Zenith El Primero - 40 years - Monochrome Watches
I recently blogged about the world’s first automatic chronograph, Calibre 11, developped by Heuer, Breitling, Buren en Dubois-Depraz. Not much later Zenith launched their first automatic chronograph, the famous El Primero. This means that the Zenith also celebrates the 40th of the El Primero. To celebrate this Zenith comes with 5 Anniversary models.Caliber 3019 – the first El PrimeroThe El Primero was developed in 1969 and rapidly became a standard of reference among automatic movements. The El Primero is still considered by many to be the best automatic chronograph. The first was a caliber 3019 column wheel chronograph with 31 jewels, beating at 36,000 beat per hour, it capable of measuring short time intervals to 1/10th second.The El Primero with it’s precision enables it to succeed in passing the tests of the COSC (Swiss Official Control of Chronometers). The chronograph function can be operated with two push-buttons and it features an instantaneous date-change mec

Interview: Fabrizio Buonamassa on the Bulgari x Gran Turismo Partnership
As the Product Creation Executive Director at Bulgari Horlogerie, Fabrizio Buonamassa Stigliani is renowned for his keen focus on design. While our discussions with him at MONOCHROME typically revolve around watches, this exceptionally versatile designer harbours various talents. The announcement of Bulgari's collaboration with cult video game Gran Turismo provided the opportunity to unveil not only a limited-edition Bulgari Aluminium watch but also the Bulgari Aluminium Vision GT, a stunning concept car designed for use in the racing game.Xavier Markl, MONOCHROME – You’ve been with Bulgari for over 20 years now. If someone had told you 10-15 years ago that you would work on projects with a video game license, would you have believed it?Fabrizio Buonamassa Stigliani – Honestly, no. That’s what makes Bulgari so interesting. We can embark on unconventional ventures and express ourselves in various domains. The beauty of the brand lies in its diversity. We have hot

Doxa SUB300 Sharkhunter Black Lung - the Second and Final Batch - Monochrome Watches
An icon among icons… This is how we would sum up the Doxa SUB300. Recently, the brand has revived its most legendary model in multiple editions, starting with an almost 1-to-1 re-edition for the 50th anniversary, followed by specific “Aqualung” branded models in orange, silver or black – the so-called “Sharkhunter”. However, there was one major problem with them: they were all highly limited and quickly sold out. Today, Doxa announces the second and final batch of 100 pieces for the SUB300 Sharkhunter Black Lung… So you’d better be fast!The Doxa SUB300The concept of dive watches, as a professional tool, only appeared in the early 1950s, with the launch of the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms?and the Submariner, both in 1953 and later followed by Omega with the Seamaster 300 and Seiko with the 62Mas in 1957. Doxa came on the market later though, although when it did, it was with a watch that would make quite an impression.Urs Eschle, one of the h

Oris Big Crown Pointer Date Calibre 403 (Specs & Price)
The fifth edition of Dubai Watch Week kicks off with over 45 participating watch brands eager to unveil their novelties. Oris, the Swiss brand from Holstein, presents a new chapter in the life of its iconic Big Crown Pointer Date. A fundamental piece in the brand's history since 1938, the Big Crown Pointer Date is now powered by calibre 403, the new, in-house developed automatic movement with impressive resilience to magnetism, a solid five-day power reserve and a ten-year warranty.Introduced in 1938, the Big Crown Pointer Date was conceived as a pilot's watch and featured an oversized crown to help pilots adjust the time without having to take off their gloves. Another signature trait was the original date complication that used a central pointer hand. In constant production for over 80 years, the Big Crown Pointer Date was upgraded in June this year and equipped with the new automatic calibre 403. Based on the groundbreaking 2020 calibre 400 series, described by Rolf Studer, Oris's C

Interview - Talking to Alessandro Ficarelli of Panerai
When I received the invitation to join Panerai for a rather special experience in the south of Italy a couple of months ago, I didn’t think much of it. I expected to have just another well-organised hands-on experience with a luxury watch company and enjoy my time on the Mediterranean coast. But once I received the program for the two days in and around Brindisi, followed by an 8-week training regime, I understood this was more than just some days of fun in the sun. This was, in fact, an all-in Forze Speciali Experience with the Brigata San Marco in Brindisi, Italy. During this event, we were engulfed in full-on tactical combat training by the legendary Marina Militare, the Italian Navy with strong historical ties to Panerai. A unique experience for sure, and one that followed be endured by up to 50 Panerai clients who bought the Panerai Submersible Forze Speciali Experience PAM01238. It also presented a perfect opportunity to sit down and chat with Allessandro Ficarelli, Chief M