Watches NEWS
The Zenith El Primero - Revisiting One of The Most Iconic Movements Ever - Monochrome Watches
Icons stand the test of time. Born in 1969, El Primero (the first in Spanish) is still regarded as one of the best and most accurate chronograph movements ever created. Part of a trilogy of automatic chronograph calibres that hit the market in 1969, it is the only one that is still produced to date. As Zenith prepares to celebrate the 50th?anniversary of this legendary calibre next year, MONOCHROME takes a look back at its history and design. Ad - Scroll to continue with article The originsChronograph wristwatches have existed since the beginning of the 20th?century (around 1912 or 1913 for the earliest examples) but all of them were fitted with hand-wound movements. In the 1960s, it was time for the chronograph to modernise itself, by adding the practicality and comfort of automatic winding. Watchmakers embarked on a genuine race to develop the first self-windi
The Collector's Series: Up Close and Personal with the URWERK UR-103
Readers of The Collector's Series and the Collector's Corner know that I sometimes contribute to the column - writing articles for the series is just one more way for me to get excited about vintage watches. I read a little about a specific watch, go deeper down the rabbit hole, and before I know it, I'm looking for listings on Chrono24. Sometimes, I write weird, off-kilter posts like that time in October 2022 when I visited Ond?ej Berkus' atelier (and also a couple of weeks ago) and spent the day talking about watches and life with him. For this artistic freedom, I thank the team at MONOCHROME! This piece falls in that same vein. Call it my way of becoming better acquainted with a piece I own; call it the ramblings of someone who has now well and truly lost all his marbles. In any case, I hope you enjoy the ride. Because the story of this Urwerk UR-103 is quite a complex one.Editor’s Note: @aaaaaaaaaarian should be credited for some of the photos found in this article (images wi
Frederique Constant Slimline Perpetual Calendar Manufacture Grey Dial - Hands-On (Specs & Price)
When Geneva-based brand Frederique Constant introduced its first Perpetual Calendar in 2016, it came as a surprise for the entire world of Haute Horlogerie. How could a watch brand make such a complex movement for a price that didn't even hit the EUR 10,000 mark? Well, we explained that to you here. Today, the brand presents two new references in its Slimline collection, both with Perpetual Calendars and new grey-coloured dials. And of course, the price remains quite a lot lower than you might imagine.?Frederique Constant has always made understated watches but has always been out to make some noise in the world of horology. It fought hard against the almighty Swatch Group to maintain access to ETA movements and brazenly situated its manufacture in Plan-les-Ouates, Geneva, right next to the illustrious elders like Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin. Ad - Scroll to continue with article
Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso case construction - Monochrome Watches
Jaeger-LeCoultre’s reverso is a remarkable watch. This is because the case can be turned around while it remains on the wrist. Jaeger-LeCoultre developed this case construction to protect the vulnerable crystal from the hardship of the polo game. On one of my favorite forums, The PuristS Pro, a member?posted photos of his Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Grande GMT?undergoing a full service and thus being?taken apart. All photos where taken by the watchmaker performing the service.The photos give a very interesting view of the case construction of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso and especially the mechanism that enables flipping the case around.?Here is a photo of one of my favorites of this Jaeger LeCoultre series… the Reverso Grande GMT. Ad - Scroll to continue with article Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Grande GMTThe dials can show time in two different timezones.
Introducing: Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M Dark Grey GMT
Without a doubt the most contemporary collection of dive watches by Omega, the Seamaster Planet Ocean 600M is a strong model devoted to performance, mixing luxurious elements with all the necessary features you’ll need in a deep dive watch. This highly modern intention, which separates it from the classic Diver 300M or the vintage-inspired Seamaster 300, is mostly seen in the use of innovative materials. The collection now expands with the use of an unprecedented type of ceramic, a.k.a silicon nitride ceramic [Si3N4], resulting in the introduction of this light, robust, bold and monochromatic Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Dark Grey GMT.While at first identical in design and features to the Planet Ocean Deep Black, already an oversized ceramic diver with additional GMT complication, the new Planet Ocean Dark Grey introduces a new compound for its case and other elements of the habillage, a ceramic known as silicon nitride ceramic or Si3N4. It is the first time this specific ceramic
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