Zenith El-Primero Pilot/Diver 3019PHC - Monochrome Watches
The watch we will show you today launches a new section here at Monochrome. A section exclusively focused on vintage watches. Why exclusively, and why vintage, you might wonder? Vintage watches are the watches of days gone by since they were manufactured in an era when mechanical was the only way to go. These timepieces were designed and manufactured mainly to fulfill their specific functions. They were luxury items; they were symbols of status; but mainly and most importantly the vast majority of them were created to serve a certain purpose, in a world in need of accurate time-keeping instruments. The submariner was actually used by divers, recreational and professional alike. The Omega Speedmaster helped the astronauts of Apollo XIII to return back home. The IWC Mk XI was used by the British and Commonwealth Navigators to find their way through dead reckoning navigation. The Breitling Navitimer was actually employed by civilian pilots to calculate basic parameters of their flight,

Hands-On IWC Pilot's Chronograph TOP GUN Lake Tahoe and Woodland
IWC was one of the pioneers in the use of ceramics in watchmaking, relying on this innovative material as early as 1986 with the Da Vinci Perpetual Calendar 3755. The Pilot’s collection, probably the most emblematic range at IWC, is no stranger to ceramics either, which were first used in the 1994 Chronograph 3705 – which has been recently re-issued. The brand even played with colours in the 1980s, releasing small series or prototypes in white, blue, green and even pink ceramics. This trend returned in 2019 when IWC Schaffhausen presented an ultra-bold, yet highly acclaimed watch, the Mojave Desert edition and its sand-coloured case. Now, it’s time for more ceramic cases with the new Pilot’s Watch Chronograph TOP GUN Edition “Lake Tahoe” White (IW389105) and “Woodland” Green (IW389106).?Ceramic has always been part of the TOP GUN collection’s DNA. Indeed, a DoppelChronograph with a black zirconia ceramic case and titanium back marke

Hands-on with the very original De Rijke & Co x Miffy Special Edition
The use of comic book characters or cartoon personalities in watchmaking isn’t new. However, we’ve recently seen a successful?revival of the classical Character Watches. Watches incorporating Mickey Mouse, Snoopy or Popeye have become very popular lately, and we can surely expect more to come in the future. Small-time Dutch independent watchmaker De Rijke & Co. now enters this humorous field of watchmaking with something very, very cool: Nijntje, or “Miffy” for non-Dutch people. This iconic little rabbit created by Dick Bruna is known the world over and now finds its way into a mechanical watch for the very first time. And we have the exclusive world premiere of this very fun and limited De Rijke & Co. x Miffy Moonphase.Dick Bruna & Nijntje/MiffyTo explain who or what Miffy is – for those who have no clue or need their memories refreshed – Miffy is a small rabbit-like character developed by Dick Bruna, perhaps the most famous Dutch graphi

Video: The Ulysse Nardin Freak, the watch that broke all conventions
The other day, we went to Switzerland to film one of the most important and influential watchmakers of the last few decades. It’s not a name that is on everyone’s tongue, but it actually should. Let’s look at this objectively… A watchmaker who created the most complex astronomical watches in times when computer-aided designing and calculations were not widely available. A watchmaker who created a watch that is like no other, that indicates hours with a main spring barrel that rotates once per 12 hours and the entire calibre is an in-line movement that hovers over the main spring barrel and rotates once every hour. However, it is important to mention that the latter was the very first watch to use silicon in its escapement. I’m talking about Ludwig Oechslin and the Ulysse Nardin Freak.Now I could go on about Ulysse Nardin’s Trilogy of Time, however, we didn’t go to film those masterpieces. Yes, these three watches (hence the trilogy) were incred

Hands-on: The Roger Dubuis Excalibur Double Tourbillon Cobalt Chrome
Hyper Horology. A term coined by the Roger Dubuis manufacture that perfectly describes its complex and extravagant watchmaking style. The brand doesn’t shy away from uniquely creative and colourful expressions, regularly incorporating exotic materials stemming from the automotive or aeronautical world. Roger Dubuis’ latest adaptation of its cornerstone Excalibur collection not only incorporates a double tourbillon movement but also a rather special material. Known for its unique lustre and robustness, this particular type of material has been in use by Roger Dubuis on and off since 2017. Have you guessed what it is by now? Regardless, and without further ado, this is the Roger Dubuis Excalibur Double Tourbillon Cobalt Chrome.The Excalibur case construction is a signature style for Roger Dubuis. It has been part of the brand’s DNA for years and comes in a wide range of materials. For this limited edition, Roger Dubuis turned to Cobalt Chrome, or rather Cobalt CarTech M