Today, we’re not going to do a regular “Monochrome-Style” review, detailing every element of a watch or dissecting every technical feature. Instead, we’re going to do something “for the sake of watchmaking“, for the beauty of an art – because, at a certain point, I think we can move to another level and tal.................. 2017-07-26 More

The summer is here. That means our thoughts turn to the seaside, sunshine, heatwave, mojitos, yacht deck, beach parties… and of course, what watch to wear this summer? You probably don’t want to take your treasured extra-flat, gold perpetual calendar watch out there. So, you’d likely be leaning towards some kind of dive watch, as .................. 2017-07-25 More

One of the great things about the Only Watch biennial charity auction is that it’s not exclusive to big names only, such as Patek or Tudor.?There are many more watch companies, including some of the very best independent watchmakers who also step up to donate one unique, purpose-built timepiece to help fund research on Duchenne muscular dystr.................. 2017-07-25 More

Over the last few years, A. Lange & Sohne has been making its popular 1815 collection more of a focus, introducing several exceptional models, like the insane Tourbograph Perpetual Pour le Merite unveiled at SIHH 2017. While that model may have stolen the spotlight (and with good reason), today we're giving some much needed hands-on attention t.................. 2017-07-24 More

Earlier this year, prior to Baselworld 2017, Oris introduced a facelifted version of its most emblematic watch, the Aquis. More refined, better executed, more modern and of course still perfectly suitable as a professional dive watch… It seems that tool-watch lovers appreciated this new design, and so the entire Aquis collection is now going .................. 2017-07-24 More

If you are a regular visitor to our pages, it’s not a stretch to suggest that, like us, you have a sheer passion for all things?related to watches. Yet, as passionate as we are by the watchmaking world, most of us here share a love for something else, and yes, they are mechanical too: cars. Thus, when I received an invite from Montblanc to sp.................. 2017-07-22 More

McLaren: the winningest (is that a word?) constructor in Formula 1 after Ferrari, the second longest running team in the sport (with a continuous participation since 1966), producer of many memorable cars, host of legendary driver line-ups, and delivering championship contending cars through most of their history. Hitting a dry spell since 2015 tho.................. 2017-07-21 More

After two years of consecutive decline and an overall negative mood over the watchmaking industry, it seems that 2017 could be the pivotal year for the watch segment – at least for Swatch Group, as we have seen that Richemont Group 2016-2017 results were showing again a decline. In its?Half-Year Report 2017, Swatch Group contains a number pos.................. 2017-07-21 More

While the main focus of Monochrome-Watches will clearly remain high-end watches, we also know that some of you, readers, can't afford these superb yet pricy timepieces. This is why, from time to time, we also take a look at the other side of the range, with affordable options. Kickstarter, the crowdfunding tool, is full of watchmaking projects. Now.................. 2017-07-21 More

When you think Jaquet Droz, you usually have in mind the image of a sleek and elegant watch, characterized by the 8-shaped display of the dial. Most of their collections are on the dressy side, however, it is hard for a mainstream brand to ignore opportunities such as the sports-watch market. But… How to mix the refined and signature display .................. 2017-07-20 More

While the Only Watch charity auction usually presents unique pieces in order to raise funds to help research on?Duchenne muscular dystrophy, this year some brands are going a few steps further by not only having unique watches?but also offering, in the package, special?experiences (such as Bell & Ross, Carl F. Bucherer and Blancpain). This is a.................. 2017-07-18 More

Steel and gold, or often referred to as “Two-Tone” has been a no-go for a long time. I was very surprised when Tudor presented us with a two-tone version of their much praised Black Bay, at the Baselworld watch fair earlier this year. The Tudor Black Bay is?one of the most popular watches of the last 5 years, ever since it was introduce.................. 2017-07-18 More

Three years ago, two men decided to launch?a book which provided an unprecedented level of information, entirely focussed on an iconic watch. Their names: Gregoire Rossier and Anthony Marquie. The watch in question: The Omega Speedmaster “Moonwatch”. The book: Moonwatch Only. This example of an encyclopedia?quickly became the ultimate r.................. 2017-07-16 More

Never before has a watch brand taken over the entirety of the historic bank building that today houses Cipriani 42nd Street for an entire month, let alone build an entire two-story building inside the cavernous hall. Patek Philippe, however, did exactly that – and so much more. July 13 marked the opening of the 10-day long exhibition called P.................. 2017-07-15 More

