Latest Watch News

Ulysse Nardin Classico Schooner America, with one crazy Cloisonne Enamel Dial tribute to the first America's Cup - Monochrome Watches

If there’s one thing that can be easily linked to Ulysse Nardin, it is the world of boats – and I mean everything related to this world, like Marine chronometers (they were the roots of this manufacture), yacht-oriented watches or a sponsorship of the world’s most famous nautical competition. While the latter partnership usually gives birth to modern and technical watches, such a...

2016-08-31

"Dutch Pride" embodied by the new TAG Heuer Formula 1 Max Verstappen Special Edition - Monochrome Watches

Dutch citizens and their pride, all wrapped in?orange… That’s something few can understand but I have to say, I do. Indeed, I am surrounded with Dutch guys, as two of our contributors are Dutch and even our dear founder Frank is. While the Netherlands aren’t known to?be the greatest country for sports, they have one man to rely on, one man that is known to be the youngest Formula...

2016-08-31

Hands-on with the Hyper-Technical Angelus U30 Tourbillon Rattrapante (and how can it be, relatively speaking, so affordable) - Monochrome Watches

Listen to this: double column-wheel, flyback, split-seconds, automatic chronograph, skeletonized, and with a tourbillon… Sounds like something we’re all dreaming off. It’s like the Lamborghini you had on your wall when you were a teenager. Something that looked too good to be true? Or just way too expensive to ever be accessible, even for someone in a ‘healthy’ income...

2016-08-30

Introducing Classi, a connected strap that makes any watch feels smarter (but not looking like a Cupertino guy) - Monochrome Watches

Here’s the dilemma: you love watches, mechanical watches, with a classical or vintage look. On the other hand, you also love connected items and the concept of a smart watch is something you dug into, especially since the introduction of the Apple Watch. However, you don’t like it. You think it’s not going to fulfill your needs of mechanical / vintage / luxury timepieces (and you...

2016-08-30

2016 TAG Heuer Mikrograph 100th Anniversary - The TAG that goes vintage and fast - Monochrome Watches

You thought that TAG Heuer was only about to do?normal watches, with a more?entry-level objective – and we thought that too, especially after what we told you here. Well, it seems that it’s not going to be the case and that concept watches, even if rare, are still part of the new strategy implemented by Mister?Biver. As a proof, TAG Heuer will launch a new limited and exclusive watch, ...

2016-08-29

Ulysse Nardin FreakLab, the modern version of the mother of concept watches and silicon - Monochrome Watches

In the small but fascinating world of watchmaking, some timepieces?deeply influenced the whole industry. The Submariner almost defined what a dive watch should be. The story behind the Speedmaster is still an immense source of fascination. The Royal Oak created his own and so-respected category, the luxury sports watch. In a much more discreet way, Ulysse Nardin, in 2001, introduced a watch that d...

2016-08-26

Hands-on - Andreas Strehler Papillon Sauterellea Lune Exacte - The Most Precise MoonPhase Wristwatch Ever - Monochrome Watches

Watchmakers are like all?boys. When it comes to numbers, being first or having the greatest is always better – even if having the biggest (watch of course…) is not always desirable. Watchmakers always looked for the most complicated watch, for the watch with the most features, for the most precise movement or for the lightest case. And even when it comes to a specific complication, bei...

2016-08-25

Hands-On with the very Monochrome Hublot Big Bang Unico Sapphire All Black - Monochrome Watches

Monochrome and exposing intricate mechanics definitely sounds like something we love here, at Monochrome-Watches! Living up to the promise and presented at Baselworld 2016, the Hublot Big Bang Unico Sapphire All Black features a smoked transparent case crafted out of sapphire, based on the already introduced clear version. Time to go hands-on with a time-stopper not to be left in the dark.Light an...

2016-08-25

Column - Red Rover... TAG Heuer to team up with China Space Agency for Mars Exploration - Monochrome Watches

When I bought my Omega Speedmaster X-33 many moons ago, it was a shoe-in for the first watch to Mars – at the time it was the only watch qualified for missions to Mars. Jean-Claude Biver – the Lazarus of the watchmaking industry – has partnered up with China's State Administration of Science, Technology and Industry for National Defense (CNSA) to put an end to that reign. The Red...

2016-08-24

Hands-on Review of the 2016 Patek Philippe 5170R Chronograph, now in rose gold (live pics, specs & price) - Monochrome Watches

At Patek Philippe, chronographs are something considered with an almost clerical?serious. From the extremely complex split-seconds or perpetual calendar versions – or even both – to the most simple variation, all of them are extremely desirable. One thing to note in the actual collection is a sort of back to basics, with cleaner and more elegant watches, slightly vintage inspired ̵...

