Watches NEWS
Hanhart Pioneer Monocontrol - The epitome of Coolness - Full Review (history, live photos, specs & price) - Monochrome-Watches
One of the most enduring traits in the watch industry in recent years is the New-retro design. This principle is the tendency to create something new that is not exactly new but rather follows the past. This industrial/marketing strategy balances in most cases innovation and tradition. The historical heritage of a product is fused with new materials and modern construction in order to create something desirable which possess a different aura, perhaps more refined and romantic. As everything in life, this strategy has its pros and cons while we can often witness companies trying to create a product of this kind out of thin air. In our case we will review a very important military chronograph with unmistakable originality. Almost every watch company today has an offering of a pilot’s chronograph. However, few designs have the pedigree of the one we will review. Hanhart is a company that still produces its iconic flieger chronographs with modern materials and calibres, thus potentia
Introducing the Romain Jerome Skylab - Monochrome Watches
Romain Jerome can be quite a polarizing brand. Even here at the Monochrome offices – all of us die-hard watch aficionados – we don’t share the same enthusiasm about the various RJ timepieces. However Romain Jerome’s newest creation can count on many “yaes”, leaving the “nays” well behind. No dial, a fully skeletonized movement and the iconic case with four struts grabbing the bezel. And now the diameter has been reduced to a very agreeable 44 mm, we believe that Romain Jerome hit the jackpot.What Romain Jerome has taught us, is that we do not have to take watches too serious. Most of his timepieces are equipped with an ETA/Valjoux 7750 (or similar) movement, which is a very strong and reliable movement that also used throughout the industry (for instance by IWC, Breitling and TAG Heuer). The real work goes into the design of the case, dial, hands and these parts set RJ apart from the rest. When we saw the new Skylab models, we were pretty
Hands-On Review Grand Seiko Spring Drive SLGA007 Lake Suwa (Price)
During the past year or so, fans of Grand Seiko have been well treated. The many new and superbly executed watches forming the Evolution 9 collection have provoked some discussions and certainly some sales too. And the two White Birch models, either the Hi-Beat Automatic SLGH005 or the Spring Drive SLGA009, have been some of the most coveted watches in the recent history of the brand. Yet, not everyone will be attracted by these light, intensely textured watches. But you don’t have to feel neglected if the White Birch isn’t your thing. Grand Seiko has more to offer, specifically with the “Lake Suwa” SLGA007, which is basically the same watch, sharing the same qualities, but with a different expression and dial colour that could even make you turn your back to the silvery-white version.?Grand Seiko White Birch Spring Drive SLGA009 (left) and Hi-Beat SLGH005 (right), both with a shimmering silver-toned and strongly textured dial.I’m not going to lie; the Gra
Introducing The All-Black Certina DS Action Diver 43mm (Live Pics & Price)
With the advent of Certina‘s Double Security concept in the late 1950s, robust dive watches at prices that won’t sink your bank account have been the mainstay of this Swiss brand. The DS Action Diver is Certina’s classic, fully equipped diver, a worthy heir to the brand’s DS (Double Security) concept first incorporated inside an automatic shock-resistant and 200m water-resistant watch in 1959. A perfect all-terrain adventure watch, Certina revisits its 43mm DS Action Diver in an all-black wetsuit.Certina’s Double Security technology of 1959, which relied on a series of O-ring seals on the setting stem and crown and a reinforced caseback, marked a big step forward in strengthening the armour of its watches to protect the mechanism from external aggressions. Sixty-four years later, the DS Concept is still going strong and ensures the DS Action Diver meets the official ISO 6425 dive watch standards. Ad - Scroll to continue with article
Five Cool New Chronograph Watches Priced Below 3,5K
It’s not the first time year we’ve grouped together a selection of chronograph watches, and it’s likely not going to be the last time. With Watches & Wonders already well and truly in the past, and Geneva Watch Days not quite here yet, brand’s haven’t slowed down much to present us with new and exciting watches. And with the chronograph being a fan favourite complication, it didn’t take too long to compile a Buying Guide or two. And now we revisit the faithful “Chrono” once more, with six of the most recent new entries of this ever-popular type of wristwatch.?Hanhart 417 ES 1954When it comes to historically relevant, and vintage-inspired chronographs at a relatively affordable price, it’s impossible to ignore Hanhart. Especially when they release a more compact and downright fantastic version of the iconic 417 ES, a very classically styled pilot’s chronograph. Measuring 39mm across, where its larger brother comes in at 42m