TimeZone s 2011 Watch of the Year competition has started and there are six candidates you can choose from when voting. Go to the TimeZone website and leave your vote for your favorite watch manufacturer. Make sure you are a registered user of TimeZone and read the voting policy before doing so.The candidates of the 2011 edition of TimeZone s Watch of the Year are:A. Lange & Sohne s?Richard Lange Tourbillon Pour le Merite. Limited to 100 pieces only in platinum (model shown here in 18 carat red gold) and the fourth piece from this Glashuette manufacture with the Pour le Merite distinction. The tourbillon with a patented stop-seconds mechanism and the fusee-and-chain transmission have bee...

Henri Germain Delauze, CEO and founder of COMEX passed away today at the age of 83. The diver watches everyone is craving for bear the name of this famous diving organization, also known for being the NASA of the sea.Although I ve seen an OMEGA PlopPof COMEX edition just recently in the OMEGA museum in Biel,?we know watches best for being the choice of COMEX. Shown below, are two fine examples of COMEX diver s watches by .? COMEX diver s watches are one of the most sought-after models from this Geneva brand.The joint venture between and COMEX is there since the early 1970s and word is that they had a lot of influence when developed the Deep-Sea Sea-Dweller watch.Thanks to Ryan5446 for the...

It seems like I m on a roll with rare Jaeger-LeCoultre pieces of late: hot off the camera is a set of the magnificent Gyrotourbillon 1 (we did a review of the Gyrotourbillon 2 as well). This version has a skeleton ‘dial ; a massive rose gold case, perpetual calendar, and of course, the signature multi-axis tourbillon – all made up of 679 parts, 117 alone of which are jewel bearings.As usual, click on any image for a larger versionIt also runs for slightly over eight days, powered by two vertically stacked and sapphire-topped barrels – which is a nice touch, but I m not sure why you d need to see the state of wind if you ve got a power reserve indicator on the front. This is...

Another this week, but this time a vintage and extremely rare model, the Commando ref.6429. We actually didn t hear about it before until our friends from Hodinkee blogged about it in 2009. A fellow watch enthusiast and collector from Singapore reminded me about it last week and that he d seen one for sale on eBay (which got pulled off rather quickly again).Although Christie s – who auctioned a few – claims them to be produced in 1967, but Hodinkee is pretty certain it was produced in 1972 and only in 1972. The last one Christie s sold for $25.000,- USD in December 2010 (click here). They must have indeed been very limited in production, since every model we ve encountered has ...

When we first saw the new Datejust II presented at BaselWorld 2009, we weren t very enthusiastic about it. We were not ready for a leap from a 36mm to a 41mm diameter. In all honesty, we feel we might be a bit too Rain Man-ish when it comes to sudden changes in product design. Especially when it comes to products that we love so much. For example, it takes us ages to like a new BMW car when it is being introduced, because we love the current or former models so much. The same goes for new watches. Perhaps you recognize this?behavior? (please do)Last summer, we were visiting a boutique in Orlando?(who also had a lot of pre-owned watches for sale) and tried the Datejust II for the first tim...

It seems that this year is to be the year of the super complication! Thanks again to the folks at Jaeger-LeCoultre, we had the opportunity to photograph and enjoy this piece for a very short period of time – enough to produce some images and gather some impressions of this rare bird.As usual, click on any image for a larger version.Most repeaters are housed in cases of ‘heavy metals – think platinum, or at very least, gold; there have been a few forays into exotic metals (I have no idea what Richard Mille would use if they were to ever make a repeater) but titanium seems to be the predominant choice for non-precious metal cases. The reason for this is fairly simple: it sou...

The story of the Speedmaster began in 1957, when OMEGA s Claude Baillod designed the watch for his manager, Head of Creation Pierre Moinat. The first few models (CK2915 and CK2998) had a symmetrical shape and were replaced by the a-symmetrical case as we happen to know it now, in 1963. When the Speedmaster was chosen by NASA to become part of the astronaut s equipment, OMEGA added the wording ‘Professional on the dial in 1965. The rest is history and has been discussed and documented by many, including here at Fratellowatches.Besides the Moonwatch, OMEGA developed and produced a number of Speedmaster watches that were not part of the Professional series. We would say that the Speedmas...

