Hands-on with the Carl F. Bucherer TravelTec 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

Hands-On – Porsche Design Monobloc Actuator 24H-Chronotimer LE, Racing Wristwatch Technology

Porsche Design is on a roll these last few years, and we fully support that. Well built, thoughtful designs along the quintessential German design aesthetics; properly crafted and free from unnecessary frills whilst remaining very ergonomic and superbly user friendly. The new Porsche Design Monobloc Actuator 24H-Chronotimer is no exception, as we told you before, and the extra special Limited Edition in black emphasizes that. Oh, and there is the historical relevance of a blackened Porsche Design watch.

7 years ago

Hands-On – Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph 25th Anniversary

As we told you in a recent article, next year will be the 25th anniversary of a modern icon, a watch that simply created the trend for bold sports-luxury watches: the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore. In 1993, the brand impressed (or shocked) the industry with this watch, and to celebrate this, AP has some commemorative pieces to show. The first one looks at the past, as being a re-edition of the first ROO. The second one, which goes under our loupe today, looks at the future. Aggressive, impressive, complex, architectural… Here is the bold (to say the least) Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Tourbillon Chronograph 25th Anniversary.

7 years ago

Hands-On – Tutima Saxon One Chronograph Royal Blue, The German Side of the Luxury Sports Watch

Tutima is a brand that, until recently, was mainly known for two things: being located in Germany’s temple of watches, a.k.a. Glashütte, and for being a provider of quite cool Flieger watches (WWII-inspired pilot chronographs). Yet, things are changing at Tutima, as we’ve seen with the superb Tempostopp and Patria, or with the recently introduced Saxon collection. This watch, the Tutima Saxon One Chronograph is now available with a blue dial, adding to the model’s overall contemporary look. We take a look at this sporty, yet elegant time-stopper.

7 years ago

Audemars Piguet Reissues the 1993 Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph… And We Go Hands-On With This 25th Anniversary Ref. 26237ST

Throughout its long history, Audemars Piguet did quite some bold moves. Of course, we all remember the 1972 Royal Oak, a Genta-designed watch that simply revolutionized the concept of the luxury watch. Another of these bold moves should be reminded. Back in 1993, Audemars Piguet presented an evolution of the Royal Oak, a highly-masculine version named the Offshore – a watch that will again create a trend that will later spread over the rest industry. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of this modern icon, the Le Brassus-based brand presents, as Pre-SIHH 2018 novelties, two new ROO watches, including this retro-inspired Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph Re-edition 25th Anniversary Ref. 26237ST. Slightly vintage, highly iconic.

7 years ago

Throwback to the Superb Montblanc Heritage Spirit Pulsograph and its Minerva Movement

Back in 2014, right after Jérôme Lambert was appointed CEO of the brand (who is now COO of almost all the Maisons at Richemont Group), Montblanc introduced the Heritage collection – a line-up of classical, elegant watches with a clear vintage appeal, in both the design and the use of complications. There was some Minerva inspiration, yet with the usual “affordability” the brand is known for. Alongside the below-10k perpetual calendar (a watch that sounded like a blast at that time) was another watch, the Montblanc Heritage Spirit Pulsograph. And here, not just a Minerva-inspiration but true Minerva watchmaking skills. Why talking about this watch today? Look at the photos, you’ll understand. A throwback to this watch is for the pleasure only…

7 years ago

Watches and Formula 1 – Episode 7 – Williams F1 and Oris

40 years, for some this feels like an eternity (I am only 33 years old) and for others it feels like next to nothing. Making it 40 years in life doesn’t require too much effort if you have no serious challenges. But to make it 40 years in the grueling sport of Formula 1 takes skill, determination, luck, good judgment, a lot of money and a clear vision. One of the most illustrious names in the business is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, so it is only fitting to include it into our Watches & Formula 1 saga; Williams F1 and their long-term watch partner, Oris.

7 years ago

Introducing – The New Formex Element, A Rugged & Accessible Chronograph

Formex has just unveiled the Element; reimagining the brand design DNA into a bold, rugged chronograph offering excellent value for money. Just a few days after the watch premiered at Munich Time, we have visited the Formex team in Biel to go hands-on with their latest stopwatch… and here are the specs, some live pics and the price.

7 years ago

Merry Christmas From Graham With a Dedicated Chronofighter Vintage Nose Art

Graham is not shy to create bold watches… If you know them already, you might be aware of the hyper-masculine and completely original Chronofighter watches, some large pilot-chronographs with a unique trigger device to activate the timing sessions. Even less common were the Vintage Nose Art Ltd. watches, showing on their dials some aviation-inspired pinups. And because the end of the year is coming, the brand has decided to bring something quite “à propos”, with the Graham Chronofighter Vintage Nose Art Merry Ltd…

7 years ago

Introducing the Bell & Ross BR-X1 White Hawk Collection

If Bell & Ross is known for their aviation- and military-oriented pieces (which has been demonstrated again several times this year with for instance the Vintage BR V1-92 Military or the BR03-92 Horograph and BR03-92 Horolum), the brand also has different inspirations (racing cars for instance, with the Renault F1 partnership) or experimental watches (such as the surprising BR-X2 Tourbillon). Part of this “experimental” collection is a watch that we’ve seen, reviewed and appreciated here on Monochrome, the BR-X1. For the end of this year, the model is back with a new colour scheme and new materials, with the Bell & Ross BR-X1 White Hawk Collection.

7 years ago