A couple of weeks ago, we presented Omega’s?latest chronograph creation, a surprising take on the most famous of the brand’s timepieces, a complex, visually different edition of the Speedmaster named Chronoscope. While we extensively covered the reasons behind the name and all the specifications surrounding the six stainless steel editions in this in-depth article, I wanted to come bac...
We’ve said it repeatedly over and over here, at MONOCHROME… The sports watch with integrated bracelet is simply the hottest, most desirable and most (commercially) successful watch category these days. Without surprise, we’ve seen dozens of brands entering the genre, from accessible luxury powerhouses to small independent watchmakers. We can’t blame them, as they are simply...
The watchmaking industry, before being a story of products, is first and foremost the story of women and men devoted to conceiving and producing some of the most delicate and yet unnecessary objects we can imagine. If all must be considered, some names resonate stronger, mostly for the impact they have had on this industry. You can, for example, think about A.L. Breguet and his influence on mechan...
Pilot watches and Oris go hand in hand. The latest Big Crown ProPilot model is dedicated to an aeromedical rescue organisation operating out of Botswana known as the Okavango Air Rescue. Following in the footsteps of the Rega Fleet and the Royal Flying Doctor Service of Australia limited editions, Oris wants to raise awareness of this exemplary and humanitarian enterprise that is coming up for its...
Single-hand watches are nothing new, albeit still something of a rarity. MeisterSinger is undoubtedly the best-known brand to embrace the style, but many others have toyed with the concept. SNGLRTY has devoted its entire portfolio to single-hand watches, but all display both the hour and minutes via a clever, patented design. A common way to do this is with a jumping hour like the MeisterSinger Sa...
In light of the ninth edition of the Only Watch charity event, where exceptional one-off watches are donated and auctioned to raise funds in the fight against Duchene Muscular Dystrophy, TAG Heuer presents a rather remarkable watch. It’s astounding not only because of its looks, channelling a historical and highly sought-after vintage Heuer Monaco, but even more so because of the extensive u...
While most of us have in mind Seiko‘s impressive background in the field of watches made for divers, the Japanese brand has far more to offer, especially when it comes to chronographs. I’m sure we don’t need to remind you that Seiko was one of the earliest manufacturers to build an automatic chronograph?in 1969. And it was also the first brand to launch a chronograph on Japanese ...
Sensual Latin atmospheres, gorgeous scenery, high-quality rum in one hand, and a Robusto cigar in the other. A picture that couldn't be more at home when it comes to the Caribbean island of Cuba. It was also one of the favorite travel destinations of Winston Churchill, the British politician who was always pictured smoking a cigar, preferably those of Cuban origin. The Cuervo y Sobrinos Robusto Ch...
Our friends from Fratello Watches are at it again, with another very interesting collaboration. This time Fratello has teamed up with independent German watchmaker Nomos and created a limited edition of one of the brand’s most original and sought-after models, the Zurich Weltzeit. Like other limited edition collaborative projects, the watches tend to sell out quickly. The Fratello x Nomos Zu...
With Les Cabinotiers, its special-order department, Vacheron Constantin keeps the tradition of offering clients the opportunity to create made-to-measure watches alive. While confidentiality surrounds the majority of these special requests, we managed to get permission from the client to take a look at a recent, major bespoke creation. And at a time when pocket watches may seem obsolete to many, a...
Our mind likes to put labels on things, categorize items and events and determine if something is a risk or not. Stemming from millennia of evolution, this is still instinctive behaviour to us and subconsciously applied on a daily basis. Using the specifications and features of a watch, we categorize watches and like to distinguish a dive watch from a pilot’s watch or a field watch. With tha...
The principality of Monaco, nestled on the Mediterranean coast between France and Italy, has always been an attractive venue for the rich and famous. Whether it is the world-famous Casino, the longstanding Monaco Grand Prix, or the luxurious Monaco Yacht Show, it’s a playboy’s playground. And, of course, where maritime activities are concerned, marine chronometry is never far away. Uly...
The luxury sports watch with integrated bracelet is all the rage at the moment. The Alpine Eagle, Chopard's take on the genre, is a modern, state-of-the-art reinterpretation of the 1980s Saint-Moritz. Unveiled two years ago, the model is now released in a 250-piece limited edition powered by a high-tech 8Hz high-frequency automatic movement. Here's the Chopard Alpine Eagle Cadence 8HF in Titanium....
Almost every time we write about Bvlgari, it’s breaking news about another impressive ultra-thin world record Octo Finissimo. Although it does belong to the iconic ultra-thin Octo Finissimo family and bears a lean manual-winding movement, the news today concerns a very effective colour update to an existing Octo Finissimo Skeleton model. Initially launched in 2016 in a black DLC-coated steel...
The go-to material for the majority of microbrands is stainless steel as it’s plentiful, durable, and relatively easy to work with. RZE has bucked the trend with an affordable diver and field watch dressed in full titanium, both at accessible prices. Of course, titanium isn’t a new material for watches, but it’s usually reserved for more established brands and carries a bit of a ...
