The Seamaster Diver 300M needs no introduction anymore. The latest generation of the so-called “Bond Watch“, launched in 2018, proved to be an excellent option for those in the market for a luxury dive watch, even when compared to another diving heavyweight.? Solidly built, mechanically sophisticated, well-priced and capable of performing underwater, it is objectively a no-brainer.? Bu...
It is surprising how, in these times of peace in the Western world, pieces of military and pilot’s equipment have become so fashionable. Think bomber jackets or, for today’s matter, military-inspired watches. Yet, when referring to military watches, we are often referring to WWII-inspired models or watches issued later. The era between the two wars remains a slightly overlooked theme f...
Singer Reimagined appeared on the independent watchmaking scene in 2017 with a fantastic chronograph, the Track1. Designed to reimagine this essential function, powered by the impressive Agengraphe calibre, Track1 was crowned by several industry accolades, including the prestigious GPHG award for the best chronograph in 2018. Following the presentation of a concept watch last year, Singer Reimagin...
The link between Ulysse Nardin and the sea has always been emphasised. For decades, the brand was a reputable maker of marine chronometers and timing instruments for sea explorers. The brand continues this tradition as the Official Timekeeper of the 9th edition of the Vendee Globe, the gruelling non-stop and unassisted yacht race around the world. But that’s not all… Ulysse Nardin also...
Let’s get straight to the point: the Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Calibre 321 in steel is THE ultimate Speedmaster. Period! Whether for its design, its accuracy, the level of details, the overall execution, the historical relevance and, of course, its absolutely superb movement, it has it all. When it was officially revealed, we knew Omega had created a real showstopper, a watch that was dest...
Back in 2014, Montblanc introduced the Heritage Spirit Orbis Terrarum Worldtimer, which brought an accessible price to a traditionally expensive complication. World timers are often the darlings of Vacheron Constantin, Patek Philippe and the like, but Montblanc helped usher in more affordable options along with Frederique Constant and a handful of others. The new Star Legacy Orbis Terrarum heads n...
A couple of weeks ago, we covered the launch of the new Oris Calibre 400, a powerful automatic movement with a five-day power reserve, anti-magnetic components and a 10-year warranty. Today Oris reveals the proud bearer of its new movement: the Oris Aquis Date Calibre 400. The Aquis Date is respected as a top-quality, high-performance dive watch with a versatile, contemporary design. The largest 4...
The small independent brand Kudoke is getting some much-deserved traction and attention, especially after winning the Petite Aiguille prize at last year's Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Geneve. After its classical time-only Kudoke 1, and its prize-winning Kudoke 2 with hand-engraved day/night indicator, Kudoke released the Nocturne version of the latter, with a dark, anthracite-coloured dial. Now the ...
On the occasion of Geneva Watch Days, Bvlgari brought back one of its iconic designs, presenting a modern take of the late 1990s innovative, sporty watch in aluminium and rubber. One of the Rome-based jeweller’s numerous charitable initiatives in this difficult period, Bvlgari now releases an exclusive limited series on behalf of three Italian children's hospitals.Revenue from the sale of th...
It wasn't just Ayrton Senna's perseverance or determination for speed and exhilaration on the racetrack that got him noticed. For 15 years and right up until his untimely death, a flash of electric yellow on the helmet of the Brazilian Formula 1 Championship winner could be caught sight of as he lapped the track with a sense of grace and confidence. A nod to one of Brazil's national colours, but a...
With the development of e-commerce and as the trend for vintage watches consolidates, the market for second-hand luxury watches is growing fast. A survey by the Boston Consulting Group published in September 2020 reveals that “the market for secondhand hard luxury items – primarily watches and jewellery – is worth about 21 billion worldwide and growing at 8% a year, faster than ...
Most of us associate Rado with design-oriented watches and innovative materials, especially high-tech ceramic. Minimalist lines, sleek profiles and silky smooth ceramic cases and bracelets have defined much of the brand's portfolio since the 1990s. And then, during Baselworld 2017, Rado surprised us with a very convincing reinterpretation of a 1962 Captain Cook model complete with 300m diving cred...
Military or pilot’s watches have always been a great source of inspiration for brands, and the complication that probably makes the most sense in this context is the chronograph. Merge these two and you often end up with a great combination of robustness, heritage and usefulness. And this year didn’t disappoint, as many brands embraced the concept of the pilot’s chronograph; bran...
Originally scheduled to take place in mid-May but cancelled because of the pandemic, the Mille Miglia 2020 edition starts today. From 22 - 25 October, 400 vintage cars competing in the 1,000-mile regularity race from Brescia to Rome and back will race through the Italian countryside drawing crowds of classic car aficionados. ?As the partner and official timekeeper of the Mille Miglia race for the ...
A new automatic tourbillon housed in a futuristic case inspired by high-performance race cars speeds full throttle into the Mille Miglia collection. Although many Mille Miglia watches take their design cues from the classic automobiles that participate in the 1,000-mile Brescia to Rome race, the Chopard Mille Miglia Lab One?is the vision of a future direction for the collection. Housed in a blacke...
