The Collector Series - A Man & His Breitling Premier Split-Seconds
We're back today with a new instalment of our Collector's Series column, where we leave the stage to an owner and his beloved watch. For a relatively unknown reason, Breitling has rarely been seen in the series, but we're about to change this And with a pretty impressive model. Today, we'll be talking with Timerider27, as this 54yo watch collector is known on Instagram. He is a true Breitling fan. He thought it was time to explain why his Breitling Duograph Premier Split-Seconds chronograph is his favourite one. And to ask people to stop complaining so muchFrank Geelen, MONOCHROME – How did you personally get to know the brand in the first place??Timerider27 – I started collecting in 2004. Reading various magazines and forums, the first Breitling that caught my interest was a variation of the Transocean Unitime without a chronograph. I also liked the ubiquitous Navitimer but thought I would never use the calculator bezel and I still hold to that. I also enjoy 24-hour dials

Ulysse Nardin Executive Skeleton Tourbillon "Stars and Stripes" (Specs & Price)
Today is an important day for our American readers (and there are many of them…) If you read this watch magazine, you probably have a certain interest in all things watches. So, if you want to combine your American pride with your love for watchmaking, Ulysse Nardin might have a solution for you, with this limited edition launched on Independence Day – the 4th of July. “Stars and Stripes” meet “flying tourbillon” with the new?Ulysse Nardin Executive Skeleton Tourbillon “Stars and Stripes” Edition. Ad - Scroll to continue with article Besides being launched on independence day, this?Ulysse Nardin Executive Skeleton Tourbillon “Stars and Stripes” is also the occasion for the brand to remind the world of its century-long dedication to nautical precision and values shared with the United States Navy, underl

A Day at the Races: with Tudor at the Historic Grand Prix in Zandvoort - Monochrome Watches
Cars and watches, a great combination, and this combi?comes with a very legitimate historical background. For the second year Tudor was sponsor of the Historic Grand Prix in Zandvoort and we got the chance to enjoy a great day with them in the Paddock Club, and of course strolling through the paddock to see so many awe-inspiring cars. From pre World War II cars, to recent Formula 1 race cars, from heavily tuned Mini Coopers, to dozens of vintage BMW 2002Ti’s and CSL’s, a marvellous Ferrari 250GT, many AC Cobras, and even a Shelby Daytona! And they all raced like the devil was chasing them. Old or not, these cars raced like crazy. We got to enjoy the best of two very interesting worlds: cars and watches!?As you’re probably well aware off, watches used to be purpose build mechanisms. As of the early 1900’s the watch, until then worn in a small vest pocket, and attached to a chain, slowly found their way to the wrist. And since cars also emerged around that time, m

Hands-On - Rado Captain Cook High-Tech Ceramic Diver (Specs & Price)
Captain Cook and Rado are practically synonymous. The original model was released in 1962 as a 37mm diver with a water resistance of 200 metres. Although a stylish and very capable diver, it didn't find success like counterparts from Blancpain, and Seiko did in the mid-20th century. However, it was reintroduced in 2017 and has since become a hero collection for the brand. Although the aesthetic is vintage-inspired, Rado recently introduced high-tech ceramic for the case and bracelet, such as last year's Captain Cook High-Tech Plasma Ceramic. There are six new ceramic models with a contemporary size and materials for 2022.?Matte cases are available in high-tech ceramic or high-tech plasma ceramic, both an established speciality for Rado. The plasma ceramic is placed in an oven with gases activated at 20,000¡ãC to create a metallic sheen. Dimensions for all cases are 43mm in diameter and 14.6mm in height (49.8mm lug-to-lug), which follows some of last year's models. All cases have a mon

TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre Heuer 02T Tourbillon Nanograph (Specs & Price)
After a few years of producing technically ‘tame’ watches, TAG Heuer is back at the innovation workbench. After all, TAG?means “Techniques d’Avant-Garde” and there was a time when the brand was ultra-active in the field of high-frequency.?Combining watchmaking with scientific discovery, TAG Heuer introduces a state-of-the-art carbon hairspring in the latest interpretation of the Carrera. Meet the?TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre Heuer 02T Tourbillon Nanograph – and thankfully, innovation doesn’t necessarily mean insane prices.TAG Heuer is back on track when it comes to manufacturing and innovation. After the launch of the base calibres Heuer 02 and Heuer 02T – both in-house, modern, integrated chronograph movements, with or without tourbillon – it is time for the brand to capitalize on these foundations and to offer the technical avant-garde spirit that its name implies. With the new?Carrera Calibre Heuer 02T Tourbillon Nanograph, innovati