Category: Chronographs

In-Depth: Why the TAG Heuer CH80 (now named Heuer-03) comes back? (and a visit of the relaunched Chevenez Manufacture)

One week ago, we introduced to you (and far in advance) the first prototype of the TAG Heuer Autavia “Jochen Rindt” reedition, one of the first customer-designed watches made by the industry in a long time. Well, already a good news on its own, this watch was not the only point of interest here, as inside its case is ticking something we didn’t expect to see anymore from TAG Heuer, the Calibre Heuer-03 (ex. CH80, which was supposed to be a project killed before its birth). During the Heuer collectors summit, we had the chance to visit the Chevenez Manufacture (the one that was supposedly stopped…), to see the new movement, to understand the evolutions and finally to talk with the teams, including Jean-Claude Biver, just to bring the light on this complex but, in the end, happy situation.

8 years ago

REVIEW: IWC Ingenieur Chronograph Vintage Editions – tons of photos, specs and price

When the three new IWC Ingenieur Chronograph models were shown to the watch press for the very first time, Monochrome was there, however we were not allowed to talk about it, nor to photograph the watch. And when we were allowed to cover the new Ingenieur Chronograph models, we only had the official PR photos and no hands-on photos. This type of photos that shows so well how a watch actually looks on the wrist, and that have emerged since there are watch blogs, like ours. So now we had the chance to go hands-on with all three new IWC Ingenieur Chronograph vintage editions and one of it’s ancestors…

8 years ago

EXCLUSIVE: First look at the TAG Heuer Autavia 2017 (the result of the Autavia Cup)

If you remember, earlier this year, in March 2016, TAG Heuer came with a superb idea: the opportunity for collectors to vote and to decide which vintage Heuer Autavia will be the inspiration for a modern reedition of this mythical watch. The audience chose one of the coolest editions, the Autavia 2446 Mark 3 “Jochen Rindt”. The result of the development was to be expected at Baselworld 2017… However, we had to take into account J.C Biver’s productivity and a certain event, the Heuer Collectors Summit (where we are today!) And guess what… the very first prototype of the TAG Heuer Autavia 2017 is already shown to the attendants of the Heuer Collectors Summit, and we get to show it to you.

8 years ago

EXCLUSIVE: First look at the TAG Heuer Autavia 2017 (the result of the Autavia Cup) – Updated with Price and Availability

If you remember, earlier this year, in March 2016, TAG Heuer came with a superb idea: the opportunity for collectors to vote and to decide which vintage Heuer Autavia will be the inspiration for a modern reedition of this mythical watch. The audience chose one of the coolest editions, the Autavia 2446 Mark 3 “Jochen Rindt”. The result of the development was to be expected at Baselworld 2017… However, we had to take into account J.C Biver’s productivity and a certain event, the Heuer Collectors Summit (where we are today!) And guess what… the very first prototype of the TAG Heuer Autavia 2017 is already shown to the attendants of the Heuer Collectors Summit, and we get to show it to you.

8 years ago

Hands-on – Richard Mille RM 11-03 Automatic Flyback Chronograph, the facelift of an icon

The Richard Mille RM 011 is a watch that perfectly sums up the Richard Mille spirit. We know this watch for almost 10 years and we’ve seen it in dozens of editions – some linked to certain events (Le Mans Classic), made for special friends of the brand (Felipe Masse, Roberto Mancini…) and manufactured in all possible colors or materials (red quartz, ceramic, carbon fiber, titanium, gold…). This watch could certainly be the most popular RM watch – and is probably the brand’s best seller too. After so many variations, it was time for this icon to get some fresh air, and after a strong facelift, this watch becomes the Richard Mille RM 11-03 Automatic Flyback Chronograph.

8 years ago

Hands-on – The Speake-Marin Spirit Seafire Chronograph Titanium Red

When first introduced at Baselworld 2014, the Speake-Marin Spirit Seafire was the first chronograph of the brand (introduced alongside the Spirit Wing Commander, creating a new collection of sports watches). You’ll have to admit, coming from a man like Peter Speake Marin, more used to highly complicated watches and well known for his superior watchmaking skills, this was rather surprising. A more commercial-oriented piece for sure, plus also being a sportier development of a growing brand, the Spirit Seafire Chronograph is however still (very much) a Speake-Marin watch… just with a different perspective. Let’s look in details what a Speake-Marin for a larger audience can offer.

8 years ago

Introducing the revamped Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Chronograph Perpetual Calendar (new dial, improved movement, ref. 5000T)

We have always said: there are huge analogies between the luxury car industry and the watchmaking industry whether we are talking about marketing, sponsorships, typology of collectors. In terms of products, we can also find similarities. It is extremely common for cars now to have their middle-life facelift, and this happens more and more in watches. Not entirely a new model, however slightly different from the previous version, the Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Chronograph Perpetual Calendar goes through this process, with an improved movement (Calibre 1142QP) and a redesigned dial, becoming ref. 5000T.

8 years ago

“Dutch Pride” embodied by the new TAG Heuer Formula 1 Max Verstappen Special Edition

Dutch citizens and their pride, all wrapped in orange… That’s something few can understand but I have to say, I do. Indeed, I am surrounded with Dutch guys, as two of our contributors are Dutch and even our dear founder Frank is. While the Netherlands aren’t known to be the greatest country for sports, they have one man to rely on, one man that is known to be the youngest Formula One Grand Prix winner of all time. To celebrate “Dutch Pride” and this great champion, TAG Heuer unveiled yesterday night in Amsterdam the new Max Verstappen Special Edition, a watch only available for his fans and co-citizens in the Netherlands.

8 years ago

Hands-on with the Hyper-Technical Angelus U30 Tourbillon Rattrapante (and how can it be, relatively speaking, so affordable)

Listen to that: double column-wheel, flyback, split-seconds, automatic chronograph skeletonized with tourbillon… Sounds like something we’re all dreaming off. It’s like the Lamborghini you had on your walls when teenager. Something too good to be true, or just way too expensive to be accessible, even for someone in a good professional position. Well, it seems that Angelus Watches does not agree with that, as they have such a watch in their catalogue. It is named the Angelus U30 Tourbillon Rattrapante and we’re going to look closely at it – and try to understand how it can be, relatively speaking, so affordable.

8 years ago