Watches NEWS
Rewind - Piaget Altiplano Ultimate Concept, Worlds Thinnest Mechanical Watch
It may have only been an exercise in style, a technical demonstration and a prototype – even though we still hope to see this watch one day in stores – the Piaget Altiplano Ultimate Concept remains one of the most staggering timepieces we’ve seen recently. Forget about the design and the rather simple time-only display… This watch had a single, very straightforward purpose: to put Piaget back on centre stage, repositioning it as one of the few masters of ultra-thin watchmaking, by smashing all previous records for thinness. And it did that in 2018 with the Altiplano Ultimate Concept, a watch that is thinner than most movements, thinner than a coin… and thinner than everything else mechanical. Period!We can’t overlook the ongoing battle between Piaget and Bvlgari for the title of “king of ultra-thin”. This is a healthy competition after all, as it has pushed both brands to innovate in a field that had been neglected. And this resulted in i
Hands-on with the Hyper-Technical Angelus U30 Tourbillon Rattrapante (and how can it be, relatively speaking, so affordable) - Monochrome Watches
Listen to this: double column-wheel, flyback, split-seconds, automatic chronograph, skeletonized, and with a tourbillon… Sounds like something we’re all dreaming off. It’s like the Lamborghini you had on your wall when you were a teenager. Something that looked too good to be true? Or just way too expensive to ever be accessible, even for someone in a ‘healthy’ income? Well, it seems that Angelus Watches does not agree, as they have such a watch in their catalogue. It is named the?Angelus U30 Tourbillon Rattrapante and we’re going to look closely at it – and try to understand how?it can be, relatively speaking, so affordable.Let’s get things clear from the beginning. When you have the idea of a split-second chronograph with tourbillon in mind, the psychological price you can think of is certainly six?figures – and probably several hundred?thousands. One way or another, it’s unthinkable that the price will be below the 100,000
Hublot Big Bang Ferrari Unico Chronograph 2016 Editions (with price)
Pairing up what is certainly the most emblematic sports-car manufacture, Ferrari, with what might be the most hyped watch brand, Hublot, and you have as a result a?strong, flamboyant bond. Since 2011, these two?brands joined forces to create watches that are in the vein of the philosophy of both the car brand and the watch brand: strong, bold, highly masculine and, using Ferrari’s expertise, innovative and performant. For 2016, based?Ferrari’s latest models and technologies, Hublot introduces?3 new editions of their bold and sporty Big Bang Ferrari Unico.It’s not the first time we introduce to you watches showing a collaboration between Hublot and Ferrari. Robin did for instance a review of the Big Bang Ferrari Speciale Unico Ceramic and he later took an overall look at the partnership between these two brands in a recent article. What we can immediately spot when looking at the Hublot / Ferrari watches is how the timepieces can integrate easily elements of these spor
Hands-on - Patek Philippe 5230 World Time, the evolution of an icon (live pics, specs & price) - Monochrome Watches
World Timers are among Patek Philippe's most popular complications, with a history spanning over almost 80 years (thanks to the collaboration with Cottier). A cult status confirmed at Phillips May 2016 auction, when a rare Patek 2523/1 from 1954 achieved US$ 2.5 million. At Baselworld 2016, Patek Philippe introduced two new models featuring this practical function, the 5930 World Time Chronograph and the 5230, replacing the now iconic reference 5130. Monochrome takes a closer look at this new take on an icon.The story of Patek Philippe World Timers is indissolubly linked to Louis Cottier. The son of a watchmaker, Cottier earned horological fame for developing mechanisms indicating the time for our 24 time zones on a single dial. From the 1930s onward, Cottier manufactured such watches for prestigious clients among which Patek Philippe, Vacheron Constantin, or Agassiz. In 1950, he created the first World Timer with 2 crowns, allowing to change the reference city when travelling. This
Only Watch 2017 - The Unique H. Moser & Cie. Venturer Concept Only Watch
One of the great things about the Only Watch biennial charity auction is that it’s not exclusive to big names only, such as Patek or Tudor.?There are many more watch companies, including some of the very best independent watchmakers who also step up to donate one unique, purpose-built timepiece to help fund research on Duchenne muscular dystrophy. One of these is a favourite amongst the Monochrome team: H. Moser & Cie, and for the 2017 Only Watch event, they have created a one-of-a-kind piece, featuring their now classical “nude” style, with a few little details to make it extra special. Here then is the?H. Moser & Cie. Venturer Concept Only Watch.The goal of Only Watch is to entice watch brands to create a one-off watch,, with a unique style or feature and then to donate them in order to raise funds for Duchenne muscular dystrophy. While some have presented complex pieces, with specifically decorated dials, H. Moser & Cie, the Schaffausen-based independen
[Rating:(5 / 5 stars)]
