It’s proving to be a bumper crop year for dragon-themed watches, and brands from all walks of life are deploying their creativity to create something inspiring for the upcoming Year of the Dragon. While it’s only natural to associate Roger Dubuis‘ Excalibur collection with the wonderfully over-the-top Arthurian-inspired Knights of..................
2024-01-17 More
The connection between Omega and space exploration isn’t to be demonstrated anymore. While born as a racing chronograph, the 1957 Speedmaster is now known by all as the official watch of astronauts, as the watch worn by Apollo 11 crew members… It’s nicknamed the Moonwatch for a reason. Yet, there’s more than this specific ve..................
2024-01-16 More
Jaeger-LeCoultre‘s Master Thin collection is home to sophisticated, understated, ultra-thin dress watches ranging from time-and-date to moon phase models and more complex proposals like tourbillons and perpetual calendars. Offered with understated beige or sunray decorated dials, JLC introduced metiers d’art dials to the collection at t..................
2024-01-15 More
I won’t hide the reality: finding a genuinely elegant watch at a fair price isn’t the easiest of tasks. Dress watches, while often free of any complications, are not the most represented timepieces within the portfolios of accessible brands. Naturally,? there are some candidates to consider,?but finding an affordable dive watch is far e..................
2024-01-15 More
The new year has only just started, but we already have a piece of advice for you: if you’re hunting for new watches, which I guess most of you probably are, explore the industry a little. There is plenty of very interesting and cool stuff to be found off the beaten path, and it doesn’t take much to enter a whole new world you might hav..................
2024-01-14 More
Approaching a hands-on article about a watch can take various angles, and one exciting perspective is to envision how a newcomer to the watch scene might react to a timepiece and what questions might arise during their exploration of the product. Let’s explore this approach as we delve into the mighty IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Perpetual Cal..................
2024-01-12 More
From the brand with the most explosive named collection in watch history comes the loud, eye-popping Spirit of Big Bang Titanium Dragon. Upholding the brand’s preference for fusing disparate materials on board its bold, shaped cases, Hublot offered Chinese artist Chen Fenwan the Spirit of Big Bang as a blank canvas to exercise her creativity...................
2024-01-12 More
With watch brands across the board riding the Chinese New Year wave, there are no prizes for guessing which of the twelve animals represented in the Chinese Zodiac will be in the limelight this year. Admittedly one of the more attractive beasts to depict on a watch, the dragon replaces the rabbit of 2023 and will reign supreme until he is replaced ..................
2024-01-10 More
A couple of months ago, Blancpain & Swatch caused quite a storm by presenting their collaboration based on the iconic Blancpain Fifty Fathoms. Following the success of the Moonswatch with Omega, the Scuba Fifty Fathoms captured the spirit of the legendary dive watch in bioceramic, a lightweight material that came in five different colours. Now,..................
2024-01-10 More
The Chinese New Year provides many watch companies with the perfect excuse to produce a special edition decorated with one of the twelve animals of the Chinese Zodiac. This year is the Year of the Dragon, and, for the first time, Longines jumps on the Chinese New Year bandwagon with a limited edition of 888 pieces of its Flagship Heritage model wit..................
2024-01-09 More
Given its complexity and often lethargic pace, cricket is not a sport that pops up in the crosshairs of watch brand alliances. However, in 2022, Oris struck an alliance with the Marylebone Cricket Club (MCC), becoming the first official timekeeper in the club’s history. Celebrating this three-year partnership, Oris and the MMC have collaborat..................
2024-01-09 More
For more than 30 years, Nomos has been part of the monumental effort to resurrect the German watchmaking tradition that once thrived in the Glashutte region in the easternmost part of the country. The region is home to a dozen or so brands, from relatively affordable names like Union Glashutte and Nomos?to ultra-high-end like A. Lange & Sohne a..................
2024-01-08 More
Dials can come in all sorts of colours and decorative patterns, but one specific style that always seems to stand out more is the gradient dial. Also referred to as fume?or degrade, the concept is fairly simple. You start with a certain colour in the middle and gradually darken it towards the edge. More often than not, such a dial can elevate a wat..................
