Paris, 1867 – The Rouquayrol-Denayrouze diving apparatus wins a gold medal at the Universal exhibition. Among the visitors of the international exhibition was Jules Verne. A few months later, he incorporated this diving apparatus in his novel 20000 Leagues Under The Sea, as part of the equipment of the Nautilus divers. At that time, watches were protected against shocks, dust or moisture by ...
Among the classical watchmaking complications, the perpetual calendar is certainly one of the most desirable, as being a strong technical achievement. Because of what it does (being able to have a watch correctly adjusted for the coming 100 years…), it is sought after by collectors and can be seen as a sort of achievement in a collection. However, as expected, this is not a cheap type of wat...
This year, as Baselworld 2016, Zenith Watches introduced?several novelties but mainly, the brand showed the new strategic direction chose for the design and the positioning of the collections – considering that Zenith is part of the LVMH Group, alongside TAG Heuer and Hublot, a clear differentiation was required. As of now, Zenith will have a focus (among others) on vintage inspired chronogr...
Compiling complications in?a small space like the movement of a mechanical wristwatch, which usually measures 25mm to 30mm diameter and can include up to 500 parts (or even more), isn’t an easy task, especially when it comes to chronographs, minute repeaters or automatons. Miniaturization has always been on of the greatest challenges of watchmakers. And this leads us to this article, as ultr...
This week on the Collector’s Series allowed me to go hands on with personal favourite watch of mine. It's a world timer and it comes from one of the most underrated (in my opinion) manufactures out there.?Joseph McKenzie is a business owner, watch collector and friend. He runs Xupes.com with his Father in the UK. A family run, online luxury business that cover fine watches, jewellery, handba...
When you say Chopard and chronograph, you certainly have in mind the Mille Miglia or the Superfast collections, sporty and race-oriented luxury watches – but not high-end, haute horlogerie pieces. What Chopard launched this year at Baselworld 2016 is a tiny bit different – to say the least. The brand came to the international watch fair with a pure complex watch, an in-house, tradition...
Here, at Monochrome-Watches, we always loved the?Arnold and Son UTTE (see our hands-on here) – and for several reasons. First, it is an extremely elegant watch. Second, it is complicated (long power reserve – tourbillon). Third, it is super slim. Finally, it is a real in-house watch. So, when at Baselworld, we’ve been introduced to its latest iteration, the Arnold and Son UTTE Sk...
The chronograph is, without doubt, one of the most popular complications. It's also one of the complications that can be used on a daily basis, however, what most people do not realise, is that the chronograph mechanism is among the most complex mechanisms to design and manufacture. For horology connoisseurs, there aren't many experiences that are as rewarding as admiring the intricacies of a fine...
Ever wonder how watch brands?got their name? Some are pretty straight forward; some others are more obscure. With hundreds of past and present watch companies, what?has been the inspiration from watchmakers to find names? Some simply follow the name of their founder, other went for anagrams, and some for hidden meanings Here is a (non-exhaustive) horological meandering through the mechanics of wat...
For those who think?that Porsche Design is a brand focused on leather jackets and sunglasses, you’d be wrong, as for the first time this year, the brand exposed in the Hall 1.0 of Baselworld, where all the major brands have their booth – thus confirming that Porsche Design is also a credible watchmaker, something we already told you after reviewing?the?Chronotimer Series 1 and the?1919...
Taking the opportunity of his forthcoming 70th birthday, Mr. Stephen Urquhart, actual President of Omega Watches?(since 2000), is about to retire and to leave his?seat to a younger man, Mr.?Raynald Aeschlimann. Starting his new role on 1 June 2016,?Aeschlimann will have the responsibility to guide one of the largest watch company around the world, Omega Watches, part of the main watch conglomerate...
Montblanc is celebrating this year 110 years of fine craftsmanship, as the company was created in 1906, in Hamburg, Germany. Even if the story started with pens, it is now a major brand with multiple fields of action, including watches – and some extremely nice timepieces manufactured by the Villeret workshop, previously known as Minerva. In order to pay tribute to this rich past, a series o...
Some of you probably shared a strong enthusiasm last year, when Oris introduced what was?certainly the coolest watch of Baselworld 2015, mixing a superb vintage-inspired design, a nice execution?and a very acceptable price: the now famous Oris Divers Sixty Five?– and I must confess that it is a personal favorite too. Well, this was not a one-shot for the brand but the starting point of an en...
I love divers watches and I have a special place in my heart for Doxa. Therefore, sooner or later, it was?inevitable to meet with Marco. Recently, I received an email from Frank, referring enthusiastically to his meeting with a great guy and collector, who had a few special dive watches and was interested to present them through Monochrome. When the ‘codename’ Doxa came into the conver...
In a recent survey, we asked you what you wanted to see on Monochrome-Watches. The answer was clear: more technical explanations (and our solution is the Technical Perspective) and more affordable watches. However, we’re selective and we’re not going to show all the?watches priced under 1,000 EUR / USD. However, this one is a Monochrome?favorite, which we already showed to you, with th...