Yesterday (January 30), tennis player Novak Djokovic won the Australian Open against Rafael Nadal (Richard Mille ambassador). It has been a battle that lasted five sets and almost 6 hours. When he finally lifted the trophy, watch spotters immediately recognized the timepiece on the wrist of this Audemars Piguet ambassador. The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver, ref.15703ST. A perfect fit for a sportsman.We ve written a review about this exact same Diver a while ago (click here for our share of fun with the Diver 15703ST and a VW Phaeton) and we think it is the best looking Offshore that AP has to offer. Clean design, perfect size (42mm in diameter) and very versatile, especially when ...

Today we present the Peter Speake-Marin Immortal Dragon, a piece unique featuring a superbly detailed relief hand engraving by the noted (Dutch) Kees Engelbarts. The case is in platinum with diamond bezel, and the movement is the SM2 caliber decorated with model-specific engraving. Although much more a fine art or jewelry piece than something to appeal to the fans of haute horology, the movement is still one of the best designed and best finished I ve ever seen.As usual, all images may be clicked on for larger versions.I m not normally a huge fan of engraving or decorated dials, but the dark oxidized and etched areas of relief around the dragon really set it off and give the piece a magnific...

It seems to be Jaeger-LeCoultre month here – which of course isn t at a bad thing at all! I recently had the opportunity to photograph the uncommon JLC Master Compressor Navy Seals Alarm Beverly Hills Boutique Edition (what a long name). It differs from the standard edition in a) it s very limited production run; b) the yellow accents on the compressor crowns and strap; c) the logo printing on the underside of the sapphire crystal; d) the most obvious part, the anthracite case.As usual, all images may be clicked on for larger versions.The movement is the same as the regular model, subject to the 1000 hour Master Control test and equipped with both automatic winding and a loud and very ...

Watches in TV series, we all know you have been trying to identify Jerry Seinfeld s Breitling (or Cartier), Kim Kardashian s AP Royal Oak (or Scott Disick s), Dexter s Timex, Charlie s Yacht-Master and Tony Soprano s Day-Date. And although Don Draper wore a Explorer in HBO s Mad Men TV series, Jaeger-LeCoultre recently released a Mad Men special ‘Mad about Reverso that features aSterling Cooper Draper Pryce logo engraved in the reversible back side of the watch. So it seems that watch manufacturers are pretty aware of the fact that you are eagle eyeing the watches in TV shows.Was this always the case? One of our avid readers – Johan – sent us a screen shot of the second...

The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ‘Jumbo , or ref.15202ST has always been one of our favorite – perhaps even the favorite – stainless steel luxury sports watches. Designed by Genta, this watch already has seen a lot of coverage here at Fratellowatches (most popular topics here, here and here). During the SIHH 2012 in Geneva, Audemars Piguet introduced an appropriate successor of the current ‘Jumbo ref.15202ST, the ‘Jumbo ref.15202ST. That s right, nothing changes in the naming or reference number, only the watch itself changes a tiny bit.Changed in a good way, as a lot of collectors and enthusiasts have longed for these changes for quite some time. With this new v...

TAG Heuer is introducing [in Geneva] a new milestone in the history of mechanical regulation and high-speed frequency movements. You will certainly remember, that almost one year ago, the Mikrotimer, ?the worlds first-ever mechanical chronograph to measure and display the 1/1,000th of a second, making it 125 times more accurate ?than most existing mechanical chronographs on Earth.This year, TAG Heuer went beyond and presents the Mikrogirder....

