A Personal Story on the Ventura V-Tec Sigma
If you follow MONOCHROME, even occasionally, you know that we're all about mechanical watches. It takes something really special to get us excited about something battery-powered, but every now and then, that something comes along. The retro Hamilton PSR is a recent example, along with the quartz Citizen Calibre 0100 that's accurate to +/-1 second per year. Also, we sometimes dig into our own collections to highlight a special piece, like Frank's vintage Audemars Piguet Royal Oak and Brice's Breguet Type XX. So, in this hands-on review, I'm going to talk about my own Ventura V-Tec Sigma, an unconventional luxury digital watch that once guest-starred in a Nicolas Cage movie.BACKGROUND VenturaVentura was founded by Pierre Nobs in 1987, who left the mainstream watch industry to find something more meaningful. Disheartened by the fake nostalgia coming from well-known brands, he wanted to create unique, avant-garde watches in collaboration with renowned industrial designers. It wasn't long

Recap - 12 Dates That Marked The Watch Industry in 2020
2020 will be remembered as a traumatic year and a turning point. The COVID-19 pandemic has been a world changer. As far as luxury watches are concerned, the outbreak of coronavirus has shaken fundamental aspects of the industry. Undeniably, it has been and still is an annus horribilis, with Swiss Watch exports plunging by 28.3% over the first nine months of the year. But 2020 will also be remembered as a catalyst for monumental changes for the industry: increased polarization, acceleration of digitisation, disruption of the tradeshow landscape, reshoring to China We have picked 12 dates that in effect or symbolically explain some of the most striking evolutions and trends for the watch industry.13 January 2020 – the timely LVMH Dubai watch weekBefore the coronavirus pandemic spread around the world and hit the watch industry, LVMH Maisons Bvlgari, Hublot, TAG Heuer and Zenith hosted the LVMH Watch Week, from 13-15 January in Dubai. The event provided a timely opportunity for LVMH

Hands-On: The Stealthy Bell & Ross BR-X5 Black Titanium
For a brand that has consolidated its image on tool watches inspired by cockpit instruments, the choice of material forms an integral part of the identity of its watches. The BR-X5, the larger, more resilient, more radical brother of the BR-05 luxury sports watch, returns this year with a new lightweight titanium case. Still delivering the same time, date, and power reserve indications as the first BR-X5, the matte grey titanium case gives the watch an understated yet more powerful technical look.The launch of the BR-05 in 2019 marked a turning point in Bell & Ross' trajectory as the brand's first luxury sports watch with the much-touted, but often hard to define, urban' touch. Sticking to the round dial in a square case' design with four screws on the bezel that is the backbone of this brand, the mission was to tame its dashboard instrument-watch spirit and make it more chic. To do so, the case was reworked with more refined, rounder angles and fitted with an integrated bracelet.

Interview: Davide Cerrato, CEO of Bremont, On The Future of the British Watchmaker
Bremont, Britain's largest manufacturer of luxury watches, recently announced that it has appointed Davide Cerrato as CEO and a member of the Board. During Dubai Watch Week 2023, we had time to sit down with this industry veteran and understand his message to clients, how the company's new growth plan will work and more.Xavier Markl, MONOCHROME – Davide, what brought you to Bremont? How did this new story start? Ad - Scroll to continue with article Davide Cerrato, CEO of Bremont – I firmly believe things do not happen by chance. In a way, I have always admired British things; I have always been told I dress like an Englishman well, half-Brit, half-Italian. Let's say a Brit from the SouthBremont was looking for a new CEO following an injection of capital, someone experienced from the watchmaking industry. I have been active in the segment where Bremon

TAG Heuer Monaco V4 Concept Watch - Monochrome Watches
TAG Heuer presented a truly innovative watch, the Monaco V4 Concept Watch. Inside is a mechanical movement where traditional pinions have been replaced by drive belts.Through time TAG Heuer has gained the name to be pioneer in chronograph development. Already in 1887 the company patented the oscillating pinion, an essential component in mechanical chronographs. And there are more innovations that led to this name: 1916 – Heuer developed the Micrograph stopwatch with 1/100th of a second accuracy 1969 – the first automatic chronograph Chronomatic Calibre 11 2002 – the Microtimer was first Swiss wristwatch accurate to 1/1000th of a secondAt Baselworld 2004 TAG Heuer presented something completely new and revolutionary…. What was it? It was the Monaco V4 Concept Watch. Ad - Scroll to continue with article TAG Heuer Monaco V4 Concept WatchThe