Ever wondered why watch connoisseurs are praising Grand Seiko? Or perhaps you are already a Grand Seiko fan and want to learn more about this Japanese manufacture.Together with Grand Seiko, Fratello Watches organizes an exclusive readers trip to Japan from September 23 to September 29. We visited (Grand) Seiko ourselves at the end of 2015, which not only opened our eyes to high-end watchmaking in Japan, but also remember it as one of the best experiences ever (and weve seen many manufactures). This led to the idea to do a very similar journey for our readers, together with Robert-Jan Broer of Fratello Watches and Grand Seiko.You will be able to see with your own eyes how precise and committe...
In June of 2017, I wrote an article about the Yemas that were up for sale at an upcoming Watches of Knightsbridge auction. I felt that the watches were nice, but priced at or around the market. I ended up attending the auction, it coincided with other business I had in town, and I came away highly surprised with the results. A 7736-powered formica dial Rallye chronograph sold for 4500 GBP before commission and a Brown Sugar chronograph sold for an astounding 7500 GBP before the juice. Perhaps Ive been asleep at the wheel, but it all adds up to the fact that Yema is hot right now and people are clearly after them. Here on #TBT, and in the auction review article, weve focused entirely on chron...
We introduce to you the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Commander s Watch Limited Edition watch. James Bond has been a wearer of some handsome timepieces ever since the first movie, including?the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M. A watch that is often being referred to the ‘Bond watch, despite that he has been wearing slightly different watches in the last film (Spectre). What is the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Commander s Watch about? Let s have a look.Since 1995, Omega is the official watch for James Bond. So what s there to celebrate or commemorate, you might think? James Bond was created in 1953 and the first movie was Dr. No in 1962. No, 2017 marks the anniversary of You Only Live Twice (50t...
Skolorr, to be pronounced as scholar, is a new on-line platform where you can buy timepieces from a number of artisan watchmakers and independent brands.Independent watchmaking, or indie watchmaking, has been hot over the last few years. You will find some brands that made fame for themselves for larger audiences, like MB&F, Hautlence and Voutilainen, but you will also often find some new names (to you). The interesting part about independent watchmaking is that they have small production numbers, often tailored to wishes of their clientele. There s also the tendency of doing as much themselves as possible, even when it is very expensive to do so, it is about the quality of finish of the...
Quickly after the introduction of the new Moonwatch Only book (that we reviewed here), the authors showed us a little sneak preview of what was coming up. A mobile version of their book, for traveling collectors: Moonwatch Only –?The Speedmaster Identification Guide iBook.The Speedmaster Identification Guide iBookIt doesn t include everything from the book, but it is a perfect method to have your crucial Speedmaster information at hand when traveling or visiting a watch trade show for example.This Speedmaster Identification Guide?can be downloaded as an iBook on your iPad or iPhone for example. It is an extension of the book, so to speak, where you can do a look-up of the Speedmaster m...
From the team that brings you the?Watchstars?awards, is a new, high-format hardcover?book?that you should not miss. Here are five?reasons why:1.?Selected Superlatives?brings you the best watches in the world - brilliantly photographed and selected by an independent jury of nearly one hundred international experts, including journalists, collectors, and bloggers - all together in a single handsomely appointed volume.?Selected Superlatives? brings together the best watches in the world in an amazing book.2.?Selected Superlatives?provides you with fantastic photos and in-depth, expert articles about top brands like Patek Philippe, Audemars Piguet, Omega, Tudor, , and others.The brilliant photog...
Are you looking to buy an Omega Speedmaster but don t know where to start? We re here to help! Over the past 65+ years, Omega has created many variations of one of the world s most famous chronographs. The classic 42mm Moonwatch has been in the collection since 1965, and to the novice eye, little has changed since then. But if you look a bit closer, you will find that the Speedmaster evolved quite a bit in the decades that followed.In this Speedmaster guide, we ll give you an overview of the most important references of the Speedmaster (Professional) and some of its variations. Although this article isn t meant as a pricing guide, we will give some hints, of course. If you re already a knowl...
