Value Proposition: Olivier Randin Technomatic - When you want to measure your pulse and speed after discovering that a massive thunderstorm is approaching quickly - Monochrome Watches
OK, that’s a long title to start with, however it explains what you can do with the Olivier Randin Technimatic: measure your pulse (pulsometre), measure your speed (tachymetre) and how far lightning is away (telemetre). A while ago we asked you what you wanted to see more on Monochrome, and value propositions was one of the things you would like to see more on Monochrome. So when we saw a photo of the Olivier Randin technomatic, and heard the price, we thought it would make a good idea to have a closer look.I guess you already thought that the face of this watch looks familiar. It features pretty much the same scales and dial layout as the?Patek Philippe 5975 that was introduced for the brand’s 175th anniversary. So when you were too late to get hold of one of the Patek Philippe ref. 5975 models (or lack the budget) than there’s an alternative. No… kidding. Not in terms of build and quality, but at first glance you certainly see a lot of resemblance.?The Olivier

Introducing the 2014 IWC Aquatimer Collection - With LIVE Photos - Monochrome Watches
Last year IWC completely revamped the Ingenieur collection, the year before that it was the Pilot’s collection, and this year the Aquatimer collection gets a fresh new look. Today we can already show you some of the new models, the rest will be ‘visually’ presented in a few weeks at the SIHH in Geneva. Now I have seen the entire new Aquatimer collection, I can already say that my favorite is made in bronze!IWC has a long reputation for using ‘new’ materials; new at least for the watch industry. Especially the Ocean 2000, a classic that IWC made for Porsche Design and one that most (fanatic) watch enthusiast will know, was a well ahead of its time. That was because of its smooth, rounded integrated bracelet, entirely made in titanium, and with a depth rating of 2000 meters. This particular watch was a huge source of inspiration for Christian Knoop, IWC's Creative Director, which can be seen in the new Aquatimer Automatic 2000 (Ref. IW358002). Ad

First Look: ZRC Ressurects Its 1960s Securicode Dive Watch
ZRC (Zuccolo Rochet & Cie) isn't a household name in the dive community like , Doxa, Blancpain or Omega (or even Seiko, if we cross a few time zones), but it certainly has a place in history. Responding to the French Navy's request for deep dive watches in 1958, the brand developed the S1 diver for testing in 1959. This became ZRC's first watch after approval, the Grands Fonds 300 (ZRC focused on bracelets and straps prior). The Securicode followed in 1965 and won the top prize at the 11th Inventors' Exhibition in Brussels with its unique way of providing advanced immersion times at various depths with a central dial calculator. Later editions were also made using more traditional dials. To celebrate its 120th anniversary, ZRC has rebooted the Securicode name with three dive watch?models faithful to the original S1 aesthetic.?By the mid-1960s, the Grands Fonds had its crown positioned at 6 o'clock that just slipped under a cutout in the bracelet so it couldn't be worn without the

Weekly Watch Photo - Panerai PAM300 Mare Nostrum - Monochrome Watches
Maybe it’s because I just bought a Panerai or maybe it’s because I recently visited the Montblanc Manufacture in Villeret. This Weekly Watch Photo shows the Panerai PAM300 Mare Nostrum featuring a re-worked Minerva movement, originally produced in the Manufacture in Villeret.Martin Wilmsen made the?Weekly Watch Photo, which shows Panerai caliber OP XXV. This is the movement?of the immense Panerai PAM300 Mare Nostrum, that measures 52 mm in diameter. Earlier we wrote an extensive report on the different Mare Nostrum models.? Ad - Scroll to continue with article Panerai OP XXV is a hand-wound mechanical movement, measuring 12? lignes (or 28? mm). The base movement is developed and produced by Minerva, now-a-days owned by Montblanc,?and is a vintage caliber 13-20. It has 22 jewels,?a monometallic Glucydur balance that?vibrates with?18,000 v/h. The movem

Buying Guide - 5 Great Mechanical Watches From Established Brands Below EUR 500
Certainly, EUR 5K or more will buy you superlative finishing, innovation, modern materials, superior precision… And status. Luxury watchmaking doesn’t come cheap – most of the time for obvious reasons – but that doesn’t mean you can’t enjoy the desirable ticking sound of a mechanical watch with a much tighter budget. In fact, there are dozens of options available on the market, many of them provided by young microbrands relying on Kickstarter. Still, if you don’t feel adventurous and want a watch with pedigree and a well-established name, we’ll have you covered. Want to celebrate a special moment? Looking for your first serious watch? Need a classic watch for a new position at the office? Searching for a nice gift to congratulate your freshly graduated son? Well, we’ve listed 5 watches from long-established brands for less than half a grand.Citizen Classic Automatic NH8350-83LCitizen is the other Japanese brand. If Seiko is more est