Video – The Carl F. Bucherer Manero Tourbillon Double Peripheral Fully Explained

Today, MONOCHROME’s video invites you on a trip to Lucerne, Switzerland, the home of Carl F. Bucherer – and close to the brand’s manufacture in Lengnau. One of the unique characteristics of Carl F. Bucherer is the use of a peripheral rotor, a winding mechanism that rotates around – instead of on top of – the […]

6 years ago

Review – Urwerk UR-111C – Reimagining Time

As part of the brand’s ‘Special Projects’ line, the UR-111C is Urwerk at its best, a mature watch that soars with mechanical ingenuity and a design ethos straight out of Blade Runner. Although it does not bear the hallmark satellite hour hands we have come to associate with the brand, the UR-111C is packed with imaginative displays (jumping hours, linear retrograde minutes, optical fibre-augmented seconds) and a look and feel that is 100% Urwerk.

6 years ago

Introducing – Bovet Pininfarina OttantaSei Ten-Day Tourbillon goes Platinum

The ongoing partnership between Swiss watch manufacture Bovet and the Italian car design studio Pininfarina has resulted in one of the most fascinating timepieces on the market. Packed with all the mechanical complexity and refined finishes we associate with Bovet’s timepieces, the OttantaSei has a sleek, aerodynamic case and the symmetrical layout that belies the hand of Pininfarina.

6 years ago

Independent Watchmaking – In Conversation with Kari Voutilainen

Kari Voutilainen is one of the most respected and revered independent watchmakers. The watches of this Finnish-born master watchmaker (no more than 50 pieces per year) are crafted to a level that cannot be achieved in mass production. We climbed the steep stairway of his Môtiers workshop to meet the master and understand why he is determined to remain an independent watchmaker.

6 years ago

Side by Side – The A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 and Lange 1 Daymatic

The other day A. Lange & Söhne sent us two watches for review and not one, as they would normally do. The two watches were the new blue dial Lange 1 and Lange 1 Daymatic. While the new blue dials are stunning (really they are!), we already covered them and well, without being blasé about it, it’s a dial colour and we cannot say much more about this. The thing that really intrigues me, already since the Lange 1 Daymatic was introduced back in 2010, is how these two timepieces compare. So we put them next to one another, the iconic hand-wound Lange 1 that has become so important for the brand and the newer automatic sibling named Lange 1 Daymatic. How do they compare? What are the differences and common points? And, what is your favourite?

6 years ago

Introducing – Vacheron Constantin Métiers d’Art The Legend Of The Chinese Zodiac – Year Of The Pig

In Chinese astrology, each year is related to a Chinese zodiac animal according to the 12-year cycle. February 5th, 2019 marks the beginning of the year of the pig and in preparation, Vacheron Constantin is unveiling its latest addition to its Métiers d’Art The Legend Of The Chinese Zodiac series – Year Of The Pig. Available in either a Platinum or 18K 5N pink gold case, each version will be offered in a limited series of just 12 pieces. Read on for more details.

6 years ago

Buying Guide – 5 High-End Watches with World-Time or Multiple Time-Zones

A watch is an essential item while travelling. Something that must be part of your “things to pack” list. We’ve said it already several times here on MONOCHROME, but multiple time-zone watches are certainly amongst the most practical you can find. Not only when travelling (obviously) but also for those working in an international environment – and there are more and more of them. For those who want to combine functionality and their love for fine watchmaking, here are 5 sophisticate watches with world-time complication or multiple time-zone indications.

6 years ago

Buying Guide – 5 High-End Watches with World Time or Multiple Time Zones

A watch is an essential item while travelling. Something that must be part of your “things to pack” list. We’ve said it already several times here on MONOCHROME, but multiple time-zone watches are certainly amongst the most practical you can find. Not only when travelling (obviously) but also for those working in an international environment – and there are more and more of them. For those who want to combine functionality and their love for fine watchmaking, here are 5 sophisticate watches with world-time complication or multiple time-zone indications.

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

Introducing – Chopard L.U.C Perpetual T Spirit of “La Santa Muerte” – Looking Death in the Face

Sold in just six minutes, Chopard’s L.U.C T Spirit of “La Santa Muerte” is an opulent tribute to the festive spirit of Mexico’s Day of the Dead celebrations. Unveiled during the 12th edition of the Salon Internacional de Alta Relojería (SIAR) – the most prestigious watch show in Latin America showcasing 40 plus brands – Chopard’s unique timepiece was snatched up by a collector in minutes. Crafted in 18k rose gold, with hand-engraved motifs on just about every surface of the case, the grinning skull on the dial steals the show and has been ingeniously designed to host the perpetual calendar complications and reveal details of the tourbillon.

6 years ago