A. Lange & Sohne Triple Split - The New Mightier Than Mighty Chronograph (SIHH 2018) - Monochrome Watches
Several years ago I had the pleasure of reviewing the A. Lange & Sohne Double Split and called it the uber-chrono. To be clear, this has nothing to do with its functions but is entirely due to its spectacularly beautiful movement. Of course, the Double Split is the only mechanical double split-second chronograph, so that certainly demands some respect, but the movement’s architecture and finishing show a breath-taking beauty that no watch lover can ignore. And now there’s a Triple Split! Does that mean that the uber-chrono has been surpassed? Yep, it does, and… it’s limited to only 100 pieces!The Double Split is lovingly referred to, by admirers and owners of this watch, as the Mighty Double Split. It truly is mighty in so many ways. Do keep in mind that we’re still talking about mechanics here, and we are all aware that every iPhone does the same trick. But that’s not the point. The point is that some functions can be achieved by a collection of

Nivada Grenchen Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver Reedition
About a week ago, we introduced you to a rather cool watch, the Nivada Grenchen Depthmaster, which marked the return of a highly original and important model in dive watch history. What's even more noticeable is the fact that the name Nivada Grenchen, a niche but cult brand specialized in instrumental pieces, is coming back. Finally, the best news is that the most iconic watch ever produced by the brand, the Chronomaster Aviator Sea Diver, has been faithfully re-edited. Let's have a closer look at this vintage-inspired watch, modelled after what was once named the Super Chronograph.Nivada GrenchenNivada was founded in Grenchen (Granges), Switzerland in 1926 by Otto Wullimann, Hermann Schindler and Jack Schneider. The company remained under the control of the Schneider family until its 50th anniversary in 1976. From the earliest days, the company focused on instrument watches that went beyond the simple indication of the time – among the first to offer water-resistance, automatic

New York based Retter Watches launches its inaugural 22 Automatic
It's no secret that integrated steel sports watches are trending these days, especially the affordable ones. Models like the Tissot PRX Powermatic 80 are wildly popular, while lesser-known microbrands have admirable offerings like the Dumoreau DM01 Automatic. New York-based Retter Watches is introducing an integrated piece of its own with the Retter 22, which also happens to be the new microbrand's first model. It's a stylish Swiss-made watch with an affordable price and classic design, and it's an impressive debut in a crowded field.Retter was founded two years ago by Deep Ghosh, a longtime watch enthusiast that wanted to design a luxury Swiss piece with a sub-$1,000 USD price tag. With a design studio in New York and production facilities in Neuchatel, Switzerland, Ghosh has certainly met this goal with the Retter 22 integrated sports watch. The stainless steel case is 41mm in diameter and 12mm in height (46mm lug-to-lug), and was inspired by Gerald Genta's distinctive design element

Tudor Goes Against the Trend with the Black Bay 68 in 43mm - Monochrome Watches
Expanding once more its emblematic live of dive watches, the Black Bay, Tudor makes a surprising move by releasing the new Black Bay 68. Indeed, while the watch started its life in 2012 in 41mm, the brand continuously reduced its size by launching the 39mm Black Bay 58 and then the 37mm Black Bay 54. And in 2025, against all odds but “meeting the demand for various case sizes to fit all types of wrists,” the brand releases a larger, 43mm edition named the Black Bay 68.No surprises regarding the design of this Black Bay 68. We’re in very, very well known territories. Basically, the same recipe as what the brand did when releasing the Black Bay 58, but now only in the opposite direction, becoming bigger. The case, with the familiar BB diver look, with its brushed surfaces and polished bevels on the side, now measures 43mm in diameter and 13.6mm in thickness – we’re awaiting for confirmation of the lug-to-lug. It relies on the same design elements as the Blac

Machiel Hulsman Redefines "Bespoke" - Meet the First Entirely Handmade Dutch Wristwatch - Monochrome Watches
I’m thrilled to announce this news. Machiel Hulsman, former IT consultant turned watchmaker, has created the very first entirely handmade wristwatch from the Netherlands. We have the legacy of Christiaan Huygens, the inventor of the pendulum clock, Christiaan van der Klaauw, a watch and clockmaker who created the smallest planetarium (in a wristwatch), and the horological brothers Bart and Tim Gronefeld, who have won prestigious GPHG prizes on two occasions. And now, finally, a watch entirely made in the Netherlands. Five years ago Hulsman quit his job and started making his first wristwatch. From scratch! No existing movement, no third-party parts, everything is made in his own small atelier by hand. In these five years, he has learned everything about watchmaking and completed the first fully Dutch handmade wristwatch, the Marie-Elise.When I started MONOCHROME, more than ten years ago, the Netherlands felt like a watchmaking desert. High-end watchmaking was not something you as