Hands-On: The Ice-Blue Girard-Perregaux Laureato Chronograph
When it comes to 1970s-inspired elegant sports watches, those equipped with a shaped case and an integrated bracelet, most people tend to look back at 1972 and the Royal Oak, before quickly jumping to 1976 with the Nautilus and the Ingenieur, and then 1977 with the 222. Yet, we have to keep in mind that one of the earliest representatives of the genre was Girard-Perregaux, which released its take on the luxury sports watch in 1975 with the Laureato. The watch has not been as consistent during its lifespan as some of the big names, though, but it came back strong in 2017 in a historically relevant shape. We’ve seen many attractive editions since then, but the latest one, an ice-blue Laureato Chronograph, strikes hard.Looking at our past articles covering the Laureato collection of Girard-Perregaux, you’ll find dozens of variants, ranging from classic time-and-date in a masculine size to more compact editions, all the way up to high-end models and, regarding today’s mat

SIHH 2017 - Ulysse Nardin Marine Tourbillon Grand Feu Enamel (Price)
The marine world has been an integral part of Ulysse Nardin's history since 1846, when a young watchmaker named Ulysse Nardin created the first, highly-coveted marine deck chronometers. These precision navigational instruments – once prized by mariners and navies the world over – are?nowadays still the main source of inspiration for the Ulysse Nardin Marine Collection, arguably the best?know range of watches from?this oh so desirable manufacture. At SIHH 2017 we?welcome the Marine Tourbillon Grand Feu, a stunning new timepiece featuring a sleek, elegant and classical design coupled with?a brand new movement.The new?Ulysse Nardin Marine Tourbillon Grand Feu Enamel embodies all the traditional codes of the Marine Collection and of the antique Marine Chronometer that earned?the brand its reputation. It features the classical, elegant and legible Marine dial, with large diameter, clear background, long Roman numerals. and?has the traditional display with two sub-registers at 12

Introducing the Romain Jerome Skylab - Monochrome Watches
Romain Jerome can be quite a polarizing brand. Even here at the Monochrome offices – all of us die-hard watch aficionados – we don’t share the same enthusiasm about the various RJ timepieces. However Romain Jerome’s newest creation can count on many “yaes”, leaving the “nays” well behind. No dial, a fully skeletonized movement and the iconic case with four struts grabbing the bezel. And now the diameter has been reduced to a very agreeable 44 mm, we believe that Romain Jerome hit the jackpot.What Romain Jerome has taught us, is that we do not have to take watches too serious. Most of his timepieces are equipped with an ETA/Valjoux 7750 (or similar) movement, which is a very strong and reliable movement that also used throughout the industry (for instance by IWC, Breitling and TAG Heuer). The real work goes into the design of the case, dial, hands and these parts set RJ apart from the rest. When we saw the new Skylab models, we were pretty

Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Deep Black Volvo Ocean Race Limited Edition Winner's Watch - Monochrome Watches
Today the most dangerous, intense, and harshest of all sea races, The Volvo Ocean Race, comes to an end in The Hague, Netherlands. After sailing around the globe, spending approx. 9 months at sea, today marks the last in-harbour race, although it does not change anything for the podium positions. By winning the 11th leg, Dongfeng Race Team wins the Volvo Ocean Race in a bold victory and we went hands-on with the official winner’s watch, the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Deep Black ‘Volvo Ocean Race’.The very first Planet Ocean Deep Black was introduced two years ago. First as a GMT version that came in four different colour schemes (although the basis was black ceramic), and now Omega adds a 73-piece limited edition with chronograph function. To stay with the colours of the Volvo Ocean Race, Omega opted for the black/red version of the Seamaster Planet Ocean Deep Black. Tonight, one of the 73 pieces will be handed over to the skipper of the?Dongfeng Race Team, when the

New 2022 Tissot Seastar 2000 Professional Powermatic 80
The Tissot Seastar 2000 Professional, a watch we reviewed when it was updated last year, is Tissot’s answer to an instrument dive watch. And for the price, it’s packed with features… It has a powerful automatic movement, great diving capacities, solid materials all around, the required certifications, and it even looks pretty cool. In short, everything you'd expect and more. After the initial models of 2021, the brand now updates the collection with two new Tissot Seastar 2000 Professional Powermatic 80 models, one with gold touches and one with a black-and-blue abyssal theme.?Let’s go back to the basics of the Seastar 2000 Professional. What you’re looking at is one of the most interesting yet accessible deep dive watches. Not a casual-looking 200m watch for the weekend here, but a watch made for the abyss. Modern in its design without vintage references, it remains relatively classic yet strong and powerful. Measuring 46mm in diameter and 16.25mm in heig