Introducing: The Monochromatic Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Essential Grey
We’ve been raving on and on about the profound use of colour within the watchmaking industry these past couple of months (and years). And yes, there have been countless vibrant, expressive and often quite cool and colourful watches, but what if you’re in the market for something a little less bright and eye-popping? What if you’re looking for something more, let’s say, monochromatic but still want it fit for summer? You’re in luck, as Hublot has just presented a lightweight titanium version of its Spirit of Big Bang in toned-down full-grey attire. This is the new and limited Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Essential Grey.Hublot’s watches are never shy of showing off what they are, as more often than not, the brand likes to play around with colours, textures and materials. A case in point is the recent Nespresso, Sky Blue and Texalium editions of its signature Big Bang. This new Spirit of Big Bang, nestled in between the Big Bang and Square Bang in terms of

Collecting chronographs - Monochrome Watches
Most collectors have a personal preference. Some collectors focus mainly on dive watches, some on chronograph and some have a ‘weak spot’ for a certain brand. A good friend collects Cartier watches, not just any Cartier but mainly from the Collection Privee. Another good friend collects watches from A. Lange und Sohne and he has some extraordinary pieces. My initial personal preference in watches where chronographs and although my preference has changed to watches made by independent watchmakers, chronographs still have a special place in my ‘collectors heart’. Ad - Scroll to continue with article Unfortunately chronographs made by independent watchmakers are rare, very rare and not affordable for me. There are just a few existing chronograph calibers and these are used by most brands. Glashuette Original is one of the few big brands with

Hands-On With The Final Edition Of The Ferdinand Berthoud Chronometre FB 2T (With Video)
Ferdinand Berthoud stages the swan song of its impressive calibre FB-T.FC. that made its debut in 2015 on board the FB1. Inspired by Ferdinand Berthoud's historical marine chronometers, the fascinating tourbillon movement with fusee-and-chain transmission took home the top prize at the Grand Prix d'Horlogerie de Geneve in 2016 and has secured the brand a firm footing in the Haute Horlogerie arena. Respecting the original dial configuration of the FB 1 and powered by the same movement, the final act of the Chronometre FB, composed of 38 customisable pieces, exchanges its octagonal hull for a round case.Enlightened TimesFerdinand Berthoud (1727-1807) emigrated from Switzerland to Paris in 1745 at the age of 18. It was an inspired location for a young man of such exceptional talent. The cradle of the Age of Enlightenment, Paris was a hotbed of intellectual and scientific inquiry. The French Academy of Sciences (Academie des Sciences?1666), founded to encourage and protect French scientifi

Oris Big Crown X Cervo Volante 38mm Pointer Date - Review, Price
We've heard about Oris' incentives to support the removal of plastics from the ocean and make straps and dials from recycled PET, about initiatives to restore the coral reefs and conservation efforts to ensure the blue whale and dolphin are protected from underwater noise pollution and fishing nets, but this is probably the first time we've come across a watch made in collaboration with a sustainable deer leather manufacturer. As part of the brand's Change for the Better campaign, the partnership with Cervo Volante has led to a new line of deer hide watch straps. The model chosen to show off the new straps is the classic Big Crown Pointer Date with gradient dials inspired by Alpine colours. The three models are not limited editions, and Oris is committed to working with Cervo Volante long term. Another positive feature of the latest Big Crown models is the new 38mm case size. Although there are two 38mm Big Crown Pointer Dates fitted with the latest in-house engineered automatic calib

Ulysse Nardin Stranger - a Music Box on the Wrist - Monochrome Watches
?Ulysse Nardin presents a world first: a wrist watch with a music box, called Stranger. Why this name you might wonder? That’s because it plays the?melody Strangers in the Night. This brilliant masterpiece was created by?Dieter Meier, the Godfather of Techno-Music who scored hits under the name Yello, and?Dr. Ludwig Oechslin. Ludwig Oechslin is of course no ‘stranger’ (pun intended) for Monochrome readers, as we know him from the MIH Watch and Ochs und Junior (check here and here and here). But Oechslin has a long relationship with Ulysse Nardin, which grabs back to him developing the legendary Freak, the?Trilogy of Time collection – comprising the Astrolabium Galileo Galilei, Planetarium Copernicus and Tellurium Johannes Kepler - and the?GMT Perpetuel, boasting an unusual perpetual calendar with a second time zone that can be adjusted forward or backward. We could go on about Oechslin’s genius, however a recommended read is?his biography, as published on