A Technical Perspective – A Guide to the Depth Gauge Watches

If scuba diving is a popular recreational sports, it is a dangerous activity that needs to be properly prepared and monitored. If a diver ascends too quickly, this can lead to decompression illness that can be painful and life-threatening. As depth increases the physiological effects become greater. A reliable dive watch and a depth gauge are essential pieces of a diving gear to monitor depth and track the duration of an underwater adventure. Both are needed for using decompression tables. Traditionally, divers were using a dive watch and a depth gauge, to calculate decompression time at given depths. Today, many divers today choose to dive with a computer but some still use a mechanical depth gauge, even if used only as a backup.

6 years ago

Review – The IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Heritage Bronze IW501005

Few watches can claim to be real icons. The IWC Big Pilot’s Watch is definitely one of them. This WWII-inspired pilot’s watch needs no introduction anymore. Of course, the one that everybody knows is the classic black dial version with white indices (Ref. IW500912). But there are more editions offered by the brand – including my favourite, the “Le Petit Prince” ref. IW500916 – with or without complications. Recently, the brand added a new, vintage-like subcollection in the Big Pilot line dubbed “Heritage”, which includes the watch we’re about to review, the IWC Big Pilot’s Watch Heritage Bronze IW501005. Patina is about to hit the sky!

6 years ago

Interview – Valtteri Bottas talks Formula 1, (IWC) Watches and what may be Next

Following yesterday’s interview with Lewis Hamilton, it is now time to have some time with his team-mate, also a driver for Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport: Valtteri Bottas. As a Finnish, I had the idea that this interview would turn different than with super-star Lewis. And unsurprisingly, it did. Same questions as for Lewis, same focus on racing, style, (IWC) watches – as Valtteri also wears driving gloves with the Big Pilot’s Watch printed on them – and about what may be next for him. Here we are with the second part of this interview where Valtteri Bottas talks to MONOCHROME.

6 years ago

Interview – Lewis Hamilton talks Formula 1, (IWC) Watches and what may be next

Just ahead of the French Grand Prix last weekend, I had the chance to sit down with two of the best drivers currently racing in Formula 1, both behind the wheel of the Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport W09: Lewis Hamilton and Valtteri Bottas. IWC is a major sponsor of team Mercedes, and both drivers wear gloves with the well-known Big Pilot’s Watch printed on them. So, as you can imagine, the interview steered onto the watch track and we can even tell you what watches both gentlemen might be designing one day with the brand… First part, Lewis talks to MONOCHROME.

6 years ago

Introducing – IWC Portugieser Chronograph Classic Bucherer Blue Editions in Red Gold

When you are one of the largest watch retailers in the world (and the largest in Europe), you obviously can use this power to create your own limited edition watches. This is what Bucherer is now doing for several years, with the Blue Editions – you probably guessed that all of these watches have a specific blue dial (see here for instance). Today, the watch retailer is presenting a special edition of the IWC Portugieser Chronograph Classic, in red gold and, of course, with a blue dial.

6 years ago

Introducing – IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar in Platinum and Portugieser Automatic in Steel (which might cause a small riot)

This year, 2018, International Watch Company or short IWC celebrates their 150th anniversary and for that reason, they launched a host of anniversary models (see here in our IWC section) and in the meantime there’s been a new Pilot’s Watch Chronograph with creme-coloured (vintage style) markers and hands and a “Laureus Edition” black ceramic Pilot’s Watch Mark XVIII. And while the entire year will be all about the 150th anniversary, the Schaffhausen-based brand still adds some other novelties to the collection. There’s a new version of the Portugieser Perpetual Calendar in platinum and a steel Portugieser Automatic, that looks exactly like the older platinum version of this watch.

6 years ago

Auction – 10 Highlights of the Upcoming 97th Dr Crott Auction

We only cover watch auctions occasionally, and, as editor-in-chief, I’m well aware of this void in our coverage of the world of watches. So, while we’re looking for someone to cover auctions and vintage timepieces for MONOCHROME (yes, we’re hiring), I’m taking a look at the upcoming 97th Dr Crott Auction. Flipping through the pages of the Dr Crott auction catalogue always put a huge smile on my face; so many horological goodies, so many beautiful, rare, impressive and desirable pieces. Today I’m sharing ten highlights of the upcoming auction, and tomorrow some more…

7 years ago

Introducing – IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph IW377724 (With New Dial and Ref. 3706 Look)

In 2017, IWC took us by surprise when presenting the desirable, vintage-inspired and definitely cool Pilot’s Watch Mark XVIII Edition “Tribute to Mark XI”. Now, it’s time for the Schaffhausen-based brand to focus on the chronograph version of this watch and to apply the same recipe: baton hands, faux-patine markers, cleaner dial and fabric strap. And if the 3-hander was mimicking the Mark XI, the new IWC Pilot’s Watch Chronograph IW377724 is reminiscent of one of the coolest 1990s watches, the Fliegerchronograph ref. 3706.

7 years ago