Latest Watch News

Montblanc Collection Villeret 1858 Vintage Chronographe PuristS 10th Edition - Monochrome Watches

Earlier this year many watch brands and independent watchmakers?celebrated the 10th anniversary of watch forum The PuristS Pro by creating special editions. Montblanc created something special in their Manufacture in Villeret. When I visited the Montblanc manufacture in Villeret last year I got to see this special edition, the Montblanc Vintage Chronographe PuristS 10th Edition, or short the Montb...

2012-01-07

The most beautiful watch winders of the world - Monochrome Watches

What happens if the producer of the most luxurious vaults in the world joins forces with a producer of components and customized refinements for customers such as Aston-Martin or Bugatti? Yep… they created something incredibly cool. Is this perhaps the most beautiful and luxurious watch winder?Well, maybe it isn’t the most luxurious. That honor goes to the Gigantis that was featured by...

2012-01-05

Pre-SIHH 2012 - New Cartier Tank - what will it look like? - Monochrome Watches

Cartier already launched?several pre-SIHH released from the Fine Watchmaking Collection, however they remain silent about this year’s novelties of the normal collection. Although they have given us some hints… A few weeks ago they launched a teaser video, called “The Story never stops” (see below). It’s actually a boring video with some years being highlighted. But fo...

2012-01-04

Jaeger-LeCoultre Mad Men - Mad about Reverso - Monochrome Watches

Jaeger-LeCoultre launched a limited edition of 25 pieces, engraved with the Sterling Cooper Draper Pryce logo; the advertisement agency of the series Mad Men.?It’s no secret that we here at Monochrome are ?fan of the new Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso Ultra-Thin. While we don’t write about television series we can tell you, that we are huge fans of Mad Men. So how cool would it be to ...

2012-01-03

Pre-SIHH 2012 - new IWC Pilot Watch TOP GUN Collection and much more Monochrome Watches

IWC declares 2012 as the year of the Pilot's Watch. They will treat us with many new models and establish the Top Gun collection as an independent collection within the IWC Pilot's Watch family.The first to be shown to us, is the brand new Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Top Gun Miramar. But there’s more news of increased diameters, different design elements, a new in-house fly-back chronogr...

2012-01-02

Friday Find - Omega Speedmaster Plaisted Expedition 1968 for an insane price - Monochrome Watches

Remember the Sea-Dweller 1665 Double Red that was on Ebay for a mere $ 225,000? Well, that same seller now offers a Speedmaster Professional from 1968, that was worn during the Plaisted Polar Expedition. You can get it for ‘just’ $ 99,000 USD.Yes indeed, it’s a 1968 Omega Speedmaster Professional, on a strange rice bead bracelet and it’s for sale at quite an extreme price...

2011-12-30

Pre SIHH 2012 - The new Lange und Sohne Datograph Auf/Ab - Monochrome Watches

Lange und Sohne call it the new benchmark in chronograph design and we think they are absolutely right. The new Datograph Auf/Ab sets the bar at a new level and the improvements go beyond adding a power reserve indicator.?According to many collectors the normal Datograph was already one of the most desirable chronographs ever made, only surpassed by it’s bigger brother the Lange und Sohne Do...

2011-12-20

Jaeger-LeCoultre Grande Reverso 1931 Rouge - with photos of the original - Monochrome Watches

For those who follow Monochrome, it’s no secret that Jaeger-LeCoultre paid tribute to the Reverso in quite an astonishing way this year. Today we show you the pre SIHH 2012 launch of a new version with a beautiful dark red lacquer dial.?During the recent auction of more than 500 Jaeger-LeCoultre timepieces, we saw where they found the inspiration. Indeed, it was the original Reverso from 193...

2011-12-15

IWC Mark XII Mellow Yellow - The Saab that will keep its value - Monochrome Watches

Today rumors said Saab was filing for?bankruptcy.?Apparently?the rumors where just rumors, however it was close… again. So let us show you a Saab that will keep its value. This is the IWC Mark XII Mellow Yellow, a special edition from 1997.?In 1997 Saab produced a special version of its 900 CE Cabrio, which was called “Mellow Yellow”. Every buyer of this car received a special ed...

2011-12-12

Audemars Piguet - Jules Audemars Extra-Thin Bolshoi Limited Edition - Monochrome Watches

Audemars Piguet released a limited edition of the Jules Audemars Extra-Thin in honor of the re-opening of the Bolshoi theatre. The facade of this renowned Russian theatre is engraved in the rotor.?Although we believe the Bolshoi is a beautiful theater, we are actually more exited about the limited edtion Audemars Piguet created. The Jules Audemars collection does unfortunately not get enough atten...

