In-Depth - A Look at Shaped Watches by Vacheron Constantin and Patek Philippe through History - Monochrome Watches
When thinking about the archetype of the round Swiss watch, the first names that come to mind might very well be Patek Philippe or Vacheron Constantin. As the custodians of Geneva's watchmaking tradition, influenced by the sober protestant spirit, both brands stand for subtle, understated elegance. However, beyond the design conventions dictated by the round wristwatch, Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin have in common a long, rich legacy of shaped watches. After Cartier, Monochrome brings together a (non-exhaustive) selection of shaped watches from Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin.Hands turn in a circle. The semantic notion of what a clock should look like is round. The circle is the direct consequence of the mechanics to display the time and it is the most versatile shape in many respects. The first wristwatches were mostly pocket watches, modified later to be strapped on the wrist. However, designing shaped watches gave watchmakers an?opportunity to express their creativit

Chopard?L.U.C Quattro Spirit 25 Jumping Hour - Hands-On Review, Price
We, at MONOCHROME, see hundreds of watches a year, and I'm no exception to the rule. And of course, we all have our preferences regarding which watches we believe are special. Case in point today, as I had been eager to be able to get my hands on this new L.U.C watch since it was announced during the 2021 edition of Watches & Wonders. The Chopard L.U.C Quattro Spirit 25 was well worth the wait. Standing out with clear graphics and elegant minimalism, the first jumping hour watch within the Chopard collections indicates the hours in digital format via an aperture in its pure white Grand Feu enamel dial. Let's take a closer look.Alongside its impeccable watchmaking credentials, the singularity of the L.U.C collection lies in a distinctive perception of elegance. Karl-Friedrich Scheufele, Co-President of Chopard, has always given the watches of this collection an understated, elegant twist. Released on the occasion of the 25th anniversary of the Chopard Manufacture, the beautifully ex

Baselworld 2019 - Patek Philippe World Time 5231J (Specs & Price)
World Time watches are among Patek Philippe's most popular complications, with a history spanning over 80 years resulting from the watches manufactured with Louis Cottier in the 1930s. In 1950 came the first World Time watch with two crowns, the reference 2523, which allowed the user to change the reference city when travelling. Fast forward, the year 2000 marked a revival for world time watches with reference 5110. The 5110 was replaced in 2006 with the 5130, itself replaced by the Patek Philippe 5230 in 2016.The Patek Philippe 5130 had its enamel dial version with reference 5131. At Baselworld 2019, Patek Philippe presents a worthy heir to this long legacy of world timers with the reference 5231J with a yellow gold case and a cloisonne enamel dial. Ad - Scroll to continue with article Just like the 5230, the new 5231 is housed in a 38.5

Dietrich O.Time now in colored forged carbon (and even a luminescent carbon one...) - Monochrome Watches
In watchmaking, who thinks?innovative materials usually says high price. That’s somehow a rule. Look at recent watches with?sapphire crystal cases. Most of them are over half a million CHF – even the cheapest one isn’t cheap… Same goes for complex ceramics, or watches associating different kind of solid, ultra-light or ultra-resistant materials. Carbon fibre isn’t always ultra-high-end, however few are the watches with such material priced under 10k. Well, Dietrich watches, with their usual value for money rule, will bring you forged carbon cases, some with colored incrustations and even luminous cases (yes, for real) together with a mechanical movement for a price you don’t expect. Here are the?Dietrich O.Time now in colored forged carbon.The concept of?Dietrich watches: having a fun, highly designed watch, with mechanical movement, built with Swiss quality standards and for a reasonable price. As we’ve seen previously,?Emmanuel Dietrich?succe

First Look: The Vacheron Constantin Chinese Zodiac - Year of the Snake
Coinciding with Watches & Wonders Shanghai, Vacheron Constantin gets a head start on the 2025 Chinese New Year and releases two limited editions celebrating the Year of the Snake. An annual tradition now for the past 12 years, the brand's richly decorated Chinese Zodiac pieces not only pay homage to China's cultural traditions but highlight the commercial ties of Vacheron Constantin and China from the mid-19th century when lavishly engraved and enamelled jewellery watches were favoured among dignitaries of the Court. Created in Vacheron's Metiers d'Art atelier, the new models in platinum and pink gold cases showcase the brand's refined artisanal techniques, combining hand-engraving and enamelling to create a lifelike depiction of a cobra.The snake is the sixth animal in the Chinese Zodiac and will officially make its appearance on 29 January 2025. A symbol of wisdom associated with renewal and agility, the snake is a harbinger of luck and prosperity. Ad - Scroll to conti