The Flexure Revolution, Compliant Mechanisms applied to Watchmaking - Monochrome Watches
In mechanical engineering, compliant mechanisms (monolithic or joint-less structures) are flexible mechanisms that transfer an input force or displacement to another point through elastic body deformation, using the elastic properties of matter to affect the motion of mechanical components. These monolithic, compact and precise components replace several mechanically assembled parts. The absence of mechanical coupling eliminates contact, play, friction, wear, lubrication or dispersions.Compliant mechanisms have been used for decades in different fields or industries. In particular, robotics, medical or aerospace have been using such mechanisms for some 50 years now. However, the rapid growth in their applications in watchmaking is rather new. Somehow, watchmakers had made very little use of flexure until very recently. But they have now realized the amazing potential there. Compliant mechanisms offer undisputable advantages, in term of reliability and performance and as such can be a g

Silicon and the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Skyfall - Monochrome Watches
The title of the article could easily refer to a new material that James Bond is trying to locate before the world will be distroyed by an evil villian using that material. However that isn’t the case. The increased use of silicon in watches is?subject?of attention in this article. Omega’s latest release is the Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M Skyfall, that we already told you about in June of this year, features a silicon escapement. By the way, last weekend?this very watch that Daniel Craig wore during the shooting of the movie Skyfall,?has?just been?auctioned by Christies for no less then ¡ê 157,250 GBP! Ad - Scroll to continue with article Of course we already told you that?Omega uses an escapement with?an Si14 balance spring and balance. Omega isn’t the only one that sees the advantages of silicon, however they seem the only one to offer a four-

Introducing the Richard Mille RM 63-02 World Timer Automatic (specs & price) - Monochrome-Watches
That’s something we are used to tell you: world timers are certainly the most practical watches around. In our actual way of life, having on your wrist and in a glance the time of the major cities around the world is extremely convenient, especially for frequent travelers and for people working in international environment. So what is it about to mix this complication with a watch from Richard Mille? We had a clue 2 years ago, with the RM 58-01 Tourbillon World Timer (a very complicated and expensive one…) but it’s now time to have some new trails, with the (slightly) simpler?Richard Mille RM 63-02 World Timer Automatic.Unlike the majority of the watches manufactured by the brand, the?Richard Mille RM 63-02 World Timer Automatic is a round watch – when most RM watches features the now iconic tonneau shape. However, it doesn’t prevent this novelty to feel like the rest of the collection, meaning being a “racing machine on the wrist“. The new?RM

Interview - Talking to Alessandro Ficarelli of Panerai
When I received the invitation to join Panerai for a rather special experience in the south of Italy a couple of months ago, I didn’t think much of it. I expected to have just another well-organised hands-on experience with a luxury watch company and enjoy my time on the Mediterranean coast. But once I received the program for the two days in and around Brindisi, followed by an 8-week training regime, I understood this was more than just some days of fun in the sun. This was, in fact, an all-in Forze Speciali Experience with the Brigata San Marco in Brindisi, Italy. During this event, we were engulfed in full-on tactical combat training by the legendary Marina Militare, the Italian Navy with strong historical ties to Panerai. A unique experience for sure, and one that followed be endured by up to 50 Panerai clients who bought the Panerai Submersible Forze Speciali Experience PAM01238. It also presented a perfect opportunity to sit down and chat with Allessandro Ficarelli, Chief M

TAG Heuer Monaco 55 - Monochrome Watches
TAG Heuer and the Porsche Club of America launch the Monaco 55, a very limited collector's edition.Last month i wrote about my first ‘love’ in watches, my Heuer Autavia. However?the first mechanical watch i ever seriously took a looked at, was a TAG Heuer Monaco, which is still one of my favorites. When i heard TAG Heuer released a (very) limited edition Monaco to celebrate the 55th anniversary of Porsche Club of America (PCA) i was surprised, because TAG Heuer does not makes a habit of such limited editions.The Monaco 55 shows some design elements we know from Monaco?Vintage Limited Edition, TAG Heuer released in tribute to the Porsche-Gulf 917k race car in the movie Le Mans. Ad - Scroll to continue with article It’s of course no secret anymore (ahum) that Steve McQueen wore a Heuer Monaco in the movie Le Mans. Steve McQueen’s friend Jo