Indie Watchmaking - Hands-On Cedric Johner Abyss Chronograph
Stepping into Cedric Johner's modestly sized workshop in Carouge in the outskirts of Geneva is a unique experience. Inside you will find an eclectic mix of old tools and hand-operated machines as the independent watchmaker started his career as a jeweller. With this background, Johner is a versatile artisan with a very personal way of looking at traditional mechanical watchmaking, using original techniques and crafts to make his watches by himself, in very small numbers, with a highly personal design. And the Cedric Johner Abyss Chronograph 30th Anniversary, equipped with a superb version of the Valjoux 23, is a typical example of his work. To celebrate 30 years of independent watchmaking, Cedric Johner has started a 30-piece limited edition based on his signature Abyss case in a chronograph version. The beautiful hand-wound, column-wheel chronograph movement found in this limited-edition Abyss is a refinished old-stock Valjoux 23 calibre. The origins of the lege

Recap: The Best Accessible Watches Of 2023
Watches cost money; it’s as simple as that. And it’s also a given that luxury watches cost luxury money. But the assumption that you need to spend a fortune to wear something cool and stylish is wrong, luckily. While most of us might dream of tourbillons, split-second chronographs, minute repeaters or perpetual calendars, not many of us have the budget to spend tens of thousands or more on such watches. But if you look well enough in the entry-level segment of the market, there are plenty of very cool and very stylish watches. And with that in mind, we’ve voted on what we think are the Best Accessible Watches of 2023!The market for mechanical watches below the EUR 1,000 mark (give or take) has become crowded as new brands or projects are popping up like mushrooms on platforms like Kickstarter. And while most of these come and go just as fast, occasionally, there’s one that makes a lasting enough impression to become a household brand. But even within the widespr

Increased interest in independent watchmakers? - Monochrome Watches
Statistics of Monochrome show an increased search for independent watchmakers. Although it’s easy to find information online, it is difficult to see their watches yourself…. unless you’re close to one of the few boutiques selling watches from independent watchmakers.Before making the decision to buy a watch, most watch collectors like to see and feel a watch.?In most parts of the world it’s fairly easy to get a closer look at watches from brands with a large dealer network like , IWC, Cartier, TAG Heuer and Panerai. If you’re looking for watches from independent watchmakers it’s not so easy to find a dealer.If you live in Europe, a trip to watch-mekka Switzerland is of course the best option. Most independent watchmakers live and work in Switzerland and in most cities you’ll probably find several boutiques who represent these watchmakers. However if you’re not in the position to visit Switzerland, there are only a few dealers in the rest

Recap: The Best Pilot's Watches of 2023
It might not be the most productive of categories, but the pilot’s watch remains one of the all-time important watch styles, even though its real-world relevance is more limited these days due to flight management systems. Nevertheless, nostalgia and vintage inspiration are still important drivers of the watch industry’s creativity, and for that reason, some brands continue to release classic pilot watches. Continuing our selection of the best models released this year, following categories such as chronographs and dive watches, we’re now listing the MONOCHROME editorial team’s five Best Pilot Watches of 2023.Pilot’s watches are necessarily a fixed category. It’s not about the complication, which can range from simple time-only displays to more complex chronographs and traveller’s functions, but more about the overall purpose of the watch. Nevertheless, common design features will be found in most aviation-related watches, such as robustness, p

Speake-Marin Introduces the Spirit Mk II DLC - Monochrome Watches
Followers of our online magazine will, without a doubt, know the British watchmaker Peter Speake-Marin. His work with legendary watchmakers Roger Dubuis and Daniel Roth has led to Chapter Two by Ma?tres du Temps, and he was also involved in Chapter One together with Christophe Claret. Peter’s own watches are already well-known among collectors and connoisseurs of fine watchmaking, always sporting the familiar Speake-Marin style elements. Probably best described as a perfect balance between classic and bold, however today that subtle balance tips over: the newest version of the Spirit Mk II becomes a RAW Spirit in a matte black DLC-coated ‘jacket’. How cool is that!?!In 2011 Peter introduced a much bolder piece than ever before and named it Spirit Pioneer. That one was limited to 68 pieces – 1968 is Peter’s year of birth – and it sold out within a few weeks. An important piece for Peter, and that’s why the Spirit Mk II was also engraved with the