This 18 carat white gold Submariner ref.?116619LB is the indisputable King of the Submariner family. No one is probably ever going to take a dive with it, but they know they can if they want to. Or need to. You never know (the James Bond theme comes to mind).Dutch / watch collector ‘Ryan5446 is the owner and photographer of this stunning Submariner. This watch is nick named ‘Smurf but I am sure it has nothing to do with its size or weight, but everything with the nice blue color of the dial and Cerachrom bezel. Furthermore, it has all the specifications of the regular line-up of the Submariner watches, with the exception of the Submariner No Date ref. 14060m, which haven t be...
Also known as the Seamaster PloProf, Omega developed this watch in the late 1960s in close cooperation with the COMEX company and Jacques Cousteau. Solely designed and developed for professional use, this diver s watch was being nicknamed PloProf (Plongeur Professional) by those involved. Earlier this year, I wrote a small review (click here) on the current Omega Seamaster PloProf 1200M, a successful re-designed timepiece based on the original PloProf.The new PloProf 1200M is a superb diver s watch, although collectors or connoisseurs probably prefer the original PloProf. Therefore, I am bringing this beautiful – and original – 1970 Seamaster PloProf 600M (166.0077) to your atten...
Just recently, I was able to test drive the Linde Werdelin The One Hard Black II DLC timepiece, including The Rock instrument. I shared my experience and thoughts about this watch and instrument on the Linde Werdelin forum over at Watchuseek.Although I think you just should click the link and go read the article, I can tell you in advance that I really love this timepiece. Stealth looking when dressed casual, and very notable when suited up. The watch feels remarkably light (although it is stainless steel, not titanium) and has the same comfy dimensions as my Linde Werdelin 3-Timer (review here). The Rock is an instrument I have no personal use for at the moment, but it was nice to have a go...
If it weren t for the guys over at Hodinkee to notify me, I probably wouldn t even have noticed that Audemars Piguet s golf ambassador Rory McIlroy is wearing the same watch as I do. The Royal Oak Chronograph ref.26300ST with the ‘Newman dial.Rory McIlroy (22yrs old) won the U.S. Open last Sunday (June 19th) with the lowest score in the history of the tournament. He was wearing what I was wearing, the Royal Oak Chronograph ref.26300 (full reference number for this particular dial configuration is?26300ST.OO.1110ST.06).Ever since I got it last year November, I have almost been wearing this chrono on a daily basis. The size of the watch is very comfortable (39mm in diameter, but wears b...
Browsing through the catalogue of MARCH LA.B is like watching an episode of HBO s Mad Men. As a tribute to vintage watches, MARCH LA.B introduced a line-up of interesting timepieces that wouldn t look bad on Don Draper s followers.Clearly being a ‘design brand, which normally would not be something that appeals to me, the models they ve created are very similar to the real thing of the 1960s. After having had a look at their website, I was even more certain that the people behind the MARCH LA.B brand are very capable of providing great design and creating interesting timepieces.Obviously, they are not targeting at watch collectors or aficionados only, as they also incorporated quartz ...
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...
Today, I had a drink with some watch friends and one of them was wearing this Cartier Santos 100 Carbon. Geo, the owner and moderator of the Cartier forum over at Revo-Online, handed over the watch and I was blown away by the stealth look of this otherwise ‘classic watch brand. The stainless steel case had a ADLC treatment, the bezel and crown have been made out of titanium and the folding buckle is also a combination of ADLC stainless steel and titanium. This watch comes with a black fabric strap which perfectly underlines the ‘stealth look of this Santos 100 Carbon.The case measures 51.1mm x 42.6mm and with these dimensions, you better get some exercise to make it fit right. ...
Earlier this year, during a visit to Munich, I walked into this little watch shop near the city center and I was amazed by the collection they had. Tried on an AP ROO Diver and decided that could become my next watch, or at least earned a spot in my want-list. I am talking Meertz World of Time in Munich here. A cool watch store with a lot of vintage , Jaeger-LeCoultre Atmos clocks and a lot of other brands.Today, I noticed that Meertz has this cool Royal Oak Concept 1 watch by Audemars Piguet up for sale. It dates back to 2004 and was limited to 150 pieces only. Introduced in 2002 (there was a special catalogue for this model and also AP s famous #1, #2 and #3 catalogues? mentioned this mod...
Heuer – or TAG Heuer – only got limited attention here at Fratellowatches, but that s going to change today. Recently, I had the opportunity to see the Heuer 300 SLR and TAG Heuer Carrera Caliber 1887 in the flesh and handled both of them. The Heuer 300 SLR is a chronograph to my liking, the column wheel in-house chronograph (although some voices whisper Seiko when discussing this movement) is a very straight-forward but impressive movement. The sleek case design with its elegant lugs and chronograph pushers and the brown dial with orange details make this 300SLR a great tribute to 1960s chronograph watches. Also, true Heuer fans will be excited that this watch has no sign of the...
Yesterday, I ve received a number of pictures from people working on a new project, IWC Pilot DLC watches. They customized the IWC Pilot Mark XVI ref.3235 and Pilot Chronograph ref.3717 and give it a slide bit of blue by adding a blue NATO strap and a blue second hand. I personally think they did a nice job on these pilot s watches and it is refreshing to see some non- customizations for a change.As you can see, these IWC Pilot watches are now even more stealth looking as they were before. The technical specifications remain the same as that of their original brothers of course (click here), except for the DLC cases and NATO straps. The small blue hand ‘gimmick is a very nice feature ...
