Shell Cordovan watch straps enjoy a special status in the watchmaking world. A material that was, not so long ago, more associated with shoes or bags, is now one of the most sought after leathers in the industry. It is notoriously difficult to achieve bright colors with Shell Cordovan given the natural vegetable tanning process favored by the world s best producers. However, as techniques evolve and demand grows, the very best of the best have set their minds to broadening the scope for the rest of us. Genteel Handmade, one of our favorite strap makers, is a direct beneficiary of this movement…Every single shell cordovan watch strap created by Genteel Handmade - and I mean every single...
In our Sunday Morning Showdown, two of our writers go head-to-head in an epic showdown for the ages. Strong opinions and hysterical hyperbole are welcome (so feel free to join in with the fun in the comments section below). And dont forget to let us know which watches youd like to see torn to shreds/effusively exalted next week. Well try and feature as many of our readers choices as we can. Todays match-up is all about smart/casual steel watches from the Crown. Ben and Jorg select an entry level each between the recently introduced Oyster Perpetual ref. 124300 and the Datejust ref. 126300.In previous editions of our Sunday Morning Showdown series, both the Datejust and the Oyster Perpetua...
Welcome back to another This Week In Watches. That means one thing - weve survived another week. Well played, well played indeed. It also means its time for me to round up some of the cool stuff thats happened this week.Garrick S4 WatchAs a British citizen, its always cool when I see a British watchmaker producing high-end horology. Roger Smith and George Daniels may be the first names on peoples lips when talking about British Watchmaking, but Garrick certainly deserves to be in the same conversation. This week, the brand released its S4 model. It is essentially Garricks entry-level watch but features a stunning dial that employs a highly-innovative construction technique. Its a serious pie...
Balazs and Mike are sticking to their word by serenading you with their dulcet tones every two weeks. Our latest podcast touches on the subject of vintage chronographs once again, but with a twist.That s right, vintage chronographs are in focus yet again, but this time we talk about the pieces on our wish list with some cool anecdotes thrown in for good measure. We don t own these but would love to acquire them if funds allow. This podcast player is blocked because you did not accept marketing cookies. Change cookie settings Our Fratello on Air podcast is also available via Buzzsprout,?Soundcloud,?Apple Podcast,?Google Podcast,?Deezer,??Stitcher, and?Spotify.Handgelenk KontrolleBefore hi...
One of my best 2020 purchases was pretty unexpected. Prior to this watch, I didnt know much about Unimatic, only that it existed. Yet this watch and I have developed quite a relationship since last February. In fact, our bond has been strong enough to resist a few buy-out offers. Interested in how much I was offered? Keep on reading!?It all started with an email from Rob, our managing editor, asking if I would be interested in looking into a watch that came in with a publishing embargo. When I looked at the early press pictures and spotted the tropical brown dial and 6538 inspired bezel, I was hooked.Learning about the Unimatic Massena LAB U1-ML6Writing a watch article is often very trick...
As many of you will know by now, I m a big fan of Swedish brand Nezumi. I love the designs. I love the price. And a big part of me loves the Meca-Quartz movements employed by the brand regularly. But within the Nezumi catalog, there is one odd duck. On an island - an automatic island - stands the Nezumi Baleine Diver. It s a model that s been in the collection before, but took a hiatus during which time its design was tweaked before returning to the lineup recently. I decided it was time to bite the bullet and try something different… In gold, no less…Okay, the Nezumi Baleine automatic dive watch is not solid gold. At under $500 that would be truly remarkable. No, this model is D...
When it comes to re-editions or vintage-inspired watches, weve seen quite a few over the years. Some are truly awesome and well-executed where others are nowhere close to being as good as the pack shots want to make you believe. The Longines Heritage Classic Chronograph is one of those watches you would rush to hold when presented with it in real life.Although I gravitate toward a certain type of watches when it comes to my personal collection (more rugged, sporty styles), that doesnt mean that I don t occasionally lust after something different. However, it must be said that experience has shown me these outliers rarely get the wrist time they deserve. That s why getting the chance to wear ...
