Video - JC Babin on 2020 Bvlgari Watches and Geneva Watch Days
Last week, a large part of the MONOCHROME team attended Geneva Watch Days, a self-managed event combining physical and digital presence with a flexible, lighter format. And an important one, since it will be one of the only major watch fairs to be organised this year – the result of the current sanitary situation. Altogether, it gathered 17 brands from mainstream manufactures to independent watchmakers. On this occasion, we took time to sit down with Bvlgari’s CEO Jean-Christophe Babin, the main promoter of the event, to talk about the fair as well as, of course, the new watches presented this year by the Roma-based brand – and there were some good ones!Since the cancellation of the two main watch events of the year, Baselworld and Watches & Wonders, due to the COVID-19 pandemic, there was no way for the brands to physically present their new creations and to meet with their partners, press and retailers. A sad situation for sure that some brands decided to counte

First Look: Hublot Big Bang Unico Orange and Green Ceramic
The Big Bang exploded on the watch scene in 2005, converting Hublot into a major-league player. Even bigger news for the brand came in 2009 with the launch of Hublot's first manufacture movement. Known as the Unico, this in-house flyback chronograph movement was first used for the King Power collection and then inside a new line of Big Bang Unico models. Similar to the original Big Bang, their cases were larger, the chronograph pushers were round, and they featured a push-button mechanism to swap straps. For 2024, two new Big Bang Unico ceramic models join the collection. Alongside a dark green version and marking a first for the brand, the case of one model is crafted in vibrant orange ceramic, a colour rarely seen in the gamut of ceramic watches.Over the years, the Big Bang Unico has appeared in countless case materials, including a recent version made from recycled Nespresso capsules and coffee grounds (!) and comes in 44mm and 42mm case sizes. Renowned for its fusion of different m

GIVE AWAY: Jaeger-LeCoultre Year Books - Monochrome Watches
A week before Christmas we start the penultimate 10th Anniversary Give-Away. ?On December 24th we’ll run the last one, however now it’s time to win one of two sets of each two Jaeger-LeCoultre year books (No. Nine and Ten). These books are beautifully made, with beautiful photography, and covering topics from art, travel, and of course the stunning Jaeger-LeCoultre timepieces, often explained in detail.?Jaeger-LeCoultre made these two sets available for you, and we kept ’em wrapped so you’ll get two brand new year books. At least, if you’re one of the lucky two winners! The photos below show Year Book 10 from our own book shelfs, and we kept Year Book Nine in its plastic wrap. Please fill out the form below, and answer a few questions, in order to have a chance to win one of the two sets of Jaeger-LeCoultre Year Books. You will also subscribe to the Monochrome daily news (you can change to the weekly new

Girard-Perregaux 1966 now also in 41 mm size - Monochrome Watches
Girard-Perregaux have just released an enlarged version of the uber-classic and always elegant 1966. Its case size grew from 38 mm to 41 mm in diameter and it also got a new engine, caliber GP4500, that delivers more power reserve.?Earlier this year Girard-Perregaux already launched the 1966 Chronograph with an increased case size (40 -> 42 mm). While Jaeger-LeCoultre is trimming down the case size of the Master collection, it looks like Girard-Perregaux, also one of the beautiful classic watch brands, is doing the exact opposite. Ad - Scroll to continue with article The new GP1966 comes in either white gold or pink gold and inherited the same looks as its smaller sibling. One thing that caught my attention, is that the date window has moved slightly more to the edge of the dial and the 3 o’clock marker is half the size of the marker at the ?6, 9 and 12

Interview: Favre Leuba Returns With Patrik Hoffmann At The Helm
Patrik Hoffmann has been at the forefront of the watch industry for years, notably as CEO of Ulysse Nardin and Executive Vice President of Watchbox. Now, this industry veteran is leading the revival of one of the oldest Swiss watch brands with ambitious plans. Established in 1737, Favre Leuba boasts a rich heritage, particularly from the 1960s, when it created the FL 251 twin barrel movement and iconic tool watches such as the Bivouac with its aneroid altimeter and dive watches like the Deep Blue or the Bathy with its depth gauge. In 1985, following the quartz crisis, the family, which had run the brand for eight generations, had to sell it. Since then, Favre-Leuba has changed hands several times, with various attempts to revive its illustrious name. The brand now embarks on a new chapter, unveiling four new collections and 22 watches during Geneva Watch Days. Just before the event, we had the opportunity to sit down with Patrik Hoffmann in Grenchen, where the brand is headquartered, t