Collector's Series - Malek's Schwarz Etienne Roma Synergy by Kari Voutilainen
Malek bin Easa is a regular contributor to MONOCHROME. Malek is the driving force and founder of the Emirates Watch Club and in that position a well-known figure in the Arab watch scene. This time we asked the Dubai-based collector about one of his most cherished timepieces, his Schwarz Etienne Roma Synergy by Kari Voutilainen. A model that has his personal touch! Because indeed, it's not just a classic Roma Synergy by Kari Voutilainen (if ever there was anything classic about this watch anyway) but it's the special edition made especially for the members of the Emirates Watch Club.?Let’s discover everything that makes this watch a true gem.?Dr Malek Easa, Founder of The Emirates Watch ClubFrank Geelen, MONOCHROME – When was the first time you laid eyes on Schwarz Etienne as a brand?Malek bin Easa, founder of the Emirates Watch Club – I can't remember exactly, but it was through browsing online a few years ago, maybe in 2016. The brand appealed to me because the compa

Bvlgari Bvlgari Cities Special Editions 2020 (Specs & Price)
Even if most of the buzz has been generated around the successful Octo collection – and its multiple thinness world records – there is more than just one modern icon produced by the Italian watchmaker/jeweller. Based on a model introduced in the mid-1970s, the Bvlgari Bvlgari collection perpetuates this love affair between Bvlgari and its country of origin, with a deceptively simple design that actually incorporates multiple references to Italian culture. Today, the brand launches the Bvlgari Bvlgari Cities Editions 2020, inspired by the nine cities – Rome, Tokyo, Dubai, Paris, London, Ibiza, Milan, Mexico City and New York – that have hosted Bvlgari in the past.A 1970s BackgroundThe original design of the Bvlgari Bvlgari, with its signature cylindrical case and bezel engraved with the brand’s name and Roma, was first introduced in 1975 as a limited edition gift for 100 of Bvlgari's best clients. With its unexpected combination of a yellow gold shine, a cl

Omega Spacemaster Z-33 Fully Reviewed - Monochrome Watches
When pulling negative G-forces, inverted and with weapons systems hot, the last thing a fighter pilot needs is an unfriendly watch. The Omega Spacemaster Z-33 is heir to the throne of the original Flightmaster and provides an ease of use that adapts to the most challenging circumstances.? Unlike the interlude with the accomplished X-33 (you really have to see this X-33 article), the Z-33 returns to its roots, but also adds some no-nonsense functionality that makes it brilliant.?With the Z-33, you will never see a cadre of clones adorning the wrists of hipsters, nor will you see anything like it on the tarmac. Ad - Scroll to continue with article I have never worn a watch that was so polarizing; people either loved it or hated it, sometimes to the extreme. These reactions were visceral, and I expect might be for the reader as well. Do you like it? Well that is al

Strap The very cool Marine Nationale Strap from @ErikasOriginals, Perfect for your Dive Watches - Monochrome Watches
We all love to change straps on our watches, especially when it comes to sports or dive watches. Whether you own a Tudor Black Bay, an Oris Divers Sixty Five, a Seiko Prospex, or all?sorts of watches that are cool and slightly rugged, switching straps is just part of the fun. Of course, it allows you to match it with your “environment” (business, casual, seaside…) or even to your outfit. Recently, we discovered (thanks Ilias…) some very nice straps, which will be perfect for your dive watches and for summer. They are perfect replicas of vintage?Marine Nationale Strap, made by a sweet lady called Erika (@ErikasOriginals) and if you are a vintage collector, you certainly what we are talking about.A bit of history about the?Marine Nationale StrapWhy do we name these straps “Marine Nationale Strap”. In fact, we have to look?back at?military purposes and at?Tudor Watches. The relation between French Navy “Marine Nationale” and Tudor can be tra

First Look: The Green Panerai Luminor Marina Titanio PAM03325 (Incl. Video)
Panerai’s history is well-known, of course, and although its watches are based on those supplied to the Royal Italian Navy for decades, it wasn’t until 1993 that they became commercially available. The collection is basically split between two lines: the Radiomir, designed to be worn by frogmen commandos, and the Luminor, easily recognized by its signature crown bridge. For 2025, in tandem with a series of Luminor Marina models, Panerai adds a dashing new lightweight model to the ranks: the Panerai Luminor Marina Titanio PAM03325. Not only does it stand out by its formidably robust specs, but also thanks to a handsome sunray-brushed green dial!Paneristi will already have spotted that this new PAM03325 is, of course, a Luminor Marina, which means there’s a small seconds indication positioned at 9′. The design is hardly a surprise, as it shouldn’t be, given the watch’s instantly recognizable profile. It comes down to a cushion-shaped case with a circul