Category: Chronographs

Review – Glashütte Original PanoGraph – Redefining the Flyback Chronograph, the Saxon Way

With its asymmetric dials and large date windows, the Pano Collection has become a beacon of Glashütte Original’s solid Saxon identity – the PanoMaticLunar and the PanoReserve are the best-known examples of this utterly Saxon sense of design and mechanics. First released in 2002, the PanoGraph stood out from the crowd with its novel chronograph totaliser that dispensed with the traditional layout of sub-counters and proved that not all chronographs have to be hard-core sports athletes. A triumph of aesthetics and mechanics, we revisit the PanoGraph today and discover how an iconic Pano can take a complication on board without sacrificing an iota of style.

6 years ago

Introducing – A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Lumen Up/Down (Live Pics)

The A. Lange & Söhne Datograph needs little introduction. Presented in 1999 and updated in 2012, it is one of the most iconic chronographs on the market. The Dato features a flyback chronograph with a precisely jumping minutes counter, two sub-dials recognizable because of their unusual positioning, a quick-set oversized date and a power reserve indicator. Overall, the architecture and the finishing of its movement are a feast for the eyes. Any new model in the series always brings curiosity and excitement among A. Lange & Söhne fans (including team MONOCHROME…) So, when we learnt that the Datograph Up/Down was getting the “Lumen” treatment, it naturally caught our attention.

6 years ago

Hands-on – The new TAG Heuer Carrera Senna Editions (Heuer 02 and Heuer 02T)

Brand ambassadors aren’t new. 30 years ago, TAG Heuer already had several of them, as part of the brand’s marketing strategy. One was, however, more important than others: a true idol named Ayrton Senna. He is the one that made TAG Heuer cool again, back in the 1980s and 1990s, by wearing an admittedly not-so-discreet, Steel-and-Gold, Analogue-Digital TAG Heuer S/el. But at that time, it was the watch to have for F1 fans. Times have changed, Senna is long gone and designs of watches too (for better more than for worse) but TAG still relies on Ayrton’s aura to create F1-oriented timepieces – and the recently introduced Carrera Senna Editions with Heuer 02 and Heuer 02T Tourbillon movements still retain the cool-factor of “Magic Senna”.

6 years ago

Hands-on – Bell & Ross BR-X1 Military

When you think Bell & Ross, you should apparently have “military-inspiration”, “pilot’s watch” and “round-within-a-square-case” in mind. So, with its squared case and round bezel, its chronograph, its military-coloured lightweight and robust material inspired by stealth fighter planes and an overall functional design, it seems that the new Bell & Ross BR-X1 Military ticks all the boxes, right? (spoiler alert: it does, and it even adds the cool technical look of the Experimental collection).

6 years ago

Introducing – Habring² Chrono-Felix (with In-House Monopusher-Chronograph)

Not long ago, we reviewed a watch that many collectors and watch aficionado love (for good reasons), the Habring² Doppel-Felix. Also, we took a closer look at the “simple” 3-hand version named Felix. The common thread running through them? The same pared-down design and the same base movement manufactured in-house (quite an achievement for such a small company). But what if you take these two watches and try to find the one that will stand right in the middle? Well, the answer is the Habring² Chrono-Felix.

6 years ago

In-Depth – Review of The IWC Portugieser Chronograph 3714 – The Modern Schaffhausen Icon

Since its debut in 1998, the IWC Portugieser Chronograph Ref. 3714 has become the most sought-after, the most recognisable, and certainly the best-selling model in the Portugieser family. Apart from being a veritable design success, this watch has acquired cult status for one reason: it hasn’t changed a bit since its inception. To celebrate the 20th anniversary of this modern icon, we thought it was time to take an in-depth look at this watch with a review of the Portugieser Chronograph 3714.

6 years ago

Introducing – The Oris Williams FW41 Limited Edition Full Carbon

For the last 15 years, Oris and Williams F1 have been enjoying a mutually beneficial union. As the world-renowned Formula 1 team’s official watch partner, Oris periodically releases special edition models to celebrate significant milestones for the team. A perfect example is the recently launched Martini Racing Limited Edition Chronograph, commemorating the 50th anniversary of […]

6 years ago

Value Proposition – The Mercer Lexington Chronograph Reviewed

It’s not hard to find a chronograph in any price range as just about every watch brand offers one (or many). I’m somewhat picky when it comes to chronographs and tend to like more unique pieces like the Longines Avigation BigEye or Junghans Meister Chronoscope Terrassenbau Limited Edition, and pass on the garden-variety. It’s no secret that there’s an exploding population of microbrands throughout Europe and North America that are undercutting established brands’ prices with Kickstarter campaigns and online-only storefronts. Watches like the Aqua Compressor Endeavour from Farer Universal and Ticonite from ORLO Watches prove that modern technology, a talent for design and mass-produced, high-quality movements have levelled the playing field to a large extent, especially in the sub-USD 2,000 market. Mercer Watch Co. is an excellent example of this and has a well-designed chronograph with a column-wheel movement, and an impressive price to match. Let’s take a closer look at their Lexington Chronograph.

6 years ago