Top 10 Chronographs of 2020 by MONOCHROME - Buying Guide
As the end of the year is fast approaching, it was time for MONOCHROME’s editorial team to sit around the (virtual) table and to have a look back at all the new watches that have been introduced in 2020. Despite a complex situation and sales that have been impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic, we’ve seen plenty of new models launched this year. Following our list of the most impressive complication watches, this week we take a look at one of our most beloved type of watches: the chronograph. From accessible to high-end, from sporty to elegant, here are our top 10 chronograph watches of 2020.Note: this list is based on our own preferences. Feel free to share your favourite chronograph watches introduced this year in the comment box at the end of this article.?A. Lange & Sohne 1815 Rattrapante HoneygoldReleased to celebrate the 175th anniversary of the foundation of the Saxon brand by F. A. Lange in 1815, alongside two other watches, the 1815 Rattrapante Honeygold is one of

Hands-On - Claude Meylan Legende 69 (with vintage Valjoux 69 movement) with Vintage Chronograph Movement (Specs & Price)
A visit to Les Ateliers (editor's note, the place where most independent watchmakers exhibit) at Baselworld 2018 can sometimes bring very nice surprises - especially if you have a love for old-school chronograph watches. The Claude Meylan Legende 69 is a clean, simple, elegant stopwatch. As its name suggests, it is powered by a vintage Valjoux 69 chronograph movement, entirely refurbished and redecorated by Claude Meylan, an independent watchmaker based in the Vallee de Joux, specialised in crafting skeletonised watches. The hand-wound column wheel chronograph found in this elegant and clean watch is a refinished old-stock Valjoux 69 calibre, a movement introduced in the late 1930s (more precisely, we talk about new movements created with old-stock parts). The origins of the legendary chronograph maker Valjoux go as far back as the late 19th century when the Reymond brothers set up their movement manufacture in the Vallee de Joux. Reymond Freres SA would b

Habring2 Chrono Felix Perpetual Salmon (Specs & Price)
Suppose you’re one of our loyal readers. In that case, you certainly know that we have a thing for salmon dial watches, chronographs in general – monopushers to be even more precise – classic designs of the 1940s and we have huge respect for the work of Austrian independent watchmakers Maria and Richard Habring (also known as Habring2). All of that led us to the creation of our first Montre de Souscription, a salmon sector dial monopusher by Habring2. So, the watch you’re about to see, the new?Chrono Felix Perpetual with a salmon dial, somehow tickled our interest… to say the least.The Chrono Felix Perpetual, according to Massena LAB’s visionEarlier this week, Massena LAB, the design studio founded by our friend William Massena, presented the Chrono Felix Perpetual LAB-CFP… No need to say, a stunning watch. This model is an evolution of Habring2 compact monopusher chronograph, the Chrono Felix, with its in-house movement now combined with a per

An Unusual yet Fascinating Pilot's Watch, the 1950s Jardur Chronograph - Monochrome Watches
The Jardur Company of 874 Broadway, New York was a manufacture of “Navigation Instruments” as well as an importer of the Jardur Bezelmeter and Super FlightMaster aviation wristwatches and chronographs. In the early days of commercial flight, someone had to provide the navigational instruments, logbooks, charts, navigational aids and elapsed time recorders to make long-distance flight possible and Jardur was one of those companies. I contacted AOPA (Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association) to find out about Jardur as I had seen it referenced by pilots as their flight watch of choice' including B-29 Pilots during WWII as well as amateur pilots of the period.Below, a?Jardur Flight Calculator and Plotter Below, a?small 24-hour dial manual-wind Jardur pilots watch Ad - Scroll to continue with article I first came across chronographs

Laurent Ferrier Celebrates 5 Years with Anniversary Series in Red Gold with Chocolat Brown Dial - Monochrome-Watches
There are just a handful of retailers of this small, but very exclusive watch brand, formed around mr. Laurent Ferrier. He worked for Patek Philippe for 37 years – since 1974 as Creative Director – and raced in the 24-hour of Lemans, back in the seventies. And five years ago he set up his own business to make extraordinary beautiful, superbly finished classically styled timepieces. To celebrate the fifth anniversary in style, Laurent Ferrier introduces a all four models in a 18k red gold case with chocolat brown dial.These five years seem to have past extremely fast, as I can still vividly remember the introduction of Laurent Ferrier’s very first timepiece, the Galet Tourbillon Double Spiral. With this model Laurent Ferrier immediately won the prize for Best Men’s Watch in the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Geneve, and in the following five years he introduced three other models, including a ladies watch that was introduced last year. All timepieces are equipp