Introducing – Ulysse Nardin Marine Torpilleur, A Well-Thought-Out Facelift of the Emblematic Marine Collection

Ulysse Nardin’s history has been founded on Marine roots, as for over a century, the brand has been one of the main providers of Marine Chronometers. Since a few months, we’ve seen some extremely pleasant evolutions of the collections: new and more subtle designs, slightly vintage inspiration, easily wearable watches. With this in mind, Ulysse Nardin unveils the Marine Torpilleur, a well-thought-out facelift reinvigorating the brand’s emblematic Marine collection. Here is an early hands-on look at this classic yet urban timepiece.

7 years ago

REPORT – Car & Watches With Blancpain at the Blancpain GT Series

It’s loud, it’s fun and it’s exciting… Monochrome was fortunate enough to spend the week-end with Blancpain at Le Castellet (circuit Paul Ricard). Bentley took its first Endurance Cup victory in the Blancpain GT Series in three years in the day-night 1000km race. We took the opportunity to “get our hands dirty” taking a closer look …

7 years ago

Introducing – IWC Pilot’s Watch Mark XVIII Edition “Tribute to Mark XI”

IWC is on the vintage side since quite some months. After the introduction of an entirely new Ingenieur collection, based on the original 1960s style, or a 2017 Da Vinci Collection that is based on a 1980s design, the Schaffhausen-based brand is now operating on its praised Pilot’s Watch, with a new edition that is (sorry for such enthusiasm) simply a killer! Reasonably sized, perfectly legit, historically relevant, toolish… The kind of IWC we love. Here is the IWC Pilot’s Watch Mark XVIII Edition “Tribute to Mark XI”, based on the 1948 RAF navigators watches.

7 years ago

VIDEO – Frédérique Constant, Visiting the Manufacture and Understanding the “Affordable Luxury” Concept

Within the last 10 years, Frédérique Constant has gained massively in popularity. And it is justified. Indeed, the brand has created a clever strategy of “affordable luxury“, in which collectors must receives a lot for what they paid for. While many other brands would do so by encasing out-sourced movements, Frédérique Constant has chosen the complex path of independence, by developing their own movements, yet with prices that should slightly scare the competition. In order to fully understand this brand’s strategy, as well as its past and its future, we’ve decided to head over Geneva and to visit their manufacture. And here is our video report.

7 years ago

Elegant Yet Accessible – Frederique Constant Classic Manufacture with Black Dial

Sports watches have a certain appeal, a definitive coolness that makes them desirable. Yet, there’s a moment in your life, or simply your environment, where such a timepiece is not relevant anymore. At a certain point, every gentleman needs an elegant and dress watch. If the envy or the need are here, this is not always the case for the money… This is why we wanted to show the Frederique Constant Classic Manufacture with Black Dial. Extremely elegant, refined, mechanically interesting and yet, rather accessible.

7 years ago

Hands-On – The 2017 Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Master Chronometer 41mm

Since its inception in 2003, the Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra has been a cornerstone collection for Omega. Indeed, it is both an entry-level watch, yet including most of the recent technologies, and an all-rounder, being sporty, but not a sports watch. It is also a watch focused on the essential and a nice representation of what Omega stands for. At Baselworld 2017, this now-classic daily-beater receives a visually discreet facelift, linked to mechanical improvements, just to keep it perfectly up-to-date. Here is the 2017 Omega Seamaster Aqua Terra Master Chronometer.

7 years ago

Hands-On – The IWC Portofino Hand-Wound Moon Phase, A Classic Modernized

Over the last few years, IWC has been steadily re-positioning its various collections in a decidedly upward direction. Most notably, the Portugieser has moved up a few rungs on the price list, whilst the Portifino now occupies the space this move created. Although at first this may not seem like great news for your wallet, it has resulted in the introduction of several interesting and attractive pieces into the Portofino range, including this gorgeous IWC Portofino Hand-Wound Moon Phase. Today, we go hands on to find out what all the fuss is about.

7 years ago

Introducing – Oris Big Crown Limited Edition PA Charles de Gaulle (the Aircraft-Carrier, not the President…)

A bit of French pride for today… Indeed, as some of you might know, I’m French and what Oris is releasing today is somehow resonating in me. Based on the military roots of the brand, which is represented by the Oris Big Crown collection, the brand is introducing a limited edition made to honor the crew of the aircraft carrier Charles de Gaulle, the French Navy’s flagship. This is why I’m proud to show you the new Oris Big Crown Limited Edition PA Charles de Gaulle (the Aircraft-Carrier, not the President…)

7 years ago

H. Moser & Cie Introduces The Pioneer Perpetual Calendar – A Steel, Sporty, Entry-Level QP (Review)

In shared thinking, the perpetual calendar has to be, in certain proportions, one of the most classic looking watch. It is widely accepted that the QP is one of the historical complications and for this reason, playing on traditions and century-old heritage, a perpetual calendar is classic. However, not for some brand, who have decided that a QP can be different. Why not? Why not enjoying a sports watch with a complex movement? This is what H. Moser & Cie might have in mind, by introducing the sporty, steel and (sort of) accessible Pioneer Perpetual Calendar.

7 years ago

Classic with a Twist – The new 39mm Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Off-Centered

A classic with a twist… Much to our satisfaction, we have been seeing smaller watches re-emerge over the past few years. Case in point, the Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde off-centered is now available with a 39mm case, in place of the usual 43mm versions, maybe too large to be called dress watches. Things change. We go hands on with this chic timepiece.

7 years ago