Introducing The Original Cartier Santos-Dumont Micro-Rotor
Louis Cartier designed the iconic Santos watch in 1904 for pioneering Brazilian aviator Alberto Santos-Dumont. Revisited over the years, the three Santos-Dumont models for 2023 respect many of the original’s design cues but strike a modern chord with their skeletonised movements. Available in steel, pink gold and a limited edition in a yellow gold case with blue lacquer, the Santos-Dumont is equipped with a new, specifically developed automatic skeletonised movement with a unique micro-rotor that pays homage to the aviator.Having designed 22 flying machines, including his elegant 1908 monoplane known as La Demoiselle, Alberto Santos-Dumont and Louis Cartier shared a passion for machines and mechanics. In 1904 Louis Cartier presented Santos-Dumont with the first purpose-designed wristwatch with a solid, rounded square case and rivets on the bezel. A precursor of the clean lines that would mark the Art Deco period, the dial featured bold blackened Roman numerals, a chemin de fer (r

First Look: The Chopard L.U.C XPS 1860 Officer Vendome One
Recently, luxury brand Chopard expanded its presence by opening a prestigious hospitality establishment at Place Vend?me 1, in Paris. This boutique hotel offers five rooms and ten suites, each uniquely decorated. To mark the opening of the Chopard Hotel, the brand has introduced the Chopard L.U.C XPS 1860 Officer Vend?me One, a special edition watch available exclusively from the brand’s boutique located on the ground floor of the hotel.The new edition of the L.U.C XPS 1860 Officer model continues the tradition of earlier celebratory references, such as the L.U.C XPS 1860 Officer Royal Arms of England to mark the reopening of the Chopard boutique in London and the recent XPS 1860 Officer SHH Edition to honour the enduring partnership between the Maison and the Singapore retailer. Ad - Scroll to continue with article The Vend?me One edition, a testament to

Hands-On - The Garrick S1 Prototype With Skeletonized Dial (Specs & Price)
For the last few years, we've been hearing about the so-called “resurgence” of British watchmaking. Run by passionate Brits with a strong streak of defiance, these small independent brands are (very) slowly but surely gaining a foothold in the market and proving they have what it takes to stick around for a while. One such brand, which we've written about several times before on MONOCHROME, is Garrick (you can find all past coverage here.) Today, we're taking a closer look at the S1, the latest model from the brand, or rather a prototype of it.?SalonQP 2017If you attended SalonQP this year at the Saatchi Gallery, then you likely already know it was a lacklustre event in comparison to previous years. Not only was it smaller (an entire floor smaller) but it also failed to attract the major brand names like Vacheron Constantin and Jaeger-LeCoultre, which in previous years had interactive booths set up. This seems to be part of a larger trend of big brands not finding regional

Hands-On MeisterSinger Perigraph Bronze Limited Edition (Specs & Price)
German brand MeisterSinger has carved a niche in the market with its single-handed watches. The Perigraph, MeisterSinger's automatic watch with an open date ring is revisited in this handsome, 43mm bronze case. A winning combination of industrial German design with the warm vintage appeal of bronze, this new take on the Perigraph is a limited edition of just 100 pieces and is available at retailers now. And here are our thoughts about it.Going for the BronzeAs you know, bronze cases have made a strong comeback on the watch scene. Thanks to its resistance to corrosion, bronze has been used widely in the production of nautical and scientific instruments. The patina that develops over time gives watches a distinctive antique feel we associate with early marine chronometers and other seafaring equipment. And don't be fooled into thinking that only chunky dive watches (this or that) are suitable vessels for the heavy metal, bronze has transitioned across the board as a case material for pil

First Look: TAG Heuer Carrera Chronosprint x Porsche Rallye (Incl. Video)
Among the many partnerships between automotive brands and watchmakers, the collaboration between TAG Heuer and Porsche stands out as one of the most seamless and authentic despite being recent – since 2021. This synergy has given rise to special edition timepieces that captivate enthusiasts well beyond the racing world – the Carrera Porsche Chronograph, then the Carrera x Porsche RS 2.7, the Carrera Chronograph x Porsche Orange Racing, the Carrera Chronograph Tourbillon x Porsche Panamericana, the Carrera Chronosprint x Porsche and the?Carrera Chronograph x Porsche 963 released for the 24h of Le Mans 2024 edition. This year, the excitement shifts gears with the introduction of the “black-livery” editions of the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronosprint x Porsche Rallye in steel and yellow gold, which will surely ignite passion among watch and car fans.?This new version of the TAG Heuer Carrera Chronosprint x Porsche boasts an already familiar yet undeniably cool Glassbox-s