Latest Watch News

The Patek Philippe Desk Clock Only Watch 2021 Doesn't Break Record But Still Sells at CHF 9.5 Million - Monochrome Watches

As Only Watch 2021 continues and following a succession of impressive prices achieved, such as the AP Royal Oak for 3.1 Million and the F.P. Journe for 4.5 Million, it’s now time to talk about the expected star of the show, Patek Philippe of course. In 2019, Patek Philippe's one-of-a-kind Ref. 6300A-010 Grandmaster Chime in a steel case smashed all world records as the most expensive watch e...

2021-11-06

The Collector's Series - Lung Lung and Her A. Lange & Sohne Datograph

Hong Kong-based watch enthusiast Lung Lung Thun (32) also known as @lunglungthun is one of the regular contributors to our Collector's Series, with her vast collection of beautiful watches. We've already discussed with her the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Frosted Gold Carolina Bucci. And today, it's one of our all-time favourite watches that will be the centre of attention. Once again, we're very ple...

2021-11-05

Interview Carole Forestier on TAG Heuer Carbon Nanotube Hairsprings

For the 2021 edition of Only Watch, the charity auction where exceptional one-off watches are donated to raise funds in the fight against Duchene Muscular Dystrophy, TAG Heuer presented an impressive Full Carbon Monaco. Channelling the spirit of the iconic Dark Lord, the use of carbon goes well beyond the case and deep down inside the movement with its carbon nanotube hairspring. Indeed, TAG Heuer...

2021-11-05

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph 26622TI Review

Love it or hate it, call it a hype-collection, but the fact is that the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak (and all its offspring) remains one of the most desirable collections on the market. It is also by far the most important collection in Audemars Piguet's catalogue but the brand isn't simply resting on its laurels. Considering how much it has evolved from the original ref. 5402 presented in 1972, the ...

2021-11-04

Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Perpetual Calendar Wins Aiguille d'Or GPHG 2021

With the watchmaking industry coming back to a normal situation this year, we’ve been able to see some pretty impressive watches launched during several digital or physical events. And as every year in November, the industry celebrates creativity and innovation, with the GPHG 2021 ceremony just ended – an event also known as the Oscars of the Watchmaking Industry. As always, a complex ...

2021-11-04

Announcing - Watch the GPHG 2021 Tonight, Live on MONOCHROME

Tonight, as every year, is the celebration of watchmaking, watchmakers and watches in general It is the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Geneve (or GPHG 2021) – the Oscars of the watchmaking industry. Several categories are represented (ladies, men, complicated and even affordable watches) and the best watches of the year will be awarded the coveted Golden Hand prize - and of course, the prize we'...

2021-11-04

Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Titanium 43mm 2021 - Review, Price

The Blancpain Fifty Fathoms is, without a doubt, one of the most emblematic dive watches. You hardly can find a dive watch with more historical background, the model being one of the earliest watches of its kind and one that has helped define the very concept of the dive watch. But behind the name Fifty Fathoms hides two sub-collections, and that since the early days of this model. First is the cl...

2021-11-03

IWC Portugieser Hand-Wound Tourbillon IW545801 - Review, Price

Over the second part of its life, which started in the early 1990s under the guidance of Gunter Blumlein, the IWC Portugieser has become the most emblematic model in the brand’s collection. Elegant without being formal, simple yet with great character, it’s a model that we’ve seen equipped with pretty much every possible complication. From simple time-only models to an ultra-comp...

2021-11-02

Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Complete Calendar 4010T White Gold

The Traditionnelle collection by Vacheron Constantin is the most classic expression of watchmaking by the old Maison. And as such, it comprises pretty much all possible complications, ranging from simple time-only pieces up to tourbillons, perpetual calendars or even a grande complication. There’s one watch that sits right in the middle, with a mix of elegance and complexity, without falling...

2021-11-02

Dumoreau DM01 Automatic Integrated Bracelet - Value Proposition Review

Microbrands have really matured in the last few years, producing watches that can legitimately go toe-to-toe with established brands from the accessible range like Hamilton, Tissot and more. Dumoreau is a new brand based in Southern California and recently release its inaugural piece, the DM01 sports watch. We've seen a few affordable watches with integrated bracelets lately like the Tissot PRX Po...

