Audemars Piguet Tradition Extra-Thin Selfwinding - Monochrome Watches
I recently visited the Epsom Downs Racecourse for the very first time following an invitation, through the post, to attend the Investec Derby. The iconic horse race dates back to 1780 and is regarded by many as the world's greatest flat race. Moreover, it has become a pillar of polite society. Irrespective of whatever troubles or economic woes befall the nation, a fine summer's day provides the perfect opportunity to sample this most quintessentially English institution and momentarily set aside one's worries.There is excitement and splendour in seeing equine athletes galloping towards the finishing line. Her Majesty Queen Elizabeth II is often in attendance with other members of the Royal Family. Etiquette and decorum are essential if traditions are to be maintained. Indeed, the dress code required of those who frequent the Queen's Stand on the day of the Investec Derby is clearly outlined. Ad - Scroll to continue with article

Introducing: The New Generation of Sinn 903 St Navigation Chronograph
Founded in 1961 by former military pilot Helmut Sinn, German watchmaker Sinn has long specialised in crafting rugged sports, pilot and instrument watches with a slightly military approach. Emblematic models such as the U1 (and its smaller version, the U50), the Bundeswehr chronograph or the 103 St have forged the brand’s reputation. There’s another watch that is part of the classics, a navigation chronograph named the Sinn 903 St. This year, this watch with one of the most classic designs of the industry gets a technical update to make it even better. Here’s the new generation of 903 St.?Before you start commenting on the fact that this watch is a copy of the Breitling Navitimer, let me explain why you’d be right on one side, but also why Sinn has the legitimacy to do so. Some might not know the story behind the creation of the Sinn 903 and why it is so close to a Navitimer in both design and technical specs. The story is that, back in the late 1970s, Breilting

The RGM Model 600 Chronograph - Monochrome Watches
We've covered a lot of small, independent luxury brands here at MONOCHROME. Naoya Hida & Co. and De Bethune are a couple of examples, yet both come from countries known for fine watchmaking (Japan and Switzerland, respectively). RGM Watches is an independent American brand with four in-house movements since its founding in 1992, including a tourbillon and tonneau-shaped caliber. The watchmaker is known for elaborate guilloche and enamel dials, but there's also a pilots line with straight forward dials and ETA calibres. The Model 600 Chronograph falls into the latter category with a no-nonsense design for both collectors and flying/racing enthusiasts. ?AMERICAN DOMINANCEBefore Switzerland became synonymous with fine watchmaking, America was a leader with Hamilton, Waltham, Ingersoll and Elgin leading the way in the 19th and first half of the 20th century. It was American ingenuity that led to precise mass production of interchangeable watch parts around 1850, known as the American S

Stoic World Sports Watch by Peter Speake-Marin (Specs & Price)
Imagine Enzo Ferrari leaving his company after its reputation was well established, only to reemerge a year later with a new car brand offering affordable, compact sedans. As crazy as that scenario sounds, it's kind of analogous to the current situation we have with Peter Speake-Marin. It wasn't long ago that his name was associated with expensive, exclusive and complicated timepieces, featuring in-house movements, tourbillons, minute repeaters and more. Those days are behind Peter, who left the company last year to pursue other interests (inc. The Naked Watchmaker), but he's suddenly back with a new watch brand, Stoic World. The Sports Watch is one of three in Stoic World's portfolio of affordable, mainstream watches, having virtually no resemblance to his former collections. Let's take a closer look at the Sports Watch (and touch on the other two) and see if this new direction is worthy of the Peter Speake-Marin name.BACKGROUNDPeter Speake-Marin, an?English watchmaker, started his ca

Introducing: The SpaceOne Tellurium now in black or blue titanium cases
Young collaborative project/brand SpaceOne continues its exploration of watchmaking through a parallel galaxy… Last year, the bold and modern SpaceOne Jumping Hour emerged from the visionary mind of Theo Auffret, a Parisian independent watchmaker crafting intricate timepieces like the Tourbillon Grand Sport?and Guillaume Laidet, the man spearheading the revival of Nivada, Excelsior Park and Vulcain. The second step was even more unusual and was a neo-futuristic, audacious sci-fi watch with a rare complication, a wrist-sized Tellurium. It’s now back in two new and even more coherent versions, with black or blue titanium cases for the SpaceOne Tellurium.?A futuristic take on watchmaking, SpaceOne started with a spacecraft-shaped jumping hour watch imagined by Paris-based independent watchmaker Theo Auffret and young entrepreneur Guillaume Laidet, behind the return of Nivada Grenchen and Excelsior Park. The idea behind SpaceOne was to create “the first watchmaking worksh