Watches NEWS
SIHH 2015 - Introducing the A. Lange & Sohne Zeitwerk Minute Repeater, Featuring a Decimal Minute Repeater (Specs and Price) - Monochrome Watches
On this first day of the SIHH we are already blown away by the vast amount of extremely impressive time pieces, and the new Lange & Sohne is no exception. The ‘normal’ Zeitwerk, as introduced in 2009, was in itself a magnificent masterpiece with most likely the easiest (ergonomically) way to read the time on a mechanical timepiece. A year later the German brand presented the Zeitwerk Luminous, and in 2011 the Zeitwerk Striking Time saw the light of day. Today we can show you the newest and most impressive of the Zeitwerk family, the A. Lange & Sohne Zeitwerk Minute Repeater, with a very special minute repeater!The ‘special’ minute repeater is a so-called decimal repeater, something that by my knowledge only Kari Voutilainen and Credor (although it is a spring-drive system and thus has a quartz crystal as regulator) have implemented in a wrist watch. Voutilainen’s?Decimal Repeaters are among the most coveted timepieces ever created. And yes, I lust
Interview - In Conversation with Philippe Dufour
Philippe Dufour is a living legend. The independent watchmaker is one of most (if not the most) revered craftsmen in the industry and his watches are regarded as the ultimate in traditional hand-finishing. We visited the 70-year-old master in the small village of Le Solliat, in the Vallee de Joux. There, Philippe Dufour crafts his watches entirely by hand, elevating the art of watchmaking to the highest level. Visiting his workshop is a unique experience. It is exactly what you have dreamed about, and yet everything is a surprise and catches your attention: old tools, ancient machines, drawers, books, raw materials This place has soul.How does one become one of the most revered craftsmen in the Swiss watch industry?First of all, it takes patience and hard work. You must remove some words from your vocabulary: weekends, holidays or retirement. Once this is done you can start. It's been a long road. Being recognized for your work takes years.? I have been an independent watchmaker since
New Raymond Weil with Jumping Hour complication - Monochrome Watches
Raymond Weil releases a new model in the Don Giovanni Cosi Grande collection, the Jumping Hour. Watches with jumping hours exist since 1830 but it took until 1921 before the first wrist watches with this complication was available.Raymond Weil is one of those watch brands that somehow does not get that much attention on the internet. While their availability in AD’s (at least in Western Europe) is much better that brands like , Jaeger LeCoultre or Omega that do get much online attention.Raymond Weil Don Giovanni Cosi Grande Jumping HourWell, for the internet community they don’t make it any easier, as their most prestigious collection has a name that takes ages to type… the Don Giovanni Cosi Grande collection. What’s in a name. The new jumping hour is a nice addition to this strictly mechanical collection, that also has a chronograph and dual time model. Ad - Scroll to continue with article
The Quirky Yet Wildly Fascinating Gelfman IN-16 Nixie Watch
As a rule, we rarely cover battery-powered watches on MONOCHROME - but rules are made to be broken, or at least make exceptions. And the quirky Gelfman IN-16 Nixie provided the perfect opportunity. With its retro-futuristic design, this digital display watch is simply in a class of its own as the jury of the GPHG confirmed in 2022, nominating it for the Petite Aiguille. I have always been fascinated by clocks using Nixie tubes, and the idea to strap a watch using such a display on my wrist was really tempting!The future is not what you thought it would be Seemingly a blend of old-fashioned retro styles with futuristic technology, the Gelfman IN-16 Nixie is a perfect example of how the tension between the past and future can produce some of the quirkiest and most fascinating designs. This space-age creation relies on yesteryear digital technology with two nixie tubes held in a quirky hand-polished stainless-steel case. Ad - Scroll to continue with article
Introducing: The Denim-Toned Patek Philippe Nautilus Chronograph 5980G
One trend that has asserted itself at Patek Philippe this year is denim, or rather, the colour of blue jeans, appearing on the dials and straps of several novelties, like the Worldtime with Date and Aquanaut Travel Time. A much sought-after model, the Nautilus Flyback Chronograph 5980, was discontinued earlier this year. Much to the delight of collectors, Patek introduces a white gold version of the Nautilus Chronograph 5980G with a casual denim-textured strap and a matching denim-coloured dial.Launched in 1976, the Nautilus is part of the famous holy trinity of luxury sports watches. In 2006, coinciding with the 30th anniversary of Gerald Genta's winning design for Patek, the Nautilus was fitted with an in-house chronograph complication (reference 5980/1A). Ad - Scroll to continue with article As a demonstration of Patek's ability to make complications user-fri