Recap - All The Unique Watches To Be Auctioned at Only Watch 2021
Founded in 2005, Only Watch has become one of the most important horological events of the industry, with many major brands and independent watchmakers donating watches specifically created for the occasion and unique in their design, colours or even mechanisms. Under the High Patronage of H.S.H. Prince Albert II and at the initiative of Luc Pettavino – founder of the Association Monegasque Contre les Myopathies (AMM) – Only Watch is a biennial fundraiser whose aim is to raise funds for research against Duchenne muscular dystrophy. Since its creation, it has raised more than EUR 70 million, entirely given to research. Now in its 9th edition, 53 lots will be auctioned at Only Watch 2021.?The lots will be auctioned in collaboration with Christie's for the third consecutive time, on 6 November 2021, at 2 PM (Geneva time), at the Four Seasons Ho?tel des Bergues in Geneva.In the weeks preceding the auction, the watches will be presented to the public, media, and horological enth

Pre-SIHH 2019 - IWC Pilots Watch Chronograph Spitfire Bronze IW3879 Manufacture Movement (Hands-On, Specs & Price)
Last but not least, of the four pilot watch ‘teasers’ that IWC has released ahead of the SIHH 2019, is this well-proportioned, vintage-inspired, bronze-cased, no-nonsense chronograph upgraded with a manufacture movement. All of that might sound like music to the ears of many collectors. At least, it does to us. Meet the?IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph Spitfire Bronze ref.?IW387902.Earlier this year, IWC introduced the?Pilot's Watch Chronograph IW377724, a nice, slightly vintage-inspired piece bringing back some of the design elements found on the Mark II and the 1990s ref. 3706 – the simple Flieger Chronograph, without the rattrapante function. Basically, this watch was the modern iteration of the model that relaunched pilot’s watches at IWC. Today, IWC applies a similar concept to the?Pilot's Watch Chronograph Spitfire… and more! Ad - Scroll to continue with article

Patek Philippe 5178G Minute Repeater Cathedral Gongs - Review with Sound (Specs & Price)
Recently, Xavier and I had the pleasure to visit Patek Philippe’s manufacture, from the case and bracelet factory to the Haute Horlogerie ateliers. It’s only once you’ve been there that you can understand that something truly special is going on, especially at the HH workshop. Patek Philippe minute repeaters, which are manufactured there, have always been known to be best-in-class. And believe me, they are. To understand why we had the rare opportunity to go hands-on with the latest addition to the collection, the?Patek Philippe 5178G – which is also the occasion to explain the concept of?Cathedral Gongs and, of course, we have the sound too.The?Patek Philippe 5178G Minute RepeaterAt first sight, the?Patek Philippe 5178G is a rather simple watch. Relatively reasonable in terms of proportions, based on a simple time-only display, showing an elegant and highly traditional case… There’s nothing to lead you to imagine that something very complex ticks in

Porsche 992 and Porsche Design 911 Chronograph Timeless Machine (Specs & Price)
Porsche and Porsche-Design invited me for their Winter Event in Zell am See, Austria. Although it was immediately after the SIHH,?from 18-20 January, I?couldn’t resist when I saw the programme! Zell am See is the historical birthplace of Porsche and its design studio is still located in this beautiful Austrian village, in the middle of the Alps. Zell am See gave stage to the revived Ice Race and the new Porsche Design 911 Timeless Machine, which we covered recently, was there for me to review. But also another mechanical machine that is also dubbed ‘Timeless Machine’ awaited me and here’s my report on the Porsche Winter Event, the new Porsche Design 911 Timeless Machine Limited Edition and driving the brand new Porsche 992.?When I started MONOCHROME it was all about sharing the passion for mechanics on the wrist. That hasn’t changed over the past 12+ years, however, since I’ve attended quite a few sports car events, I must admit that my passion for s

Hands-on: The TAG Heuer Monaco Skeleton Blue
Changes to the appearance are often a more frequent feature of the TAG Heuer Monaco series than groundbreaking innovation in its mechanics. And over the years the brand almost always successfully implemented the use of new materials and updated designs, with the recent 2023 introduction of open-worked dials to the collection preceding the launch of the timepiece we are reviewing today, the 2024 TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Skeleton Dark Blue in DLC Titanium, perhaps the better looking of them by far.The 1969 Heuer Monaco reference 1133B.Since the Monaco chronograph was first introduced by Heuer in 1969, it has appeared in many design variations, always faithful to the original aesthetics of this legendary watch. Monaco’s distinctive looks continue to be recognised by specialists, not just watch and racing fans - Monaco Calibre 11 received a Red Dot Award in the product design category almost 50 years after it was born - in 2017. In the past, Monaco sought to offer interesting tec