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Nowadays it seems that something new is coming out of the Omega Headquarters in Biel/Benne every week. If you think like that you are not far from the truth.As the die-hard Omega fans might know, the brand did not start its life as Omega SA.? Louis Brandt established his business in 1848 in the city of La Chaux-de-Fonds. The name if the company; La Generale Watch Co. ?After the founder's death his 2 sons took over the business and in 1894 they released their new movement. It was the 19-ligne. At the time the movement was one of the most accurate calibers around. It was revolutionary for every component could be replaced without modification by any watchmaker in the world. Furthermore, the pe [...]
Hereby we share with you the Speedy Tuesday Event videos that we took on January 8th in Biel, Switzerland. Also, you will find some of the official photos that were taken during the day by Omegas photographer. Our own photos can be found in our previous How to wear it report here.Speedy Tuesday Event VideosToday, we share with your three Speedy Tuesday Event videos that Bert Buijsrogge shot during the day. The first one below gives an overall?impression of the day in Biel. With about 45 guests, 6 of the Fratelli (Bert, Gerard, Balazs, Michael, Sky and RJ) and of course the Omega staff, we had a day where we not only celebrated the Speedmaster on a Speedy Tuesday, we also had the honour to be [...]
Last year Omega introduced their new Seamaster Diver 300M watch. A watch that has been in the collection since 1993 and was due for a big update. A new movement, new case size, and a new dial for example, while maintaining the look feel of one of their best selling watches. 2019 just started, and Omega throws in another variation of this new Seamaster Diver 300M.Seamaster Diver 300M In Ceramic and TitaniumWe have been informing you about the steel, gold steel and titanium/tantalum/Sedna gold versions of this new Seamaster Diver 300M, but today Omega surprised us with a model made of one black ceramic and titanium. With a size larger than the regular model (41mm), this 43.5mm is bigger and [...]
The word is out, the new caliber 321 has been introduced last week during a Speedy Tuesday event that we hosted in Biel. Last week we already published about this movement and shared some of the extra information that was not in the press release. But besides the introduction of this movement, there was also the Speedy Tuesday event in Biel. The second one, actually, as the first Speedy Tuesday event was held already in 2016. Before and in between, we did many more in different places (D1sseldorf, Amsterdam, Noordwijk, London, Munich, The Hague and in Geneva) and we will do more this year, worldwide.Speedy Tuesday Event (II) in BielLast week in Biel there were about 45 of our readers and Spe [...]
This week, we had the good fortune to visit Omega in Biel for a speedytuesday get together. For certain, the occasion will always be remembered as the world debut of the resurrected caliber 321. But there was something else that was divulged during part of the program that truly piqued my interest the absolute truth on two of the other references that were tested by NASA when selecting what would ultimately become the Moonwatch. Yes, folks, you will read the black and white truth about two of the watches that didn't become Moonwatches.? These are the other NASA-Tested watches.The Other NASA-Tested WatchesPetros Protopapas, the Brand Heritage Manager of Omega, held a 90 minutes long forum [...]
This is the day that I have been waiting for, for a long time. And I know that many of your Speedmaster fans out there have been waiting for this as well. That day that Omega announces that they will bring their famous column-wheel caliber 321 chronograph movement back in production. Today is the day my friends, on this 2nd Speedy Tuesday of 2019. This is big, it is a historical moment for Speedmaster enthusiasts, I would say.It is the reason that we are having a Speedy Tuesday event in Bienne today, at the headquarters of Omega, to witness the re-introduction of the caliber 321 movement. Even better, our Speedy Tuesday readers who got selected from tons of registrations are able to see the [...]
The first image Ive come across from the guy we have on Fratello today was in this dedicated Speedy Tuesday Facebook group?where he showed an incredible nice composition of the first Speedmaster Speedy Tuesday (2017) and some props.These props often consist of everyday things and Lego. A lot of Lego. Space Lego to be precise. Being a kid from the 1980s, I often recognize the little figures he uses as Space Lego was my favourite as well. Recently, he started an Instagram account (@Plywoodemoji) where he shares his artwork with the rest of the world. In the meantime, he also purchased the Speedmaster Speedy Tuesday Ultraman and did some amazing compositions with this edition as well.Space, Leg [...]
