It isn’t the first time we’ve talked about the partnership between TAG Heuer and Aston Martin. We covered this watch, based on the Carrera Heuer 01, which was introduced to seal the collaboration between the two brands. A watch based on a car… Always cool. But today, what we have to show is even cooler, […]
The association of Panerai with the International Circuit for Classic Sailing Yachts is a long story that has led to the creation of multiple watches, under the name Panerai Classic Yachts Challenge (PCYC). Often regarded as some of the nicest watches in the collection, just like the Luminor 1950 PCYC ref. PAM00653 we reviewed recently […]
Although the launch of Code 11.59 and the consequent deluge of reactions pretty much eclipsed other novelties of the brand during the SIHH 2019, Audemars Piguet had some treats up its sleeve, including this 38mm Royal Oak Chronograph. Still the same watch as the existing 41mm Royal Oak Chronograph but 3mm smaller, still powered by the same automatic chronograph movement, the new 38mm Royal Oak Chronograph is out to conquer men and women’s wrists alike. Four versions, two in rose gold and two in stainless steel, were presented at the SIHH 2019 – and judging by the positive reactions so far, this size might well become a regular member of the Royal Oak Chronograph family.
Since 2007, IWC has been producing a special series of watches designed to meet the demanding needs of elite jet pilots. Established as an independent collection within the IWC Pilot’s Watch family in 2012, the TOP GUN series has become renowned for its use of hi-tech materials and stealth, military-inspired styling. IWC introduced a total of four new TOP GUN models at SIHH 2019 this year. We’ve already gotten hands-on with the impressively technical Double Chronograph TOP GUN Ceratanium, as well as the practical Automatic TOP GUN. Now, it’s time to turn our attention to the slightly more unusual Chronograph TOP GUN Edition “Mojave Desert” (Ref. IW389103) – because it is objectively unusual.
Nothing gives a watch credentials like a stint in outer space. Fortis, founded in 1912, has long been associated with rugged pilot’s watches and became part of the official equipment of Russian cosmonauts in 1994. Launched into space on a MIR space station mission, the Official Cosmonauts Chronograph bears the logo of the Russian space authorities (Roscomos) on the caseback and continues to accumulate mission patches from ongoing International Space Station adventures. Last year, Fortis participated in a simulation of the first human landing on Mars that took place in the desert of Oman and provided chronographs for the entire team.
A welcome addition to the collection, the Polaris is Jaeger-LeCoultre’s vision of an elegant-sport watch. The collection was launched at SIHH 2018, just 50 years after the original and iconic Polaris Memovox – read our introductory article here. Among a full range of timepieces, the Chronograph WT is the largest and the most technical version, offering travellers the practical world-time function. Today we take a close look at this version that combines a column-wheel chronograph and a traveller’s complication.
Montblanc, Audemars, Patek and more… Salmon/pink dials are THE trend for the 2018/2019 collection. Even though not entirely novel, we’ve never encountered so many watches with pink-coloured dials as we have this year. Don’t get us wrong, we actually love salmon dials here, at MONOCHROME (see Frank’s love letter here). There are, however, different ways to execute a salmon dial and when it decided to do its first real pink-coloured timepiece, A. Lange & Söhne took the high-end road… really high-end, with the new Datograph Perpetual Tourbillon and its solid pink gold dial.
Porsche and Porsche-Design together invited me for their Winter Event in Zell am See, Austria. Although it was immediately after the SIHH, from 18-20 January, I couldn’t resist when I saw the program! Zell am See is the historical birth ground of Porsche and their design studio is still located in this beautiful Austrian village in the middle of the Alps. Zell am See gave stage to the revived Ice Race and the new Porsche Design 911 Timeless Machine, which we covered recently, was there for me to review. But also another mechanical machine that is also dubbed ‘Timeless Machine’ awaited me and here’s my report on the Porsche Winter Event, the new Porsche Design 911 Timeless Machine Limited Edition and driving in the brand new Porsche 992.
Back in the 1960s, as surprising as it seems now, there was only one way to use a chronograph: you had to wind it every morning. Indeed, all (literally all of them) were hand-wound movements… until 1969, when the world of watches changed drastically when three of the most prominent movements ever made were launched almost simultaneously. In January 1969 though, the very first to be introduced, as suggested by its name was El Primero, “The First” Automatic Chronograph. In order to celebrate the 50th anniversary of this emblematic movement, Zenith introduces an exclusive “50 Years of El Primero Anniversary Set” of watches, including a faithful re-edition of the mythical A386 and the introduction of a new movement, the Calibre 3600.
Bvlgari consolidates its winning legion of Octo L’Originale watches with the release of two new variations. With the same architectural design as their Finissimo brothers, who have secured victory after victory in the battle for ultra-thin, the Octo l’Originale watches come with slightly thicker cases, sportier attire and leaner prices. Sheathed in flattering black DLC-coated steel and highlighted with luxurious rose gold details, the sculptural shapes of the Octo case become even more pronounced on these new Octo l’Originale Solotempo and Chronograph watches.