Latest Watch News

Vacheron Constantin Historique American 1921 - driver's watch - Monochrome Watches

Vacheron Constantin released a re-issue of a 1920’s watch at SIHH 2009. The Historique American 1921 is probably one of the most beautiful watches Vacheron Constantin ever made, but it also has something weird…In 1919 Vacheron Constantin made a watch in a cushion shape case with a crown placed at the upper left corner, at the 11 ‘o clock position. Usually the crown is at right si...

2009-06-28

Linde Werdelin - a perfect combination - Monochrome Watches

Today my new chronicle was published at World Tempus. Well in time for the holiday season you can find out about the combination of watches and attachable instruments Linde Werdelin offers. Last week i already blogged about my search for a perfect vacation watch and in my recent chronicle you can read about my ongoing search for the perfect vacation watch. Linde Werdelin sets itself apart from oth...

2009-06-12

Steve McQueen's watches on auction - Monochrome Watches

June 11th Antiquorum will auction watches of famous people from the 20th century. Among them two watches worn by Steven McQueen and even his motorbike will be on auction. The upcoming Anitquorum auction will include timepieces from twentieth century icons President Franklin D. Roosevelt, Frank Sinatra, Sammy Davis Jr and Steve McQueen. Of course there will be a lot of other watches will be auctio...

2009-06-07

Perfect watch for vacation - Monochrome Watches

Finding a watch that meets your requirements is hard enough, but finding an ultimate vacation watch seems even more difficult. Yummie....I’m looking for the ultimate vacation watch and for the first time i find it hard, nearly impossible, to find what i’m looking for.Of course i’m not looking for a watch with a battery! My search is for a mechanical watch, preferably with automat...

2009-06-06

Categorizing Independent Watchmakers - Monochrome Watches

Independent watchmakers are in many ways different from other watch companies. But in the end they all make wristwatches we enjoy wearing and collecting. Watch lovers who frequent watchforums like Horomundi, The PuristS Pro, Timezone and Watchuseek may have seen or read something about independent watchmaking. But?for most of them (you?) the independent watchmakers might still be unknown. Let̵...

2009-06-03

Longines Legend Diver with date - Monochrome Watches

Re-issues seem to be popular the last few years. Especially the revival of the super compressor dive watches is quite remarkable. In my ‘chronicle‘ on Worldtempus.com i write about the popularity of the re-issues the last few years. Although TAG Heuer already started with re-issues in the late nineties, most other brands are catching up the last few years. Among others Omega, Jaeger Le...

2009-05-29

(TAG) Heuer Monaco - plexi is sexy - Monochrome Watches

The newest TAG Heuer Monaco Classic Chronograph is the first Monaco, since March of 1969 when the first Monaco was released, to have a sapphire crystal. Why… have they forgotten that PLEXI IS SEXY….?Since the first Heuer Monaco was released in March of 1969, all of them had a plexi crystal. The Heuer Monaco reference 1133 was the first automatic chronograph to be released and it was th...

2009-05-24

Report of my Trip to Helsinki to pick up my Sarpaneva Korona K1 - Monochrome Watches

Here’s a report about a personal journey, picking up my new watch at the watchmaker’s atelier. Since there have been some big changes in my personal life, I decided to buy a ‘special watch’. Not just the next cool watch, but a watch that is at the top of my budgetary means, and that will become an important watch for me. After giving to a lot of thought I finally decided wh...

2009-05-21

Finding your new watch - Monochrome Watches

Sometimes a watch really grasps your attention and doesn’t let go. What is it that sets this watch apart from the rest? Is it the looks or maybe the brand’s name and fame appeals to you? Or did your father or favourite movie star had a watch that made a deep impression? Or maybe it is mainly about the technical aspects?Since the reason will be different for everyone and will probably e...

2009-05-20

Where do you like to buy your new watch? - Monochrome Watches

This weekend i’m going to pick up my dream watch in Finland. After selling quite a few of my watches to get enough funds it’s finally time. Airplane tickets and a hotel room are booked, so next week i’ll show you my new watch.Daniel Craig coming from the Omega dealerYou can buy a used watch online or even a new one. Most of my friends prefer to buy a watch at a local AD. They lik...

