In just a few short days, SalonQP 2016 will get underway at the Saatchi Gallery, London. From its humble beginnings, SalonQP has grown to be a must-visit annual watch event for collectors and enthusiasts alike from around Europe and even the world. This year promises to be no different, featuring new product launches, special exhibitions and, of co.................. 2016-10-31 More

In terms of product design, vintage inspiration has been, for the last 10 years, one of the major, if not the major trend. Most brands, from low-end to ultra-luxury?have been, at least once, looking at their past and used it as a reference to?create new models. We all need strong foundations to feel confident, and this must be a part of the explana.................. 2016-10-27 More

Every story has a beginning, a middle and there's an end, and today will be the third and final installment of our?“History of the Patek Philippe Nautilus“. After a close look at the icon that started it all, the emblematic Nautilus Ref. 3700, after looking at the evolution of a model into a proper collection, from 1980 to 2006, it̵.................. 2016-10-26 More

Do we have to introduce the Lange 1 to you, dear readers? If you’re here, reading at Monochrome, you certainly don’t need us to go full details about what certainly is one of the prettiest modern horological icons. The Lange 1 and its derivatives are well-known from watch enthusiasts since 1994, and for very good reasons. This is the ma.................. 2016-10-25 More

80 years ago (yes, already…), a brand named International Watch Co. launched a watch that will later become an icon and one emblematic collection. This watch was a “Special Watch For Pilots” and it was introduced to the world in 1936. Decades after, the spirit that the brand injected in this watch is still alive and the current?IW.................. 2016-10-25 More

Thirty years after an act of personal divination brought the World Cup to Argentina, football superstar Diego Maradona (a.k.a Hand of God) was brought face-to-face with Pope Francis (a.k.a Man of God) for charity football tournament organized by His Holiness… and a?surprise came in the middle of the game, not touched by the hand but?strapped .................. 2016-10-22 More

Last week’s 5 Cool Finds’ selection was for the pleasure, to awake the horology enthusiast in you. This week, we move to practical functions – which does not mean the watches you’ll are not nice pieces… Today, we want to inspire the traveler in you, with 5 watches that will help you to keep track of time in (at least) .................. 2016-10-21 More

Saxony has been a fertile ground for some of the most remarkable horological innovations. The Lange 1 Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar with its impressive technique and perfect craftsmanship is in perfect keeping with the A. Lange & Sohne great tradition. Introduced in 2013, this masterpiece is now presented in discreet white gold with an exquisit.................. 2016-10-20 More

After a long hiatus over the summer, and the sometimes literal clash between Mercedes AMG F1 drivers Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton reaches new levels race by race, it is time to look at the current leader of the pack for this third chapter in our Watches and Formula 1 series. Mercedes AMG F1 is the team that rose from the ashes of Brawn GP which .................. 2016-10-20 More

Travelling is rarely a relaxed affair. There's the packing, the rushing to the airport or train station, losing your passport, finding it again, running the gauntlet through security. By the time you get to your destination you're pretty much guaranteed to be exhausted (and let's face it probably a little buzzed). The last thing you want to be doin.................. 2016-10-18 More

As the Patek Philippe Nautilus is celebrating this year its 40th anniversary, it was time for two events: the launch of a dedicated collection by the Geneva-based Maison and, for us, it was the perfect moment to bring you a complete?retrospective on?this icon. Last week was part 1 and, of course, it was entirely focused on the one that started it a.................. 2016-10-18 More

What do a classic car rally, handmade hunting rifles and mechanical watches have in common? The answer is Lebeau-Courally. The company was founded in 1805 and is well known in Royal families for its handmade hunting rifles and has moved into the field of haute-horlogerie by acquiring Le Locle based IMH. Lebeau-Courally is a platinum sponsor of the .................. 2016-10-17 More

Last week, our selection of 5 Cool Finds was clearly on the safe-side; 5 ultra-essential dive watches from mainstream brands, the kind of watches you can never go wrong with. This week, in our new episode of the Cool Finds, we’re going to explore completely different territories: the super-complicated watches. You want gold; we have. You want.................. 2016-10-14 More

