Watches NEWS
Hands-on: A Personal Take On The Stunning Moritz Grossmann Hamatic
To kick things off, this will be a very personal story, and yes, it is about a mechanical watch. When I first got into watchmaking, I knew very little about the history of the industry or the different regions in the world that dominate it. My knowledge came from magazines, movies and TV shows, billboards and the early days of social media, and that was about it. That is until I joined MONOCHROME in 2012 and started to seriously fall down the proverbial rabbit hole. My knowledge and experience grew, my interests shifted, and a whole world of new and exciting brands opened up, from very small one-man outfits to corporate behemoths. Over the years, my preferences continued to shift, and I have developed a deep love for German watchmaking, specifically from the Glashutte region. There’s just something special about how watches from this part of the world are made. And I’m not arguing if they’re better than Swiss or Japanese-made high-end watches, but the style is very pu
Just Because: The Battle for the World's Thinnest Watches (Incl. Video)
Some of the standout highlights of the 2024 Watch Week in Geneva undoubtedly revolved around ultra-thin watches. Bulgari’s Octo Finissimo Ultra COSC now reigns as the world's thinnest mechanical wristwatch, boasting an astonishing 1.70mm profile. Meanwhile, Piaget clinched the record for the thinnest tourbillon ever with its Altiplano Ultimate Concept Tourbillon, measuring a mere 2mm! We are undoubtedly living in a golden age of the ultra-thin watch, with records for ultra-thin watches being beaten one after the other as timepieces materialise with a thinness that would have been literally unimaginable a few years ago. Let’s delve into some of the most notable advancements in this field.Piaget can rightly be considered the precursor and historical specialist of ultra-thin watches. From the 9P and 12P presented in the 1950s to the legendary 20P and 25P, these record-thin yet delicate movements were made with Jean Lassale in the mid-1970s. The 20P movement was a staggering 1.
Introducing An Array of Colourful Rubber Straps For The Classic IWC Portugieser Chronograph 3716
Looking at IWC’s portfolio, the Portugieser Chronograph is, without a doubt, one of the most emblematic watches around. Now in its second generation (ref. 3716), it’s a classic with a timeless appeal. In recent years, however, the Schaffhausen-based brand expanded the collection with brighter colours and more daring styles?and even created an Individualisation Program?to create your own version. But what if you already own one and want to spice it up, or make it more summer-ready? Right in time for warmer days, IWC launches a wide range of rubber straps for the Portugieser Chronograph, in classic or original colours, to create your own personal version of the emblematic Chronograph.A watch says a lot about its owner. We all know that perfectly. It is a reflection of your personality and your lifestyle. The way you wear your watch tells even more about your activities. Changing a strap for something more personal, transforming a dress watch into a more casual timepiece, has
In-Depth: The History of the ETA Peseux 7001, The Hand-Wound Classic
Self-winding calibres are undeniably an advancement, especially those boasting extended autonomy. Yet, there is a timeless ritual, almost archaic, the deliberate act of winding a watch by thumb and forefinger, each click of the ratchet wheel a symphony for the discerning ear. This tactile dance, this connection to the mechanics, is a pleasure some aficionados cannot forsake. As we edge closer to the end of the first quarter of the 21st century, manually wound watches persist and experience a new surge in popularity, fueled by a resurgence in appreciation for hand-wound calibres.Among these calibres, one movement has stood the test of time for over fifty years. It has powered numerous watch brands’ broad spectrum of creations, remaining a steadfast presence in the industry. I’m talking about the ETA/Peseux 7001, a movement with a storied legacy. Here is a recap of its enduring saga. Ad - Scroll to continue with article
Hands-On - Trilobe Les Matinaux Sunray Grey (Specs & Price)
The circular motion of hands has been widely adopted for multiple centuries now, in order to display the time. But if you are ready to look at things differently and twist conventions, there is latitude for creativity and a multitude of other ways to tell the time. When faced with buying his first serious mechanical watch, Gautier Massonneau could not find his heart desire among the current range of watches. The son of an architect and interior designer, with a background in banking/finance, the young French man soon embarked on the creation of his own watch and his own independent brand. The project was started in 2013 and the first watch was presented in 2018. Trilobe timepieces eschew traditional codes and instead provide their own offbeat take on mechanical watchmaking. The Dubai Watch Week was a perfect opportunity to go hands-on with the?Trilobe Les Matinaux Sunray Grey, the brand’s first creation.The first thing to catch your eye with the Trilobe Les Matinaux?(The Morning