MONOCHROME's Top 10 Watches of the SIHH 2019 - Monochrome Watches
Now that the SIHH 2019 is over, it is time to sit down and take a closer look at the?dozens of watches that were introduced.?Overall, it has been a good year in terms of novelties – probably not the best edition ever, but still, there were some pretty interesting things to see, especially in the field of complications. This also means that the “entry-level” or “affordable” categories have been slightly forgotten by some brands. After all, SIHH means Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie. Thus, you won’t be surprised to see that our selection of the 10 best watches of the show is focused on “high-end” models.?Note: this selection is based on a consensus among the MONOCHROME team. It reflects our preferences. If you?have a different view on what could be the best watches of the SIHH 2019, feel free to share them in the comment section at the end of this article.A. Lange & Sohne Zeitwerk DateWhy??Simply because it is much cleverer t

Ulysse Nardin Classic Dual Time Boutique Edition (Specs & Price)
Recently I had the good fortune to travel with Ulysse Nardin to Bermuda, to get a taste of the Americas Cup and get to know the folks of the Artemis Racing Team – who are sponsored by the Le Locle-based watch brand. During that trip I borrowed?the Ulysse Nardin Classic Dual Time Boutique Edition, and over the course of the days there, I found out what a great watch this is. Refined, yet bold, chic, yet rugged, and actually perfect for any occasion. Here’s our review of the Ulysse Nardin Classic Dual Time Boutique Edition, with new enamel dial and very cool strap.Preliminary note: I have to say that the watch I have been wearing was not new. The brand’s communication director had been wearing it and testing it for over 6 months, and it shows. On photos you will see a scratch here or there, and the waxed leather strap shows a nice dark patina. On a side note, I have to mention that the watch is rated to a 30 meter water resistance. In reality it was on the wrist of some

Vacheron Constantin Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin Skeleton Blue
Vacheron Constantin can boast close to 270 years of continuously amassed watchmaking expertise. With that, it is the oldest uninterrupted Manufacture currently in operation. It regularly showcases its watchmaking prowess through true Haute Horlogerie creations with traditional finishing techniques. It has always shown great skill in creating chronograph and calendar movements, of which the new Vacheron Constantin Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin Skeleton in blue is the latest form of expression.Ultra-thin watchmaking is essentially a complication in itself. The art of slimming down and rearranging components to mere millimetres is extremely challenging. Only a few Manufactures really master the traits to do this, of which Vacheron Constantin indeed is one. Although it might not break any records, the complex 18k 5N pink gold Overseas Perpetual Calendar Ultra-Thin Skeleton comes in at an acceptable 41.5mm in width and a wafer-thin 8.1mm in height. To put things into perspective, t

Hands-on: The Bianchet Flying Tourbillon Grande Date B 1.618
After a career in financial technology, the Festa-Bianchet couple embarked on a new entrepreneurial project driven by their passion and desire to create their own watches. As evident from their inaugural timepiece, the B 1.618 Openwork, they have specialized in crafting ultra-modern tourbillons, with the number 1.618 serving as a reference to the golden ratio, a pivotal element influencing their designs. Their second creation, the Flying Tourbillon Grande Date B 1.618, adheres to the same design language but represents an evolutionary step. A visit to the brand's new premises and atelier in La Chaux-de-Fonds provided the opportunity to get our hands on this sports tourbillon, boasting an impressive 5000-G shock resistance.As mentioned, the Bianchet Flying Tourbillon Grande Date B 1.618 retains the design language of its predecessor, featuring a tonneau-shaped case and a modern, openworked tourbillon movement. However, it also introduces some noteworthy evolutions. Overall, it exudes a

Six of the Coolest Military Issued or Field-Inspired Mechanical Watches - Monochrome Watches
In tactical combat missions or survival situations, soldiers depend on various instruments to complete their tasks and stay alive. For some missions, timing is essential, and as such, the watchmaking industry has always been a significant supplier to military forces, whether it is the Air Force or the Navy. Nowadays, most rely on digital instruments, but that hasn’t diminished the appeal of a good mechanical military issued or field-inspired watch. On the contrary, members of the armed forces have long proved the importance of the backup mechanical watch, and civilians love to rely on the tool-like properties often attributed to Mil-Spec watches as well. So much so that even today, various brands enjoy bringing back or reinterpreting historic military watches. With that in mind, here are six of the coolest ones now available.Tudor Pelagos FXDLast week, Tudor released a new version of its utilitarian Pelagos FXD. Sharing a history with both the US Navy and the Marine Nationale, th