The Omega Speedmaster Mark II originates from a project meant to be the Lunar Surface Chronograph. NASA engineer James H. Ragan wanted a watch that could withstand the heat and cold on the Moon s surface. Omega developed such a watch under the code name Alaska, a large titanium timepiece with a silvery white dial. Ultimately, it was too expensive, so NASA decided to stick with the caliber-321-powered Speedmaster Professional. This case s development, however, led to the Speedmaster Mark II.Speedmaster Alaska, here in its red protective outer casingOmega Speedmaster Mark II HistoryEventually, Omega used the 1969 Speedmaster Mark II case for another Alaska prototype, but that one didn t make t...
Today, introduces its Deepsea Challenge. It is based on the 2012 prototype Deepsea Challenge developed for filmmaker and explorer James Cameron. That watch accompanied him on a 10,908 meter (35,787 foot) descent into the Mariana Trench on March 26th of that year.And now, after ten years, shows us the commercial version of that prototype. It s the Deepsea Challenge made entirely from grade 5 titanium, a first for . Where 904L steel became Oystersteel, bi-color is referred to as Rolesor, and the titanium used for the Deepsea Challenge is called RLX Titanium. This watch weighs 30% less than the steel prototype version from 2012. A necessity, you could say, as this new Deepsea Challenge has a...
According to Chinese astrology, next year will be the Year of the Rabbit. In Japan, however, they might see that differently. As the first Casio G-Shock came out in 1983 and 2023 marks the 40th birthday of the brands indestructible watch, next year will be the year of the G-Shock. And although we still have two months to go, the first four Casio G-Shock 40th Anniversary watches are already here. Theres the Square GMW-B5000EH, the Flare Red MTG-B3000FR-1AER and GWG-2040FR-1AER models, as well as the outrageous MRG-B2000GA-1A with a finish created in the 800-year-old swordsmithing style of Gassan.Lets kick off the new year with the model that, of the four Casio G-Shock 40th Anniversary watches...
As watch enthusiasts, we tend to build and explore our understanding of horology. Inevitably, we go down the rabbit hole of complications. Most of us strive to add useful complications to our collection (at least we tell ourselves that). Some complications, though, are less useful than others but built as an expression of horological art. The Christopher Ward C1 Bel Canto features a chiming complication that achieves a higher art form than many others. While not a true minute repeater, this limited edition takes the auditory expression of time and brings it to a broader audience.Most complications take the form of a visual representation on the dial of the watch. Think the 24-hour hand for a...
Well, hello folks! After a one-week respite, we re back with another episode of Fratello On Air! This time, we talk about Seiko and discuss a couple of our favorite pieces. We must warn you, this is only the beginning… This podcast player is blocked because you did not accept marketing cookies. Change cookie settings Seiko is an absolute favorite here at Fratello, which makes picking favorites a daunting endeavor! Still, we ve managed to start down the path in what will likely be the first of many episodes covering this storied brand. Of course, there s plenty of banter before getting into the main subject.Handgelenks KontrolleBefore moving to the Handgelenks Kontrolle and Seiko, t...
Seiko is famous for its fun, capable, and affordable watches. But one prevalent comment about Seiko watches is that they re becoming more expensive. In this article, I won t go into why and how the brand is doing that. But I d like to take a look at what s still available for under $1,000 to see whether you can still buy yourself a fun Seiko watch for a decent price. Here are my five picks that won t hurt your wallet too much while still offering that typical Seiko fun!For this little exercise, I decided to set some boundaries. I went to the Seiko website and looked for the page with the collection overview. There, I turned on the filter for the New watches and set the maximum budget to $1,0...
The subject of today s article is the Citizen Homer HO140501. Its a watch that shares its general design with several other watches from the brand and the period, but it has some subtle yet key differences that well discuss. Its no secret that vintage Japanese watches are at or near the top of my favorite subgenres, and this rare piece helps to explain why.Slowly but surely, Im getting around to covering the vintage Citizen watches that sit within my collection. Its a challenge for a couple of reasons. First, theres the endless battle of finding the time to photograph and write about these mysterious little gems. Second, theres the whole mystery part. Normally, when I write about a vintage w...
