Watches NEWS
In-Depth - The Story of Gunter Blumlein, His Role at IWC, Jaeger & Lange
The watchmaking industry, before being a story of products, is first and foremost the story of women and men devoted to conceiving and producing some of the most delicate and yet unnecessary objects we can imagine. If all must be considered, some names resonate stronger, mostly for the impact they have had on this industry. You can, for example, think about A.L. Breguet and his influence on mechanical watchmaking. Or about Nicolas G. Hayek and how he’s been instrumental in staging the comeback of “Swiss-made” watchmaking. One of the names you can add to this list is, without a doubt, Gunter Blumlein, a man who has done tremendous work to bring mechanical watchmaking back to the forefront, to restore watchmaking to the town of Glashutte and to shape the industry as it is today. And since Mr Blumlein passed away exactly 20 years ago, on 1 October 2001, it is the perfect time to remember one of the industry’s giants.Remembering Mr BlumleinThe story of Gunter Blumle
Weekly Watch Photo - Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ref. 15202 - Monochrome Watches
Audemars Piguet has quite an active video channel on Youtube and their latest video struck me like lighting. Just like when I saw the new Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ref. 15202 at the SIHH earlier this year. That caused me to buy a vintage Royal Oak ref. 5402, nicknamed Jumbo.?This photo shows the sheer beauty of the Royal Oak’s dial and personally I have a preference for the 15202’s dial in favor of the newer ref. 15300 and ref.15400 dials. This dial, like that of the vintage ref. 5402, feature?the so-called petite tapisserie pattern. When wearing the Royal Oak and getting a glimpse like this while wearing my old ref.5402, always puts a smile on my face.Here’s the video that simply rocks (quite literary!)?Just like the Royal Oak rocked the watch world, when it was introduced in 1972. A sports watch in stainless steel, priced like a golden sports watch. When the designer, Gerald Genta, showed his new design to AP’s CEO, he didn’t quite see it. Luckily the Sw
Hands-On - Montblanc 1858 Geosphere WorldTime Watch (SIHH 2018)
It isn’t the first time that Montblanc surprises us with an original (and of course rather accessible) complicated watch. Indeed, we can easily recall the?Orbis Terrarum, which at EUR 5,500 was definitely impressive value for the money (we even compared it to much more expensive pieces here). For 2018, Montblanc does it again, with a new Double-Hemisphere, a sporty version of the WorldTime complication, with the original and vintage-inspired?1858 Geosphere… And we have it live, here on MONOCHROME.The name “Geosphere” might sound familiar to some. Indeed, this is not the first time that Montblanc has created a watch that displays the WorldTime complication with?two turning hemisphere globes. Yet, it was previously seen in the high-end Villeret?Tourbillon Cylindrique Geospheres NightSky… A superb and entirely hand-finished watch, with a price tag of EUR 275,000. Bringing the same concept, of course in a much simpler and rationalized way, is the?Montblanc 185
First Look: Andersen Geneve x Benjamin Chee HH Celestial Voyager Supersonic
The Andersen Geneve x Benjamin Chee HH Celestial Voyager Supersonic is the latest in a series of classic world timers created by one of the most respected Swiss independent watchmakers and avid Singaporean collectors, Benjamin Chee. These sophisticated, elegant wristwatches transport us to a different era, echoing the artistry of bygone elegance. A prime example, the Celestial Voyager Supersonic captures a mood and narrative that makes us nostalgic about a golden era of travel when transatlantic journeys could be made on board a marvel of supersonic engineering. Far from feeling outdated, this throwback image breathes a refreshing air of classic charm.Above and below, previous editions of the Celestial Voyager The Celestial Voyager Supersonic follows several editions by Andersen Geneve and Benjamin Chee Haute Horlogerie or BCHH. The first Celestial Voyager was presented in 2021, and we have covered their Sunset over Cappadocia, Aurora and Arctic Sunrise editions
Hands-on with the TAG Heuer Aquaracer 300m Black Titanium - Monochrome Watches
Built for the extreme, dive watches were born from an utilitarian purpose: diving is all about time and depth. Yet, their most important promise might very well be that strapping a rugged dive watch around your wrist, gets you ready for the next adventure or adrenaline fix. The perfect option if you want to test your ability “not to crack under pressure”. Celebrating the brand's tagline, Aquaracer collection is complemented by new attractive colored models. Monochrome goes hands-on with the TAG Heuer Aquaracer 300m Black Titanium Sand' and Blue.TAG Heuer has always been a benchmark for sports watches. Modeled upon the Heuer's dive watch tradition (the 1000 and 2000 series in particular), the Aquaracer appeared in the early 2000s. Launched in 2015, the Aquaracer 300m with ceramic bezel is among the latest evolutions of this aquatic collection and is now enhanced with a refreshing splash of colors: beyond diving performance, the perfect pairing for casual occasions.
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