We watch fans are a funny breed. As enthusiasts, we are always craving something new. But when we are presented with something new, the first thing we do instinctively is find watches from the past to compare it to. Once we ve pinpointed the references to existing timepieces, that often becomes a reason to disqualify a design. Why am I telling you this? Because the new Seiko Prospex SPB481, SPB483, and SPB485 will undoubtedly receive similar treatment. That enlightening conclusion results from some quick self-reflection upon seeing the three new models. My brain immediately wanted to find comparisons. But once I got past that instinctive urge, I greatly appreciated the new silhouettes of the...

It s not common for a watch of great rarity related to the Space Race of the Apollo Era to appear in a watch or space auction. Even more uncommon is finding several distinctive examples of rare watches from two premier Swiss brands related to mankind s voyage to the Moon. Within RR Auction s current Space Exploration and Aviation auction, there is a series of Space Watches lots featuring a handful of interesting timepieces from the Space Race era. Two of them have special significance to me because I have known their owners for many years. Those are Edgar Mitchell s GMT-Master 1675 and Dave Scott s gold Omega Speedmaster Apollo 11 commemorative watch.As you may remember, Thomas van Straaten...

What do you see when you look up at the sky at night? Stars? The Moon? I see possible watch dials. Okay, not always, but I have to admit I have a soft spot for meteorite dials. The idea of having a wafer-thin slice of a rock that fell from the heavens on your wrist fascinates me, and its look is something else. Meteorite dials come in all shapes and sizes. This Meteorite Monday, I invite you on a short trip to discover a few of my favorite otherworldly meteorite-dialed watches.Imagine soaring through space, crash-landing on a planet, and then being sliced up and put inside a watch. It happens. Poor meteorite. Lucky us. The accidental encounter between material from the heart of an asteroid o...

Last week, I met with the Grand Seiko UK team at Japan House in South Kensington, London. The brand occupied a space at the cultural center and brought the latest European Limited Editions. The lights were bright, and the antireflective crystals worked overtime, but we managed a few decent shots.Earlier this month, we previewed the latest Grand Seiko European Limited Editions. The rose gold SBGY040 and stainless steel SBGW321 models are inspired by koi ponds. While I wasn t in a Japanese garden, the serene surroundings of Japan House were an appropriate location for these watches.The new Grand Seiko European Limited EditionsLet s briefly recap the latest Grand Seiko releases. The SBGY040 is ...

Today, we ll examine the Breitling Navitimer Perpetual Calendar 140th Anniversary limited edition. This is the third hands-on review of these special celebration models. The Navitimer is arguably the most famous Breitling chronograph, meaning this piece had better be good!Thus far, we ve gone hands-on with the Super Chronomat and Premier Datora Perpetual Calendar 140th Anniversary editions. The third and final watch is a Navitimer Perpetual Calendar, and it s cosmetically very different from the others. The Super Chronomat is the sportiest of the trio and features a large 44mm case with an open-worked dial. Contrastingly, the 42mm Premier is the smallest and the most formal-looking with a gl...

Zenith often hits the sweet spot when it comes to creating exciting, standout variations of its watches. With the new Zenith Pilot Automatic and Big Date Flyback Porter limited editions, we are treated to two great new versions of the existing Pilot models. Not only do we get a great color variation of the two watches, but the Japanese bag company Porter also plays a significant part in making these new limited editions absolutely wonderful. Let s check them out!It s no secret that I am a big Zenith fan. Besides a great collection with some of my favorite watch models currently out there, the brand also has one of the best creative teams in the industry right now. Zenith has proven this repe...

Looking at many of the sensational, avant-garde, or astoundingly intricate horological creations today, it sometimes seems that there is less interest in timeless, classic watches. I m not talking about watches that cost the same as a house but, rather, simple, straightforward watches for the everyday person and collector. I suspect, though, that there are people among us who appreciate these because there certainly are brands with offerings that fit the bill. And that is what were going to talk about today with the Fleux FLX003.Based in Toronto, Canada, Fleux has already released two models,?the FLX001 and FLX002, which we looked at a while back. These are two skin divers with the same prop...

