First Look – The Bell & Ross BR-X1 Skeleton Tourbillon Sapphire

Last year, Bell & Ross set a new benchmark for itself with the unveiling of the BR-X1 Chronograph Tourbillon Sapphire. Housed in a jaw-dropping, sapphire case that left little to the imagination, the (way-too) limited-edition timepiece made it crystal clear (pun intended) that the brand is about far more than just military and aviation-inspired watches. Now, Bell & Ross is taking the challenge of transparency a step further, with the new BR-X1 Skeleton Tourbillon Sapphire.

8 years ago

Hands-On – The New Parmigiani Fleurier Bugatti Type 390, Inspired by the Impressive Chiron

Parmigiani Fleurier had lifted the veil on this development over a year ago with the presentation of a spectacular concept watch, on the occasion of the launch of the Bugatti Chiron at the 2016 Geneva Motor show. After a few more months of development, the model has now made it to production in an updated version – and it looks even better! Here is the final version of the Parmigiani Fleurier Bugatti Type 390.

8 years ago

VIDEO – The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked Fully Explained (and the fun story on how it came to life, by the CEO)

At the SIHH 2016, Audemars Piguet introduced a new version of its Royal Oak Openworked, and this time, it featured a Double Balance Wheel… Why replacing this superb model? And why having two balances? We all know that images are better than words in order to understand, so let’s turn the floor over to the CEO of Audemars Piguet, François-Henry Bennahmias (and you’ll see, there’s a fun story behind the creation of this watch) and Gilles Pellet, Head of Product Quality Department at Audemars Piguet, to discover the superb and technically-advanced Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Double Balance Wheel Openworked 15407.

8 years ago

Introducing – Laurent Ferrier Galet Square Porcelain Limited Edition

Since its inception in 2010, the brand Laurent Ferrier and its signature watch, the Galet, have always been favourites of ours, here at Monochrome. The reasons for that are simple: the design, the elegance, the execution and mainly, the beauty of the movements. Over the years, the collection has seen some evolutions, the most significant …

8 years ago

Introducing – Greubel Forsey QP à Equation now with Rhodium-Coloured Gold Dial

After exploring the tourbillon, by improving it on all aspects (by adding inclination to the cage, by having not one but two or even four of them or by changing the usual one-minute rotation to a faster 24-second cycle), it was time for Greubel Forsey to focus their mechanical creativity on something different… The choice was made to give a new vision of one of the most traditional complications, the Perpetual Calendar. Launched 2015, the Greubel Forsey QP à Equation now receives a new Rhodium-Coloured Gold Dial.

8 years ago

Review – The Superb Vacheron Constantin Historiques Triple Calendrier 1942 in Steel

In a piece of news that dropped on our computers a couple of weeks ago, Vacheron Constantin announced several new “Historiques” watches. As a reminder, this collection comprises the deliberately “vintage-inspired” models of the brand, including the American 1921 or the Chronograph Cornes de Vaches. With the Vacheron Constantin Historiques Triple Calendrier 1942, saying that we’ve been impressed is quite of a euphemism. Beautifully designed, balanced, with heritage and pedigree, and all of that in an “accessible” (relatively speaking) steel case. It is now time to experience this Triple Calendrier 1942 in the metal.

8 years ago

Hands-On – F.P. Journe and Holland & Holland Chronometre Watch With Unique Damascus Steel Dial

Just a few days ago in London, Swiss watchmaker F.P. Journe, in collaboration with British gun-maker Holland & Holland, unveiled two new limited edition timepieces. The independent watchmaker is known for marching to the beat of his own drum, and these new pieces are no exception. In an unexpected twist, they feature stunning Damascus steel dials, crafted from the barrels of two antique Holland & Holland shotguns, dating from 1868 and 1882 respectively. Read on for all the details.

8 years ago

VIDEO – The Bulgari Octo Finissimo Trilogy Explained

For quite some decades, the concept behind ultra-thin watches was focussed almost exclusively on classic, elegant and sleek designs. However, Bulgari had something else in mind. Why not house these ultra-thin movements inside a collection of modern and bold watches, inspired by the Italian sense for design, or in other words the icon that is …

8 years ago

Kees Engelbarts Pushes “Skeletonized” to Another Level with the Psychedelic Tourbillon

Few might know Kees Engelbarts here. It is true that is work will always remain confidential, however for very good reasons (that we’ll explain). He himself says that he can only produce 6 to 8 watches a year, all hand-made, unique, mostly commisioned pieces. But, believe us, Kees Engelbarts’ work must be discovered. His latest piece, the Psychedelic Tourbillon, is a perfect demonstration of what proper skeleton watches are. 

8 years ago

Women’s Watch Wednesday – Hands-On with the Parmigiani Fleurier Kalparisma

Just over 20 years old now, the eponymous brand Parmigiani Fleurier, founded by Michel Parmigiani in 1996, is known for its classic and elegant watches with hand crafted movements made in-house in the brand’s Fleurier workshops – and a certain twist in the design, quite Italian. Initially creating men’s watches – with one of his first wristwatch introductions being the tonneau-shaped Kalpa – Parmigiani unveiled the women’s Kalparisma line in 2009 as a gentler take on time.

8 years ago