Glashutte Original PanoGraph Fly-Back (Live Pics, Specs, Price)
With its asymmetric dials and large date windows, the Pano Collection has become a beacon of Glashutte Original's solid Saxon identity – the PanoMaticLunar and the PanoReserve are the best-known examples of this utterly Saxon sense of design and mechanics. First released in 2002, the PanoGraph stood out from the crowd with its novel chronograph totaliser that dispensed with the traditional layout of sub-counters and proved that not all chronographs have to be hard-core sports athletes. A triumph of aesthetics and mechanics, we revisit the PanoGraph today and discover how an iconic Pano can take a complication on board without sacrificing an iota of style.?OriginsWhen Glashutte Original was acquired by the Swatch Group in 2000, it needed to make a convincing mission statement. Fast on the heels of A. Lange & Sohne's in-house flyback chronograph - the Datograph (just revisited in this Lumen version) – Glashutte Original wowed the stage with its PanoRetroGraph, a highly co

Swatch Group's 2017 Results Show Strong Growth (and some Baselworld 2018 novelties partially revealed) - Monochrome Watches
After Richemont announced strong quarterly results just before SIHH 2018 and LVMH reported double-digit?growth for 2017, it’s now Swatch Group’s turn to disclose its annual results for the year 2017. And before going into details, know that the Group is strong and that the outlook for 2018 is still very positive. Once again, the industry seems to be in full recovery, with one or two threats that will have to be managed in the near future though.Swatch Group, one of the largest Watches & Jewelry conglomerate – owner, among others, of Swatch, Omega, Breguet, Blancpain, Jaquet Droz, Glashutte Original, Longines, Tissot or Rado – just published its yearly report, posting strong results for the year 2017. First of all, net sales increased 5.8% to CHF 7,989 million and +5.4% to CHF 7,960 million at current exchange rates?(vs.?CHF 7,553 million in 2016). Growth is driven mainly by the Watches & Jewelry segment, with an overall growth of 6.9% at current exchange

Watch Spotting - The Cool Watches of Shelby and Miles, Back in The Days and in Movie "Ford v. Ferrari"
Recently launched movie Ford v. Ferrari is based on the true story of the failed attempt by the Ford Motor Company to purchase Ferrari and the subsequent efforts by Ford to produce a car to beat Ferrari at the prestigious 24 Hours of Le Mans. Paramount to the success of Ford GT40 that would finally beat Ferrari at Le Mans in 1966, was Carroll Shelby, a former American racing driver turned car designer and British-born racing driver and engineer, Ken Miles.?In the movie, Matt Damon plays the role of Shelby and Miles is played by Christian Bale. And as often with motorsport, there are some cool watches involved.Caroll Shelby raced in Formula One from 1958-59 and won the 1959 24 Hours of Le Mans driving an Aston Martin DBR1 with co-driver Roy Salvadori.? Ad - Scroll to continue with article Photo by Bernard Cahier/Getty ImagesShelby retired from active racing due t

Interview: Longines' CEO Matthias Breschan On The 2023 Stategy And Launches
One of the oldest names in the Swiss watch industry, Longines is the market leader in the highly competitive CHF 1,000-5,000 price segment. On the occasion of the brand’s presentation of its 2023 novelties in Switzerland, we had the opportunity to sit down with the brand's CEO, Matthias Breschan, to discuss their strategy and some teasers of what to expect for the year.?Xavier Markl, MONOCHROME – Matthias, thanks for having us. You have been appointed CEO of Longines three years ago, right in the middle of the pandemic. How has the brand transformed under your direction? Ad - Scroll to continue with article Matthias Breschan, CEO of Longines – I joined Longines in 2020. Naturally, I was proud and honoured to join such a brand. But the moment, right in the middle of the pandemic was challenging to say the least. July, 1st most of our points of s

Patek Philippe 5270P Perpetual Calendar Chronograph Platinum Salmon Dial (Specs & Price)
The perpetual calendar chronograph is a combination of complications that belongs' to Patek Philippe. The 5270 continues a long tradition initiated in 1941. It was introduced in 2011 with an in-house movement as the successor of the 5970, itself an evolution of the 3970 (read our article about the different generations of the 5270 here). It is now available for the first time in the noblest of all metals, platinum. And it comes with a truly stunning salmon dial that – as often with salmon dials – is elegant, unostentatious but with that very special twist.The reference 5270P is powered by the handwound calibre CH 29-535 PS Q. It combines a perpetual calendar with the column-wheel chronograph calibre launched in 2009. The chronograph mechanism is connected to the timekeeping gear train by a horizontal clutch and features jumping minutes for enhanced legibility. Operating at 28,800 vibrations per hour, it can store in between 55 to 65 hours of power reserve. The Gyromax balan