1969 Omega Speedmaster Mark II was based on the original Alaska Project watch that Omega developed for NASA. For a long time, these watches were completely underrated. They could be had for less than 1000, and sometimes, even for half of that.Those days are behind us, but the Speedmaster Mark II 145.014 is still a very interesting watch to acquire. It has the same movement as the normal Speedmaster Professional from that period, which is the Omega caliber 861. The watch also has a number of improvements. I use quotation marks, as many collectors perhaps dont see them as such. But for Omega at the time, they certainly were, hence the Mark II designation for the Speedmaster Professional.Om [...]

Way before the Speedmaster, my very first Omega chronograph was a caliber 1040. It was the gold-plated Seamaster ref. 176.005, the watch that many call the Jedi. Well, it is neither a Jedi nor a flat Jedi, but thats a story for another day. That Seamaster was the watch that spawned my interest in 1970s Omega chronographs. Many years and a good few purchases later, last year, I landed this Flightmaster 910. What happened before and since then is what this article is about.Dont worry; it will not be a sentimental ode. To be honest, I just needed a catchy title. Yet, one thing is for sure Im pleasantly surprised by how much I love this watch. When I take it out of the box, it wont leave my wris [...]