Up-Close with the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph Panda Dial
If luxury stainless steel sports watches are a hot commodity on the market today, Vacheron Constantin‘s Overseas Chronograph Panda has just raised the bar from hot to hotter. Just ahead of Watches & Wonders 2023, Vacheron Constantin pulls a splendid white rabbit out of its top hat with the release of the latest stainless steel Overseas Chronograph with a panda dial. The brand’s latest take on its Overseas Chronograph ref. 5500V is the paragon of a sporty chronograph flaunting an eye-catching and remarkably legible 1960s-style panda dial. Combined with the distinctive case of the Overseas family, impeccable Geneva Seal mechanics and maximum versatility thanks to the three interchangeable strap and bracelet options, Vacheron has produced a winner. It’s evident that VC has been listening to feedback and has produced this much-anticipated reference that will have many collectors and enthusiasts going weak at the knees.Finger on the pulseWhat is surprising about a watc

Hands-On - Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600m Chronograph Ceramised Titanium Dial and Orange Ceramic 215.32.46.51.99.001 (Specs & Price)
During the “Time To Move” event organized by the Swatch Group, Omega unveiled most of this year’s novelties. This included, among others, the fully redesigned Seamaster Diver 300M Chronograph. Still, this wasn’t the only diving chronograph that Omega was going to launch… It also had this cool, fresh-looking Seamaster Planet Ocean 600m Chronograph in orange and grey up its sleeve.This new version of Omega’s professional diving chronograph is in the same vein as the time-and-date PO 600m we showed you recently, relying on the same orange colour for its bezel. This new colour scheme marks a sort of back-to-basics for the brand, which pays tribute to the signature colour used in 2005 when the Planet Ocean sub-collection was introduced. Even though black was the most sold model, most of us link the early PO watches to this bright colour. And it is back! Ad - Scroll to continue with article

Interview: Fabrizio Buonamassa on the Bulgari x Gran Turismo Partnership
As the Product Creation Executive Director at Bulgari Horlogerie, Fabrizio Buonamassa Stigliani is renowned for his keen focus on design. While our discussions with him at MONOCHROME typically revolve around watches, this exceptionally versatile designer harbours various talents. The announcement of Bulgari's collaboration with cult video game Gran Turismo provided the opportunity to unveil not only a limited-edition Bulgari Aluminium watch but also the Bulgari Aluminium Vision GT, a stunning concept car designed for use in the racing game.Xavier Markl, MONOCHROME – You’ve been with Bulgari for over 20 years now. If someone had told you 10-15 years ago that you would work on projects with a video game license, would you have believed it?Fabrizio Buonamassa Stigliani – Honestly, no. That’s what makes Bulgari so interesting. We can embark on unconventional ventures and express ourselves in various domains. The beauty of the brand lies in its diversity. We have hot

Buying Guide - Squaring the Circle with 6 of the Best Cushion-Shaped Watches of 2017 - Monochrome Watches
With their softly rounded square cases and inner round opening, cushion-shaped watches are a sure way to stylishly stand out from the crowd. Masculine and refined, here are 6 high-end cushion shaped watches released in 2017, for those who want to look original, yet stylish.Vacheron Constantin Historiques Americaine 1921 mid-sizeInspired by a model from 1921 (itself based on a 1919 production for the American market), the Vacheron Constantin Historiques Americaine 1921 is probably one of the most handsome watches the brand has ever made. Its crown is placed in the upper right corner and its dial is also tilted to align the 12 o'clock indication with it. This mid-size version of the model introduced this fall (pre-SIHH) makes it even more elegant. It is powered by the superb VC 4400 manual movement. Sheer dandyism! Ad - Scroll to continue with article Quick facts:

Hands-On - Bell & Ross BR-X1 Skeleton Tourbillon Sapphire (Specs & Price)
Last year, Bell & Ross set a new benchmark for itself with the unveiling of the BR-X1 Chronograph Tourbillon Sapphire. Housed in a jaw-dropping, sapphire case that left little to the imagination, the (way-too) limited-edition timepiece made it crystal clear (pun intended) that the brand is about far more than just military and aviation-inspired watches. Now, Bell & Ross is taking the challenge of transparency a step further, with the new BR-X1 Skeleton Tourbillon Sapphire.Over the last few years full sapphire cases have become increasingly popular, thanks in large part to early pioneers like Richard Mille and even MB&F. Indeed, several brands have unveiled watches with sapphire cases in the past few years alone, including Hublot’s Big Bang Unico Sapphire, Greubel Forsey’s Double Tourbillon 30o Technique Sapphire?and Rebellion’s 540 Magnum Sapphire Tourbillon. Not that we're complaining mind you. After all, transparent cases allow for uninterrupted viewing