Hodinkee
Hands-On: The Rolex "Alcaraz" Daytona With Turquoise Lacquer Dial ref. 126518LN - Yet Another Watch I Wish I Could Pull Off
In our last hands-on of this year's Rolex Daytonas, we look at colorful dials and what makes a good nickname.
4,294 articles · 18 videos found · page 15 of 144
Hodinkee
In our last hands-on of this year's Rolex Daytonas, we look at colorful dials and what makes a good nickname.
Fratello
Last month, I had the pleasure of attending various events during London Watch Week. Most of the sessions took place in Mayfair, including a day at a historic house that featured new watches. Andersen Genève, along with the brand’s CEO, Pierre-Alexandre Aeschlimann, occupied a small booth. It was here that we noticed the standout from […] Visit A Quick Hands-On With The Andersen Genève Communication 45 to read the full article.
Fratello
Here’s a watch that pays homage not to a shark but the shark. And that’s why “we’re gonna need a bigger boat.” I was too young to see the now-iconic Steven Spielberg movie Jaws when it came out five decades ago, but when I did a few years after its initial release, it scared me. Although […] Visit Hands-On With The Seiko Prospex Jaws 50th Anniversary Limited Edition SRPL81: Reliving And Overcoming A Childhood Fear to read the full article.
Fratello
What does it mean for a watch to be “stealthy”? Does that translate into one that is as dark as possible on the wrist, even if it means forgoing readability? A good example would be the Omega Speedmaster Dark Side Of The Moon “Black Black,” a fully blacked-out ceramic Speedy that is as “undercover” as […] Visit Hands-On With The Peren Regia Lunar Eclipse Dark to read the full article.
Fratello
If we mention the name Tusenö, most of you will immediately think of the popular Shellback diver. The Swedish brand has released a small selection of models in the past few years, but the Shellback has made waves as one of the best affordable dive watches on the market. Now, the young Gothenburg-based brand surprises […] Visit Hands-On With Funky New Tusenö Supervintage Collection to read the full article.
Fratello
With Doxa being a relatively small brand, it’s not every day that we get word of a new model. Yet, here we are, and while we’ll see that the new Sub 750T Clive Cussler is a limited edition, we’re hoping the new case foreshadows a serial-production launch. But let’s focus on the release at hand. […] Visit Hands-On With The New Doxa Sub 750T Clive Cussler to read the full article.
Fratello
The central theme of Zenith’s 160th anniversary this year is blue. The brand’s color inspired the spectacular dial of the new G.F.J. and a trio of celebratory ceramic releases we saw during Watches and Wonders. Zenith also introduces a new blue dial for the new Chronomaster Original. But fans of the brand know better than […] Visit Hands-On With The Interesting Blue-Dial Zenith Chronomaster Original to read the full article.
Fratello
There’s something about watches with a story - even if the story is almost entirely made up. When I strapped on Albishorn’s third model, the Thundergraph Himalaya, I wasn’t just wearing a watch but also connecting to a moment in history. Inspired by the 1952 Swiss expedition to Mount Everest, this watch combines vintage charm, […] Visit Hands-On With The Albishorn Thundergraph Himalaya to read the full article.
Fratello
During Watches and Wonders 2025, we had the opportunity to meet with Gerald Charles and view the latest releases. The other news is the 25th anniversary of the brand’s founding by Gérald Genta in 2000. Therefore, some of the models we saw in Geneva were made to celebrate a quarter-century and contain a special logo […] Visit Hands-On With The Gerald Charles Maestro GC39 25th Anniversary Edition to read the full article.
Fratello
We told you to sit tight and catch that wave when it comes around. Well, surf’s up, people, because today’s the day the frosty Zenith × Time+Tide Defy Skyline Skeleton White Surfer Ceramic comes out in a limited edition of 100 watches. It’s the final “Surfer” of the trilogy and your last chance to catch […] Visit Hands-On With The Final “Surfer” - The Frosty Zenith × Time+Tide Defy Skyline Skeleton White Surfer Ceramic to read the full article.
