Richemont Announces Strong 2017-2018 Results - Sales and Operating Profit on the Rise - Monochrome Watches
Echoing its rivals in the luxury goods industry – including?LVMH, Kering or Swatch Group – Swiss luxury powerhouse Richemont just announced growth for the year ending 31 March 2018. Sales increased by 3% at actual rates and by 8% at constant rates to EUR 10,979 million. The group reports strong performance in its retail network. Operating profit grew 5% and the proposed dividend will be CHF 1.90 (a 6% increase compared to previous period).Richemont's results confirm the positive trend of the watchmaking and jewellery markets. Swiss watchmakers have seen business improving over the past months after a prolonged downturn (the 2015-2016 crisis had a negative impact on most watchmaking brands). Swatch Group sales increased 5.8% in 2017; LVMH Watches & Jewelry division sales were up 10%. Swiss watch exports increased 2.7% in 2017 and 10.1% over the first quarter of 2018.Concerning the different regions, Asia Pacific (China, Hong Kong, Korea and Macau) has a huge impact on th

Omega Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition - Monochrome Watches
Working closely with the world's most famous spy in cinematic history, currently portrayed by Daniel Craig, Omega has created a rather unique Seamaster Diver 300M. The new 007 Edition – which is non-limited by the way – looks and feels completely different from the regular Seamaster Professional series. And that is a good thing because a man of his stature deserves something special right? So without further ado, let us take you through all the details of the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M 007 Edition.I vividly remember growing up with the James Bond movie franchise. Being a kid of the eighties meant that many films came before I was born, and many have come since, but I've watched them all several times over. One thing that stands out most to me, besides the obvious taglines, is the gadgets (and the cars of course). In almost every movie, the Q-branch of MI6 plays a major role in James Bond's missions, supplying him with the necessary state of the art equipment, often disguise

Your Guide to the "Dirty Dozen" - Including the Only British Member, VERTEX - Monochrome Watches
In our modern age of smartphones and wearable tech, it's easy to forget just how indispensable the humble mechanical wristwatch once was. Yet even a brief foray into the world of military watches is enough to provide a vivid reminder. Rugged, reliable and entirely fit-for-purpose, these simple timekeepers have played a critical role in the successful execution of military operations that dramatically shaped the course of modern history. Particularly during World War II, the period which we will be focusing on for the purpose of this article. Arguably the best-known such watches from this era are those of the British Military. More specifically, the Dirty Dozen.The 12 watches that compose the so-called “Dirty Dozen” – Photo by A Collected ManBackgroundChances are you're already familiar with the Dirty Dozen, or have at least heard the name. That's probably because the Dozen is amongst the most sought-after series by military watch collectors. If you're not familiar wit

Christmas Shopping Guide - The Best Chronograph Watches of 2016
Following our previous guides about the best sports watches, the best dress watches and the best ultra-complicated watches of 2016, it’s time for us now to look at one of the main watch categories of them all, and I mean by that the chronographs. Chronographs are amongst the most sold timepieces, they are amongst the most sought-after in auctions and two of them?are certainly the most iconic watches of all times. The best chronograph watches of 2016 is not a subject we?should?treat?lightly at all. And here are the 5 watches that resulted from long debates at the Monochrome redaction. Cosmograph Daytona Ceramic 116500LNWe know, having the Daytona Ceramic 116500LN to start this article was totally expected. But still, we simply couldn’t do without. This watch is not just a hit, it’s a commercial blast. The day introduced it, waiting lists were?already growing?at retailers. Few days later, collectors that were to slow to pre-order on day-one knew that it would be al

Hands-On: The Appealing Patek Philippe Alarm Travel Time 5520RG
While pilot-style watches have now found a comfortable niche within the modern Patek Philippe catalogue, the introduction of the Calatrava Pilot Travel Time 5524 in 2015 sparked more than just curiosity: it stirred a veritable commotion. Many were taken aback, feeling it was a departure from the typical Patek Philippe aesthetic. The design, markedly different from the timeless offerings of the Calatrava series, challenged long-standing expectations. The controversy persisted despite explanations about drawing inspiration from Patek Philippe’s history of producing “hour-angle” or siderometer pilot’s watches for the military in the 1930s.The 2015, inaugural white gold version of the Patek Philippe Calatrava Pilot Travel Time 5524 The inaugural edition of the Alarm Travel Time 5520, released in 2019 in platinum.However, the reference 5524 quickly became a resounding success for Patek Philippe. The medium-size (37.5mm) Calatrava Pilot Travel T