First Look: The new Grand Seiko Spring Drive UFA SLGB001 & SLGB003 (With Finally a Micro-Adjustment Clasp)
When talking about vintage Grand Seiko watches, some references or acronyms have a lot of meaning. For instance, 44GS refers to one of the most important models ever, the watch that initiated the Grammar of Design and the shape of all subsequent creations. The acronym VFA also has its importance. Standing for Very Fine Adjusted and first used in 1969, this designation defined a Grand Seiko watch that was adjusted so skillfully that it achieved an astonishing monthly rate of 1 minute. Now, Grand Seiko has turned part of its production to the Spring Drive technology, a hybrid system known for its great accuracy. This year, with the Evolution 9 Spring Drive SLGB001 & SLGB003, a new acronym is introduced: UFA, standing for Ultra Fine Accuracy and announcing a new generation movement, Calibre 9RB2. But that’s not all, as this duo of compact and handsome watches also comes with the long-anticipated micro-adjustment folding clasp.?The handsome Evolution 9 SLGB001 & SLGB003Before

IN DEPTH: The Omega Flightmaster - The Special One - Monochrome Watches
The recent announcement of the revamped Speedmaster MkII from Omega seems to highlight a return to the company's glorious past- and rightly so, in my honest opinion, since Omega has a large number of design gems in its vaults. However, it was the introduction of the Z-33 spacemaster that made me want to dig some more and present to you the highly radical Flightmaster, a watch that, when it was introduced in 1969, was considered way ahead of its time. Maybe it still is….The 1960’s undoubtedly were hugely important for the Swiss watch industry; this was a memorable decade for chronographs and the other “tool” watches. The watch became the symbol of the adventurous human spirit, being worn by drivers and their crews when they went racing; by pilots as they broke speed and altitude records; by international travelers as they crossed the time zones of the world; by divers doing underwater exploration; by the adventurers as they climbed the tallest peaks. Especially i

Drive de Cartier Moon Phases - Hands-on Review SIHH 2017 (Specs & Price)
At the SIHH 2017, Cartier introduced a watch that I considered a hit (this remains of course very personal), the Drive de Cartier Extra Flat. Slim, refined, elegant, perfectly proportioned, featuring a nice engine… Still, this watch might be problematic for some. Obvious reason: its price. (It’s only available in gold.) Then, it might be too clean, too simple for some. In addition to the existing models (time-and-date and dual-time), Cartier introduced a Moon Phases version of the Drive, which caused quite a few of these?arguments to be resolved.After a few years of hesitation, and watches that were too feminine or unisex (including attempts that failed to stir?enough emotions, such as the Cle de Cartier), Cartier announced?its comeback to?the market of men’s watches at the SIHH 2016, with the Drive – and with it, the return to what Cartier is known for, the mastery of shaped watches. The Drive de Cartier, introduced first in time-and-date and dual-time (plus a

Oris Chronoris Limited Edition - Monochrome Watches
Renowned for its technical, modern and robust-looking watches, Oris started to introduce some vintage-inspired designs in its collections a few years ago, notably with the Divers Sixty Five collection. While the pilot’s watches hark back to the 1940s and the diving pieces play on the 1960s trend, the motorsport collection?recreates the spirit of another era, the 1970s. In keeping with the bold, colourful and shaped watches of the epoch, Oris reissued an iconic model: the Chronoris. Today, the brand releases a fresh, cool new model, the?Oris Chronoris Limited Edition.At the beginning of the 1970s, Oris launched its first chronograph – surprisingly late for a brand founded in 1904. Completely “en vogue” at that time, this watch came with a typical seventies “pilot’s” or “helmet” case, basically an ovoid-shaped case with integrated lugs. It was also the first watch of the brand to be dedicated to the world of motorsport, and for this r

The Summer Edition, 5 Accessible Sports Watches of 2019 - Monochrome Watches
Summertime and the livin' is easy As the holiday season is fast approaching, it's all about making your style cool and effortless, but also having watches that can survive adventures (a splash of mojito, perhaps?). To help you out, we have rounded up 5 watches that will make great daily beaters for sunny days, without breaking the bank.Note: this selection is based on a consensus among the MONOCHROME team. It reflects our preferences among watches unveiled in 2019. If there are other watches you'd love to mention, feel free to share these in the comment section at the end of this article.Seiko Prospex Twilight Blue SPB097J1A modern interpretation of a 1968 Seiko Diver (the high-beat reference 6159-7001), the Seiko Prospex 200m has been released in a special edition for the USA and Europe with a cool colour combo. Dubbed Twilight Blue, it features a sunburst blue dial paired with a black orange rotating bezel. The 44mm steel case is water-resistant to 200m. The watch is worn on a 3-link