Category: Luxury Watches

The versatility of the Vacheron Constantin Quai de l’Ile in steel

Pretty much every watch is introduced with one specific strap, or bracelet, and usually that’s what determines its looks. Of course, watch brands design the watch for a specific purpose,  and therefore the watch must have a matching look / style, so that’s all fully understandable. But it can also be kind of boring, especially for those who feel that their watch might also look good on a different strap, and befit a different style. For people who like to change the looks of their watch to the “style of the day” or to changing activities, a few brands deliver some of their watches with two or three straps or bracelets, and we applaud that. However when I saw the new steel Vacheron Constantin Quai de l’Ile on its alligator leather strap, I really wanted to see it on a more sporty and more casual strap, and Vacheron Constantin was so kind to let me give this a try. Since I was already fully convinced of the versatility of the watch, I’m now interested to find out what you think of the Quai de l’Ile in a different look. 

8 years ago

Introducing – Ulysse Nardin Diver Chronograph Monaco Limited Edition

Monaco… The French Riviera, the pleasant weather, James Bond, the sea, the Casino, the luxurious cars and nice ladies! Certainly one of the most attractive places to spend some relaxed time. And above all, there are the super-yachts. Now, if you ask me what would be the watch that best defines this world, I’d easily say a Ulysse Nardin. In fact, i’m not that far from the truth and as a proof, here is a new limited edition, the Ulysse Nardin Diver Chronograph Monaco, which celebrates the collaboration of the brand with the Monaco Yacht Show. Overview.

8 years ago

5 Cool Finds – 5 Luxury Watches that look good, in every situation, everywhere…

The “5 Cool Finds” are back, however with a few changes… the biggest one being is that we changed to a new, more reliable partner whom we have a profound trust in: Chronext. We already explained to you all about this London-based online marketplace for buying, selling, and servicing of luxury watches – and here, online goes together with the same security and service as any high-end boutique (for more details – and the possibility to win a 2016 Rolex Explorer – please look here). What about the “5 Cool Finds”? Simple: 5 watches, not new, not vintage, most of the time young-timers (that we believe are the new trend) that we selected for you. Today, we went for the efficient selection: 5 luxury to high-end used watches that will look good now, in 10 years, during weekend of for business and that don’t scream their ‘luxury price’ – so-to-say, classics.

8 years ago

REVIEW: IWC Ingenieur Chronograph Vintage Editions – tons of photos, specs and price

When the three new IWC Ingenieur Chronograph models were shown to the watch press for the very first time, Monochrome was there, however we were not allowed to talk about it, nor to photograph the watch. And when we were allowed to cover the new Ingenieur Chronograph models, we only had the official PR photos and no hands-on photos. This type of photos that shows so well how a watch actually looks on the wrist, and that have emerged since there are watch blogs, like ours. So now we had the chance to go hands-on with all three new IWC Ingenieur Chronograph vintage editions and one of it’s ancestors…

8 years ago

Frederique Constant introduces 2 new HeartBeat Manufacture Watches for 2016

What can be seen now as a natural collection for Frederique Constant was not that of a gimmick and neither just another collection, back in 1994. When it has been introduced, the Frederique Constant HeartBeat was a sort of first of its kind. Showing the beating heart of a watch on the dial was not that usual, apart from the high-end tourbillon. This HeartBeat collection has expanded since then, and continues to do so this year, with two new references. Here are the 2016 Frederique Constant HeartBeat Manufacture Watches, with new dials and one edition with Date by Hand.

8 years ago

Value Proposition – Alpina adds a GMT Business Timer and an Automatic to its Alpiner 4 Collection

While Frederique Constant has a clear classical, elegant and refined vocation, the other branch of the group, Alpina, is much more oriented on heritage and sports watches. Once again, the motto is the same: accessibility, value for money, very decent quality and functionality – but in another style category. The main collection of Alpina, the Alpiner, was mainly focussing on Chronographs and vintage-oriented pieces until now. This year, the brands adds two references in the catalogue, two robust sports watches, the Alpina Alpiner 4 Automatic and the Alpina Alpiner 4 Automatic GMT Business Timer.

8 years ago

Introducing – RJ-Romain Jerome Skylab Speed Metal 48 Skulls

When you think about RJ-Romain Jerome, you know it’s going to be bold, to be large and to boast rather unique inspirations (well, there are few brands inspired by steampunk, the Titanic, Batman or PAC-MAN…). There’s another theme that RJ-Romain Jerome cherishes: skulls. Like it or not (the skull-head is a recurrent inspiration in watchmaking), the brand knows how to incrust them in a watch, with quite some style. And the RJ-Romain Jerome Skylab Speed Metal 48 Skulls that we’re about to show you won’t break the lineage, but however adds more watchmaking content and lightness to these bold watches.

8 years ago

EXCLUSIVE: First look at the TAG Heuer Autavia 2017 (the result of the Autavia Cup)

If you remember, earlier this year, in March 2016, TAG Heuer came with a superb idea: the opportunity for collectors to vote and to decide which vintage Heuer Autavia will be the inspiration for a modern reedition of this mythical watch. The audience chose one of the coolest editions, the Autavia 2446 Mark 3 “Jochen Rindt”. The result of the development was to be expected at Baselworld 2017… However, we had to take into account J.C Biver’s productivity and a certain event, the Heuer Collectors Summit (where we are today!) And guess what… the very first prototype of the TAG Heuer Autavia 2017 is already shown to the attendants of the Heuer Collectors Summit, and we get to show it to you.

8 years ago

EXCLUSIVE: First look at the TAG Heuer Autavia 2017 (the result of the Autavia Cup) – Updated with Price and Availability

If you remember, earlier this year, in March 2016, TAG Heuer came with a superb idea: the opportunity for collectors to vote and to decide which vintage Heuer Autavia will be the inspiration for a modern reedition of this mythical watch. The audience chose one of the coolest editions, the Autavia 2446 Mark 3 “Jochen Rindt”. The result of the development was to be expected at Baselworld 2017… However, we had to take into account J.C Biver’s productivity and a certain event, the Heuer Collectors Summit (where we are today!) And guess what… the very first prototype of the TAG Heuer Autavia 2017 is already shown to the attendants of the Heuer Collectors Summit, and we get to show it to you.

8 years ago

Introducing – 3 new Grand Seiko Hi-Beat 36000 GMT, including one limited edition (Ref. SBGJ021, SBGJ017, SBGJ019)

The Grand Seiko Hi-Beat 36000 GMT is already known from collectors, and praised for its superior quality, its design mixing elegant and casual attitude and its highly technical movement. It is a watch that was already available in both standard editions and in one colorful edition (the SBGJ005, with its green dial and highly decorated rotor). Already at that time, we had two regular watches and one limited. Well, the same scenario is about to happen, with 3 new versions of the Grand Seiko Hi-Beat 36000 GMT: 2 elegant regular pieces (SBGJ017 and SBGJ019) and one limited edition with deep red dial and a rotor depicting the sunrise on Mount Iwate (SBGJ021). Overview.

8 years ago