Auction Report - 10 Highlights of the Upcoming 97th Dr Crott Auctioneers (Part 2)
Yesterday, in our first selection of highlights of the upcoming 97th Dr Crott auction of this Saturday, 12 May?we focused on the hidden gems, and not so much on the usual suspects. Today we’ll focus on those! Here’s our selection of the highlights, stunning pieces that will certainly attract a lot of attention at the auction that will be held in?Frankfurt, Germany. Don’t forget that you can also bid online!The auction catalogue is packed with hidden gems like we showed you yesterday, and there are plenty more. For instance a lovely old Thomas Mercer table clock (lot?545), or a pre-Jaeger-LeCoultre Atmos clock (lot?602). But now let’s move on to the usual suspects, the watches that attract the most attention and that will probably fetch some spectacular prices.Heuer Autavia Ref. 2446C for Abercombie & Fitch from 1969Heuer’s Autavias of this reference are gaining in value, especially after TAG Heuer re-introduced the Autavia last year. Vintage Heuers mad

Buying Guide - Best Luxury Watches With Interchangeable Bracelet/Strap
We all know that a watch is probably a man’s most important accessory (along with his wedding ring). It reflects his personality, his way of life, it must comply with the situation and his wardrobe. There are, of course, no rules but you’ll admit that a dive watch won’t be the best option for a night at the opera. The solution to that (non)problem: having a watch for every situation… Or, having a versatile watch that can change personality by just changing its metallic bracelet for an alligator leather strap. Convenient, isn’t it? If that’s something you want to experience, we have found four extremely good watches that are delivered with more than one style of bracelet/strap.Note: this selection is based on the preferences of MONOCHROME’s editors. If you have other models in mind that would fall in this category of watches, feel free to share them with us in the comment box.Cartier Santos Large ModelIn 2018, Cartier revamped one of its most ic

Spirograph Tourbillon by Karsten Fr??dorf - a tourbillon for proper daily use - Monochrome Watches
I said it before and I’m saying it again, my?wrist is rather lucky, as it gets to wear quite some extraordinary timepieces. For the past three months, I’ve been wearing the Spirograph from master watchmaker Karsten Fr??dorf, and it has been worn as a?daily beater. And that was exactly what Karsten asked me: “Wear it as your daily watch?and do not treat it as a fragile timepiece only because it features a large tourbillon“. Wearing the Spirograph proved to be a sheer pleasure and I enjoyed that huge tourbillon more than I ever thought I would. In fact, it has been one of the nicest watches I’ve had the pleasure of reviewing, ever. Here’s a full review of the Montres-KF Spirograph, a tourbillon wristwatch that can easily withstand shocks up to 5,000G and magnetic fields up to 1,000 Gauss (and that makes it a perfect tourbillon for everyday wearing.)Shock resistance has been one of the main goals while developing this watch. Karsten wanted to create a w

Oris Big Crown ProPilot Calibre 114 GMT - Baselworld 2018 (Specs & Price)
True to its philosophy of producing real watches for real people', the new Oris Big Crown ProPilot Calibre 114 is a utilitarian travel companion with a second time-zone (aka GMT) and a host of practical functions. Propelled by the latest in-house movement with a beefy 10-day power reserve, the novelty of the 2018 Oris Big Crown ProPilot calibre 114 is the 24-hour second time-zone function with half-hour indications.Exceptions to the ruleThe local time in any of the world's 24 time zones is defined by its difference from Coordinated Universal Time (UTC) and is generally expressed in full hours. There are of course exceptions to the rule and the new Oris watch will prove an invaluable companion for those of you travelling to cities with half-hour derivations like New Delhi, Tehran, Pyongyang, Kabul or Adelaide. Ad - Scroll to continue with article From pilots to f

First Look: The New Alpina Alpiner Extreme Chronograph
The Alpiner Extreme collection is Alpina's take on the hyper-popular category of sports watches with integrated bracelets. Relaunched in 2022 with a robust cushion-shaped case and a textured dial, the first model took many by surprise with its regulator dial, a throwback to a popular and massive 48mm Alpina model known as the Avalanche Regulator of 2005. Following hard on the heels of the Regulator, Alpina introduced a more straightforward automatic with time and date. Today, the Alpiner Extreme collection welcomes a third and appropriately sporty model with the launch of a chronograph. Ad - Scroll to continue with article Renowned for its rugged all-terrain watches for outdoor adventures, Alpina's founder, Gottlieb Hauser, laid down the four fundamental pillars of a sports watch in 1938. Known as the Alpina 4 concept, a sports watch should be anti-magnetic, sho