The Zenith El Primero - Revisiting One of The Most Iconic Movements Ever - Monochrome Watches
Icons stand the test of time. Born in 1969, El Primero (the first in Spanish) is still regarded as one of the best and most accurate chronograph movements ever created. Part of a trilogy of automatic chronograph calibres that hit the market in 1969, it is the only one that is still produced to date. As Zenith prepares to celebrate the 50th?anniversary of this legendary calibre next year, MONOCHROME takes a look back at its history and design. Ad - Scroll to continue with article The originsChronograph wristwatches have existed since the beginning of the 20th?century (around 1912 or 1913 for the earliest examples) but all of them were fitted with hand-wound movements. In the 1960s, it was time for the chronograph to modernise itself, by adding the practicality and comfort of automatic winding. Watchmakers embarked on a genuine race to develop the first self-windi

Introducing New Blue PVD Santos de Cartier Large Model (Specs & Price)
Since its introduction in 2018, the Santos de Cartier has been the best example of a sporty/luxury watch for the brand. With its interesting mix of traditional, dare I say emblematic design with casual elements and overall robustness, it has since been seen in various editions designed to add a touch of boldness to the collection. In addition to the classic steel models, but also versions with a gradient blue dial or a black-coated case, it now comes with a new blue-coated bezel and new dials, all featuring an unprecedented striped pattern. Meet the new blue Santos de Cartier for Watches and Wonders 2022.While faithfulness and traditional elegance are to be found in the Santos-Dumont collection, the classic Santos de Cartier is a sporty, casual luxury watch with daily wear in mind. Hence the relative heft of the case, its modern dimensions and decent water-resistance make it a weekend-ready Cartier. With this in mind, it’s also a great vehicle for colour combinations, playing wit

Introducing the Omega Seamaster Bullhead Chronograph Edition Rio 2016 (specs & price) - Monochrome-Watches
As you may know, Omega Watches has been the official timekeeper of the Olympic Games since 1932 (except a few exceptions). As one of their greatest achievement and an important partnership, which the brand is hugely proud off and shows this with several limited editions, like the?Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Sochi 2014. Recently, they came with their first watch paying tribute to the 2016 Olympic Games that will take place in Rio – a watch based on the Speedy Mark II – and now Omega is introducing?another limited edition, this time based on one of their most provocative models. Here is the?Omega Seamaster Bullhead Chronograph Edition Rio 2016.Let’s first have a look at previous limited editions created by Omega Watches and dedicated to the Olympic Games:The Omega Seamaster 1948 Co-Axial London 2012 Limited Edition, a vintage-inspired watch that pays tribute to?the very first Seamaster launched during the London Olympics of 1948The?Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Sochi 20

Hands-on - Spending time with the anOrdain Model 2 MKII
The small Scottish brand known as anOrdain has made quite a name for itself over the past five years, mainly through its traditionally crafted vitreous enamel dials. Usually reserved for watches at a much higher price point, anOrdain has found a way to make them in-house, at a competitive level. After our recent trip to Glasgow, visiting anOrdain’s atelier in an old carpet factory, we learned how these unique dials are made by hand. The first watch to come out of this atelier was the Model 1, a refined, elegant dress watch. A couple of years later, the Model 2 was introduced, which took the art of enamel dials in a different direction and presented it as a field watch. Just before the summer, we learned that the Model 2 was updated into the Model 2 MKII, which also launched a new size alongside the inaugural 36mm. And during my time in Glasgow and a couple of weeks after, I got to spend plenty of time with it!A Field Watch of a different kindThe Model 2 has always been the more r

Introducing: Panerai Radiomir 8 Giorni Eilean Experience Edition PAM01643
Panerai's watches were born with saltwater in their veins. Designed for Italian Navy frogmen on the eve of WWII, Panerai's rugged Radiomir not only timed their secret underwater missions and detonations, but its luminous radioactive radium-based paste lit up the murky depths. Panerai has always cultivated strong ties to all things nautical, including the purchase of the Eilean, a beautiful 1936 Bermudian ketch that was lovingly restored to her former glory. The latest Radiomir 8 Giorni Eilean (ref. PAM01643) is a limited edition of 30 pieces and features bronze recovered from the famous ketch and a very appealing surprise in the box. As part of the brand's ‘Experiences Program’, the watch comes with an invitation to explore the cultural riches of Sicily, including a cruise on board the Eilean.As any collector knows, a watch with a good story is always more collectable, and the history of the Radiomir, the first professional underwater military watch, is action-packed. But w