First Look: The Czapek Place Vend?me Complicite Stardust Cobalt
Dual regulators were invented by horology's illustrious grandfathers to improve accuracy and stability. Names like Huygens, who introduced the concept of resonance inside his movements, and others like Breguet, Berthoud and Janvier are all associated with this alignment of double regulators. Coveted by collectors, this rara avis is not extinct and reinterpreted by contemporary wizards like F.P. Journe and Vianney Halter and brands like Armin Strom, Audemars Piguet, MB&F et al. Last year, Czapek entered the elite circle and introduced its Place Vend?me Complicite, a dual regulator model developed with watchmaker Bernhard Lederer. Following the first editions in white and rose gold cases, the latest Complicite Stardust Cobalt respects the technology and habillage of former editions but introduces a couple of design tweaks.The principle of the double escapement regulator is to achieve greater accuracy. With two balance wheels beating independently and power delivered from a single bar

Announcement - "Patek Philippe: The Authorized Biography" by Nicholas Foulkes - Available now via Patek.com - Monochrome Watches
Over the centuries some watch manufactures have grown to an almost mythical status, becoming legends, and not only among watch collectors. Their fame has transcended the circle of initiates to gain worldwide recognition. As always with legends however, there remains gray areas. One such example is Patek Philippe. Many have tried to shed light on the history of this Old Maison, inlcuding the Mono team (cf. Nautilus History) but the picture was always somehow incomplete. Now however you have the opportunity to know everything you ever wanted about Patek, with the launch of an official book characterised as the definitive history of the legendary Swiss manufacture. Introducing “Patek Philippe: The Authorized Biography” by Nicholas Foulkes – available?now via?Patek.com.Many of us know the outline of Patek Philippe's history: a manufacture created in 1839 by Polish watchmaker Antoine Norbert de Patek (1812-1877) who was subsequently joined by Adrien Philippe before the bra

Richard Mille RM10 red gold - Monochrome Watches
This is a watch I don’t come across very often but when I do I just have to take a close look. It is a Richard Mille RM10 in red gold. Visually and technically an extraordinary watch. During Baselworld I got the chance to try one on my wrist and wearing it for a mere 15 minutes was all it took to be convinced. Very comfortable on the wrist and always a pleasure to look at the time or just how beautifully constructed this watch is. Let’s take a closer look at the brand and specifications of this RM010 AH/RG. Ad - Scroll to continue with article When Richard Mille launched his first watch in 2001, the RM001 Tourbillon, it set the new brand apart from the traditional techniques of watchmaking. With a true avant-garde design and an innovative use of materials and manufacturing processes, this watch stunned watch lovers around the world.This RM010 AH/RG?m

Introducing The More Compact Oris Divers Sixty Five Chronograph
Coinciding with the advent of recreational diving, in 1965, Oris launched its first diver's watch with a unidirectional rotating bezel, luminescent numerals, a Plexiglas crystal and a water-resistance rating of 100m. Fifty years later, the diver was relaunched in a faithful re-edition with modern mechanics and went on to become the highly successful and affordable retro-flavoured Divers Sixty-Five collection. While some quibbled about the relatively low impermeability for a dive watch, others were smitten by its vintage elements, and the collection expanded with models in different case sizes and materials. In 2018, the Sixty-Five collection welcomed a limited-edition, bronze-cased chronograph followed by regular production models. Today, Oris releases a new chronograph with a more compact case size and a black dial and bezel.Former editions of the Sixty-Five Chronograph flaunted large 43mm cases coupled with some proper thickness. The latest stainless steel model shrinks to 40mm in di

SIHH 2015 - Hands-on with the Vacheron Constantin Metiers dArt Mecaniques Gravees (live photos & specs) - Monochrome Watches
The Swiss maison of Vacheron Constatin celebrates its 260th anniversary, and already brought us the all-new Harmony Collection. Bearing the hallmarks of their Metiers d'Art collections, the Mecaniques Gravees 14 day Tourbillon and a hand wound non-tourbillon model feature fully hand-engraved movements inside classically styled cases, harking back to the very beginning of the brand, originally founded in 1755.The inspirations of the hand-engraved patterns on the Caliber 2260 and 4400 movements can be traced back to the 5th century. Originating from Greek pillars and columns, the decorations portray acanthus leafs and arabesque swirls. These recognizable shapes are painstakingly carved into the movement by skilled craftsmen. The depiction of acanthus leaves saw a surge during the Renaissance and the Baroque period, as it evolved into a symbol of victory and glory. Hand engraving calibers have always been a strong focus for Vacheron Constatin, including the acanthus leaves. Ad