Seamaster Planet OceanWe cover Omega and their Speedmasters every (Speedy) Tuesday, but hardly anything on the Seamaster Planet Ocean. Somehow, I have never considered a Planet Ocean for my private collection of watches when they first came out. That changed already a bit with the introduction of the caliber 8500 models a few years ago. It is an all-round performer, more versatile than the Speedmaster watches I collect myself. I have an old Seamaster 300M Ti Chronograph Diver from the 1990s that I use as my ‘holiday watch and while I love this model, it does show its 1990 s roots. The Planet Ocean is a bit more timeless due to some of the 1957 Seamaster 300 influences, but as I said, ...
Watches Under 1000 EuroA mechanical watch doesn t need to cost you an arm and a leg. Although one could say anything above $50 Euro for a watch is ‘luxury anyway. According to some studies and reports on (Swiss) watches, everything above 500 Swiss Francs is considered to be a luxury watch. I don t like the term ‘luxury very much, I just like to see – or own – a good watch. Preferably a mechanical watch.13 Mechanical WatchesAlthough I have watches in my personal collection that are way above $1000 Euro, I don t mind wearing a cheaper watch. If it is a fun and good watch, why not? It is about the love for watches, not the love for money. Hence, 13 watches under 1000 E...
Tour de FranceWe received an invitation for the finish of the Tour de France in Paris with official timekeeper Tissot. While we are not exactly known for being very sporty, some of us do enjoy a workout every now and then. In-between work, traveling, quality time at home and the typical Dutch weather (rain is falling straight down) I find myself on a road bike from time to time doing recreational trips. Nothing compared to the participants in the Tour de France. Spread out over 22 days they cycle over 3500km on their racing?bikes.Champs ElyseesThe 2016 edition of the Tour de France started on the 2nd of July in Normandy. From there the riders went to the southern part of France, going throug...
Grand Seiko SBGM021The Grand Seiko SBGM021 is not a new model. Actually, it has been in the collection for a couple of years already. However, I had a closer look at it while I was in Japan and have admired it ever since. In fact, my interest was sparked even more when I saw it on the wrist of – friend of the show – Jason Heaton. Even though it does not have the sharp and long lugs and case shape like the Grand Seiko SBGH001?for example, I feel it is one of the nicest Grand Seikos out there.The ivory dial of the Grand Seiko SBGM021 and high polished markers and hands give this wonderful contrast. At first glance, it may not register as a ‘Hingucker (eye-catcher) as they sa...
Would it surprise you if I said that the Roamer Stingray Chrono Diver is one of the best watches Ive purchased over the last year? Well, it should because it shocked me and to this day, it still does. At first glance, this oddly designed seems to belong in the all-too-frequent category of questionable 1970s designs that havent quite held up as well as their prior decade ancestors. But look again, or, better yet, allow me to shed some light on this sports chronograph and also to photograph it in a way that supports my opening statement. Folks, its #TBT and in my semi-humble opinion, I think it will be a good one.Details abound on the Roamer Stingray Chrono DiverRoamer – the brandA quick...
Junghans Meister PilotAlmost 10 months after we first saw the Meister Pilot at an event deep in the Black Forrest we finally put our hands on one. Our loyal readers might remember that September last year we were?invited to Schramberg by Junghans. This small town hidden inside the belly of the forest is the home of Junghans from the beginning. We spent a wonderful weekend there filled with vintage cars, flying and a lavish dinner at which the company showed us their new signature pilots chronograph, the Junghans Meister Pilot. At that time, it was only available for the invited retailers as a limited edition but later as you would imagine, the company released it for the everybody. I visited...
Aside from Apollo 11, NASA s 1970 Apollo 13 mission is probably the most talked-about one from the Apollo program. It was a mission that failed - almost fatally! On April 17th, 1970, the Apollo 13 crew landed safely on Earth after some incredibly scary moments onboard the module. The Speedmaster played such an important role on the return trip that NASA decided to give Omega a Silver Snoopy Award on October 5th of that same year. Some think the Snoopy cartoon on a Speedmaster is a bit childish, but often, those people don t know why it is there. In this article, we ll explain how Snoopy ended up on the dial of a Speedmaster.In 1970, NASA astronaut Thomas P. Stafford presented a Silver Snoopy...
