The best stories from our Petrolhead Corner this year.
Our weekly episodic column known as the Petrolhead Corner started from the shared passion between several members of the MONOCHROME editorial team for all things car- and bike-related. We wanted to offer something else during the weekend, as a bit of a break from watches. This can be anything from classic cars and motorcycles to iconic drivers, restomods, or modern sports- and supercars. And with a new story coming at you every week, there’s plenty to look back on! So, just as we do with watches, we’ve gone over every instalment of the Petrolhead Corner to serve you up what we think are the coolest stories of the year!the lightweight Kamm 912CJust a couple of weeks ago we brought to you the Kamm 912C, a restomod from Hungary based on one of the most overlooked Porsche sportscars out there. Not a true 911 but a 912 instead (big difference!), this car was praised for its lower weight and better handling compared to its bigger and more popular brother. Once positioned to sit b

Ulysse Nardin Classic Dual Time Boutique Edition (Specs & Price)
Recently I had the good fortune to travel with Ulysse Nardin to Bermuda, to get a taste of the Americas Cup and get to know the folks of the Artemis Racing Team – who are sponsored by the Le Locle-based watch brand. During that trip I borrowed?the Ulysse Nardin Classic Dual Time Boutique Edition, and over the course of the days there, I found out what a great watch this is. Refined, yet bold, chic, yet rugged, and actually perfect for any occasion. Here’s our review of the Ulysse Nardin Classic Dual Time Boutique Edition, with new enamel dial and very cool strap.Preliminary note: I have to say that the watch I have been wearing was not new. The brand’s communication director had been wearing it and testing it for over 6 months, and it shows. On photos you will see a scratch here or there, and the waxed leather strap shows a nice dark patina. On a side note, I have to mention that the watch is rated to a 30 meter water resistance. In reality it was on the wrist of some

Patek Philippe Aquanaut Jumbo 5168G Khaki Green - Hands-On Review (Specs & Price)
Celebrating the 20th anniversary of the Aquanaut in 2017, Patek Philippe presented the Jumbo Ref. 5168G in white gold with a larger diameter of 42.2mm, the most Jumbo size of this family to date and the first one to be housed in a white gold case. The fashionable blue dial of the 2017 model now has a sibling with a cool khaki green dial and matching “tropical” rubber strap. In essence, the exact same watch as the 2017 model with a green strap and dial, the khaki green dial adds a safari/adventure/military mood to the watch underlining its mission as Patek's everyday sports watch.Response timeThis is not the first time the Aquanaut Jumbo appears in khaki green attire. In 2011, Patek issued a highly limited “special clients-only” Aquanaut Jumbo 5167A-010 in a 40mm stainless steel case with a khaki green dial and strap. One of these extremely rare models appeared on the auction circuit in 2015 and was sold for CHF 52,500 by Sotheby's.The highly limited “speci

Oris Aquis Date Cherry 43.5mm (Specs & Price)
There are several big name brands that offer affordable divers with pro credentials. Seiko's expansive Prospex collection and Hamilton's Khaki Navy Frogman Automatic are a couple of examples. Oris is a major player in the field and last year's Aquis Date 41.5mm Cherry Red introduced an eye-catching cherry red dial that seemed to target land dwellers. Let's be honest, many dive watches never actually see water outside of a rain shower or occasional dip in the pool. They're cool, stylish and have a rugged vibe that enthusiasts gravitate to, so the brand added some eye candy to an otherwise purpose-built piece, with the new Oris Aquis Date Cherry 43.5mm.The 43.5mm diameter of the stainless steel case of the Oris Aquis Date is well sized for a serious diver. In fact, that's the original size of the Aquis when it launched in 2011 and it has since been offered in smaller packages such as 39.5mm and 41.5mm. The style was updated in 2017 to a more refined aesthetic, but the collection has alwa

Roger Dubuis La Monegasque Automatic Flying Tourbillon for Only Watch 2013 - Monochrome Watches
For the first time, Roger Dubuis integrated their automatic flying tourbillon movement, caliber RD520, in the La Monegasque collection. In a piece unique for the Only Watch 2013 auction that will be held on September 28 in Monaco. How befitting! Compared to the Monegasque Flying Tourbillon with large date – with a manually wound movement – this adds a micro-rotor, one of Roger Dubuis’ signature features, to the dial side, creating a mesmerizing visual treat.Until now this movement was only used in the Excalibur Automatic Flying Tourbillon, and now it is being used, for one time, in the Monegasque. Since the Only Watch auction is a Monegasque affair, it makes sense to donate a piece unique from this very collection. The Roger Dubuis Flying Tourbillon is in my opinion one of the most beautiful tourbillons in the world and it is always a sheer joy to see the black polished “cross” of the tourbillon’s cage rotate. Ad - Scroll to continue with