Last week, I attended the Omega event on Capri, a small island near the city of Naples in Italy. Omega invited me, and a number of other journalists, over to this beautiful island to join their Seamaster Planet Ocean introduction and announcement of a special collaboration.To start with the latter, Omega and environmentalist/filmmaker Yann Arthus-Bertrand are collaborating on creating a film about the Earth s oceans. Yann Arthus-Bertrand, famous for his movie HOME, showed up together with this other famous Omega ambassador, Buzz Aldrin, to announce their plans on this joint venture.Besides this introduction, Omega took us on a boat and sailed away to the beautiful coast of Capri with their f...
When a friend offers you to wear a the luxury sports watch for a week, only a fool will pass on it. Todays 52Mondayz is about the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 5402.It is not the end of the year yet, but I could not resist the urge to look back on the last eleven months. I managed to spend quality time with quite a few generally beloved and admired watches, including the already reviewed Omega Seamaster CK2913, GMT Master 1675, and the Mido Rainbow Diver ref 5907, that I have yet to review on #TBT. All three watches mentioned were on my radar for some time, so obviously, I took the chance when it came. What I would not have been expecting in my wildest dreams would be wearing the legendary firs...
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Gassan Diamonds was founded in 1945 by Samuel Gassan and turned into the most important watch and diamond dealer of The Netherlands. With approximately 450 employees, Gassan Diamonds is able to process the 300.000 C 350.000 visitors each year to their head quarters in The Netherlands, housed in a former steam-driven diamond factory in the center of Amsterdam. With shops through-out Amsterdam, Schiphol Airport, London City Airport, Singapores Changi Airport and offices in Amsterdam, New York, Beijing, Jakarta and Bangkok, Gassan Diamonds is a global player in diamonds and watches.Amsterdam Head Office of Gassan DiamondsOn the 22nd of April, we (Robert-Jan and Ger) interviewed Benno Leeser (CE...
Watch blog Monochrome celebrates their 5 year and 5 months anniversary with a very cool give-away! With some sponsorship of MB&F, Monochrome is giving away a Seiko Discus Burger, or ref SCBS007 if you want.Of course you have to do something to win the Seiko:Subscribe to the Monochrome newsletter to receive the newest posts in your mailboxBecome a fan of Monochrome on FacebookBecome a fan of MB&F on FacebookAll people who have complied to all three conditions will enter the random drawing and one person will win the Seiko Discus Burger!The drawing will be on Wednesday June 8 at 12:00 oclock C.E.T. (= GMT+2 due to the DST). Stay tuned!...
Audemars Piguet, one of my favorite haute horlogerie brands is looking for a social media manager.It is great to see that more and more watch manufacturers found their way to the on-line community (who has been there for years) and supply them with quick and proper information. Until 5 years ago, ordering a catalogue on-line was as high-tech as most brands could get, and you felt even more lucky when it arrived within 6 months. Nowadays, watch manufacturers are actively searching for their customers and potential customers via Facebook, Twitter, blogs (like this one) and forums.Anyway, the Communication department over at AP in Le Brassus is looking out for those with a degree in marketing o...
In December 2008, I notified you that the Heiniger-era of ended with the resignation of Patrick Heiniger after being CEO for 16 years. Before that, his father Andre Heiniger lead the most famous watch firm from Geneva since 1963. From December 2008 till today, Bruno Meier lead into the twenty-tens. Evil sources assumed the resignation of Patrick Heiniger had something to do with ‘Bernie Maddof s scandal, but was never confirmed.Today, I tell you that Bruno Meier is already being replaced by a new CEO. Former head of Italy Gian Riccardo Marini (64) has been appointed as s new CEO. Gian Riccardo Marini had been managing Italy since 2000 and is now ready for the next step. Although ...
About a week ago, I had the opportunity to give the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Diver (ref.15703ST.OO.A002CA.01) a try. This Offshore Diver was introduced last year (2010) during the SIHH in Geneva and except for its steep list price, I haven t heard a negative comment yet. In the past, AP already released a few diver (or scuba) watches as part of their Offshore series. One of them was the limited edition for Wempe, restricted to 175 pieces only.Anyway, let s not look back to the past models for too long and continue with the Offshore Diver 15703ST. Like all other Offshore models, the 15703ST has these typical rubber accents, like the crowns and the thick rubber gasket between the Roy...
Yesterday, Dale Vito (a passionate watch enthusiast and dealer) from The Netherlands got robbed from a few time pieces. Although he is alright, he would like you to keep an eye out for the following watches:, Submariner Date, reference number 16613, serial number N-. Extra serialnumber engraved by hand by ‘Heetman under one of the lugs #2366 605. This is a stainless steel/gold model with a blue dial and bezel. This watch was stolen with box and papers. Unusual is the fact that although the watch has an N-serial it was sold in 2003 by AD Heetman in Rotterdam. Day-Date, reference number 18039, serial number 7306123, 18ct white gold, creme (‘panna ) dial with roman numerals and com...
For Watchuseek, I just finished this article on 50 years of Sinn Spezialuhren. A German brand with a focus on functionality and technology, celebrating their 50th anniversary this year with a special pilot s chronograph Model 358.Personally, I have a weak spot for Sinn watches. Not only their price – quality ratio is magnificent, I also like the link between their Sinn 142 (based on the Sinn 140) and the space program. I used to own a Sinn 142.St.S (black model) but unfortunately sold it a few years ago. You can read more about this particular model here, here and here.Another great ‘cult Sinn is the EZM1, which was reviewed for Fratellowatches by Bas van Dorp. Click here.Anyway...
