Buying Guide - Top 5 Best Of Chronographs Baselworld 2019
The chronograph is, without doubt, one of the most popular complications. A complex, purposeful piece of engineering, it is a must-have for watch aficionados and the category has given rise to some of the most iconic watches (think Moonwatch or Paul Newman here). Among the numerous new models presented at Baselworld 2019, some really stood out. Here's a look at 5 of our favourite chronographs of the fair.Note: this selection is based on a consensus among the MONOCHROME team. It reflects our preferences among the chronographs unveiled at Baselworld 2019. If you want to add some watches to this selection, feel free to share them in the comment section at the end of this article.Bell & Ross BR V2-94 Bellytanker BronzeWhile Bell & Ross is renowned for its square-shaped watches, the brand also has some more collections up its sleeve. One of them is the cool-looking Vintage, a more classical round watch, still with military/tool inspiration but more casual. At Baselworld 2019, the br

Industry New: Richemont Reports Stable Sales For the First Semester 2024, Results Down for Watches
Switzerland-based luxury conglomerate?Richemont Group has just issued its trading update for the six months ended 30 September 2024. The Group delivered an overall stable performance with flat sales at constant exchange rates and -1% at actual rates, at EUR 10.1 billion. At EUR 2.2 billion, profit is down 12% at constant rates and down 17% at actual rates. This resilience of sales in a challenging environment for the luxury industry was secured by the performance of Jewellery Maisons (Cartier and Van Cleef & Arpels, in particular), up 2% at actual rates. On the other hand, sales of specialist watchmakers were down by 17% at actual rates, to EUR 1.7 billion – showing the importance of Jewellery in the group, with sales reported at over EUR 7 billion. For reference, according to the FHS, the Swiss watch exports are down 2.7% compared with 2023 over the first nine months of the year. LVMH reported sales down 2% overall and down 5% for their Watches and Jewelry Division over the

Pre-SIHH 2017 - IWC Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Chronograph
It has become sort of a tradition for IWC now. Each year, when the SIHH is about to open, we all know that the Schaffhausen-based manufacture will come with an entirely revisited collection. After the 2016 Pilot’s Watches, the 2015 Portugeisers, the 2014 Aquatimers and the 2013 Ingenieurs, it’s now time to revamp the other collection, a range of watches that might not be the most popular among a large audience: the?Da Vinci. An icon of the 1980s, this watch has since seen many variations, being even dressed in tonneau-shaped case. For the SIHH 2017, IWC goes back to the roots of the collection and, to?open the festivities, introduces the flagship version: the?IWC Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar Chronograph.With the new Da Vinci collection, IWC Schaffhausen has returned to the round case that was so successfully established by the Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar in 1985. It means we are bidding farewell to the tonneau case and reafirming our commitment to the classic proportions the

First Look: The New, Compact and Slim Mido Ocean Star 39
With its Ocean Star collection, Swatch Group-owned brand Mido has long demonstrated its ability to combine cool designs, great quality, proper diving credentials and fair prices. Take a look at the Ocean Star 600 Chronometer or the Decompression Timer 1961, you’ll see what I mean… It should be remembered that the Ocean Star collection is a long-lasting one, as it celebrates its 80th anniversary this year. For the occasion, Mido releases a brand new model. Slim, compact, with originality in the design and seriousness in the mechanics, the Mido Ocean Star 39 has a lot to offer on paper. So let’s see if it lives up to the expectations in the metal.With this new watch, which isn’t derived from an existing model such as the Ocean Star Tribute or the Ocean Star 200C, Mido makes some strong statements. It is said to be its most versatile dive watch and one of the thinnest models in the category. Well, I guess that for once, the good people from the brand were right in

Buying Guide: Ring the Bell With Five Mechanical Alarm Watches
During our very busy lives it’s very easy to be late for a meeting, to forget to top up a parking meter or even be tight on time for a departing flight. And despite the fact we have a device called a smartphone with us to set a (very intrusive) beeping alarm, how about a nice mechanical buzz on the wrist to serve as an audible and sensible reminder of a specific moment in your day? With that in mind, here’s a look at five splendid mechanical alarm watches.Vulcain CricketThe return of the Vulcain Cricket was celebrated in the watchmaking community as it meant the return of one of the most emblematic alarm watches in history. The new Cricket not only relies on the 1947 original by Vulcain for its looks but also for its mechanics. The movement that powers it, including that all-important 25-second long buzzing sound to ring the alarm, is an evolution of the original calibre used in the Cricket. The caseback also doubles as a resonator, amplifying the sound. Two sizes and sever