If you’re thinking of an elegant, discreet watch, with a certain old-school dandy feel, the Master collection by Jaeger-LeCoultre has plenty of candidates.? We’ve seen multiple models in the past – QP, Moon, or even the cool Sector Dial editions – and they all share that understated, clean, thin, non-showy elegance that makes them timeless. As part of the SIHH 2019 (unveile...
Chopard has been the partner and official timekeeper of the popular Mille Miglia open-road endurance race for over 30 years now. Throughout that time, it has become something of a tradition for the brand to release a new model for the race each year. This year is no exception, and the Chopard Mille Miglia 2019 Race Edition makes its unofficial debut this morning ahead of an official release at Bas...
Countdown mode for Baselworld 2019 has commenced and Chopard presents its first flying tourbillon combined with an automatic movement on board the elegant rose gold L.U.C. Flying T Twin. The ultra-thin case is made from Fairmined gold and houses an even thinner automatic movement based on Chopard's very first manufacture movement. Decorated with a sophisticated hand-guilloche dial, the watch is ch...
For the first time in its history, Panerai, the Italian brand well-known for its iconic shaped diver’s watches, is introducing two new models with a silver-coloured dial. The new Panerai Luminor Marina watches, which are always the ones with a small seconds subdial, will be available in 42mm and 44mm. To match the silver-coloured dial, both come on a steel bracelet.We’re used to pictur...
Since its first wristwatch was created in 1904, Cartier has carved a name for itself as a daring and innovative brand that doesn't shy away from shapes. Decade after decade, the brand unveiled incredible and unusual shaped watches, from the Tank to the Crash and even the Baignoire. Now, Cartier takes one of its premier signature looks – the Baignoire – and adds depth and dimension in t...
One of the big surprises of the 2018 edition of the SIHH came from Baume & Mercier with its new Baumatic collection. In case you need to refresh your memory, the Baumatics were equipped with a new calibre – called BM12-1975A – made by ValFleurier, a factory that also belongs to the Richemont Group. We already reviewed the non-COSC version here, as well as the certified model, with ...
It will be hard to miss it, as this will certainly be one of the most coveted timepieces of the year – and one that many here were expecting. What remained unknown until today was the look of the Apollo 11?50th anniversary of the Speedmaster Moonwatch. We knew it had to be special. And indeed, it is special… Much, much more than what we could have expected. Not only it is a reissue of ...
When introduced back in 1931, the Reverso was designed with one purpose in mind: protecting its dial. It was a watch made for polo players, who needed to have the glass of their watches (at that time still mineral glass) hidden – hence the idea of a reversible case. Since then, such needs aren’t relevant anymore but the Reverso still plays with its hidden surfaces to display artistic a...
Chances are, you've never heard the name Steffen Cornehl before. That's because he is an independent watchmaker of the more obscure variety. He doesn't come from one of the major brands, nor is he based in Switzerland. Instead, he works out of a small studio in Stuggart, Germany, where he restores antique clocks and vintage watches, while slowly building a following of dedicated enthusiasts for hi...
In the early 1970s, Audemars Piguet introduced a watch that would forever unite the worlds of luxury and sport. Now, almost 50 years later, the brand continues to find innovative and intriguing ways to reinvent the Royal Oak, ensuring it remains one of the most sought-after watch collections in the world. This year, Audemars Piguet has done it again, introducing a very special limited-edition mode...
It's only March, but Panerai has already made it clear that 2019 is unequivocally about the dive watch. The professional grade Submersible dive watch to be specific, which this year becomes a stand-alone collection in its own right. Alongside the new models, Panerai is also offering unique experiences' related to the world of the Submersible. These experiences are exclusively available to those wh...
Earlier this year, at the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH), Jaeger-LeCoultre pulled out all the stops for its women's watches. The brand's much-coveted Rendez-Vous collection (released seven years ago in 2012 and created just for women) was top on the list when it came to new editions. Of particular note were the high jewellery pieces that flaunted new dials, new moon phase discs ...
Compliant mechanisms are flexible mechanisms that transfer an input force or displacement to another point through elastic body deformation. Covered in detail here, they offer huge innovation potential for mechanical watchmaking. Further proof of this revolution can be found in the latest version of the Ulysse Nardin Freak. Packed with innovative applications of flexible parts, the Freak NeXt feat...
It isn’t the first time we’ve talked about the partnership between TAG Heuer and Aston Martin.? We covered this watch, based on the Carrera Heuer 01, which was introduced to seal the collaboration between the two brands. A watch based on a car… Always cool. But today, what we have to show is even cooler, as it is the opposite. Meet the TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre Heuer 02 Aston Mar...
The Jurgensen name holds a special place in the rarefied world of Haute Horlogerie. This horological dynasty has had a significant influence on watchmaking in Denmark and Switzerland over centuries. Today, the brand headquartered in Biel, Switzerland has focused exclusively on distinctive dress watches building upon its time-honoured legacy characterized by expert craftsmanship and an ethic of no-...
