Hands-On Santos de Cartier Chronograph (SIHH 2019, Specs & Price)
Having given the Santos new wings in 2018, Cartier expands the bestselling men’s collection in 2019 with the addition of a chronograph.? Thicker, wider and infinitely sportier, the new Santos de Cartier Chronograph has found an elegant solution to replace the classic two-pusher chronograph configuration with a modified version of its automatic 1904-CH MC calibre. Presented in three versions - solid 18k pink gold, steel and yellow gold bezel, and steel with a black ADLC bezel - we have selected the stylish pink gold model for our hands-on review.GenesisWhen Brazilian aviator Santos-Dumont commissioned a watch from his friend Louis Cartier in 1904 that he could wear while piloting his plane – and not have to lift his hand from the controls – little did either of these gentlemen suspect that the result would become one of the most popular and enduring Cartier icons of all time. Characterised by a square case with visible screws, a shape that flew in the face of the fashi

Ressence Type 3, The Oil-Filled Watch That Goes Beyond Hands - Monochrome Watches
When it comes to unique displays of the time, you probably thought you’ve already seen everything: wandering hours, chains, magnetic balls, liquid-filled capillary, rotating prisms… Same goes in terms of complications and construction?of the overall watch. Well, think again. The?Ressence Type 3 features both a highly unusual display and an almost unique construction. Certainly, the Type 3 doesn’t have the visual?flamboyance?of a MB&F, the bold high-tech design of an URWERK or the apparent complexity of a HYT. However, underneath this restrained facade?hides a watch filled with oil and which does not use hands to display the time. And that makes the?Ressence Type 3 very special to us.An oil-filled watch? A bit of backgroundSorry? How can a watch be filled with oil? The idea of filling the case of a watch with oil is not new, and not exclusive to Ressence – although admittedly this was never a popular feature… at least not until 2013, when Ressence intro

Tudor Heritage Black Bay with Blue Bezel ref. 79220B (Live photos & price) - Monochrome Watches
A few weeks ago, we gave our thoughts on the possible Tudor 2014 novelties. We knew, within the team, that blue was the big crush for the aficionados of the brand and linked to the past of Tudor. We were craving for a blue Pelagos and instead, Tudor comes with a blue bezel Heritage Black Bay, a simple but really nice looking declination of the previous model that you're used to find in burgundy. Let us introduce the NEW Tudor Heritage Black Bay ref. 79220B.The Tudor Heritage Black Bay is a tribute to the past of the Tudor Company, especially to the 1954 Submariner ref. 7922. It brings back the idea of diving watches made by Tudor, with a reinterpretation of the case, dial and - of course - snowflake hands. If you look at the brand’s history, you will notice a famous and really appealing model, the blue Submariner Marine Nationale ref. 9401 (you can find the picture at the end of the article). Delivered to the French Navy, those watches featured a blue bezel and dial and snowflake

Montblanc Tourbillon Bi-Cylindrique - Monochrome Watches
The Montblanc Tourbillon Bi-Cylindrique is a true technical marvel and features the same tourbillon construction as in ship’s chronometers. With this watch, Montblanc really shows what they can do. Montblanc’s Tourbillon Bi-Cylindrique has a unique tourbillon construction, which has never before been implemented in a wrist watch. It’s iconic case with a teardrop shape at the 6 position was earlier used for the??Grand Tourbillon Heures Mysterieuses and the Metamorphosis.?Although the case, which is 47mm in diameter, is rather large it wears exceptionally comfortable. Ad - Scroll to continue with article The Tourbillon Bi-Cylindrique features the same tourbillon construction as can be found in a ship’s chronometer. Two cylindrical balance-springs are positioned concentrically, one inside the other. This requires the two balance-springs to h

Strap The very cool Marine Nationale Strap from @ErikasOriginals, Perfect for your Dive Watches - Monochrome Watches
We all love to change straps on our watches, especially when it comes to sports or dive watches. Whether you own a Tudor Black Bay, an Oris Divers Sixty Five, a Seiko Prospex, or all?sorts of watches that are cool and slightly rugged, switching straps is just part of the fun. Of course, it allows you to match it with your “environment” (business, casual, seaside…) or even to your outfit. Recently, we discovered (thanks Ilias…) some very nice straps, which will be perfect for your dive watches and for summer. They are perfect replicas of vintage?Marine Nationale Strap, made by a sweet lady called Erika (@ErikasOriginals) and if you are a vintage collector, you certainly what we are talking about.A bit of history about the?Marine Nationale StrapWhy do we name these straps “Marine Nationale Strap”. In fact, we have to look?back at?military purposes and at?Tudor Watches. The relation between French Navy “Marine Nationale” and Tudor can be tra