Watches NEWS
In-Depth: "Simplicity is the Ultimate Sophistication" For Giulio Papi, the Master of Complications at APRP
Aficionados regard watch brands as the stars of the show, all the more so when they present complicated or very complicated pieces. Upstream, there are other stars, the minds that conceive, design, and rethink watchmaking micromechanics in depth. Giulio Papi is one of those, and the mere mention of his name instantly sparks excitement among collectors. We interview the designer-inventor – how can we best describe him? – a modest man with a legendary reputation.Papi is now the Technical Director of Audemars Piguet, Le Locle. The remarkable architecture of the manufacture, located on a promontory overlooking the city and mirroring the topography of Le Brassus (hotel included), is a contemporary sentinel of the brand’s history and home to 200 employees. Before arriving here, Papi’s path was marked by several stages, all characterised by a reflection process and, in truth, by simplicity. “Renaud Papi was not born to become a legend, but to work on complication
The Collector's Series - @so.frech Grand Seiko Spring Drive SBGA083
For the first time in our Collector’s Series we talk about a Grand Seiko and we do this with Austria-based collector who can be found as @so.frech?on Instagram. Grand used to be JDM (Japan Domestic Market) only and only opened up to customers from outside Japan since 2010. Although it’s not a young brand, for people outside Japan, Grand Seiko remained unknown. By now the brand is pretty well established among its peers and here on MONOCHROME we are always highly enthusiastic when we’re talking about Grand Seiko. And not only because of the?Zaratsu?polishing technique – an ancient method to polished Samurai swords – that results is stupendously good finished cases and hands. We will be talking with @so.frech about his?Grand Seiko Spring Drive SBGA083.?Frank Geelen, MONOCHROME – Grand Seiko is a relatively new brand on the collectors' scene. What is its appeal to you? Ad - Scroll to continue with article
Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Deep Black Volvo Ocean Race Limited Edition Winner's Watch - Monochrome Watches
Today the most dangerous, intense, and harshest of all sea races, The Volvo Ocean Race, comes to an end in The Hague, Netherlands. After sailing around the globe, spending approx. 9 months at sea, today marks the last in-harbour race, although it does not change anything for the podium positions. By winning the 11th leg, Dongfeng Race Team wins the Volvo Ocean Race in a bold victory and we went hands-on with the official winner’s watch, the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Deep Black ‘Volvo Ocean Race’.The very first Planet Ocean Deep Black was introduced two years ago. First as a GMT version that came in four different colour schemes (although the basis was black ceramic), and now Omega adds a 73-piece limited edition with chronograph function. To stay with the colours of the Volvo Ocean Race, Omega opted for the black/red version of the Seamaster Planet Ocean Deep Black. Tonight, one of the 73 pieces will be handed over to the skipper of the?Dongfeng Race Team, when the
Interview - Jean-Marie Schaller of Independent Watchmaker Louis Moinet
Although Louis Moinet was a prominent watchmaker between the 18th and 19th centuries, Les Ateliers Louis Moinet was only created 20 years ago. As Watches & Wonders 2021 just ended, we paid a visit to Jean-Marie Schaller, the brand’s CEO, to understand how he embarked on resurrecting Louis Moinet.Xavier Markl, MONOCHROME – How did you get into watches?Jean-Marie Schaller, CEO of Louis Moinet?– Well, I grew up in the Jura mountains in the small city of Delemont. As a boy, I felt a lot of passion from the people working in the watch industry. There was a brand known as Jura Watch; there were watchmakers, case makers, dial makers, etc. These people gave me the sense of the importance of having a mission. I felt they were working not just to make a living - of course, we all have to – but they were all pursuing a passion. Soon, I realised that watches were more than just a simple product. Watches are the expression of know-how, tradition and soul from the Jura Mo
Christmas Shopping Guide - The Best Chronograph Watches of 2016
Following our previous guides about the best sports watches, the best dress watches and the best ultra-complicated watches of 2016, it’s time for us now to look at one of the main watch categories of them all, and I mean by that the chronographs. Chronographs are amongst the most sold timepieces, they are amongst the most sought-after in auctions and two of them?are certainly the most iconic watches of all times. The best chronograph watches of 2016 is not a subject we?should?treat?lightly at all. And here are the 5 watches that resulted from long debates at the Monochrome redaction. Cosmograph Daytona Ceramic 116500LNWe know, having the Daytona Ceramic 116500LN to start this article was totally expected. But still, we simply couldn’t do without. This watch is not just a hit, it’s a commercial blast. The day introduced it, waiting lists were?already growing?at retailers. Few days later, collectors that were to slow to pre-order on day-one knew that it would be al
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