In the past months, there have been some massive shakeups at Richemont (Compagnie Financiere Richemont SA), which abolished the role of CEO,? and appointed IWC's Georges Kern as Head of Watchmaking and Montblanc's Jer?me Lambert as Head of Operations. A few weeks later came the “Big?Reshuffle”, with 4 CEOs (Jaeger-LeCoultre, Vacheron Co.................. 2017-07-14 More

For its 2017?edition, the biennial Only Watch event has been attracting more and more brands, keen to participate in?this charity auction. Absent from the previous two editions, Audemars Piguet makes its return to?the long list of manufactures, with a unique piece based on its?impressive?Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Black Ceramic. E.................. 2017-07-11 More

In the world of watches, it’s become de rigeur?to have watches “placed” in movies (and?sometimes, it’s a bit more than just that). It’s a practice known as?“product placement” and, in certain measures, it seems to help selling watches (do you feel the irony here…?) However, the story here is much cool.................. 2017-07-10 More

Well, this is a big one, and I feel humbled to announce that non-other than esteemed watch journalist Roberta Naas is joining Monochrome-Watches. Having such an experienced journalist, who has been covering the world of watches since the early 1980s, is a real coup. She's got more than thirty years in the industry and has written a half a dozen boo.................. 2017-07-07 More

Earlier this year we told you about the TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer-01 Full Black Matt Ceramic, which made its debut at the 2017 edition of the Geneva Watch Fair. Now that the madness of the first half of the year is starting to subside, we thought this a perfect time to come back and give this watch a proper hands-on review.The first thing you notice .................. 2017-07-06 More

Smartwatches; what to do with them? Embrace them? Bann them entirely? Or, perhaps, if you are positive, try and adapt it into your (haute) horology lifestyle? If you have been following us for the last few years, you might recall that we have always been highly skeptical towards the smart revolution in watchmaking. We have yet to stumble upon a pro.................. 2017-07-05 More

The James Bond 007 and Omega Watches connection really doesn’t require?another explanation – although?if you do need to know more about it, check our in-depth article. For more than?20 years, the Swiss watchmaker has supplied?the world’s most famous secret agent with his Seamaster watches, and managed to give?this accessory an imp.................. 2017-07-05 More

Only Watch 2017, the biennial charity auction, just unveiled its highly?special?pieces… and because we know that many of you will ask for it, here is the big one, the unique, titanium Patek Philippe 5208T, made for the 7th edition of Only Watch.Following on from?the Steel?5016A-010 Minute Repeater Tourbillon Perpetual Calendar made for the 20.................. 2017-07-05 More

Let’s be honest, the unique Patek and F.P.Journe for Only Watch 2017 we’ve just introduced to you earlier today are indeed really important?pieces… But let’s not forget the brand that surprised everyone back in 2015, with a watch that sold for multiples of?its pre-sale estimate: Tudor. For the 7th Edition of the charity auct.................. 2017-07-05 More

After the unique Patek Philippe 5208T for Only Watch 2017 we’ve just introduced to?you, you might think that you’ve seen the best of the upcoming charity auction… but you’d be wrong, as?F.P.Journe will have a unique?Chronographe Monopoussoir Rattrapante (the first split-seconds he has ever created), with the usual tantalum /.................. 2017-07-05 More

Neither of them need an introduction. On one side is the most famous special agent in the world. On the other side is one of the most respected Swiss watch brands. And their collaboration is as explosive as the movies. While in most films, watches only make?short screen appearances, with James Bond 007, this accessory has gained a totally different.................. 2017-07-04 More

Slate grey and pink gold is a combination that definitely works. Warm, contrasted and highly elegant, this is no surprises that a brand such as Vacheron Constantin, not shy?in creating elegant watches, already chose this color scheme in the past. Yet, today, they are pushing it a few steps further, as the?Traditionnelle Collection receives the slat.................. 2017-07-04 More

Bulgari celebrates its Roman heritage once again with a new secret watch. The culture, art, architecture and history of Rome has been a source of inspiration for the Maison's designers for years, who are always seeking out modern ways to reimagine this classic legacy. Today, the superb?Bulgari Octo Finissimo Tourbillon receives a special treatment,.................. 2017-07-03 More

