Watches Blog Wrist Watch Reviews

Welcome, one and all, to the first round proper of March Mania 2021, here on Fratello. Are you a watch maniac like we are? If so, you're sure to love our month-long feature. 96 watches reviewed last year line up for a battle royale like nothing that's gone before. We need your votes. We want your comments. Help us decide the champion and share in its glory Let the games commence?-In this first round proper, your task is a bit different from your task in the preliminaries. Below you will find the eight remaining timepieces of each of our Fratello competitors in four head-to-head contests of two timepieces. The seedings in the preliminaries dictate the match-ups. So it's number 1 vs. number 8, [...]

Introduced in 2013 as a Speedmaster Professional Racing, but we soon found out it wasnt a Racing, at all. Omega told us the red and white checkered minute track was a reference to the rocket of Tintins Explorers on the Moon. Here on Fratello, the watch was immediately dubbed Speedmaster Tintin.You all know the story about the Speedmaster Tintin. We covered it in 2013 here and a larger article in 2016 here. We even received a legal letter from Herg s protectors if we could remove it from our website (here). The Omega Speedmaster Tintin 311.30.42.30.01.004 has since then become a very collectible piece. But that wasnt always the case. Only a few people picked up the story at first, mainly Spee [...]

We like to talk about vintage watches a lot within the Fratello team. Where 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. But all of them are remarkable watches. In this second installment, we will take a look at the best Omega watches from the 1950s.The best Omega watches from the 1950s? What does that actually mean [...]

From March 6th till March 15th, the 36th edition of the Americas Cup will take place. Just recently, Omega introduced its Seamaster Divers 300M Chronograph Americas Cup edition, with chrono lock. We wrote about it here. But last year, Omega debuted a very handsome Seamaster Planet Ocean Americas Cup Limited Edition, to celebrate the 36th race. We had the chance to go hands-on with it not so long ago and thought it would be nice to give it some attention right before the start of this years Americas Cup.Planet Ocean Americas CupOmegas Seamaster family consists of many members. We have the famous 300M, the heritage-inspired 300, the versatile Aqua Terra, the not-so-versatile PloProf, the funky [...]

Last week we wrote a detailed hands-on article about the new Omega Speedmaster Master Chronometer in Sedna gold. This week, were bringing you a video in which Karina and I talk about the Speedmaster Sedna versus the Daytona Everose.In this new video, were presenting the Speedmaster Professional Master Chronometer in Sedna gold, Omegas own rose gold alloy. Instead of silver, the brand uses use a specific amount of palladium in the composition. This ensures an enduring rose gold color. Rolex has a similar alloy for its rose gold watches, and calls it Everose. We compare the Speedmaster Sedna and the Daytona Everose and tell you why we think the Speedmaster is a better pick.Speedmaster Sedna ve [...]

Oh, no. Not another article praising the new Speedmaster, I hear you say, as your eyes snap to the title of my article. Without a doubt, this piece is going to talk about the current Speedy. So, if you are fed up with the topic, feel free to navigate back to the main page and look for another write-up. No hard feelings. However, let me quickly try to sum up what Id like to talk about if youve stuck with me this far.The main idea behind getting the latest Speedmaster was to check it out, of course. I wanted to see a few things up close, namely: how is it compared to a vintage piece? Does the bracelet feel as good as it looks? Can you use the bracelet on other models? Is this iteration of the [...]

I have a weak spot for gold Speedmaster watches. According to some, a Speedmaster doesnt belong in gold, its a tool watch after all. However, I find precious metal a great way to celebrate one of the most iconic chronographs in the world.My first encounter with a gold Speedmaster was in 1999 or so, as my watchmaker had one of the original BA145.022-69 watches. The gold Speedmaster from 1969 was presented to the Apollo astronauts and officials of the White House. We all know the story (if not, click here). Omega made 1,014 of them in total. In 2019, for the 50th anniversary of the Apollo XI mission, Omega introduced 1,014 pieces of the Speedmaster Professional in Moonshine gold.The gold non-l [...]

Already last May, Omega announced its partnership to the 36th edition of the Americas Cup in 2021. It was celebrated with a beautiful Seamaster Planet Ocean watch. Today, another Americas Cup edition is being introduced: the Seamaster 300M Diver Americas Cup.Omega has been involved in this prestigious race since 1995 and I wrote a lengthy article on last years edition here. Our contributor Paul Dezentj wrote a very cool article on Omega and the America's Cup in our Seamaster 300M Magazine. This magazine is available for (free) download here.For today, I just want to focus on the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Chronograph Americas Cup watch, as it deserves this.Omega Seamaster Diver 300M America [...]

As a fan of watch design, I have developed a healthy obsession with the first generation Omega Constellation Manhattan. The Constellation Manhattan is Omegas biggest icon introduced in the 1980s. But its also one of the few introduced in the decade of decadence. The seventies is where the true magic of vintage Omega design is for me. Enter another healthy obsession. Its time to take a look at a selection of brilliant releases from the seventies that have crept to the top of my list of vintage wants.I couldnt believe it when I read it, but the 1970s have officially been hailed as the most stylish decade ever. Sure, the 1980s are criticized for a lack of taste (although I feel very much at hom [...]

When Omega introduced the Speedmaster 60th Anniversary in 2017, it was a big thing It was a tribute to the original Speedmaster reference CK2915, but with the calibre 1861 movement. Then, in 2020, Omega introduced the 105.003 tribute with its calibre 321. How do these two watches compare? Is it worth going after a Speedmaster 60th anniversary, or do you want to save up a bit more for the Speedmaster Calibre 321?After publishing our video where I compare the Speedmaster Calibre 321 with the Speedmaster Professional Moonwatch Master Chronometer, I received some requests to have a look at the Speedmaster 60th anniversary as well. And then, last week in the SpeedyTuesday Facebook group, someone [...]

