Jacques-Yves Cousteau is one of the greatest explorers in history and he used to refer to the sea as a great unifier among all men. For him, it was mankind's only hope. Cousteau, as we have already examined, was instrumental for sea exploration since he was active and present in the period after the catastrophic WWII. Mankind had been left in ruins.................. 2015-11-06 More

The recent anniversary of the Bell & Ross BR01 collection, which came to light some 10 years ago, led me to a question that I couldn't answer immediately. The square Bell & Ross might be iconic at this moment in time, but is it the first aircraft instrument inspired watch? The question would slip to the back of my mind as life continued, bu.................. 2015-11-05 More

Handling unique pieces is for us a quite recurrent privilege. I know this will sound posh, but that’s our daily job (what a difficult life you’ll admit). Well, the truth is that nowadays, many brands come with unique watches, because of?a special request or watches made to create the buzz. However, the three watches you’re about t.................. 2015-11-04 More

And the saga continues… After a first timepiece to launch the concept, the Legacy Machine 1, with a super-clean design and great elegance, followed by a second and more complicated watch, the Legacy Machine 2 and finally the “value proposition” of the brand, the recent Legacy Machine 101, available in two editions, including the s.................. 2015-11-03 More

It's been three months since we started our voyage to circle the globe in search of collectors and their stories. Amazingly it is only until this week that we came across a Panerai owner. It was in Poland when we met Tomasz Kie?tyka, the founder and other half of Chronos24.pl (we first met with Luckasz and his Tudor Heritage Chrono). He's a watch i.................. 2015-11-03 More

When the name Richard Mille comes into the game, large?tonneau shaped watches come to mind, with a sporty feeling and highly technical content. Not the usual ingredients for a dress-watch. Of course, some editions are less “hardcore” than the others, like for instance the RM 022 Aerodyne (a smaller, less rugged but still highly complica.................. 2015-11-02 More

Lot 169 of the upcoming Geneva Watch Auction Two by?Phillips Watches is something special, highly special. You know, when it comes to important auctions, we also tend to be realistic and not only we do introduce to you the highlights (see them here), but we also try to have a strong focus on some more accessible, yet interesting watches (what we.................. 2015-10-30 More

Everything that can be said has been said about the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak – its introduction in 1972, as a watch more expensive than any gold dress watches from the same era, an exquisite mix of luxury and sportiness, elegantly designed by Gerald Genta and a product that is now an icon. At the time of its launch, who could have thought ab.................. 2015-10-28 More

In 1987, Daniel Roth left Breguet to start his own manufacture. His grandfather and great grandfather had also been watchmakers in the La Chaux de Fonds region of Switzerland. To celebrate the 10th anniversary of his own watch manufacture he created the Papillon. The Daniel Roth Papillon is a striking timepiece. It has the ability to appear round, .................. 2015-10-27 More

Who among us has never had the dream of being bond, James Bond? No! Really? What is there not to dream about with the fast cars, beautiful women, the stylish elegance and the action… everything in the 007 movies are what every man has ever wanted to do and be (I know I have). And that’s exactly what we’ve done. Well, not entirely,.................. 2015-10-26 More

The name is Seamaster, Omega Seamaster. And while this one doesn’t need to be shaken nor stirred, the love story between Omega and James Bond 007 is a long one, and they’re celebrating two decades of loyal service. Spectre, mr. Bond’s latest adventure will be released?on Monday 26th of October – and stay tuned, because on th.................. 2015-10-22 More

That’s something we are used to tell you: world timers are certainly the most practical watches around. In our actual way of life, having on your wrist and in a glance the time of the major cities around the world is extremely convenient, especially for frequent travelers and for people working in international environment. So what is it abou.................. 2015-10-22 More

Many would describe it as the ultimate sports watch. The Patek Philippe Nautilus Chronograph ref. 5980/1A, affectionately known by some as the Jumbo Chronograph, has it all. Heritage, elegance and complication. Today, we'll be able to discover the pleasure of owning such a masterpiece (an not the classical edition, but probably the rarest one). Thi.................. 2015-10-21 More

Saying that the?Laurent Ferrier Galet Square was?welcomed and?that it is a superb achievement is kind of an understatement. This watch is simply superb. When launched, it was the entry-level proposition of the brand, with a (slightly) sportier look, a stainless steel case, a more?reasonable?price but still with the same true elegance and a perfectl.................. 2015-10-21 More