I never really cared about wearing the Tissot PR-516. I bought it because I just liked the look of it. It was only after I started looking into the background of this watch for this #TBT article that I discovered it was connected to Roger Moore and the Bond movies. How exciting to see a Tissot worth a few hundred? Euros next to the legendary Submariner reference 5513!I?have a?lot of brochures, print ads, and catalog shots that I have?downloaded over the years in my archive. As part of my standard #TBT preparation routine, I?googled the Tissot PR-516, browsing for all relevant information. If you want to emulate my experience from a few weeks ago, click on this thread I?found on OmegaFormus....
Personally, I like the idea of a limited edition release. But I have started hating the frequency with which brands like to use the words limited edition. And thankfully, some brands have taken a step back and realized they might have pushed the limits of the credibility of these two words.? But it does not necessarily mean there are no worthwhile limited editions anymore. We saw some pretty amazing limited-edition releases in 2020. These are my favorites of last year s string of limited releases.While there is something to be said about brands actually overusing the term limited edition, the behavior it sparks in consumers remains mindblowing. There is hardly a consumer phenomenon as powerf...
So youve just bought your first luxury wristwatch. For the sake of argument, and being this is Fratello, lets make it one of the brand new Master Chronometer Omega Speedmaster Moonwatches. To a lower level of detail, lets say this is the Hesalite version with a matching steel bracelet. Quite a nice catch - perhaps it was a gift to yourself for reaching a milestone or just something you always longed for. Maybe it was a strong interest in the space program that brought the Speedy to your attention.Whatever the occasion may be, youve handed down $6,100 to land the Master Chronometer Moonwatch with Hesalite and youre happy. But now you want to go deeper into this hobby and youre wondering how m...
I greet you with the warmest of welcomes here on Wrist Game or Crying Shame. This week, I m bringing you the Zenith Epervier El Primero and the opportunity to enter high grade horology for a song. But first…Last week, I showed you a white gold Speedmaster Moonphase from right around the turn of the century. You folks thought enough of it to carry it to a 70% Wrist Game win. The real story, though, is about one of our readers. Klaus Zimmermann filed a written complaint about yet another Speedmaster article. I responded and gave him full license to choose a more suitable watch for this week s article. Sadly, Klaus did not return with a suggestion. Therefore, I have been left to my own de...
Well, what a wild ride that turned out to be! In the wake of our largest, most ambitious, and certainly most exciting adventure of 2020, I thought it would be fun to look back on the Fratello Oris Big Crown Bronze Pointer Date Limited Edition project and enjoy some of the positive feedback we received from our satisfied customers that, by purchasing one of the 250 pieces in the Fratello shop, became part of the ever-expanding Fratello family.It s truly humbling to hear how our efforts brought a little bit of joy to so many wrists. After such a positive experience, you can expect more of the same from Fratello in 2021. We have several projects keyed-up for release this year, and we re keepi...
Say hello to the new Seiko Prospex Diver s watch, a Presage, and an Astron. In 2021, Seiko celebrates its 140th anniversary. Founded in 1881 by the then 21-year old Kinto Hattori, Seiko grew to be one of the leading watch companies in the world. Today, Shinji Hattori has been leading the company since 2003, continuing to honor the legacy of his grandfather.As you know, Seiko only needs a sunrise or sunset to come up with yet another amazing dial variation. For its 140th anniversary, Seiko kicks off with a number of limited-edition models across the collection. Let s start with the most popular one, the Prospex Diver s collection.Seiko Prospex Diver s 140th Anniversary WatchesTo celebrate thi...