There are some Omega Speedmaster watches that I missed out on in the past. As a Speedmaster enthusiast and collector, that sometimes hurt. But you cant have it all, I guess.In this article, I will share with you the five Speedmaster watches that I missed. Either during its introduction or just because I only realized later on that I need it. Of course, you can still add it later on, and in some cases I did.Five Speedmaster Watches I Missed Out OnThis overview is about the watches that I missed from the start, so not those Speedmasters that were introduced before I got into collecting them. Otherwise, the list would be very long. Very long. A borderline pick would be the 2003 Speedmaster Snoo [...]

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 don't forget to let us know which watches you'd like to see torn to shreds/effusively exalted next week. We'll try and feature as many of our readers' choices as we can. In this weeks showdown, the Everose gold Rolex Daytona faces off against the new Sedna gold Omega Speedmaster.Its not a first that the high-ranking champions of iconic chronographs square up against each other. Nor even is it the first scuffle between the two in our Sunday Morning Showdown series. The [...]

Omega has been the timekeeping partner for the Olympic Games since 1932. The last time should have been 2020, but it seems that it is at least postponed till this year (if the planned Tokyo edition goes ahead at all). However, the show must go on, and the Winter Games are already planned for 2022 in Beijing, 14 years after the city hosted a historic summer competition.To celebrate the countdown to the start of the Beijing Winter Games 2022, Omega introduces to you a special Seamaster 300M.Seamaster 300M Beijing 2022 EditionWhen Omega introduced the current Seamaster 300M collection in 2018, it took a step forward concerning innovations and technology, and a little step back regarding design. [...]

So you've just bought your first luxury wristwatch. For the sake of argument, and being this is Fratello, let's make it one of the brand new Master Chronometer Omega Speedmaster Moonwatches. To a lower level of detail, let's say this is the Hesalite version with a matching steel bracelet. Quite a nice catch perhaps it was a gift to yourself for reaching a milestone or just something you always longed for. Maybe it was a strong interest in the space program that brought the Speedy to your attention.Whatever the occasion may be, you've handed down 6,100 to land the Master Chronometer Moonwatch with Hesalite and you're happy. But now you want to go deeper into this hobby and you're wondering ho [...]

A few Tuesdays ago, Omega introduced its new Moonwatch Master Chronometer. The drop included the Speedmaster Canopus 310.60.42.50.02.001. 18-karat white gold is not new to Omegas Speedmaster, but this specific Canopus alloy is. In this article, I take a closer look at the Speedmaster Canopus and explain why its my favorite new Moonwatch Master Chronometer.I showed a picture of the new Speedmaster Canopus side-by-side with my Speedmaster Moonshine on IG and in the SpeedyTuesday Facebook group. People immediately tend to make their favorite known (a common thing that happens when a picture shows two watches) or ask how one compares to the other. It also makes me think, which one do I like bes [...]

With all this talk about the new Speedy, Wrist Game or Crying Shame reviews the Omega Speedmaster White Gold Moonphase. But firstLast week, we reviewed the unorthodox Seiko Landmaster Spring Drive. This watch was incredibly polarizing in the comments section, but the supporters won out and gave it a 64% Wrist Game win. It turns out that entry level Spring Drive is still Spring Drive. Todays pick shares only one major cosmetic similarity with last weeks subject and thats the hue of its case. This time, though, we go fancy. Its time for the Omega Speedmaster White Gold Moonphase.The Omega Speedmaster MoonphaseThe Omega Speedmaster Moonphase has always been an odd duck in my book. It carries th [...]

Two for Tuesday is here and this time we are going for the gold Thats right, its time to dig between the couch cushions to collect all that dough. Youll need it as we pit the new Omega Sedna Speedmaster against the Canopus Speedmaster.Its been a couple of weeks since Omega dropped its quartet of new Speedmaster models. Were still frothing at the mouth here and, as such, have plenty more new Speedy content on the way. The newest Speedmaster models look like a sure-fire hit. While that in itself may not be wholly surprising, the release was different this time, though, and the watch cognoscenti seem to notice.The stainless steel models have gotten most of the press for good reason. Theyre more [...]

The Omega Seamaster Calendar ref. 2627 is such an exciting and historically significant watch. Yet, aside from the hardcore Omega fans, it seems as though it mostly flies under the radar for the average vintage collector. Nevertheless, this 1950s beauty deserves a lot more attention. In this article, well try to give the watch just that.Reference 2627 is not a huge watch, nor was it made in endless executions. However, the Seamaster Calendar was a technologically advanced piece for its time. So much so that even today, one can wear it proudly and enjoy its useful features.History Of The DateThe brand introduced the earliest Seamaster watches in 1948, just a few years after the end of WW2. Du [...]

2021 has arrived and like so many of you, I have been thinking about what watch I should choose next. As you have probably noticed from my personal choices, I've never been an enthusiast for gold. In my opinion, steel rivals gold and two-tone watches. At least, that was always the wayuntil now. It's been tough to figure out what steel watch should be on my wish-list for 2021. Luckily, at the end of last year, Omega released its new Tr sor collection, shining as it does a spotlight on Moonshine gold.Moonshine gold is nothing new for the Tr sor collection. In 2019, just one year after the introduction of the Tr sor line for women, the Swiss brand presented two new Tr sors made of Moonshine gol [...]

Here you go, our hands-on review of the new Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Master Chronometer.Everything you need to know about the Speedmaster can be also found in this article on Fratello. We also covered the new Moonwatch in our recent podcast, here. [...]