2011-12-09

Weekly Watch photo - IWC Ingenieur ref. 3227 - Monochrome Watches

This week we have an excellent treat for you. Stunning photos of?one of the most beautiful models ever produced by IWC, the IWC Ingenieur reference 3227.?In 2005 IWC introduced a new Ingenieur collection and this comprised of the Ingenieur Automatic (ref. 3227), a mid-size model (ref. 4515) and, for the first time in the Ingenieur collection, a?mechanical?chronograph (ref. 3725). There where also ...

2011-12-04

Pre SIHH 2012 - Jaeger-LeCoultre Duometrea Quantieme Lunaire 40.5 - Monochrome Watches

In 2010 Jaege-LeCoultre introduced the Duometre? Quantieme Luniare, which became immediately populair amongst watch fans and it was even chosen as Timezone Watch of the Year 2010. Now Jaeger-LeCoultre releases a new version… It’s called the Duometrea Quanteme Luniare 40.5. From its name (and specifications) we can conclude it now comes in a more elegant size. The previous model was 42...

2011-11-30

Seiko Marine Master 300 Reference SBDX001 | Weekly Watch Photo

The Seiko Marine Master 300 is Seiko’s high-end alternative for sportswatches. This might sound like a bold statement, but those who know this Seiko, will agree. The Weekly Watch Photo?is made by Tony. Again a Seiko as our Weekly Watch Photo, but something different than the Samurai we post earlier this month. Tony has a very nice blog?about his watch collection and he puts much effort in ...

2011-11-28

Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Geneve Award winners at Salon de Belles Montres - Monochrome Watches

And the winner is De Bethune with the DB28. The Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Geneve is more or less the Oscars of the watch industry and the De Bethune DB28 won the Aiguille d’Or which can be seen as the most important prize. This weekend all winning timepieces will be on exposition at Salon de Belles Montres in Paris.?Besides the Aiguille d’Or (the golden hand) prizes where awarde...

2011-11-24

Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Moon and Master Eight Days Perpetual 40 - Monochrome Watches

Jaeger-LeCoultre has had a very busy year with many new releases. Earlier they released three new models in the Master Control collection and I didn’t have time to share these with you: the Master Ultra Thin Moon and the Master Eight Days Perpetual 40.?At the time Jaeger-LeCoultre officially launched three new models of the Master Control collection, we shared an extensive review of the new ...

2011-11-23

Pre SIHH 2012 - Vacheron Constantin Patrimony Traditionalle 14-Days Tourbillon - Monochrome Watches

Vacheron Constantin launches a new Patrimony Traditionelle Tourbillon with 14 days of power reserve and it meets the new Geneva Hallmark standards. A beautiful classic timepiece with a new designed tourbillon movement, caliber 2260.?We’re still a few months away from the SIHH 2012, but pre SIHH novelties are already being released. This is the exiting period for watch collectors and aficiona...

2011-11-22

Weekly Watch Photo - Panerai PAM300 Mare Nostrum - Monochrome Watches

Maybe it’s because I just bought a Panerai or maybe it’s because I recently visited the Montblanc Manufacture in Villeret. This Weekly Watch Photo shows the Panerai PAM300 Mare Nostrum featuring a re-worked Minerva movement, originally produced in the Manufacture in Villeret.Martin Wilmsen made the?Weekly Watch Photo, which shows Panerai caliber OP XXV. This is the movement?of the imme...

2011-11-14

Pre SIHH 2012 - Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Openworked Extra-Thin 40th Anniversary - Monochrome Watches

Next year the Audemars Piguet will celebrate the 40 anniversary of the Royal Oak, that was designed in by the late Gerald Genta in 1972.?To celebrate this anniversary in due style, the Audemars Piguet now unveils the Openworked Extra-Thin Royal Oak, a platinum anniversary edition, limited series of just 40.The first Royal Oak, launched in 1972, was not just another watch. The Royal Oak was the wor...

2011-11-12

SalonQP 2011 starts this Thursday at The Saatchi Gallery - London - Monochrome Watches

This Thursday, SalonQP starts again and offers you a unique chance to discover the finest watches and meet the most interesting brands in the world. Does this sound excessive? Well we know it’s true!Unlike Baselworld or the SIHH, SalonQP really offers the chance for every watch aficionado to walk in and have talk with people representing the brands. And not only people representing the major...

