TAG HEUER introduces its New In-house Movement, Calibre 1969 - Monochrome Watches
Heuer had a great history in chronographs, especially with the Calibre 11, and seems to be moving towards a great future. After the presentation in 2009 of its first in-house movement since decades, the calibre 1887, TAG Heuer comes back with a very interesting offer in the market of in-house, self-winding chronograph movements. After all the debates around the calibre 11, and after the discussions about the calibre 1887 and whether or not it is a proper in-house movement, this 1969 could be the one to bring everyone into agreement. Let's see why.?We here at Monochrome are big chronograph enthusiasts, whether vintage or modern, like the Omega Speedmaster for its historical importance, or the Lange & Sohne Double Split for its perfection (we reviewed it for you here). The announcement a few days ago by TAG Heuer of a new movement had, of course, attracted our curiosity. And let's be clear about it; we’re looking at an impressive engine compared to TAG's previous standards. But

Baselworld 2019 - Tudor Black Bay Chrono S&G 79363N (Hands-On, Specs & Price)
When Tudor first introduced its Black Bay Chrono model in 2017, there was a hullabaloo about incorporating chronograph functions on board a 200m water-resistant vintage-inspired dive watch. A diver without a rotating bezel replaced by a fixed tachymeter scale for the chronograph functions? For many, the combination of functions was unwarranted but over time, the initial animosity was replaced by enthusiasm. For 2019, the Black Bay Chrono is back in a 41mm bold two-tone steel and gold model with a host of bracelet and strap choices.The Midas TouchThe steel and gold case is by no means a novelty; Frank reviewed the Black Bay S&G model two years ago and predicted the unexpected return to two-tone case combinations. Following suit, the 41mm steel case of the new Black Bay Chrono S&G model is spruced up with yellow gold pushers (screwed to ensure the 200m water-resistance) along with a fixed (non-rotating) bezel in yellow gold with a black anodised aluminium insert for the tachymetr

Introducing: Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600m Boutique-Exclusive Collection
First released in 2005 as a more powerful version of the Omega Seamaster, the Planet Ocean 600m has now become an entire collection with various complications, sizes and colours/materials?– without even mentioning its bigger brother, the mighty PO 6000m. Discreetly released by Omega, six new references join the collection – three time-and-date 43.5mm and three chronographs 45.5mm – available exclusively from the brand’s boutiques. Executed in subdued earthy tones, these new Boutique-only Seamaster Planet Ocean 600m add elegance to this solid collection.?While the PO 600m collection is often characterised by its hallmark orange accents – the orange-coloured aluminium bezel was the signature element of the launch model in 2005 – Omega has recently decided to give it a more discreet attire, with various editions playing on monochromatic schemes or more subtle colours. Think, for instance, about the Deep Black collection or the recent Dark Grey GMT model

Introducing The Oris x Bracenet A Special Edition Of The Aquis Date
Oris has been embracing sustainable materials for years, such as with the Oris Aquis Date Upcycle back in 2021 or the Dat Watt series. The brand also has a comprehensive sustainability report from 2022 that details many efforts to contribute to a cleaner, more sustainable world. A partnership with the social enterprise Bracenet has brought new upcycled dials from ghost fishing nets, which are debuting in the Oris X Bracenet. Benjamin Wenke and Madeleine von Hohenthal, founders of Bracenet, recycle these abandoned fishing nets that wreak havoc in the world's oceans, creating bracelets, bags, keychains and now watch dials.The two Oris X Bracenet special editions of the Aquis Date are differentiated by size, 43.5mm and 36.5mm in diameter, and both are 316L stainless steel. They're otherwise aesthetically identical with unidirectional rotating bezels and grey ceramic inserts, partial crown guards and screw-down crowns. A domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating protects the dial

Oris El Hierro Limited Edition (live photos, specs & price) - Monochrome Watches
If there’s one thing Oris is good at, it’s to create interesting and nicely designed limited editions, especially of dive watches. Well, it’s not that difficult when your base for these editions is the reliable, rugged, efficient but pretty affordable Aquis Date. We’ve seen for instance the Great Barrier Reef edition or the Carlos Coste version. This time, Oris teams up with the Spanish Institute of Oceanography, to create a volcano-inspired version, the (of-course) black and red?Oris El Hierro Limited Edition.El Hierro? A Spanish?Institute of Oceanography? A volcano? And a dive watch…? Ok, before going into the details of the?Oris El Hierro Limited Edition, first a short story, explaining the reasons behind this watch. In October 2011, strange activity was observed off the coast of El Hierro, the most south-western of the Spanish-owned Canary Islands. Patches of pale-coloured water began appearing, dead fish floated on the ocean surface, and locals noted