SIHH 2015 - Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 15400 Two-Tone - hands-on with live photos, specs & price - Monochrome-Watches
The legendary Audemars Piguet Royal Oak is back in the game and will again make some noise. This watch, originally created in 1972 and designed by Gerald Genta, is an icon and AP knows that very well. Just look at the number of variations and special editions that have been created over the years and you’ll understand why the brand is so keen on this watch. No big novelties for the SIHH 2015, but a reissue of a very well-known edition: the RO bi-metal – stainless steel and gold. Here is the new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak 15400 Two-Tone.A two-tone Royal Oak is not entirely new for Audemars Piguet. Back in the 1970s, the first edition of the Royal Oak, the extra-thin Ref. 5402 that is lovingly referred to as ‘Jumbo’, was already available in this combination of two metals – stainless steel and yellow gold, to be precise – combined with a superb slate-grey dial. This timepiece is nowadays a rare bird with an increasing value. Even if European customers h

SIHH 2018 - Christoph Grainger-Herr of IWC, On The New Collection - Monochrome Watches
We always knew that IWC was going to be one of the stand-outs of SIHH 2018, ever since the brand began previewing the limited-edition timepieces from its 150th Anniversary collection last month. Suffice to say, we have not been disappointed. In total, an impressive 28 new limited-edition references were introduced, along with two new calibres. It's a welcome departure for the brand, which normally focuses on refreshing one collection per year (in 2017, it was the Da Vinci collection). In this short video, we speak to Christoph Grainger-Herr, global CEO of IWC, to learn more about the 150th Anniversary collection and the significance of the new two calibres introduced.As many people seem to agree, one of the main highlights from SIHH 2018 is the IWC Tribute to Pallweber Edition 150 years, with centralised digital hours and minutes display. A vintage re-edition of sorts, this unusual design is actually based on one of the most iconic pocket-watches ever manufactured by IWC, the Pallweber

Vacheron Constantin Historiques Triple Calendar 1942 - Review, Price
The Historiques line brings together contemporary re-issues of Vacheron Constantin past glories. There's the Ultra-Fine 1955, a rigorist interpretation of the extra-flat dress watch. And then, there are these three unapologetically elegant watches standing out for their original character. I had got the opportunity to go hands-on with the cushion-shaped?American 1921 and the Chronograph 1955 Cornes de Vache. But not yet with the stylish Historiques Triple Calendar 1942. It was about time to remedy the omissionAs its name suggests, the Historiques Triple Calendar 1942 is a vintage re-edition directly inspired by the Vacheron Constantin from 1942, the reference 4240. While the first Vacheron Constantin calendar wristwatches date back to 1920, the 1940s are often regarded as the golden age of this complication in the history of the brand. Back then, the reference 4240 had been manufactured in yellow and pink gold but also in steel. Looking with today's eyes on the model, the 4240 is a gre

Jay-Z Spotted Wearing Patek Grandmaster Chime at the 65th Grammys
Music legend, husband of another music legend and one of the most lucrative record producers of his generation, Shawn Carter, a.k.a Jay-Z, is known for his acquired taste in many things. Let’s start with cars and his unique Rolls Royce Boat Tail (equipped with a?bespoke Bovet 1822 watch). And because you’re reading MONOCHROME, he’s got some pretty fascinating watches too. His Daytona can be seen as almost entry-level, even if its an Everose gold model. Much more intriguing, he’s the owner of the one-and-only Perpetual Calendar known, a watch modified by Franck Muller. The man knows his watches. And to prove it, he was spotted wearing Patek Philippe’s most complex watch yesterday at the 65th Grammy Awards, the $2.2 million Grandmaster Chime 6300G. Although it’s not the first time he’s been spotted wearing this black dial model, all eyes were on his wrist.?Steve Stoute, Rich Paul, Jay-Z, Juan “OG” Perez and The-Dream attend the 65

LVMH First Quarter 2020 Results Show Declining Sales, But Still Relative Resilience - Monochrome Watches
As a first reliable indicator of the impact of COVID-19 on the luxury industry, the French powerhouse and market leader, LVMH has just announced its results for the first quarter of 2020. A period that accounts for the first weeks of lockdown and closed shops, both for the Asian and European markets. With sales down 15% compared to the same period in 2019, there’s no denying the impact, although the portfolio of brands still shows “its ability to be resilient in an economic environment disrupted by a serious health crisis.” However, disparities exist within the business groups.With the confinement rules applied first in China (as of mid-January), one of LVMH’s major markets, followed by the same policies in Europe (as of mid-March) and in multiple countries over the world, combined with the closure of stores and manufacturing sites in most countries and suspension of international travel, we were expecting sales of the LVMH Group to be dramatically impacted. Wit