Categorizing Independent Watchmakers - Monochrome Watches
Independent watchmakers are in many ways different from other watch companies. But in the end they all make wristwatches we enjoy wearing and collecting. Watch lovers who frequent watchforums like Horomundi, The PuristS Pro, Timezone and Watchuseek may have seen or read something about independent watchmaking. But?for most of them (you?) the independent watchmakers might still be unknown. Let’s be real, it’s already hard to keep track of all existing big name brands and their watches. Let alone some small independent watchmakers whos watches are in a special section for independent watchmaking and whos names don’t sound familiar.Independent watchmakers don’t have an advertising budget ?like Breitling or …. Ad - Scroll to continue with article Independent watchmakers do make very beautiful and interesting watches… and are far

IWC Big Pilots Watch Perpetual Calendar TOP GUN Edition Mojave Desert - Monochrome Watches
I guess, by now, we’re all accustomed ceramic being used for watch cases and bezels. Whether we’re looking at Rado, the brand that pioneered the use of ceramic already in the early 1980s, or the many other brands using ceramic for the bezel insert, even in colours that were considered impossible to match (GMT-Master II Pepsi.) However, IWC is taking things a few steps further and with this, they show again who they are and also where their pioneering spirit comes from. We’re looking at the new Big Pilot Perpetual Calendar ‘Mojave Desert’.?IWC was the first watch company to use ceramics for some movement parts in their in-house movements (or at least, besides ceramic ball bearings which are used by many.) Why? Ceramic is not only scratch resistant, but it hardly wears down and is much more durable than many of the (softer) metals that are used for many parts in a watch movement. This is the IWC way of thinking, and it’s been in the brand’s DNA t

Introducing the IWC Portofino Hand-Wound Day & Date - Monochrome-Watches
In the rush of Watches & Wonders 2015 (the Hong-Kong watch fair), it’s now IWC’s turn to come with a novelty: the?IWC Portofino Hand-Wound Day?&?Date. We’ve recently covered various iterations of IWC’s Portofino models, like the recent Monopusher Chronograph,?the Pure Classic edition?and the one that featured in The Collector’s Series.?The new Portofino Day & Date comes with interesting features, all based on the same nice and massive 8-day power reserve hand-wound in-house movement.The IWC Portofino is the elegant and vintage-inspired proposition of the brand, with a large, round case and a clean and pure dial. What makes this watch kind of special is the use of IWC’s own movement, with a very large diameter that completely fills the case – something that is extremely pleasant (and rare enough in the industry to be mentioned). This Calibre?59220 features a single but large mainspring that can provide energy to the watch during 8 da

Interview: Davide Cerrato, CEO of Bremont, On The Future of the British Watchmaker
Bremont, Britain's largest manufacturer of luxury watches, recently announced that it has appointed Davide Cerrato as CEO and a member of the Board. During Dubai Watch Week 2023, we had time to sit down with this industry veteran and understand his message to clients, how the company's new growth plan will work and more.Xavier Markl, MONOCHROME – Davide, what brought you to Bremont? How did this new story start? Ad - Scroll to continue with article Davide Cerrato, CEO of Bremont – I firmly believe things do not happen by chance. In a way, I have always admired British things; I have always been told I dress like an Englishman well, half-Brit, half-Italian. Let's say a Brit from the SouthBremont was looking for a new CEO following an injection of capital, someone experienced from the watchmaking industry. I have been active in the segment where Bremon

Officine Panerai Introduces a New Entry Level 8-days Manual Wind Movement - Caliber P.5000 - Monochrome Watches
Roughly six months after the SIHH, the ‘usual’ moment for introducing new watches for brands of the Richemont stable, Panerai introduces an entirely new caliber and two new watches. The new movement, caliber P.5000, is a manually wound movement with 8 days of power reserve. It will be positioned as most affordable in-house movement, with a price level that’s just a tad above the Unitas-based movements. The movement is launched in two watches, which are part of the Historic collection.The two new watches come in the familiar Luminor Marina case, featuring the minimalist design of the case and dial and of course the iconic locking lever to protect the winding crown. The red gold case (PAM00511) is made of 5Npt red gold, a distinctive alloy with a high percentage of copper?that gives it a particularly deep color, and a bit of platinum that helps to prevent?oxidation. The other is a stainless steel version (PAM00510) and both measure 44 mm in diameter. Ad - Scr