Fratello
It’s only been a few weeks since I wrote about the introduction article on the Venezianico Arsenale Platino. In the article, I expressed my desire to take that new model for a spin and compare it to the Arsenale Avventurina. These two special versions of the brand’s integrated-bracelet sports watch stand out in the collection. […] Visit Hands-On With The Venezianico Arsenale Platino And Arsenale Avventurina to read the full article.
Fratello
Last December, I had a chance to go hands-on with the Diver One Snow from Wren Watches. This brand is the brainchild of Wrist Enthusiast founder Craig Karger, and the first efforts went over very well with watch fans. Labeled as a passion project, the Diver One and its success might lead to something much […] Visit Hands-On With The Vintage-Inspired Wren Diver 38 Seafoam to read the full article.
Fratello
Last month, I had the opportunity to attend Soccer Aid, a charitable football match held at Old Trafford in Manchester. Norqain was the official timing partner of the event and invited a group of people to see the game and hear about the brand’s official UK launch. During the evening, we sat down with CEO […] Visit Hands-On With The Norqain Freedom 60 Chrono 40mm Enjoy Life Special Edition to read the full article.
Fratello
Sometimes, a watch that needs some time to sink in lands on my desk. When I first laid my eyes on the Makina Azazel_I, I knew it was one of those. You can immediately see that it’s a futuristic watch created with an unapologetic concept at its core. The design combines a remarkable case and […] Visit Hands-On With The Futurustic-Looking Makina Azazel_I to read the full article.
Fratello
I was all ears when news broke that Stockholm-based brand Nezumi would be releasing optimized versions of its Aviera GMT. About a year ago, I had the chance to go hands-on with the second generation of the popular Swedish brand’s travel watch and thoroughly enjoyed that. Back then, I reviewed the Aviera GMT as part […] Visit Hands-On With Three New And Improved Nezumi Aviera GMT Models to read the full article.
Fratello
It’s summer in the Northern Hemisphere, so it’s time to dust off your colorful watches. If you haven’t got any colorful options in your watch box yet, look at the new Marina Chronograaf collection by Batavi. As always, the Dutch brand offers surprising color combinations, and the modest pricing turns these models into perfect “bonus” […] Visit A Hands-On Introduction To The Colorful Batavi Marina Chronograaf Collection to read the full article.
Fratello
Los Angeles-based brand J.N. Shapiro Watches has achieved a somewhat mythical status since Josh Shapiro founded it in 2018. The watches are elusive and exclusive creations that dent your budget and test your patience. What if you don’t have US$75,000 to spend and/or lack the mental stamina to wait around three years for your watch? […] Visit Hands-On With The New J.N. Shapiro Infinity Series Pure - California-Made Classicism to read the full article.
Fratello
If you’ve read my writing for any length of time, you’ll know I’ve got a soft spot for independents - the Urwerks, WRK Timepieces, and Armin Stroms of the world. These are the brands that, in my opinion, tend to push the envelope and take risks that most others wouldn’t. It was through a mutual […] Visit Hands-On With The Fam Al Hut Mark 1 Möbius - A Debut That’s Worth Your Attention to read the full article.
Fratello
Just in time for summer, Clément Gaud presents us with the lightest and smallest Laventure watch to date. The Marine Type 3, available with either a black or full-lume white dial, features a case crafted from Grade 23 titanium. Like all of Clément’s watches, the Marine Type 3’s design takes inspiration from vintage timepieces. This […] Visit Hands-On With The Laventure Marine Type 3 - A Specialized Instrument In Grade 23 Titanium to read the full article.
Fratello
Straight off the bat, I want to be upfront and let you know that these watches have sold out since they were first announced last year. So why do a review? It’s quite simple. The two Vero Open Water 38 models are the perfect opportunity to get a feel for the watches from the young […] Visit Hands-On With The Summery Vero Open Water 38 In Off-White And Emergency Yellow to read the full article.