This year is not the easiest when it comes to travelling and attending events and exhibitions but if you happen to be in Geneva early November, there's one event you should not miss: Patek Philippe's rare handcrafts 2020 Exhibition in its historic headquarters on Rue du Rh?ne. It will be simply the most comprehensive collection of masterpieces made using rare handcrafts ever on display there.Patek...
Born in the mid-1970s and relaunched a few years ago, the Laureato is GP's answer to the growing market of the luxury sports watch. This classic watch has been joined recently with a bolder, sportier edition, the Laureato Absolute. With this new 100-piece limited edition, the design of the Girard-Perregaux Laureato is reinforced by an unusual material. Indeed, the Laureato Absolute Crystal Rock is...
Whenever Omega releases a new limited/special edition Speedmaster, you can be sure it will create noise in the collecting community. And if this watch is related to Space exploration or one of the Apollo missions, this will only increase the interest of the aficionados – and rightfully so, since Omega still owns true legitimacy in this context and the Speedy is, without a doubt, one of the m...
The collecting community has always been drawn to vintage sports watches. However, when it comes to Panerai, we’re talking about one of the most active and authoritative web communities existing. They even have a name – the Paneristi – and a website dedicated to their passion – paneristi.com. Active, passionate owners who can also be quite critical… Tough love, they s...
We’ve said it on many occasions at MONOCHROME. A traveller’s watch, whether a simple GMT piece or a more complex world timer, is a must-have for enthusiasts and certainly one of the most practical functions you can think of in watchmaking. We all love a nice hand-wound chronograph, we can dream in front of a minute repeater, but in the end, the traveller’s watch remains one of th...
Returning readers of MONOCHROME might have picked up on a few hints and stories that have sparked (pun intended) this one. The EV revolution in the automotive industry. Where the average Joe is accustomed to seeing electric vehicles on the road by now, with vast numbers of Tesla's whizzing around, there's one segment that has been getting more and more traction: classic car conversions. We've cove...
Flying still generates emotions and provokes a unique feeling of freedom and pilot’s watches that evoke this high-altitude world are always on the radar. However, “pilot’s watch” is a broad definition that covers many styles. Even at Hamilton, the Khaki Aviation collection comprises military-inspired models, modern technical pieces and vintage-oriented watches. The brand...
Each member of the MONOCHROME team has their favourites among the many brands and watches we share with you all. One of the brands I have been following closely since I joined MONOCHROME is the Swedish brand Gustafsson & Sjogren, or GoS in short. The duo of Patrik Sjogren and Johan Gustafsson offers very unique watches incorporating hand-forged Damascus steel for the cases, bezels, crowns, dia...
Today, IWC Schaffhausen releases its Pilot's Watch Chronograph TOP GUN Edition SFTI. The watch – an extension to the company's Pilot's Chronograph TOP GUN model – is also the civilian version of a timepiece created in honour of the US Naval Aviation Community back in 2018. The Strike Fighter Tactics Instructor watch, which was exclusive to the wrists of TOPGUN graduates, was produced a...
It's been a celebratory year over at TAG Heuer as the brand fetes its grand 160th anniversary with a special emphasis on Jack Heuer's iconic Carrera. This third and final model in the limited edition trilogy borrows a key design feature of the historic 1965 Heuer Carrera Dato 45' but deviates from the vintage-inspired path of the first two. Based on the recently introduced Carrera Sport Chronograp...
Oris unveils its new Calibre 400, a powerful automatic movement with a five-day power reserve and an impressive 10-year warranty. The mandates were for a high-performance and anti-magnetic movement to keep pace with consumers’ lifestyles for longer periods of time. Heralded as the “new standard” in automatic movements by Rolf Studer, Oris's Co-CEO, the movement promises to delive...
Longines' highly successful Heritage collection welcomes another golden oldie. The latest model reporting for duty in the Heritage collection is the 5774 model created by Longines exclusively for the French Navy in 1947, designed for shallow diving missions. The Heritage Military Marine Nationale captures the look and feel of the original Longines 5774 convincingly, underscored by the simple, legi...
While it has never been a secret that Grand Seiko was capable of crafting some of the finest and most precise luxury watches – pieces that are clearly on par with the best Swiss manufacturers – the concept of innovation at GS is less widely known. Recently, the brand unveiled a concept movement, the T0 Tourbillon Constant Force, a proper demonstration of savoir-faire. Also, Grand Seiko...
First created in 1987, the Fortis Flieger is a reference for pilot watches and set the tone for all subsequent Fortis pilot models. This summer, the brand launched a modern take on the model. Following the presentation of the chronograph edition and time-and-date versions, Fortis now introduces a GMT model, one of the typical functions a pilot's watch may include. This time it is made in lightweig...
The Alpine Eagle collection is Chopard's interpretation of the luxury sports watch, a genre that has never waned since it hit the market in 1972. Presented in 2019 in time-and-date and time-only models, the Alpine Eagle collection strengthens its sports credentials with the arrival of this new 44mm automatic flyback chronograph. Beating at the heart of the three new models is Chopard's column-whee...