Watches NEWS
Guide - The Most Technically Innovative Watches of 2019 (So Far)
Innovation can be a rather confusing buzzword in the world of watches, an industry full of tradition and somehow playing on the old-school concept. Still, the Swiss watchmaking industry continues to innovate and to surprise us - and 2019 already had its lot of crazy advanced timepieces. So here are 5 developments that take mechanical watchmaking to new heights and best exemplify innovation in the old world of mechanical watchesNote: this selection is based on a consensus among the MONOCHROME team. It reflects our preferences among watches unveiled in 2019. If there are other watches you'd love to mention, feel free to share these in the comment section at the end of this article.Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT automaticBvlgari has just presented its 5th model in a series of record-breaking watches. The new Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT Automatic indeed becomes the thinnest mechanical chronograph movement and watch, with heights of 6.90mm for the case and 3.30mm only for the cal
First Look: The Titanium Longines Pilot Majetek Pioneer Edition
Known for its countless (and often appealing) vintage re-editions, inspired by some glorious watches of the past, Longines last year relaunched an important historic pilot watch, the Czech Pilot watch known as “Majetek Vojenske Spravy” or more simply, the Pilot Majetek. A follow-up to a model of 2014, this re-introduction was done with style and boldness. It is now time for a limited edition made of titanium, with a more technical and monochromatic look, the Pilot Majetek Pioneer Edition.The modern Pilot Majetek, just like the 2014 Longines Heritage 1935, is a modern interpretation of the Longines Czech Pilot watch developed in the 1920s and supplied to the Czechoslovakian Air Force in the 1930s. The watches were marked as Majetek Vojenske Spravy, meaning property of military administration, earning the Longines Majetek nickname among collectors. As Denis said in his previous article, “I believe Longines Vojenske would be a better name, translating into Longines Milit
Habring2 x Massena LAB Chrono Felix Perpetual (Price)
Massena LAB, the design studio founded by industry veteran William Massena has long been associated with Austrian independent watchmaker Habring2. And we can’t blame him, we’ve also followed this path… But today’s watch is a bit special since it’s not based on an existing model but actually launches a brand new reference for Habring2. And not just a simple watch but a rare and desirable combination of a monopusher chronograph and a perpetual calendar. And all of that in a compact, vintage-inspired case with a dial that has an unmistakable 1518 feel. Yes, the new Chrono Felix Perpetual (a.k.a LAB-CFP) is here to make our hearts beat faster.?This new Habring2 x Massena LAB Chrono Felix Perpetual marks the fourth collaboration between both parties, following the LAB01 of 2018, the LAB02 of 2020 and the LAB03 of 2021 – all based on the Erwin model, a time-only watch with central dead seconds. But importantly here, what matters isn’t only the watch
Longines Avigation Type A-7 1935 Review (Specs & Price)
It's quite common for brands to reissue watches from a bygone era, especially military and dive watches. The 2019 Rado Captain Cook Limited Edition, Seiko’s Prospex Diver 300m Hi-Beat SLA025 and Longines' own Avigation BigEye are recent examples (and let's not overlook the brand’s Legend Diver). The company's Heritage collection pays homage to many more vintage pieces and the Avigation Type A-7 1935 is a quirky one with design elements to help pilots read the time and operate the chronograph quicker. Modelled after a 1930s Type A-7 for the U.S. Army Air Corps, it appears as if the crown were fitted at 12 o'clock with the case then rotated 40 degrees to move it away from the lugs (it would clearly obstruct the strap). Although the dial could simply be straightened within the case, there was a purpose for this unconventional aesthetic as it provided a direct view when a pilot's arm was outstretched to the controls (and they often wore it on the underside of the wrist). And wh
Seiko Prospex Diver SLA017 62Mas Reedition - Baselworld 2017 Review (Specs & Price)
This is it; the star of show –?or at least the watch that received most comments and that reached the 1st place in our “most read articles of Baselworld 2017“. And believe us, surpassing in numbers during the Basel Watch Fair is?properly impressive… All of that, just to tell you how expected?this watch was and how well received it has been. Its name: the?Seiko Prospex Diver SLA017. Its function: being a faithful recreation?of the 1965 Seiko 62Mas ref. 6217, meaning the first professional dive watch of the Japanese manufacture. Its achievement: already being a collector. Overview of an upcoming success story.Our first introducing article was entitled “The Eagerly Awaited Seiko 62Mas Reedition SLA017“. And in that case, eagerly awaited was an understatement. Seiko’s collectors have been waiting for years to see the comeback of a legend, the 62Mas, the watch that started it all, a watch that is so important for the brand that it still influences
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