Watches NEWS
Norqain Freedom 60 Chrono // Hands-On Review, Specs & Price
Independent, family-run Swiss watch brand Norqain was founded just two years ago by Ben Kuffer and is taking surprisingly confident strides. With three collections to date, Norqain designs everything in-house and is set to obtain greater manufacturing independence with its recently sealed deal with movement manufacturer Kenissi. The Norqain Freedom 60 Chrono we are looking at today has a strong 1960s vintage vibe and enough personality to stand out from the crowd.CaseThe mushroom-type or piston pushers and raised crystal underscore the retro mood of this watch although the case size, at 43mm in diameter and with a case height of 15mm, is most definitely a contemporary choice. The solid 316L stainless steel case is finished with polished surfaces on the relatively thin, sloping bezel and the tops of the lugs and features vertical brushed finishes on the case side. Like all watches at Norqain, there is a polished plaque on the left side of the case that can be engraved to personalise the
Review New Panerai Luminor Perpetual Calendar Platinumtech PAM00715
When you think Panerai, you’ll probably have in mind a cushion-shaped watch with diving capacities, an oversized case, a sandwich dial and a relatively simple yet powerful movement, with barely any complications to display. And rightfully so, as this is the basic concept of the brand, found under the classic Luminor or Radiomir collections. Yet, the Florentine brand has demonstrated in past years that it could also go into complications, such as chronographs, the always-questionable equation of time or even tourbillons. One complication that the brand has barely even touched through its history (I say barely because there’s one example to be found) is the perpetual calendar, otherwise a classic for the industry. Surprisingly, it’s only in 2021 that this will come in the collection, with the new Panerai Luminor Perpetual Calendar Platinumtech PAM00715 we have here, and its new in-house movement.?You can search deep into the brand’s history and you’ll only f
Recap: The Best GMT and Travel Watches of Watches and Wonders 2025
We, at MONOCHROME, have long been strong advocates of the GMT, Worldtimer and Dual-Time complications. Why? Simply because when rightfully implemented, these additional features make some of the most practical watches possible – and we’re talking real-life practicality here, not an equation of time that no one has ever really understood (sorry, I had to say it…) And I can tell you that we were happy to see that brands during Watches and Wonders 2025 and the Geneva Watch Week came fully loaded, with an array of GMT and Travel watches. Here are some of the best we’ve seen – with one important?exclusion, the Bovet Recital 30 (an absolutely brilliant watch) that we’ll feature in another selection.?Armin Strom Dual Time GMT Resonance Manufacture SteelLet’s start with the most complex watch on the list (thanks only to the alphabetical order…), which is much more than just its dual-time complication. This model is the second in the line-up, foll
Introducing: Hanhart Resuscitates its White Pilot with the 417 ES Moby Dick
Hanhart, the German brand that started life in Switzerland as a manufacturer of stopwatches before relocating to Germany in 1902, gained renown as a producer of Flieger (pilot's) chronographs. In the mid-1950s, Hanhart built the 417, the first pilot's chronograph for the German Armed Forces, with an emphasis on robustness, reliability, and readability. In circulation until 1963, the 417 was retired, allowing Hanhart to focus on stopwatches. But there was another lesser-known Hanhart 417 waiting in the wings, known among collectors as the Moby Dick. Identical in build to the 417 but with a white dial, the Moby Dick was adopted by admirals and doctors in the navy and, given its scarcity, had become a coveted collector's piece.The vintage watch that was used as an inspiration for the new 417 ES Moby DickIn 2020, Hanhart reissued the legendary 417 pilot's chronograph. While the case and dial faithfully respected many traits of its ancestor, the modern version of the Hanhart 417 ES reflecte
Introducing: Vacheron Constantin Tribute To Traditional Symbols
Vacheron Constantin taps into a more creative vein with the latest quartet of watches celebrating ancient Chinese culture. Emerging from Vacheron's Metiers d'Art atelier, the four models offer two different interpretations of the legendary Chinese motif known as the Seawater Cliff. The motif, which appeared in the 14th century, represents the sea crashing against steep cliffs. Presented in 38mm gold cases with richly decorated dials using different enamelling techniques, the two Eternal Flow models feature vivid technicolour dials, while the Moonlight Slivers interpret the theme in a more restrained palette.For the latest Metier's d'Art Series, Vacheron's design department was drawn to the Seawater Cliff, an omnipresent symbol of imperial China reproduced in architecture, furniture, porcelain and silk ceremonial dragon robes. This motif, which emerged during the Ming (1368-1644) and was perpetuated during the Qing (1644-1911) dynasties, depicts cliffs being pounded by the sea and repre
[Rating:(5 / 5 stars)]
