Watches NEWS
Recap - MONOCHROME's 10 Most Read Reviews of the Year 2021
The end of the year is near, and we’ll soon be turning the page on 2021, a year of transition and (again) unexpected things. Sure, it was better than 2020 and its constant ups and downs, and sure it has been a great year for MONOCHROME, with the launch of two Montres de Souscription (with Habring2 and Czapek), the addition of new members to the team, and probably the most articles published in a single year. Indeed, we published over 1,100 articles this year (not counting the remaining days of 2021), and it’s time for us to have a look at what were your ten favourite articles of 2021.Thank you all for reading MONOCHROME, commenting, and sharing your passion for watches with us.10 – Audemars Piguet x Marvel Royal Oak Concept Black PantherIt’s not really a surprise to see this watch making it to the top 10. It certainly was one of the most discussed watches of the year. And rightfully so, since the result of the collaboration between Audemars Piguet and Marvel, a
Omega and the PloProf Research Programme - Innovation in Professional Dive watches (incl. Pioneering use of 904L Steel for Watches) - Monochrome Watches
By the early 1940s, Emile Gagnan and Jacques-Yves Cousteau’s Aqualung - the first commercially successful self-contained underwater breathing apparatus (a.k.a Scuba)-? had become a worldwide phenomenon. Along with the growing popularity of recreational diving, the needs of military and professional divers underscored the paramount importance of reliable sub-aquatic instruments. The first modern dive watches appeared in the early 1950s with the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms, the Zodiac Sea Wolf or the Submariner. Developed in 1953, the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms is often regarded as the archetype of the dive watch: a robust, highly legible watch, water-resistant to great depths (91 meters, in this instance) and equipped with a unidirectional rotating bezel to time dives.The development of deep-sea saturation divingHowever, the development of deep-sea saturation diving soon made even higher performing tools necessary – quite simply because professional dive watches had to adapt to t
IWC Big Pilot 43 TOP GUN Edition Woodland IW329802 - Hands-On, Price
This year’s theme at Watches and Wonders for IWC was “The Colours of Top Gun“, translated into timepieces in coloured ceramics. From a dark grey Ceratanium model to bold editions of the Pilot’s Chronograph in green or white ceramic, there was a clear intention to bring something new and fresh to the collection, following in the footsteps of the Mojave Desert theme of? 2019. However, another green ceramic “Woodland” model was discreetly unveiled during the Geneva fair?based on the not-so-big Big Pilot’s Watch 43. Here’s the new IWC Big Pilot 43 TOP GUN Edition Woodland IW329802.Launched last year during the digital edition of Watches and Wonders, the IWC Big Pilot 43 is the brand’s answer to those wanting a clean, ultra-focused, slightly oversized pilot’s watch, yet without the hassle of the classic BP with its massive case and more complex movement – meaning a higher price tag. This vision was debated amongst BP fans, wh
Hot off the presses: Printed watches by ALB Watches - Monochrome Watches
It is time to make a confession. Even though we at Monochrome are highly passionate about fine timepieces and craftsmanship in general, we think about the future of watchmaking too. The future, whether it be smart-watches, cutting edge materials, application of never-before seen technologies or simply new and ingenious complications; we try to take everything in consideration. Even something as unexpected but very today' as 3D-printing, although we are not unbiased to all of this.We briefly touched – or actually predicted – the subject of printed watches or parts a couple of years ago but we've never really seen anything interesting enough to cover since. There have been some intriguing projects since we first mentioned it, including a 3d printed Tourbillon escapement by Nicholas Manousos (albeit in a 1000% magnified scale), including a free sprung balance and a symmetrical Co-Axial escapement. Promising stuff, but nothing for the wrist unfortunately. The people of ALB Watc
Introducing: The Colourful, Sleeker Oris Big Crown Pointer Date Calibre 403
The Big Crown Pointer Date, an important piece in the history of Oris since 1938, has lived through various iterations over the years, evolving with the times to introduce changes and improvements but always faithful to the spirit of the original. In 2021, Oris introduced a 38mm Big Crown Pointer Date model powered by calibre 403, an in-house developed automatic movement with solid resistance to magnetism, five-day power reserve and a ten-year warranty. The diameter was a departure from the 40mm standard. Also gone was the classic coin-edged bezel, which was replaced with a flat polished bezel. This year, Oris brings characteristics and elements of the 2021 design to the primary collection, with two watches featuring earthy dial colours.The new Oris Big Crown Pointer Date Calibre 403 references come in a 40mm diameter, 47.5mm lug-to-lug, multi-piece stainless steel case with a flat polished bezel – some will like the fresher, more modern look, while some will miss the retro charm
[Rating:(5 / 5 stars)]
