Hands-On - A. Lange & Sohne 1815 Annual Calendar (Specs & price)
Over the last few years, A. Lange & Sohne has been making its popular 1815 collection more of a focus, introducing several exceptional models, like the insane Tourbograph Perpetual Pour le Merite unveiled at SIHH 2017. While that model may have stolen the spotlight (and with good reason), today we're giving some much needed hands-on attention to another great watch presented by the brand at the show; the A. Lange & Sohne 1815 Annual Calendar, which is the brand’s most?accessible “complication watch”.Since being introduced in 2004, the 1815 series - which pays tribute to the birth year of company founder, Ferdinand A. Lange - has quickly grown to become one of Lange’s most popular collections. Originally viewed as a gateway to more complex models, such as the Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon and the Double Split, it opened-up the brand to a slightly broader, (possibly younger) audience. These days however, it stands apart as its own legitimate collection wi

Hands-On - Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Tourbillon Chronograph Openworked Black Ceramic ref. 26343CE (Specs & Price)
This year, at the SIHH 2018, Audemars Piguet unveiled a host of novelties. If the Extra-Thin 15202IP in titanium and platinum stole our hearts, and if there was a strong focus on ladies’ watches – see the?Double Balance Wheel Openworked 37mm Frosted Gold or the?Millenary Frosted Gold Opal Dial – there was clearly more to please us. This includes the?Royal Oak Tourbillon Chronograph Openworked Reference?26343CE, the first time this complex and powerful watch is cased in black ceramic.This new version of the?Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Tourbillon Chronograph Openworked once again demonstrates the expertise of the Le Brassus brand when it comes to the use of ceramics. AP already showed such mastery with the?Royal Oak Perpetual Calendar?26579CE, the first all-ceramic watch (bracelet included) of the brand – and when you have the chance of wearing this watch on your wrist, you understand what expertise means. The execution is simply brilliant. While not really a new wa

Hands-On - The 2021 Pasha de Cartier Chronograph 41mm
Pasha de Cartier watches attest to the Maison's unwavering dedication to creating flamboyant timepieces with daring shapes and out-of-the-ordinary hallmarks that are often shared with models from its revered collections. Cabochon-adorned crowns, crisp black Arabic numerals and blued steel hands are just a few examples. The Parisian watchmaker now releases a 41mm chronograph version of the Pasha, with undeniable sporty aesthetics. It features a rotating bezel, sapphire cabochon-topped push-pieces, a sapphire caseback exposing a manufacture movement and the brand's innovative strap-swapping technology.From a 1980s cult watch to a modern-day chronographWho could fill the role of creating an iconic sports watch with a distinctive diver's bezel and a unique square inside a circle concept? Gerald Genta is the name that springs to mind, but legend has it that the Pasha de Cartier‘s origins date further back in time. If the story of its origins is true, the watch was a commissioned piece

IWC Big Pilots Watch Perpetual Calendar TOP GUN Ceratanium Review
With roots that go back to the 1940s and, more importantly, a production history that started in the mid-1990s, IWC‘s Pilot’s Watch collection is one of the brand’s most established ranges, and it comprises almost all complications and movements that the brand has managed to create over the years. Of course, Kurt Klaus’ perpetual calendar is no exception to the rule, and the Big Pilot's Watch Perpetual Calendar has been seen, even recently, in multiple editions, such as the new Racing Green or the blue-on-steel model of the permanent collection. But today, it’s a TOP GUN watch that is released, which means tactical black colour scheme. But what’s more interesting here is not the look, but the materials, as we’re looking at the brand’s first watch entirely made of Ceratanium, case AND bracelet. Meet the new IWC Big Pilot's Watch Perpetual Calendar TOP GUN Ceratanium IW503604.?If you think a bit… The overall idea behind this watch cou

GIVE AWAY: Montblanc Travel Watch Roll for 2 Watches - Monochrome Watches
One of the coolest things for this year, is that we can give away lots of great presents. OK, we’re celebrating our 10th anniversary. However it’s the brands that we cover here on Monochrome that chip in and donate these great presents, which we can share with you guys! After some amazing gift that we already send to twelve of you (10 Meistersinger desk clocks, one Ophion wrist watch and a Panerai book), the next gift -a stunning Ulysse Nardin wall clock– will be shipped as soon as we received the shipping data of the winner. Now it’s time to give away a very nice travel watch roll, made by, and made available by, Montblanc.?The travel watch roll is for two watches and is made of so-called ‘sartorial’ leather. It really looks great, and the quality and finish is absolutely superb. Personally I can’t leave the house without at least 2 or 3 watches -when i go for a longer trip, not when doing groceries- so a good watch roll is an important access