While we see a huge number of small brands that operate off the beaten path, some stand out more than other. We can’t cover them all, and we are critical about which one we bring you, but every now and then we come across a project that is worth our (and guess yours) time. Today we investigate a brand dedicated to aviation founded on a lineage of three generations of pilots: Orologi Calami, and their CR42 Chronograph.
Talking about an update in the case of the “new” Rolex Yacht-Master II is almost ironical, as the changes done by the “Crown” to its Regatta watch are minimal. However, the reality is that we indeed have a new iteration of this niche model, without changing its reference number (Ref. 116680 for the steel version). Something that actually sounds like a nice occasion to look back at the Yacht-Master II and its great functionalities.
Last year, at Baselworld 2016, Hublot demonstrated again their concept of “fusion“, this mix of different materials, sometimes rather unusual for watches, with an interesting combination. The brainchild of a partnership between the watchmaker and Berluti, the famous Parisian shoemaker, they applied patinated leather not only for the straps but also on the dials – creating what I personally found one of the most appealing creations of the brand. Today, the same concept is applied on a chronograph, the Hublot Classic Fusion Chronograph Berluti.
I don’t know about you but when I think Glashütte Original, I generally think formal watches, exceptionally finished but a bit more sombre in design. That’s not to say the German watchmaker is afraid to use a bit of color (just look at the Sixties Iconic Square collection) but typically speaking, I would not describe the brand’s watches as particularly ‘young’ looking. That is until I got my hands on the new Glashütte Original Senator Chronograph Panorama Date in steel.
First introduced in the middle of the year 2013, apart from the SIHH and in a rather quiet way, the IWC Portugieser Chronograph Classic was a more technical (new movement) but highly faithful (a design that is deeply based on the Portugieser’s DNA) take on a watch that has been a cornerstone in the collection. For 2017, this now-classic model receives a discreet facelift, focused on the essential. Here is the IWC Portugieser Chronograph Classic 2017 Edition IWC3903.
The Louis Moinet Memoris ‘Red Eclipse’ is an integrated, automatic, inverted mono-pusher chronograph with column-wheel. It was first presented in a limited edition at Baselworld 2016 to celebrate the bi-centenary of the Compteur de Tierce (1816-2016) by Louis Moinet. This complex chronograph, with all its mechanics visible on the dial, is now available in a richly engraved pink gold version. Let’s take a closer look.
If you look closely, it is hard to figure that F.P. Journe is still a young brand. Of course, François-Paul, as a watchmaker, is active for already a few decades but F.P. Journe, as a brand, isn’t. It’s even clearer when you look at when official boutiques were opened: only 10 years ago. In order to celebrate the 10th anniversary of its boutiques, F.P. Journe offers a limited series, the Centigraphe Souverain Anniversaire, in a very unique materials and colors combination. After Hong Kong and Tokyo, the Geneva F.P. Journe Boutique was the third to celebrate its anniversary, unveiling its Anniversary Edition in a limited series of 10 pieces.
Last week I had the privilege of attending the 60th anniversary festivities that Omega organized for the Speedmaster. The event, and everything around it, was nothing short of being absolutely awesome. Watches and anniversaries always stir up some emotions, and one could question whether the watches that are often discussed in this way, actually are …
25 years ago, the highly-respectable manufacture Jaeger-LeCoultre innovated not with a new complication or a new material, but by implementing the “1000 Hours Control” procedure, an in-house certification comprising a series of radical tests to ensure that the watches are reliable and precise. As a tribute to this anniversary, Jaeger-LeCoultre had no best idea than to create a entire new collection of Master Control, with just stunning sector dials. Today on Monochrome, we take a look at these 3 watches: the Master Chronograph, the Master Geographic and the Master Control Date (and wait to see the prices…)
Here is the story: Dr. Crott Auctioneers is about to auction what COULD be (and that “could” is extremely important to keep in mind…) a Rolex Rattrapante Pocket Watch. This combination Rolex / Rattrapante / Pocket Watch is, considering the immense literature about Rolex, something never seen before. So what do we have here? Potentially one of the rarest and most important Rolex watches ever? A superb example of limited (maybe unique) production by the Crown? Or an example of re-encasing work done by one of those vintage magicians? What is certain though, is that we are facing a highly interesting mystery (found thanks to watch journalist Gregory Pons).