Interview - Jean-Claude Biver Reveals His Plans For JC Biver Watches
The news broke out about a month ago as he was speaking on RTS. Jean-Claude Biver is about to launch his small family brand, for passionate people, and very exclusive watches. The 72 years old man stepped down from the head of the LVMH Watch Division in September 2018. Millions of people look forward to retirement, not Jean-Claude Biver. There is no finish line for people like JCB One of the most prominent figures in the watch industry, his 50-year career brought him from Audemars Piguet to Blancpain, Omega, Hublot and more recently to TAG Heuer and LVMH. The Geneva watch week was the perfect opportunity to meet him and his son Pierre to discuss their plans regarding JC Biver Watches.?Xavier Markl, MONOCHROME Watches – Why are you launching JC Biver Watches, a new high-end independent watchmaking brand?Jean-Claude Biver – Like all projects there is not one single reason why. The first one is that you cannot retire from a passion. To retire at 70 is not possible for me. This

The Battle of Elegant Time-Only Watches Part 1 - Drive de Cartier Extra-Flat - Review, Price
Cartier is the undisputed master of the shaped watch and for the last century has launched some of the most emblematic and unforgettable watch collections for men and women alike. But Cartier also offers something above and beyond unusual shapes and has become the byword for refined French taste. Le go?t Cartier, as it is known, describes a quiet, self-assured elegance that has no need to shout. If you are on the prowl for a time-only dress watch, sans testosterone-heavy looks, the Drive de Cartier Extra-Flat is a promising candidate. A lean 39mm stainless steel case, a simple dial with hallmark features of Cartier's watches and a price that won't elicit an oh l¨¤ l¨¤, could this Drive de Cartier Extra-Flat be the answer to your dress watch dreams?Editor's note: this review of the Drive de Cartier Extra-Flat is part one of a series of three articles where we will compare two elegant time-only watches currently on the market. Two watches with the same concept, but two different flavours.

First Look: The All-Black Bvlgari Octo Roma Automatic & Chronograph
Ancient Rome is a constant well of inspiration at Bulgari that deftly transforms architectural motifs from the past into fresh, stylish designs. The dynamic geometry of the Octo Roma, released in 2012 and refreshed in 2023, is said to have been inspired by the octagonal coffering found on the vaults of the 4th-century Basilica of Maxentius in the Roman Forum. Now in its sportier, more robust and less angular format, the Octo Roma revisits two models - a time-and-date and a chronograph - dressed from head-to-toe in black.An iconic Bulgari collection, the Octo Roma was the departure point for the record-breaking Octo Finissimo legion. Revisited over the years, the latest facelift corresponds to 2023, when the Octo Roma’s case became less angular and more rounded. The idea was to position the Octo Roma as an alternative to the ultra-thin Octo Finissimo, offering more robust, sportier cases and increased versatility thanks to the quick-release interchangeable strap system.

LVMH reports 10% revenue growth over the first 9 months of 2018 - Monochrome Watches
LVMH, owner of watch brands like Bvlgari, Hublot, TAG Heuer and Zenith, released its report covering the first nine months of 2018 and things are looking good. After reporting already strong figures for the first half year, the trend is continuing, and the revenue growth over the first nine months is 10%, and the watches and jewellery division recorded an 8% growth. The organic growth is of +11% providing positive signs for the luxury industry.With revenues of EUR 3.0 billion, the watches and jewellery division recorded an 8% growth (reported) or 14% (organic). The organic growth of the division was of +11% over Q3, compared to +16% over the first semester. The press release mentions the excellent performance of Bvlgari. A few days ago, organizational changes were announced for the watch division. As Jean-Claude Biver stepped down from his operational role, Stephane Bianchi was named CEO of the division. Frederic Arnault was appointed Head of Strategy and Digital at TAG Heuer.These res

Yema Superman Skin Diver Limited Edition 41mm - Hands-On, Price
Founded in 1948, Yema is probably one of the most revered French watchmaking brands with a longstanding history of diver’s watches. One of its most renowned models is the Superman, the first large-scale model with 300m water-resistance, a practical bezel-lock device and a very distinctive design launched in 1963. Yema has produced many reissues of its 1960s and 1970s dive watches in its Heritage collection, but today it’s time to stage the comeback of its earliest model with the new Yema Superman Skin Diver Limited Edition.? A vintage example of the first-generation Yema Superman, circa-1963 – photo by leclubyema.comThe Yema Superman is probably one of the most iconic watches ever produced in France. It has gained impressive fame over the years, specifically in recent times, thanks to a large community of vintage watch enthusiasts. And the watch deserves it. While most dive watches produced from the mid-1950s to the early 1960s were intended for