Interview: Christian Knoop, Creative Director for IWC on the Amsterdam Boutique
We were recently invited to join the festive reopening of the Amsterdam Boutique of IWC Schaffhausen. Nestled in one of the most luxurious high streets in our nation’s capital is a haven where you can fully immerse yourself in the wonderful world of IWC. Step inside, and you can discover the brand’s various collections in a unique open display, have a coffee in the Big Pilot Bar, and even discover the brand’s engineering prowess. But there’s more to creating a fully immersive and tangible IWC experience, as we learn from Creative Director Christian Knoop. While we had the chance to talk to him, we also wanted to learn more about the recently launched IWC Pilot’s Watch Performance Chronograph 41, which is geared towards a different kind of pilot.Christian Knoop, Creative Director for IWC Schaffhausen.Robin Nooij, MONOCHROME Watches – Christian, we’re here in the newly remodelled IWC Boutique in Amsterdam. What can you tell us about it?Christian

Industry IWC Unveils its New Manufacture, the Cutting-Edge "ManufakturZentrum"
As IWC celebrates its 150th anniversary, the brand has inaugurated its all-new production facility, a milestone in its longstanding industrial tradition. Optimal working conditions, cutting-edge technologies and aerial design in order to optimize production and, in the end, the quality of IWC watches.This important step for the brand provides a modern, flexible and highly efficient setting to operate some of the production activities. The brand’s strong expansion necessitated a move and it is also a clear signal on how IWC envisages its development plans. Currently, 230 employees work there but the capacity is of 400 staff. Ad - Scroll to continue with article Located on the outskirts of Schaffhausen, the new Manufakturzentrum brings together the production of cases, movement parts and movements' assembly under one high-tech roof. C

Baselworld, here we come!! - Monochrome Watches
Baselworld 2009Together with my friend and watchbuddy Robert-Jan, who also runs a watch weblog named Fratellowatches, i’m going to visit Baselworld. Coming friday, saturday and sunday we will have meetings with a lot of watch brands. From Basel we will report about our meetings, the watch and jewelry show in general and lots of other new watches we will hopefully get to see.Last year more than 100,000 visitors (from 100 countries) and more than 2,000 exhibitor (from 45 countries) where present at Baselworld. And almost 3,000 journalists from 70 countries reported about all the new fair which took place in a 160,000 m2 exhibition area. Ok these are impressive numbers and from what i’ve read and heard from visitors from previous years the show is overwhelming.Friday and saturday we will have meeting s with? Swatch Group brands Blancpain, Jaquet Droz, Glashutte-Original and Omega. Since i have a weak spot for TAG Heuer i will also visit their stand, although i don’t have

First Look: The IWC Portofino Chronograph 39 On Steel Bracelet
When it comes to icons, every brand wishes to have at least one in the ranks, but few brands can claim to have several cornerstone collections. One such brand is IWC, which can always count on the Big Pilot, Portugieser and Portofino to entice watch lovers. The Portofino, first introduced in 1984, quickly garnered a reputation for its timeless elegance.?However, one thing that has always been absent in the Portofino range is a stainless steel multi-link bracelet.?Making its debut on the Portofino Chronograph 39, this gives a decisively more sporty vibe to an all-time classic.Since its introduction four decades ago, the Portofino has made a name for itself as the elegantly proportioned, easy-to-wear watch. Most often, it is fitted to a leather strap, although mesh bracelets have been introduced in the past. With this new brushed and polished 5-link steel bracelet, IWC shifts the Portofino Chronograph 39 from a sporty-chic watch into a distinctly more sporty spotlight. IWC has cleverly i

Patek Philippe World-Time Minute Repeater 5531R (Specs & Price)
The Patek Philippe 5531R was born with the perfect pedigree to become a cult watch. Combining for the first time two of the most iconic complications from Patek Philippe, it is both a world time watch and a minute repeater. This remarkable timepiece was premiered at the Patek Philippe Art of Watches exhibition (New York – 2017), before entering the regular collection as of Baselworld 2018. Today, we have the chance to review this exclusive watch that few would have the privilege to even spot on a wrist once.Patek Philippe world time watches and Louis Cottier Ad - Scroll to continue with article Patek Philippe's World Time watches have for a long time achieved cult status, which was confirmed at Phillips May 2016 auction, when a rare Patek 2523/1 from 1954 achieved USD 2.5 million.?Their story is indissolubly linked to Louis Cottier. The son of a watchmaker