Hands-On: The Otsuka Lotec ¡í 6, The new Japanese Indie Sensation
In May of this year, we introduced Jiro Katayama, an independent watchmaker from Japan, and his brand Otsuka Lotec, which, despite its distribution being limited exclusively to his home country, has gained recognition across the continents. We had the pleasure of experiencing one of his models, the recently updated Otsuka Lotec ¡í 6, and here are our notes.Jiro Katayama, a Tokyo-based watchmaker and designer, draws his inspiration not from the realm of watches but from the industrial world where his career began – the world of cars, trains, aeroplanes, all kinds of vehicles, really, and gauges. Ad - Scroll to continue with article He studied automotive design and worked with Japanese automakers before a pivotal decision in 2008 changed his trajectory. Purchasing a bench lathe machine to create something entirely his own – since building a car was not

Buying Guide - Best of Chronograph Watches for 2021
The nights are longer, the days are shorter and Christmas is around the corner… Yes, the end of the year is fast approaching and it means that we have to start looking back at what happened this year. 2021 has been a time for changes in the industry, which had to adapt following the pandemic, and everything entailed by the adoption of new business practices. But it’s also been a year for creativity. For this reason, and until the end of the year, we’ll look back at the best watches unveiled in each category, and we start today by looking at what we think were the best chronographs of 2021. All very different in style, price and complexity, but all featuring a stopwatch function…Editor’s note: this list reflects the preferences of MONOCHROME’s editorial team and results from an internal vote. This list is, of course, non-exhaustive and remains subjective. If there are other chronograph watches launched in 2021 that made an impression on you, feel free

Video - New Frederique Constant Collection During Geneva Watch Days
Geneva-based watchmaker Frederique Constant has had quite a year so far. We knew that the accessible luxury specialist was capable of great things with the development of multiple complications based on in-house calibres, but the highlight of this year for FC, the Monolithic Oscillator, is a true gamechanger. Last week, during the 2021 edition of the Geneva Watch Days, we visited Frederique Constant in their manufacture in Plan les Ouates, in the outskirts of Geneva. This is where you will find Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, Piaget, Harry Winston and the recently enlarged manufacture of Frederique Constant (and Alpina and Atelier de Monaco). In our video interview with the brand’s Managing Director Niels Eggerding, we will see Frederique Constant’s latest creation, the Highlife Skeleton, and we’ll also discuss the future of the Monolithic Oscillator, which is meant to become a cornerstone in the brand’s portfolio.?Before talking about the impressive, cutti

Introducing Angelus U53 Tourbillon Dive Watch Khaki Green - Specs, Price
For those who've wondered if there are tourbillon-regulated dive watches on the market, the simple answer is; yes! But, they are only a few of them and naming some from the top of one's mind can be a challenge. Fear not, however, Angelus have just launched a new watch in its bold U50 collection, so the number of tourbillon dive watches currently available goes up by at least one! Here's the Angelus U53 Tourbillon Dive Watch in a trendy Khaki green colour scheme.Go ahead, I'll give you a minute to think of another watch that comes with a (flying) tourbillon escapement and has a depth rating of 300 meters or more. It's not that easy, is it? That's because it is simply something that doesn't naturally go well together, a robust diving instrument fitted with a delicate anti-gravity regulator. Sure, the Angelus U53 is not alone, but you'd have to have intimate knowledge of the watch market, past and present, to come up with an answer. Richard Mille has done it with the RM 025, a 300m watch

Hands-On - Maurice Lacroix Aikon Skeleton 39mm (Specs & Price)
I think most of us can agree that Tissot offers one of the best values for an integrated mechanical sports watch with the PRX Powermatic 80. Less expensive models like the Dumoreau DM01 Automatic and Batavi Architect are intriguing, but the PRX is a mature, well-executed piece from a major Swiss brand. Between this and pricier luxury models like the Bell & Ross BR05 sits the Maurice Lacroix Aikon collection, introduced in 2016 and expanded in 2018 with more accessible automatic variants. Slightly more luxurious, better equipped, and mechanically coherent, the collection has a lot to offer. The new Aikon Skeleton 39mm brings an eye-catching skeletonized movement to the latest, universal case size.All about accessible luxuryMaurice Lacroix is known for accessible luxury with the Aikon automatic collection really emphasizing that. The sports watches come in many sizes for men and women, but the 39mm Aikon Automatic has a universal case diameter with a broad, unisex appeal. Launched in