2011-11-07

IWC Portuguese Yacht Club Chronograph Edition Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012 - Monochrome Watches

IWC just launched a special edition of the Portuguese Yacht Club model for the Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012. And you still have the chance to win a trip to the Volvo Ocean Race in Miami.?The Portuguese Yacht Club Chronograph Edition Volvo Ocean Race 2011-2012 features some details, which have not yet been used in the ‘normal’ Portuguese Yacht Club collection. Its case, measuring 45.5 mm,...

2011-11-03

Weekly Watch Photo - Glashutte Original Senator Hand Date - Monochrome Watches

We love it, the Friday Wristshot post that has become a custom on many forums. These Glashutte Original Senator Hand Date and vintage Longines Conquest where posted at?Timezone UK.?The Glashutte Original Senator Hand Date was released in 2009 and was meant as an understated and elegant timepiece. The 40 mm stainless steel case is 11.2 mm thick, which makes a nice and comfortable watch to wear dail...

2011-10-31

Roger Dubuis unveils the Monegasque collection in Monaco - Monochrome Watches

Last week Roger Dubuis officially launched the new Monegasque collection and they did it in style. According to Roger Dubuis it was all ‘European Art of Living’ and we can imagine it must have been a great evening in In Hotel de Paris in Monte Carlo (also called Monaco).?Early this year, during the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) Roger Dubuis already showed the first ...

2011-10-27

Win a trip to Piaget with Hodinkee - Monochrome Watches

Would you like to win an all-expenses-paid trip to Switzerland and visit both Piaget manufactures? Our friend from Hodinkee teamed up with Piaget and offer exactly that!?Yes that’s right, you can win a trip to Switzerland and get to visit the two Piaget Manufactures. This is an opportunity to get a look inside and see how Piaget creates their elegant and stylish timepieces, like the Altiplan...

2011-10-27

Revivals: old designs and brand new delight - Monochrome Watches

Our contributor Time2tic shares his views on re-editions. And in the mean time he shares something we at Monochrome really like a lot as well… gorgeous photos of his Longines Legend Diver. Watch brands either have designers working full time for them or regularly use the services of designers to come up with suggestions for the designs of new products for the next year(s). This is an establi...

2011-10-25

Blancpain X Fathoms - Monochrome Watches

Blancpain just launched a new and improved enhanced version of the legendary Fifty Fathoms, the X Fathoms. They claim the X Fathoms is the most high-performance mechanical dive watch every produced. Read more to see our verdict.?When judging the launch and press events that took place in?the largest aquarium in the world, the Dubai Aquarium & Underwater Zoo in the Dubai Mall, we almost think t...

2011-10-25

Weekly Watch Photo - Cartier Tank Cintree - Monochrome Watches

The Cartier forum @ Revo-Online keeps coming with very interesting stories about Cartier’s overwhelming history of wrist watches. And in the mean time they add a load of historical information and gorgeous photos…Like the new story about the evolution from the Cartier Tank Cintree to the new Tank Americaine Flying Tourbillon. Cartier first released a Cintree in 1921 and it’s a ve...

2011-10-23

Roger Smith Tourbillon Commission No 4 - Monochrome Watches

There are not many watchmakers who create timepieces like in the old days; everything hand-made. One of the best examples is Roger Smith who recently finished another commissioned timepiece with a tourbillon.?Here on Monochrome we wrote more about Roger Smith, because Roger Smith is all about the true watchmaker’s art. We could try to introduce him to you, but he did this himself in the best...

2011-10-22

The Auction Hammer - TME01 - Monochrome Watches

Antiquorum is preparing itself for yet another auction in Hong Kong. This city is not only a thrilling place by itself, it is also a city where watches are more than appreciated! To meet the cities passion for high end horlogerie Antiquorum has once again succeeded in an impressive array of watches.Amongst them a couple of very beautiful Jaeger-LeCoultre clocks, the usual high-end Pateks and.R2D2'...

2011-10-19

Weekly Watch Photo - Omega Speedmaster Pre-moon - Monochrome Watches

Again a Weekly Watch Photo of an Omega. This week it’s a Speedmaster Pre-moon from Trum, a member of Timezone UK made the photo.He wrote a very informative post about identifying the different Pre-moon Speedmaster versions?that Omega released before the Speedmaster accompanied the astronauts in space. The first being reference 105.003, which can be recognized by the dial without the word ...

2011-10-18

Cartier Time Art, Mechanics of Passion - a book Monochrome Watches

Our contributor Martin Green was one of the first to receive the book Cartier Time Art, Machanics of Passion and reviewed it. The book is written by Jack Forster, editor in chief of Revolution USA and manager of the Revolution online forum, and published in honor of Cartiers incredibly rich and often unknown watch history.?Not many people realize that when they put on their Santos Galbee, Santos D...

2011-10-13