Audemars Piguet and Richard Mille Will Leave the SIHH as of 2020 - Monochrome Watches
While it became quite common to hear brands leaving Baselworld and complaining about the show (Swatch Group a few weeks ago, Raymond Weil this morning), the Geneva-based, Richemont-controlled Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie – or SIHH – was still?in safer waters… As of today, as?it’s time for the SIHH to also face non-neglectable departures. Good point is that it isn’t for this year, as indicated by?CEO Fran?ois-Henry Bennahmias in Le Temps, Audemars Piguet will still be there at the SIHH 2019… But that will be its last appearance.“The 2019 edition will be the last for us. Then the SIHH and Audemars Piguet will take different directions” said FHB to?Le Temps. The main reason indicated by the CEO of AP is that trade shows aren’t in line anymore with expectations of brands, and that such fairs are only intended for professionals (press and retailers). “Today we want to focus 100% on the end customer,” said FHB. A

Hands-On - TAG Heuer Monaco 1989-1999 Edition 50th Anniversary CAW211X.FC6468 (Specs & Price)
Today in New York, TAG Heuer just presented the third of five limited-edition timepieces to mark the Heuer Monaco’s 50th anniversary. We could have expected the brand to come with faithful vintage re-editions, but instead, TAG Heuer will create 5 watches inspired by 5 different decades. After a funky 1970s Green version and a bold, fiery red racing-inspired model for the 1980s, it is time to look at the 1990s, a decade driven by industrial-design and street-style fashion. Meet the TAG Heuer Monaco 1989-1999 Limited Edition and its unprecedented grey-blue design.50th Anniversary – 5 decades – 5 TAG Heuer MonacoThe Heuer Monaco was presented in 1969. Back then, it was one impressively modern watch, for two reasons. First, the square shape of its case was bold, unprecedented and was matched with an equally bold, brushed blue dial. Second, inside the case was Calibre 11; a movement known as the Chrono-Matic, which was the result of a joint-venture uniting Heuer, Breitling

Zenith El Primero - 40 years - Monochrome Watches
I recently blogged about the world’s first automatic chronograph, Calibre 11, developped by Heuer, Breitling, Buren en Dubois-Depraz. Not much later Zenith launched their first automatic chronograph, the famous El Primero. This means that the Zenith also celebrates the 40th of the El Primero. To celebrate this Zenith comes with 5 Anniversary models.Caliber 3019 – the first El PrimeroThe El Primero was developed in 1969 and rapidly became a standard of reference among automatic movements. The El Primero is still considered by many to be the best automatic chronograph. The first was a caliber 3019 column wheel chronograph with 31 jewels, beating at 36,000 beat per hour, it capable of measuring short time intervals to 1/10th second.The El Primero with it’s precision enables it to succeed in passing the tests of the COSC (Swiss Official Control of Chronometers). The chronograph function can be operated with two push-buttons and it features an instantaneous date-change mec

Field Test - The H. Moser & Cie. Pioneer Centre Seconds Swiss Mad Red
Every watch enthusiast inevitably reaches a point of overload once or twice in their horological journey, when they look at their watch box and feel more apathy than excitement. A feeling of “Do I really need this many watches?” And “Wouldn't life be simpler if I had only one” Granted, that feeling usually passes and we get right back to the all-encompassing madness, but it's a fun thought exercise while it lasts. Watch brands seem to know that we want this, at least?in theory. There is no shortage of marketing-speak out there, subtly hinting that THIS is the one, this watch can do it all, come and play! And today, this watch is the H. Moser & Cie. Pioneer Centre Seconds Swiss Mad Red.H. Moser & Cie. is a brand most of you are familiar with, famous for their colourful and brilliant dials and irreverent sense of humour. And while the excellent Streamliner has gotten more attention lately, the Pioneer line is Moser's answer to the “One Watch Problem.

Introducing: The New Ulysse Nardin Diver Net Azure & Diver Net Skeleton Azure
With the launch of the new Ulysse Nardin Diver Net Azure and Diver X Skeleton Azure, the brand continues its commitment to environmental protection by responsibly utilising raw and recycled materials. While these new watches share many similarities with previous models, they stand out with their distinct light blue colour schemes. Ulysse Nardin’s dedication to raising awareness about environmental issues is commendable and connects it to shark attack survivor and activist Mike Coots to support the OCEARCH shark tracking program. Shark activist Mike Coots Shark activist Mike Coots OCEARCH is a global non-profit organisation that researches sharks in order to gather otherwise unattainable data for scientific purposes. This data is used to conduct further research, provide education and raise awareness of the challenges our oceans are facing. The OCEARCH organization has conducted 45 expeditions around the globe so far and has published 75 papers on variou