Watches NEWS
Hands-on: Audemars Piguet x KAWS Royak Oak Concept Tourbillon Companion
Among Switzerland's elite Haute Horlogerie brands, Audemars Piguet often stands out for doing things differently and exploring different territories. In particular, the brand is not shy to connect watchmaking to a broader culture as we have seen with recent collabs with Marvel (Spiderman, Black Panther) or with the cool Travis Scott x AP Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Openworked Cactus Jack Speculations and rumours had been going around for a while as artist and designer KAWS had been spotted with an Audemars Piguet Royal Oak featuring one of his cartoon-like companions on its dial. Was this a unique piece or would we get an Audemars Piguet x KAWS collab? Well, it is now official, the newest Audemars Piguet collab is Royal Oak Concept Tourbillon Companion released in a limited edition of 250 pieces.One of the most popular figures of contemporary art and design, Brian Donnelly, known as KAWS, started out as a graffiti artist in New Jersey, signing his tags with K, A, W and S, simply becau
Audemars Piguet and Richard Mille Will Leave the SIHH as of 2020 - Monochrome Watches
While it became quite common to hear brands leaving Baselworld and complaining about the show (Swatch Group a few weeks ago, Raymond Weil this morning), the Geneva-based, Richemont-controlled Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie – or SIHH – was still?in safer waters… As of today, as?it’s time for the SIHH to also face non-neglectable departures. Good point is that it isn’t for this year, as indicated by?CEO Fran?ois-Henry Bennahmias in Le Temps, Audemars Piguet will still be there at the SIHH 2019… But that will be its last appearance.“The 2019 edition will be the last for us. Then the SIHH and Audemars Piguet will take different directions” said FHB to?Le Temps. The main reason indicated by the CEO of AP is that trade shows aren’t in line anymore with expectations of brands, and that such fairs are only intended for professionals (press and retailers). “Today we want to focus 100% on the end customer,” said FHB. A
First Look: The New Worlds Thinnest Mechanical Watch, The 1.70mm Bulgari Octo Finissimo Ultra COSC
The competition for ultra-thin watches is more intense than ever. Watches with a thinness that would have been unimaginable a few years ago have recently been unveiled, with manufacturers squeezing complications into minimal space and tirelessly chasing microns. Bulgari's Octo Finissimo saga has garnered widespread recognition in this realm. The brand’s remarkable series of records included the world's thinnest mechanical watch in 2022, the Octo Finissimo Ultra, at a mere 1.8mm thick. However, Bulgari‘s reign was short-lived, when Richard Mille introduced the RM UP-01 a few months later, with its 1.75mm thickness. But it's time for Bulgari to reclaim its trophy and bragging rights. Meet the world's thinnest mechanical watch with the new 1.70mm Bulgari Octo Finissimo Ultra COSC.The Octo Finissimo needs little introduction and has become a true icon of horology. It is a statement of style and Italian elegance. Beyond its aesthetic appeal, it is also a technical achievement as
Chopard Happy Sport The First (Specs & Price)
At MONOCHROME, we tend to sparingly?use the word “icon” as it has become a marketing tool rather than a proper definition of the status of a model. There are, however, true icons of watchmaking, timepieces that are known far beyond the small circle of seasoned collectors. And most are, sadly maybe, watches created first for men. When it comes to feminine watches, fewer models have gained cult status, but the Chopard Happy Sport and its dancing diamonds is surely one of them. Created in 1993, its design has evolved years after years but in 2021, the brand introduces a revamped collection, which includes the?Chopard Happy Sport “The First,” limited-edition re-releases of the very first watch presented.The 1993 Chopard Happy SportThe first one, the 1993 Chopard Happy SportThe Happy Sport is the brainchild of Caroline Scheufele – now Co-President and Artistic Director of the brand – who was driven by the idea of creating a versatile watch, formal yet cas
SIHH 2016: Introducing the Montblanc 4810 Orbis Terrarum - Live photos, specs and price - Monochrome Watches
Last year Montblanc introduced the Heritage Spirit Orbis Terrarum and that was the brand’s first?worldtimer. It was an instant succes, and received so much positive comments from both collectors and laymen. This year the brand not only celebrates their 110th anniversary, but also the 10th anniversary of the 4810 collection that was introduced a decade ago for Montblanc’s 100 anniversary. The entire 4810 collection has been redesigned, not drastically, but let’s say it’s a good touch-up after being in service for ten years. Slightly slimmer watches, slightly reduced diameters, and it looks good. Several novelties are being introduced into this collection, including aforementioned worldtimer, the Montblanc 4810 Orbis Terrarum.Last year we have tested the Orbis Terrarum from the Heritage Spirit collection. It proves to be a very stylish watch that easily catches the attention, and during our test period it received very positive comments. So compared to that model,