IWC grants us a new "Mark" watch with the Mark XX
Seemingly from out of nowhere, or at least with very little communication, IWC has launched a new Mark model. The new IWC Pilot’s Watch Mark XX, skipping the Mark XIX in the process, by the way, is the brand’s latest edition in the iconic range of aviation-themed watches. It’s not the first time such a quiet release is done (remember a certain Omega?) so imagine our surprise this morning when we first spotted it. Naturally, being MONOCHROME Watches, we’ve done some digging and give the most important details at this latest rendition of the classic pilot’s watch design by IWC. And as ever, there’s a bit more than first meets the eye with the new IWC Pilot’s Watch Mark XX.Going through the spec-sheet of the new IWC Pilot’s Watch Mark XX reveals touch-ups in areas beyond just the design. We see new proportions, an updated dial, new colours, new mechanics and more. This sets it apart from the still available Mark XVIII, which was introduced s

Hands-on IWC Pilot's Watch Timezoner TOP GUN Ceratanium IW395505
IWC Schaffhausen's outstanding craft of creating functional, mechanical pilot's watches has translated into something far more than just a simple and legible timing device designed for pilots. It has transformed into a horological icon, sparking many iterations with additional, useful complications. One such offspring is the practical IWC Pilot's Watch Timezoner, a Super-GMT if you like. Following the Spitfire The Longest Flight and Le Petit Prince editions, the latest member of the family is the IWC Pilot's Watch Timezoner TOP GUN Ceratanium IW395505.IWC has been on a mission to update the emblematic IWC Big Pilot and Pilot's Watch collections this year and shows no signs of settling down. We've seen new chronographs, a downsized Big Pilot, a sleek pair of Mojave Desert watches and complex Perpetual Calendar and Tourbillon models. And let's not forget about the uber-impressive Shock Absorber XPL. The latest novelty, however, is the Timezoner TOP GUN Ceratanium. Ad - Scroll

IWC Portugieser Chronograph IW3716 Green and Burgundy Dials (Price)
It's the year of the Portugieser at IWC and the Portugieser Chronograph welcomes two new dial colours to the family. Previously known as the ref. IW3714, the big news in February 2020 was that the chronograph had been upgraded with an in-house calibre. The other good news for fans of the iconic Ref. IW3714 was that the design of the watch remained intact. ?Already available in six iterations in a choice of steel and rose gold, the new stainless steel Portugieser Chronograph Ref. IW3716 comes with burgundy and green dials. An elegant take on the chronograph, the new dials add a splash of vibrant colour to the collection.A Condensed History of the Portugieser ChronographIn 1998, IWC launched a simplified, standard chronograph that shared the same design, case and dial as the Rattrapante. This automatic chronograph, known as Ref. IW3714, was fitted with a Valjoux-based movement that was modified by IWC. Earlier this year, the movement was exchanged in favour of calibre 69335, a robust, hi

REVIEW: Flying Dutchman by Pellikaan Timing - Monochrome Watches
Over the past couple of years we've introduced you to a number of Dutch watchmakers. Can we disregard the watch industry in our small but proud nation? No, we can't. We briefly covered Pellikaan back in 2011, with the release of the Limited Edition for Dutch football club F.C. Utrecht. Join us as our own Flying Dutchman' Robin Nooij takes an in-depth look at an interesting timepiece; the Pellikaan Timing Flying Dutchman.The model we have been granted to review is Pellikaan's Flying Dutchman. The name may not be as well known as Gronefeld or Van Der Klaauw, and the style may not be as eccentric as a D.M.H., but this brand should not be overlooked! Ad - Scroll to continue with article HistoryHubert Pellikaan is the man behind this small brand. In his home town of Utrecht, he painstakingly worked over a design after the desire to develop his own watch became too ha

Bremont Wright Flyer - The story of a bad communication with its 'in-house' movement - Monochrome-Watches
“Learn from your mistakes” – and from those made by your competitors –?should have been in Bremont’s handbook. However it wasn’t. Remerber in 2009, TAG Heuer’s Calibre 1887?created?huge discussions after its release. What TAG Heuer claimed to be an in-house movement was in fact based on a Seiko ebauche, that was modified by TAG Heuer. No big deal in terms of product or quality (lots of brands use externally sourced movements) but a massive loss of credibility and bad communication. You thought the lesson was imprinted in every brand’s mind. Wrong! Bremont made?the same mistake with its new Wright Flyer Limited Edition. – UPDATED WITH FORMAL STATEMENT FROM BREMONT –The Bremont Wright FlyerBremont is a UK-based watch brand specialized in chronometers inspired by aviation. If you’ve been reading Monochrome for a longer time, you would have seen our coverage of their chronometers and the review we did of the Supermarine 500.