Splendid! Let's be?clear from the beginning, this new watch from Montblanc is just splendid. Design-wise, MB again did a great job with the design of the new chronograph. It is vintage-inspired, beautifully balanced, luxurious yet sporty at the same time, elegant - and unfortunately limited to a very small production. We would already be very happy.................. 2015-10-20 More

Last week article was a prequel, a necessary “mise-en-bouche” for the long-time and highly personal review of the?Seiko Darth Tuna SBBN013 Prospex that you’re about to read. The Seiko Tuna is an important, yet iconic watch, a pioneer on its own – and a collection?that boasted during its 40 years of life many innovations, wit.................. 2015-10-16 More

There’s no doubt about it; Phillips is clearly the growing auction house for watches (the arrival of Aurel Bacs – ex-Christie’s – at the head of the watch department is clearly paying off). In May, the?Phillips Geneva Watch Auction One made a lot of noise, with 4 watches breaking the 1-million barrier and a 5-million Patek P.................. 2015-10-14 More

The Tudor Black Bay is undoubtably a success story. You can’t deny its beauty, its quality or its darn right coolness. We loved?it at first sight here, on Monochrome-Watches, whether in its first Burgundy / Red 79220R execution?and even more with the?Midnight Blue 79220B edition, with it’s more subdued?colour?pallet. With the latest nov.................. 2015-10-14 More

This week, on the Collector's Series, we discover what it's like to own a watch that, when released, was the first wristwatch to have all five hands all mounted on the same central axis. This unusual watch is called the Concentrique Grand Complication 5 and is the work of one of the greatest British watchmakers, Peter Roberts. Fitted with a superbl.................. 2015-10-13 More

Remember, a few days after Baselworld 2015, we showed a preview of the new Nomos Minimatik, a brand new design from the Glashutte-based manufacture but mainly a completely new movement, the in-house, ultra-slim, self-winding DUW 3001. We’ve been surprised to see such an achievement from a quite young brand (not so young anymore with?25 yeas o.................. 2015-10-12 More

You know us here, at Monochrome-Watches, when it comes to horology, we’re snobs. We love complications, hand-finished movements or anything that stands out of the crowd (meaning independent watchmaking). However, there’s a point where all these beauties will still be dreams attached on our teenagers’ walls. We have to be realistic.................. 2015-10-12 More

Few watches possess the aura and the character of the Seiko Tuna. Introduced in 1975 in a ?mechanical form, it was upgraded in 1978 with a quartz movement, after a Japanese saturation diver sent a letter of complaint. The Tuna, or Tuna-can as watch aficionados' call it, is a watch that carries no compromises. It's either love or hate. There are cou.................. 2015-10-09 More

We at Monochrome obviously love IWC watches. Especially when it comes to their iconic pieces. The IWC Portuguese Perpetual Calendar is such a piece. First introduced in 2003, this watch has been subject to minor changes every couple of years, without dramatically changing its recognizable identity. So, it's now time for us to compare the brand new .................. 2015-10-08 More

Alongside being a very elegant watch, the?Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle World Time has something special, something more, something that all world-time watches should have. Usually, this kind of watches comes with a display capable of displaying?24 different time-zones. Convenient right? Yes and no, as the world doesn't just have 24 but in fac.................. 2015-10-08 More

When first revealed at the 2015 edition of the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (the SIHH), the Cle de Cartier has been warmly welcomed by both the horological press and collectors, mainly because of its pure, rakish and clean design, set purely in the vein of the Cartier tradition. The curved profile, the clever integration of the crown .................. 2015-10-07 More

In the watchmaking industry, there are few iconic names. Contemporary ones like Philippe Dufour or Fran?ois-Paul Journe, but mainly some old but highly famous?names like Abraham-Louis Breguet. Another one might be slightly less known but his working life also?conducted to true innovations and several masterpieces: Ferdinand Berthoud. This long-time.................. 2015-10-07 More

You've certainly noticed immediately that Richard Mille latest creation is red. Obviously (Except if you are color blind, and we're profoundly sorry for you). However, your eyes have probably spotted?something else; the?juxtaposition of the words Quart and Automatic. Wait, is that at all possible? Is RM going to lower that many their watches and to.................. 2015-10-07 More

