This week's Collector Series is an Editor's pick: Our very own Frank and his Speake-Marin Piccadilly - Monochrome Watches
Why did Peter Speake-Marin feel compelled to start making watches in the first place? Well, like most of us, he fell in love with the intoxicating combination of history, art and mechanics.?The London born watchmaker was education in London at the Hackney Technical College and then at WOSTEP (the prestigious Swiss watchmaking school in Neuchatel). Following his training in Switzerland, and on his return to London, Speake-Marin?begun working at Somlo Antiques (then based in the Piccadilly arcade). There, Speake-Marin learnt how past masters such as Breguet had found their watchmaking solutions and their diverse ways of making watches.Fast-forward a few years to the late 90's (and a number of machines) Speake-Marin begun developing a tourbillon pocket watch (by hand) with twin power trains, which later became known as the Foundation Watch. In the Foundation Watch, Speake-Marin laid down his style and philosophy while establishing his first independent workshop at the beginning of the mil

The cool Code41 Mecascape Sublimation One
Normally we can classify something as a wristwatch, a pocket watch or a clock, but in some instances, an object can transcend these labels and morph into something complex. Just think of? Bovet’s convertible Amadeo watches?or the recently introduced Omega Chrono Chime 1932. Swiss independent watchmakers Code41, a community-based brand founded in 2016, is looking to add an entirely new class of timing devices to the mix with its Mecascape Sublimation One. This creation is not born for the wrist but is a merger between a pocket watch and a desk clock in one. And it looks incredibly cool!Code41 was founded by Claudio D’Amore, who had worked hard to realise his watchmaking ideas by involving the public in everything he does. We’ve seen this approach before from Tom van Wijlick and his Lebois & Co / Airain revival, for instance, and it has also been very successful for Code41. The most significant benefit is the fact you create a product with input from potential custo

Baltic Aquascaphe Diver / Value Proposition Review (Specs & Price)
After successfully funding its first collection via Kickstarter, Baltic Watches has managed to stand the test of time and to survive this inaugural series of watches. Even better, the small concept became a brand and has started to expand its collection – and there are many more watches to come (but we can’t tell you yet…) Today, we look at what Etienne Malec has created as his second model, a great-looking, still accessible, no-nonsense tool dive watch with vintage inspiration; the Baltic Aquascaphe Diver.ConceptBaltic Watches is the brainchild of Etienne Malec, a young Frenchman who has inherited his father's passion for watches – something he shared with us already, some years ago. An avid collector, his father spent years putting together a collection of exceptional timepieces, some of which have inspired the designs of Baltic's first two models. Sadly though, Etienne's father passed away when Etienne was still quite young and so they were never able to trul

Montblanc Nicolas Rieussec Automatic reviewed - Monochrome Watches
This year Montblanc celebrates the 190th?anniversary of the chronograph with an?anniversary edition of the Nicolas Rieussec. Monochrome had the chance to wear a Nicolas Rieussec Automatic for some weeks and brings you a full review with live photos.Montblanc is not only known for their beautiful fountain pens, leather bags and jewellery, but also for watches. The distinguished Montblanc style can be recognized in all their products, including the wristwatches. The dial, case and crown, featuring the Montblanc logo, of the Nicolas Rieussec are a perfect example of Montblanc's classy style. Ad - Scroll to continue with article At the Salon de Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) 2011, Montblanc released a Nicolas Rieussec?anniversary?edition of 190 pieces in red gold, 90 pieces in white gold and 25 pieces in platinum, featuring the in-house developed and manufactured hand-woun

Event Report - Behind The Scenes With Tissot at The Tour de France
Pain, passion, glory The Tour de France is widely considered the most prestigious and most difficult cycling race. 3,350 kilometres are being raced in 2022, split up over 21 days of racing. Every detail counts in this challenging competition between 176 riders, and, against time. Cycling fans all remember the 1989 Greg LeMond victory over Laurent Fignon, by just 8 seconds, the smallest ever in the history of the Tour de France: timekeeping is essential to the dream of racing cyclists. Tissot has been involved in a range of cycling events for over 50 years and, as the official timekeeper of the Tour de France, the brand plays an essential role in the captivating narrative that unfolds every summer. We were lucky enough to be invited for a formidable weekend in Lausanne, to go behind-the-scenes of timekeeping at the Tour de France 2022.Yours truly participating (above) – below: inside Le Tour, a unique opportunity to ride the last 50 kilometres of Tour de France 2022 Stage 8, with