Watches NEWS
Opinion - What We Expect From The Successor to the Patek Nautilus 5711
It all started as a rumour, back in January 2021. We heard that Patek Philippe was about to discontinue its most emblematic sports watch, the time-and-date Nautilus 5711 (which is, coincidentally, one of the most sought-after watches on the pre-owned market). And the rumour was indeed true, as Thierry Stern announced stopping the production of the model introduced in 2006, the blue dial 5711/1A-001. But afterwards, two things happened. First, the brand released a one-year-only farewell edition, the Olive Green Nautilus 5711. And, of course, there has been the Tiffany Blue 5711, made in 170 pieces only. And now, we know that the Nautilus 5711 is definitely gone and discontinued. This can’t be the end of the story for the time-and-date Patek Philippe Nautilus. Will there be a watch to keep the legend alive…? We believe so, and here’s what we’d like to see in the new Patek Philippe Nautilus – let’s call it 6711 for now.?The way Patek Philippe and its Pr
Interview: Christian Knoop, Creative Director for IWC on the Amsterdam Boutique
We were recently invited to join the festive reopening of the Amsterdam Boutique of IWC Schaffhausen. Nestled in one of the most luxurious high streets in our nation’s capital is a haven where you can fully immerse yourself in the wonderful world of IWC. Step inside, and you can discover the brand’s various collections in a unique open display, have a coffee in the Big Pilot Bar, and even discover the brand’s engineering prowess. But there’s more to creating a fully immersive and tangible IWC experience, as we learn from Creative Director Christian Knoop. While we had the chance to talk to him, we also wanted to learn more about the recently launched IWC Pilot’s Watch Performance Chronograph 41, which is geared towards a different kind of pilot.Christian Knoop, Creative Director for IWC Schaffhausen.Robin Nooij, MONOCHROME Watches – Christian, we’re here in the newly remodelled IWC Boutique in Amsterdam. What can you tell us about it?Christian
First Look: The New Louis Erard Regulateur x Cedric Johner
Louis Erard has developed a close working relationship with contemporary artists, watchmakers, artisans, and designers to position itself as one of the most exciting and original brands on the watchmaking scene. To bring the delights of high-end watchmaking to a broader audience, Louis Erard sticks to its policy of accessible prices. What other brand can offer a lineup of watches created in collaboration with big names like Alain Silberstein, Konstantin Chaykin or Vianney Halter, or for that matter, create artistic handmade marquetry or guilloche dials at reasonable prices? Today, the brand unveils its latest collaboration piece forged with yet another independent watchmaker, the Louis Erard Regulateur x Cedric Johner.Just 15, Cedric Johner apprenticed as a jeweller at Chopard's Geneva workshop and then studied watchmaking before embarking on a solo career. Determined to make as many components as possible in his atelier, his unique pieces are crafted using traditional tools and often
IWC Portugieser Chronograph Rattrapante Edition Boutique Munich / Paris
Following its?launch in 1995, the IWC Portugieser Chrono-graph Rattrapante (Ref. 3712) quickly gained?the status of icon. For a start it was?a?Portugieser (which alone makes this watch totally emblematic of the?Schaffhausen-based manufacture) plus it?also featured?quite a special split-second chronograph complication. Yes, it is a rattrapante but that’s not what made it special per se. It’s special because at the time it was a?simple and accessible rattrapante, which?was very cool. Unfortunately, this watch was discontinued in?2006… Until earlier this year that, when it was revived?in a gold limited edition for Milano. Today that model is joined?by two siblings, this time in stainless steel?– which?is really cool. Presenting?the “new” Portugieser Chronograph Rattrapante Boutique Editions, one for Munich and the other for the Rue de la Paix / Paris.The original, the 1995 IWC Portugieser Chrono-graph Rattrapante (Ref. 3712) Ad - Scroll to co
Buying Guide - The best GMT & travel watches of 2022
Whoever has experienced traversing the globe (by plane, train or automobile) while wearing a mechanical timepiece has at one point run into the drawbacks of regular time-only watches. It can tell the time in one location only, which is useless for identifying the time of day or night of your loved ones back home. Luckily, there are watches that offer a simple and practical solution: travel watches! These come in many variations and offer either a GMT function for a second time zone or a Worldtimer display where you can quickly identify the hour in multiple (and possibly all) time zones on earth. And as the year draws to a close, today’s Buying Guide homes in on some of the best travel watches presented in 2022!Longines Spirit Zulu TimeThe Spirit collection by Longines is home to some of the best watches the Winged Hourglass brand has to offer, and the Spirit Zulu Time reaffirms that very much. It’s quite a chunky watch, admittedly, but a very good-looking one at that! It co