Understanding Bezels and all the Different Scales - Monochrome Watches
A bezel is a simple but extremely effective tool letting you perform all sorts of tasks: from timing a dive to calculating the average speed of a motorbike, from gauging your fuel supply or the distance of incoming fire to consulting the time in Japan, a bezel gets the job done and jacks up the functionality of your watch. The trick is deciphering what all the markings on the bezel or on the dial (in that case, we talk scales) represent and how to use them.The dial of the Patek Philippe 5975, combining 3 of the most prominent scales used in the watch industry: Telemeter, Pulsometer, TachymeterDiving Bezels (or count-up)The purpose of a dive bezel is to track elapsed time underwater. One of the ISO 6425 standards for a divers' watch is that it must be fitted with a unidirectional bezel with a scale showing 60 minutes and markings at least every 5 minutes, well as a pre-select marker (usually in the form of a luminous triangle or diamond) to mark a specific minute reading. Since chronogr

Citizen Promaster Mechanical Diver 200m NB6004 - Introducing, Price
With a history dating back to 1989, and elements of the first Promaster watch by Citizen even further back, the collection has always captured the public’s imagination. First and foremost for their capabilities, being proper diving instruments, but on another note also for the accompanying innovation. It was Citizen, after all, who produced the first Japanese water-resistant watch. The Promaster characteristics are still very much alive and kicking, as the new and ultra-robust Citizen Promaster Mechanical Diver 200m NB6004 clearly shows.?While most of Citizen's collections feature quartz and solar-powered movements, the brand's mechanical watchmaking capabilities should not be underestimated. After all, Citizen is a vertically integrated manufacturer that does almost everything in-house. With the integration of brands like Arnold & Son, Frederique Constant, Alpina, Atelier de Monaco and high-end movement maker La Joux-Perret (resulting in this watch), Citizen has become a pow

Cousteau and the Timepieces of the Calypso team - Part 1 - Monochrome Watches
From a very young age I remember religiously watching the Jacques Cousteau documentaries that were broadcasted on TV every Saturday afternoon. These documentaries were a window in the outside world and they allowed a young child like me to see the yellow flying saucer submarine, the divers wearing sleek yellow Spirotechnique gear, the old man himself diving and giving instructions to his comrade divers. I still remember trying to see the watches that the divers and scientists wore; these idols of my young age gave me the ‘watch bug’ that I have had ever since! In this article we are going to explore the watches that Cousteau and his team used. The list is not final; of course there are some models that might be missing. However, from my research using pictures from the internet and some dedicated blogs and forums we’ve been able to make a pretty thorough list of the watches of Cousteau and his team. Back then, the mechanical divers watch was a tool, not a jewelry item

Montblanc 1858 Automatic Chronograph - The Minerva Style Made Accessible (SIHH 2018) - Monochrome Watches
Looking at recent collections by Montblanc, one series of watches clearly created a strong interest amongst the collecting community. You guessed it; the Minerva-inspired Montblanc 1858 Chronograph Tachymetre and its superb (to say the least) hand-wound Monopusher movement. One not-so-superfluous problem though with these watches… Their prices. Well, if you like the Military- and vintage-inspired Minerva chronographs and if you have a normal budget, MB has the solution at the SIHH 2018: the?Montblanc 1858 Automatic Chronograph.The?Montblanc 1858 Automatic Chronograph (left) next to a 1930s Minerva Chronograph (right) Ad - Scroll to continue with article The recipe is simple and well-known… but it works. Take most of the design elements of the 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter watches, meaning a military/pilot-style chronograph with cathedral hands, 1930s o

SIHH 2015 - Hands-on with the Vacheron Constantin Metiers dArt Mecaniques Gravees (live photos & specs) - Monochrome Watches
The Swiss maison of Vacheron Constatin celebrates its 260th anniversary, and already brought us the all-new Harmony Collection. Bearing the hallmarks of their Metiers d'Art collections, the Mecaniques Gravees 14 day Tourbillon and a hand wound non-tourbillon model feature fully hand-engraved movements inside classically styled cases, harking back to the very beginning of the brand, originally founded in 1755.The inspirations of the hand-engraved patterns on the Caliber 2260 and 4400 movements can be traced back to the 5th century. Originating from Greek pillars and columns, the decorations portray acanthus leafs and arabesque swirls. These recognizable shapes are painstakingly carved into the movement by skilled craftsmen. The depiction of acanthus leaves saw a surge during the Renaissance and the Baroque period, as it evolved into a symbol of victory and glory. Hand engraving calibers have always been a strong focus for Vacheron Constatin, including the acanthus leaves. Ad