2021-11-01

Buying Guide - Discovering some of the finest Compressor dive watches.

Whenever we come across a dive watch that has an inner rotating bezel and a dual crown set-up, we tend to label it as a Compressor dive watch. While it certainly is the correct terminology for the style, it depends on the construction of the case if a watch is actually a proper Compressor dive watch or not. Watches that simply look like a Compressor diver might have you fooled a bit, as most merel...

2021-10-31

This week we take a look at some of the most insane vans ever created

If you're anything like me, and on the road in a bit of traffic quite regularly, some cars stick out more than others, and not always in a good way. One eyesore we've surely all encountered before, and perhaps had the pleasure' of driving ourselves for whatever reason, is the van. They're big, loud and often are right on your bumper trying to pass you by almost pushing you out the way. Generally, ...

2021-10-30

Auction - The Pink Dial Project for Breast Cancer Awareness

Watches and charity… When there’s a good cause, many watch brands don’t hesitate long and donate one of their, often unique, creations. Earlier this year, Wei Koh, founder of Revolution magazine and The Rake, reached out to join forces in order to raise money for breast cancer. He baptized this the Pink Dial Project. Nineteen brands have donated watches and the auction started a ...

2021-10-29

Industry Swiss Fund Partners Group Invests in Breitling

Long a family-owned company, Breitling saw CVC Capital Partners acquire an 80% stake in their capital in 2017 (in a deal valued at more than EUR 800 million, or USD 928 million) while the Schneider family kept the remaining 20% of the capital. Subsequently, quitting a Richemont senior leadership role, George Kern was appointed CEO of the brand. Swiss-based Fund Partners Group now enters the capita...

2021-10-29

Embracing Death with the Chopard L.U.C Full Strike 'Da de los Muertos'

The Da de Los Muertos, or Day of the Dead, is a day of celebrating the lives of our deceased loved ones, instead of mourning over their passing. It is a day of remembering the good times and cherishing valuable memories. While primarily celebrated in Latin American cultures, it is embraced by an increasing number of people outside of that. Dedicated to this rather special day, Chopard has created...

2021-10-29

Collector's Series - @winewhiskywatches & Breguet Tradition 7047

There are collectors and there are collectors… For today’s instalment of the Collector’s Series, we had a chat, or actually a long talk, with a seasoned, passionate and very knowledgeable collector who’s known under the Instagram handle @winewhiskywatches. In previous instalments, he already talked about three other watches in his (pretty impressive) collection, the infamou...

2021-10-29

Girard-Perregaux Laureato Aston Martin Edition - Hands-On, Price

Earlier this year, the Swiss watchmaker Girard-Perregaux announced a partnership with Aston Martin, the iconic British manufacturer of luxury sports cars and grand tourers. The first watch to celebrate the partnership was a revved-up and skeletonised version of the brand’s signature Tourbillon with Three Flying Bridges. Today, GP launches a sporty Laureato Chronograph Aston Martin Edition wi...

2021-10-28

Longines Launches Collector's Corner for Vintage CPO Watches

Vintage and preowned luxury is thriving like never before. As far as the watch industry is concerned, the second-hand market is booming as vintage watch collecting is more popular than ever and has emerged as a mark of connoisseurship Originally restricted to auction houses, pawnbrokers and a few watch dealers, the second-hand luxury watch market has transformed dramatically over the past few year...

2021-10-28

Interview With Pim Koeslag, CEO of Ateliers deMonaco Watches

From the Prince of Qatar to the Prince of Monaco, and from one of the biggest watch collectors in the world to a descendant from the famous violin builder Stradivarius, watch lovers are finding their way to Ateliers deMonaco. Founder and master-watchmaker Pim Koeslag, also Frederique Constant’s Technical Director, even managed to get his brand the much-coveted Geneva Seal, a major feat for a...

2021-10-27

Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra 150m Beijing 2022 Edition

While the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Summer Games are barely behind us (thanks to a small delay in the calendar…), the Beijing 2022 Olympic Winter Games are knocking at the door and will begin on February the 4th next year. As expected, and now with no fewer than 30 participations, Omega will once again be the official timekeeper of the event, which will return to the city of Beijing, after the 2008...

