Interview - Florent Lecomte, teacher and independent watchmaker
Throughout my years of working for MONOCHROME watches, I have seen architects, computer engineers, pharmacists and many others make a switch into watchmaking. People do this for varying reasons but one thing that always seems to be the case is sheer unbridled passion. Passion for traditional craftsmanship, passion for creating something out of nothing. This leads to the occasional discovery of new and intriguing watchmakers, such as Florent Lecomte. An industrial product designer turned watchmaking teacher turned independent watchmaker. Time to ask Florent some questions, and introduce you to this future star!Robin Nooij, MONOCHROME - First off, could you briefly introduce yourself to our readers Florent? Ad - Scroll to continue with article Florent Lecomte, founder of Lecomte Watches - Sure I can. My name is Florent Lecomte and I live in Morteau, France. I am a

Opinion: Why i Think The Zeitwinkel 273 Sapphir Fume Is The Brand's Finest
The independent watchmaking scene is quite widespread, yet there are several key players who always seem to be in everyone’s spotlight and others who are not. One of the brands that, to me at least, operates a bit under the radar is Zeitwinkel. I’ve always had a soft spot for the brand’s contemporary designs paired with German Silver movement construction. One model in particular has stood out to me ever since it was introduced; the Zeitwinkel 273¡ã Sapphir Fume. Now, it’s not often I come across this watch, so when I recently had a long and engaging chat with co-founder Albert Edelmann and spotted him wearing that very watch, I hatched a cunning plan. As you can see, that watch is now temporarily in my possession (hence the worn state), and I will explain why I think this is the best watch coming out of Zeitwinkel’s atelier.Although Zeitwinkel admittedly is quite a niche brand, it has been around since 2006. Founded by a group of passionate watch enthusias

On the road to Baselworld 2014 - Follow us for our LIVE REPORTS and PHOTOS - Monochrome Watches
That's the big one, the event of the year for us and for the watch lovers that you are: BASELWORLD. All the major brands, except the 15 of the SIHH, will be there, showing us their latest models. Patek Philippe, , Tudor, all Swatch Group brands -including Longines, Omega, Breguet and Glashutte Original- TAG Heuer and all the independents watchmakers that we love We will bring you all the hot news live!For those who are not familiar with Baselworld, that's the trade show of the international watch and jewellery industry, organized each spring in the city of Basel, Switzerland. There are hundreds of watch brands, presenting their newest watch models to the distributors, retailers and of course the press. You can already see some of the Pre-Baselworld articles here. From what we've already seen, the show is going to bring, once again, some very interesting new watches. booth @ BASELWORLD 2013 – Hall 1.0The best way to experience Baselworld2014 from the inside and to have the lates

Tudor Heritage Black Bay Chrono M79350 (Specs & Price)
Tudor have done it again… When introduced at Baselworld 2017, their latest addition to the Heritage?Black Bay collection, a chronograph, immediately became a talking piece, bringing?contentious or heated discussions around the table and passionate arguments – and not only on collectors’ forums or on social media but also internally here, at the Monochrome redaction. Yet, even if we all are watch-lovers, we also have the duty of being objective in our reviews. This is why we’ve waited to bring you this test of the?Tudor Heritage Black Bay Chrono, just to make sure that passion-driven feelings have cooled-down.Why so many discussions? Why such passionate comments about this watch? To understand a bit more why this Tudor Black Bay Chrono became a talking piece, we have to look back at the history of the collection itself. In 2012, Tudor introduced the?Heritage Black Bay, a vintage-inspired dive watch bearing all the traditional codes of the brand (and of the fami

Panerai Luminor Marina Titanio/DLC Bucherer BLUE PAM01021 - Introducing, Price
Being the largest watch retailer over the world, Swiss-based company Bucherer has enough influence to do things its own way… And that means creating its own, personalised watches, manufactured by some of the most prestigious brands around, and themed after a concept named “Bucherer BLUE”. After multiple editions, including IWC, Longines, Breguet, GO or Oris, it is now time for Bucherer to have its own Panerai watch – in fact, the second of its type made with the Florentine manufacture. Meet the new Panerai Luminor Marina Titanio/DLC Bucherer BLUE.Who is Bucherer?Bucherer is a Swiss-based, privately owned company whose history dates back to 1888 when merchant and entrepreneur Carl-Friedrich Bucherer opened the first specialist watch and jewellery store in Lucerne. As business grew, Bucherer became one of the first retailers in 1924 and remains Bucherer's most important partner. After WWII, the business continued to grow and the family-owned company opened branc