Fratello
Well, well, well… It appears that Certina isn’t standing still and allowing microbrands to have all the fun with color. The new DS-X GMT collection consists of five new models. One visited us at Fratello HQ, and it marks a real departure for Certina and the Swatch Group in general. Gear up for fun, affordable, […] Visit Hands-On With The Colorful New Certina DS-X GMT to read the full article.
Fratello
Chronoswiss is by no means the biggest name in watchmaking, but the brand from Lucerne is always instantly recognizable. For instance, it has a reputation for using the biggest crowns in the business. Joking aside, Chronoswiss’s use of XL onion crowns, coin-edge bezels, and regulator-style dials in bold and bright colors made the brand stand […] Visit Hands-On With The Full-Titanium Chronoswiss Pulse One Sand: An Integrated-Bracelet Sports Watch With A Twist to read the full article.
Fratello
Summer means sunny blue skies, bright colors, and plenty of swimming in lakes, pools, or the sea. That’s precisely what the new Swatch ScubAqua collection stands for - summer fun. The semitransparent watches are big, bold, and colorful. They take inspiration from graceful fluorescent jellyfish swaying in the current. Options include daring blue, red, or […] Visit Hands-On With The Bright And Colorful Swatch ScubAqua Collection to read the full article.
Fratello
Like many watch brands, TAG Heuer regularly produces limited or special editions. The difference, and advantage, however, is the brand’s history and involvement with top-tier motorsports. Legions of racers wore vintage Heuer watches during the golden age of racing in the 1960s. None, though, stand out quite like the Monaco. The groundbreaking square watch is […] Visit Hands-On With The TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph × Gulf to read the full article.
Fratello
As you might know, Chopard produces watches with two distinct certifications. In its Geneva atelier, the brand creates L.U.C timepieces that bear the engraved Poinçon de Genève. The Geneva Seal is primarily concerned with the aesthetic quality and craftsmanship of the movement. While watches bearing it must also meet specific, strict chronometric requirements, the sternest […] Visit Hands-On With The Exquisite Chopard L.U.C Qualité Fleurier 20th Anniversary Edition - A Certified Dream Watch to read the full article.
Fratello
Italian brand HTD has been gracing us with cleverly updated versions of its releases, and the two Aquatíc dive watches are the next in line. These retro-styled divers first came out in 2021 and turned out to be popular with fans. Four years later, the cases of both watches have been redesigned to be slimmer, […] Visit Hands-On With The Reworked HTD Aquatíc Bicchierini And SpaceBoy Dive Watches to read the full article.
Fratello
The name might ring a bell, but it’s not what you think. Bedat and Beda’a are not the same. Bedat & Co is a Genevan watch brand “For Women of Character.” Beda’a is a London-based brand with Qatari roots, creating Swiss-made watches. Hader Al Suwaidi started his brand in 2016 to show that the Middle East […] Visit Hands-On With The Beda’a Eclipse II: A Star-Lit Celestial Evolution That’s Happening This Summer to read the full article.
Fratello
Until now, I’ve had to enjoy Ming’s 20.01 chronographs from afar. Finally, the good folks from the independent brand were able to send one of the flagship pieces to me for a hands-on review. I spent a week with the new 20.01 Series 5 and fell in love with this highly detailed, stunning watch. I’m […] Visit Hands-On With The New Ming 20.01 Series 5 to read the full article.
Fratello
Many enthusiasts have been crying out for a smaller Blancpain Fifty Fathoms. Many were also disappointed when Blancpain obliged with two female-targeted models last week. Today, however, we see the range completed with 38mm non-gendered models. I got a chance to go hands-on with the new 38mm Blancpain Fifty Fathoms. Here’s how we got along! […] Visit Hands-On With The New 38mm Blancpain Fifty Fathoms - Is This The Perfect Size? to read the full article.
Fratello
Summer is just around the corner (or already here for some of you!), so we published a list of five potential summer watches for 2025 last Friday. Another great candidate for that list is the new Christopher Ward C60 Trident Reef series. This addition to the popular C60 Trident collection presents four colorful models that […] Visit Hands-On With The Colorful New Christopher Ward C60 Trident Reef Series to read the full article.
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