Watch events are slowly returning. They are a fantastic chance to see the novelties and to try them on your wrist. To reduce the risk of attendees infecting each other, big international events have strictly limited the number of guests. Only a part of the Fratello team has been in Geneva this year. All the more, I welcome local watch events taking place close to my home - events like The Show.For far too long, Hamburg was considered an unfavorable place for the watch business. Munich was the German city where the watch industry expected to encounter a much more promising audience. Accordingly, Munich has been the venue for the respected fairs Munichtime and Inhorgenta. But times have change...
Its always a good thing to plan. I have nothing against spontaneous actions, but for stuff like watch shows held abroad, its better to be prepared. So, please take note that Watches and Wonders 2023 will take place from March 27th through April 2nd in Geneva. Furthermore, on Saturday the 1st and Sunday the 2nd, the show will be open to the public. There will be 49 (!) brands present, including the most famous brands in watchmaking. Among the presenters are Tudor and Vacheron Constantin, and thats why this edition of Coffee Corner Watch Talk features a Tudor Pelagos 39 and a new Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph, watches we probably will see new versions of come Watches and Wonders 202...
An empty dial can be a sight for sore eyes. When I first went to the Grand Seiko dealer to have a look at the SBGW231 that I would later buy, it was the empty dial that jumped out at me. Just an applied GS and printed Grand Seiko at 12 o clock, nothing more. It provided a visual calm and balance that I find utterly beautiful. It got me wondering, what is up with all this printing on other watches? Are dial printers getting paid by the letter? Do watch lovers want something to read on their daily commute?Could it be that we have just become desensitized to a lot of text on watch dials through mere exposure? Could it be that we unconsciously accept unneeded ugliness? Or does dial text offer mu...
The Hamilton Ventura s connection to Elvis is one of those famous-owner stories that never gets old. Ever since the King made it his watch in 1961, the avant-garde timepiece has been immortalized. Through the decades, the Ventura has spawned countless sizes, colors, executions, and movements. The latest iteration takes inspiration from a neon city at night as the energy and vibrancy come alive. The Ventura XXL Bright features a dial that illuminates with red detailing and comes in a super-large size for the big-wristed or big-spirited among us.From bygone times to avant-gardeHamilton started life producing pocket watches as the Railroad Timekeeper of America (which we just covered here) at t...
The stars truly aligned when Parmigiani Fleurier launched the Tonda PF collection in 2021. The collection epitomizing discreet elegance was unveiled to critical acclaim. Subsequent releases featuring the character-defining integrated bracelet continued to seduce the market. Now the Swiss watchmaker is adding a new dimension to the collection with a simple update to the accessories. The Tonda PF has suited up its three rose gold models - the Micro-Rotor, the Chronograph, and the Annual Calendar - with the introduction of alligator straps.Watches with integrated bracelets may be popular, but not everyone wants all-metal armor. Even fewer are game for rocking full-on rose gold wrist gear. Im su...
Like reuniting with an old crush, Vacheron Constantin is tempting me with its new Overseas Chronograph in pink gold with a blue dial. My exposure to this harmonious mix of dial and case material stretches back to 2020 when I met the gorgeous Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin model in person. This week, Vacheron Constantin renders this tantalizing blend with its in-house column-wheel chronograph movement. The results are equally stunning, but does it set my soul ablaze the same way as the pink gold Perpetual Calendar? Let s find out.I recall the day I first met the Overseas Perpetual Calendar. Among the opaline and skeletonized dials was the blue dial sitting radiantly within a shroud of pink gol...
