Grand Seiko 60th Anniversary Limited Edition SLGH003 Calibre 9SA5
While it has never been a secret that Grand Seiko was capable of crafting some of the finest and most precise luxury watches – pieces that are clearly on par with the best Swiss manufacturers – the concept of innovation at GS is less widely known. Recently, the brand unveiled a concept movement, the T0 Tourbillon Constant Force, a proper demonstration of savoir-faire. Also, Grand Seiko unveiled its Calibre 9SA5, an unprecedented escapement packed with innovations. First unveiled in gold, this powerful engine now comes in a stainless steel limited edition inside the new SLGH003.Undeniably an attractive watch,? the SLGH002 was produced in a limited run of 100 watches and was cased in 18k making with a price tag of EUR 45,000; two factors that converted it into a highly limited and inaccessible watch. We knew back then that this watch was a showcase piece to announce the brand’s new calibre, the Hi-Beat automatic 9SA5.? With a revolutionary geometry for its escapement, t

Hands-On: The TAG Heuer Monaco Chonograph Night Driver
As a cornerstone of TAG Heuer‘s identity since 1969, the square-shaped Monaco chronograph is fuelled by associations with the race track. Named after the most glamorous of F1 races, the Monaco soared to fame in 1971 after its cameo in Le Mans on Steve McQueen’s wrist. Following a hiatus in the mid-1970s, the Monaco was reintroduced in the late 1990s and continues to evolve. Accustomed to the more colourful livery of earlier editions, the latest Monaco to roar out of the paddocks is a more toned-down, monochromatic version with a glowing night-time personality known as the Monaco Chronograph Night Driver.Short BackgroundHeuer was one of the three competitors in the race to develop the first automatic chronograph movement. Partnering with Breitling, Hamilton-Buren and Dubois-Depraz, the team produced the Chronomatic calibre 11. Unveiled in 1969, along with Zenith’s El Primero and Seiko’s 6139 automatic chronograph movements, Zentih’s movement was the first t

Watches and Formula 1 - Episode 3 - Mercedes AMG & IWC Schaffhausen - Monochrome Watches
After a long hiatus over the summer, and the sometimes literal clash between Mercedes AMG F1 drivers Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton reaches new levels race by race, it is time to look at the current leader of the pack for this third chapter in our Watches and Formula 1 series. Mercedes AMG F1 is the team that rose from the ashes of Brawn GP which in turn bailed out Honda Racing F1 Team. If you remember our first episode of this series, we covered the origin of motor racing, including the birth of Grand Prix racing and the start of Formula 1 in 1950. Coincidently, Mercedes played a major role in both of these! It just so happens that the German manufacturer teamed up with a Swiss Watchmaker from day one; IWC Schaffhausen!Before we take a look at the fireproof-glove-covering IWC's the team drivers Nico Rosberg and Lewis Hamilton wear during each Formula 1 Grand Prix, the team's racing history is too interesting to be ignored. It features illustrious names, groundbreaking technology, dis

Value Proposition Rumoe Nobel Royal Watch - Monochrome Watches
Every single day we see watches from every corner of the industry and from all areas of watchmaking. Whether it be super-complex avant-garde watches or elegance encased in a dress watch, we see it all. But, in all fairness, this comes at a price which usually runs in the thousands. That is exactly what the new Kickstarter-launching brand Rumoe has in mind to tackle: offering their luxurious-looking timepieces, but at a very affordable price. Their premiere watch is called the Nobel Royal, and we had the chance to experience it hands-on!These are tough times to start a new brand from scratch, even if you outsource (most of) the parts or movement, and it is not uncommon to seek refuge on Kickstarter in order to get your brand going. You could debate whether this is in the spirit of traditional watchmaking and historical reference, but I am one to applaud properly designed and executed products and campaigns. However, when we cover these on Monochrome, we tend to be a little bit extra cri

TAG Heuer to reintroduce the Autavia in 2017... And you'll be able to vote to choose which model will be reissued, with the Autavia Cup - Monochrome Watches
A brand that is about to reissue one of its iconic models isn’t a novelty. Vintage is one of the main inspirations of watchmaking since a decade or so. What isn’t really surprising is that?TAG Heuer will reintroduce the Autavia in 2017. What is really new and unique is that you’ll be able to vote to know which Autavia TAG Heuer will make a comeback in 2017. This idea is called the?Autavia Cup and it simply rocks.“This is an original project, a community initiative, a spontaneous consultative approach with customers, collectors, enthusiasts, boutique clients, etc. A first among watchmaking brands in terms of preserving and showcasing their heritage” says TAG Heuer. And clearly, we can’t deny our enthusiasm here, as for the first time, a brand directly ask its fans and clients what should one of their coming watches looks like. As a reminder, the Autavia (a contraction of “automobile” and “aviation”) is one of the most famous wa