Review – The Hanhart Primus Black Ops Pilot, The German Pilot-Watch Modernized

Hanhart’s reputation in terms of Military/Pilot chronographs is not to be demonstrated anymore. The German “brand with the red button” (the brand’s signature feature since 1938) is indeed specialized in creating strong, powerful and slightly vintage-inspired chronographs (the Pioneer collection, reminiscent of 1940s pilots and naval officers watches). Yet, there’s another watch in the collection, one that, without losing the roots of the company, looks at future: the bold and aggressive Hanhart Primus. Today, we take a look at the latest version, the Black Ops Pilot, which also happens to be a limited edition (with pre-orders opened).

7 years ago

Breaking News – Phillips Sells Paul Newman’s Paul Newman Daytona for $17,752,500, Being The Most Expensive Wristwatch Ever Auctioned

This is it… This is the big one. The watch that the entire collecting community was expecting to see surfacing one day went under the hammer. This watch, as auctioneer Aurel Bacs explained to us in this video interview, is not only a celebrity’s watch; it represents much more than that. It’s the very watch that created an icon (the Paul Newman Daytona), the very watch that is, in fact, the reason why collecting steel sports watches is now so high. Well, it’s official, Paul Newman’s Paul Newman Daytona has been sold a few minutes ago, for a record price of over 17.7 Million, making it the most expensive wristwatch ever auctioned (and that’s with buyer’s premium).

7 years ago

TAG Heuer with a Very Cool “France Edition” of the Monaco Calibre 11

What we have here is nothing especially new or highly innovative… However, it certainly is one very cool edition of one of the most iconic racing chronographs ever: the TAG Heuer Monaco Calibre 11 – you know, the watch worn by the “King of Cool”, Steve McQueen, in movie Le Mans. Made especially for the French market (without a single reference to France in its design), very limited in production, and with a dial that recalls a certain “Dark Lord”, here is the TAG Heuer Monaco Calibre 11 France Edition.

7 years ago

Hands-On with the new Anonimo Militare Chrono Vintage “Panda” and “Newman”

Anonimo celebrates its 20th anniversary in 2017. To mark the occasion, the brand unveils new versions of the rugged Militare Chrono Vintage, a watch we already looked at (in a different style) here. The same functions, the same robust feel and its distinctive style – this tasteful facelift keeps the characteristic elements of the design enhanced with worthy upgrades and a cool hint of modernity.

7 years ago

Hands-On – Patek Philippe Chronograph Annual Calendar 5960/01g – Patek, With a Vintage Touch…

For a few years now, Patek Philippe is applying a rather surprising strategy, by offering a new, younger approach. Sometimes vintage, sometimes modern, sometimes quite difficult to understand, sometimes controversial… Everything started back in 2014 with the modern-looking stainless steel 5960/1A, followed later in 2015 with the launch of the Calatrava Travel Time Pilot 5524G, a vintage-inspired watch, drastically different from the traditional conservative Patek collections. And if you mix these two watches, you’ll obtain the 2017 Patek Philippe Chronograph Annual Calendar 5960/01g.

7 years ago

Buying Guide – 5 of the Best Chronographs of 2017 under 10k Euros

The chronograph is without a doubt one of the most popular and sought-after types of watches. While it’s a pretty useful complication, the chronograph is also among the most complex mechanisms to design and manufacture. We have picked 5 time-stoppers of 2017 that will be perfect for both daily wear and special occasions – and that won’t kill your savings because they are all priced under 10,000 Euros!

7 years ago

Hands-On – Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Chronograph Skeleton in New Versions

Introduced in the early 1990s, the Masterpiece family is Maurice Lacroix’s top-of-the-range collection, and offers complications at an accessible price point. At Baselworld this year, the brand unveiled new versions of its Masterpiece Chronograph Skeleton – an intricately executed openwork chronograph based on the Valjoux 7750. The 2017 models are presented with a steel case with blue dial and a limited edition blue PVD steel case with matching dial.

7 years ago

Review (& Opinion) – The Tudor Heritage Black Bay Chronograph

Tudor did it again… When introduced at Baselworld 2017, their latest addition to the Heritage Black Bay collection, a chronograph, immediately became a talking piece, bringing contentious or heated discussions around the table and passionate arguments – and not only on collectors’ forums or social media but also internally here, at the Monochrome redaction. Yet, even if we all are watch-lovers, we also have the duty of being objective in our reviews. This is why we’ve been waiting to bring you this test of the Tudor Heritage Black Bay Chrono, just to make sure that passion-driven feelings have cooled-down.

7 years ago

Hands-On – The Bell & Ross Vintage Bellytanker Collection (BR V1-92 and BR V2-94)

In recent years, Bell & Ross enlarged its collections, as no longer only focused on military-inspired pieces like in the past but around several themes, such as Air, Marine or Racing. The latter has been widely used in the past collections, with watches inspired by Formula 1 (B&R is a partner of Renault F1) or specifically designed sports-cars. Today, the Parisian brand creates another speed-inspired piece, with original retro feelings. Here are the Bell & Ross Vintage BR V1-92 and BR V2-94 Bellytanker.

7 years ago