Indie Watchmaking - Hands-On Cedric Johner Abyss Chronograph
Stepping into Cedric Johner's modestly sized workshop in Carouge in the outskirts of Geneva is a unique experience. Inside you will find an eclectic mix of old tools and hand-operated machines as the independent watchmaker started his career as a jeweller. With this background, Johner is a versatile artisan with a very personal way of looking at traditional mechanical watchmaking, using original techniques and crafts to make his watches by himself, in very small numbers, with a highly personal design. And the Cedric Johner Abyss Chronograph 30th Anniversary, equipped with a superb version of the Valjoux 23, is a typical example of his work. To celebrate 30 years of independent watchmaking, Cedric Johner has started a 30-piece limited edition based on his signature Abyss case in a chronograph version. The beautiful hand-wound, column-wheel chronograph movement found in this limited-edition Abyss is a refinished old-stock Valjoux 23 calibre. The origins of the lege

Opinion - What We Expect From The Successor to the Patek Nautilus 5711
It all started as a rumour, back in January 2021. We heard that Patek Philippe was about to discontinue its most emblematic sports watch, the time-and-date Nautilus 5711 (which is, coincidentally, one of the most sought-after watches on the pre-owned market). And the rumour was indeed true, as Thierry Stern announced stopping the production of the model introduced in 2006, the blue dial 5711/1A-001. But afterwards, two things happened. First, the brand released a one-year-only farewell edition, the Olive Green Nautilus 5711. And, of course, there has been the Tiffany Blue 5711, made in 170 pieces only. And now, we know that the Nautilus 5711 is definitely gone and discontinued. This can’t be the end of the story for the time-and-date Patek Philippe Nautilus. Will there be a watch to keep the legend alive…? We believe so, and here’s what we’d like to see in the new Patek Philippe Nautilus – let’s call it 6711 for now.?The way Patek Philippe and its Pr

IWC Ingenieur Automatic ref.3239 Reviewed - Monochrome Watches
In January of this year, IWC introduced an entire new Ingenieur collection. Not just one or two new models; the entire collection was ‘reinvented’. While many of the new Ingenieur models feature all kind of technical innovations, the ref. 3239 Ingenieur Automatic, goes back to its roots. Back to the classic Ingenieur SL ref. 1832 that was designed by Gerald Genta. Will this also become such a classic?It is of course impossible to answer that question, however Monochrome did take a closer look at the Ingenieur Automatic ref. 3239-04 and gave it some serious wrist-time. We cannot predict if it will ever become a classic like its ancestor from the 1970’s, but we can check if all ingredients are present. The new Ingenieur Automatic is? smaller and thinner than any other Ingenieur, well, smaller and thinner than any Ingenieur since the classic SL ref. 1832 designed by Genta. And it wears accordingly, super comfortable. Ad - Scroll to continue with article

Pre SIHH 2015: Greubel Forsey GMT titanium Black ADLC - The Dark Side and the Earth (specs and price) - Monochrome-Watches
Since founding their unique watch company ten years ago in 2004, Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey have created an indelible footprint, instantly recognisable and firmly imprinted on the world of watchmaking. In the space of just one decade Greubel Forsey have become a benchmark watchmaker, and every move they make is followed keenly by collectors and other watchmakers alike. One of their most famous creations now comes in black: say hello to the?Greubel Forsey GMT titanium Black ADLC.For their latest foray, Greubel Forsey revisit the horological marvel that is their GMT from 2011-2012 and present the Greubel Forsey GMT Black in a new limited edition of only twenty-two pieces (we previously found a unique piece in?platinum DLC coated), and you know what, even if blacked watches are not your thing, they've nailed it again! It is hugely impressive and even though it's not a new concept, there is still so much to take in. Ad - Scroll to continue with article

Petrolhead Corner - Rolls Royce Returns to Coachbuild with the Boat Tail
The world of super-luxury cars is evolving fast. While a few years ago we had high-end car manufacturers offering bespoke services mostly for interiors and paint jobs, we are seeing a shift towards high-end manufactured coachbuilt cars by mainstream car brands again. Like in the early days of the automobile, more and more brands are now offering full bespoke services. The most recent announcement came from Rolls Royce, which said it would return to the glorious days of coachbuilt cars. To back up that claim, the famous Spirit of Ecstasy presented the Rolls Royce Boat Tail, the most expensive new car you can buy. Oh, and it comes with a bespoke Bovet 1822 watch!Rolls Royce has a long history of fully bespoke or coachbuilt cars. And while you can still pretty much request whatever you like on the interior and exterior in terms of colours or trim, coachbuilt cars are a whole different ballgame. This means one-off or highly limited cars, mostly handmade bodies, to very specific demands of