Handwerkskunst according to A. Lange & Sohne - Interview with CEO Wilhelm Schmid - Monochrome Watches
The other day I had the distinct pleasure of spending a few days with A. Lange & Sohne in Florence, Italy. The main purpose was the launch of the Lange 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar Handwerkskunst and four new blue dial version (Lange 1, Lange 1 Daymatic, Saxonia and Saxonia handwound), all of which we already showed you last weekend. The team at Lange organized several field trips' to various handcrafts, like lithography, fabric weaving and printing, among others, and we visited one of the most prestigious winemakers from Tuscany (the region in which Florence is located.) Wilhelm Schmid, the brand's CEO, tells us more about Handwerkskunst and handcrafts, plus I'll share wrist shots of a group of Lange collectors whom I accidentally ran into. Be warned LOTS of photos! Like all its predecessors the new Handwerkskunst represents an exuberant variation on an existing model (the 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar in this case) and is actually not the discrete style that we know

Buying Guide - 5 Superb Watches with Trendy Salmon Dials
Salmon dial watches truly stand apart. These are unusual, unconventional and classic at the same time. High-end watches rarely venture beyond white, silver, black or blue. But salmon dials are superbly stylish, specifically if you are confident in your ability to carry off colours. Often reserved to limited or special editions, they add a degree of elegance with a twist while remaining understated.The salmon dial trend has been brewing for years but it has really picked up momentum over the past few months. Here are five of the most recent examples.Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo Extra-Thin Salmon DialIt isn't the first Extra-Thin RO Jumbo with a salmon dial (remember the Jubilee 14802St model) but it is the first time that a pink gold-toned petite tapisserie dial is matched with an 18k white gold case and bracelet. The watch is still 39mm in diameter and just 8mm thick. It houses the self-winding extra-thin 2121 calibre. This subtle and elegant take on the Jumbo is boutique exclusive

The History of the Vacheron Constantin Overseas - The Other 1970s Icon - Monochrome Watches
In the 1970s, the post-war global economic boom came to an end. The new, accurate quartz watches gained popularity and plunged the Swiss watch industry in a deep crisis. As the inexpensive electronic watches began to flood the market, the competition from foreign manufacturers created a major economic turmoil, and with it, the need for Swiss brands to reinvent themselves, making necessary disruptive changes. And that includes the Vacheron Constantin Overseas, a watch born in that exact period.It was at that time that Audemars Piguet decided to introduce something totally new. Together with the celebration of postmodernism, the 1970s style was all about freedom and eclectic, informal, laidback looks. To break away from their classic – somehow conservative – gold dress watches, Georges Golay, the brand's managing director then, contacted Gerald Genta to design an entirely new genre of wristwatch. Ad - Scroll to continue with article

Van Cleef & Arpels' Stephanie Rault Explains The Brand's Approach To Watchmaking
Each year, during the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Geneve (or in short, the GPHG), one brand always stands out because it wins so many awards: Van Cleef & Arpels. It might not have been the name you expected; however, if you look at the sheer number of awards it has won over the years, it is more than impressive (three in the 2024 GPHG alone). While we have scarcely covered the typical high jewellery watches from Van Cleef & Arpels, the opening of a new boutique in Amsterdam was the perfect moment to learn more about the brand. For this, I turned to Stephanie Rault, European President of the Maison, to hear about Van Cleef & Arpels' watches and future plans.Van Cleef and Arpels Lady Arpels PlanetariumFrank Geelen, MONOCHROME – I mainly know Van Cleef & Arpels as a jewellery brand. If it wasn’t for the numerous prizes Van Cleef & Arpels has won or the rather spectacular Midnight Planetarium and the Lady Arpels Planetarium, both in collaboration with C

Watch the GPHG 2018 Live Tonight on MONOCHROME - Monochrome Watches
Tonight, as every year, is the celebration of the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Geneve (or GPHG 2018) – the Oscars of the watchmaking industry. Several categories are represented (ladies, men, complicated and even affordable) and the best watches of the year will be awarded the coveted Golden Hand prize – and of course, the prize we’re all waiting for, the “Aiguille d’Or” or the best of show, celebrating the best watch introduced in 2018. As MONOCHROME is one of the official press partners of the show, we’ll be broadcasting the event live, as of 06:30 pm (Europe Time) tonight. Stay tuned on MONOCHROME!As a reminder, here’s the complete list of the GPHG 2018 finalists.LadiesWomen's watches comprising the following indications only: hours, minutes, seconds, date, power reserve, classic moon phase; may be adorned with a maximum of 8-carats’ worth of gemstones. Ad - Scroll to continue with article