Watches NEWS
Introducing An Unexpected Tuscany Dial for the AP Code 11.59 Chronograph
Following the release of Audemars Piguet's first semester novelties for 2025, another less publicised model caught us by surprise. While ostensibly a Code 11.59 Chronograph in a two-tone blue ceramic and white gold case, this special edition strays from the collection's signature dials and incorporates a rare Tuscany dial in blue, something that will ring a bell with collectors.Accustomed as we are to AP's hallmark tapisserie dials and even the more recent embossed dial patterns of the Code 11.59 collection, a Tuscan Blue dial is a relatively rare sighting in AP's universe. Associated with Royal Oak Perpetual Calendars of the 1990s, the dials were originally hammered by hand, producing a grained, speckled surface that is rougher and less regular than one obtained with a machine. Last seen on the Royal Oak Jumbo 16202, the Tuscan dial reappears in 2025 on board the Code 11:59 Chronograph. Ad - Scroll to continue with article
A young Frenchman pursuing a career in clock- & watchmaking.
Over the course of the past couple of months, we've introduced you to a fair number of new and exciting watchmakers doing some fascinating things. One thing that becomes clear talking to these individuals is the love for sharing their passion, and there's a shared network of watchmakers helping each other move forward, perfecting skills and learning new traits in the process. Theo Levaltier, a student who is about to complete a 7-year study at the Lycee Edgar Faure in Morteau, France, is no different. This youngster, only 22 years old, has worked with and is trained by Florent Lecomte, Thierry Ducret and others, and is now looking to set out on his own. Initially, his plan is to restore historical clocks and watches, but seeing his work on school projects, we'd happily see more of his own work in the future as well!Robin Nooij, MONOCHROME: Theo, I think it's best if you first introduce yourself to our readers? Can you share a bit of your background? Ad - Scroll to continue w
Value Proposition - The Star Dust and Black Dust From Balticus Watches - Monochrome Watches
A few months ago, we told you about a young brand from Poland called Balticus. At the time, they were raising funds on Indiegogo for two new automatic bronze watches; the Big Wave and the Grey Seal. Today, we're getting hands-on with another two models from this young company, the descriptively named Star Dust and Black Dust. At once familiar and unusual, both models come in at under EUR 600 and offer a lot of bang for the buck, although they may not suit everyone's tastes.Balticus WatchesAdmittedly, when you think of watch brands, Poland is probably not the first country that springs to mind. It's understandable, therefore, that you might be a bit hesitant to spend your hard-earned cash on an unknown entity. We should point out here, though, that Balticus is that it is not exactly a brand-new' brand. Although they only ran their first crowd-funding campaign a few months ago, the company has actually been around for almost 3 years and selling their watches in boutiques throughout Polan
TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer-01 43 mm Skeleton - Pre-Baselworld 2017
Since its inception in 2015, the?TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer-01 has quickly become the emblematic model of the brand, being also one of its best-sellers – which is surprising, first because of the look, rather in opposition with the previous creations, and because of its price positioning, as being one of the upper-range watches. While in 2016 it has seen an evolution with a 43mm case, the skeletonized dial was still the privilege of the larger 45mm edition… until Baselworld 2017, as we’ll now have the?TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer-01 43 mm, in Skeleton Version, with 3 different colors (intense black, navy blue and and cognac brown).The?Carrera Heuer-01 has been a success for TAG Heuer, as being the redefining watch: bolder, larger, more contemporary designed, more horological too (with an open-worked in-house chronograph) and exploring new territories in terms of look and personalization, thus targeting new groups of collectors. Still, the basics of the brand were there; the C
Abercrombie & Fitch 1950s Tri-Compax Chronograph / The Vintage Corner
Abercrombie & Fitch Co. was not originally the urban teen clothing brand we know today Named after its founder David T Abercrombie, it was bought and incorporated in 1904 to become Abercrombie & Fitch. It was essentially an early luxury brand focusing on outdoorsy types, offering very high-quality items, shotguns, fishing rods, canoes, camping equipment, objects made for the well-heeled' traveller. Famous names like Hemingway, Gable, Porter, Hepburn and Roosevelt – who was a big fan of the outdoors and a conservationist himself – patronized the store and brand. And in addition to that, it had some watches bearing its name. Quite cool ones to be honest.Ava Gardner, Clark Gable and Grace Kelly in “Mogambo”, by John Ford, 1953The store offered a mail order service and I have a 1950's Christmas Catalogue here that displays such useful items as the Swiss Military Knife, Ray-Ban Glasses and in this particular offering, a range of Gallet watches. Comforting to
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