Introducing: The Audermars Piguet Code 11.59 Now in 38mm
Three of the biggest trends in watchmaking today are more compact case sizes, textured, colourful dials and deliberate gender-free positioning. Audemars Piguet jumps on the bandwagon and produces its time-and-date Code 11.59 in a new 38mm case size to accommodate slimmer wrists of both sexes and decks out the vibrant purple and elegant ivory dials with a richly embossed pattern.The new 38mm Code 11.59 watches are presented in 18k pink gold cases and designed to sit alongside the collection's current 41mm and 42mm models – the latter being only seen on the Universelle Ultra-Complication. Not only is the 38mm case more compact, but it is also slimmer in height due to the incorporation of the automatic calibre 5900. A comparable time-and-date Code 11.59 model in 41mm, for example, has a thickness of 10.7mm, while the new 38mm diameter comes in at 9.6mm. Ad - Scroll to continue with article

Hands-On Code 11.59 by AP Tourbillon Openworked Electric Blue 26600NB
High-tech ceramic is the big protagonist of Audemars Piguet's releases this autumn and makes its way, for the first time, into tourbillon and chronograph models of the Code 11.59 collection. So far, we've seen ceramic on the cases of the Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar and the ROC Tourbillon GMT. Now it's the Code 11.59 Tourbillon Openworked’s turn to get the ceramic treatment. Marking a departure from the elegant black-tie ceramic touches, this model flaunts a vibrant electric shade of blue ceramic. You can imagine the design team at Audemars Piguet listening to the “blue, blue electric blue” line from David Bowie's Sound and Vision album when they came up with the new colour scheme for this 50-piece limited edition. Welcome back the Tourbillon Openworked in a two-tone blue ceramic and white gold case with a colour scheme that makes its way into the heart of the movement.Case StudyThe case of Code 11.59 is well worth a second glance. Close up, the complexity of the arch

A guide to the Certifications and Quality Seals - Monochrome Watches
COSC, Geneva Seal, Fleurier Quality Foundation, ISO standards Watchmakers endorse their products with various certification marks to demonstrate their commitment to quality. These certifications address to multiple aspects of quality, relating to criteria as different as precision, durability, robustness, aesthetic or even provenance. This installment of A Technical Perspective provides a guide to quality and chronometric certifications seals.A bit of historyVery early, and well-before marketing or advertising were theorized, watchmakers worked on building a reputation of quality around their products and their name. The concept of chronometry really developed during the 18th century, when long-haul travellers needed sharp timekeepers to enable them to determine their position at sea reliably. Manufacturing precise watches became a subject of competition between watchmakers, specifically at observatories, which were founded as guardians of accurate time. There was fierce rivalry at obs

F.P. Journe Chronometre Optimum: Hands-on and explanations (with LIVE photos) - Monochrome Watches
F.P. Journe A name that sounds good to our ears. Some might say he's a genius, some are in love with his watches, and some just don't get what is hidden behind those pink gold movements. What is sure is that this man creates feelings, good or not. Back in 2012, he presented the Chronometre Optimum as the quintessential of his researches on chronometric performance. We did have the opportunity to spend a few hours with this - apparently - very simple timepiece. And guess what? This is far away from being simple. Explanations and feelings on Fran?ois-Paul Journe most precise watch.F.P. Journe is a brand that we didn't cover so much for the last months. But that's going to change as we get our hands on one of the last creation of Mister Journe (except the Historical Anniversary Tourbillon which was a 2013 limited edition). One of the main research areas of F.P. Journe had always been the chronometric precision. Of course, you can find some fancy complications in the whole range, such as t

Hands-on - Jaeger-LeCoultre Duometre Quantieme Lunaire in white gold and opened dial (live pics, specs & price) - Monochrome Watches
The concept behind the Jaeger-LeCoultre Duometre has always been highly interesting, from both a technical and visual side. The entire lineup of watches under the Duometre name are coming with a unique Dual-Wing system, including two barrels and two gear trains. One of the main springs powers the display of the time and the complications, while the other mains spring powers, via the second gear train, the regulating organ of the watch. Both are regulated by a single escapement module, although these two are connected. For the visual pleasure, the movement’s finishing is just superb, like we’re used to from Jaeger-LeCoultre. For the SIHH 2016, a new version of the?Jaeger-LeCoultre Duometre Quantieme Lunaire, now in white gold and with opened dial, has been launched, a very good excuse to look back at this watch.The idea behind the Duometre concept is simple. All starts from a?basic observation. In a traditional complication watch,?any function not constantly linked?to the ge