If there is one type of complications that is most popular, it has to be the chronograph. Nearly all brands have one (or more) in their collection, and there are only few watch connoisseurs and collectors that don’t have one as well.
If some of you might know this watch manufacture by now (thanks to a coverage here, at Monochrome), Ateliers deMonaco is clearly not the most famous of them all… Which, in all honesty, is rather a pity, as the brand has a lot to offer. Forget about the affiliation with the Frédérique Constant Group. Ateliers deMonaco plays in a different league (with a collection that comprises tourbillons, minute repeaters or Hallmark of Geneva watches…) and their latest creation has some appeal, both aesthetically and technically. Here is our review of the Ateliers deMonaco Admiral Chronograph Flyback Saphir.
This year will be a very important year for Omega, as it will be the 60th anniversary of the iconic Speedmaster (1957 – 2017) – you know, the Moonwatch, the watch that went on the Moon and that is flight qualified by NASA… As you can imagine, the question won’t be if Omega will launch or not some dedicated watches, to commemorate this jubilee. They will, no debate! The big question is: what will they launch at Baselworld 2017? What could be the Speedmaster 60th Anniversary? We, at Monochrome, couldn’t let such an opportunity to make predictions without an answer. And here is our vision for the possible Omega Speedmaster 60th Anniversary…
With Hublot, the word Fusion is not just the name of a watch. It is much more than that. it is a motto, a proper guideline for the design. Fusion refers to the concept of mixing materials, something that has always been in the DNA of the bold manufacture. Fusion of gold and ceramic, fusion of metals and rubber, fusion of gold and patinated leather, fusion of everything that you can imagine and more… Hublot dares to integrate in watches materials that you would have never thought about. And they did it again, with the Hublot Classic Fusion Italia Independent, using authentic fabric dials & straps, the result of a collaboration with the highly creative enfant terrible Lapo Elkann.
Last year, in 2016, we announced to you a new partnership between Parisian brand Bell & Ross and Formula One Team Renault Sport – a partnership that we didn’t expected at first but that CEO Carlos Rosillo explained to us in details, just to avoid any confusions. Indeed, the brand was usually focused on military and aviation timepieces but this move to F1 and sports cars certainly opens new horizons. Talking novelties, and while the 2017 F1 season will soon begin, Bell & Ross just revealed their new Renault Sport F1 collaboration piece, the BR03 RS17 Chronograph, the new flagship of this race-oriented line of watches.
Since its inception in 2015, the TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer-01 has quickly become the emblematic model of the brand, being also one of its best-sellers – which is surprising, first because of the look, rather in opposition with the previous creations, and because of its price positioning, as being one of the upper-range watches. While in …
Swatch Group will soon be limiting availability of the Valjoux 7750 chronograph, which powers a significant percentage of the chronographs available today. Seiko’s SII NE88 automatic chronograph enters the fray, but is it up to the challenge?
The Brellum Duobox is a no-nonsense chronograph with retro-inspired design, powered by the robust and reliable Valjoux 7750. Elegant, nicely executed and offering excellent value for money – it is most likely one of the most affordable chronographs powered by a 7750 (and the best is that this movement is COSC certified… and that is almost never true in the below 5k price bracket!). This sounded promising enough to meet Sébastien Muller, founder of the brand, and go hands-on with the Brellum Duobox.
In 2016, Seiko positively surprised collectors with the international launch of the Presage collection, a lineup of only mechanical and classical watches, clearly intended to please watch enthusiasts usually more inclined to buy Swiss high-end pieces. In just a few months, Seiko Presage has taken center stage, being very well received. Also, at Baselworld 2016, Seiko presented the widely acclaimed and superb 60th anniversary chronograph with an enamel dial. Today, Seiko announces the launch of a new range, the Seiko Presage Enamel Collection, using the same high-end dials.
The fact that the LVMH Watch Division, led by J.C. Biver, is quite inclined in sports partnerships is no secret. There are dozens of them. Today, the Group brings back on board one of their long-time partners, Manchester United. Indeed, the Football Club was partnering with sister-brand Hublot in the early 2010s, before moving to another Swiss brand. Well, the team is back in Biver’s portfolio, as a partnership was signed between TAG Heuer and Manchester United in 2016, TAG being official timekeeper. Both partners now just announce the creation of two TAG Heuer Manchester United Special Edition Chronographs, based on the Carrera Heuer-01 and the Formula 1.