The Speedmaster Chronicles #4 – Aurel Bacs, Auctioneer at Phillips Watches

The former-NASA engineer who certified the Speedmaster, the journalist turned watch-designer who initiated “Speedy Tuesday”, a seasoned Speedy collector… What could have been the next step when it comes to the Omega Speedmaster? At a certain point, when you look at such an iconic watch, you have to talk auctions and markets. So no shortcuts, we asked renowned auctioneer Aurel Bacs from Phillips Watches to join us and talk about the Speedmaster. And the best surprise was that not only he talked about his professional view on this piece of history, but this movie ended up to be much more personal than expected. Please meet Aurel and his personal Omega Speedmaster.

7 years ago

The Speedmaster Chronicles #3 – @VintageWatchzilla, Watch Collector

Our series of videos “The Speedmaster Chronicles” started with two insiders. One is the former-NASA engineer who tested and certified the Moonwatch before going to the Moon. The other is no less than Mister Speedy Tuesday, our dear friend Robert-Jan Broer. Today, for Episode 3, we move on the other side of the watchmaking planet, with a collector. We won’t show his face nor mention his full name. Some of you may know him from his Instagram pseudonym: @VintageWatchzilla. What we’ll show you though is one of the greatest collections of Omega Speedmaster we’ve seen recently. VintageWatchzilla has some pretty nice watches and the knowledge that goes along.

7 years ago

The Speedmaster Chronicles #2 – Robert-Jan Broer, Mister Speedy Tuesday

Today is Tuesday. What else then, except having the one-and-only Mister Speedy Tuesday featured for our second instalment of “The Speedmaster Chronicles“. Yesterday, we started this series of videos with the man that certified the Omega Speedmaster to go to the Moon. Today, we give the floor to fellow watch-journalist Robert-Jan Broer, founder of Fratellowatches. Most importantly, RJ (as we all name him) is one of the top-tier sources for the Speedmaster, the founder of the “Speedy Tuesday” movement and the man responsible for the creation of the highly coveted Speedmaster Speedy Tuesday Limited Edition. Needless to say, he knows quite a bit about the “Moonwatch“.

7 years ago

The Speedmaster Chronicles #1 – James H. Ragan, The Former NASA-Engineer Responsible for the “Moonwatch”

Here it is: Episode 1 of our series of videos dedicated to the one-and-only Omega Speedmaster “Moonwatch“. Certainly one of the most iconic watches ever created, many stories have been written about this stopwatch. Yet, today, we are proud to have a special guest with us for the first episode of “The Speedmaster Chronicles“. Without him, the Speedmaster would have never been named the “Moonwatch” and all the fame and dreams around this watch wouldn’t exist. Here is James H. Ragan, Former NASA Program Manager and Aerospace Engineer – or the man who tested the Speedmaster and who gave it the “Flight Qualified By NASA For All Manned Space Missions” certification, allowing the Speed to finally make it to the Moon.

7 years ago

Pre-SIHH 2018 – Hands-On with the Montblanc TimeWalker Rally Timer Chronograph Now With Reverse-Panda Dial

Last year, at the SIHH 2017, Montblanc introduced an entire collection focused on sports, the new Timewalker. The main source of inspiration for this collection certainly was Motorsport… But that was just a fraction of where these watches came from. In fact, there’s a longer story behind, as the TimeWalker collection is taking its DNA from early stop-watches made by Minerva (now owned by Montblanc) made for gentlemen drivers. On top of the range was a proper tribute piece, the Montblanc TimeWalker Rally Timer Chronograph, and this exact same stop-watch, with superb movement, is now coming with a new, slightly vintage “reverse-panda” style.

7 years ago

Pre-SIHH 2018 – Hands-On With with the Montblanc Star Legacy Automatic Chronograph

It’s getting towards the end of the year and starting to get very cold (or very hot, depending on which hemisphere you live in). The Christmas decorations have already been up for weeks, and the office parties are about to get in full swing. To a watch lover, all of this can only mean one thing: it’s time for some SIHH 2018 previews! Never one to disappoint, MONOCHROME has everything you need to know about the new models coming out next year, regardless of whether you’ve been naughty or nice. To whet your appetite, here’s a hands-on look at the new and classically-designed Montblanc Star Legacy Automatic Chronograph.

7 years ago

Pre-SIHH 2018 – Hands-On with the Montblanc Star Legacy Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph

With the SIHH 2018 only a few weeks away, brands are pre-releasing selected models to whet our appetite. Among them is Montblanc, which has unveiled a new version of their iconic Nicolas Rieussec Monopusher Chronograph. Meet the Montblanc Star Legacy Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph, bringing a classic and elegant take on this watch that has always …

7 years ago

Pre-SIHH 2018 – Hands-On with the Montblanc TimeWalker Manufacture Chronograph, With New Movement

Last year, at the SIHH 2017, Montblanc introduced their own vision of the sports watch, with a completely redesigned TimeWalker collection – guided by Mister Davide Cerrato, known for being quite good in designing such watches. Shown in several editions, from 3-hand to UTC chronograph, the collection is again evolving, not with new complications, but with an interesting movement and design upgrade. Here is the Montblanc TimeWalker Manufacture Chronograph, which introduces a new movement and a cool Panda-Style.

7 years ago

Introducing – IWC Ingenieur Chronograph “Tribute to Nico Rosberg” to honour the 2016 F1 World Champion

Last weekend, just before the start of the final race of this year’s F1 season, IWC introduced a special edition Ingenieur Chronograph, to honour last year’s World Champion Nico Rosberg. While the available 23 pieces were probably sold out instantly, we love to share this with you for two reasons. First, this is the best looking new Ingenieur Chronograph version, and secondly, we included the video of Nico Rosberg picking up his own watch and answering questions about this limited edition.

7 years ago

Hands-on with the Carl F. Bucherer TraveTec II in rose gold (Live photos, Specs and Price)

The vast majority of people are comfortable with watches displaying hours and minutes. But for those on the move or doing business around the world, multiple time zone watches might just make a better wrist companion. A case in point is the luxurious yet functional Carl F. Bucherer Patravi TravelTec II, which displays not one, not two, but three time zones simultaneously. Moreover, I have had a bit of a crush on the TravelTec ever since it was introduced, so a perfectly good reason to go hands-on with this practical traveller’s watch.

7 years ago