Once in a very, very rare blue moon, a truly amazing piece crosses your way. This is one of them: The Mother Of All Reversos. The Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Gyrotourbillon 2. A double-axis tourbillon with cylindrical hairspring; reserve de march and date indicators. 373 parts and 58 jewels keep everything turning. Oh, and it runs for 50 hours off one massive single barrel. As you would expect, the case is truly enormous to accommodate most of all the spherically shaped tourbillon; the movement alone is 11.1mm thick, accommodate in a case around 16mm thick. The case is so massive there s a secondary integrated lock slider near the crown to prevent accidental reversing.Click all images for large...

Every collector likes bargains. Or at the very least, like the feeling that fair value for money has been had. Although the definition of value is relative and will vary from collector to collector C we all have a different sense of aesthetics after all C there are some things that hold across the board.This article will try to identify those watches, both new and on the secondary markets. Pricing, where given, is a rough guide only.Lets first define whats important:1. Some sense of differentiation from other similar pieces, be it pricing, movement, aesthetics or other technology;2. An in-house movement would be nice, but not a necessity;3. Sound aesthetics and design; something with attenti...

Have you seen our GMT-Master History article last week? Besides a lot of GMT-Master watches, an airplane and a pilot there were also a leather pilot jacket (by PME) and a pair of Ray-Ban Aviator?sunglasses included in some of the pictures.We are GIVING THEM AWAY for FREE! Thanks to??PME Legend?(Bataviastad)?and?Bon Art opticians?(Houten).The Ray-Ban Aviator pair of sunglasses are considered to be the classic pilot one s that will (nowadays) suit both him and her. With its green Bausch & Lomb G-15 glasses and gold frame it will perfectly match with every thing in your wardrobe and will protect you from the sun of course.As you can see above, Dennis of the Fratello team is wearing a PME P...

De Bethune DB26,?there are few modern manufactures as diverse as De Bethune: in addition to some extremely classical looking timepieces, there are also extremely avant-garde models on offer such as the DB26.Even the balance shape is unconventional – teardrop shaped rotating eccentric masses on the end of blued arms, and no sign of a circle to be seen anywhere! There is also a tension spring holding the balance bridge in place; presumably for a combination of both increased shock resistance and controlled endshake.This particular watch has a beautiful blue guilloche dial, with a neat touch at the 12 o clock position: a power reserve gauge. Unusually, the manufacturer s name and all mark...

Linde Werdelin sent us the recently introduced SpidoLite II timepiece for review and we were very happy to give it a spin. This light-weight successor of the SpidoLite, introduced in 2009, was suddenly there and based on the same complex case construction as the SpidoSpeed chronograph. Superb engineering, supreme craftsmanship and extreme sports are some of the phrases that Linde Werdelin use for this sports timepiece. So, what would make a better duo than……a Porsche 911 and a Linde Werdelin SpidoLite II? On a rainy Wednesday, we took the car and the watch to Airport Lelystad in The Netherlands and since all flights got cancelled due to bad weather, we asked control tower if we c...

Another rare bird passed by my studio the other day: the?Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Chronograph?City of Sails (ref.25860 IS.0.1110IS.01).I must admit that APs are not my speciality (we have RJ for that), so I don t have a lot to say about this one other than some observations on the aesthetics and design of the piece:– For a watch this large, it s surprisingly light – since it is a combination of stainless steel and titanium. Even more impressively, there does not appear to be any degree of compromise made in the finish, which is amazing as titanium is an incredibly difficult material to work with – especially polishing.– The dial is…unique. It brings to mind sev...

There have been numerous watches in space and we try to give them some attention once in a while as well, but we give Roland Oostwegel some extra attention here. Roland Oostwegel (The Netherlands) met Dutch ESA astronaut Andre Kuipers (his blog can be found here) in 2010 during testing activities of the R.O.1 Shock-System for watches.During this encounter at the ESA/ESTEC building in Noordwijk (The Netherlands), Andre Kuipers told Roland Oostwegel about losing his sense of time when he was on his first space mission in 2004. He told Roland Oostwegel that he wasn t the only astronaut complaining about this phenomenon. After Andre Kuipers shared this experience with Oostwegel, he decided to cr...