Weekly Watch Photo - A. Lange & Sohne Zeitwerk Handwerkskunst - Monochrome Watches
Some weeks ago A. Lange & Sohne unveiled what in my eyes is the most beautiful timepiece in the current collection. It’s a special limited edition?of the Zeitwerk ‘Handwerkskunst’.In my opinion?the Lange Zeitwerk, that was released?late 2009,?is one of the most desirable timepieces available on the market today.? This new version with a hand frosted black-rhodium white gold dial, somehow perfected the looks of the Zeitwerk even more. Ad - Scroll to continue with article The white gold dial has been black rhodium finished, something rare as usually rhodium finish is used to make metals (mostly white gold) look more shiny and white. The frosting is also something very rare and can only be found on a hand-full of watches. I know Peter Speake-Marin did several commissioned pieces with a hand-frosted dial, Kari Voutilainen’s Minute Repeate

Brice Goulard's Top 10 of the SIHH 2017
First one to pull the trigger was Xavier, with his Top 10 watches of the SIHH 2017. It was not fair to leave that task to him only, so I had to do the job too. Still, picking up my 10 favorite pieces of the Geneva-based fair was not easy. Not that there was not enough material this year – we’ve seen many interesting propositions, both dream-watches or more commercial offers – but it’s always difficult to set barriers. Whatever, here they are, my 10 favorite watches of the SIHH 2017 (plus a few special mentions, some watches or policies dear to my heat…)A. Lange & Sohne Zeitwerk Decimal StrikeOne thing to know about me: I’m a fan of A. Lange & Sohne and inside their collection, I love the Zeitwerk Striking Time, as you can see in the review I did. I love this watch for being at the same time faithful to Lange’s codes and totally out of this world (display, complications, way it strikes the time…) Nothing is usual and surprisingly,

Interview - In Conversation with Philippe Dufour
Philippe Dufour is a living legend. The independent watchmaker is one of most (if not the most) revered craftsmen in the industry and his watches are regarded as the ultimate in traditional hand-finishing. We visited the 70-year-old master in the small village of Le Solliat, in the Vallee de Joux. There, Philippe Dufour crafts his watches entirely by hand, elevating the art of watchmaking to the highest level. Visiting his workshop is a unique experience. It is exactly what you have dreamed about, and yet everything is a surprise and catches your attention: old tools, ancient machines, drawers, books, raw materials This place has soul.How does one become one of the most revered craftsmen in the Swiss watch industry?First of all, it takes patience and hard work. You must remove some words from your vocabulary: weekends, holidays or retirement. Once this is done you can start. It's been a long road. Being recognized for your work takes years.? I have been an independent watchmaker since

In-Depth - The Difference Between a Chronometer and a Chronograph Explained
This “chronograph vs. chronometer” question is an important?one. Certainly, most of our recurring readers at MONOCHROME?have the answer to this question. But what about the others, the ones who want to start their horological journey and are coming to terms with the jargon? As we still get asked this question quite often, we thought that it would be good to clarify the situation and to provide an answer to “what’s the difference between a chronometer and a chronograph?”Chronometer vs. Chronograph – Two completely different conceptsThe first thing to establish when addressing the question of the difference between a chronometer and a chronograph is that we are talking about two completely different concepts. They are not the same. But they are not opposite. The terms chronometer and chronograph are precise nomenclatures, with precise definitions.This Omega Seamaster 300M is a chronometer watch.A chronometer gauges the performance of a watch and vouche

Montblanc Tourbillon Bi-Cylindrique - Monochrome Watches
The Montblanc Tourbillon Bi-Cylindrique is a true technical marvel and features the same tourbillon construction as in ship’s chronometers. With this watch, Montblanc really shows what they can do. Montblanc’s Tourbillon Bi-Cylindrique has a unique tourbillon construction, which has never before been implemented in a wrist watch. It’s iconic case with a teardrop shape at the 6 position was earlier used for the??Grand Tourbillon Heures Mysterieuses and the Metamorphosis.?Although the case, which is 47mm in diameter, is rather large it wears exceptionally comfortable. Ad - Scroll to continue with article The Tourbillon Bi-Cylindrique features the same tourbillon construction as can be found in a ship’s chronometer. Two cylindrical balance-springs are positioned concentrically, one inside the other. This requires the two balance-springs to h