Hands-On: Fam Al Hut sets a new Benchmark for Chinese Indie Watchmaking
This article is a guest post by one of our readers and contributors to the Collector’s Series, a gentleman who prefers to remain anonymous but who’s very active on Instagram @winewhiskywatches.We've long suspected that Chinese cost structures might provide compelling competitive advantages for high-end watchmaking, assuming that a Chinese watchmaking brand could effectively establish credibility with an original aesthetic vision, advanced movement design, chronometric precision, durability and exceptional movement finishing. Fam Al Hut, a new independent watch brand based in Chongqing, China, aims to be the first to do exactly that. And we’re taking a closer look at its Mark I Bi-Axis Tourbillon.Editor’s Note: Over the past few years at MONOCHROME, we have covered several interesting independent watchmakers from China, proving that the country has far more to offer than just entry-level movements and fake watches. We can, of course, talk about the rise of brands

Hands-On: The Appealing Raymond Weil Millesime Small Seconds Sector Dial
When you look at this watch, you might think that someone opened a wooden drawer in the attic of a venerable manufacture, found a dusty box and opened it to reveal a well-preserved late-1930s watch. A representative of the brand’s heritage, which would become the base for a re-edition. Except that here, we’re talking about Raymond Weil, a brand founded in 1976, which has 1) never produced such watches and 2) never been truly considered by watch enthusiasts. But this new Millesime Small Seconds, which took the industry by surprise when it won the 2023 Challenge Watch Prize at the GPHG, is on a mission to change the brand’s perception.?Despite a difficult conjuncture in the middle of a watch industry crisis, Raymond Weil (1926-2014) decided to found his own watch company in 1976. He would later be joined by his son-in-law Olivier Bernheim in 1982 to create what remains to this day a family-owned business under the direction of Elie Bernheim, the third generation leading

Introducing: Omega Seamaster Diver 300m America's Cup Edition
In recent news, watchmaker Omega has recently announced the renewal of its role as the Official Timekeeper of one of the the world’s most intense sailing races and the oldest trophy in international sport, the America's Cup. The brand began its partnership with Emirates Team New Zealand and legendary sailor Sir Peter Blake in 1995 and continues to be a strong provider of regatta-themed watches. Speaking about this, there’s a new family member for the America’s Cup, a dedicated Seamaster Diver 300m specifically designed for the 37th edition of the race.?Taking place between 22nd August and 27th October in Barcelona, the 2024 America’s Cup will see the Emirates Team New Zealand, the successful defender in the 36th America’s Cup, fighting against another team yet to be announced (after the qualification races). Omega will once again be the official timekeeper of the event and as such has just introduced an appealing new take on its classic dive watch, the Sea

Patek Philippe 5270P Perpetual Calendar Chronograph Platinum Salmon Dial (Specs & Price)
The perpetual calendar chronograph is a combination of complications that belongs' to Patek Philippe. The 5270 continues a long tradition initiated in 1941. It was introduced in 2011 with an in-house movement as the successor of the 5970, itself an evolution of the 3970 (read our article about the different generations of the 5270 here). It is now available for the first time in the noblest of all metals, platinum. And it comes with a truly stunning salmon dial that – as often with salmon dials – is elegant, unostentatious but with that very special twist.The reference 5270P is powered by the handwound calibre CH 29-535 PS Q. It combines a perpetual calendar with the column-wheel chronograph calibre launched in 2009. The chronograph mechanism is connected to the timekeeping gear train by a horizontal clutch and features jumping minutes for enhanced legibility. Operating at 28,800 vibrations per hour, it can store in between 55 to 65 hours of power reserve. The Gyromax balan

Hands-On - the 2020 Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Control Memovox
Alerts, beeps, bings, vibrations and buzzing sounds are the bane of 21st-century technological gadgets. Whether it's a wake-up tone, an incoming email, a Whatsapp message or a reminder to walk more steps, we are bombarded by acoustic signals 24/7. For those of you pining for the simpler days when a spade was called a spade, and you didn't have 1,500 contacts in your phone, Jaeger-LeCoultre's Memovox will strike a chord. Actually, a hammer to be precise. Launched in 1950, the Memovox is a mechanical alarm wristwatch that still delights watch lovers today. In June 2020, Jaeger-LeCoultre unveiled two Master Control Memovox models: a limited edition Memovox Timer and the Memovox time & date model. Although the nostalgia for the first 1950s Memovox models has been respected, the aesthetic upgrades executed on the Master Control case give the watch a more contemporary air. The movement has also benefitted from a comprehensive revision, and the incorporation of a sapphire caseback means t