2020 has been a difficult year for the Swiss watch industry, and for the entire luxury market. As we reported recently, the industry has had to face its steepest decline since 2009, with exports plummeting 21.8% in value, below the level of 2011. Certainly, the COVID-19 pandemic has had a strong impact on the watch industry. However, there was more.................. 2021-03-09 More

“There is no function without design and there is no design without function…” This is how Fortis, a brand?best-known for crafting rugged, functional pilot’s watches, set the tone when introducing its new, fully reimagined Flieger collection last year. Since 1987, the Fortis?Flieger collection has been a reference for pilot .................. 2021-03-07 More

The trend for 1970s-inspired sports watches with integrated bracelet doesn’t seem to slow down. In fact, multiple brands are entering the race, whether in the entry-level segment or all the way up in haute horlogerie. One of the latest contenders in this very highly prolific segment is coming from Tissot, with the PRX watch. While already pre.................. 2021-03-04 More

Louis Erard, the independent Swiss brand with a tradition of accessible luxury, has gained considerable traction in the past couple of years. One of the brand's strategies to gain visibility for its Excellence collection was to invite designers Alain Silberstein and Eric Giroud, and even watchmaker Vianney Halter, to reinterpret the traditional reg.................. 2021-03-04 More

Back in the mid-1990s, the watch industry was very different from what it is today and mechanical watchmaking was still in its renaissance. Very few watch brands actually manufactured movements in-house, and even fewer brands had the ability or industrial capacity to reimagine the escapement and the oscillator, together called the regulating organ .................. 2021-03-03 More

Coinciding with the thirtieth anniversary of the revival of A. Lange & Sohne, a new argente version of the Saxonia Outsize Date was released in December 2020 to sit alongside the existing black dial models of 2018. Identical in specifications to the 2018 Outsize Date, the novelty here was a new silvery-coloured dial. What might have been interp.................. 2021-03-02 More

While the Speedmaster remains Omega’s most successful watch, specifically since the renewal of the collection recently, the other important pillar in the collection if, of course, the Seamaster. Past years have seen the brand focusing mostly on the Diver 300M. Yet, there’s another dive watch that deserves some attention, an even more po.................. 2021-03-01 More

The Aikon is Maurice Lacroix's interpretation of the luxury sports watch, a collection of watches with a solid build, a distinctive style and refreshingly competitive prices. Introduced in 2016 with quartz movements, in 2018, an automatic Aikon model appeared, followed by a bolder and sportier iteration known as the Aikon Venturer. With its 43mm ca.................. 2021-02-25 More

In March 2020, Grand Seiko celebrated the 60th anniversary of its foundation by introducing a newly designed watch featuring a cutting-edge?and advanced movement, the Hi-Beat Calibre 9SA5 with multiple innovations, such as the novel Dual Impulse escapement. First presented in a gold case, followed by?a limited edition in steel, and a few weeks ago .................. 2021-02-25 More

It is rather surprising to see how some items have gained cult status years after their discontinuation, while when they were widely available, almost no one dared to pay attention to them… There are, of course, watches that have been overlooked before they shoot to unexpected fame. One such model is the 1994 “IWC Fliegerchronograph Ker.................. 2021-02-25 More

Except if absent from the surface of the Earth for the last couple of months, all watch enthusiasts are now aware of the fact that Omega has launched a new version of its all-time classic chronograph, the Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional. More than just a basic update, the brand has changed almost everything in this 2021 edition but since we̵.................. 2021-02-24 More

About 6 months ago, Omega announced the renewal of its role as the official timekeeper of the America's Cup, with the 36th edition to be held in Auckland, New Zealand, from the 6th to the 21st of March 2021. Coincidentally, the brand also released a special edition watch, based on the Seamaster Planet Ocean 600m. Today, as we’re getting close.................. 2021-02-22 More

Rado is synonymous with trendy design-led watches and high-tech ceramic, a material the brand has been playing with since the 1990s. Last year Rado introduced the True Square Automatic, a slinky, smooth, high-tech ceramic model with openworked and regular dials. For 2021, Rado introduces a subtle colour variation on the openworked model, now with s.................. 2021-02-22 More