It s Sunday morning, so we have a new Sunday Morning Showdown lined up for you! This week, Daan and Jorg face off for this battle between high-end pilot s watches that you, the Fratelli, requested. The first is the new green-dial titanium Blancpain Air Command that came out not too long ago. It s going up against the Breguet Type XX Chronographe 2067 that debuted last year. It s a natural pairing because these vintage-inspired models represent the utilitarian side of these traditional Swiss brands. Let s find out which of these two renowned watches will take the win!Both of today s classically styled pilot s watches have interesting backstories, but the remarkable thing is that those stories...

Depancel has been inspired by 1970s car-racing designs since 2018. The new Allure Chronograph MecaQ in its reduced 36mm size extends this connection even further. Not only are the red and orange hues found on the three sub-dials and the tachymetric scale quintessentially 1970s, but the integrated bracelet also reinforces this feeling.Depancel Allure Chronograph MecaQ 36mmLet s start with a bit of history. Depancel was founded in 2018 by Frenchman Clement Meynier, a former nuclear research engineer. Depancel is the contraction of the names Delage, Panhard, and Facel Vega, three French manufacturers whose cars were made for the pleasure of driving. Inspired by their philosophy and creativity, ...

A few weeks ago, I joined Chopard on a trip to the Dordogne region in France. There, I could sit down and talk with Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, co-president of Chopard, and look at some of the L.U.C watches the brand has planned for 2025.Chopard Co-President Karl-Friedrich Scheufele - Image: ChopardThe past, present, and future of L.U.COther brands also do these previews, often closer to the launch date. They usually involve inviting watch media to the manufacture to give them a heads-up on whats coming, giving them a chance to create content about watches under embargo, and talking about the brands direction. This time, I was happy to have a chance to interview Mr. Scheufele and ask him about...

H. Moser & Cie. is not the type of brand that revels in its heritage. The brands catalog consists of forward-focused offerings that are hardly ever sentimental in this sense. This is quite admirable as there is plenty of history to lean on, but the Schaffhausen-based company prefers to lean on its present-day prowess. Enter Massena Lab. William Massenas collaboration laboratory challenged Moser to pay homage to its chronographs from the 1940s. The result is a bridge between the old and the new - the Endeavour Chronograph.This is a 100-piece limited edition. To become one of its lucky owners, you will have to part ways with $28,800. Lets have a closer look!H. Moser & Cie.Moser has a f...

In 2015, Oris reintroduced its dive watch based on a 1965 design. Since then, the Oris Divers Sixty-Five has become a popular and well-loved model line within the brand s portfolio. Now, almost 10 years after its reintroduction, it was time for an update. Meet the new Oris Divers Date. Even though it lost the Sixty-Five name, it still comes with a 60s-inspired design. However, both its style and performance received some serious upgrades.Oris offers some great watches at the more accessible end of the spectrum. The brand s Divers Sixty-Five was no exception. But with other brands, especially microbrands, closing in on both the design and capabilities side of things, Oris needs to make sure ...

Another Friday, another list! This week, we ll take a look at the famous Patek Philippe Nautilus. It s a great reminder of what makes Gerald Genta s creation stand out. The watch was first introduced in 1976 and has become one of the industry s leading silhouettes over time. But we all know that the brand discontinued the stainless steel Jumbo, much to fans discontent. In light of the recent news about the Patek Philippe Cubitus, it only seemed logical to dedicate an article to the Nautilus and remind ourselves why it is such a great series. We picked our five favorite references, and while some are no-brainers, others might surprise you. Let s find out more!Before we jump into our list of ...

