Category: GMT Watches

Review – Leica Watch L1 and L2 – When a Camera Manufacturer Ventures into the Watch Game

Few camera companies have the prestige and brand recognition of Leica, the legendary German manufacturer that invented discreet, mobile street photography with the 35mm Leica 1. Introduced in 1925 at the Leipzig Spring Fair in Germany, the Leica 1 brought the 35mm “movie” format to mainstream still photography with a small, reliable mechanical shooter and premium lenses. Following a large series of models with interchangeable screw-mount lenses, a new bayonet-mount M-series launched in 1954 with the Leica M3 – arguably the most revered 35mm camera ever produced for the masses. Built with a masterful level of mechanical precision, even the oldest of Leica cameras can reliably shoot photos today. Sound familiar? Timepieces from a century ago can still be reliable wrist companions with a comparable level of mechanical refinement. It only makes sense that Leica would eventually venture into the watch game and they’ve crafted two hand-wound timepieces (L1 and L2) that share DNA with their camera cousins.

6 years ago

SIHH 2019 – Speake-Marin One&Two Openworked Dual Time

Launched just two years ago, the Speake-Marin One&Two is, without a doubt, one of the most striking developments of the brand. The collection is quintessentially Speake-Marin: an off-beat take on classic Swiss watchmaking infused with a touch of British elegance and eccentricity. Not just a pretty face, the One&Two owes a lot to its movement, a nice micro-rotor calibre with a unique small seconds display at 1:30. It now welcomes new complications, with the addition of dual time indication and a retrograde date.

6 years ago

Video – Live from SIHH 2019 – Benoit Mintiens of Ressence (About the Type 2 e-Crown)

MONOCHROME continues its live coverage direct from the hallowed halls of horology and brings you this next video with Benoit Mintiens, founder of the brand that has added the adjective ‘cool’ to the display of mechanical watches. Find out what makes the Ressence Type 2 e-Crown such an innovative hybrid proposition combining the reliability of electronics […]

6 years ago

SIHH 2019 – Bovet Tourbillon Amadeo Fleurier Virtuoso IX

Bovet, very much a niche connoisseur brand, is finally attracting the attention it merits. Last year, its Récital 22 Grand Récital, a masterpiece of technical and astronomical complications, won the coveted Aiguille d’Or at the GPHG 2018. In January 2019, Bovet will be making its debut at the SIHH and will be wowing the crowds with its Virtuoso IX, a double time zone, 24-city, 10-day power reserve, big date, two reversible faces and flying tourbillon extravaganza equipped with a brand new in-house calibre and housed in the brand’s iconic convertible Amadeo® case!

6 years ago

SIHH 2019 – Panerai Luna Rossa Challenger Submersible 47mm PAM01039

Panerai sticks to its nautical roots and Italian identity with another watch dedicated to high-adrenaline maritime pursuits. In this case, Panerai celebrates its new role as the official sponsor of the Luna Rossa, the Challenger of Record of the 36th Edition of the America’s Cup.  The partnership with the Italian team is the perfect occasion […]

6 years ago

SIHH 2019 – Armin Strom Dual Time Resonance Sapphire – Total Transparency on the Dual Movement

Armin Strom is on a rush. After a first watch equipped with two oscillators connected by a resonance clutch spring – the revolutionary Mirrored Force Resonance – the brand unveiled an impressive development based on this concept, a dual-time watch with dual-movement – the Masterpiece 1 Dual Time Resonance. And knowing the watch, it would a shame to hide such mechanics behind an obtrusive metallic case. This is why, for SIHH 2019, Armin Strom introduces a sapphire version of Dual Time Resonance, which fully exposes its movements to the world.

6 years ago

Pre-SIHH 2019 – Armin Strom GMT Resonance now in Pink or White Gold

Armin Strom gained fame over the years for its bold skeletonised movements but really made an impact in the watchmaking arena when it resuscitated a 400-year old phenomenon known as resonance. The ensuing Resonance Collection with its dual – and independent – regulators was a hit but limited to models displaying time only functions. In a move to expand and endow the watch with complications, the resonance technology migrated to the Masterpiece I collection offering a useful GMT/dual time function. First launched in a Dual Time Resonance model in titanium in October 2018, Armin Strom unveils the same model in 18k white and rose gold cases in a limited edition of eight pieces in each metal.

6 years ago

Introducing – The Accessible Pendulum Traveler from Young Dutch Brand Fromanteel

It isn’t the first that we mention Fromanteel on MONOCHROME. Still young but with already its own style, this Dutch brand offers several watches, including a couple of automatics with elegant, understated design – such as the classic Pendulum. In a recent interview with Alfredo Silva, Co-Owner/Founder of Fromanteel Watches, we teased a new watch to be soon released. And here it is! Meet the new Pendulum Traveler, a fresh, elegant and rational dual-time watch from The Netherlands – but still with Swiss roots.

6 years ago

Introducing – The Accessible Pendulum Traveler from Young Dutch Brand Fromanteel

It isn’t the first that we mention Fromanteel on MONOCHROME. Still young but with already its own style, this Dutch brand offers several watches, including a couple of automatics with elegant, understated design – such as the classic Pendulum. In a recent interview with Alfredo Silva, Co-Owner/Founder of Fromanteel Watches, we teased a new watch to be soon released. And here it is! Meet the new Pendulum Traveler, a fresh, elegant and rational dual-time watch from The Netherlands – but still with Swiss roots.

6 years ago