Category: Chronographs

IWC Portugieser Chronograph Edition 150 Years Ref. 3716 – New Dials/New Movement (SIHH 2018)

Here we are… The SIHH 2018 will open in a few hours, but we already have a few novelties to share. And for the first of the day, we have something that will make quite some noise around the collecting community. Indeed, what you’ll see here is a new, slightly redesigned (just a bit), mechanically upgraded (a lot) version of IWC’s most iconic modern watch, the Portugieser Chronograph. Please meet the IWC Portugieser Chronograph Edition 150 Years Ref. 3716, with new dial, new movement and sadly, in limited edition.

7 years ago

Singer Track 1 Geneva Edition In Yellow Gold (SIHH 2018)

When launched in mid-2017, the Singer Track 1 has been one real surprise, praised by many. Not only the story behind was cool (the link with the custom-built Porsches), not only the people behind are great, but the watch itself, its movement, its design and its display are just fresh. Prior to the SIHH 2018, Singer Reimagined unveils a new and sexy version of its Track1 chronograph. Meet the Singer Track 1 Geneva Edition, as we go hands-on with this chronograph clad in yellow gold and black.

7 years ago

Oris Carl Brashear Chronograph Limited Edition Bronze Watch

2 years ago, Oris presented the first Carl Brashear Limited Edition, a bronze vintage-inspired dive watch with a lovely contrasting blue dial. No need to say, it was an instant hit. The watch went sold-out quickly and pleased collectors. Today, we have the second edition. Using the same bronze/blue dial combination, still based on the Divers Sixty Five, this time the brand adds an unprecedented complication to this collection. Meet the Oris Carl Brashear Chronograph Limited Edition.

7 years ago

Oris Chronoris Williams 40th Anniversary Limited Edition

I always have a little bit of a tough time stomaching car, football club or otherwise branded Limited Edition or commemorative timepieces. Some try way too hard to get across what they are, other than a standard series watch with often little more than a few details that have nothing to do with watchmaking. Don’t get me wrong, there are examples that come out just right in my book, and yes it is of course highly personal, as is everything when it comes to preferences. One of those watches that seems to hit the proverbial nail on the head for me is the recently introduced Oris Chronoris Williams 40th Anniversary Limited Edition.

7 years ago

Recap – The Entire “Speedmaster Chronicles” Series and a Comprehensive Speedmaster Timeline

Recently, we had the pleasure to publish what has been one of our most demanding projects of the year, “The Speedmaster Chronicles”. We wanted to celebrate an icon of the watchmaking world, a watch that is known by most of us, a watch that carries an immense history, a watch that made it to the moon and, overall, a dream machine. You name it: the Omega Speedmaster. 5 movies, 5 guests, 5 points of views, all with a personal look at the Speedy. Today, we wanted to recap this series of videos in one single article, and also to bring a comprehensive and user-friendly Speedmaster Timeline, looking back at the main models and the evolution of this watch from 1957 to today.

7 years ago

Hands-On – Parmigiani Fleurier Tonda Chronor Anniversaire (and its superb movement)

Introduced to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Parmigiani Fleurier (founded in 1996), the Tonda Chronor Anniversaire is powered by an exceptional movement, the first integrated chronograph movement from the brand – spiced up with a split-seconds functions and several cool features! The Tonda Chronor was awarded “Best Chronograph” at the prestigious GPHG 2017, which is …

7 years ago

Review – The New Brellum Duobox Pandial Chronograph

If you’re a long-time reader of MONOCHROME, you should already be familiar with Brellum, a young Swiss-based brand responsible for the Duobox. This watch is everything of a no-nonsense chronograph: slightly vintage-inspired, robust, very well built and overall, cool to wear. We now have the first main evolution of this watch, the Duobox Pandial. The racing inspiration is now clear, with a two-tone dial and an external tachymeter bezel. Let’s have a closer look.

7 years ago

Porsche Design 1919 Chronotimer x Porsche Driving Experience Winter

When it comes to sports chronographs, these used to be purpose-build timepieces. Now-a-days it’s rather a fashion/style statement, than anything else. However several decades ago, chronographs were mainly bought by gentlemen who had enough budget and time to enjoy playing around with fast cars. Competitiveness has always been a characteristic of mankind, especially of the 50% of human beings with more testosteron (also referred to as men.) A chronograph allowed them to measure time, and to compare lap times. And that’s what I didn’t do when I went to the North of Finland with Porsche Design for the Porsche Driving Experience Winter. Here’s a report about having fun in the snow, and on the ice, with pretty much the entire line-up of Porsche cars. I forgot to measure lap times, but when you see this video and the photos below, I’m sure you will understand. 

7 years ago

Value Proposition – Hands-On With The Aramar Long Beach Racing Chronograph

Vintage-inspired watches have been one of the hottest trends of 2017 and this looks set to continue in 2018. Automotive-focused watches from the golden era of the 1960’s and 1970’s, such as the Bell & Ross Vintage Bellytanker and the Heuer Autavia, have been particularly popular, no doubt helped along in no small part by the $17m sale of a Rolex Daytona owned by some guy. Not everyone can afford the premium price tags these types of watch command, however, so today we’re getting hands-on with a much more accessible alternative from Netherlands-based watch designer and producer, Aramar Watch Co. Called the Long Beach Racing Chronograph, it’s already exceeded its funding goal on Kickstarter, with just under a month still to go. Read on for all the details.

7 years ago