2016-08-22

In-Depth - A Look at Shaped Watches by Vacheron Constantin and Patek Philippe through History - Monochrome Watches

When thinking about the archetype of the round Swiss watch, the first names that come to mind might very well be Patek Philippe or Vacheron Constantin. As the custodians of Geneva's watchmaking tradition, influenced by the sober protestant spirit, both brands stand for subtle, understated elegance. However, beyond the design conventions dictated by the round wristwatch, Patek Philippe and Vacheron...

2016-08-19

Hands-on - 2016 Cartier Santos 100 ADLC, now back fully black and in-house (live pics, specs & price) - Monochrome Watches

With no fanfare or fireworks, quietly, in the middle of the rush of the SIHH 2016, in the luxurious salons of the Cartier booth, nearly forgotten because pushed into the background by the introduction of the Drive, Cartier introduced this year a new version of an icon, the Santos 100. Well, if the design remains the same as the previous editions, some new colors are available. No big deal… H...

2016-08-18

Introducing a new independent watchmaker, Kaj Korpela, and its "Timepiece No. 1", a properly hand-made tourbillon - Monochrome Watches

In the watchmaking industry, some terms are certainly?often misused, like for instance “independent watchmaking” or “hand-made“. What we are going to show you today represent?these two notions in their purest form, something in the vein of Roger Smith, Georges Daniels or Philippe Dufour – don’t expect us to make comparisons on the watch or the level of finishing...

2016-08-18

Oris El Hierro Limited Edition (live photos, specs & price) - Monochrome Watches

If there’s one thing Oris is good at, it’s to create interesting and nicely designed limited editions, especially of dive watches. Well, it’s not that difficult when your base for these editions is the reliable, rugged, efficient but pretty affordable Aquis Date. We’ve seen for instance the Great Barrier Reef edition or the Carlos Coste version. This time, Oris teams up wit...

2016-08-17

Hands-on - Patek Philippe 5230 World Time, the evolution of an icon (live pics, specs & price) - Monochrome Watches

World Timers are among Patek Philippe's most popular complications, with a history spanning over almost 80 years (thanks to the collaboration with Cottier). A cult status confirmed at Phillips May 2016 auction, when a rare Patek 2523/1 from 1954 achieved US$ 2.5 million. At Baselworld 2016, Patek Philippe introduced two new models featuring this practical function, the 5930 World Time Chronograph ...

2016-08-15

A. Lange & Sohne 1815 Chronograph Boutique Edition - Full Review with tons of Photos, Specs and Price - Monochrome Watches

The A. Lange & Sohne 1815 Chronograph Boutique Edition is yet another example of the superlative chronographs, developed by the Haute Horlogerie brand from Glashutte, Germany. We were recently given the opportunity to test and wear the watch for a couple of weeks. To cut a long story short: we loved it. As we have already introduced the watch to you,?in this article we will focus mainly on the...

2016-08-12

Introducing the updated Panerai Luminor 1950 3-Days Automatic and the new Luminor 1950 Carbotech 3-Days Automatic - Monochrome Watches

Last week we showed you Panerai’s new dress watch, the Luminor Due, and today we’re going to look at all the other novelties that were presented to us during the recent presentation?in Amsterdam. First there’s an important update to the Luminor 1950 and there’s a new Luminor 1950 Carbotech. Let’s have a closer look of what we think of the update for the Luminor 1950, ...

2016-08-11

Hautlence Vortex Bronze - Extreme High-End goes Bronze as well - Live Photos, Specs and Price - Monochrome Watches

Over the last five years the use of bronze as material for watches has become quite a popular thing, and although not necessarily a commonplace, we see more bronze watches today than ever before. Bronze has found its way into almost every price segment; however it’s mainly used for?sports watches. Hautlence thinks otherwise, and actually, we wouldn’t expect anything else from them! The...

2016-08-10

GIVE AWAY: IWC Wall Clock - Monochrome Watches

While our managing editor Brice is enjoying a well-deserved vacation, I am making time for what I actually like doing best: writing about beautiful watches! During the year most of my time goes on?many?other activities, to make sure that we can keep sharing our passion for fine watches with you, and we can pay the bills. Monochrome’s subtitle is, and has been for ?the past 10 years, ‘D...

2016-08-10

Where does the name of your favourite watch model come from? - Monochrome Watches

Ever wonder how watches got their names? A few weeks ago we told you about the brand names and their origin. Today we’re going to look at the watch model names. With hundreds of past and present watches, what has been the inspiration for watchmakers and brands to call them certain names? Some are pretty straight forward, other more obscure. Finding a great name is not an easy task and is oft...

