It might be smaller than your average Royal Oak, but there is no mistaking the lineage of these 34mm models. All the salient Royal Oak traits are now housed in a more condensed case, an ideal size for smaller wrists and a solid unisex proposal. Although 34mm might strike you as small in a line-up […]
A year after its introduction, Audemars Piguet’s controversial yet entirely novel collection, Code 11.59, sees its first major evolution with the introduction of five new time-and-date models and five new Chronograph models. When we reviewed the watch recently, our main complaint came from the lack of ‘spices’… Well, here they are, as AP spices up […]
A watch introduced in 1992 and that, back then, was met with extreme reactions with its unprecedented approach to luxury watchmaking, the Royal Oak Offshore has since been Audemars Piguet sportiest, most masculine piece – a far more robust version of the octagonal iconic model launched in 1972. From the earliest days, this watch played […]
Today, we’ll get straight to the point and speak frankly and honestly. Frank, Founder and Managing Director of MONOCHROME, whom I’ve known for more than seven years now, is probably one of the most upfront and straightforward people I’ve ever met: Frank is a man who says what he thinks. And today we’ll talk about one of his most beloved watches, one that he’s owned for years and that I’ve always wanted to feature in our ‘Collector’s Series’, his handsome Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ‘Jumbo’ 5402ST. And because this watch is such an icon, it doesn’t really need an introduction anymore. Instead, we’ll be looking at what really matters, the collecting side of things, the market, the fuzz around the watch…
Even though it would be impossible to hide all the buzz, the discussions and the emotions that surrounded the launch of this watch – certainly the most commented watch ever – it won’t be the topic of the day. We could argue with its detractors… We could, but we won’t. What we’ll do today is being fair, objective and realistic. Because today, over a year after its launch, now that the dust has settled, we’re going to give a second and in-depth look on the Code 11.59 By Audemars Piguet – with the blue dial/white gold Selfwinding Chronograph model. Because, objectively, this watch has a lot to offer.
The pocket watch… No style is more iconic and nothing has endured for as many centuries. These marvels of mechanical engineering have relayed status for elites, advanced transportation needs across land, air and sea, and just kept average folks on schedule. Outfits were even designed specifically to accommodate them. In the 21st century, three-piece suits […]
The chronograph, one of our favourite features and one of the most complex types of movement around, continues to be one of the most popular and practical complications. Chronographs can be started, stopped and reset to measure short (or longer) intervals of time. Over the years, these were adapted and rethought into specialized tools. Being […]
The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Jumbo Extra-Thin, with its modern steel iteration (Ref. 15202ST), needs no introduction anymore. The direct descendant of the 1972 original Royal Oak watch, still ultra-thin and identically proportioned, it is one of the most sought-after watches on the market and one of the most (if not the most) legitimate luxury […]
The watch that launched the luxury sports watch category and kept Audemars Piguet afloat through thick and thin since 1972 was fittingly named after a 1916 Royal Navy battleship, the HMS Royal Oak. Without delving into its genesis and well-documented history, suffice it to say that the Audemars Piguet’s flagship Royal Oak has been interpreted […]
Comedian and talk show host, Ellen DeGeneres, is known in horology circles to be a mega collector of wristwatches, with a particular preference for both modern and vintage pieces from Rolex and Patek Philippe – for instance, we very recently saw her wearing a Dual-Time Patek Philippe Aquanaut while looking at Timberlake’s Milgauss in front […]