Watches NEWS
Interview - Jupp Philipp, New Owner of Fortis, on Reviving the Brand
Founded in 1912 by Walter Vogt in Grenchen, Switzerland, Fortis is known for manufacturing rugged, functional watches with a forte for pilot and cosmonaut watches. Among the milestones in the brand's rich history, Fortis has to be credited for its role (along with British watchmaker John Harwood) in the development of the automatic wristwatch in the early 1920s. Just a few months ago, the company was acquired by Jupp Philipp.?As the confinement period comes to an end here in Switzerland, we sat down with the new Fortis owner and CEO to talk about his plans to revive this fascinating brand.Xavier Markl, MONOCHROME – Thanks for welcoming us here in Grenchen. How did you manage the confinement period?Jupp Philipp, Fortis – We have taken advantage of the quiet period. There is so much to do when relaunching a brand like Fortis. We worked from home 10 hours a day, planning the future of Fortis with the management team, in particular, the new collections and new design. We have d
Introducing IWC Pilot's Watch Chronograph Edition Hot Wheels IW377904
When you say pilot’s watch and IWC, you might have jet fighters, Top Gun or Spitfire in mind. Meaning, anything related to planes and aviation. But the Schaffhausen-based brand has decided to slightly enlarge the concept and to use the pilot’s collection also for anything related to motorsport, including of course the long-lasting relation with Mercedes-AMG and Lewis Hamilton, but also to the brand’s motorsport team, IWC Racing. On the occasion of the 78th Goodwood Members' Meeting this weekend, IWC and Hot Wheels celebrate the return to Goodwood with a new limited edition, the IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph Edition IWC x Hot Wheels IW377904. While the brand has been mostly communicating recently on its Pilot’s Watch collection, and by that we mean all things related to aviation, there’s more to IWC’s range of watches than airplanes. In fact, the world of automotive design and motor racing has long been a key element for I
Introducing the IWC Spitfire Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month in STEEL (Specs & Price) - Monochrome-Watches
This year was the year of the Portuguese for IWC, as they introduced several novelties, starting from the Portuguese Annual Calendar to the superb?Portuguese Hand-Wound 8 Days 75th Anniversary Edition. There was also one with quite a complicated movement (yes, that’s a bit?of an understatement), the?IWC Portuguese Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month. It’s this same movement and digital display that we found back in today’s novelty, the perpetual calendar Digital Day-Month Chronograph but in the context of another specialty from IWC, the pilot watches. Here is the?IWC Spitfire Perpetual Calendar Digital Date-Month BUT in stainless steel.The collection?of pilot watches by IWC is clearly influenced by classical German B-Uhr watches. There are two main ranges that can be identify: the Big Pilot, with its massive case and diamond crown that is however more luxurious and that is?available in dozens?of editions?(like a?perpetual calendar or the flashy ceramic editions). Th
Hands-On - Does the New Zenith Elite Classic Live Up To its Predecessor?
The Elite Classic represents Zenith's vision of the elegant dress watch. Being the less famous sibling of the El Primero movement, it was long overlooked. But earlier this year, the brand from Le Locle revealed its completely revamped take on the Elite. It was received with praise. As I happen to own the previous generation of this model, it was a great opportunity to compare both pieces. Is the new version also a better one? Earlier this year, the Zenith Elite finally got the facelift it desperately needed. The most striking aspect of this renewed family is the stamped radial sunray pattern on the dial, giving the watches an expressive and dynamic face. Possible colours for the dial are classic, with options for blue, grey and white. Straps are available in the same colours and brown. It has been presented in time-and-date and with a moon phase complication, and it is available in both a gold and a steel case measuring 40,5mm. Prices start at CHF 5,900.The new Z
Getting Ready To Race With The TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Racing Blue Calibre 11
The TAG Heuer Monaco invites you to step into a world where time is not just measured but celebrated. A place where history meets modernity, and every detail tells a story of precision and passion. Add a decades-long connection to motorsport and pop culture, and you have a highly desirable iconic watch?instantly recognized thanks to its striking square case. Let’s dive into a hands-on experience of the new TAG Heuer Monaco Chronograph Racing Blue.While it’s undeniable that some part of the Monaco chronograph’s allure can be attributed to Steve McQueen and his appearance in the Le Mans motion picture, where he effortlessly sported this watch on his wrist, let’s not overlook the fact that the 1969 Heuer timepiece itself is as original and audacious as the Hollywood legend it’s often associated with. Over the years, it has evolved, constantly pushing the boundaries of contemporary style and trendsetting, exemplified by editions like the pioneering Monaco V4 f