Watches NEWS
Introducing the Gerald Charles Maestro GC3.0-TN Chronograph
The name Gerald Charles might not ring a bell immediately. However, if I say Gerald Genta, this might be far clearer… Indeed, behind the GC brand was the genius designer of many emblematic watches, which he established after selling his eponymous brand to Bulgari. With Gerald Charles, Genta continued to produce watches and to create singular designs, one of them being the Maestro. And more than a decade after he passed away, the brand still exists. The model in question is the collection’s cornerstone, which now returns in the shape of a lightweight, high-end automatic chronograph combining a striking Royal Blue dial with a polished titanium case. Here’s the new Gerald Charles Maestro GC3.0-TN Chronograph.Gerald Genta is famous for dozens of emblematic designs, among which are the Royal Oak, the Nautilus, the Ingenieur SL, the Pasha de Cartier, the Bvlgari Bvlgari, but also, in his earliest years, the UG Polerouter and the Omega Constellation. Without forgetting the h
Recap: The Best Chronograph Watches of 2024
Towards the end of the year, the MONOCHROME editorial team gets into Santa Claus mode by “making a list and checking it twice, and gonna find out who’s naughty and nice”, referring to watches, of course, As we all have our individual preferences and don’t get our hands on every single watch, some get all the attention, whereas others are grossly overlooked. So, looking back at what’s what for the 12 months behind us is a good way to revisit some of them and determine which ones can claim a spot on the ‘Nice!’ list. And while there are some usual suspects, our selection does include a surprise or two! Here are what we have selected as the Best Chronograph Watches of 2024.Angelus Instrument de VitesseWith the Instrument de Vitesse, Angelus gave us a real winner of a watch. Presented under the brand’s La Fabrique collection, it is not to be mistaken for a simple three-hander. Despite the lack of sub-dials, the Instrument de Vitesse is a genu
Baume HRS Limited Edition Automatic - When Richemont goes Microbrand-Like - Monochrome Watches
When you hear the word Baume, most would assume it's referring to Baume & Mercier, a popular luxury watch brand dating back to 1830 and now part of the Richemont Group. And they'd be partially correct. Baume is an offshoot of Baume & Mercier with Marie Chassot (Product Marketing Director for Baume & Mercier) coming in as the lead, along with several other executives from the parent company. Baume is, however, very much an independent company with different design philosophies and strategic guidance, and a strong focus on sustainability. Baume might be an entry-level brand among Richemont's more prestigious (and expensive) offerings, but there's a lot to like about its deep level of customization and a couple of special edition models. The one I'm reviewing today is its flagship HRS Limited Edition Automatic, a limited production regulator model with an interesting take on recycling. Baume calls it upcycling and its wooden case is made from a used skateboard deck, while the
IWC Big Pilots Watch Big Date Spitfire Edition IW510506 (Specs & Price)
Last year, when unveiling its new pilot’s collection at the SIHH 2019, IWC also announced its partnership with a very cool project named “The Longest Flight”. On 5 August 2019, British pilots Matt Jones and Steve Boultbee Brooks embarked on their flight around the world in an antique, restored Spitfire plane. This was the occasion for IWC to unveil a dedicated timepiece, the Timezoner Spitfire Edition “The Longest Flight”. And now that the mission is accomplished and the world tour completed, the brand introduces the IWC Big Pilot's Watch Big Date Spitfire Edition “Mission Accomplished” Ref. IW510506, a new edition true to the design codes introduced with the new Spitfire collection.On their record-breaking journey in the “Silver Spitfire”, the two founders of the Boultbee Flight Academy covered almost 43,000 kilometres in four months, visiting over 20 countries on their way. Having been the primary partner and official timekeeper o
Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris Mariner Memovox & Polaris Mariner Date - News
The Polaris collection, Jaeger-LeCoultre's take on the sporty-elegant watch, welcomes two new references, the Polaris Mariner Memovox and Polaris Mariner Date. Based on the 2018 watches and designed to sit alongside but not replace these earlier models, the latest Polaris references come with a host of upgrades that consolidate their mission as genuine dive watches compliant with ISO 6425 specifications. With invigorating blue dials and sportier design codes, increased water-resistance, new stainless steel bracelets and other stylistic touches, the question is: are these high-performance divers the forerunners of a new generation of Polaris Mariners?OriginsBefore we trace the lineage of the Polaris, it's worth pointing out that there are two different collections at JLC with a Memovox alarm function: the dressier Master Control Memovox and the sportier Polaris Memovox.A 1960s Jaeger LeCoultre Memovox, with calibre 855. Photo by hqmilton.comWith a long tradition of chiming calibres unde