Some of you might not know about it but Girard-Perregaux's link with the automotive world has been long-lasting. Following this tradition, the La Chaux-de-Fonds-based haute horlogerie manufacturer has just announced a new partnership with one of the most respected brands in the car industry, Aston Martin. MONOCHROME talks to Patrick Pruniaux, Girar.................. 2021-02-22 More

Certainly, we’re only halfway through February, so it’s a bit too early to call the best watches of the year… just a bit! However, it’s only been two months and brands have presented more than just minor models. In fact, following several months of slow launch calendars, most of the watch manufactures have woken up and some .................. 2021-02-21 More

Today I’m talking with long-time friend Fran?ois-Xavier Overstake, aka @equationdutemps. This is not just his Instagram handle, but also the name of his blog about watches, which is probably one of the most important French publications on watches. Besides running his own blog, Francois-Xavier is a moderator on Watchprosite, a large watch for.................. 2021-02-19 More

The genius and madness are separated by a very thin line. Weirdos and rebels, people who are different enough, crazy enough, are the ones who change the world. In that respect, the Ulysse Nardin Freak could not be more aptly named. This innovative, disruptive avant-garde masterpiece smashed all conventions and simply changed what's on our wrist tod.................. 2021-02-19 More

If watch brands are proudly trumpeting their watchmaking expertise and manufacturing capabilities, suppliers don't always get the credit they deserve. Today we are taking a look at Timeless, a movement manufacturer that just hired two well-known industry veterans, Pierre Favre and Dominique Renaud. A good reason to make us think that we'll be heari.................. 2021-02-17 More

Whale sharks, the gentle giants of the ocean that can measure the length of a school bus, were classified as an endangered species by the International Union for Conservation of Nature (IUCN) in 2016. Illegal fishing, collisions with boats and entrapment in fishing gear are decimating the population of whale sharks. Despite their enormous dimension.................. 2021-02-16 More

Today, Porsche (the car manufacturer) has just unveiled the latest generation of its track-ready sports car, the new 911 GT3 – 992 generation. Once again an extremely capable track-oriented car, it will certainly be pure adrenaline behind the wheel. To coincide with this launch, sister-company Porsche Design has transferred the thrill of high.................. 2021-02-16 More

It is the solidity and accessibility of the Longines HydroConquest watch that lends itself as such a useful tool for amateur and professional divers. That said, the robust yet classically designed watches from this collection are more than at ease on dry land too. The Saint-Imier-based manufacturer first launched the HydroConquest watch in 2007 but.................. 2021-02-15 More

Omega's Speedmaster Moonwatch has exerted its gravitational pull on earthlings for over half a century converting Omega's robust chronograph into a living icon. For countless fans of the Speedmaster, Omega's announcement in 2019 that it would be resuscitating its legendary Calibre 321 was as exciting as the Moon landing. The first watch graced with.................. 2021-02-14 More

American car culture can be a weird thing sometimes, incomparable to other cultures. It is an endless source of interesting stories and cars. It might not be to everyone's liking as there's a wide range of styles and followings. This week we take a look at two stories by two leading manufacturers displaying their skill and know-how in new technolog.................. 2021-02-13 More

Back in March 2020, Grand Seiko was celebrating its 60th anniversary and, in addition to expected special edition watches, the brand struck hard by presenting a fascinating movement, the Hi-Beat Calibre 9SA5 with multiple innovations, such as the novel Dual Impulse escapement. First presented in a gold case, followed by a limited edition in steel, .................. 2021-02-12 More

To be fair, the Longines DolceVita has never been the most appealing watch of the brand. Sure, it is elegant and certainly well executed, but its rectangular case and “Cartier-esque” dials could never really compete with the attractiveness of the Heritage collection. It is one of those collections that is simply overlooked by the watch .................. 2021-02-12 More

I guess at MONOCHROME we do not have to tell you about cultural differences; however, there’s one that stands out for people who are passionate about horology and wristwatches in particular. Watch collectors uniting in a club-like manor is something that did not happen, or hardly, in mainland Europe. Most European watch collectors prefer to f.................. 2021-02-12 More

Patek Philippe introduces two new automatic models in its recently revamped Twenty~4 women's collection. In 2018, Patek Philippe overhauled its Twenty~4 collection from head to toe. Introducing 36mm round cases to sit alongside its rectangular-shaped siblings, the feature that thrilled many of us was the inclusion of a mechanical movement. More in .................. 2021-02-10 More

