GIVE AWAY: Five Books, Notebooks and Rollerballs by A. Lange & Sohne - Monochrome Watches
Time for the next give-away on Monochrome to celebrate our 10th anniversary, and this time we can give away 5 sets from A. Lange & Sohne. The beautiful German watch brand, who just launched the renewed Lange 1 Moonphase Day/Night, ?provided us with 5 x the book “Sign of the Times”, 5 x a Lange notebook and 5 rollerballs.?The book, written by Christoph Scheuring, is a historic novel inspired by the fascinating personality of Saxony's watchmaking pioneer, Ferdinand Adolph Lange. Quite a few books already covered his accomplishments, however little has been known about the first few years of his life so far. Lange grew up with foster parents who encouraged him in his ambitions and allowed him to study at the newly founded Royal Technical College, the precursor of what is now the University of Dresden. There, Lange was able to develop his scientific talents. Johann Christian Friedrich Gutkaes, who was later appointed clockmaker to the court, quickly recognised the youngster

A. Lange & Sohne Richard Lange Pour le Merite White Gold Black Dial
When the words “Pour le Merite” are attached to the name “A. Lange & Sohne“, you know it’s going to be hard to resist and you know it’s going to be complicated. Why? This nomenclature in Lange’s collections means a watch equipped with a fusee and chain transmission (like this one or the outstanding?Tourbograph) – and that is far from being an usual construction for a wristwatch. First introduced in 2009 in a limited edition of 200 pieces in pink gold and 50 pieces in platinum, the?A. Lange & Sohne Richard Lange “Pour le Merite” was supposed to be sold out… Well, thankfully it’s back, in a new limited run of 218 pieces, now in white gold with a stunning black dial.What you’ll get with the?A. Lange & Sohne Richard Lange “Pour le Merite” is a combination of extreme simplicity, superior refinement and overall discretion, linked to a very high mechanical sophistication. Indeed, this watch m

Introducing The AP Royal Oak Jumbo 16202BC Blue/White Gold
Following the release last year of an updated Royal Oak Jumbo Extra-Thin collection – the 16202ST, for the steel model – in the frame of the 50th anniversary of the brand’s iconic watch, Audemars Piguet is today releasing a new version that, visually, will feel familiar to fans of the model. If I say 14802PT…? Yes, this extremely rare version of the Royal Oak Jumbo Jubilee 20-year, made of platinum, in only 20 examples, with some of the examples featuring a grained blue Tuscan dial. Well, it’s somehow back, with the new Royal Oak Jumbo Ultra-Thin 16202BC, a boutique-exclusive white gold version with… a grained blue dial.?The inspiration, the 20th-anniversary Royal Oak Jumbo Jubilee 14802PT, in platinum with grained blue dial – image by Phillips WatchesLooking at the image of the 14802PT above, it is obvious where AP found the inspiration. The brand doesn’t hide its strategy with the new Jumbo 16202 collection, which pays tribute to histor

Record Results for LVMH in 2019, Strong Growth For Bvlgari and Hublot
Year after year, the publication of the annual results of LVMH is no more a surprise… Growth has become the norm for the world’s largest luxury group, which operates in multiple businesses such as fashion, wine, perfumes, selective retailing and, of course, watches and jewellery – the group is the owner of Bvlgari, Hublot, TAG Heuer, Zenith and, a recent deal, the integration of Tiffany & Co. (which will be effective mid-2020). As for 2019 results, LVMH recorded revenue of €53.7 billion in 2019, up 15%, and organic revenue growth was 10%. Impressive numbers, yet the situation has to be nuanced, depending on the business units and the regions.There’s no debating the constant growth of LVMH’s revenues, without even accounting for the recently acquired companies. Even without them, the group continues its progression both for revenues and profits – both were up 15% between 2018 and 2019, with an impressive net profit of 13% of the revenues. Bernard

Introducing: The New and Updated Oris Aquis Chronograph
The latest Oris Aquis Chronograph doesn't reinvent the wheel and certainly doesn't need to, but it brings a welcomed refresh to the Aquis chrono that follows in the footsteps of the updated 2024 Aquis Date. A noticeable visual change is the arrangement of the three sub-dials, now in a smiley face format (as Oris puts it) also known as tri-compax. Previous Aquis chronographs are known to be large at 46mm (with a height of over 18mm), so the tamed dimensions of this new model are definitely more mainstream.?The stainless steel case is 43.5mm in diameter and about 17mm in thickness, which is still far from compact but surely more wearable than before, and the unidirectional rotating bezel has a blue ceramic insert. A double-domed AR sapphire crystal protects the dial and there's a mineral glass exhibition case back. An expansive guard partially covers the screw-down crown and pushers at 2 and 4 o'clock, and water resistance is rated at 300 metres. The watch comes fitted with a tapered thr