Hands-On: The New Hublot Big Bang Integrated Automatic Tourbillon Full Carbon Texalium
In physics, the Big Bang signals the beginning of time; in watchmaking, it is synonymous with Hublot‘s eponymous collection. Imploding on the scene in 2005, the Hublot Big Bang was designed to shock and awe with its large loud cases fusing state-of-the-art materials. Fusion is the operative word again as the Big Bang steps up the action with a micro-rotor and tourbillon staged inside an ultra-lightweight carbon fibre and Texalium case with an integrated strap that looks uncannily like a metallic bracelet. Similar to the Big Bang Integral Tourbillon Full Sapphire of 2021, the Hublot Big Bang Integrated Tourbillon Full Texalium-Carbon (yup, it’s a mouthful) is a powerful mix of old and new combining in-house horological weight with a radically resistant yet lightweight composite.Lightweight yet toughThe striking interwoven texture of the 43mm case, with its thickness of 14.15mm, is produced using carbon fibre. Renowned for its resilience and lightness, the carbon fibre case w

Atelier de Chronometrie AdC #5 (Specs & Price)
If there’s one thing I love about my job is to discover new watch brands. I’m always stunned by the level of creativity infused by independent watchmakers, from the Sci-Fi creations of Urwerk or the ultra-classic propositions of Laurent Ferrier (who can do nice things together…) One brand we recently discovered at MONOCHROME cumulates quite some intriguing specificities. It isn’t Swiss, but it makes things in an ultra-traditional way, whether for the design or the manufacturing process, and it’s all about one-off pieces. This brand is?Atelier de Chronometrie and their latest creation is the AdC #5, which brings back to present times the superb 1940s design and mechanics.BackgroundThe philosophy of?Atelier de Chronometrie is to create one-off watches with the pure aesthetics of the 1930s and 1940s, in a package that is not infused with modernism. Behind this brand, there’s no idea of vintage inspiration or reeditions of glorious models with modern mec

Watch repair in zero gravity - Monochrome Watches
When astronauts are orbiting the world things that break down have to be repaired, even a watch. Here’s a great video showing repair of an Omega SpeedmasterX-33. The Omega Speedmaster X-33 collection is completely unique from all of the other Speedmasters, starting with the movement. The Speedmaster X-33 features an analog and digital display. Ad - Scroll to continue with article The Omega Speedmaster X-33 features the Omega 1666 Quartz precision multifunction movement. The multifunction capabilities allows this model to display day, date, chronograph, GMT, 24 hour time and it has an alarm function. The case, made of the lightweight metal titanium, is brushed and has a domed sapphire crystal with anti-reflective coating. It has a unidirectional rotating bezel and is water resistant to 30 meters.Here’s a video showing some watch repair in zero-G…

Music To Our Ears: Ulysse Nardin Performs Vivaldis Violin Concerto in E - Monochrome Watches
For us, this is the most wonderful time of the year. The manufactures have all been working so hard to prepare their latest offerings for Baselworld. Everyone honing and refining his or her novelties to capture the most attention from the press. Sometimes, the urge to show-off (or maybe psyche-out their competitors) is just too strong and we get a little peak under the tent as we have today. Ulysse Nardin bring us the second installment of their Musical Watch collection to prove that what makes a watch smart' is not always being able to sync to a satellite feed or trawl down to the depths of the oceans. A watch that plays music at the push of a button,?without an MP3 file anywhere to be found.It must be nice to not have anything to prove to people. Ulysse Nardin don't have anything to prove to anybody. They have ticked all the boxes for dress, dive and chronograph watches. They have offerings that present the highest traditions of watchmaking both in technical expertise and craftsmansh

Hands-on with the Vacheron Constantin Overseas Chronograph - Monochrome Watches
There are actually just a few serious high-end sports chronographs, which are very comfortable on the wrist and that can easily matched with suit and tie or any kind of casual outfit. Of course there’s the Patek Nautilus Chronograph ref. 5980, the AP Royal Oak Chronograph and Vacheron Constantin’s Overseas Chronograph. Last year Vacheron introduced a new model of the Overseas Chronograph, with a deep blue dial (click here), and recently we got some hands-on experience with this one.?The Overseas more or less originates from the legendary Vacheron Constantin 222; the photo showing the steel/gold version, below, is courtesy the Hour Lounge. When you see the sleek case, the integrated bracelet and the sporty AND dressy looks, it probably doesn’t come as a surprise that this model was designed by the late Gerald Genta. And just like its nephews from Patek and AP, which also have been designed by Genta, it featured the ultra-thin caliber 2121. The Overseas didn’t dir