Montblanc Vintage Pulsographe for Only Watch 2011 - Monochrome Watches
Montblanc’s Vintage Pulsographe is one of the most beautiful new releases of this year. Classic, stylish and with a movement that is so beautiful it makes every watch collector’s heart beat faster. There are not many watches with a movement of this beauty. Of course the Lange und Sohne Datograph and Double Split both have absolutely gorgeous movements, but the Montblanc Vintage Pulsographe has also one of the most beautiful chronograph movements in the world. For Only Watch 2011 Montblanc created this piece unique. Ad - Scroll to continue with article Above is the Vintage Pulsographe piece unique for Only Watch 2011. The case is made of 18 carat red gold, measures 39.5 mm in diameter and is 12.1 mm thick. The domed sapphire crystal protects the white ‘Grand Feu’ enamel dial with blue Arabic hour markers and wording. The red scale on the o

Interview - In Conversation with Philippe Dufour
Philippe Dufour is a living legend. The independent watchmaker is one of most (if not the most) revered craftsmen in the industry and his watches are regarded as the ultimate in traditional hand-finishing. We visited the 70-year-old master in the small village of Le Solliat, in the Vallee de Joux. There, Philippe Dufour crafts his watches entirely by hand, elevating the art of watchmaking to the highest level. Visiting his workshop is a unique experience. It is exactly what you have dreamed about, and yet everything is a surprise and catches your attention: old tools, ancient machines, drawers, books, raw materials This place has soul.How does one become one of the most revered craftsmen in the Swiss watch industry?First of all, it takes patience and hard work. You must remove some words from your vocabulary: weekends, holidays or retirement. Once this is done you can start. It's been a long road. Being recognized for your work takes years.? I have been an independent watchmaker since

A Comprehensive Guide to Watch Crystals - History, Types, Advantages, and Disadvantages
In the world of watches, the crystal is one of the most crucial yet often overlooked components of a timepiece. This thin transparent cover protects the dial from dust, moisture, and external damage while allowing clear visibility of the watch’s timekeeping functions – and, in many modern watches, its movement, too. Over the years, watchmakers have developed various types of crystals, each with its own set of advantages and disadvantages. In this article, we will explore the different types of crystals used in watchmaking, focusing on their material properties, advantages, and potential drawbacks. You might think this is a detail, but after all, it is the crystal that offers the first glimpse into a watch…Watch Crystals, a brief historical recapWhile sapphire is now the preferred material in the watch industry, its use on a large scale is relatively recent, and many other materials have been used in the past.?Early clocks didn't even have a protective crystal, and the

Oris Divers Sixty Five Chronograph Steel-and-Bronze (Specs & Price)
After Oris introduced the Bronze Carl Brashear Chronograph earlier in 2018, and after the brand announced teaming up with Swiss retailer Bucherer to created a new episode of the “Blue Editions”, we knew that the standard version of the Divers Sixty Five Chronograph was about to come. So end of the teasing: here is the regular production model of the Oris Divers Sixty Five Chronograph – and indeed, it still looks good in steel-and-bronze.When Oris and Bucherer introduced their shared vision of the “65 Chrono”, we wrote: “The Divers Sixty-Five is Oris' most successful collection of the last five years. An affordable, well-executed, good-looking diver with a fair amount of vintage elements, it has been praised by many - including us. What started as a stand-alone piece quickly became a full collection, with 36mm, 40mm, and 42mm models and with steel, BiCo' steel-and-bronze or full bronze versions. Last year saw the first introduction of a complication i

Hands-On: The new Citizen Mechanical Day/Date NY4058 is a Perfect Example of a Gateway Mechanical Watch
When you read magazines like MONOCHROME, stepping into the (absolutely fascinating) world of mechanical watchmaking can be frightening. Not only can these watches be hard to understand, filled with complications and complex mechanical devices, but the prices at which most luxury watches are offered generate a “glass ceiling” effect that’s hard to break. There is what we call accessible luxury, of course, but even here, prices are still beyond the reach of many. Enter the so-called “gateway watches,” mechanical timepieces that are genuinely affordable, the kind of watches that can get you hooked and locked in this rabbit hole that’s watch collecting.?There are so many options to consider when it comes to your first mechanical watch, to the watch you buy for yourself or your kids as the first step into the world of mechanical watchmaking. Obviously, what you can put on the table to acquire this first watch is highly personal and will depend on each ind