Designing Time with Creativity and Haute Horlogery: Part 1 - 4N - Monochrome Watches
In the small world of independent watchmaking, competition is tough. Not only do you have to compete with big names, such as Richard Mille, Greubel Forsey or MB&F, you also have to offer “that little something extra” that makes your creation extraordinary. Innovation in this realm of specialists can be found in a profusion of complications or in a strong design, like a new way to display time. In a two-part story we’re going to introduce two amazing timepieces from two brilliant and innovative watch brands: 4N and Cabastan. Today, in part 1, we’ll start with 4N.When you think about reading the time, you will almost certainly imagine a round circle with three hands running on it - or four black numbers on a green screen if you lean digital and are still stuck in the 80's. Of course some complications in Haute Horlogery - and even in common Horlogery – have been created to offer some new ways to read time: jumping hours displayed in a window, retrograde

SIHH 2019 - Santos de Cartier Large Model now with Gradient Blue Dial (Specs & Price)
The revamped Santos was the star of the SIHH 2018 for Cartier and for multiple reasons, it was a success. Well designed, well equipped, well executed and relatively fair when it comes to the price, Cartier gave this iconic shape a slightly sportier (or let’s say more modern) touch and some nice details, such as a clever strap/bracelet system. Just ahead of the SIHH 2019, this model appears in the collection with a new dial. White is too shy for you? The new gradient blue version might be the answer.Cartier introduced an entirely new collection at the SIHH 2018, based on the iconic Santos watch – a watch born in 1904 as the first true wristwatch on the market (not a converted pocket watch). Let’s be honest, when you have more than 100 years of history behind you, you can’t mess up with the codes. The new Santos did not undergo a radical design revolution but was given a thorough update, more in line with modern expectations. The case,?still square-shaped, with 8

Pre-SIHH 2017 - Ulysse Nardin Classico Manufacture Enamel and Hourstriker Pin-Up - Monochrome Watches
As you probably?know,?Ulysse Nardin will no longer be exhibiting at?Baselworld and?will instead be part of the Geneva-based show, the SIHH – alongside all the Richemont brands, many independents and the other Kering-owned brand, Girard-Perregaux. Thus, we bring you the first piece of?pre-SIHH piece of news related to Ulysse Nardin. Ahead of?their inaugural attendance at?the show, the brand has already unveiled?2 new watches: the elegant, restrained and refined?Ulysse Nardin Classico Manufacture with an enamel and guilloche dial, and?the?Ulysse Nardin Hourstriker Pin-Up, an automaton and striking watch. Read on for all the details.The?Ulysse Nardin Classico Manufacture EnamelThe first watch?introduced as a pre-SIHH novelty by Ulysse Nardin is a favorite of us here at Monochrome. Why? Well, the?Classico Manufacture combines many attributes. First, there’s the case, elegantly shaped, with a classical and discreet look, a 40mm diameter, not too large but with enough presence on

Louis Moinet Metropolis - Hands-On Review (Specs & Price)
What makes the beauty of an object? Its design… Right, that was an easy answer. But if look closely, what is hidden behind the word “design”? Like in architecture, watchmaking uses shapes, proportions, perspectives, empty and?full parts, layers and steps, in order to create a three dimensional object. This is what Louis Moinet tends to do with their new watch, the?Metropolis. More contemporary, more sculptural, still with a?proprietary?movement of great quality but with a more aggressive price policy. The industry evolves and micro-brands, even the high-end ones, have to take the train on time. And that Metropolis is an interesting move.When you look at the Louis Moinet offerings, you immediately spot two important characteristics. First, their watches are bold, highly designed, very unique in terms of style and very strong. We all know that provocation and differentiation are salvation for micro-brands, yet, if they?want to develop, brands have to talk to wider audie

MIH Ga?a Watch - Monochrome Watches
The abbreviation MIH probably doesn’t mean much to most of our readers, except to our hardcore watch enthusiasts (or WIS, which stands for Watch Idiot Savant – another horological abbreviation) who will immediately recognize the acronym. MIH stands for Musee International d’Horlogerie and during the time that Mr Ludwig Oechslin was the curator of the museum, he introduced the MIH Watch. A portion of the proceeds goes to the museum to fund special restoration projects. And now there’s a new MIH Watch called the MIH Ga?a Watch.?The first MIH Watch has been appreciated by watch collectors and enthusiasts from all over the planet. It was sort of a love child of Ludwig Oechslin, Paul Gerber and Christian Gafner. The latter designed the watch, while Oechslin created the annual calendar on top of a Valjoux 7750 chronograph and independent watchmaker Gerber rearranged the chronograph’s actuators and levers for it to become a monopusher chronograph. While that firs