This week in London, auction house Philips played host to a special exhibition commemorating the 20th Anniversary of the creation of Chopard's first in-house movement; the calibre L.U.C 1.96. It was also the perfect setting for the introduction of two new series into Chopard's L.U.C family; the L.U.C GMT One and the L.U.C Time Traveler One. Today w.................. 2016-10-13 More

The choice for dive watches is quite literally endless. There are thousands of good, very good, or extremely good dive watches out there. There are also plenty of so-so dive watches, so it is very possible to lose track of what's what in this popular category. Thus, we feel it is our duty to share some options outside the beaten path of Submariners.................. 2016-10-12 More

Stating that the Patek Philippe Nautilus is an icon is probably too easy… but there is no way to evade this. The Nautilus is an icon. No debate. Introduced?in 1976, and designed by one of the most famous watch-designers, who can be seen as the creator of a new species of timepieces – the luxury sports watch. The Nautilus?is praised by a.................. 2016-10-11 More

For returning readers it is a known fact most members of team Monochrome are car-guys to some extent. Obviously, both watchmaking and the automotive industry are intertwined extensively, so when Oris gave us the chance to attend the FIA World Endurance Championship 6 Hours of Nurburgring race, I jumped on the occasion! 6 hours of the fastest protot.................. 2016-10-10 More

Today is… Friday! So not only it means that weekend is coming, but it also means that our 5 Cool Finds are online.?To follow with?last week's article, we continue our “Cool Finds” selections, still with our trustful partner?Chronext.?What about the 5 Cool Finds? Simple: 5 watches, not new, not vintage, most of the time young-timer.................. 2016-10-07 More

We, watch collectors, all know how difficult and risky it can be to purchase?a used watch. How can I verify the authenticity of the watch? Are all the parts originals? How the desired watch has been serviced or worn? What amount of trust?should I give to the seller? Is it a stolen watch? What warranty will it come with? Too many questions that some.................. 2016-10-06 More

The concept of the Sonata by Ulysse Nardin is not new, but still, you'll see later in this article, it's a very captivating concept. Several watches have been created with the Sonata complication; however, most of them, even if mechanically attractive, were bold, highly sportive and masculine watches. In the last few months, Ulysse Nardin has given.................. 2016-10-05 More

As watch journalists, we tend to focus on the two main events during the year: the SIHH in January and the mammoth Baselworld in March. Even if these two fairs are the main events of the year and if they are now opened to the public (partially), they remain mainly professional events, for retailers, photographers and, like us, journalists and blogg.................. 2016-10-05 More

The watch we'll test?today is worthy of a?Chronometrie?contest. It has been created with one?unique goal in mind: being as accurate as possible, in all positions and during the whole range of its power reserve. Usually, we would have written a review exposing the case, the dial, the finishing or the wearability of the piece. However, with the Arnol.................. 2016-10-05 More

When in 2015 Vacheron Constant presented the Harmony, it was already an entire collection, comprising a?simple Dual Time, a small size chronograph (women-oriented), a Monopusher Chronograph (the superb 3300), a Tourbillon Chronograph and a stunning ref. 3500 ultra-thin, automatic, split-seconds chronograph. Even if there was?no new editions at the .................. 2016-10-04 More

40 years ago, Patek Philippe introduced a watch that has become an icon over the past 4 decades. This watch was designed by the legendary watch-designer?Gerald Genta. Inspired by the porthole, legend told it was?drawn on a restaurant table?in 5 minutes. It was the Nautilus ref. 3700, the first sports watch of the brand, which, in 1976, created the .................. 2016-10-03 More

To follow with last week’s article, we continue our 5 Cool Finds selections, still with our trustful partner?Chronext. We already explained to you all about this London-based?online marketplace for buying, selling, and servicing of luxury watches - and here, online goes together with the same?security and service as any high-end boutique. Wha.................. 2016-09-30 More

If you’re looking at the photo above, you could think that we’re about to show you a new Zenith model named “Range Rover”. Well, that isn’t exactly the case, however it’s not far besides the truth. Today Zenith launches the Zenith El Primero Range Rover Special Edition, and they do that together with British car .................. 2016-09-29 More

