Hands-On - A. Lange & Sohne Datograph Lumen Up/Down (Live Pics, Specs & Price)
The A. Lange & Sohne Datograph needs little introduction. Presented in 1999 and updated in 2012, it is one of the most iconic chronographs on the market. The Dato features a flyback chronograph with a precisely jumping minutes counter, two sub-dials recognizable because of their unusual positioning, a quick-set oversized date and a power reserve indicator. Overall, the architecture and the finishing of its movement are a feast for the eyes. Any new model in the series always brings curiosity and excitement among A. Lange & Sohne fans (including team MONOCHROME) So, when we learnt that the Datograph Up/Down was getting the Lumen treatment, it naturally caught our attention.The “Lumen” touchA. Lange & Sohne watches are distinctively German, instantly recognizable for their functional and minimal design. Everything looks balanced, structured and crafted in the respect of a long-lasting watchmaking tradition. The Lumen series reinterprets this classic style with a t

Pre-SIHH 2018 - Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph Re-edition 25th Anniversary 26237ST Hands-On (Specs & Price)
Throughout its long history, Audemars Piguet has notched up many bold moves. Of course, we all remember the 1972 Royal Oak, a Genta-designed watch that simply revolutionized the concept of the luxury watch. Another of these bold moves should also not be forgotten. Back in 1993, Audemars Piguet presented an evolution of the Royal Oak, a highly-masculine version named the Offshore – a watch that would once again create a trend which would later spread throughout the rest of the industry. To celebrate the 25th anniversary?of this modern icon, the Le Brassus-based brand presents, as Pre-SIHH 2018 novelties, two new ROO watches, including this retro-inspired Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph Re-edition 25th Anniversary Ref. 26237ST. Slightly vintage, highly iconic.Background – the birth of the “Offshore”Before explaining the?Royal Oak Offshore, we have to quickly go back to 1972, when?Audemars Piguet first introduced the Royal Oak 5402ST. A watch designe

The Collector's Series - An indie lover and his very special Ochs und Junior Annual Calendar - Monochrome-Watches
Discussing watches with collectors never fails to amaze and inspire me. I tend to find it is the stories behind the watches themselves that evokes the emotion within a collector. As the great marketing guru Simon Sinek always says, it is not the what' but the why' which counts. I am also of the belief watch collecting should be something that has less to do with social significance and more about intrinsic meaning and a deeper appreciation of time for a collector (although this is not always the case). An example of this is this Andre Ekrem's Ochs und Junior, a fascinating timepiece which on first inspection looks extremely simple. Andre is a 34 year old from Bergen in Norway a self-confessed corporate slave by day and watch geek by night (and weekend!). With a passion for travel, he tells me he frequently finds himself visiting independent watchmakers on the move. Let's find out why his Ochs und Junior is so special to him.When did you first get into watches?As long as I can remember

First Look: The new, Sporty-Chic Briston Clubmaster Legend Collection
Briston is an independent French brand created in 2012. It was founded by industry veteran, Brice Jaunet, who worked with different brands, including Cartier, Baume & Mercier, Raymond Weil and Zenith. Briston offers accessible, sporty-chic watches with a twist. The brand's quirky designs rely on a cushion-shaped case with the Clubmaster collection, while another of the signature features has been the incorporation of tortoise-shell acetate into watch cases. Presented this fall, the Clubmaster Legend is the latest evolution of the model. In tune with the times, it is slightly smaller and comes with more pronounced retro-styled accents. Ad - Scroll to continue with article For now, the Clubmaster Legend collection is composed of two main iterations, a rather classic small seconds model and a more robust dive-oriented watch.The classic Briston Clubmaster Legend

The Collector's Series - @Hewitgar and His De Bethune DB27-Z
Loving indies is a bit like abseiling down a cliff wall, says Gary H. “Dangerous at first, but afterwards you want to do it again and again.”?Gary H., 53, works in the biopharmaceutical industry and lives in Chicago, USA. Gary (@hewitgar on Instagram) was born in London, England, which is also where Gary discovered the brand featured in this edition of our Collector's Series: De Bethune. Since today’s watch in the spotlights has been one of my absolute grail watches, this interview had extra importance to me personally, trying to find out why and how someone else fell for (almost) the same watch. Spotlights on the DeBethune DB27 Titan Hawk (first generation) in Zirconium.?Frank Geelen, MONOCHROME Watches – Please tell us, when did you see a De Bethune watch in the metal for the first time? Ad - Scroll to continue with article Gary H.?R