Following numerous new models in the Speedmaster collection this year already (incl. the brand new Moonwatch), Omega is adding a new version to the range. A new Speedmaster? Yes, but this one is actually quite special; it comes with many unprecedented features and reintroduces a name that is dear to the brand. So, let’s go straight to the point: here’s the new Omega Speedmaster Chronos...
If you’re a recurring reader of MONOCHROME, you might know that we have a soft spot for independent and bold watchmaking. We enjoy watches made by small teams, watches that break the norm and display the creativity and soul of the people behind these timepieces. So when such a new watchmaker surfaces, we jump at the chance to look at it with a fresh mind and wide-open eyes. Today, we present...
Except if you’ve been living in a cave for the past three or four years, you might well be aware that the hottest watch category these days is the so-called luxury sports watch. Based on 1970s inspirations, equipped with an integrated bracelet, mixing daily capacities with refined mechanics, they’ve become something of a necessity for any watchmaking brand that wants to be taken seriou...
Developed and produced by the manufacture established in Fleurier in 1996, the first Chopard L.U.C Haute Horlogerie watches were released in the late 1990s. Over the following twenty years, the manufacture created a dozen or so calibres with countless variations and, most importantly, a collection of refined watches with a distinctive flair. As the Chopard manufacture celebrates its 25th anniversa...
Oris is, without doubt, a highly productive brand with many models in collection focussed on aquatic activities. From the classic Aquis watches in multiple sizes and colours, and even with an in-house movement, to the ultra-robust Prodive, there’s basically a watch for everyone. And if you’re looking for a cool, vintage-oriented sports watch with casual flair, there’s of course t...
Since 2016 and its introduction at the Geneva watch fair, the Overseas has been an almost infinite playground for Vacheron Constantin, in the oh-so-important luxury sports watch market. Offered in dozens of variations, in multiple colours, with simple displays or complex movements, there’s not much that can be said about the Vacheron Constantin Overseas that we haven’t already said. Ex...
Some watches shine brighter than others; we all know that. And that doesn't necessarily have to be attributed to copious amounts of gems or a superbly polished case. It can also be the result of the amount and application of luminescent material. And this, quite literally, can make a watch shine brighter than any diamond, especially at night! Here's our list of five watches presented in 2021 that ...
We, at MONOCHROME, see hundreds of watches a year, and I'm no exception to the rule. And of course, we all have our preferences regarding which watches we believe are special. Case in point today, as I had been eager to be able to get my hands on this new L.U.C watch since it was announced during the 2021 edition of Watches & Wonders. The Chopard L.U.C Quattro Spirit 25 was well worth the wait...
Out of the 53 lots up for auction by Only Watch 2021 in a couple of weeks, there are four that cannot be worn on the wrist. While we tend to focus primarily on wrist-worn timing devices, only mechanical of course, it doesn't hurt to pay homage to the origins of watchmaking and feature a funky or complex clock or other timing instruments every now and then. With that in mind, here are the four lots...
Space can be an intimidating yet inspiring place. With centuries of gazing up at the stars, it seems we're closer than ever to expanding our horizon through advanced space exploration and colonisation. Of course, this is probably decades away, but we can begin to fantasise about stepping out of our homes on the Moon, or better yet, Mars. While this only exists in our minds, for now, some people us...
Just over a decade after the launch of the Royal Oak, Audemars Piguet introduced the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar. A leader in the field of QP complications, Audemars Piguet combined Gerald Genta's iconoclastic design of 1972 with the thinnest automatic QP movement of the day to produce the hugely successful Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar (Ref. 5554). A staple in the collection since its launch, the...
Sometimes in life, one has to get lucky… like really lucky! Let me explain. Since 2012, A. Lange & So?hne has been a partner of the Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este. And not content enough to be participating in one of the most prestigious Concours d’Elegance around the world, the winner in the Best of Show category is presented with a very special gift, a Lange 1 Time Zone “...
It might not have been the most complicated model in the 2019 inaugural line-up of Code 11.59, but it was certainly the most dramatic. With its openworked movement and contemporary architecture, Audemars Piguet's Tourbillon Openworked made its debut in pink gold with black bridges and plates followed by a two-tone pink and white gold model for the Only Watch 2019 charity auction. To show off its c...
The Captain Cook is probably one of Rado's most iconic models. Named after the British explorer, it was originally released in 1962. The 37mm, 200m water-resistant timepiece was a solid attempt from Rado to tap into the trend for dive watches. Since it was relaunched in 2017, several vintage-inspired Captain Cooks have been released. However, in 2021, the brand has decided to venture into new terr...
While the “Royal Oak” part of this watch is something that might feel familiar to most of you, there’s another part of the name of this impressive Audemars Piguet that will certainly need some more explanations, and that is the “Supersonnerie” part… The 2.0 version of the minute repeater, a watch that carries 3 patents and multiple unprecedented technical soluti...