Xavier Markl's Top 10 of the SIHH 2017
The SIHH 2017 was my 19th attendance to the Geneva-based fair. What a pleasure to tour the inescapable Geneva Haute Horlogerie rendez-vous, which has been great vintage indeed! Here's my top ten favorite watches, after over 2,000 pictures shot. These are presented without specific order, focusing on gents watches (no mention therefore of the magnificent jeweled watches from Cartier, Piaget or Van Cleef and Arpels). A tough choice but as we had to pick ten, here we go with my personal highlightsGreubel Forsey Grande SonnerieThe grande sonnerie and petite sonnerie hold a special place in the world of Haute Horlogerie. There is only a handful of watchmakers capable of manufacturing such works of arts, often regarded as the ultimate horological complication. Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey are adding a 24-second inclined tourbillon to their impressive Grande Sonnerie. The power-hungry strike-work mechanism is powered by its one barrel wound by a micro-rotor to fulfill its function for lo

Summer is Coming - Our Selection of Colorful Watches (buying guide with prices) - Monochrome Watches
Just like we did a week ago, by showing our selection of the best sports-chic watches for summer, this week we’ll look at colorful watches… Of course, summer is the perfect moment to think?different, to move out from?the black or silver dial comfort zone, to go wild and fun. Well, it’s time to bring joy on your wrist – but don’t forget what magazine you’re reading. It’s Monochrome, so we agreed to show proper watches only. Colorful, yes. High-end, not necessarily but all with horological interest and coolness. Here is our selection of colorful watches to bring summer on your wrist.“It’s time to move out of your comfort zone… Bring color on your wrist”Seiko Prospex SRP 779 PADI Ad - Scroll to continue with article When looking at this selection, I see many of you already being frustrated, simply be

The third generation of the Omega De Ville Prestige
The Omega De Ville Prestige is the brand's classic all-rounder. Launched 28 years ago, the model is somewhat overshadowed by the popular Seamaster and Speedmaster but is an important pillar of the brand's collection. Omega now introduces an overall upgrade of the Prestige with six different families, five different sizes, and four different movements, all with improved functionality and style. The De Ville Prestige has never been better and has never looked better! We’ll talk you through all the details of this major update of the De Ville collection.THE ORIGINSThe name De Ville appeared on the dial of Omega watches after the introduction of the brand's trilogy of professional watches (1957). Next to these professional instrument watches, De Ville referred to the continuation of the dressier heritage of the Seamaster; the Seamasters meant for the city or De Ville in French. Ad - Scroll to continue with article

Grieb & Benzinger Blue Whirlwind with Skeletonized Patek Philippe Tourbillon Minute Repeater - Monochrome Watches
Grieb & Benzinger are known for the?mind-blowing masterpiece they create, based on the most lovely old pocket watch movements from Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, Minerva chronographs?and others.The newest masterpiece from the “masters of skeletonized watches” is the Blue Whirlwind, an amazing skeletonized tourbillon minute repeater based a rare Patek Philippe caliber in a platinum case. A similar masterpiece (however in a steel case) was donated to Only Watch 2011 and auctioned for 1.4 million Euro! Ad - Scroll to continue with article Grieb & Benzinger found a rare?Patek Philippe tourbillon minute repeater movement, caliber RTO 27 PS, and did their thing with it;?fully skeletonized, guilloche and engraved by hand. Even gear wheels were embellished with guilloche and the 12 finely guilloche bridges and cocks coated with rhodium and rose

Montblanc Laboratory Test 500 Hours - Monochrome Watches
As a watch journalist I’ve visited (quite) a number of manufactures and every time I look for unique properties of that specific manufacture. The manufactures that I visited most are Montblanc’s?manufacture in Villeret – that’s the old Minerva manufacture – and their other facility on Le Locle. Both are very different! The manufacture in Villeret always feels like you’re traveling back in time, while the other manufacture is a state-of-art modern facility, located in a beautiful old villa. I was amazed to see more testing and checks than I’m used to see, when I visited Le Locle, so during last week’s SIHH I talked about this with Montblanc’s director of watches, Alexander Schmiedt.?The old Minerva manufacture in Villeret is without a doubt my favourite, simply because it feels like you travel back in time when you walk through the front door. It’s an old building, but that doesn’t make it unique. What does, are the huge