Most readers of MONOCHROME are well aware that Patek Philippe’s most desirable (sought-after) model, the classic time-and-date stainless steel Nautilus 5711, will be discontinued in a few months. While the brand didn’t officially communicate anything on this topic yet (it was known through the indiscretion of a retailer), Patek’s .................. 2021-02-10 More

The Longines Legend Diver needs little introduction. Indeed, it might well be the most emblematic watch from the winged-hourglass brand's Heritage collection. Based on a historically important “compressor” dive watch from the 1960s, the brand introduced a faithful re-edition back in 2007, and this watch, available in multiple editions, .................. 2021-02-10 More

Wilhelm Schmid has been ten years with the brand that ‘never stands still’. After a career at BMW, among others in South Africa, he arrived in Glashutte to be the new CEO at A. Lange & Sohne, the pinnacle of German watchmaking. With a background in sales and a strong passion for mechanics, it seemed like a match made in heaven. Wilh.................. 2021-02-09 More

The?Avigation BigEye is one of those great Heritage Longines watches that pay tribute to the rich aviation past of the brand. Launched in 2017 in steel with a black dial, it was modelled after an elusive 1930s watch with quite a resemblance with some glorious post-WWII pilot’s chronograph too. Also, as indicated by its name, the watch was cha.................. 2021-02-09 More

With a continuous production of almost 200 years (founded 1832), Longines is one of the Swiss watch brands with the richest history. No wonder by its Heritage collection is filled with some of the coolest vintage-inspired watches currently on the market. The brand is a specialist of the genre, bringing retro-styled watches with modern features and .................. 2021-02-08 More

Ultra-thin is a truly fascinating area of watchmaking. Ultra-thin is the child of miniaturization, which has always been one of the watchmakers’ goals. Ultra-thin is where design and mechanics meet, where the ingenuity of the watchmaker isn’t guided by the need to pack more and more functions, but by the wish to make the watch as elegan.................. 2021-02-07 More

It’s not often that a woman is the interviewee in our Collector’s Series, but today Lung Lung Thun is star of the show!?Lung Lung Thun is a 31-year-old securities broker with her own business, working in Hong Kong and Singapore. When she walked past an Audemars Piguet Boutique in Singapore in 2010, looking for her next watch after comin.................. 2021-02-05 More

We've said it repeatedly, but cars and mechanical watches are a natural match. The dedication to precision and fine mechanics, the passion they arouse, and the fact that many car enthusiasts are also watch aficionados (and vice versa) have made collaborations between watch manufactures and car brands a classic cocktail of our industry. But not all .................. 2021-02-05 More

Habring2 is a brand that is special on many levels. Not only is it one of the rare manufactures to produce mechanical watches in Austria, but it is also the shared vision of a couple, Maria and Richard, some of the most pleasant and passionate people we know. And of course, the independent watchmaker is also known for making cool, finely crafted an.................. 2021-02-04 More

A couple of weeks ago, we explored the comeback of a niche but cult brand specialised in instrument watches, Nivada Grenchen. Mostly known for its Chronomaster watch, also known as the “Super Chronograph” due to its combination of features, a look at the history of the brand reveals far more fascinating watches, pioneers in their own ri.................. 2021-02-04 More

The alliance between TAG Heuer and Porsche is the culmination of a fascinating and entwined history marked by an obsession with speed and motorsports. Envisioned as a collaboration ranging from competition to product development, the partnership between the two powerhouses is celebrated with a 44mm TAG Heuer Carrera Porsche Chronograph. For many, t.................. 2021-02-04 More

Omega and the Olympic Games share a long-lasting love story. The Biel-based brand first provided its timing instruments to the games back in 1932, in Los Angeles. Since then, Omega has been the official timekeeper of both Summer and Winter Games, having participated in 29 editions. While the 2020 edition of the Olympic Summer Games has been postpon.................. 2021-02-03 More

It is no secret that Bell & Ross has a long history of military-inspired watches. From the earliest days of the brand, Belamich and Rosillo have made clear that pilots and their instruments were the foundation of the design behind most B&R models – such as the iconic BR 01. So much that these watches will end up on the wrists multiple.................. 2021-02-02 More