Ulysse Nardin Executive Skeleton Tourbillon "Stars and Stripes" (Specs & Price)
Today is an important day for our American readers (and there are many of them…) If you read this watch magazine, you probably have a certain interest in all things watches. So, if you want to combine your American pride with your love for watchmaking, Ulysse Nardin might have a solution for you, with this limited edition launched on Independence Day – the 4th of July. “Stars and Stripes” meet “flying tourbillon” with the new?Ulysse Nardin Executive Skeleton Tourbillon “Stars and Stripes” Edition. Ad - Scroll to continue with article Besides being launched on independence day, this?Ulysse Nardin Executive Skeleton Tourbillon “Stars and Stripes” is also the occasion for the brand to remind the world of its century-long dedication to nautical precision and values shared with the United States Navy, underl

Letter from the Editor - Frank's Take On Smart Watches
Smart watches even?the name annoys me. There?are however, a league of (more profound) reasons why we do not cover such wrist ornaments on Monochrome. Of course we get questions from our readers asking why we have not reviewed the ref. 5396 Patek Annual?Calendar, and rightfully so. We should have reviewed that watch, and as soon as we find a way to do so, together with the 178 year old family-owned brand from Geneva, we will. I'm actually surprised though, that we hardly get questions about smart watches, very pleasantly surprised in fact! So let my rant about these little electronic wrist devices begin.I started Monochrome 11 years ago to share my passion for beautifully made mechanical timepieces. The history of watchmaking in general, the history of certain brands, the beauty of finishing, and specific complications were all things that I wanted to share with our?readers. And that's what we are still doing today, 11 years later, albeit with a bigger team and a much bigger audience. T

Swatch Group Reshuffles Top Team, New CEOs for Longines, Rado, Union, Tissot, Certina, and Hamilton - Monochrome Watches
As the Swiss watch industry is facing a severe crisis, Swatch Group announces major changes in the Executive Group Management Board and the Extended Group Management Board and appointments to the management of the Longines, Rado, Union, Tissot, Certina, and Hamilton watch brands.Raynald Aeschlimann, President and CEO of Omega and member of the Extended Group Management Board, has been appointed to the Executive Group Management Board.At brand level, two industry and Swatch Group veterans, the CEOs of two industry giants, Longines, Walter von K?nel (78) and Tissot, Fran?ois Thiebaud, will be replaced by Sylvain Dolla (currently CEO of Hamilton) and Matthias Breschan (currently CEO of Rado). Dolla?has also been named to the Extended Group Management Board. Ad - Scroll to continue with article Walter von K?nel will retire and has been elected Honorary Chairman of L

History of the Patek Philippe Nautilus, Part 2 - The evolution of a collection (1980/2006) - Monochrome Watches
As the Patek Philippe Nautilus is celebrating this year its 40th anniversary, it was time for two events: the launch of a dedicated collection by the Geneva-based Maison and, for us, it was the perfect moment to bring you a complete?retrospective on?this icon. Last week was part 1 and, of course, it was entirely focused on the one that started it all; the iconic reference 3700 “Jumbo”. This week, we’ll mainly focus on the evolution of the model into a proper collection, with the introduction of new versions, new sizes and new complications. And that, just before we look at the present collection… but that will come later.The first part of the history of the Patek Philippe Nautilus (1976-2005), what can be called the vintage editions, before the modern 30th anniversary collection launched in 2006 – click to enlarge Ad - Scroll to continue with article

News: LVMH and TAG Heuer Become Official Partner of Formula 1 for 10 Years
While rumours had circulated for some time, the confirmation has now been made. As Formula 1 gears up to celebrate its 75th anniversary in 2025, there's major news shaking up its sponsorship landscape. LVMH, the world's largest luxury conglomerate, has officially signed on as a Global Partner of Formula 1 in a groundbreaking 10-year deal, with what is certainly one of the most important sports sponsorship deals ever. If no figures have been disclosed, it’s reasonable to imagine a 10-figure investment over the course of this partnership. While it will bring several iconic LVMH Maisons, including Louis Vuitton and Mo?t Hennessy, into the Formula 1 spotlight, our primary focus here at MONOCHROME is, naturally, on the watchmaking aspect, especially when it comes to TAG Heuer.The agreement, set to begin in 2025, marks a significant milestone for LVMH Group, and of course TAG Heuer, a brand synonymous with motorsport heritage. The involvement of the group is obviously pivotal here and