Category: High-end Watches

Hands-on – Breguet Reine de Naples 8908, a Gold Easter Egg for a Queen

During our meeting with Breguet at Baselworld 2018, the brand pointed out that Breguet’s women’s watches account for a full 40% of the brand’s sales and that one of the current best-sellers worldwide is the Reine de Naples Ref. 8918 of 2017. The goose that lays the golden eggs at Breguet is the Reine de Naples watch, the distinctive egg-shaped watch that has appeared in countless jewellery variations since its debut in 2002. Revisited this year with Ref. 8908, this Reine de Naples automatic ladies’ model is housed in an 18k rose gold case set with diamonds and features a dreamy Tahitian mother-of-pearl dial, a moon phase complication, and a power reserve indicator.

7 years ago

First Look – Urban Jürgensen 2140 White Gold with a Black Guilloché Dial

It is no secret that we are big fans of Urban Jürgensen here at MONOCHROME watches. Inspired by a century-old history, the singularity of the Swiss/Danish brand lies in a distinctive perception of elegance where craftsmanship, integrity and patience are carefully preserved. The latest addition to the Jules collection, the reference 2140 WG is no exception. This elegant three-hander is delivered in a tastefully restrained white gold case housing a handcrafted guilloche black dial.

7 years ago

First Look – AkriviA “Rexhep Rexhepi” Chronomètre Contemporain, The New Face of Tradition

Rexhep Rexhepi is one of the most talented watchmakers in the industry. The founder of AkriviA is often presented as the future of independent watchmaking. There are probably no better ways to understand AkriviA than to pay a visit to the brand’s Atelier in Geneva old town. There you’ll discover a handful of detail-obsessed watchmakers bent over their bench, magnifying glass screwed to the eye, working with a set of ancient machine and tools, using century-old gestures. AkriviA watches are impeccable, handmade like in the old days, elevating the watchmaking art to the highest level. But do not be mistaken, the time has not stopped there. The faces of these skilled craftspeople are surprisingly young. AkriviA watches are modern creations infused by fresh, dynamic and passionate watchmaking minds…

7 years ago

Baselworld 2018 – Carl F. Bucherer Manero Tourbillon Double Peripheral

Carl F. Bucherer already proved to have the capacity to develop impressive and modern technical solutions. For instance, they are one of the rare manufactures to rely on the concept of a peripheral rotor for the automatic winding system. Using this as a base for further developments, Carl F. Bucherer introduced the Manero Tourbillon DoublePeripheral with the new in-house calibre CFB T3000, a world first that combines a peripheral automatic winding system and a peripherally mounted tourbillon that appears to float.

7 years ago

First Look – Patek Philippe 5270P Perpetual Calendar Chronograph with Superb Salmon Dial

The perpetual calendar chronograph is a combination of complications that ‘belongs’ to Patek Philippe. The 5270 continues a long tradition initiated in 1941. It was introduced in 2011 with a in-house movement as the successor of the 5970, itself an evolution of the 3970 (read our article about the different generations of the 5270 here). It is now available for the first time in the noblest of all metals, platinum. And it comes with a truly stunning salmon dial that – as often with salmon dials – is elegant, unostantatious but with that very special twist.

7 years ago

Baselworld 2018 – Grand Seiko Celebrates the 20th Anniversary of Calibre 9S with Three New High-Beat Limited Editions

While the inaugural timepiece made by Grand Seiko dates back to 1960 – a watch that was recreated last year, with a faithful re-edition – another extremely important date in the history of the brand is 1998. Indeed, twenty years ago, Grand Seiko introduced caliber 9S, an entirely new movement designed from scratch to deliver high precision and excellent durability. Today, the entire Grand Seiko mechanical collection is built around this movement. For its 20th anniversary, the brand launches three special movements, a new case and a unique dial. Meet the Grand Seiko Hi-Beat 36000 Calibre 9S 20th Anniversary ref. SBGH265 – SBGH266 – SBGH267.

7 years ago

Baselworld 2018 – Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Automatic – The New Thinnest Automatic Watch (and Tourbillon) at 3.95mm

Game on! The race between Bvlgari and Piaget to prove who can manufacture the thinnest watch in the world continues. At Baselworld 2017, Bvlgari introduced the Octo Finissimo Automatic, a true luxury sports watch with a bold design and the thinnest automatic movement on the market. At the SIHH 2018, Piaget trumpeted not one, but two world records: the thinnest mechanical watch ever and the thinnest automatic watch. Baselworld 2018 has opened its doors and Bvlgari sets two new records in a single watch: the world’s thinnest tourbillon watch and the world’s thinnest automatic watch. Meet the new Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Automatic – and yes, it is paper thin, at 3.95mm thick.

7 years ago

Baselworld 2018 – MB&F Teams Up with L’Epée to Create The Fifth Element, A Unique “Horological Weather Station”

We were already aware that the folks at MB&F have the ability to surprise us. And guess what, they do it again. Their latest creation, made with clockmaker L’Epée, is actually not only a clock. “The Fifth Element”, as they name it, is an intergalactic horological weather station enabling accurate weather forecasting even when the power goes down. Four separate elements combine in a mothership to create an entity much larger than the sum of its parts: The Fifth Element. Intriguing, isn’t it?

7 years ago