Just Because - The Important Watch Anniversaries to Know in 2023
Welcome to a new year. Welcome to 2023. If there’s one thing that watch brands love, it’s celebrating their heritage. Vintage has been one of the main inspirations for the past 10 to 15 years, and we’ve seen plenty of commemorative models released in 2022 – think about the 50-year Royal Oak. Why should 2023 be any different? There are important anniversaries coming up this year, and we can bet that watch brands will be releasing a spate of commemorative pieces. In fact, some even started at the end of 2022 or earlier today. So here are the watch anniversaries you should know about in 2023.110 Years – The Seiko Laurel (1913)Seiko, even though it was not called Seiko in its earliest days, was created in 1881 as a watch atelier. A few years later (1895), the Time Keeper, a pocket watch made in the newly opened Seikosha factory, was released. However, Seiko's most significant watch might well be the 1913 Laurel, the brand's and Japan's first wristwatch. And it

Spirograph Tourbillon by Karsten Fr??dorf - a tourbillon for proper daily use - Monochrome Watches
I said it before and I’m saying it again, my?wrist is rather lucky, as it gets to wear quite some extraordinary timepieces. For the past three months, I’ve been wearing the Spirograph from master watchmaker Karsten Fr??dorf, and it has been worn as a?daily beater. And that was exactly what Karsten asked me: “Wear it as your daily watch?and do not treat it as a fragile timepiece only because it features a large tourbillon“. Wearing the Spirograph proved to be a sheer pleasure and I enjoyed that huge tourbillon more than I ever thought I would. In fact, it has been one of the nicest watches I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing, ever. Here’s a full review of the Montres-KF Spirograph, a tourbillon wristwatch that can easily withstand shocks up to 5,000G and magnetic fields up to 1,000 Gauss (and that makes it a perfect tourbillon for everyday wearing.)Shock resistance has been one of the main goals while developing this watch. Karsten wanted to create a w

Chopard L.U.C XPS 1860 Limited Edition for the 20th Anniversary of L.U.C Collection (specs & price) - Monochrome Watches
As you may know, at?Chopard, there are two distinct collections of watches, which differentiate regarding the level of finishing and complication of the movements. The first one is the?classical?range, with watches like the Chopard?Mille Miglia, yet with in-house movements but not hand-finished. Then you have the Chopard L.U.C Collection, with high-end watches, superbly finished movement and complicated display, like the Chopard L.U.C Regulator or the Chopard L.U.C XPS in Fairmined Gold. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of this collection, Chopard is about to introduce a limited edition, the?L.U.C XPS 1860.This new?Chopard L.U.C XPS 1860 Limited Edition is based on the traditional, yet highly elegant XPS, a ultra-thin dress watch with small second. This watch is?nothing striking, visually speaking. It is round, very clean and rather small. Right, but on the other hand is shows a superb elegance on the wrist and can be seen as a very good definition of a tuxedo watch. Something else de

Hands-On: The Omega Aqua Terra Shades Collection, Including 2 New Solid Gold Models
If you’re a regular reader of MONOCHROME, you might remember this article from 2022. Indeed, the now-called Aqua Terra Shades Collection isn’t entirely new. It has been teased about a year ago when Omega presented 10 new models in its classic, time-and-date Seamaster collection, all adorned with colourful dials inspired by nature and newly-finished cases. However, two comments have to be expressed; first of all, some adjustments have been made, following some comments of the community; second, the watches are now officially available; third, new editions have been added to the lineup. And it’s time to have a look at the watches from the Aqua Terra Shades range, as they are now displayed in stores.All the watches from this new sub-collection of the Seamaster Aqua Terra are based on the brand’s definition of an everyday watch – understand by that a watch that is sporty-chic, resilient, adapted to all situations and overall, handsome. The Aqua Terra might not

Introducing The Roger Dubuis Excalibur Spider Flyback Chronograph (Live Pics & Price)
Roger Dubuis has developed serious connections with the automotive world. Yet, for quite a while now, the brand's collections did not include a chronograph, the quintessential motor racing complication. This is all the more surprising as Roger Dubuis has a substantial history when it comes to chronographs – from their early, classic Lemania-based chronographs to the more recent calibre RD580 or RD680. On the occasion of the Goodwood Festival of Speed 2023, Roger Dubuis unveils the Excalibur Spider Flyback Chronograph, a model inspired by supercar engineering and infused with what the brand calls hyper horology: bold, expressive and technical watchmaking!The new flyback chronograph calibre RD780 is a concentrate of the brand's expertise: a bold design supported by high-end technical options and expert craftsmanship. In characteristic Roger Dubuis style, the mechanics had to be exposed to become an integral part of the design. The RD780 is a rare example of a dial-side chronograph