After the last Watches and Pencils episode about Panda dials I decided to briefly discuss another dial which is related to an animal: spider dials. Although there are?similarities they are quite different in terms of ‘creation . The human decided to design and create a panda dial, while the spider dial is (partly) created by the forces of nature…How did the spider dial originate?Roughly in the 1980 s several brands delivered?watches with dials that would ‘crack after?time. Often they altered the?dial from a matt finishing to one with gloss finishing with an extra layer of shiny lacquer. Due?factory defects (wrong mixtures in the?lacquer) and weather conditions (sunlight, t...
Chronographs for CollectorsNot all watch books are the same. You have the ones commissioned or written by the brand about the brand. These are usually very interesting to read with tons of photos, old newspaper ads and extracts. But also often lack a certain depth. Then, you have the watch books written by collectors. These authors are usually crazy about the topic and go extremely deep into details. A prime example would be Moonwatch Only, the ultimate Speedmaster book that came out a few years ago. Chronographs for Collectors is the book Im talking about today. The publication in front of me does not cover one brand or one model line but a certain type of watches we all love; chronographs....
This past March at Baselworld, Blaise, Teun and I had the opportunity to sit down with Eberhard & Co and were introduced to a watch that really hits the sweet spot of our readership: the Scafograf 300. In fact, Teun published an overview of the watch based upon our brief session with the company during the show and people certainly showed interest. Since that time, though, weve kept in touch with the brand in order to get our hands on a watch for a more thorough review and a couple weeks ago, Eberhard was finally ready!Eberhard Scafograf 300 (photo credit: casowatches.com)Eberhard HistoryIf you dont know much about Eberhard & Co, dont feel too embarrassed as I really hadnt looked int...
Vincent van GoghDutch Post-Impressionist Vincent van Gogh was?almost unnoticed during his (short) life time. Up to his death, age 37, he only sold one painting, La vigne rouge.?However, he painted over 2100 artworks, including around 860 oil paintings. He did so in only about a decade, as he only started painting in his late 20 s. Before, he was working for a firm of art dealers in The Hague, London and Paris. When he moved to Paris in 1886 to live with his brother Theo van Gogh (art dealer), in Montmartre, where he got his own studio. Here is where he painted the Self portrait as a painter in 1887/1888. This painting is one of his best known works and can be admired in the Van Gogh Museum i...
Czapek & CieCzapek might sound very familiar to you. Watchmaker Fran?ois Czapek had a partnership with Antoni Patek (yes, that Patek) between 1839 and 1846. Right before Patek hit it off with Adrien Philippe in 1851. Czapek started his own horological adventure and was at the time quite successful in doing so. Our friends from aBlogtoWatch did a more detailed write-up on the history of Czapek & Cie, if you are interested.RevivedTaking a brand name from the past and use it for a new company is tricky business in my humble opinion. Especially when the original company was known for its high standards in fine watchmaking. Like the original Czapek & Cie company. A successful relaunch...
DIN 8330Germans and their standards. I can see the fun in that though. However, Sinn doesn t joke around and is dead serious regarding meeting certain standards. The DIN 8330 is similar to the TESTAF guidelines?and is to pilot s watches what DIN 8306 is to diving watches.CriteriaIn short, the DIN8330 standards are a set of criteria for reliable, functional and safe pilot watches. What to think of standards about clear readability of the dial during day & night? The ability to operate the watch with pilot gloves? Accuracy in ranges between -15 degrees celsius and +55 degrees celsius? Also accuracy during temperatures changes are included in the standards. Resistance to vibration, magnetic...
