Recap: The Best Chronograph Watches of 2023
The end of the year is near, so it's time for the MONOCHROME team to sit down and look back at everything that happened during what was objectively a rich year for new models There was a lot, with so many new watches launched in all categories and all price ranges. Today, we kick off a series of buying guides representing our selection of what we think are the best watches in each category, starting with one of our all-time favourite functions and probably one that so many watch enthusiasts appreciate: the chronograph. From classic to innovative, vintage or ultra-modern According to the MONOCHROME team, here are the Best Chronograph Watches of 2023.We have compiled over 250 articles under the “chronograph” tag this year. Narrowing down this selection to a handful of models wasn’t easy, believe me. Some will be missed, but the process involved a team vote, and we had to make some concessions. And the result is these five watches… Objectively and historically, all

Introducing: The Hamilton Chrono-Matic 50 Auto Chrono Limited Edition, now in Blue
Hamilton's US chapter is marked by its legendary field watches for the US Army, interpreted in the popular Khaki line, and its impressive amount of Hollywood screen debuts. On the horological front, perhaps the most exciting moment in Hamilton's history took place in Switzerland, where it participated in the race to develop the world’s first automatic chronograph movement – known as the Calibre 11 or Chronomatic. Today, Hamilton returns to the fore with a vibrant and colourful interpretation of its maxi-sized Chrono-Matic 50, based on the more complex 1970s Chrono-Matic GMT Count-Down.In 1966, Hamilton acquired the Swiss manufacture Buren and closed its American operations shortly after. The Buren years saw Hamilton's involvement in Project 99, a code name for the development of an automatic chronograph movement uniting Hamilton-Buren, Heuer, Breitling and movement specialist Dubious-Depraz. Although Zenith crossed the finish line in January 1969 with its El Primero calibre

Patek Philippe Aquanaut Jumbo 5168G Khaki Green - Hands-On Review (Specs & Price)
Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Aquanaut in 2017, Patek Philippe presented the Jumbo Ref. 5168G in white gold with a larger diameter of 42.2mm, the most Jumbo size of this family to date and the first one to be housed in a white gold case. The fashionable blue dial of the 2017 model now has a sibling with a cool khaki green dial and matching “tropical” rubber strap. In essence, the exact same watch as the 2017 model with a green strap and dial, the khaki green dial adds a safari/adventure/military mood to the watch underlining its mission as Patek's everyday sports watch.Response timeThis is not the first time the Aquanaut Jumbo appears in khaki green attire. In 2011, Patek issued a highly limited “special clients-only” Aquanaut Jumbo 5167A-010 in a 40mm stainless steel case with a khaki green dial and strap. One of these extremely rare models appeared on the auction circuit in 2015 and was sold for CHF 52,500 by Sotheby's.The highly limited “speci

IWC Portofino Hand-Wound Moon Phase - Review
Over the last few years, IWC has been steadily re-positioning its various collections in a decidedly upward direction. Most notably, the Portugieser has moved up a few rungs on the price list, whilst the Portifino now occupies the space this move created. Although at first this may not seem like great news for your wallet, it has resulted in the introduction of several interesting and attractive pieces into the Portofino range, including this gorgeous IWC Portofino Hand-Wound Moon Phase. Today, we go hands on to find out what all the fuss is about.When I first laid eyes on the new Portofino Hand-Wound Moon Phase (ref. 5164) earlier this year, I must admit I was impressed. Quietly introduced without much fanfare from the brand, it is a nice-looking watch that packs a lot of functionality into a rather understated design. In keeping with IWC's Bauhaus aesthetic, the dial is well-balanced, with clear, easy to read font and indices and a focus on function leading form. Two different versio

Event: Tokyo Calling, Patek Philippe Is In Town!
Want to understand why Patek Philippe is considered the “ne plus ultra” in the realm of watchmaking, and you happen to be in Tokyo between the 10th and 25th of June? Well, there is one event you cannot miss because Patek Philippe is in town hosting the sixth edition of its Grand Exhibition, offering visitors a unique 360-degree view of the brand’s universe. Open to the public free of charge, Patek will take over the Sumitomo Sankaku Hiroba glass skyscraper to stage the largest exhibition ever organised by the Genevan brand. A once-in-a-lifetime opportunity, Patek Philippe is ready to open the doors of its Watch Art Grand Exhibition Tokyo 2023.If you haven’t had the chance to visit the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva or its majestic Rue de Rhone boutique, this Grand Exhibition is the next best thing. Now in its sixth edition, the Tokyo Exhibition is the largest ever organised by the manufacture and is an open invitation to explore the brand’s creations, her