A Personal Story on the Ventura V-Tec Sigma
If you follow MONOCHROME, even occasionally, you know that we're all about mechanical watches. It takes something really special to get us excited about something battery-powered, but every now and then, that something comes along. The retro Hamilton PSR is a recent example, along with the quartz Citizen Calibre 0100 that's accurate to +/-1 second per year. Also, we sometimes dig into our own collections to highlight a special piece, like Frank's vintage Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Brice's Breguet Type XX. So, in this hands-on review, I'm going to talk about my own Ventura V-Tec Sigma, an unconventional luxury digital watch that once guest-starred in a Nicolas Cage movie.BACKGROUND VenturaVentura was founded by Pierre Nobs in 1987, who left the mainstream watch industry to find something more meaningful. Disheartened by the fake nostalgia coming from well-known brands, he wanted to create unique, avant-garde watches in collaboration with renowned industrial designers. It wasn't long

Hands-On - Ulysse Nardin Freak Out (Specs & price)
It all started in the early 1980s with the encounter of Rolf W. Schnyder, a visionary businessman and Ludwig Oeschlin, a brilliant horologist. The two men turned Ulysse Nardin, a century-old manufacturer, into one of the most innovative watch brands around. The most striking development brought to life by the duo is, without a doubt, the Freak (2001). This legendary timepiece was powered by a revolutionary in-line movement pivoting on itself to indicate the time. It was regulated by the cutting-edge dual direct escapement'. With the Freak, Ulysse Nardin not only became a pioneer of silicon (as such it is a true game-changer in the watch industry) but developed a concept like no other regarding design, display and technology.Ulysse Nardin has developed multiple variations of the concept (for example; Freak Phantom,?FreakLab and the 2018 Freak Vision Automatic) but, even after 17 years, the Freak still retains its bold, innovative and radical character. The idea behind the all-new Freak

Interview - Jupp Philipp, New Owner of Fortis, on Reviving the Brand
Founded in 1912 by Walter Vogt in Grenchen, Switzerland, Fortis is known for manufacturing rugged, functional watches with a forte for pilot and cosmonaut watches. Among the milestones in the brand's rich history, Fortis has to be credited for its role (along with British watchmaker John Harwood) in the development of the automatic wristwatch in the early 1920s. Just a few months ago, the company was acquired by Jupp Philipp.?As the confinement period comes to an end here in Switzerland, we sat down with the new Fortis owner and CEO to talk about his plans to revive this fascinating brand.Xavier Markl, MONOCHROME – Thanks for welcoming us here in Grenchen. How did you manage the confinement period?Jupp Philipp, Fortis – We have taken advantage of the quiet period. There is so much to do when relaunching a brand like Fortis. We worked from home 10 hours a day, planning the future of Fortis with the management team, in particular, the new collections and new design. We have d

Drive de Cartier Moon Phases - Hands-on Review SIHH 2017 (Specs & Price)
At the SIHH 2017, Cartier introduced a watch that I considered a hit (this remains of course very personal), the Drive de Cartier Extra Flat. Slim, refined, elegant, perfectly proportioned, featuring a nice engine… Still, this watch might be problematic for some. Obvious reason: its price. (It’s only available in gold.) Then, it might be too clean, too simple for some. In addition to the existing models (time-and-date and dual-time), Cartier introduced a Moon Phases version of the Drive, which caused quite a few of these?arguments to be resolved.After a few years of hesitation, and watches that were too feminine or unisex (including attempts that failed to stir?enough emotions, such as the Cle de Cartier), Cartier announced?its comeback to?the market of men’s watches at the SIHH 2016, with the Drive – and with it, the return to what Cartier is known for, the mastery of shaped watches. The Drive de Cartier, introduced first in time-and-date and dual-time (plus a

New Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Co-Axial GMT Chronograph - Monochrome Watches
Omega released a new model in the Seamaster Aqua Terra collection, the Seamaster Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra GMT Chronograph. Of course another Omega with their famous co-axial escapement, but did you know how the co-axial escapement ended up in Omega’s watches?Since the introduction of the new Seamaster Aqua Terra collection, these watches have the new co-axial escapement. So does the new Seamaster Aqua Terra Co-Axial GMT Chronograph. Like the rest of the collection it has the same tuxedo striped dial, or like Omega says a dial with a “teak concept”. According to Omega this ‘teak concept’ reminds of the wooden deks of luxury boats. Ah well… marketing is a trade apart. ?? Ad - Scroll to continue with article The Aqua Terra Co-Axial GMT Chronograph features the co-axial calibre 3603 with a free sprung balance. The movement has a