We mostly know Laco for its extensive collection of vintage-inspired pilot s watches. However, the brand also offers more modern silhouettes in its Squad and Sport Watches collections. The latter is a series of versatile sports watches with the looks of a modern diver. Besides the standard model series, Laco also allows you to customize one to your liking. Until now, you could only choose a stainless steel version in two sizes. The German brand now gives you more options by introducing a new series of black DLC models. It s time to find out more!It s been five years since Laco first introduced its Scorpion watch series, which makes up the brand s Sport Watches collection. The affordable mode...

Let the record show that this introduction to the Patek Philippe Cubitus collection was written a day after the official release. That s important because these watches elicited strong emotions upon their debut and beforehand during online leaks. Therefore, I ve let these watches sink in a bit before reacting. I ll run down the specs and share brief thoughts before we return with a more extensive hands-on review.The announcement of a new collection from Patek Philippe is a big deal because it happens so infrequently. In fact, 1999 was the last time with the Twenty~4 collection. Earlier this week, photos emerged on social media showing a squarish take on Nautilus, and people got excited. Howe...

When we think of Czapek, the Antarctique comes to mind. However, the popular brand has several other models within its lineup. The Faubourg de Cracovie is a chronograph with uniquely designed integrated pushers. Czapek has endowed this model with various dial designs. Today s guilloche dials inspire the name Crossroads.Czapek s rise to watch stardom has been incredible to witness. Indeed, the watches are beautiful to behold in person and feature exquisite dials. Today, the Antarctique isn t in focus, though. The Faubourg de Cracovie Crossroads is the latest release, and the dials alone are worthy of review.The Czapek Faubourg de Cracovie CrossroadsThe Czapek Faubourg de Cracovie Crossroads i...

Citizen s Promaster line has brought us professional toolwatches for 35 years. Today, I ll look at one of the last additions, the Citizen Promaster Geo Trekker. It s available in three colorways and was designed for pilots. However, I discovered this watch is equally suitable for general watch lovers like you and me.Citizen Promaster Geo TrekkerA striking 46mm stainless steel case defines the design of the Citizen Promaster Geo Trekker, and the watch comes in three color variations - gray with white accents, black with yellow accents, and blue/green with white and red accents. The last version also has a gray IP coating on its exterior. What struck me immediately was that, despite the dial s...

We ve kept our collective lips zipped about the new Urwerk UR-150 Scorpion after seeing it during Geneva Watch Days 2024. Now it s ready to debut in a choice of two case finishes. The UR-150 Scorpion hosts a new movement and an enhanced complication. As always with Urwerk, it s a feast for the eyes!During our visit to Urwerk during Geneva Watch Days 2024, we saw the EMC SR-71 and spent time with a watch we couldn t discuss. That watch was the UR-150 Scorpion, an updated take on the brand s hallmark hour satellites and retrograde minutes. It has a new movement and a more expansive retrograde arc than previous models.The UR-150 Scorpion Dark and TitanDave Sergeant and I had ample time with one...

The Gallet Multichron 12 Decimal is as rare as a hen s teeth, with only three examples known before this one. Watch purists may not accept this one because I managed to put it together from old parts. Still, everything is genuine and correct for the period.First, I encourage you to read Mike s eight-year-old story on his basic Gallet Multichron 45 Decimal, which doesn t have a 12-hour totalizer. These seldomly models pop up, but you can find them. One is available on Chrono24, but the asking price is very optimistic. No matter the listing, they are pretty valuable and quickly sell in the $4,000C8,000 range, depending on condition. So imagine what the price tag could be for Multichron 12 Deci...

Bow down. The Freak deserves your respect. In fact, the Freak is the mack daddy of everything we call Nouvelle Horlogerie. In 2001, a bizarre and unexpected watch appeared from the Ulysse Nardin atelier in Le Locle, and it shook the world of watchmaking on its very foundations. This world was not yet ready for an alien-like mechanical watch without hands, without a crown, and without a dial that told time. The men responsible for creating this abnormality were Ulysse Nardin s visionary former CEO Rolf Schnyder and genius watchmaker Dr. Ludwig Oechslin. The movement of the Freak took center stage in a whole new way and blazed a trail for wild creations from experimental high-end watchmaking b...