Well, that was fun. After sitting on our homepage for the best part of a month, the Zelos Nova 38mm Linen Silver watch we put up for grabs attracted almost 400 comments. The best thing about this whole experiment (for me) was getting to read your thoughts and feelings and watch as genuinely interesting discussions emerged beneath the article. Now, however, it is time to choose a winner…I changed my mind several times throughout the contest. Obviously, there were early favorites that fell by the wayside as ever longer, more involved and considered answers hit the comment section. There were funny comments, insightful comments, truly passionate tales that resonated on several levels. But...
Ive previously written about Artisans de Geneve. For those not familiar with the Swiss company, it does not produce its own watches. Instead, its more of a personal design studio for the collectors who want something a little different for their collection. Previous work from the studio has included a skeletonized Daytona and Submariner for two high-profile collectors.Now, Artisans de Geneve is back again and ready to show off the latest project theyve been working on. This time, the subject is the venerable Patek Philippe Nautilus 5711, receiving a complete makeover and exposing some of its magic within. Introducing, The Pearl Project.Artisans de Geneve is an independent company specializ...
A few Tuesdays ago, Omega introduced its new Moonwatch Master Chronometer. The drop included the Speedmaster Canopus 310.60.42.50.02.001. 18-karat white gold is not new to Omega s Speedmaster, but this specific Canopus alloy is. In this article, I take a closer look at the Speedmaster Canopus and explain why it s my favorite new Moonwatch Master Chronometer.I showed a picture of the new Speedmaster Canopus side-by-side with my Speedmaster Moonshine on IG and in the #SpeedyTuesday Facebook group. People immediately tend to make their favorite known (a common thing that happens when a picture shows two watches) or ask how one compares to the other. It also makes me think, which one do I like b...
After CODE41 surprised us with watches like the X41, Anomaly, and Day41 editions, the brand is back with the NB24 chronograph. The NB24 refers to Nigel Bailly, who will take part in the 24 Hours of Le Mans in June 2021. And what better watch to support this endeavor, than a chronograph!I never used to care for the 24 Hours of Le Mans. That all changed in 2013. Soon after my daughter was born and I had a lot of hours to kill at night. With my restless daughter in my arms, I found myself watching large parts of the 24 Hours that year. It really is a mind-blowing achievement to be able to drive these cars at top speed for 24 hours long. The level of concentration necessary seems inhuman. Conver...
Establishing a disruptive concept based on integrity is not always easy. Especially when you have created a winning concept like Bvlgari did with the Octo Finissimo. That is why it has been interesting to see how Bvlgari has been expanding its Octo Finissmo collection. Can you keep the concept and characteristics of the Octo Finissimo alive when adding new watches to the line-up? And is there an end to what is possible? For now, the brand shows that the end is not in sight with the stealthy Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT Titanium.It is fascinating to see what Bvlgari comes up with every year regarding the Octo Finissimo. The brand struck gold with its sandblasted titanium version of the watc...
It s time for Two For Tuesday where we pit two watches against each other that you just might find yourself hemming and hawing over at the local boutique. We re moving at a fast pace here with the high-frequency Zenith Chronomaster Sport and the Chronomaster Revival A385.It s already been quite a January for chronograph lovers. The month kicked off with a brace of steel Speedmaster models. Not to be outdone, Zenith has also dropped not one, but two new El Primero chronographs. One is the all-new Chronomaster Sport and the other is the retro Chronomaster Revival A385. Which will you choose?Zenith…Let s just start this discussion by saying that I really like Zenith. Within the annals of ...
Last year, LVMH brands Bulgari, Hublot, and Zenith held a lavish event in Dubai, showcasing their latest and greatest. Sadly, that is not possible in 2021, but that does not mean that we ll go without any timepieces. On the contrary, Zenith has prepared four fresh models for us. Along with new watches like the Chronomaster Sport and the Chronomaster Revival A385, we will see an iteration of the Defy 21 called Urban Jungle, as well as the Pilot Type 20 Silver Chronograph.For Zenith, 2021 is the year of Chronomaster, as the brand puts it, and it could not be more true. Aside from a vintage classic rendition, the A385, the Swiss brand also released its all-new Chronomaster Sport model, an excit...