In January of this year, at the SIHH 2016, Montblanc continued to impress with good looking and pleasantly priced watches. The ExoTourbillon Slim, an elegant, luxurious and technically complex timepiece, which includes the brand’s patented tourbillon, the ExoTourbillon. This watch not only features a tourbillon regulator that clearly stands o.................. 2016-09-29 More

Since we did one of our first survey’s among you, our readers, we heard that you love our selection of high-end to ultra high-end watches. However you would also like to see an affordable watch from time to time, and we completely understand that. Like with cars, we all love Ferrari, Lamborghini, Maserati, Koenigsegg, Pagani, Aston Martin and.................. 2016-09-28 More

Pretty much every watch is introduced with one specific strap, or bracelet, and usually that’s what determines its looks. Of course, watch brands design the watch for a specific purpose, ?and therefore the watch must have a matching look / style, so that’s all fully understandable. But it can also be kind of boring, especially for those.................. 2016-09-28 More

Peter Speake-Marin is going back to his roots with a tourbillon, after an incursion in the world of sports watches. This complication is of very special significance for him. This is a good reason to take a closer look at his Magister Tourbillon, bringing together a host of details characteristics of his watch design we have been enjoying for some .................. 2016-09-26 More

Monaco… The French Riviera, the pleasant?weather, James Bond, the sea, the Casino, the luxurious cars and nice ladies! Certainly one of the most attractive places to spend some relaxed time. And above all, there are the super-yachts. Now, if you ask me what would be the watch that best defines this world, I’d easily say a Ulysse Nardin................... 2016-09-26 More

The “5 Cool Finds” are back, however?with a few changes… the biggest one being is that we changed to?a new, more reliable partner whom?we have a profound trust in: Chronext. We already explained to you all about this London-based?online marketplace for buying, selling, and servicing of luxury watches – and here, online goes .................. 2016-09-23 More

When the words “Pour le Merite” are attached to the name “A. Lange & Sohne“, you know it’s going to be hard to resist and you know it’s going to be complicated. Why? This nomenclature in Lange’s collections means a watch equipped with a fusee and chain transmission (like this one or the outstanding?Tour.................. 2016-09-22 More

Wouldn’t it be pleasant if all the youngsters around would involve progressively in real watchmaking, meaning mechanical watches, if most of them grew as collectors, instead of looking at massive and not-so-distinguished fashion brands watches? Well, we don’t live at “candy land” and things won’t change that fast. Howe.................. 2016-09-22 More

It all began 20 years ago, when in-house and independent sourcing of movements were not yet in vogue across the watch industry. The presentation of a splendid micro-rotor movement manufactured in Fleurier, a watchmaking town of Val-de-Travers, gave birth to the Chopard L.U.C series, a highly respected collection among watch connoisseurs. This Chopa.................. 2016-09-21 More

You see, here at Monochrome-Watches, we always praise the complexity?of movements, we always emphasize on the amount of work done by watchmakers to assemble complications or to achieve a perfectly polished bevel, to finish?an internal angle or to obtain?black polishing – we even did a technical guide about it. We also look at “metiers d.................. 2016-09-21 More

In watchmaking, who thinks?innovative materials usually says high price. That’s somehow a rule. Look at recent watches with?sapphire crystal cases. Most of them are over half a million CHF – even the cheapest one isn’t cheap… Same goes for complex ceramics, or watches associating different kind of solid, ultra-light or ultra.................. 2016-09-20 More

One week ago, we introduced to you?the first prototype of the TAG Heuer Autavia “Jochen Rindt”?reedition, one of the first customer-designed watches made by the industry in a long time. That’s already a good news on its own, and this watch was not the only point of interest, as inside its case ticks something we didn’t expec.................. 2016-09-20 More

When the three new IWC?Ingenieur Chronograph models were shown to the watch press for the very first time, Monochrome was there, however we were not allowed to talk about it, nor to photograph the watch. And when we were allowed to cover the new Ingenieur Chronograph models, we only had the official PR?photos and no hands-on photos. This type?of ph.................. 2016-09-19 More

What do we know about Roger Dubuis? Well, to make it short, Roger Dubuis is a proper?manufacture of Haute Horlogerie, creating extremely refined skeleton movements, and being the only brand to have its entire production stamped with the Hallmark of Geneva (and that alone must already give an indication of the beauty of the production…). Roger.................. 2016-09-19 More