Why Do Clocks and Watches Use the Roman Numeral IIII instead of IV?
Roman numerals are one of the most classic designs found on clocks and watches. As far as we can go back in history, there have always been clocks, pocket watches and wristwatches with Roman numerals on the dials. However, owners of watches with Roman numerals might have noticed something weird, something rather unusual. While the numeral 4 is commonly written IV in the Roman?numeric system, most watches rely on the typography IIII. And of course, just like us, you might have asked yourself why? As always, there is no single answer to a problem, but here are some possible explanations for this absurdly important question. The Roman numeric system isn’t widely used anymore. Most of Western countries rely on Arabic numerals, Asian countries have their own numeric system and Arabic culture uses a typography that is different from the classical Arabic numerals. However, in watchmaking, Roman numerals have been used and are still in

Hands-on: Deciphering The Tudor Pelagos FXD GMT
While I’m no expert on the subject of Mil-Spec watches, or military-related timing instruments in general, I do know instantly if I like a watch or not. And every now and then a watch comes along that wins me over with its first impression, only to be disappointed when I see it in real life for the first time. Luckily, it also happens the other way around. Press images don’t always do a watch justice, as for me, was the case with the Tudor Pelagos FXD GMT, a watch that sounded great on paper but looked a little underwhelming at first. That was until I strapped it on, and things started to make sense little by little. So, I decided to try and break down what made me change my mind, in hopes I can shine a more detailed light on this very utilitarian watch for you.?On a personal note, I have a deep love for Tudor. Back in 2016, I purchased my first Tudor watch, a Black Bay 79220N (yes, the ETA-powered one in black), just a week before I bought my first house with my now-wife.

Vacheron Constantin Overseas Automatic 4500V - Review (Specs & Price)
Some categories in the watch world are more competitive than others. The “Luxury Sports-Watch” sector certainly is amongst the toughest of all. Narrow, precisely defined, and requiring the highest standards of quality, luxury, and mechanics, it is driven by a few, very strong icons… Entering it is complex. Breaking back into its ranks is close to impossible, but this is what Vacheron Constantin have achieved with the new Overseas collection, first introduced in 2016, and today we look at the “standard” offer, the?Overseas Automatic 4500V.The “Luxury Sports-Watch” CategoryIn the?strictest definition, the “luxury sports-watch” category is extremely narrow. It comprises probably under 10 members, most of them born in the 1970s, under the genius pen of a certain Gerald Genta. What is a?“luxury sports-watch”? Of course, there’s no official definition, so here what we, at Monochrome, would say: a?“luxury sports-wat

Patek Philippe to Discontinue 24 References in 2022
Products are introduced. Products have a commercial life. Products are discontinued. There’s nothing exceptional in this, it’s named a product life cycle… Regularly, for various reasons, watch brands add or remove some references from their collections, whether because of a need to innovate, because of the introduction of a new design, because a new movement is coming, or because the product isn’t successful enough. Classic business practices. And, of course, we don’t report on every discontinuation on the market. But when a brand such as Patek Philippe is about to remove 24 references from its collection, there’s something special happening. Indeed, you’ve read correctly. According to well-informed and usual very reliable sources, such as Jasem Al Zeraei a.k.a @patekaholic, 24 references, including all Nautilus 5711s and many more models, are about to disappear…?OverviewAs said, and of course this should be taken with precautions as Pate

Oris Altimeter Rega Limited Edition Live Photos, Availability, Price
Basically, what you see here is one of the most innovative – and coolest – pilot watches on the market. No, it is not fitted with a super-high-end movement nor does it feature?the most spectacular design ever, but that’s not the point. You’ve already heard about the?Oris Big Crown ProPilot Altimeter, a watch we‘ve reviewed previously. It’s?the world’s first automatic mechanical timepiece?with a built-in mechanical altimeter. Now?for a pilot watch, that’s quite an interesting feature. A few days ago, the brand introduced a new version, the?Oris Altimeter Rega Limited Edition (resulting from a partnership with?Rega, Switzerland’s air rescue service) and what’s better than a proper field-test, in the Swiss Alps, to experience the altimeter function.Quick facts about the?Oris Altimeter Rega Limited EditionA few days ago, Oris launched a new version of its?Big Crown ProPilot Altimeter, more simply named the?Oris Altimeter Rega Limi