Hands-On With The Steel Code 11.59 Audemars Piguet Collection
Launched in 2019, the controversial?Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 collection has seen some drastic evolutions in the past years. Without even talking about the addition of all possible complications, the classic models – time-and-date and chronograph – have been improved already by the addition of new smoked/gradient dials. But as of now, the collection was available primarily in white or pink gold, with or without ceramic accents. Not anymore, as we now have stainless steel Code 11.59 watches, available in three-hand and chrono, with a new dial pattern and colours that make them sportier, and more casual. 6 references in total, including 2 bolder ones with gradient colour and ceramic elements. Let’s have a closer look.The first year of the Code 11.59 was tough… The launch wasn’t the expected success, and the reception of the watches wasn’t highly enthusiastic. The reason might be the rather sleek dials that were offered in the inaugural models. Still,

Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Perpetual Calendar Tantalum Only Watch 2021
Bvlgari will be participating for the first time in the Only Watch auction in Geneva on Saturday, 6 November 2021. Held every two years, Only Watch auctions unique timepieces to fund research into Duchenne Muscular Dystrophy. The watch Bvlgari will be donating is an exceptional version of its Octo Finissimo Perpetual Calendar. Released earlier this year, the Octo Finissimo is the world's thinnest QP and marks Bvlgari's seventh record in the arena of ultra-thin watches. To mark the occasion, the 2.75mm thin automatic QP movement is housed in a 5.80mm case made of rare tantalum, a beguiling metal that is resistant to corrosion, biocompatible, twice as heavy as steel and twice as hard as titanium.Bvlgari's 7 ultra-thin record breakersIt might be Olympic season, but nothing can eclipse the seven gold medals Bvlgari has taken home for its ultra-thin Octo Finissimo watches since 2014. Ultra-thin movements, considered an art in themselves, are devilishly difficult to create and mastered by ju

Hands-On - Fortis Aeromaster Old Radium Chronograph (Specs & Price)
Swiss brand Fortis is mostly known for its space-related chronographs, with the Official Cosmonauts range, instrumental, ultra-robust and purpose-built watches supplied to the Russian cosmonaut agency Roscosmos. In addition to watches certified for space travel, Fortis has supplied military squadrons around the world and is still specialized today in pilot’s watches. As a testimony of this, we’ll take a closer look at the Fortis Aeromaster Old Radium Chronograph, a slightly more civilian, less tool-ish take on the pilot’s chronograph.Fortis was founded in 1912 by Walter Vogt. Vogt's idea was to design watches of outstanding qualities that would deserve the name Fortis or strong in Latin. Since then, the brand is known for its rugged, functional watches and for its long-lasting connection with aviation and space exploration. In particular, Fortis watches became part of the standard equipment for cosmonauts cooperating with Roscosmos, the Russian Space Agency (Editor's

Interview with Daniel Riedo - Jaeger-LeCoultre's CEO - Monochrome Watches
Jaeger-LeCoultre just opened their first boutique in Amsterdam, beautifully located at the “Golden Half Mile.” This is the new nickname for the Pieter Cornelisz. Hooftstraat (short: the PC), Amsterdam's luxury shopping street, which is just around the corner from Amsterdam's most important, and recently renovated and re-opened, musea. Daniel Riedo, Jaeger-LeCoultre's new CEO, was in Amsterdam for the occasion and we sat down with him to talk about the brand, the strategy and what we can expect from them in the coming years. Be prepared for an entirely new collection!Daniel Riedo, Carice van Houten and Benno Leeser – by Francois Durand (Getty Images)However before Daniel Riedo tells us about an entirely new collection and what kind of novelties we could expect from Jaeger-LeCoultre in the coming years, we asked him about his new role within the manufacture. And of course we had a look at the watch he was wearing that day. Until June 2013?Daniel?Riedo was more internall

John Calvins Austerity and the Birth of the Swiss Watch Industry - Monochrome Watches
The Protestant Reformation, inaugurated by Martin Luther's posting of his 95 theses in opposition to the Roman Catholic Church, began a wave of reform that swept across Europe and into the New World of the Americas. In Switzerland, John Calvin became a leader of the movement, reforming not only Church doctrine, but also the city of Geneva. Who knew that his puritanical sway over the city would be the catalyst for the Swiss Watch Industry?The Reformation cry, “Sola Fide (Faith Alone) and Sola Scriptura (Scripture Alone)”, Calvin took in a literal fashion by imposing anti-sumptuary laws in Geneva. In 1541, he banned the wearing of jewelry. No longer could the shops display enticing gold and diamonds, and the jewelers found themselves in a quandary. Refugees from France and Italy came to the rescue, teaching the jewelers how to make watches. Calvin deemed the watch to be a practical instrument, and so allowed its production and sale and unwittingly created a loophole. This all