A. Lange & Sohne Datograph Up Down - REVIEW with exclusive photos, price and specs - Monochrome Watches
Last year we had the distinct pleasure to review the A. Lange & Sohne Double Split; arguably the most beautiful chronograph movement on the market today. As a follow-up we're reviewing its little brother, the A. Lange & Sohne Datograph Up Down, that also has a stunning movement and features an added large date. The A. Lange & Sohne Datograph is one of the icons of modern watchmaking. And it has only been on the market since 1999! Let's find out what contributes to this almost instant success.This year it has been 15 years since the first generation Datograph was introduced, and two years ago, in 2012, the Dato (as it's lovingly referred to by collectors) was slightly redesigned. The Roman numerals have made place for baton hour markers, the case has been enlarged from 39mm to 41mm, and it now offers 60 hours of autonomy when fully wound (that's 24 hours more than on the previous generation.) Although the visual changes might seem almost insignificant, the new generation Dat

Introducing the Chopard Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph French LE
The connection between classic cars and Chopard isn't to be demonstrated anymore. Beyond the brand's co-CEO passion for vintage automobiles, the brand has been associated with the emblematic Mille Miglia race since 1988. In the frame of this partnership, Chopard developed a dedicated collection of racing chronographs, with now 35 years of history under the hood. Now, in the context of one of the largest classic car shows in Europe, Retromobile, Chopard presents its latest creation, the Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph French Limited Edition. The Mille Miglia, an iconic open-road endurance race spanning approximately 1,500km from Brescia to Rome and back, was established in 1927 by Count Mazzotti and Count Maggi. Legend has it that their dissatisfaction with the relocation of the Italian Grand Prix from Brescia to Monza spurred the inception of this legendary event. In 1988, Chopard lent its support to the revived (since 1977) Mille Miglia race for cars constructe

LVMH First Quarter 2020 Results Show Declining Sales, But Still Relative Resilience - Monochrome Watches
As a first reliable indicator of the impact of COVID-19 on the luxury industry, the French powerhouse and market leader, LVMH has just announced its results for the first quarter of 2020. A period that accounts for the first weeks of lockdown and closed shops, both for the Asian and European markets. With sales down 15% compared to the same period in 2019, there’s no denying the impact, although the portfolio of brands still shows “its ability to be resilient in an economic environment disrupted by a serious health crisis.” However, disparities exist within the business groups.With the confinement rules applied first in China (as of mid-January), one of LVMH’s major markets, followed by the same policies in Europe (as of mid-March) and in multiple countries over the world, combined with the closure of stores and manufacturing sites in most countries and suspension of international travel, we were expecting sales of the LVMH Group to be dramatically impacted. Wit

Hands-On: The Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8
Last Tuesday (of course), Omega presented its latest Speedmaster model, the Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8. As an updated version of an existing model, the watch felt highly familiar at first sight. Presented in 2018 to celebrate the 50th anniversary of the mission that first observed the other side of our satellite (and also the first human spaceflight to reach the Moon…), this DSOTM Apollo 8 was characterized by its lunar texture on both sides and its bold black and yellow colour scheme. With the new model, it seems that not much has changed, apart from a seconds hand shaped like Saturn V and an updated movement. But is it really that simple? Let’s dive into the details.?Quick recap New movement – calibre 3869, based on the calibre 3861 with Co-Axial escapement, silicon hairspring and Master Chronometer certification Slightly reshaped case, still at 44.25mm in diameter, but 0.8mm thinner New bezel without SLN but with tachymeter scale in enamel Better-de

Baselworld 2018 - Omega Seamaster 1948 Limited Editions 70th Anniversary Models (Specs & price)
In 1948, Omega created its first family of watches, the Seamaster – a collection that has gone on to become one of the cornerstones of Omega Watches, a collection comprising most of the diving instruments the brand has created so far. If our calculations are right (and they are) the Seamaster collection is celebrating its 70th anniversary this year and, paying tribute to this important milestone, Omega has decided to treat us to two new watches, deeply inspired by the two first Seamaster watches. Meet the Baselworld 2018 Omega Seamaster 1948 Limited Editions.The story behind the Seamaster collection is strongly linked to military watches.?Between 1940 and 1945, OMEGA delivered more than 110,000 timepieces to the British Ministry of Defence (MoD) for use within the Royal Air Force and its other branches. These watches were valued for their precision,?water-resistance and reliability in combat. The end of the war left Omega with great knowledge and experience in manufacturing preci