2021-10-27

Hands-On Glashutte Original Senator Excellence Perpetual Calendar Salmon

Glashutte Original‘s Senator Perpetual Calendar has been in the brand’s collection for 22 years, a triumph of mechanics and design with one of the best perpetual calendar displays around. Evolving over the years on and below deck with aesthetic tweaks and upgraded movements, the last overhaul was in 2017 with the?Senator Excellence and the incorporation of calibre 36 and its 100-hour p...

2021-10-26

IWC Big Pilots Watch Perpetual Calendar TOP GUN Ceratanium Review

With roots that go back to the 1940s and, more importantly, a production history that started in the mid-1990s, IWC‘s Pilot’s Watch collection is one of the brand’s most established ranges, and it comprises almost all complications and movements that the brand has managed to create over the years. Of course, Kurt Klaus’ perpetual calendar is no exception to the rule, and th...

2021-10-25

Hands-on IWC Pilot's Watch Timezoner TOP GUN Ceratanium IW395505

IWC Schaffhausen's outstanding craft of creating functional, mechanical pilot's watches has translated into something far more than just a simple and legible timing device designed for pilots. It has transformed into a horological icon, sparking many iterations with additional, useful complications. One such offspring is the practical IWC Pilot's Watch Timezoner, a Super-GMT if you like. Following...

2021-10-25

2021 A. Lange & Sohne Zeitwerk Honeygold Lumen 142.055

If A. Lange & Sohne watches are often playing on classical design cues, there is one sub-collection that certainly has a far more modern and technical vibe, and that is the so-called Lumen range of limited editions. Born in 2010 with the Zeitwerk Luminous (not yet named Lumen back then), the collection has grown to become some of the most sought-after and desirable watches in the brand’s...

2021-10-24

Buying Guide - Five of the best Vintage-inspired accessible watches

People have the tendency to look back on their past and revive good memories from time to time. Whether it is through pictures, music that brings back memories, or artefacts from that perfect summer vacation, everybody has these rituals. And, in comparison, the watch industry is not that different. With the vintage market booming, and previously overlooked pieces on the rise, multiple brands take ...

2021-10-24

Longines Timepieces in Bathyscaphe Trieste And On The Wrist of Piccard

We, human beings, have a fascination for exploration. We are pioneers, adventurers and mostly, we’re curious to know everything about our planet and what’s around it. Man has travelled through space, has been on the Moon, flew in ultra-fast planes, and also explored the deepest point on planet Earth, Challenger Deep near the?Mariana Trench. On 23 January 1960, swiss oceanographer Jacqu...

2021-10-22

REC Watches 901 GW Chelsea Grey Chronograph

Danish watchmaking brand REC Watches has regularly been featured on MONOCHROME, as there's often just something different and cool about its watches. Whether it is a pilot's watch inspired by the Spitfire, a tool-like watch taking cues from a Land Rover or even watches dedicated to the Ford Mustang, there’s a red line running through all collections. REC Watches uses actual components of car...

2021-10-21

Laco Flieger PRO, The Classic Pilot's Watch Fully Customizable

When you think about the classic pilot’s watch, the so-called Flieger, there are a few names that might come to mind – in fact, 5 names to be precise. And of course, Laco is one to be mentioned. Inspired by the 1940s models worn by German pilots, the brand has been manufacturing these historically-inspired watches for several years now, with a pretty solid range of models. But what com...

2021-10-20

Vacheron Constantin The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac Year of the Tiger

This series of watches, the Metiers d'Art The Legend of the Chinese Zodiac, has become a recurring theme for Vacheron Constantin. To celebrate the arrival of the Year of the Tiger, which will take over from the Ox at the Chinese New Year on 1 February 2022, Vacheron is releasing two new versions of its classic, high-end calendar watch finished with artistic crafts to pay tribute to the animal that...

2021-10-20

IWC Big Pilot Perpetual Calendar Tourbillon Le Petit Prince IW504803

One thing is to associate a line of watches with a famous air squadron or even with a specific type of aeroplane, but when IWC came up with the idea of adopting Antoine de Saint-Exupery’s beloved character, Le Petit Prince, it flew straight to the hearts of many watch enthusiasts. Not only was the author of Le Petit Prince a pilot and adventurer, but his character and his humanist values hav...

2021-10-19