Collaboration models between magazines/media and watch manufacturers have become a classic and, more often than not, it can result in pretty cool timepieces with a unique flair. We’ve been there too recently, with our first Montre de Souscription. Our friends and neighbours at Fratello (we’re both based in the Netherlands and both teams know each other for years) have tried this before...
With almost 50 years of existence, the Royal Oak has become more than just a cult watch. It has evolved into an entire collection, built around an iconic design, and showcasing most of Audemars Piguet‘s watchmaking savoir-faire. One of the most emblematic complications of AP is, without a doubt, the perpetual calendar. As such, the RO has long been equipped with this complex calendar functio...
In addition to the 41mm chronograph white frosted gold Royal Oak we’ve just shown to you, Audemars Piguet is releasing today another model, which could be a bit more important than you might imagine. Indeed, AP has just launched a new black ceramic Royal Oak in its collection… You could argue that it isn’t a first for the brand, but actually, this watch is the first time black ce...
Don’t think because Audemars Piguet has already presented various new models this year that they have nothing left to show. Actually, far from that, as today the brand is releasing once again multiple new watches. And some are pretty spectacular indeed. Earlier this year, Audemars Piguet launched a new version of its Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph, the classic model with a new automatic m...
Formula 1 eats up cash like there's no tomorrow, even to compete, let alone have a shot at winning the title. Mercedes-AMG Petronas Formula One team have dominated the sport for years now, yet this year's title race seems closer than ever. Close rivals Red Bull Racing have the German team in their crosshairs and are pushing hard with Dutchman Max Verstappen currently in the championship lead. It s...
Today’s instalment of The Collector’s Series focuses on a watch that might look familiar. Several weeks ago we wrote about this very nice Habring2 monopusher chronograph that we, here at MONOCHROME, liked a lot. It was a limited edition from the Japanese retailer Shellman, and this particular one was for sale as a pre-owned watch. At some point in the process of designing our own Montr...
Mixing its Cuban roots, which are very much reflected in the design of the watches, with traditional Swiss manufacturing, Cuervo y Sobrinos is a brand like no other. Warm, original, slightly flamboyant with a typical Latino vibe, the brand can’t be blamed for not being consensual. There is a true personality to these watches, and the brand’s latest models are not here to change that. I...
Once again this year, the watch industry reveals its best side as more than 50 brands participate in the great Only Watch charity event. Under the High Patronage of H.S.H. Prince Albert II and at the initiative of Luc Pettavino, this year is the 9th edition of the biennial charity auction, whose aim is to raise funds for research against Duchenne muscular dystrophy. A recurring participant of the ...
Founded in 2005, Only Watch has become one of the most important horological events of the industry, with many major brands and independent watchmakers donating watches specifically created for the occasion and unique in their design, colours or even mechanisms. Under the High Patronage of H.S.H. Prince Albert II and at the initiative of Luc Pettavino – founder of the Association Monegasque ...
Marking the ninth edition of the charity auction, Only Watch 2021, will take place in Geneva on Saturday, 6 November 2021. ?Held every two years, Only Watch auctions unique timepieces to fund research into Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. ?Naturally, Patek Philippe, a regular contributor to the auction since its first edition in 2005, will be donating a one-off piece to this year’s edition. In 2...
When Tudor donates a unique watch to the Only Watch charity auction, the biennial event aimed at raising funds for research on Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy, it is usually in teasing mode. In 2015,? a unique Tudor Black Bay with a black bezel was presented, which led to the 79220N. Two years later, Tudor created the lefty Black Bay Bronze with a khaki green bezel, and in 2019 a full black, ceramic B...
For long, the name Chronomaster has been associated at Zenith with an El Primero-powered (what else…) classic chronograph, without an external bezel, often with tri-colour sub-dials and available either in 42mm or in an even more desirable, historically relevant 38mm diameter, inspired by the legendary A386 model of 1969. This very watch was, however, discontinued when the attractive Chronom...
Where other brands choose the path of complexity and try to outdo one another in parts count, Ochs & Junior goes the opposite direction. In a literal pursuit of simplicity, the independent watchmaking brand is famous for doing extremely creative things with as little as possible. This includes an Annual Calendar with only three moving parts and an extremely accurate moon phase indication using...
Ulysse Nardin's watchmaking voyage began in 1846 with the manufacture of precision marine chronometers and continues today with the brand's classic Marine collection and its sporty high-performance Divers. Just in time for the fun in the sun season, UN introduces three attractive models in its Diver collection all equipped with 300m water-resistance and automatic movements with UN's silicium techn...
Last week, Tudor introduced a relatively bold and unexpected new watch, the Black Bay Fifty-Eight Bronze. While there’s nothing entirely unprecedented in this, as both the BB58 and the use of bronze for Tudor are known territories, the combination is new. The real deal is that this watch comes with a special bracelet and will only be available as a “boutique” edition. Following o...