Creux Automatiq is in a league of its own, the Aussie born Swiss brand that combines sports luxe with Swiss made quality is hard to beat at this price. In late 2016 Creux Automatiq, a boutique watch company based in Sydney, Australia, launched their first Swiss timepiece; the Ghost CA-01. A sporty, yet elegant design that Creux Automatiq states is respective of the classics with an eye towards the future of horology.The Ghost CA-01There is no doubt that the Ghost is a great looking watch with its 316L grade stainless steel case and skeletonized dial. However more impressive is the value of what you get with this piece: 33 jewels, sapphire lens, complex skeletal automatic movement, water-resi...
This Laco Erbstck pilot s watch is not a vintage watch, despite the image at the top of this article can easily make you think that. It is a watch that commemorates one of Laco s historical timepieces. Without further ado, let s have a look.FliegerLaco was one of the five companies that?supplied Flieger (pilot s) watches to the German Luftwaffe (air force) in the 1940s next to brands such as Wempe, Stowa, IWC and A.Lange & S?hne. The government commissioned them to produce watches for their air force personnel. These pilot s watches?were large, even by todays standards (55mm). Two types of dial variations came to light; The A-Uhr production spanned from 1940 to 1941 and the B-Uhr form 1...
During my early teens C were talking late 80s into the 90s C I can recall walking by Mayors jewelers in any one of the many South Florida malls and looking longingly at the s displayed behind thick security glass. Ive mentioned before that South Florida is land and its for all the right and wrong reasons. What was the reason for the popularity? Call it a mix of Oceanside utility blended with seedy braggadocio and that pretty much comes to the point of why the Submariner is so ubiquitous in this region. Of course, makes a carnet of other watches and its one of the non-sports models that enters the focus of todays #TBT article. This watch, when I looked through those heavy glass portals, was...
IWC has a long history regarding pilot s watches. Their iconic Mark 11 dates back to 1948 and that s why IWC thought it is time to resurrect it in the current Mark XVIII. Meet the ‘Tribute to Mark XI version. Limited to only 1948 pieces, so you have to be quick.The original IWC Mark 11 was in production from 1948 till the early 1980s, before being replaced with the Mark XII. The IWC Mark 11 was fitted with a IWC Caliber 89 movement, hand-wound and ticking at 18.000vph. A movement they used in various other watches as well. After that, IWC used Jaeger-LeCoultre movements and ETA movements for their Mark-series Pilot watches. This new IWC Mark XVIII ‘Tribute to Mark XI has the se...
The Oris Staghorn Restoration Limited Edition has been introduced as a special model in Oris new Aquis line. Sales of this watch will support the Coral Restoration Foundation (CRF) in Key Largo, Florida.The Coral Restoration FoundationThe Oris Staghorn Limited Edition at Pickles Reef, Key Largo, FloridaOcean conservation traditionOris has quite a tradition contributing to marine-life saving projects and ocean conservation. Since 2010, amongst other projects, they teamed up with projects in Australia, the Maldives and the Red Sea. For every project Oris introduced a special divers watch, from which part of it s proceeds are donated to the belonging project.Oris Chairman Ulrich Herzoch explai...
Almost 20 years ago, Omega celebrated its 150th anniversary in 1998. For this occasion, they introduced a watch that was based on the Speedmaster 57 Replica from one year earlier. A watch collector from Denmark has purchased this 150th Anniversary of Omega model, after it had been on his radar for a couple of years already. Let s have a closer look at Morten s gold Speedmaster watch.150th Anniversary of OmegaWith only 150 pieces of this gold Speedmaster produced, it wasn t an easy task to find one. However, Danish collector Morten found one in Spain (at Icone Watches) in mint condition and fair priced, so in a split-second he decided to go for it. Morten told us that he didn t speak about hi...
