The Dark Side Of The El Primero – The Zenith El Primero Tourbillon Skeleton

Among the novelties presented by Zenith at Baselworld 2016 were two open-worked versions of the El Primero Chronograph revealing a side of their iconic movement we are not used to seeing. The first one is a “simple” chronograph while the other is regulated by a Tourbillon. As the Le Locle-based manufacture is now launching internationally both models, Monochrome takes a closer look at the Zenith El Primero Tourbillon Skeleton.

8 years ago

Christmas Buying Guide – 5 Best Dive / Sports Watches of 2016

Today, our readers on the other side of the Atlantic are celebrating Thanksgiving, and while this day doesn’t make a lot of sense for those in Old Europe or Asia, it however opens the festive season. And who says festive season says Christmas and our usual buying guides – and also an overview of the best watches we’ve seen this year. After long debates and fights at the Monochrome-Watches headquarters (not literally, no worries), here are our 5 Best Dive / Sports Watches of 2016, for all budgets and tastes.

8 years ago

The MeisterSinger Salthora Meta Transparent – The Jumping Hour Made Visible and Accessible

Some of you might be like us, quite bored sometimes by the concept of the traditional watch, with traditional 3-hand display, on the traditional central axis, running on a traditional round dial. This is not a big issue, knowing that many watchmakers offer other displays of the time. However, not all of us can afford a MB&F or a MCT. This is why MeisterSinger, with their offer of single-hand watches (Circularis, Phanero, Neo…), might be under your scope already. Well, not bad already but you can even have more, as the brand introduced a watch that both features a single hand and a jumping hour (not that usual) and that features a sapphire dial to expose all the mechanics: the MeisterSinger Salthora Meta Transparent. Ready for the horology lesson?

8 years ago

Discreet Elegance and Modernity with the Frederique Constant Manufacture Slimline Moonphase

There are multiple reasons that create appeal for a watch. For some, it will be the name printed on the dial. For others, it will be all about mechanics and the beauty of the finishing. However, what might be a common point for all is the intrinsic beauty of the design and the elegance on the wrist, whatever how nice a movement can be or whatever how delicate its finishing is. With the Frederique Constant Manufacture Slimline Moonphase, you’ll both enjoy a great elegance, especially in the blue version we have today, with the beauty of mechanics… and for a very reasonable price. Overview of a modern and elegant watch.

8 years ago

Hublot introduces 3 new editions of their bold and sporty Big Bang Ferrari Unico

Pairing up what is certainly the most emblematic sports-car manufacture, Ferrari, with what might be the most hyped watch brand, Hublot, and you have as a result a strong, flamboyant bond. Since 2011, these two brands joined forces to create watches that are in the vein of the philosophy of both the car brand and the watch brand: strong, bold, highly masculine and, using Ferrari’s expertise, innovative and performant. For 2016, using Ferrari’s latest models and technologies, Hublot introduces 3 new editions of their bold and sporty Big Bang Ferrari Unico.

8 years ago

Breitling Chronomat 44mm Blacksteel Special Edition – Looking Into The Past And The Present Of This Extraordinary Line of Sport Chronographs

Breitling was founded in 1884, and right from the start, specialised in chronographs to that extent that it is fair to say that the form of the chronograph, as we know it today, had been solidified due to the development done by the company. It was in 1942, that Breitling introduced the first watch with a circular slide rule, the Chronomat. Some years later (1954) the legendary Navitimer was also introduced. However, the focus of the article is on the Chronomat, perhaps one of, if not, the most commercially successful Breitling of the past sixty years. Contrary to general belief, it is not the Navitimer but the Chronomat that has proved to be Breitling’s biggest seller. However, before we examine the Chronomat Black Steel 44 SE we must understand how this model evolved.

8 years ago

Panerai and Mike Horn together again – Introducing the Panerai Luminor Submersible 1950 3 Days GMT “Pole2Pole”

Crafted for adventures. Panerai’s history was shaped by the needs of the Italian Navy, that it has supplied with precision instruments and watches for years. Designing tool watches, robust products for facing the most extreme situations, is the brand’s raison d’être. This rugged character made Panerai the perfect companion for Mike’s Horn expeditions. Following Arktos (2002-2004), the North Pole Winter expedition (2006) and Pangea (2008-2012), Panerai will be a partner of the Pole2Pole expedition. In this new enterprise, the South African-Swiss explorer circumnavigates the world from pole to pole with a new special edition Panerai strapped on his wrist, the PAM00719.

8 years ago

Introducing – Tudor Pelagos LHD with left crown and cream indexes (hands-on photos, price)

After several collections based on the Heritage Black Bay, Tudor Watches comes back in the game of the rugged, professional-oriented and modern watches, with a new version of its tool: the Pelagos. After a first version introduced in 2012, with a black dial, after a revamp in 2015, with the addition of a blue dial and the introduction of the manufacture movement, the Pelagos is back in a version that most will definitely name “the coolest”. Please say hello to the Tudor Pelagos LHD 25610TNL, or the lefty version with cream indexes and red “Pelagos” printing.

8 years ago

5 Cool Features of The New Glashutte Original Senator Excellence

Not so long ago, at Baselworld 2016, the Saxonian brand Glashutte Original, known for its classical, technical and finely manufactured watches, introduced a new collection, named the Senator Excellence. We took a bit of time before having a look at it, but no worries, we didn’t forget about this watch. And it has some arguments, as being an elegant 3-hander, with dress design (but not too much), powered by a brand new in-house movement family: the Calibre 36. Today, we have a closer look at this new Glashutte Original Senator Excellence and the 5 features that make it rather interesting.

8 years ago

Pre-SIHH 2017 – Ulysse Nardin Classico Manufacture Enamel and Hourstriker Pin-Up

As you probably know, Ulysse Nardin will no longer be exhibiting at Baselworld and will instead be part of the Geneva-based show, the SIHH – alongside all the Richemont brands, many independents and the other Kering-owned brand, Girard-Perregaux. Thus, we bring you the first piece of pre-SIHH piece of news related to Ulysse Nardin. Ahead of their inaugural attendance at the show, the brand has already unveiled 2 new watches: the elegant, restrained and refined Ulysse Nardin Classico Manufacture with an enamel and guilloche dial, and the Ulysse Nardin Hourstriker Pin-Up, an automaton and striking watch. Read on for all the details.

8 years ago