Interview: Georges Kern on what to expect for the return of Universal Geneve in 2026
About a year ago, Georges Kern, also known as the CEO of Breitling, made a resounding announcement for the watch community; the acquisition of historic brand Universal Geneve and its planned return as a watchmaker in 2026. A brand known for its innovative designs and movements, benefitting from a certain aura in the collecting community, the so-called Couturier de la Montre is set to be back with a collection of high-end watches that “promises to restore the prestige of a hallowed name in the world of luxury timepieces.” This, however, is a well-dressed speech from a press release. However, on the occasion of the 70th anniversary of the Polerouter model, which gave us 3 unique pieces that you can discover here, we decided to take some time to talk to the brand’s CEO, Georges Kern. Why buy Universal? Where does he want to position the brand? What price segment and what overall concept can we expect? We have all the answers.Brice Goulard, MONOCHROME – First, an ea

Hamilton Chrono-Matic 50 Auto Chrono - Introducing, Specs & Price
It seems that Hamilton is on fire, with multiple well-received, vintage-inspired releases, such as the Khaki Pilot Pioneer, the Khaki Field Mechanical or the Intra-Matic. As we’re still in 2019 and still celebrating the 50th anniversary of the Chrono-Matic/Calibre 11 movement, the brand introduces another watch modelled on a glorious watch – and this time, it won’t be for the faint-hearted. Meet the new Hamilton Chrono-Matic 50 Auto Chrono “Count-down”.A reissue of the Count-down GMT Chrono-MaticAfter reissuing the Hacked, the H-10 and the Chrono-Matic, ex-American, now Swiss brand Hamilton looks at another of its glorious models, the base for today’s revival watch: the Chronograph-E or Count-down GMT Chrono-Matic. Together with Heuer, Buren and Breitling, helped by Dubois-Depraz, Hamilton was one of the first manufacturers to present an automatic chronograph, a movement named Chrono-Matic or Calibre 11 depending on the brand. This movement is charac

The Collector's Series - Scott and His Unusual Behrens B023
Forget about the hype, go your own way… Look beyond the mainstream, seek new brands, look for the unusual and go for what you truly love! This is how you could summarize this new instalment of our collector’s interviews. Today we meet with Scott (29), a collector from Seattle, Washington in the USA. And he has a love for unusual, weird watches, preferably from brands that are not made the usual suspects. The model he highlights in today's Collector's Series is a Behrens B023, a brand he had never even heard of before a few months ago! It was the combination of design and intricate mechanics that made him fall for the brand. The reasonable pricing was a plus.Frank Geelen, MONOCHROME – Do you remember where and when you first came across this brand?Scott – A few months ago I was scrolling through random watch articles at home (as you do)?and I somehow came across the Grand Prix d’Horlogerie’s site. All the usual suspects were?there, brands like Bovet,

Video Interview - Patrik P. Hoffmann, CEO of Ulysse Nardin, about Baselworld 2016 and the 20th anniversary of the Marine Collection - Monochrome Watches
Marine Chronometers are a major part of the DNA of Ulysse Nardin. 100 years ago already, UN was already one of the leaders in the market for deck chronometers (marine chronometers to be used on boats deck) and since then, this spirit has been kept alive by the brand as a motto. This year, Ulysse Nardin is celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Marine Collection,?its most important range of watches and mostly, a modern interpretation of deck chronometers. For this reason, we had a long talk with?Patrik P. Hoffmann, CEO of Ulysse Nardin, about Baselworld 2016 and the 20th anniversary of this collection – celebrated by introducing 2 novelties, the Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronograph Annual Calendar and the Marine Grand Deck Tourbillon.Alongside mentioning the importance of the Marine Collection for Ulysse Nardin –?in fact a marine chronometer in the form of a modern wristwatch, a watch inspired by antique clocks and linked to the roots of the brand –?Patrik P. Hoffmann, CE

Vacheron Constantin Overseas Dual Time Black Dial / Review & Price
Vacheron Constantin's Overseas family is the brand's luxury sports watch proposal, a well-furnished collection with everything from simple three-handers?to sophisticated perpetual calendars, tourbillons and chronographs. The third-generation Overseas family was introduced in 2016 and given its vocation as a travel watch, the appearance of the Dual Time model in 2018 was a welcome addition. The latest Dual Time model, which we have for our hands-on session, is this black beauty. With an automatic manufacture movement, a highly practical dual-time function, resistance to water and magnetism, a beefy power reserve of 60 hours, dashing good looks, not one but three different straps, and the easiest interchangeable strap system on the market today… the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Dual Time is packed to the gills with assets.?ProvenanceThe genesis of the luxury sports watch has been told countless times. Suffice it to say that the leader of the pack was AP's Royal Oak of 1972 followed