Collector Corner - The Story of The JLC Reverso Chronograph Retrograde
Welcome back to The Collector's Corner. Earlier this year, we took a detailed look at one of the most impressive chronographs developed from the ground up during the 1990s, namely the Reverso Chronographe Retrograde. This, back in an era when in-house wasn't yet what it is today, was nothing short of an achievement, specifically considering we're talking chronograph. This article is something a little different from the usual content in The Collector's Corner. I recently had the chance to talk with Matthieu Sauret, Product Marketing & Heritage Director at Jaeger-LeCoultre and Philippe Vandel, movement designer and constructor at Jaeger-LeCoultre and to discuss the development of the Reverso Chronographe Retrograde and the zeitgeist of the 1990s. I am overjoyed that I can now share the conversation with you.?Editor's Note: interview has been edited for clarity. Ad - Scroll to continue with article

Ulysse Nardin Diver 42mm, The Brand's new Entry-Level Watch (Live Pics, Specs & Pric)
Just a few weeks ago, on the occasion of the Monaco Yacht Show, Ulysse Nardin unveiled its?new Diver Chronometer, a streamlined and cleaner take on the emblematic model. This collection is now complemented with a smaller 42mm model (vs. 44mm for the Diver Chronometer). Most importantly, not only does the diameter change, but this watch will be the new entry-level piece of the brand. For those looking for a Ulysse Nardin watch, the new Diver can be yours for CHF 5,800. Let's take a closer look at the new Ulysse Nardin Diver 42mm.If the design inspiration remains the same, with a concave bezel and a domed sapphire crystal, the new Diver 42mm is not just smaller. This three-hander has a cool neo-vintage look. The uncluttered dial has a pleasant grained texture with a sand-blasted finish and retro-styled beige indications. It also includes a surprising line of text, which actually is the longitude and latitude of Le Locle, Switzerland, the hometown of the brand. As you would expect from a

History - Why Snoopy Ended Up On an Omega Speedmaster after Apollo 13
At first, this might raise some questions… What can the link be between a comic character, a chronograph watch and a space agency? While the connection between the last two should be quite familiar to most of you, watch enthusiasts (obviously), the presence of Snoopy in this 3-way equation is more questionable. Sure, Snoopy is cute and has become a cult character over the years, but why would he be printed on the dial and caseback of an Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch? What do space exploration, watchmaking and comics have in common? Well, the answer is simple: Apollo 13, an incident, the recovery of the crew and a special honour awarded for outstanding achievements.?As 2020 marks the 50th anniversary of Mission Apollo 13, we thought it would be a great idea to look back at the role of the Omega Speedmaster in recovering the crew, how it earned the Silver Snoopy Award and which Speedy watches are linked to Snoopy.The Moonwatch on board Apollo 13As all of us perfectly know by now, Ome

The Quirky Yet Wildly Fascinating Gelfman IN-16 Nixie Watch
As a rule, we rarely cover battery-powered watches on MONOCHROME - but rules are made to be broken, or at least make exceptions. And the quirky Gelfman IN-16 Nixie provided the perfect opportunity. With its retro-futuristic design, this digital display watch is simply in a class of its own as the jury of the GPHG confirmed in 2022, nominating it for the Petite Aiguille. I have always been fascinated by clocks using Nixie tubes, and the idea to strap a watch using such a display on my wrist was really tempting!The future is not what you thought it would be Seemingly a blend of old-fashioned retro styles with futuristic technology, the Gelfman IN-16 Nixie is a perfect example of how the tension between the past and future can produce some of the quirkiest and most fascinating designs. This space-age creation relies on yesteryear digital technology with two nixie tubes held in a quirky hand-polished stainless-steel case. Ad - Scroll to continue with article

Introducing: The Gradient Green Oris Divers Sixty-Five Date 40mm
While the Aquis, which has been recently revised, represents the modern side of dive watches at Oris, the Divers Sixty-Five collection is, as you might have guessed by the name, its vintage-inspired counterpart. An instrumental model for the brand’s recent history, the ’65 has been presented in dozens of editions, with manufacture movement, a chronograph, original colours or compact cases. And it keeps surprising with a new and appealing version that combines handsome forest green hues with an all-rounder size and classic automatic movement.?Originally presented in 2015 and modelled after a historical watch of 1965, the Oris Divers Sixty-Five quickly became a hit for the brand. The first model of the relaunch measured 40mm, featured a date at 6 o’clock and mostly, came with a highly original dial with trapezoidal markers. The brand somehow softened this polarizing look in the following years, with a more classic dial layout and a date at 3 o’clock, housed in a 4