Its that time again! Theres no moment to relax for two of our writers on Sunday mornings. As you all know by now, Fratello team members battle it out in our Sunday Morning Showdown series. Ultimately, you, our wonderful readers, have the final say on who wins. This week, Nacho and Jorg go up against each other, choosing two affordable French GMT watches to duke it out. Nacho is here to defend the brand-new Serica 8315 GMT Chronometre. Jorg is taking on the massive task of beating it with the recently introduced Yema Superman 500 GMT. Let the battle commence! En garde!There is something magical about GMT watches. They can be perfect travel companions when crossing multiple time zones, and man...
The rise of smartwatches might trigger memories of the quartz crisis - a new technology that could spell the end of high-end watchmaking. Smartwatch sales grow every year, and not by small numbers either. Still, I have a theory on why the smartwatch is a temporary thing. In fact, there is absolutely no need to view it as a threat to our beloved traditional watches at all.The following is a thought piece based on my personal observations and expectations. Let me channel my inner Nostradamus and envision a future beyond the smartwatch. Note that I am not against smartwatches. In fact, my stance towards them is pretty neutral. I have owned one, and I did not like the constant connectedness. How...
One look at the new Girard-Perregaux Laureato 38mm Copper and I m re-smitten. The larger 42mm version does wear very well for its size, but about three years ago, I fell for the 38. After having it on loan for a long weekend, I was smitten to the point of obsession. But after procrastinating while the popularity of the cool GP re-emerged, the prices went up too far. And does this new release make my indecision feel worse?In a word, yes. Lately, I ve become even closer to proclaiming 38mm as my all-time fave size, and this week it seems to come to a head. My story on the new 38mm Kurono Calendrier Type 1 came out, and for some inexplicable reason, this Laureato story has a glaringly obvious s...
A brushed titanium flying saucer sits lightly on my wrist. Through its sapphire porthole, the Earth as viewed from above the Indian Ocean slowly spins below. Two black rings of numbers and markers surround the globe as satellites would. Am I having an out-of-body experience? Is this a UFO? To the first question, maybe. But to the second question, no. I m wearing the CIGA Design Blue Planet, a watch of radical design and radical mechanics that is thoroughly grounded, if you catch my drift. The award-winning Blue Planet says and does a lot. I m not sure a louder statement piece has graced my wrist before.Back in April, I wrote a piece featuring various watches from China. Not watches merely ma...
We recently had our hands on the 2022-released Omega Speedmaster 57 collection. Our in-depth article can be read here, but we also decided to shoot a video with the new Speedmaster 57.The new Omega Speedmaster 57 is an upgrade of the previous version, with a new in-house developed (hand-wound) movement and a smaller case diameter (40.5mm instead of 41.5mm). Due to the new movement, it also has become thinner. In this video, RJ explains the details of this watch and how the former broad arrow models inspired it. The black sandwich dial and the blue versions are featured in this video. In total, there are four different dial versions available (see below). Each model is available with a mat...
I didn t grow up celebrating Halloween each year. Honestly, for this article, I had to look up when Halloween is actually celebrated. But the celebration - originally dedicated to remembering the dead, including the saints (hallows) - has grown a lot in recent years. I noticed this during my time in Spain, and now it has also reached the Netherlands. I m not sure how big it is in Switzerland or France, but Louis Erard and seconde/seconde/ thought it was a good opportunity to make another joke. Your attention, please, for La Petite Seconde Louis Horror!Last November, both brands presented us with their first joke, Le Regulateur Louis Error. It was based on a pun that many watch lovers had pro...
It s not every day that about 40 guys show up at a restaurant and bring (part of) their watch collections with them. It allows you to see pieces you ve never seen before or even compare watches you ve never been able to put next to each other. But it also teaches you about the different approaches there are to watch collecting. And those are just a few reasons of why I enjoy these get-togethers so much.When I arrived, there were already a few guys standing around a table with their watches laid out in front of them. The fiery watch discussions had already taken off. Modern vs. vintage , straps vs. bracelets, in-house vs. ETA movements… You know the deal. But it was all in good fun, and...
