Introducing the revamped Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Chronograph Perpetual Calendar (new dial, improved movement, ref. 5000T) - Monochrome Watches
We have always said: there are huge analogies between the luxury car industry and the watchmaking industry whether we are talking about marketing, sponsorships,?typology of collectors. In terms of products, we can also find similarities. It is extremely common for cars now to have their middle-life facelift, and this happens more and more in watches. Not entirely a new model, however slightly different from the previous version, the?Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Chronograph Perpetual Calendar goes through this process, with an improved movement (Calibre 1142QP) and a redesigned dial, becoming ref. 5000T.As said, the?Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Chronograph Perpetual Calendar is not a new watch. It has existed in the catalogue for some years and comes in 3 different editions - dark grey dial / platinum case, white dial / platinum case, white dial / rose gold. This watch was powered by one of the most sought-after chronograph movements ever created, the Lemania 27-70 (used now

Industry Luxury Giant LVMH Reports Record Revenues in 2021
Fuelled?by robust demand in?Asia?and the?United States, the luxury market rebounded strongly in 2021. LVMH, the world’s largest luxury-goods company, has just released its results for 2021. The French luxury powerhouse delivered record performance with a revenue of EUR 64.2 billion, up 44% compared to 2020 and up 20% compared to 2019. Organic revenue growth was 36% compared to 2020 and 14% compared to 2019. Profit from recurring operations stood at EUR 17,151 million for 2021, more than double 2020, and up 49% compared to 2019.If all business groups recorded double-digit growth, the performance of the Fashion & Leather Goods business group was exceptional with a 46% increase in revenue at EUR 30,896 million.Source LVMHFor what is our main concern at MONOCHROME, at EUR 8,964 million, the Watches and Jewellery Business group recorded revenue growth of 167% in 2021 compared to 2020, as Tiffany & Co. was consolidated for the first time. To provide a better idea of the trend f

A Space Story - How a Micro-Brand Watch by Dave Sutton and an ErikasOriginals MN Strap Ended Up on the ISS - Monochrome Watches
Space exploration is a recurring topic when it comes to watches. Of course, the Omega Speedmaster a.k.a. Moonwatch is the reference when it comes to space-linked timepieces, however, it’s not the only watch that made it to space. Recently, we discovered that another watch had been launched via a resupply mission to the ISS, a custom-made pilot's watch, by Dave Sutton, worn on a Marine Nationale strap by our good friend Erika (from ErikasOriginals). Obviously, we wanted to know more about this very cool story.Dave's custom-made watch and Erika's MN strapThe watch itself is not branded or produced by one of the well-known brands. Much more interesting is the fact that the watch that was launched into space is a custom-made watch. Dave Sutton made a limited run of this watch, and it’s built with Seiko parts and some parts were supplied by friends. Dave has been as a professional pilot and professional diver (as the boating coordinator for the US research efforts in Antarctica)

TAG Heuer Monaco Calibre 02 "Grand Prix de Monaco Historique" Edition - Monochrome Watches
Racing along the tight curves of the Formula 1 city circuit, historic cars compete in the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique, a reference in the motoring world and one of the most important historic car racing events. TAG Heuer, maker of iconic racing chronographs, including the Monaco, was already the Official Watch of the Monaco Formula 1 Grand Prix and the Monaco Top Cars Collection. The brand has now been appointed Official Sponsor and Timekeeper of the Grand Prix de Monaco Historique Some partnerships just seem like natural fits.AUTO LEGENDSThe 1950s and 1960s were the golden age of motor-racing and of mechanical watch design. It was a period of authentic connection between automotive and horological worlds. At Heuer, stopwatches and dashboard instruments were the mainstay of the company business. Instead of soulless reference numbers, the brand started to use distinctive names for its chronographs like the Autavia, the Carrera or the Camaro And in 1969, Heuer launched the Monaco.

SIHH 2017 - Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers Symphonia
SIHH 2017 - Vacheron Constantin unveils its first ever Grande Sonnerie wristwatch with the one-of-a-kind Les Cabinotiers Symphonia Grande Sonnerie 1860, a horological masterpiece boasting ingenious security devices, a smart strike-mode selector operated via the bezel and phantom quarters elimination. It's an impressive watch that we present to you today (and one that we'll be reviewing in greater detail once the SIHH over).The grande sonnerie and petite sonnerie hold a special place in the world of Haute Horlogerie. There is only a handful of watchmakers capable of manufacturing such works of arts, often regarded as the ultimate horological complication. Both the grande and petite sonnerie strike the hours and quarters in passing, though only the grande sonnerie repeats the hours at every quarter. Usually, they feature a selector to silence the mechanism and are combined with a minute repeater to chime time on demand. Their creation requires utmost technical expertise as hundreds of co