Discovering The Work Of Rune Bakkendorff, A Young And Upcoming Danish Watchmaker
In our exploratory trip around the world to uncover some of the most interesting independent watchmaking stories, we make a stop in Denmark this time around. The work of Rune Bakkendorff, a young and upcoming watchmaker from Denmark has recently been brought to our attention through our friends of The Limited Edition. Curious to learn what Rune has been doing so far, and is going to do into the future, we reached out to him and asked him a series of questions. As it turns out, we get some insight into Danish watchmaking history, as well as the very interesting ideas Rune has when it comes to the craft.Danish independent watchmaker Rune Bakkendorff.Robin, MONOCHROME Watches - Rune, you're a new name to our readers, can you briefly introduce yourself?My name is Rune Hjorth Bakkendorff, and I am a watch- and clockmaker from Denmark. I do a lot of conservation and restoration of historical and important timepieces, for both private and public collections, and for a while now I have been ma

Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked 37mm Frosted Gold (Specs & Price)
Earlier this year at SIHH, Audemars Piguet unveiled a watch that is the epitome of top-notch craftsmanship both inside and out: the Royal Oak Frosted Double Balance Wheel Openworked. For this watch, Audemars Piguet pulled out all the stops, combining one of the brand's most beautiful and technically advanced calibres with a remarkable Frosted gold finish.Before we delve into all of the details on this watch, we want to mention one key point: it is 37mm in diameter - making it a perfect size for women. However, for men who enjoy a reasonably sized watch and a lot of shimmer, it could also work (Managing Editor's note: yes, it does work for men too!) Ad - Scroll to continue with article Inside the Royal Oak Frosted Double Balance Wheel OpenworkedAs mentioned, this watch is an amalgamation of several things Audemars Piguet does right. The first of which is watchmak

The Studio Ghibli x Seiko Presage Nausica? SPB437 Caught Me By Surprise In A Good Way
As someone working in the industry seeing hundreds if not thousands of watches each year, I often label a watch as a potential “yes” or “no” based on a press release or a couple of images. I’m sure, to some extent, that the same goes for collectors and enthusiasts. Sometimes, I’ll dismiss a watch for myself – not saying that it’s a bad watch whatsoever – but because I feel it doesn’t resonate with me enough to consider a purchase. But, I wholeheartedly admit that sometimes, I have to backtrack after I get to handle the watch in question and change my thoughts on it because it genuinely surprises me. That’s exactly what happened with one of Seiko’s latest releases, the Studio Ghibli Nausica? of the Valley of the Wind SPB437 limited edition.?It’s often said that collaborations are a dime-a-dozen these days and that they have lost most of their lustre in the process, and I fully agree. Collaborations have become

GIVE AWAY: 3 Patek Philippe books and the 2016 Patek Philippe necktie (in orange) - Monochrome Watches
Again it’s time for a new installment of the Monochrome 10th anniversary give-away, and today we have the pleasure to announce some spectacular gifts (again) that one of our readers can win. For this sweepstake we will be giving away a copy of the Patek Philippe Watches volume I & II books, a copy of the 175th anniversary book, a Collection Book volume II, and a Patek Philippe 2016 necktie in our beloved colour, orange. All these gifts are made available by Patek Philippe in Geneva, and Steltman Watches, an authorized Patek Philippe retailer from my hometown The Hague.?Since this Patek Philippe sweepstake comprises so many gifts, we will ask you what your favorite is, and take that into account when drawing the winners. Like always, we’ll ask you a few question about choice in watches. First off… The Patek Philippe Watches Volume I&II books, from the Patek Philippe Museum. As we described it before, a must-have book for the discer

Weekly Watch Photo - 2 Rue de la Paix - Monochrome Watches
Early 2013 Vacheron Constantin opens a new boutique in Paris at 2 Rue de la Paix.?To celebrate the opening of?the Paris boutique, five Vacheron Constantin watch owners draw on their personal history and lifestyle to illustrate the values they share with Vacheron Constantin.Photographer?Thierry des Ouches, they tell us about their watch, their Paris and their love of the exceptional. The result is captured in five portraits and many more beautiful black and white mood photos showing Vacheron Constantin timepieces in their natural habitat, i.e. on the wrist. Ad - Scroll to continue with article All photos and short quotes from their owners are brought together on the website 2 Rue de la Paix. Alex Ghotbi, host of Vacheron Constantin’s own discussion forum The Hour Lounge, mailed me the following photos, but I can assure you that you can find many more beauti