Bvlgari Octo L'Originale Solotempo and Chronograph Dressed in Stylish Black-DLC and Gold - Monochrome Watches
Bvlgari consolidates its winning legion of Octo L’Originale?watches with the release of two new variations. With the same architectural design as their Finissimo brothers, who have secured victory after victory in the battle for ultra-thin, the Octo l'Originale watches come with slightly thicker cases, sportier attire and leaner prices. Sheathed in flattering black DLC-coated steel and highlighted with luxurious rose gold details, the sculptural shapes of the Octo case become even more pronounced on these new Octo l'Originale Solotempo and Chronograph watches.All Roads Lead to RomeThe genius of the Octo lies in its highly sculptural, dynamic case design. What is considered by many as the very epitome of a contemporary case design – which marries a round bezel to a pronounced octagonal base – was in fact inspired by architectural features of Ancient Rome. This intrepid juxtaposition of shapes has its origins in Rome's imperial architecture, to be precise, in the coffer

Collector's Series - Malek's Schwarz Etienne Roma Synergy by Kari Voutilainen
Malek bin Easa is a regular contributor to MONOCHROME. Malek is the driving force and founder of the Emirates Watch Club and in that position a well-known figure in the Arab watch scene. This time we asked the Dubai-based collector about one of his most cherished timepieces, his Schwarz Etienne Roma Synergy by Kari Voutilainen. A model that has his personal touch! Because indeed, it's not just a classic Roma Synergy by Kari Voutilainen (if ever there was anything classic about this watch anyway) but it's the special edition made especially for the members of the Emirates Watch Club.?Let’s discover everything that makes this watch a true gem.?Dr Malek Easa, Founder of The Emirates Watch ClubFrank Geelen, MONOCHROME – When was the first time you laid eyes on Schwarz Etienne as a brand?Malek bin Easa, founder of the Emirates Watch Club – I can't remember exactly, but it was through browsing online a few years ago, maybe in 2016. The brand appealed to me because the compa

The Battle of Elegant Time-Only Watches Part 3 - Drive de Cartier Extra-Flat vs. Grand Seiko SBWG231 - The Verdict - Monochrome Watches
There are moments in life that call for an elegant, time-only watch. Situations in which a strapping tool watch with protruding pushers and a glowing dial won't look quite right. If you are in the market for a handsome, straightforward time-only watch we have two very interesting candidates as different in looks as their cultural backgrounds. The Drive de Cartier is a tres French take on elegance and refinement; the Grand Seiko SBGW231 is also a very elegant and refined watch but interpreted from a Japanese aesthetic. Let's put them side by side and gauge the strengths and weaknesses of each watch before we formulate a verdict. Case size and presence on the wristThe Drive de Cartier Extra-Flat has a diameter of 39mm and a case height of 6.6mm, proportions that categorically affirm its status as a dress watch. The cushion-shaped case of the Drive spells Cartier over and over again and seems to have been a member of Cartier's renowned family of shaped watches forev

Hands-On With The New Patek Philippe Aquanaut Chronograph 5968R
In 1997, Patek Philippe presented the Aquanaut Ref. 5060A, a sports watch with a rubber strap, heavily inspired by the design of Nautilus. It was aimed at a new and younger clientele with fast money to spend, looking for a fresher and sportier alternative to an already established model. Twenty-six years later, the Aquanaut collection comprises twenty references, nearly as many as the Nautilus, born two decades earlier, in 1976. The Aquanaut, ridiculed as a Nautilus Junior at first, now is a similarly distinguished and unobtainable Patek. However, the Aquanaut offers fewer complications than the older brother, perhaps restrained by the sporty nature of the collection. But active lifestyle and sport are about timing, so after a rather long consideration, the Aquanaut collection welcomed a chronograph to its ranks in 2018, the stainless steel Ref. 5968A. Three years later, PP added two white gold models to the collection. Recently, Patek Philippe introduced a very indiscreetly luxurious

5 Watches with Unconventional Displays Launched this Year - Monochrome Watches
Creativity in watchmaking is key, with the business side of things sometimes taking a back seat. At least that's what we like to think every now and then. Regardless, there are some watchmakers out there, often independent ones, willing to push the envelope of how time is perceived and observed. Some of these literally put a face on time or pull off incredibly complex mechanisms just to entertain us. Here are some of the best recently introduced watches that get rid of traditional hands and offer an amazing array of unconventional displays.Konstantin Chaykin Minotaur Special Chinese New Year 2021Russian independent watchmaker Konstantin Chaykin is renowned for making incredibly complex and intriguing watches. Whether it’s something like the Cinema watch, playing an actual movie of a man riding a horse, or the?Genus Temporis,?where hours and minutes are indicated by the same hand, there's always something special going on. Ad - Scroll to continue with article