Audemars Piguet Code 11.59 Flying Tourbillon Chronograph (Price)
After a rather controversial initial impression and some noise in the collecting community,?Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet is now finding its way in both AP’s collections and in the heart of collectors. The brand is now working on expanding the range, adding some extravaganza and boldness, with for instance the greatly designed two-tone versions or the new smoked colours launched earlier this year. But it was also time for Audemars Piguet to demonstrate its savoir-faire as a high-end watchmaker, and the new Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Flying Tourbillon Chronograph is here to show you the brand’s skills.?Well, the collection of?Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet isn’t what you can call entry-level watchmaking… Since its introduction, it has been available with multiple complications, such as the long-awaited integrated in-house chronograph, an open-worked tourbillon, an ultra-thin perpetual calendar and an impressive minute repeater. Today though, it is an unpreceden

First Look: The All-Black Bvlgari Octo Roma Automatic & Chronograph
Ancient Rome is a constant well of inspiration at Bulgari that deftly transforms architectural motifs from the past into fresh, stylish designs. The dynamic geometry of the Octo Roma, released in 2012 and refreshed in 2023, is said to have been inspired by the octagonal coffering found on the vaults of the 4th-century Basilica of Maxentius in the Roman Forum. Now in its sportier, more robust and less angular format, the Octo Roma revisits two models - a time-and-date and a chronograph - dressed from head-to-toe in black.An iconic Bulgari collection, the Octo Roma was the departure point for the record-breaking Octo Finissimo legion. Revisited over the years, the latest facelift corresponds to 2023, when the Octo Roma’s case became less angular and more rounded. The idea was to position the Octo Roma as an alternative to the ultra-thin Octo Finissimo, offering more robust, sportier cases and increased versatility thanks to the quick-release interchangeable strap system.

Swatch Group To Hold its Own Watch Fair In Zurich, During Baselworld 2019 - Monochrome Watches
The topic of watch fairs is hot these days. Everything started with the explosive news of?Swatch Group’s decision to leave Baselworld 2019. This led to several other departures, followed by the resignation of Baselworld/MCH’s CEO and multiple criticisms. In order to stop the bleeding and calm things down, the SIHH and Baselworld announced they will be synchronising their calendars again.?However, this isn’t the end of the story. A recent piece of news published by Reuters and Le Temps confirms that the Swatch Group will hold its own watch fair, in Zurich and right during Baselworld 2019.According to Reuters, which was informed by a retailer who received an official invitation, the Swatch Group will hold its own show in Zurich – rumours were already heading in that direction – with its most luxurious brands presenting their novelties. The invitation mentions the following brands: Breguet, Harry Winston, Blancpain, Jaquet Droz, Glashutte Original and Omega.

My Personal Thoughts On The Lebois and Co Heritage Chronograph
If you’ve been keeping an eye on MONOCHROME Watches, and I sort of expect you have, you might have seen this handsome little devil pop up before. It’s the latest model coming from Lebois & Co., a revived historic name closely linked to Airain thanks to its Dutch owner Tom van Wijlick. Reviving a name from the past is never easy, but Tom has been steadily building an interesting range of mechanical watches under both brands. We’re already familiar with the Airain Type 20? and Sous Marine, for instance, as well as the Lebois & Co. Avantgarde Date and Venturist, for that matter. So with the Heritage Chronograph being on and off my wrist for a couple of months now, it’s about time I share my personal experience with it.Lebois & Co. is one of those names that ceased operations in the early 1970s, around the time the quartz crisis would come into full swing and wipe out a staggering number of brands. It was originally founded in 1934 by a member of the Dod

Introducing the White-Dial Airain Type 20 ACE
Founded in 1934, Airain was well known for its Type 20 flyback chronographs in the mid-20th century, supplying the French military along with brands like Breguet and Mathey Tissot. These chronographs could be instantly reset to zero by pressing the 4 o'clock pusher via the flyback function and had specific requirements like a bidirectional 12-hour rotating bezel, 35-hour power reserve (minimum) and lume on both the hands and Arabic numerals. Airain didn't survive the quartz crisis and loss of French military contracts, but was revived in 2020. The Airain Type 20 ACE is the latest chrono model and introduces bold and modern styling from a collaboration with Dutch retailer Ace Jewelers.The stainless steel case is 39.5mm in diameter and 10.85mm in height (without the double-domed sapphire crystal), which is close to the original at approximately 38mm in diameter. There's a bidirectional 12-hour countdown bezel with black numbers and marks, and classic chrono pushers at 2 and 4 o'clock. Th