Long known for its iconic Serpenti watch, Bulgari continues to evolve the collection, regularly infusing it with innovation and elegance. This week in Venice, the Italian house of Bulgari unveiled its stunning new high-jewelry and watch collections. Among them: the Serpenti Seduttori watch. Inspired by the brand's legendary Serpenti watch, the new .................. 2017-07-01 More

Ulysse Nardin’s history has been founded on Marine roots, as for over a century, the brand has been one of the main providers of Marine Chronometers. Since a few months, we’ve?seen some extremely pleasant?evolutions of the collections: new and more subtle?designs, slightly?vintage inspiration, easily?wearable watches. With this in mind,.................. 2017-06-30 More

The idea sprouted some 40 years ago?in the genius mind of a British master craftsman, who worked his way up to become one of the greatest watchmakers of the 20th century. Following numerous attempts to find an escapement that would perform better than the century-old lever escapement, George Daniels eventually designed the “Co-Axial” es.................. 2017-06-30 More

IWC has been on a vintage-inspired tear for?quite a few months now. Following?the introduction of an entirely new Ingenieur collection, based on the original 1960s style, and?a 2017 Da Vinci Collection that is based on the original 1980s design, the Schaffhausen-based brand is now operating on its much-praised Pilot’s Watch, with a new editio.................. 2017-06-28 More

Sports watches have a certain appeal, a?definitive coolness that makes them desirable. Yet, there?comes a?time?in your life, when?only owning these types of?timepieces is no?longer appropriate. At a certain point, every gentleman needs an elegant dress watch. However, while the need and the desire is present, the same cannot always be said?for the .................. 2017-06-26 More

Since its launch?in 2003, the?Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra has become a cornerstone collection for Omega. Indeed, it is an entry-level watch, and yet it includes most of the brand’s recent technologies. Plus, it is?a?bit of an all-rounder, being sporty, but not a sports watch. It is also a?watch focused on the essentials and a nice representati.................. 2017-06-26 More

Vintage is one of the biggest trends these days… Really, what a piece of news! We all know that brands have been?widely surfing on the vintage / heritage / reissue trend?for over 10 years now. However, in the middle of the dozens of vintage-inspired watches launched every year, there are some good ones, ones you really need to consider. Here .................. 2017-06-24 More

Over the last few years, IWC has been steadily re-positioning its various collections in a decidedly upward direction. Most notably, the Portugieser has moved up a few rungs on the price list, whilst the Portifino now occupies the space this move created. Although at first this may not seem like great news for your wallet, it has resulted in the in.................. 2017-06-23 More

A bit of French pride for today… Indeed, as some of you might know, I’m French and what Oris is releasing today somehow resonates?with me. Based on the military roots of the brand, which is represented by the?Oris Big Crown collection, Oris?is introducing a limited edition watch made to honor the crew of the aircraft carrier Charles de .................. 2017-06-22 More

World first - Krayon, a movement design engineering studio based in Neuchatel, unveils Everywhere, the first mechanical wristwatch to be able to calculate and display the sunrise and sunset times everywhere on the globe. Like many simple, good ideas this is easier said than done. We take a look at this highly impressive mechanical calculator, which.................. 2017-06-20 More

Renault came into Formula 1 with a bang, which is to be taken quite literally. At a time where the rulebook seemed virtually limitless, the French manufacturer brought turbocharging into the mix. Fueled by an insatiable hunger for power, combined with ground effects aerodynamics and just about the most daring drivers Formula 1 has ever seen, the co.................. 2017-06-16 More

Recently I had the good fortune to travel with Ulysse Nardin to Bermuda, to get a taste of the Americas Cup and get to know the folks of the Artemis Racing Team – who are sponsored by the Le Locle-based watch brand. During that trip I borrowed?the Ulysse Nardin Classic Dual Time Boutique Edition, and over the course of the days there, I found.................. 2017-06-15 More

At the SIHH 2017, Cartier introduced a watch that I considered a hit (this remains of course very personal), the Drive de Cartier Extra Flat. Slim, refined, elegant, perfectly proportioned, featuring a nice engine… Still, this watch might be problematic for some. Obvious reason: its price. (It’s only available in gold.) Then, it might b.................. 2017-06-15 More