When you speak to hardcore watch geeks, there is one name that consistently gets brought up in conversation.? Mr Philippe Dufour. There are very few owners of such watches and we're lucky enough to have one in the Collector's Series, in the name of Peter Chong, a true seasoned collector with certainly some of the most beautiful watches around. Pete.................. 2015-10-06 More

During the past few weeks, there had been quite a few novelties from Vacheron Constantin, with for example, one that was quite interesting, THE most complicated watch in the world. At the 2015 Edition of Watches & Wonders, Vacheron Constantin also renew one of their long-time tradition: bespoke and unique watches, with the release of their Cabi.................. 2015-10-06 More

When it comes to watches dedicated to the selective and rigorous sport?that is Polo, The first that would ?probably spring to mind is the iconic Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso (created in 1931 especially for Polo players). However, when De Bethune comes with the idea of partnering with the Princely Polo Cup, the needs are clear: creating a watch that can.................. 2015-10-05 More

In the collection of A. Lange and Sohne, there are two classical, understated, elegant dress-watches. If the Saxonia is the entry-level and simple offering (no offense here, it is a really great deal), the 1815 is the traditionalist one, the conservative side of?A. Lange and?Sohne. After a first edition in platinum with a black dial, the brand cont.................. 2015-10-02 More

One of the most enduring traits in the watch industry in recent years is the New-retro design. This principle is the tendency to create something new that is not exactly new but rather follows the past. This industrial/marketing strategy balances in most cases innovation and tradition. The historical heritage of a product is fused with new material.................. 2015-10-02 More

For Watches & Wonders 2015, A. Lange and Sohne adds two new models to their entry level watch, the Saxonia. This watch, even if not the hottest?of the collection (compared to the Datograph or the Zeitwerk) remains one of the best deals possible when it comes to elegant, discreet, dress-watches – even more since the new design introduced a.................. 2015-10-01 More

Most of you probably know Bell & Ross… Indeed, with their square-shaped cases and a?design inspired by jet-fighters?instruments, Bell & Ross watches are?easily?recognisable?among other?timepieces.?However, just when you thought the design (that you can see here) was in danger of becoming ubiquitous,?Bell & Ross release their?lates.................. 2015-10-01 More

Last year Jaeger-LeCoultre introduced the Geophysic 1958 in three limited editions, and today the Maison returns?with four new models of the Geophysic collection. The limited editions of last year have all been sold out (rather quick!) and while nobody had foreseen that JLC would turn the Geophysic into a new collection, that’s exactly what t.................. 2015-10-01 More

When it comes to Panerai watches, there are a few distinct features that might create the enthusiasm of?Paneristi (Panerai collectors): an iconic dial is a first one. A limited edition is something desirable too. For Watches &?Wonders 2015, both qualities are reunited in 2 new timepieces, with a limited production of 300 pieces each. Here are t.................. 2015-10-01 More

In the rush of Watches & Wonders 2015 (the Hong-Kong watch fair), it’s now IWC’s turn to come with a novelty: the?IWC Portofino Hand-Wound Day?&?Date. We’ve recently covered various iterations of IWC’s Portofino models, like the recent Monopusher Chronograph,?the Pure Classic edition?and the one that featured in The .................. 2015-09-30 More

At the 2014 Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie (SIHH) Montblanc surprised us all with the introduction of a perpetual calendar that was priced rather?competitively. With perfect classical design,?it looked just like a million bucks, while its price starts at around € 10,000 Euro for the stainless steel version. With that price tag it was si.................. 2015-09-30 More

Creating a piece unique usually means changing colours or materials of the case and dial, or having a new shape. That’s the case with almost all the unique watches made for Only Watch 2015. With the?Maitre Cabinotier Perpetual Calendar Regulator, Vacheron Constantin goes one step further (in fact, dozens of step further). With this kind of wa.................. 2015-09-30 More

When it comes to limited edition watches, I usually don’t really care much about the partnership or the?purpose of them. In today’s hands-on review, we give you an Audemars Piguet, a watch made in collaboration?with?The Hong Kong Jockey Club (HKJC) for the 17th Audemars Piguet Queen Elizabeth II (QEII) Cup. Thus, something that I really.................. 2015-09-28 More