Watches NEWS
Baume HRS Limited Edition Automatic - When Richemont goes Microbrand-Like - Monochrome Watches
When you hear the word Baume, most would assume it's referring to Baume & Mercier, a popular luxury watch brand dating back to 1830 and now part of the Richemont Group. And they'd be partially correct. Baume is an offshoot of Baume & Mercier with Marie Chassot (Product Marketing Director for Baume & Mercier) coming in as the lead, along with several other executives from the parent company. Baume is, however, very much an independent company with different design philosophies and strategic guidance, and a strong focus on sustainability. Baume might be an entry-level brand among Richemont's more prestigious (and expensive) offerings, but there's a lot to like about its deep level of customization and a couple of special edition models. The one I'm reviewing today is its flagship HRS Limited Edition Automatic, a limited production regulator model with an interesting take on recycling. Baume calls it upcycling and its wooden case is made from a used skateboard deck, while the
Intorducing The Vulcain Nautical Legacy by Massena LAB
For its latest collaboration watch, NYC-based design studio Massena LAB is teaming up with venerable, alarm-specialist watchmaker Vulcain, bringing its own take on an emblematic model, the Cricket Nautical. This watch, which relied on the brand’s signature chiming complication, was one of the first of its kind, merging diving credentials with the alarm feature that proved to be highly practical underwater. Recently and faithfully recreated by the brand, Massena LAB relies on this technical base and gives it some retro, almost tropical touches to add some vintage charm, resulting in this new Vulcain Nautical Legacy Massena LAB.?A vintage example of Vulcain Cricket Nautical (early 1960s) - image by manvstime.frAs we’ve explained in a recent article about the classic version of this watch, contrary to popular belief, sound travels well underwater. As such, with the advent of pro and amateur diving in the late 1950s, the alarm movement would become a rather practical safety fea
Swatch Group Reports 2019 Sales Down -1.8% at Constant Exchange Rates - Monochrome Watches
Following the announcements by the Swiss Watch Federation with slightly growing export numbers and record results by LVMH for the year ended December 31st, Swatch Group has just announced its 2019 results, which aren’t as positive as its competitors and the whole market.?At CHF 8,243 million, the group net sales are down 1.8% at constant exchange rates and down 2.7% at current rates. The operating result is down 11.4% at CHF 1,023 million.?Luxury brands have felt the impact of the complex situation in Hong Kong. The Chinese Special Administrative Region is the largest market for Swiss watch exports – about 12% of the total exports in 2019. Swatch Group comments that its performance was particularly affected by the situation. The drop in sales in Hong Kong for the second semester alone was approximately CHF 200 million. As a result, the profitability of the Swatch Group is down, with a net income of CHF 748 million, -13.7% to the previous year. Excluding Hong Kong, sales inc
Only Watch 2017 - The Unique H. Moser & Cie. Venturer Concept Only Watch
One of the great things about the Only Watch biennial charity auction is that it’s not exclusive to big names only, such as Patek or Tudor.?There are many more watch companies, including some of the very best independent watchmakers who also step up to donate one unique, purpose-built timepiece to help fund research on Duchenne muscular dystrophy. One of these is a favourite amongst the Monochrome team: H. Moser & Cie, and for the 2017 Only Watch event, they have created a one-of-a-kind piece, featuring their now classical “nude” style, with a few little details to make it extra special. Here then is the?H. Moser & Cie. Venturer Concept Only Watch.The goal of Only Watch is to entice watch brands to create a one-off watch,, with a unique style or feature and then to donate them in order to raise funds for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. While some have presented complex pieces, with specifically decorated dials, H. Moser & Cie, the Schaffausen-based independen
Women's Watch Wednesday - Clare Mountbatten And Her Unique Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso
Clare Mountbatten, Marchioness of Milford Haven, is many things. She is a respected journalist (formally the social Editor for Tatler magazine), wife to George Mountbatten, 4th Marquess of Milford Haven, mother, polo player and Jaeger-LeCoultre ambassador. But above all, she's a wonderful woman (I swear she didn't pay me to say that).Having met her a few weeks back at Trippett's Farm in West Sussex for a Polo clinic (don't ask - the only riding I had done prior was five minutes on a decrepit Shetland pony at a gypsy fair 15 years ago). I couldn't help but notice an interesting watch on her wrist. As a polo player and JLC ambassador, you would expect it to be none other than a Reverso - but it was the details that caught the eye. The watch she chose was a Reverso Classic Duetto Medium in pink gold. It has a day-night set up with two dials (powered by a single movement). As I later found out, Clare was invited in 2016 (on the 85th birthday of the Reverso) to go through the process of des
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