It's been a while since we reported about a Speedmaster sighting by a celebrity. In the past, we have seen Russel Crowe wearing one in many of his movies. He also had a Speedmaster in his private collection until recently. He auctioned numerous personal memorabilia away, including the watch, to-well, pay for his divorce. ?Ed O'Neill, the star of Modern Family, Married with Children and one of my favorite movies; The Adventures of Ford Fairlane also sports a Speedy regularly on and off screen. RJ also wrote a report about James Corden ditching is AP Royal Oak for an episode of Carpool Karaoke with Christmas Season favorite, Michael Bubl . I don't follow Corden closely so I'm not sure how ofte [...]
First off, for those who are celebrating, the Fratello team wishes you a very Merry Christmas.? If not, happy Speedy Tuesday We do our best to publish new content on Christmas day because, after all, it's a decent day to laze on the couch and relax. So let's get into what has to be one of the most surprising and attractive Speedmasters to date, the Omega Speedmaster Rising Sun.A Speedmaster QuintetIt was late July this year when Omega dropped news of a quintet of Speedmasters to be released for the Japanese market in commemoration of the upcoming 2020 Tokyo Olympics. As a set (55 boxes), but also as separate watches. With 2020 pieces of each model (and the 55 sets), the watches started shipp [...]
While most Speedmaster collectors are very focused on the 1960s and 1970s, Id say that the 1980s and 1990s are also interesting for a number of reasons. To start with the 1990s, these watches are often very complete (meaning boxes, warranty card, booklets etc.) and those with a tritium dial (up till 1997) have the tendency to get this beautiful yellow-ish coloured?hour markers and the same applies for the lume?on the hands. On top, you will find that the 1990s models have this very handsome looking bracelet with reference 1479 (also till 1996) with a strong tapering towards the clasp. The 1980s also has a number of interesting models, and I am going to explain one of them for todays Speedy T [...]
About two years ago, Bert and I visited the boutique of the Davidoff Brothers in Geneva, and were able to capture a number of tropical dial Speedmasters. Among them, a CK2915 with tropical dial, but also the later CK2998, 105.003, 105.012, 145.012 up till the 145.022 (first watch with caliber 861). In total, we had 12 references in front of us, each with their unique (aesthetic) features.Because we know you love the Speedmaster and especially those with a tropical touch, we put this article in the spotlight once more. Enjoy your dose of SpeedyTuesday.Omega Speedmaster Tropical DialSome of the Speedmaster dials have the tendency to fade to brown. There are different shades of brown to discov [...]
Exactly 6 years ago today, at the beginning of Speedy Tuesday in 2012, we featured Porsche 911 collector and fashion designer Magnus Walker and his Speedmaster Automatic 176.0012 from 1974. I thought it would be nice to highlight this feature once more, as it is not only a very cool reference but also to watch the documentary on Magnus Walker again (below).Magnus Walker and his Porsche 911 and Speedmaster. Photo (c) https://www.autickar.czMagnus Walker SpeedmasterYears ago, I noticed Magnus Walker wearing his Speedmaster Automatic 176.0012 (Mark 4.5) in a copy of TopGear magazine. I contacted him and asked him about his Mark 4.5 for a feature on Speedy Tuesday. He was happy to cooperate and [...]
When I started to explore vintage Omega watches I was instantly hooked by their chronographs. To me, a chronograph is one of the coolest and most usable features a watch could have. This was the reason or perhaps the fact that my first Omega with a complication was a caliber 1040 chronograph. Still to this day I hold those watches near and dear to my heart. So, as I dwelled into the wonderful world of vintage Omegas I came across a model line that, to me, was the epitome of vintage Omega dress watches, and there were many. It was the Omega Cosmic line. Now, I'm not talking about the late 60's early 70's cushion-case (Seamaster) Cosmics and Cosmic 2000s. Though I had a few of those too. I'm [...]
