Introducing the De Bethune DB29 Maxichrono with De Bethunes Absolute Clutch System (Live Photos and Price) - Monochrome Watches
In the world of watches there are many chronographs. Mostly with mechanical chronograph movements that were developed in the 1960’s or 1970’s. Just recently – now ETA stopped supplying movements to non Swatch Group brands – we see some newly developed chronograph calibers. But nothing comes close to the new chronograph movement that De Bethune has developed. Let’s take a closer look at the De Bethune DB29 Maxichrono with De Bethune's Absolute Clutch System.?It’s of course not fair to compare an entry-level mechanical movement, like for instance the Longines caliber L788 with column-wheel and mono-pusher, with a retail price of well below € 4,000 Euro (making an excellent price/value proposition), with the new De Bethune DB29 Maxichrono that retails for CHF 166,000. The only comparison – in quality, finish and beauty – that we can think of, comes from Saxony, Germany, although that one is more classic in many ways and features a double rat

Introducing: The Fully Luminous IWC Pilot's Watch Automatic 41 Black Aces
Founded in 1868 by Boston watchmaker Florentine Ariosto Jones, IWC Schaffhausen can look back at more than a century and a half of watchmaking history. More than half of that has involved watches made for aviation, whether military or commercial. Its first-ever pilot’s instrument was made in 1936, and ever since, the company has been dedicated to the world of aviation (even though it does much more than that). Through decades of technical innovation, its reputation for focused, reliable pilot’s watches is rivalled by few. Although the most basic and clean models among the various collections of instruments remain proper fan favourites, IWC also likes to play around with the aesthetics of its Pilot’s Watch collections, both in materials and colours, as well as complexity. Case in point: the new IWC Pilot’s Watch Automatic 41 Black Aces IW326905, which introduces the brand’s first fully luminous dial.?It’s a well-known fact that IWC has a deep-rooted c

Omega Speedmaster X-33 Skywalker - In-Depth Live photos, specs and price - Monochrome-Watches
The Idea of reviewing a watch powered by a quartz caliber might be an anathema here at Monochrome-Watches. The mechanical beauty of the watches presented here, the complexity of their calibers, their finish, their overall design and their layout are parameters that drive Frank and the team to insist on presenting solely mechanical watches. Undoubtedly, mechanical watches have a certain prestige, a nostalgic aura among other qualities and are rightly associated with the term ‘luxury watch.’ However, there are some quartz timepieces that are uber cool. Watches that have been built with a sole purpose in mind, tool watches using to their advantage the capabilities of their quartz heart. One of these marvels of electronics and micro-engineering is the chronograph that can be branded as the brainchild of the mighty Speedmaster; the Omega?Speedmaster X-33 Professional Skywalker (reference:318.90.45.79.01.001).BackgroundThe legend of the Moonwatch (read the story about how the Ome

Hands-On: The New Longines Conquest 2023 Chronograph
The name Conquest is an important one at Longines, as it refers to a long-lasting collection that was first introduced in 1954. A surprising fact about this name: it was the first step in an emerging marketing strategy for the brand, which was to give a name to a family of watches, creating a collection. Something that seems common these days but proved powerful back then. Since then, the name Conquest has been synonymous with classic, all-rounder watches. The previous Conquest (not to be confused with the dive-oriented HydroConquest) had been around for many years and had started to look slightly outdated. But this year, Longines has decided to revamp entirely its go-anywhere, do-anything collection with the new Longines Conquest 2023. And after our introduction of the entire collection, it’s now time to have a closer look at the chronograph edition.The Longines Conquest started its life in 1954 – to be precise, on April 3rd, 1954, Longines filed a patent for its Conquest

Music To Our Ears: Ulysse Nardin Performs Vivaldis Violin Concerto in E - Monochrome Watches
For us, this is the most wonderful time of the year. The manufactures have all been working so hard to prepare their latest offerings for Baselworld. Everyone honing and refining his or her novelties to capture the most attention from the press. Sometimes, the urge to show-off (or maybe psyche-out their competitors) is just too strong and we get a little peak under the tent as we have today. Ulysse Nardin bring us the second installment of their Musical Watch collection to prove that what makes a watch smart' is not always being able to sync to a satellite feed or trawl down to the depths of the oceans. A watch that plays music at the push of a button,?without an MP3 file anywhere to be found.It must be nice to not have anything to prove to people. Ulysse Nardin don't have anything to prove to anybody. They have ticked all the boxes for dress, dive and chronograph watches. They have offerings that present the highest traditions of watchmaking both in technical expertise and craftsmansh