If you’re a long time reader of Monochrome-Watches, you probably know that I have a soft-spot for the pilot-watches manufactured by Breguet. It’s something I extensively explained in a review of my personal Type XX and later in an instalment of the Collector’s Series. I know that these watches, whether we talk about the Type XX, the Type XXI or the Type XXII, aren’t perfect...
Sartorialism:?From sartorial, itself from New Latin sartorius ?(pertaining to a tailor), from Late Latin sartor ?(tailor), from Latin sarcire ?(to patch, mend),?an interest in matters of or relating to the tailoring of clothing. Meaning, an adoration?for hand-crafted and fine clothing dedicated to men. This is exactly what the Old Maison Vacheron Constantin wants to celebrate with a brand new coll...
After Robin and Brice?shared their personal Top 5 watches from?Baselworld 2016, it's time for my Top 5 of the most impressive watches from this year's edition of Baselworld. My choices of watches are?not exclusively focused on the most expensive or most complicated timepieces; sometimes all it takes to make a strong impression is a great looking watch for a great price. At Baselworld, it was again...
The avant-garde mind needed to design the complex inner workings of a watch fascinates all but a selective few of us, mere mortals. The Promethean ambition to master time has inspired inventive minds for centuries; with the hands of talented craftsmen bringing exquisite horological art to life. Beyond the intricacies of the mechanics of time, the relentless search for perfection in their manufactu...
Just as the heavy-hitters of the Swiss Watch Industry were about to throw in the towel and to all convert to smart watch line-ups, the master of industrial disruption, Apple, call it quits with their Apple Watch product, due to pressure engaged by Swiss Watch Industry. War is over, the Apple Watch is cancelled.The technophiles in Cupertino have abandoned their never say die attitude. Not on decryp...
We told you, we had to take some time to properly think about our favorite watches of Baselworld 2016. We’ve seen over 1,000 new watches each and if most don’t deserve to be in our personal wish-list, some?could potentially enter our “hall of fame”. We had to digest Baselworld 2016 but it’s now time to look at what impressed us most. After our contributor Robin, here ...
Recently at?the 74th edition of the Goodwood Member Meeting (#74MM) IWC introduced three new versions of the Ingenieur. The new models are inspired on the iconic vintage Ingenieur ref. 666 and features similar lines and design cues. The new Ingenieur Chronograph Classic models all feature a brand new in-house movement and of course we want to know everything about that. On first glance it shows si...
In September 2015, in order to celebrate its 260th anniversary, the old and respectful Maison Vacheron Constantin unveiled what was the most complicated watch ever created with 57 complications, the Super-Complication, known under the ref. 57260. A question that came to our minds at that time concerned the deployment of some of the features used in this stunning?pocket watch into more reasonable w...
Mr. Kunal Patel is a seasoned entrepreneur and watch lover. Having studied at UCL in London, his first successful venture was in real estate management some years ago. He he is currently Chairman of LATEP Holdings whose interests and investments span across financial services, retail, security, technology and real estate. He also happens to wear a gold Alexandre Meerson Altitude Officier, which pr...
The vast majority of people are comfortable with watches simply displaying hours and minutes but for globetrotters, frequent travellers and those doing business around the world, multiple time-zone watches are highly practical and purposeful for their daily travelling needs. Here is an in-depth look at an important category, the Travel Watches.Back in 1732-1733, William Hogarth depicted the rise a...
There is probably no other country in the world other than England that is able to combine class, camaraderie and community in one event with a relaxed and friendly setting. From 1949 to 1966, Goodwood Members' Meetings were run more than once a year over the 3.8km circuit at Goodwood House, the estate of Lord March, near the south coast of England. Lord March revived the event in 2014 to celebrat...
When you think Tudor watches, you immediately think cool timepieces, with a sporty look and a superb price/quality ratio (e.g. the Heritage Black Bay Black). You might also have in mind a certain size – which we believe to be the right one, with cases measuring, for most references, in-between 40mm and 42mm. On the other hand, Tudor showed that they could also grew, with a 43mm case on the B...
We’re not going to ask you if you are aware of Hublot as a brand and of one of their specialties: partnerships (like for example with football teams or?Italian car maker). We bet you’re aware of this. For the 2016 edition of Baselworld, this is not going to change. However, their latest collaboration made a huge impression on us, first because the brand they are teaming with is certain...
The 74th edition of the Goodwood Member Meeting marks the rebirth of the classic Ingenieur design in three special editions of the Ingenieur Chronograph. The new IWC Ingenieur Chronograph features?the new in-house calibre 69370, and will be launched at the 74th edition of the Goodwood Member Meeting.ENGINEERS OF TIME”The history of the IWC Ingenieur watches as described in the book IWC Schaf...
In 2013 Omega introduced the Seamaster Planet Ocean 600m GMT and that was the first Seamaster Planet Ocean with a second time zone. That’s eight years after the introduction of the Seamaster Planet Ocean collection. This could well be your perfect traveller watch as is has the additional function of the second time zone; something that comes in handy while travelling. Today Omega introduces ...