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo was already mentioned in?last week s 52Mondayz. One of the icons when watches with integrated bracelets are concerned.The extra thin monocoque case design of the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak JumboAudemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo, reference 14802STThe weather has been very comfortable in our part of Europe lately, with temperatures in the high twenties. Centigrade that is. In Fahrenheit that would be around 80 degrees. Of course I try to avoid it, however with these temperatures some transpiration can occur. And at these occasions a metal bracelet is preferable compared to a leather strap.The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo where it should be, on my wristSo for...
Watches need a wrist. But the way you wear?it on your wrist can underline or break characteristics of the watch. Often, the overall?look is?made of a combination of factors, implicit and explicit, not only by the watch itself. For this Watches & Pencils,?I would like to dedicate an episode?to the many ways you can wear a watch.Support And Strengthen The Total ImageOf course, the way you love to wear?a watch is totally personal. Some watches?almost ask to wear it in a specific?way though. Or, for example, a?prominent wearer did expose it to us this way (e.g. movie- and rockstars). It s almost like wearing a tie. Put it on with a tight double Windsor knot to be more formal or put it on wit...
Nothing beats a great summer watch! A watch that is affordable, cool looking and water resistant. Seiko is the go-to brand when you are in the need of such a watch. Today I take a look at the Seiko Prospex Samurai references SRPB53K1 (silicon strap) and SRPB49K1 (stainless steel bracelet) that definitely fall into the summer watch category.Seiko Prospex SamuraiIn case you don t know, the nickname Samurai originates from the minute hand of the watch. When?the first Seiko ‘Samurai (2004) was introduced, it quickly received this nickname because the minute hand shows ressemblance with the swords used by these famous Japanese warriors. The use of Seiko references is quite a challenge some...
Here on Fratello Watches, weve featured a number of vintage Yema models on our site. These fun, often brightly colored watches represented the affordable side of the hobby: often mimicking far more expensive Heuers with semi-similar design motifs, but costing far less in the marketplace. They were plentiful, robust C with most containing 773x movements C and fun. Recently, though, Yema chronographs have become expensive and rarely show up when searching eBay. Like most vintage chronographs, theyre popular now. So, when I became aware of 11 (!!) pieces coming up for auction on June 24, 2017 in London, I figured Id provide a quick look at some Yemas at Watches of Knightsbridge and some thought...
Within the last two years, I ve found myself opening up to gold watches, including watches that are a combination of gold and stainless steel (bi-color). Actually, my first ‘serious watch was a bi-color Omega Constellation. When I began collecting watches, I quickly shifted to stainless steel models, the occasional titanium watch and sometimes something PVD or DLC. Perhaps the most outrageous act of stainless steel is my Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ‘Jumbo , a watch that has a price tag?that will buy you a full gold watch from many other brands.Buying Your First Gold WatchIn my watch collecting journey, I ve also bought gold capped and gold filled watches, but I didn t wear them of...
As we announced last week, the three gold Omega Speedmaster Professional watches have been presented to the three winners at the Starmus Festival in Trondheim yesterday evening (local time).This came in very late yesterday evening (thanks James for forwarding us the press release from the US agency), so it missed our regular Speedy Tuesday ‘day . We always try to bring you Speedmaster related news on a Tuesday, but sometimes it doesn t work out. Anyway, without further ado.Winners of the Starmus Festival are musician Jean-Michel Jarre (no further explanation needed), Neil deGrasse Tyson (might not ring a bell for people outside the USA immediately, but he is an American astrophysicist,...
It has been a while that we reported on the Omega Speedmaster Speedy Tuesday Limited Edition. We ve been overwhelmed with all the responses and comments on this watch, and are thankful for all the positive messages we have received thus far. Omega gave us a prototype just before the official release date (January 10th 2017) so we have been able to play around with it, take photos and show it to some of our readers, colleagues and friends.The first Omega Speedmaster Speedy Tuesday Limited Edition models have been produced in Bienne and are currently being shipped to their new owners. Watches are not produced in chronological order, so it might very well be that number 13 (for example) is bein...
