Why I Don't Understand The Hate For The AP Code 11.59 Anymore
What do you do when you want to launch a new collection alongside a truly legendary range that once redefined what luxury watchmaking was? Do you tweak a design and pray it doesn’t get any banter because it looks too much like your precious icon? Or take off in a completely different direction altogether, to find new inspiration and break new grounds in terms of design? Either way, it’s a tough thing to do for sure, but Audemars Piguet took the gamble in 2019 when they introduced the Code 11.59 collection. Hugely different from the famous Royal Oak and Royal Oak Offshore, but somehow it didn’t capture the heart of collectors and enthusiasts. Was it really that bad? And is it still to this day, that bad? No, it wasn’t back then, and even less these days, which watches like the Code 11.59 Universelle have clearly proven. Through clever use of design, materials, colours and by now extremely complicated movements, the Code 11.59 has seriously matured. But somehow, i

Fran?ois-Henry Bennahmias, CEO of Audemars Piguet, about AP Certified Pre-Owned Watches, Leaving SIHH and more - Monochrome Watches
Recently, Audemars Piguet has had a lot of hot news headlines – unprecedented revenues, quitting the SIHH, new technological partnerships. We decided that it was time for us to move to Le Brassus and have a good talk with the one person to answer our questions: Fran?ois-Henry Bennahmias, CEO of Audemars Piguet. It isn’t the first time we’re in conversation with?Fran?ois-Henry?– see here, here and here – and each time, his?straight talk brings the right answers. Today’s video interview (viewable on top of this article) is full of interesting facts and observations.Without going too much into the details about the interview – we leave this to Fran?ois-Henry – there are several important topics that we wanted to clarify about Audemars Piguet. 1 billion Swiss Francs revenue – Even though?Fran?ois-Henry Bennahmias emphasizes the fact that this number wasn’t the end-goal of the brand’s strategy, nobody can overlook this impres

Introducing The IWC Pilot Chronograph 41 Gold & Green IW388110
While the focus of this year for IWC is, undoubtedly, the return of the Genta-styled Ingenieur watch, relaunched with great fanfare in 4 different editions (including a handsome, yet costly titanium model), there is, of course, more to expect from the Schaffhausen brand.?You secretive little thing, IWC…! We’ve recently presented the new green, steel case Big Pilot Perpetual Calendar. It seems that the green theme goes on again, with the launch of a luxurious edition of the classic Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41, now dressed in an audacious combination of green and rose gold.?No major surprises here. Despite its bold character, due to an usual combination of colours, this luxurious edition of the Pilot’s Watch Chronograph 41 relies on the same specifications as the steel counterpart introduced back in 2021, which was itself released first with a green dial (alongside a blue dial version, later followed by a classic black model). This means; a relatively compact cas

Chopard L.U.C XP Navy Blue - Monochrome Watches
Chopard updates the wardrobe of the L.U.C XP with an on-trend blue dial and a blue Merino wool strap. Although it is the simplest, most Spartan member of the L.U.C watch family, indicating just the hours and minutes, the watch is teeming with subtle details. Exploring the route of casual elegance on the dial, the specifications are identical to the 2017 model and the watch is fitted with the ultra-thin in-house L.U.C automatic calibre with its patented Twin architecture.BackgroundLaunched in 2006, the L.U.C XP was the first ultra-thin watch in the high-end L.U.C collection and won the 2006 GPHG prize in the ultra-thin watch category. Revisited along with the L.U.C XPS model by designer Guy Bove (former creative director of Ferdinand Berthoud), the 2017 model signalled a new direction for the L.U.C ultra-thin models. The objective was to refresh the looks of the dial and offer a more contemporary, more casual product that would appeal to a wider audience. The L.U.C XP was presented in a

Weekly Watch Photo: Tudor Black Bay Blue - Monochrome Watches
Shortly before Baselworld started this year, we tried to predict what Tudor would be presenting at?the world’s biggest watch show. Our prediction was not spot on, however the watches presented by Tudor (the Tudor Black Bay ref. 79220B and the Tudor Ranger ref. 79910) were even better than what we imagined. Especially the Black Bay with Midnight Blue bezel. That one was ‘talk of the town’ among the watch press for the entire week that Baselworld lasts. Photographer Vincent Lions also loved this watch and immediately ordered one, when he saw the first photos appear online. Lucky for us, because he made some splendid photos that we can share with you. It was this photo, with the Tudor Black Bay in the water, that caught our attention and moreover, the drawing of how the entire set-up that was necessary to make this photo. I never knew how much work it actually is to make such a photo, and honestly, I always imagined this is often more photoshop work than old-fashioned ph