2009-05-15

New Lange & Sohne - Zeitwerk - Monochrome Watches

A Lange & Sohne just released a new watch, the Lange Zeitwerk. Time is displayed not with hands, but with digits. Although this is not something completely new, A Lange & Sohne made a pretty new watch with impressive complications. A Lange & Sohne’s new Zeitwerk, or translated Timework, features jumping hours and minutes, a small seconds hand with stop seconds and a power-reserve...

2009-05-12

Time to say goodbye - Monochrome Watches

Since my passion for watches began, the Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso has always been one of my favorites. Even during times when I was wearing watches with the average size of 44mm (like the Panerai PAM00001 ?I owned), I still considered it as very desirable. And I still do…To explain the title of this story I have to go back to a week in september of last year (2008), when visited New York City...

2009-05-06

Watches and Espresso - Monochrome Watches

Last year Robert-Jan from Fratellowatches and Gerard from Horlogeplatform Nederland initiated an informal meeting of local watch enthousiasts. The idea was to make the Watches and Espresso meeting into a returning event in different locations in the neighborhood. Recently we met at a place near the sea, where it was very quiet due to the lousy weather. 8 Fellow watch enthousiasts joined to talk ab...

2009-05-03

The Watchmakers who say MIH - Monochrome Watches

The MIH Watch was released in september 2005 and has become a famous watch among watch enthusiasts in those past 3.5 years. With clean looks that do not immediately give away the complexity of the watch, it flies nicely under the radar.?The concept was developed by Ludwig Oechslin who is well known for creating remarkable watches like the Freak?for Ulysse Nardin. Paul Gerber was responsable for th...

2009-04-26

Watch from my year of birth - part 2 - Monochrome Watches

More about my quest for a watch from my year of birth. A few days ago i already blogged about this quest, now the story continues. I’m considering (a reasonably priced) GMT Master 1675 or Submariner no-date ref. 5512 or 5513. But there are of course other options. Heuer and Omega also had some incredibly nice watches in that time. And although i’ve searched the internet, i’m su...

2009-04-21

Watch from my year of birth - part 1 - Monochrome Watches

After the loads of information from the SIHH and Baselworld i am taking a break from blogging about news, more news and even more news. I still have lots of photos and a lot of information about the novelties released at Baselworld. No worries, i will blog about it later.One things that’s been keeping me busy for a long time already, is finding a watch from my year of birth. In my case this ...

2009-04-18

Ma?tres du Temps - Chapter Two - Monochrome Watches

During Baselworld i had a meeting with Ma?tres du Temps. After a warm welcome, Margaret Pane (vice president of Ma?tres du Temps) showed us the movie that was made for Chapter Two. I can really recommend watching this movie (around 10 minutes) as it really captures the essence of this collaboration of the greatest minds of modern watchmaking. The movie has some details that the connaisseur will im...

2009-04-09

Baselworld report - Monochrome Watches

Robert-Jan and i are making a report of our trip to Baselworld. The report will be posted at Perpetuelle.com. Take a look at Perpetuelle’s Baselworld 2009 forum.Baselworld 2009 entranceThanx to Kyle @ Perpetuelle.com for the press cards, Robert-Jan for the excellent company. On his website Fratellowatches he just wrote a post of our experience trying to get a closer look at the new TAG Heuer...

2009-04-03

Back from Basel - Monochrome Watches

I just got back from Basel where Robert-Jan (Fratellowatches) and i visited Baselworld. The watches and juwelry show was totally overwhelming! Last friday, saturday and today (sunday) i’ve seen a LOT of watches, met a lot of nice and interesting people and talked to some of the most famous watchmakers alive. Mindblowing…During the coming week i will do my best to select the best photos...

2009-03-29

Baselworld, here we come!! - Monochrome Watches

Baselworld 2009Together with my friend and watchbuddy Robert-Jan, who also runs a watch weblog named Fratellowatches, i’m going to visit Baselworld. Coming friday, saturday and sunday we will have meetings with a lot of watch brands. From Basel we will report about our meetings, the watch and jewelry show in general and lots of other new watches we will hopefully get to see.Last year more th...