Did you hear the click?Hublot s watch cases are not only famous for the special material used in them, they are also renowned for their unique strap attachment system.In the following video, we cover the mechanisms in Hublots watch cases, from the opening zone to the pusher of the mechanism, which allows the owner to have several straps in different colors and to change it himself.This video is blocked because you did not accept marketing cookies. Change cookie settings Want to know more about the assembly of the worlds finest timepieces? Subscribe to our YouTube Channel, IBG Worldwide.IBG Worldwide is a video platform dedicated to demonstrating how the finest timepieces are really made...
Seiko Spacewalk – A short introductionBefore I start writing about the Seiko Spacewalk as a daily watch, let s do an introduction first. On the Seiko SpaceWalk but also on Seiko and Space in general.Richard GarriotIn 2008, Seiko introduced the Spacewalk Spring Drive watch during BaselWorld. It was made for astronaut Richard Garriot. Garriot, who?started developing video games in the 1980s together with his brother, sold his company to Electronic Arts in 1992. In 1997, he designed one of the most famous RPG games ever: Ultima Online.Anyway, his father was an astronaut (Owen Garriot) and all his life he dreamt about traveling to space. In 2008, this became reality. He was the sixth citiz...
Pogue ChronographIf asked by a vintage watch collector who mainly focuses on Swiss watches for a recommendation on one Japanese chronograph to add, my answer is always the same and without hesitation: a Seiko 6139 Pogue. Astute collectors of the brand might find that a little surprising amongst so many well known and, in certain cases, more traditionally styled watches that I opt for a very 70s looking chronograph. Of course I have my reasons and lets get into them-its #TBT time!The yellow dial of the Seiko 6139 Pogue truly radiates in the lightSeiko 6139 – A Landmark ChronographThe 6139 was Seikos initial foray into the automatic chronograph game and actually debuted in 1969 alongside...
Who Is Bianca Mosca?Truth to be told, I had never heard of Bianca Mosca before. That does not mean much to be honest. Anyway, I was contacted by the CEO of Bianca Mosca a while ago. As we plan our monthly Watch Strap Review installments quite far in advance, it took a while before I sat down and do a proper write-up.BackgroundTo keep it short and simple, as I am sure you want to see and read about the strap, Bianca Mosca is actually an old brand. The Bianca Mosca company was named after Bianca Mosca herself. This company was established in London, 1946. Focusing on fashion and couture. She passed away in 1950 at relative young age.Timothy de Rosen, CEO & Founder of today s Bianca Mosca w...
Hublot Big Bang Unico Titanium CeramicWe had the opportunity to test drive the Hublot Big Bang Unico Titanium Ceramic for a while. Before we continue with the actual review, let s spend some words on this remarkable manufacturer first.HistoryWhen it comes to fashionable manufactures, Hublot is easily in the top 3. The industry considers them one of the hippest brands despite their relatively short history. Even though the company was established in 1980 it had mediocre success. Until 2003, when Jean-Claude Biver went on-board. Before, Jean-Claude Biver was responsible for Swatch Group brands.His approach to the brand was different and revolutionary. As a result, the Big Bang was released in ...
If youre a regular Fratello reader, then youve likely noticed that weve started to focus heavily on watches from Fortis and today we take a look at what is probably one of their most eagerly followed pieces: the Fortis Classic Cosmonauts Chronograph.In 2015, Blaise and I met with the brand in Basel and we could tell that things were moving in the right direction with the launch of some newer, albeit dressier, pieces from the Terrestis line. In 2016, though, the brand deluged us with new model after new model and, honestly, they were all great looking watches. So, when Blaise and I were offered the opportunity to get our hands on a new model of our choice for testing and review, it took some ...
Linde Werdelin – 10 years of watchesAlthough the Linde Werdelin company is older than 10 years, they introduced their first watch in 2006. Jorn Werdelin and Morten Linde, old friends (40 years of friendship) that went into different directions (professionally) but shared the same passion for watches. In these 10 years, we ve seen them launching the Biformeter models via the 2nd generation of Linde Werdelin watches like the Spido and Oktopus collection to what I will show you in this article: The LW10-24. The decoding of the LW10-24 is fairly easy, but?explaining?the complexity of this watch is not.LW10-24Commemorating 10 years of Linde Werdelin watches and a GMT function. That s what L...