What's cooler than a gold Speedmaster Apollo XI from 1969? One that is complete with box and papers The gold Speedmaster Apollo XI BA145.022-69 was one of the first special Speedmaster watches that I came across when I just started to become a Speedmaster collector. In an early stage, I was introduced to a local watchmaker and Omega collector, who happened to have one (and still has). It made a huge impression on me, and it never failed to do so from then on. In fact, I think it is one of the most beautiful Omega watches out there. Gold is not for everyone, and some purists might wonder why I don't prefer a nice CK2915 or CK2998, but to me, this BA145.022 is just magic.Speedmaster Apollo XI [...]
Last weekend this Speedmaster Alaska I Prototype fetched CHF193,750 (including the premium). But what is this watch exactly and what makes it so special? For this Speedy Tuesday feature, we try to break it down for you.Speedmaster Alaska 1 ProjectOmega was already the chronograph of choice for NASA, based on the procurement and test procedures it was qualified in 1965 for all manned space flights. So, on the wrist of the Apollo astronauts, there were already the Speedmaster 105.003, 105.12 and 145.012 references. But the story did not end there. Omega was constantly working on projects and sometimes send unsolicited packages to NASA to give a watch a try. These projects for NASA received a c [...]
A few weeks ago there was a small get-together in Vienna, Austria, with some pretty serious Omega collectors. We say Omega, not Speedmaster, as people also brought in some pretty decent other Omega watches. Our very own Berti joined a Saturday in Vienna and took pictures of all the horological candy that was brought along.Vienna CallingOrganized by some very serious Omega collectors (some watches might look familiar if you are an avid Omega follower on Instagram for example) in Austria, it was by invitation only, as trust is often the most important aspect when it comes to these things. If a get-together is not organized by a brand or boutique, imagine the struggle with a venue and its secur [...]
Weve reported on a blue dial Speedmaster 105.012 and a blue dial Speedmaster 145.012 before in our Speedy Tuesday features, but never on an earlier reference with this dial colour. These dials are still a bit of a vague territory, at least for us, as no one exactly know how many of these watches are around or how they ended up in production. Was it by special request or did Omega just fiddled around with colour options? One thing is certain though, they exist and are original.Blue Dial Speedmaster 105.003The previously reported blue dial Speedmaster reference 105.012 and 145.012 were Professional watches, this 105.003, of course, isnt. Interesting to see that Omega used this beautiful blue/g [...]
Years ago, when Omega introduced their Co-Axial technology and silicon balance springs, they raised the warranty to 4 years (instead of the standard 2 years, which is also mandatory by European law for example). Now, Omega takes it one step further and decided to raise the warranty on all of their watches to 5 years, regardless of which watch model (or type of movement that is inside).Effective July 1st 2018The new 5-year warranty will take effect from today, November 2nd, 2018 and will also be applied to any OMEGA watch purchased on or after July 1st, 2018. So yes, this also means your (and ours) Speedy Tuesday Ultraman will have the 5-year warranty. Yeeee.Raynald Aeschlimann, President and [...]
This week's You Asked Us is about the most asked question since about a year or two: Is this watch [name any model or brand] a good investment? Every single day we receive this question via email, our contact form, Whatsapp, or direct messages on our Facebook and Instagram channels. I thought it might be a good idea to give a generic answer to this commonly asked question, as we roughly give the same answer to this question all the time.You Asked Us: Is This Watch A Good Investment?Please don't feel offended if you read your own question to us below, they aren't bad or wrong, we just want to show the type of questions we receive concerning watches as an investment.What is a better investment [...]
Let me start by saying I dont care much for celebs. Often, I dont even recognize them or know who these people are. It is embarrassing?at times when a watch brand invites their ambassadors over at SIHH for example, and I dont have a clue who they are. It could also be me because I just have no interest in most of them. I dont look up to them, to be honest, although during a recent event I asked to be in a picture with a famous person for the very first time in my life (Alfonso Ribeiro, who played Carlton Banks in the Fresh Prince). But hey, thats nostalgy.I know that many people do enjoy these watch spottings on famous people though, entire Instagram accounts and websites are dedicated to th [...]