2009-03-25

Basel news: Hermes - Monochrome Watches

Not a watch brand i would immediately think of, but Hermes surprises me this year with 2 interesting pre releases. Like Richard Mille last year, Hermes comes with a pocket watch. Is this a start of a new pocket watches hype? I don’t know… I know i can’t afford the Richard Mille pocket watch and since the pocket watch from Hermes is limited to only 24 pieces i suspect it will neve...

2009-03-21

Basel news: Chopard - Monochrome Watches

Chopard Elton John CollectionChopard released no less than 6 new watches in the weeks before Baselworld. For me only 2 of the 6 are interesting, as the other 4 are ladies models. Although… one of the ladies models really jumps out, because it’s made for a man. the Chopard Elton John Collection. ICE, ICE, BABY… that’s some serious bling-bling. Luckily (for me) Chopard also r...

2009-03-19

Zenith El Primero - 40 years - Monochrome Watches

I recently blogged about the world’s first automatic chronograph, Calibre 11, developped by Heuer, Breitling, Buren en Dubois-Depraz. Not much later Zenith launched their first automatic chronograph, the famous El Primero. This means that the Zenith also celebrates the 40th of the El Primero. To celebrate this Zenith comes with 5 Anniversary models.Caliber 3019 – the first El PrimeroTh...

2009-03-11

The Chairman - Monochrome Watches

Ulysse Nardin - The ChairmanYes, this is really what it looks like! Ulysse Nardin will lauch a very luxurious smart phone with an unusual power supply… an automatic movement.To make this possible they teamed up with SCI Innovations.? This hybrid smart phone is actually the world’s most ‘green’ smartphone, no recharging is required of course ??The Chairman will be launched a...

2009-03-08

Watch of the year - Monochrome Watches

Like every year, Timezone held an election for the watch of the year. The forums moderators made a selection of 6 ultimate watches, released in 2008, and the ultimate choice is made by the forum member’s votes. The six selected watches where the Blancpain Carrousel Volant Une Minute, F.P. Journe Centigraphe Souverain, Jaeger LeCoultre Reverso Gyro Tourbillon 2, Sea-Dweller Deep Sea, Seiko ...

2009-03-05

It was 40 years ago... the first automatic chronograph - Monochrome Watches

40 Years ago, on 3 March 1969, the first automatic chronograph movement was introduced. This movement,?nick-named Chronomatic, was developed by a joint venture of Heuer, Breitling, Buren and Dubois-Depraz. The Chronomatic was used by Heuer, Breitling and Buren under the name of caliber 11.Cover of Swiss Watch and Jewelry Journal – nr.2 1969It actually started with the development of a HMS (h...

2009-03-04

Basel news: TAG Heuer Monaco 40th anniversary - Monochrome Watches

Dear readers,The past week i’ve been busy upgrading the software and design?of Monochrome.nl . Although the design changes are not complete yet, I hope you like the new looks of monochrome. Within a few days i’ll start posting about watches again. It’s an exiting time in this month before the start of Baselworld. Brands like Glashutte Original, TAG Heuer, Omega and many, many mor...

2009-02-24

SIHH is over... now let's move one to Basel - Monochrome Watches

Well the title says it all….The Salon International Haute Horlogery has hardly ended and the first Baselworld pre releases are already out. The Salon International Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) is over and it seems there is almost no time to talk and discuss all new releases from the Richemont brands. Press releases of new creations that will be shown at Baselwolrd 2009 are already pooring in! At ...

2009-02-10

Ace Juwelers online - Monochrome Watches

Some of you guys might already know Ace Jewelers in Amsterdam. It’s an Authorised Dealer of brands like IWC, Longines, TAG Heuer, Breitling, Omega, Oris and many more. Ace Jewelers has three shops in the centre of Amsterdam and always offers a warm welcome and time to share the passion for fine watches. Today Ace Juwelers opened a new shop… on the internet! Yes, Ace Juwelers starts doi...

2009-02-02

SIHH update - Cartier - Monochrome Watches

One of the most remarkable news this year is the end of Collection Privee?Cartier Paris. This remarkable collection of timelessly designed wristwatches will be replaced by the bigger and bolder Fine Watchmaking Collection.?This year the special editions known as ‘Collection Privee Cartier Paris’ or CPCP, and known for the word ‘Paris’ on the dial, will seize to be produced....

2009-01-25