Introducing: Longines Heritage Flagship Moonphase Year of the Dragon
The Chinese New Year provides many watch companies with the perfect excuse to produce a special edition decorated with one of the twelve animals of the Chinese Zodiac. This year is the Year of the Dragon, and, for the first time, Longines jumps on the Chinese New Year bandwagon with a limited edition of 888 pieces of its Flagship Heritage model with moon phases. Available exclusively in Asia, the Flagship Heritage features an Oriental red dial with gold accents and a discreetly positioned dragon's head depicted on the caseback.Using the Heritage Flagship Moonphase model makes a lot of sense since the Moon plays an essential role in determining the date of the Chinese New Year. According to the Chinese lunisolar calendar, the New Year usually falls on the second new Moon after the winter solstice, between 21 January and 20 February. This year, the Chinese New Year kicks off on 10 February, and the Dragon will be holding court until the Snake takes over in January 2025. Ad - S

Longines Legend Diver still not available... - Monochrome Watches
Longines?showed the new Legend Diver at Baselworld 2007. More than a year and a half later this watch is still not available in the Netherlands. Promise after promise, first it was spring 2008, than july 2008 and now almost at the end of 2008 there are still no Legend Divers available at the Dutch AD’s. If you want information about the availability than i suggest you contact Longines.I don’t know what Longines motives are for running their business like they do, but i sure don’t like it. Judging from posts on the German watch forum Watchlounge, it is already available in Germany. A member named Knoppi made these beautiful photo of his Legend Diver. I feel a bit jealous… Knoppi made very beautiful photos and has a very beautiful watch! Ad - Scroll to continue with article Longines Legend Diver - photo from WatchloungeLongines Legend Diver

Introducing: The Neo Kung Orienta Chronograph
A new name on the independent watchmaking firmament arises, as Chinese watchmaker Neo Kung presents his Orienta. With experience working for the Seagull and Shanghai movement manufacturers, Neo Kung has a deep understanding of what it takes to build a movement. And by the looks of it, he knows what he’s doing! His Orienta has a movement based on the enigmatic Venus 175 calibre, a rather pleasing vintage appeal and a subtle touch of Chinese design and styling that will surely cross borders and excite enthusiasts the world over.Chinese watchmaking is still often stigmatised. And yes, while there are plenty of (very) questionable watches coming from China, several brands and watchmakers are definitely worth the time and effort. To the point even that they’re certainly worth spending money on! Names like Celadon HH, Qin Gang, Logan Kuan Rao and Atelier Wen are at the forefront of high-end or luxury watchmaking that can rival the Swiss. Maybe not by volume, but certainly by craf

Lang & Heyne Hektor Sports Watch With Integrated Bracelet
We’ve said it repeatedly over and over here, at MONOCHROME… The sports watch with integrated bracelet is simply the hottest, most desirable and most (commercially) successful watch category these days. Without surprise, we’ve seen dozens of brands entering the genre, from accessible luxury powerhouses to small independent watchmakers. We can’t blame them, as they are simply answering the demand for such watches. And since the idea seems to be working most of the time, there will be even more newcomers. The latest in line is one that we clearly didn’t expect… A Dresden-based brand specialised in refined and classic watches. Here’s the new Lang & Heyne Hektor. When you think about Lang & Heyne, you might have this kind of watch in mind. Classic, refined, slightly old-school, typically German timepieces of rare execution, with ultra-decorated handmade movements, once again built in a typical Saxon way. Based in Dresd

De Rijke Watches & Co. Amalfi Series I - a Drivers Watch with a Rotating Case - Monochrome Watches
A category not often touched upon, as eligible entries are few and far between, are driver's watches. Seasoned watch geeks or serious collectors might recall the Vacheron Constantin Historique American 1921, or even the MB&F HM8 Can-Am. However, we might have a more affordable solution to driving, preferably fast, and not having to take your hand off the steering wheel. Introducing Dutch start-up De Rijke Watches & Co.’s Amalfi Series I.Straddling his vintage Vespa moped, Laurens de Rijke travelled through eastern Europe right after graduating as an industrial engineer from the Technical University of Delft, the Netherlands, along with some friends. During his adventures, he stumbled upon a local flea market. Meandering through the stalls, he spotted a vintage mechanical Vostok which he bought to keep track of time while riding his Vespa. Ad - Scroll to continue with article