2016-08-09

REVIEW: Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronograph Annual Calendar - User Report with Photos, Specs and Price - Monochrome Watches

The new Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronograph Annual Calendar was introduced earlier this year at Baselworld, to celebrate the 20th Anniversary of the brand’s?Marine collection. Inside ticks the newly developed calibre UN-153, which actually is the in 2014 introduced Ulysse Nardin in-house chronograph calibre UN-150, with an additional annual calendar mechanism. This is definitely not yet another...

2016-08-08

Hands-on Review: Vacheron Constantin Overseas World Time - Live Photos, Specs and Price - Monochrome Watches

There’s something about luxury sports watches. For me this category of watches -if we can call it a category- is the most versatile, useful and comfortable around, and they are probably the best every-day watches that you can find. Wear?’em under the shower, in the swimming pool or sea, they are good when playing with the kids, or when you’re working out in the gym. They even loo...

2016-08-05

A. Lange & Sohne Lange 1 Timezone - a Personal Story part 1 - Monochrome Watches

The German watch brand A. Lange & Sohne has played an important role in my watch-collecting (and blogging) life. I?admired the brand, and as I got to know them, and their watches, even better, my admiration only grew stronger. I guess that most serious collectors will say the same about the brand. Since we’re celebrating Monochrome’s tenth anniversary this year, it’s also a g...

2016-08-04

Skeletonized to the MAX: Kees Engelbarts Bronze Organic Skeleton Tourbillon - Monochrome Watches

A few years ago Kees Engelbarts showed me photos of his latest creation that we covered here. I was baffled to see by what degree one could skeletonize a mechanical movement. In all honesty, I wasn’t sure whether I really liked it or was “just” very impressed by the incredible craftsmanship this takes. Last month I visited?Kees Engelbarts in Geneva, his home town, and got to see ...

2016-08-03

Value Proposition: Jubileon Superellipse - designed in Singapore with Swiss Mechanical Movement for a very interesting Price - Monochrome Watches

We have been doing quite a few sweepstakes this year, and every time we ask you two or three questions. Why? We’d love to hear more from you and learn what you like a lot on Monochrome, what you would love to see more of and actually how we can serve you with your daily dose of horological content better. One of the things we learned is that many of our readers love to see some value proposi...

2016-08-02

Panerai Luminor Due - From Divers Watch to Dress Watch - Monochrome Watches

When you think about Panerai, you think about the Italian Navy and about bold, sporty and thick watches. Ideal for diving, leisure and casual events. But for wearing with a business shirt and suit at work or a fancy party; you probably turned to other brands when you needed a dress watch. In May 2016 Panerai had some good news for Panerai aficionados: thinner and more elegant. These new models wer...

2016-08-02

Montblanc Heritage Chronometrie ExoTourbillon Minute Chronograph Vasco De Gama (specs & price) - Monochrome Watches

At the SIHH 2015, Montblanc surprised the audience with a watch combining a extremely complex movement, with an appealing look and a price almost unbelievable. It was the?Montblanc Heritage Chronometrie ExoTourbillon Minute Chronograph, available in red gold with a white dial and in white gold with an exclusive aventurine dial. The complex and very appealing movement inside was also used in the ve...

2016-08-01

5 Cool Finds - 2 Classic Dress Watch, 2 Vintage Inspired Chronographs and an IWC Ingenieur Automatic Vintage Collection - Monochrome Watches

Here is our 8th installment of our market finds, in collaboration with the online auction?platform?Catawiki. Every Friday we select five ‘youngtimers’ that would make a great addition to ever watch collection. This week, we found 2 perfect dress watches from Patek Philippe and Jaeger-LeCoultre, 2 great vintage inspired chronographs from TAG Heuer and Glashutte-Original and a collectibl...

2016-07-31

Hands-On Seiko Prospex SRPA21 PADI Turtle - A nice, colorful, affordable dive watch for summer (live pics, specs & price) - Monochrome Watches

Imagine you are looking for a new watch, a watch that you could easily wear during summer, weekends, holidays, to the pool, for all kind of leisure activities, with a solid construction, a robust water resistance, a rather cool look, slightly vintage-inspired, from a reputable manufacture, with in-house movement and automatic (of course). What could be the options? A Tudor Black Bay? A Hulk Submar...

2016-07-29

Smaller is Better? Case study with the 39.5mm Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600m - Monochrome Watches

We can’t?hide the fact that, since 15 years, watches have drastically increased in terms of dimensions?– in thickness for sure, but mainly in diameter. It is now common to see a dress watch with a 41mm case and a dive watch with a 44mm diameter. This is kind of a norm nowadays. Or maybe it was…? More and more, we see watches being downsized. New generations of existing models are...

2016-07-28