Hands-On - Ferdinand Berthoud Chronometre FB1.4 Titanium / Sapphire Bridges (Specs & Price)
Ferdinand Berthoud strips down its spectacular Chronometre FB1. After the recently introduced platinum edition, it's now the movement that evolves. Indeed, sapphire bridges now offer an unimpeded view on its killer inner workings, and this mechanical beauty is now housed in a titanium case (with 2 different dials available). Meet the Ferdinand Berthoud Chronometre FB1.4, available in two different versions, which shows quite some evolutions compared to the previous models of the brand.After a long incubation period, Chopard's Karl Frederich Scheufele revived Berthoud, one of the greatest horologists of all times, with the unveiling of the FB1 chronometer, a modern, personal take on this unique heritage (read our previous reviews about the FB1.1/2 and FB1.3). A tribute to chronometry, this elaborate creation features several mechanisms to optimize precision. It received numerous industry accolades, including being awarded the Aiguille d'Or at GPHG 2016 (the Oscars of Watchmaking). But t

Omega Speedmaster 57 Calibre 9906 40.5mm - Hands-On, Price
When thinking Speedmaster, you'll immediately have in mind the classic Moonwatch, the Professional model that is coincidentally the direct descendant of the watches that made it to space. This statement is, of course, partially right, but not complete. Since the 1970s, the Speedmaster is more than a watch, it's a collection. Alongside the Moonwatch, the heritage models powered by the Calibre 321, the feminine collection, the Chronoscope or the large Racing models, the brand also has a vintage-inspired watch with modern mechanics, the Speedmaster 57. And today, in the frame of the 65th anniversary of the watch born in 1957, Omega gives the latter a complete revamp. From case to movement or proportions, almost everything changes, and this new Omega Speedmaster 57 Calibre 9906 40.5mm Collection ticks many boxes.?Alongside the Speedmaster Racing and its 44.25mm case, the Speedmaster 57 and its 41.5mm diameter represents the modern side of the collection, at least technically speaking, as b

Introducing: Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Tourbillon Enamel
Jaeger-LeCoultre‘s Master Thin collection is home to sophisticated, understated, ultra-thin dress watches ranging from time-and-date to moon phase models and more complex proposals like tourbillons and perpetual calendars. Offered with understated beige or sunray decorated dials, JLC introduced metiers d’art dials to the collection at the end of 2018. First appearing on the Master Ultra Thin Moon model, the hand-guilloche dial added a further touch of sophistication, making its way over to the more complicated models. The latest hand-guilloche dial to emerge from JLC’s Metiers Rares Atelier appears on the pink gold Master Ultra Thin Tourbillon Enamel model in a beguiling new shade of blue.Capturing the light with every movement of the wrist, the hand-guilloche pattern on the dial is composed of 180 sun rays radiating from the dial’s centre to the edges. Ensuring that every ray is absolutely straight, evenly spaced and aligned, the master guillocheur requires gre

Pre-SIHH 2016 Hands-On - Montblanc TimeWalker ExoTourbillon Minute Chronograph LE100 (live pics & price) - Monochrome Watches
A year ago, at the SIHH 2015, Montblanc surprised us by introducing a watch featuring both a tourbillon and an automatic, column-wheel, monopusher chronograph for less than 40,000 Euros – and that’s really impressive! This watch, the?Montblanc Heritage Chronometrie ExoTourbillon Minute Chronograph, will soon see its movement used in the TimeWalker collection, with the new, more conceptual and bolder case and a display that will please the seekers of sportiness. Let’s have a look in the flesh at one of the SIHH 2016 novelties of Montblanc, the?Montblanc TimeWalker ExoTourbillon Minute Chronograph LE100.The TimeWalker is the urban, modern (and quite sculptural) collection of Montblanc, a watch that is easily recognizable from?its lugs, hollowed in?the center and adorned with the Montblanc logo to the edges – see some examples of?normal TimeWalker watches here and here. Recently, the highly-productive?brand showed a massive evolution (that can be called a huge mode

Talking to Sylvain Dolla, Tissot's CEO - Monochrome Watches
Tissot is one of the oldest brands in the portfolio of Swatch Group. Founded in 1853 by Charles-Felicien Tissot and his son, Charles-emile Tissot, it was acquired by Swatch Group in 1998 and positioned as a manufacturer of robust yet affordable watches with a sporting soul. Hugely benefitting from the Group’s resources, Tissot relies on its extensive archives to create appealing watches at accessible prices. In recent years we’ve seen some strong offerings, like the Heritage 1973 Chronograph, the Seastar 2000 Professional Powermatic 80, and the smash-hit PRX Powermatic 80. All the more reason to sit down with CEO Sylvain Dolla.Sylvain Dolla, CEO of TissotXavier Markl, MONOCHROME – You took the helm at Tissot as CEO a few months ago. What surprised you at Tissot?Sylvain Dolla, CEO for Tissot – When I arrived at Tissot, I was amazed by the amount of archives the brand has been collecting since its beginning in 1853 and how it has taken advantage of these to releas