For more than 15 years, Frederique Constant has been associated with the world of vintage sports cars and historic rallies. The limited Vintage Rally collection pays tribute to one of the most emblematic British sports cars, the Austin-Healey. Since 2004, Frederique Constant and the Austin-Healey car brand have been partners resulting in one of the most enduring associations in the industry. A new...
Gradient, graduated, degrade, fume, or smoked dials (depending on what the brand chooses to call them) are not new. In fact, it is said that the idea of a dial with a colour that is bright in the centre and that darkens towards the edges was inaugurated by Zenith in 1969, with the El Primero A385. The brand recently claimed that it was “the first smoked dial ever to be made in the watch indu...
The man who operates under the alias @chronoapothecarist must have the weirdest combination of interests ever. This 40-year-old pharmacist from San Diego, California, who strives for innovations and developments in the pharmaceutical field, is equally interested in the intricate workings of a fine watch movement. Hence his love for the Gr?nefeld One Hertz Techniek Titanium, made by the horological...
“Since I started MONOCHROME in 2006, the motto has been “dedicated to fine watches”, and this is exactly what drives not just me, but the entire team, on a daily basis. I guess it goes without saying that we're watch enthusiasts ourselves. Today is a landmark in MONOCHROME's 15 years of history, as we introduce our first collaboration watch, the MONOCHROME Montre de Souscription ...
For an independent family-run company that has only been on the scene for three years, Norqain is going from strength to strength at an impressive pace. We first covered the fledgling brand in 2020 when it announced its partnership with movement manufacture Kenissi (jointly owned by Chanel and Tudor/ ) and became acquainted with the three main collections: Adventure, Freedom and Independence. As t...
Following an array of new models for Watches & Wonders 2021, as well as the new and rather important Black Bay Ceramic, mostly noticeable because of its Master Chronometer certification, Tudor is unveiling yet another novelty and its first boutique edition watch. Based on the desirable, compact and vintage-oriented BB58 model, the brand launched a new bronze edition that is not only using this...
What has just been announced by the MCH Group, the company behind the Basel watch fair, came as a surprise. We thought and even announced that Baselworld had gone, replaced by another show called Hour Universe. Baselworld was held for the last time in 2019. Seriously hit by the coronavirus pandemic and the departure of most of the large exhibiting brands, the organisation cancelled the 2020 and 20...
In 1881, Kintaro Hattori created a watch manufacture that would become Japan’s most powerful and innovative watch brand on the market today, Seiko. His Seikosha Factory, meaning House of Precision, started producing quality wall clocks and pocket watches, but always with affordability in mind. In 1960, however, things changed drastically with the creation of Grand Seiko, a sub-brand represen...
Cartier has a keen sense for elegant, original and effortless watch designs. Among the many shapes and designs, one of the most emblematic watches is the Santos, generally acknowledged as the oldest men's wristwatch. Over the years, the collection has evolved along sportier and bolder lines, well-represented by these recent models. However, in 2020, the Parisian brand reintroduced the original des...
Say what? A MONOCHROME Limited Edition? Well, sort of… For some time (read years), we’ve been playing with the idea of a MONOCHROME limited edition. But we wanted to do things differently. So for starters, our limited edition will be offered as a subscription watch, a Montre de Souscription using the same procedure dreamt up by Mr Breguet to create affordable watches for his clients. F...
The name Gerald Charles might not be as familiar as Gerald Genta, but they actually belong to the same man… Gerald Charles Genta. The man has gone down in watchmaking history as one of the most successful designers of the 20th century, being the genius mind behind the Royal Oak, the Nautilus, the Omega Constellation, the UG Polerouter or the Cartier Pasha – among many, many other creat...
During the Rare Handcrafts 2020-2021 exhibition held at its headquarters on Rue du Rh?ne from 16 – 26 June, Patek Philippe offers visitors a chance to admire its latest collection of one-of-a-kind watches, pocket watches and clocks decorated with rare handcrafts. Ranging from miniature enamel painting to wood micro-marquetry and from Grand Feu cloisonne enamel to manual engraving, Patek show...
Panda chronographs are favourites among watch fans. Providing high-contrast readability, these sport watches with white or silver dials and contrasting black sub-dials – or the opposite, the so-called reversed panda, with black dial and light sub-counters – became all the rage during the 1960s and 1970s. However, their modern-retro flair never went out of style, and 2021 brought its cr...
Today we'll be talking with a collector from the other side of the world – that's the beauty of collecting these days, there are no borders anymore. His alias @Nopstar83 on Instagram may be familiar to you, since his posts of wristshots with (mainly) Audemars Piguet watches truly attract the attention! We spoke to the 38-year old watch fan, who works in IT in Singapore, about one of his favo...
Longines’ Heritage collection, the brand’s playground for vintage re-editions, has become a reference for anyone looking for a retro-styled watch. Well-executed and loyal to the originals, the watches in the Heritage collection also come with relatively accessible prices. There’s a wide choice in this collection, ranging from elegant models to more instrumental watches?or militar...