The association of Panerai with the International Circuit for Classic Sailing Yachts is a long story that has led to the creation of multiple watches, under the name Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge (PCYC). Often regarded as some of the nicest watches in the collection, just like the Luminor 1950 PCYC ref. PAM00653 we reviewed recently (my favourite Panerai watch), the Italian brand unveils three ...
Salmon dial watches truly stand apart. These are unusual, unconventional and classic at the same time. High-end watches rarely venture beyond white, silver, black or blue. But salmon dials are superbly stylish, specifically if you are confident in your ability to carry off colours. Often reserved to limited or special editions, they add a degree of elegance with a twist while remaining understated...
Not many people know that Longines does not consider itself a manufacture but a factory, and encourages everybody to call it a factory. It is surprising, but it perfectly matches the spirit that commands the Maison these days: high-quality mass production. Despite having a vast collection of movements, Longines only uses ETA calibres (often adjusted to their own specifications), which makes produc...
Quartz… A word that you don’t often read on MONOCHROME. I’m not afraid to say that and freely admit that we are watch snobs. We love fine mechanics and Haute Horlogerie. However, the watch that we’re about to review has a quartz regulator, but isn’t battery powered – and that already makes things slightly different. Secondly, this watch is made by Grand Seiko &#...
In a radical departure from the smooth, pebble-shaped cases we associate with Laurent Ferrier, the Bridge One embraces a new geometry marked by flowing rectangular lines with rounded edges and a strong Art Deco vibe. The movement, shaped to match the case, is also new and fitted with a traditional Swiss lever escapement as opposed to the natural escapement featured on most of LF watches. Unveiled ...
The Oris Aquis Date needs no introduction anymore. It is one of those relatively affordable automatic watches that we often cover, here at MONOCHROME. Performing both at the office or at the beach, the recent facelift operated by Oris gave this watch an even more desirable look, without jeopardising its diving capacities. Usually spotted in a large 43.5mm diameter, there’s another smaller op...
In the last years we have seen two very different faces of Greubel Forsey: on the one hand, we get extraordinarily complex watches with big cases and uneven shapes that look like a boxer after an unsuccessful fight night. Its famous GMT?is a prime example of that. On the other hand, GF also produces watches with round cases and simpler dials. Still the same insane obsession with the best finishes ...
Although the launch of?Code 11.59 and the consequent deluge of reactions pretty much eclipsed other novelties of the brand during the SIHH 2019, Audemars Piguet had some treats up its sleeve, including this 38mm Royal Oak Chronograph. Still the same watch as the existing 41mm Royal Oak Chronograph but 3mm smaller, still powered by the same automatic chronograph movement, the new 38mm Royal Oak Chr...
Prior to the SIHH, A. Lange & Sohne announced a new limited edition celebrating the 25th anniversary of what certainly is its most emblematic watch, the Lange 1 – which was born in 1994 and part of the inaugural “relaunch” collection. However, the brand isn’t only celebrating one model but the entire Lange 1 collection. Not one watch, but 10 models will be introduced th...
The Seamaster Diver 300M is one of the most beloved watches of Omega fans, and one of the best-sellers of the company. Part of this success is due to the link with James Bond, to the point that despite the long Omega Seamaster 300M Professional name, the watch is very often simply referred to as the James Bond watch. After a tasteful facelift done last year on the time-and-date version, we have th...
Packed with historical references, bold aesthetics, spectacular mechanics and uncompromising quality, the new white gold iteration of the Richard Lange Jumping Seconds with its black dial is a watch you won't forget. A watch that honours the past but looks undeniably contemporary, the Richard Lange Jumping Seconds marries the tradition of scientific observation watches cultivated in Dresden with t...
Functional elegance – The perpetual calendar holds a special place in the heart of watch aficionados. Its mechanical memory and ability to display the date for decades into the future, even for leap years, is a feat of horological engineering. But most of all, the perpetual calendar is a thing of beauty. And when you combine it with a brand named Bovet, you can expect the result to be pretty...
For a company that built its name as a purveyor of precision marine chronometers, Ulysse Nardin has a long-standing and authentic link to the sea. Combine this with the brand's penchant for extravagant complications and showmanship and you get the Marine Mega Yacht, a watch that combines a flying tourbillon, a tide indicator, a moon phase indicator with miniature lifelike recreations of a ship's f...
Following last year’s beautiful and successful “Annual Edition” of the?vintage-inspired Glashutte Original Sixties and?Sixties Panorama Date, which depicted a superb metallic green dial, the Saxon brand returns in 2019 with a new model. Again, these watches will be produced for just one year – and you can expect to have a new model for 2020. With the exuberant?1960s design ...
Since 2007, IWC has been producing a special series of watches designed to meet the demanding needs of elite jet pilots. Established as an independent collection within the IWC Pilot's Watch family in 2012, the TOP GUN series has become renowned for its use of hi-tech materials and stealth, military-inspired styling. IWC introduced a total of four new TOP GUN models at SIHH 2019 this year. We've a...