2024-01-07 More
For the majority of the time we have been running the Petrolhead Corner, we have been predominantly focussing on four-wheeled fun. That changed a while back when our contributor Erik, a knowledgeable and experienced rider, and I, a novice rider who bought his first bike less than a year ago, started to write about motorcycles every now and then. Si..................
2024-01-06 More
For some months now, we’ve heard and seen evidence that things were about to change at LVMH, a reshuffling strategy that industry insiders love to call the musical chairs of management. Things are now official as Julien Tornare, ex-CEO of Zenith, becomes CEO of TAG Heuer. He’s replaced in this role by Benoit de Clerck, who previously wa..................
2024-01-05 More
In 2012, Chopard made waves with the introduction of the L.U.C 8HF, featuring the groundbreaking L.U.C 01.06-L calibre with a silicon escapement, oscillating at an impressive 8Hz (57,600 vibrations/hour), double the speed of most mechanical movements. Notably, it became the first high-frequency calibre to receive chronometer certification, marking ..................
2024-01-05 More
The Longines Master Collection has always been a discreet one. Classic, timeless design with nothing truly groundbreaking to report. Sure, these were elegant and restrained models but they could live with a bit more extravagance. In late 2022 and again last year, Longines decided to do exactly that, with the release of a series of Master models wit..................
2024-01-03 More
The world of Yvan Arpa is one of boundless imagination. Flamboyant and unpredictable, he breathes life into timepieces, which under the brand Artya, defy convention and embrace a daring uniqueness. True to its name, the Dome collection captivates with its sculptural domed sapphire crystal, protecting distinctive dials, some crafted from natural mat..................
2024-01-02 More
Let me start by saying that, on this first day of 2024 and on behalf of the entire MONOCHROME team, I’d like to wish you all a Happy and Prosperous New Year. May it be filled with passion for watches and remarkable new models. 2023 has been one of the most prolific years for the watch industry – yet with a slightly degraded context R..................
2024-01-01 More
If we talk about trends in watchmaking, vintage has been one of the main sources of inspiration for brands since around 2010. And yet, after all these years, re-editions of glorious past models and vintage-inspired watches are still a hot topic in 2023. Retro-styled watches, vintage reissues and old-school design language are still staples in brand..................
2023-12-31 More
Back in 2019, we inaugurated the Petrolhead Corner as a way to provide a break from all the watch-related news we bring you and to share another passion that runs deep for several members of MONOCHROME’s Editorial Team. Our love for cars has since grown into a weekly column full of amazing car stories from all over the world. We try to mix th..................
2023-12-30 More
As we’re drawing a close to 2023, we take a look back at some of the Best New Watches revealed this year in various categories. And even though we’ve already covered fan favourites such as Chronographs, GMT watches, Dive watches, as well as several others, we’re now upping the ante with some of the best ultra-complicated watches t..................
2023-12-29 More
Independent watchmaking, a category defined by low-production, artisanal-like companies where the soul of the creator can be deeply felt in the watches, is one of MONOCHROME’s most important (and favourite) topics. This segment of the industry has always been a highlight for us, and we are committed to promoting the work of these small compan..................
2023-12-29 More
Watches cost money; it’s as simple as that. And it’s also a given that luxury watches cost luxury money. But the assumption that you need to spend a fortune to wear something cool and stylish is wrong, luckily. While most of us might dream of tourbillons, split-second chronographs, minute repeaters or perpetual calendars, not many of us..................
2023-12-28 More
It might not be the most productive of categories, but the pilot’s watch remains one of the all-time important watch styles, even though its real-world relevance is more limited these days due to flight management systems. Nevertheless, nostalgia and vintage inspiration are still important drivers of the watch industry’s creativity, and..................
2023-12-28 More
Next up in our rundown of this year’s ‘Greatest Hits’ is a list of calendar watches, specifically Annual and Perpetual Calendar watches. Looking back at what brands have brought to the table in this category only confirms the appeal of a watch that keeps track of more than just the passing of time. With indications that need littl..................
2023-12-27 More
We’re all well aware how the luxury sports watch segment has exploded over the past few years. To the point, sadly, where the usual suspects have become unavailable and often subject to speculation. Luckily, though, affordable alternatives have penetrated the market, and even independent watchmakers have stepped up to meet demand. Although th..................
