Watches NEWS
A Technical Perspective - A Guide To The Hairspring
Sprung to life: who manufactures Hairsprings? An industry perspective on this key component whose production is still shrouded in secrecy – Barely one centimeter in diameter, the hairspring is the beating heart of a watch movement. It is a strategic component in several respects. Manufacturing hairsprings is a complex process and the whole Swiss watch industry has been relying on one supplier, Swatch Group's Nivarox at least, until very recently!Christian Huygens is credited (by common consensus) with the invention of the first movement with a balance wheel and hairspring in 1675. Since then, the principles of the regulating organ of the watch have changed very little. The escapement gives impulses to the balance wheel. In return, it is regulated by the balance. The oscillations of the balance wheel regulate the flow of time: each swing of the balance allows the gear train to advance a set amount. Its role is similar to that of a pendulum in a clock. The extremely thin coiled hai
Ulysse Nardin Classic Dual Time Boutique Edition (Specs & Price)
Recently I had the good fortune to travel with Ulysse Nardin to Bermuda, to get a taste of the Americas Cup and get to know the folks of the Artemis Racing Team – who are sponsored by the Le Locle-based watch brand. During that trip I borrowed?the Ulysse Nardin Classic Dual Time Boutique Edition, and over the course of the days there, I found out what a great watch this is. Refined, yet bold, chic, yet rugged, and actually perfect for any occasion. Here’s our review of the Ulysse Nardin Classic Dual Time Boutique Edition, with new enamel dial and very cool strap.Preliminary note: I have to say that the watch I have been wearing was not new. The brand’s communication director had been wearing it and testing it for over 6 months, and it shows. On photos you will see a scratch here or there, and the waxed leather strap shows a nice dark patina. On a side note, I have to mention that the watch is rated to a 30 meter water resistance. In reality it was on the wrist of some
Bovet 19Thirty Dimier with blue dial - live pics, specs & price - Monochrome Watches
You know us here at Monochrome-Watches. Apart from the big names, there is something?that we especially love here: independent watchmaking. We do have a special appeal for watches manufactures by independent, smaller and creative watchmakers, not because they are always better executed?than those from the bigger brands, but mainly because they have something extra: a soul, a link to the people behind their construction, a certain originality that large brands can’t achieve (mainly for commercial reasons…). In order to experience (again) this feeling, we did get our hands-on a rather unique watch, the?Bovet 19Thirty Dimier with blue dial.Brief overview of Bovet 1822For those who aren’t aware of this brand, there are certain important facts to know. Bovet isn’t just another new brand, which design watches and assembled them with outsourced movements. Here, we’re talking about a proper integrated manufacture, with a strong history. Bovet was founded by Edouar
Omega Speedmaster Tokyo 2020 Olympics Limited Editions (Specs & Price)
As the official timekeeper of the Olympic Games, Omega always presents limited editions dedicated to this major sports event. With Tokyo 2020 on its way, we expected some new watches to be introduced. And here they are, the new?Omega Speedmaster Tokyo 2020 Olympics Collection (to give credit where credit is due, thank you?Fratellowatches and Instagram users for spreading the news…) Don’t look for these watches on your local Omega website, unless you live in Japan. These are Japan-only editions – but in today’s world, this won’t be an impediment to somebody who really wants to get their hands on these watches…Japan has always been an important market for the Speedmaster – and the recent?Speedy Tuesday/Ultraman limited edition, with its Japanese inspiration, won’t change the rule. But instead of the release of special Seamaster watches dedicated to the Olympics, Omega has decided that for Tokyo 2020, the Speedmaster would be the perfect can
Moon Landing 50 - The Other Watch of Apollo 11, The Mission Control Heuer Stopwatch
We know all about the Omega Speedmaster ‘Moonwatch’, as the first wristwatch on the Moon, which cemented its place in the history when the Apollo 11 mission successfully landed on the Lunar surface on the wrist of Buzz Aldrin. But there’s a little-known Heuer stopwatch that played a small but very important role when Neil Armstrong was piloting the lunar module Eagle to land on the Moon.The iconic image of Buzz Aldrin on the lunar surface, his Speedmaster Professional around his wrist… but this wasn’t the only timepiece involved in mission Apollo 11.Since the initial landing site was too cavernous and rocky, Armstrong had to manoeuvre the Eagle to a different location. This, in return, caused extra fuel to be used and it had reached critical levels. In the event of all fuel being used without a safe landing, an abort would have been necessary and thus no landing on the Moon would have been possible.Image from Mission Control – one of the flight contr