Watches NEWS
A Technical Perspective - The Curious Case of Hybrid Watches
Quartz and mechanical watches have learned to co-exist, but the call of nature still produces mixed offspring. If one almost killed the other, mechanical watches rose from the ashes and returned stronger than ever. However, just like the automotive world, things are changing, and the watchmaking industry has seen the arrival of new wrist-worn technologies, inventions which have nothing in common with classic watchmaking – whether we talk quartz or mechanical. Their survival is a matter of evolution, and maybe of merging And here comes the concept of hybrid watchmaking.Defining HybridHybrids entered our world in several areas, generating a fair amount of confusion about the definition. If you are a biologist, a hybrid would mean an offspring of two animals representing different species or varieties. A style combining two elements may be called a hybrid by a musician. In business, a hybrid would be a mix of in-office and remote work so employees have greater work-life balance and
Patek Philippe Chronograph Annual Calendar Steel 5905/1A
The annual calendar chronograph is one of the most fascinating yet rarest combinations in the industry, as we’ve experienced in this in-depth article. And one brand in particular does it better than the rest of the bunch, and that is Patek Philippe. For a good reason, since the brand invented the annual calendar function back in 1996. Now, there’s a rather large collection of watches using this unusual combination, and specifically the 5905 is often regarded as the most attractive model. Today, Patek launches a new, surprisingly sporty version of this watch with a steel case, a steel bracelet and an olive green dial, with the new Chronograph Annual Calendar 5905/1A.While on paper we’re certainly talking about just a new version of a watch that has been in production for some years now, this new iteration of the large Chronograph Annual Calendar, the reference 5905/1A, comes with some rather interesting attributes. Yes… steel case and bracelet, not something that
The X-ONE H1 - A Pioneering Swiss-Made Mechanical Smartwatch, now Funding on Kickstarter - Monochrome Watches
Over the last few months, and even years, we've covered some pretty interesting start-up watch projects here on MONOCHROME. Advances in modern technology, combined with ready access to start-up capital via decentralised crowd-funding, have helped unlock the floodgates of innovation across multiple industries, injecting fresh blood and ideas. Today, we are pleased to bring you yet another one; the intriguing X-ONE H1 from Conex Watches, a Swiss-made mechanical smartwatch that packs some impressive functionality. Read on to learn more about this bold new timekeeper, including how you can get your hands on one for 50% off retail (for a limited time only, of course).When it comes to new technology, the luxury watch industry generally seems to follow the same trend. Initially, there are always a few pioneers who will trial the idea, be it a futuristic new case material, or the development of a more efficient movement component. Once it is shown to have real promise, widespread adoption of t
IWC Pilot's Watch Timezoner Le Petit Prince IW395503
Although the Timezoner concept isn’t something new at IWC, it remains one of the most practical functions the brand has patented. With its effortless system to change time zones without stopping the movement, the Timezoner relies on a clever mechanism making the bezel and movement interact. After being unveiled in 2016 along with a flyback chronograph, the concept returned in 2019 in a simplified “Spitfire” version. And this year it is time for the IWC Pilot’s Watch Timezoner “Le Petit Prince” to surface, now all dressed up in blue with classic St Exupery design cues.?With most world time or GMT watches, switching time zones means an adjustment at the crown, and sometimes that means unscrewing it too. There are some exceptions where the adjustments are executed via pushers. Not particularly deal-breaking, but clearly there was room for improvement. The answer of IWC to this problem is named Timezoner, a concept first presented in 2016 where everythin
Pre-New members of the IWC Aquatimer Family - Monochrome Watches
Not so long ago, at the SIHH 2014, IWC renewed one of their collections, the iconic, sporty and dive-oriented Aquatimer. That’s the way to do at IWC for the SIHH: renewing entirely a family to have a complete coherent collection. Last year was the Portugeiser, 2013 the Ingenieur and 2012 the Pilot watches. For the SIHH 2016, IWC has some new Aquatimer watches to show us, but do not?worry, this is not the SIHH 2016 highlight but just some new editions. The design you have known for two years is still on board, just with new colors and styles. Here are?the new members of the IWC Aquatimer family.The IWC Aquatimer Chronograph Edition La Cumbre Volcano (Ref. IW379505)This first edition is based on the chronograph version?– not the?Aquatimer Chronograph Edition Expedition Jacques-Yves Cousteau that we reviewed?here, that is equipped with a Valjoux 7750 – and is a limited edition of 500 pieces. It features the IWC manufacture 89365-calibre movement, with a flyback function
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