2023-12-27 More
As the end of the year draws nearer every day now, we’re in the midst of the festive season. Christmas parties, New Year’s Eve celebrations and whatnot dominate our agendas. The perfect time really, to whip out a high-class dress watch and pair it with your cocktail dress or smoking, or with a onesie and cosy slippers if that’s mo..................
2023-12-26 More
The end of the year is near, so it's time for the MONOCHROME team to sit down and look back at everything that happened during what was objectively a rich year for new models With so many new launches, there was a lot to pick from in all categories and all price ranges. Today, we continue our series of buying guides representing our selection of wh..................
2023-12-26 More
Yesterday, we started looking back at 2023 and all the new watches we’ve seen to try and make a list of the best ones. The MONOCHROME Editorial Team took votes to determine the Best Chronograph of 2023, which kicked things off, but also many other categories. Up next is the GMT/Travel category, and although the list wasn’t as long as th..................
2023-12-25 More
The end of the year is near, so it's time for the MONOCHROME team to sit down and look back at everything that happened during what was objectively a rich year for new models There was a lot, with so many new watches launched in all categories and all price ranges. Today, we kick off a series of buying guides representing our selection of what we t..................
2023-12-24 More
When you hear the name TAG Heuer, which watches come to mind? The Monaco, the Carrera, or perhaps the Autavia? Maybe the Aquaracer? But what about the Monza? The Monza can be considered the dark horse of TAG Heuer's lineup, occasionally popping up over the years but never having quite the staying power as other, more famous, TAG Heuer models. 2023 ..................
2023-12-22 More
Today, IWC Schaffhausen announced partnering with Warner Bros. Picture's upcoming feature film Aquaman and the Lost Kingdom to launch two new models, inspired by the red and blue glowing prop watches that the brand supplied for the production of the highly-anticipated feature film sequel. Ultra-bold, clearly on the large side, equipped with multipl..................
2023-12-19 More
About a year ago, Louis Vuitton, through its manufacture of watches La Fabrique du Temps, announced the establishment of the Louis Vuitton Watch Prize for Independent Creatives, a biennial prize that celebrates the creative talent, savoir-faire and audacity of the independent watchmaking industry, to support and encourage artisans and entrepreneurs..................
2023-12-18 More
For a large part of the world, the cold season is setting in. Temperatures are dropping, daylight gets pushed back by darkness, snow and ice are grinding cities and towns to a halt and so on. To turn things around and embrace the cold, why not opt for a cool white watch for the winter season? The colour is usually most associated with summer sun, t..................
2023-12-17 More
We were recently invited to join the festive reopening of the Amsterdam Boutique of IWC Schaffhausen. Nestled in one of the most luxurious high streets in our nation’s capital is a haven where you can fully immerse yourself in the wonderful world of IWC. Step inside, and you can discover the brand’s various collections in a unique open ..................
2023-12-15 More
A few months ago, Swatch and Blancpain introduced the Swatch x Blancpain Bioceramic Scuba Fifty Fathoms. Yup, quite a mouthful. It's effectively the follow-up of the Moonswatch, which can be seen as Swatch's take on the Omega Speedmaster. We didn't cover it on MONOCHROME for obvious reasons (it's a quartz watch) despite being a huge commercial succ..................
2023-12-15 More
Chinese New Year 2024 will fall on Saturday, the 10th of February, heralding the Year of the Dragon. The dragon holds a special place in Chinese culture, representing power, strength, and good fortune, and brands have started to announce their dragon-themed watches. Among these, Chopard had just unveiled the latest addition to its Chinese Zodiac co..................
2023-12-14 More
After a career in financial technology, the Festa-Bianchet couple embarked on a new entrepreneurial project driven by their passion and desire to create their own watches. As evident from their inaugural timepiece, the B 1.618 Openwork, they have specialized in crafting ultra-modern tourbillons, with the number 1.618 serving as a reference to the g..................
2023-12-14 More
What happens when you put a reputable watch designer, a veteran industry mover and shaker and a renowned collector in the same room? The answer is Kollokium, a new project-based platform that is going to stir things up on the watch scene. Boldly stating that Kollokium is not a brand, the platform founded by Manuel Emch, Barth Nussbaumer and Amr Sin..................
2023-12-14 More