First Look: The New-Gen AP Code 11.59 Perpetual Calendar with Calibre 7138
Last year, Audemars Piguet announced the end of the calibre 5134, the automatic movement that has powered most of its modern perpetual calendar watches for the past 10 years – mostly, the classic RO Selfwinding Perpetual Calendar, which performed its swan song with a limited edition made with John Mayer. But the 5134 was not exclusive to the RO and was also found in the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Perpetual Calendar… Well, up until now. Indeed, together with the introduction of the new calibre 7138 in the Royal Oak collection, the brand’s classic collection also benefits from this modern, practical and enhanced movement with the new reference 26494BC.There’s a lot to say about the new calibre 7138, and we have explained everything there’s to know in this in-depth article covering the launch of the new generation Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar Selfwinding here. But let’s summarize things as well as we can and concentrate exclusively on the

Retrospective: What are The World's Thinnest Watches Per Category?
Ultra-thin watchmaking is a fascinating topic, one of our favourite areas of expertise here, at MONOCHROME. Ultra-thin watchmaking is horology at its purest, a no-compromise search for the slenderest movement that has to be considered a true complication. While high-watchmaking often seeks to bring as many complications as possible in a single movement, ultra-thinness is all about miniaturisation. We’ve recently published a video retracing the battle for the world’s thinnest mechanical watch, a race that implied Bulgari, Piaget and Richard Mille, ending up with a record thin watch of 1.70mm, the Octo Finissimo Ultra COSC. But let’s dive deeper into the topic, by looking at the world’s thinnest watches per category. The thinnest mechanical watch? The thinnest chronograph? The thinnest watch ever? We have them all here.?Note: this article is meant to become one of MONOCHROME’s classics and will be updated according to the state of the industry, depending on

Breguet Classique Tourbillon Extra-Thin Automatic 5377 - Hands-on with live photos, specs and price - Monochrome-Watches
Recently, Breguet sent a reminder to the world: the manufacture had always been involved into innovation and will always be. This reminder came in early November 2014, as Breguet won the much cherished top prize at the?Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Geneve, a.k.a. the GPHG, with a superb and truly modern watch, the Classique Chronometrie 7727. Another Breguet?was nominated?(in the tourbillon?category), a timepiece?that shares the same innovative spirit, the?Breguet Classique Tourbillon Extra-Thin Automatic 5377. We had the chance to get our hands-on with this stunning timepiece.This watch may be extremely classical design-wise, it has to be seen as the pure definition of a Breguet. The visuals are indeed typically Breguet – fluted case, engine-turned dial, soldered lugs or?open-tipped blued hands are here – and so is?the movement. Just keep in mind that some of the greatest inventions in watchmaking are due to Abraham Louis Breguet: the tourbillon, the first wristwatch in

HIBAW: (Honey I Bought Another Watch!): The Holiday Edition - Monochrome Watches
We are fast approaching the holiday season. ?With it comes the promise of seeing family and all your favorite foods and festive, joyous decorations. ?Oh, and then there is the unbearable agony of having to figure out what to get for your wife or girlfriend!If we revisit the past HIBAW articles I've introduced handbags, scarves and bracelets to the list of things that can be readily had and used to distract attention away from the shiny new?Voutilainen or?Gronefeld?watch you just bought.?Now it's really pay-back time!?Let's get creative and get shopping! Ad - Scroll to continue with article Five Golden Rings!A recurring theme in my life and in my writing is that jewelry never actually solved any problem but it's drawn attention away from several big ones!? Let's look at rings!? CAUTION!? In certain parts of the world, giving a ring for a holiday or a birthday is

Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Limited Edition for Tiffany & Co - A Solid Investment - Monochrome Watches
Patek Philippe has cooperated with Tiffany & Co on many ocassions throughout the past 160+ years, a cooperation that was celebrated in 2001 with the introduction of the ‘T 150’ Annual Calendar, that was limited to 450 pieces.Now they celebrate the fifth anniversary of the Patek Philippe boutique located in the Tiffany & Co flagship store in New York, by introducing a ladies wrist watch and?the new?Annual Calendar watch (Ref. 5396G) in white gold, that is limited to 100 pieces. This is what we call a?beautiful?timepiece?AND a solid investment. Ad - Scroll to continue with article The in 2001 released annual calendar ‘T 150’, or reference 5150J, had a list price of $ 21,500 for the yellow gold version and $ 22,500 USD for the rose gold and white gold versions. Today these pieces go for $ 65,000 USD and upwards, so that looks like a