Schwarz Etienne, the brand has been flying a bit under the radar for the past few years, however there are some very legitimate reasons why the brand deserves a closer look. Take for instance their own in-house developed and manufactured movement, and the fact that they are one of the few Swiss manufacturers who actually make their own balance springs! We go hands-on with the Schwarz Etienne Roma Power Reserve.
We’d like to introduce you to a new watch brand that you’ll want to keep your eye on. The name is Makina, and it’s a Filipino company, is as new as they come, but we’re already excited about what they have to offer. In a few weeks they’ll launch their first Kickstarter campaign, and we had the chance to get an early look at their new watches (and we liked it!)
On a mission to perpetuate rare artistic crafts, Métiers d’art and various sorts of enameling are familiar themes at Jaquet Droz. It has become a tradition for the brand to unveil exquisite paillonné enamel limited editions every year. This year, these are rendered in blue and red, one of the most delicate colors to work with. Paillonné enameling is an 18th century technique that was used by Pierre Jaquet-Droz himself. The new models are bringing together historic ‘paillons’ (tiny motifs or paillettes made from gold leaf) and modern elements.
Here’s the start of a story that I didn’t expect to publish on Monochrome, ever! It’s about a watch with a movement that is equipped with a quartz crystal. Wait… talking about quartz? On Monochrome? Well, I wouldn’t say that I’ve turned to the dark side, however visiting Seiko in Japan last year has opened …
Traditionally speaking, Parmigiani has always reserved the Toric name for its most complex pieces, such as the Toric Quaestor Labyrinthe or the Toric Resonance 3. In 2017 however, we’re getting a different type of Toric timepiece. One that is more subdued, inherently less complex and altogether delightful. Meet the new Parmigiani Fleurier Toric Chronomètre, a contemporary interpretation of the first watch designed by Michel Parmigiani, which displays the time and date only. Of course, there are a few extra embellishments that make this watch more than just your standard three-hander with a date. This is Parmigiani after all. Read on to learn more.
The unapologetically smart H. Moser & Cie Swiss Alp Watch returns with Zzzz and Brrrr – two limited edition watches that lack nothing except vowels (live pics, specs and price). The mechanical wristwatch is still a powerful icon. At least we, at Monochrome, think so. Its role might be seen as threatened by mobile devices, however it …
Finding a great dress watch, it seems, is a never-ending challenge. On the one hand, you want a watch that complements your outfit and stands out, but at the same time doesn’t draw too much unnecessary attention to itself. It needs to be different enough to set you apart from every other person in the room wearing a nice suit and a (insert major brand name here) watch on their wrist, but still have a sufficient degree of brand recognition so you’re don’t have to spend the entire night explaining to people why it’s a nice watch. The Speake-Marin Resilience in 18k red gold doesn’t quite satisfy all these criteria, but it does come close.
Every brand, at least those with a historical background, does have its own hallmarks, so-to-say those unmistakable signs that create a DNA, which helps people to identify a watch from a certain brand. For some, it is the shape of the case or a hand, for others it could be the complication used. For one brand, Urban Jürgensen, these are small details, however with such a level of execution that they deserve an entire story in this magazine – something that we’ll try to illustrate with the latest addition to the catalogue, the superb 1140RG in Rose Gold with a dark brown dial.
While Oris might be famous for its dive watches, such as the Aquis or the hype Divers Sixty Five, there’s another collection in the catalogue that is far from lacking interest, the Artelier range. Featuring the same overall quality for an affordable price as the rest of the watches produced by the brand, this Artelier collection can be seen the elegant and complex (relatively-speaking) offering. For 2017, one of Oris’ defining movements is encased in a redesigned watch, the new Oris Artelier Complication.
You hear it every year: blue is the new black. With its timeless qualities, blue stands out but lends itself perfectly to elegant occasions. We have picked 5 dress watches of 2017, out of the mainstream brands, to help you find a blue that speaks to your style.