Watches NEWS
9 of the Best and Most Impressive Complication Watches of 2020 - Monochrome Watches
The end of the year is fast approaching, so it is time for MONOCHROME to take a look back at the watches we think should make our “best of” lists for 2020. The COVID-19 outbreak disrupted our lives and, incidentally, the watch industry. Despite this situation, we’ve seen plenty of fascinating watches. We are starting with a round-up of the most complex and most innovative movements. From grandes complications to new escapements, here are some of the creations at the pinnacle of mechanical watchmaking for 2020.Note: the Vacheron Constantin Grand Complication, despite the fact that it is, without a doubt, a truly impressive timepiece, is not included here as it is a commissioned watch.Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Grande Sonnerie Carillon Super SonnerieThe grande sonnerie is an Audemars Piguet speciality. However, seeing it in the case of the brand's modern Code 11.59 sounds like a grand return. Although the foundations of the movement are those of the AP Grande Sonneri
Hands-On - Ollech & Wajs OW C-1000 (live pics & pricing)
Some names might not ring a bell with a broader audience. But for tool watch enthusiasts, the name Ollech & Wajs should be familiar evoking memories of the 1960s and 1970s when the company was manufacturing respected timing instruments for professionals. Dormant for several years, it took more than 10 years to convince Albert Wajs to pass on his brand and it has been revived recently. Today we take a closer look at the brand’s latest creation, a solid dive watch with retro-style, the Ollech & Wajs OW C-1000 S.BackgroundIn 1956, Albert Wajs and his friend Joseph Ollech formed a partnership and opened a watch shop in Zurich. At first, they distributed timepieces from Breitling and Omega but eventually decided to establish their own brand: OWZ, for Ollech & Wajs Zurich. Albert Wajs quickly realized that OWZ should specialize in the assembly of reliable and accurate mechanical watches. He favoured movements with solid reputations. In 1959, the first watches were launched,
Chopard Redlines with the New Superfast Collection - Monochrome Watches
Anyone who has hit the RPM limiter while pressed back into a bucket seat, anyone who has done the pedal dance of heel and toe, anyone who snapped the rear end, Z rated tires screaming and the muffler thundering, anyone who has done these things knows what it means to go fast.Chopard knows what it means to go Superfast. As ubiquitous as racing legends Prost, Senna, or Schumacher are to the sport of Formula One, Chopard aspires to be to auto racing in general and takes top spot on the podium, champagne spewing in victory as they introduce a new Classic Racing line with three models, the Superfast Auto, Chrono and Power Control. Sleek, sophisticated and sporty, the Superfast line recalls motorsports at every turn (see our weekly watch photo). Made to dominate Spa-Francorchamps' Eau Rouge turn in the rain or attend such daydreams, the Superfast watches unite the thrill of racing with the art of horology. Ad - Scroll to continue with article
Hands-On - Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Moonshine Gold Green Dial
“The Speedmaster Moonwatch should be in stainless steel. Period. This is how NASA wanted it, this is how Omega created it, and this is how it went to the Moon.” This is the type of argument you can imagine hearing from the mouth of strongly opinionated Speedy fans. Fair enough, the Moonwatch is still very much available in this more common material, and it should make them happy enough. What if, on the other hand, you’d like to have the legendary look of the Speedmaster Moonwatch (understand the classic proportions, design and movement) with a touch of luxury, a touch of colour and a (fairly controlled) touch of bling? Well, since 1969, there are some gold editions of the emblematic space chronograph, and the brand continues this legacy with a truly handsome, highly desirable, not-that-bling Speedmaster Moonwatch Moonshine Gold and its cool green dial.?The Omega Speedmaster Moonwatch Professional Master Chronometer Co-Axial, in steel, released in early 2021.We’v
Hands-On - The new Louis Moinet Memoris Spirit (Specs & Price)
The Memoris was initially introduced?in 2016 to celebrate the 10th anniversary of the Ateliers Louis Moinet and the 200th anniversary of the Compteur de Tierces, the innovative stopwatch created by the eponymous watchmaker. Instead of revealing the chronograph movement on the caseback, the Memoris transposes the chronograph mechanism to the dial. During Watches and Wonders 2022, the model returns in a modernised version marking a fitting design direction for the independent watchmaking brand. Meet the Louis Moinet Memoris Spirit.The Louis Moinet Memoris was designed as a tribute to the creation of a historic Louis Moinet creation, the Compteurs de Tierces. According to the markings on the case, this remarkable stopwatch was designed in 1815-1816 to time the passage of the stars – it measures time intervals to the 60th of a second with start, stop and reset functions. To reach this impressive precision, its balance wheel beats at a staggering 216,000 vibrations per hour!