Category: Luxury Watches

The Zoute Grand Prix Rally 2016 sponsored by Lebeau-Courally – Part 1, The Rally

What do a classic car rally, handmade hunting rifles and mechanical watches have in common? The answer is Lebeau-Courally. The company was founded in 1805 and is well known in Royal families for its handmade hunting rifles and has moved into the field of haute-horlogerie by acquiring Le Locle based IMH. Lebeau-Courally is a platinum sponsor of the Zoute Grand Prix Rally. In part 2 of this article we will focus on Lebeau-Courally and their newest timepiece, the beautiful Phase de Lune with 18 layers of enamel. However first we’re going to have a look at the Zoute Grand Prix event, in particular the rally.

8 years ago

Accessible Luxury as defined by the new Frederique Constant Classics Moonphase Automatic

“Accessible Luxury” is, as you might know now, since we explained it to you several times, Frederique Constant’s motto. Well, besides the marketing gimmick behind it, there’s actually much more. At FC, this is not just an idea to print on brochures, but a real way to build watches. The idea is simple: offering a lot for the (little) money you’re about to spend in a watch. And this new Frederique Constant Classics Moonphase Automatic is just about that.

8 years ago

Review – Clerc Hydroscaph GMT Power Reserve Chronometer, the heavy diver

The choice for dive watches is quite literally endless. There are thousands of good, very good, or extremely good dive watches out there. There are also plenty of so-so dive watches, so it is very possible to lose track of what’s what in this popular category. Thus, we feel it is our duty to share some options outside the beaten path of Submariners, Seamasters or Panerais. One of these options is Clerc, a brand dedicated to dive watches with a bold design. Today, we bring you the Clerc Hydroscaph GMT Power Reserve Chronometer, first introduced last year, in one of our extensive reviews, including specs, lots of pictures and of course, our personal thoughts!

8 years ago

History of the Patek Philippe Nautilus, Part 1 – The Birth an Icon, the 3700 (1976/1990)

Stating that the Patek Philippe Nautilus is an icon is probably too easy… but there is no way to evade this. The Nautilus is an icon. No debate. Introduced in 1976, and designed by one of the most famous watch-designers, who can be seen as the creator of a new species of timepieces – the luxury sports watch. The Nautilus is praised by all sorts of collectors, and it is now celebrating its 40th anniversary. Last week we explained the 40th anniversary editions  to you, and now it is time to look at the entire timeline of this watch. The first part of the history of the Patek Philippe Nautilus is of course dedicated to the very first version, the Ref. 3700.

8 years ago

History of the Patek Philippe Nautilus, Part 1 – The Birth of an Icon, the 3700 (1976/1990)

Stating that the Patek Philippe Nautilus is an icon is probably too easy… but there is no way to evade this. The Nautilus is an icon. No debate. Introduced in 1976, and designed by one of the most famous watch-designers, who can be seen as the creator of a new species of timepieces – the luxury sports watch. The Nautilus is praised by all sorts of collectors, and it is now celebrating its 40th anniversary. Last week we explained the 40th anniversary editions  to you, and now it is time to look at the entire timeline of this watch. The first part of the history of the Patek Philippe Nautilus is of course dedicated to the very first version, the Ref. 3700.

8 years ago

Oris & Audi – The Oris Audi Sport III Limited Edition at WEC 6 Hours of Nurburgring

For returning readers it is a known fact most members of team Monochrome are car-guys to some extent. Obviously, both watchmaking and the automotive industry are intertwined extensively, so when Oris gave us the chance to attend the FIA World Endurance Championship 6 Hours of Nürburgring race, I jumped on the occasion! 6 hours of the fastest prototypes and road-car-based racers on the planet, blasting around an historical track sounds like a good way to spend a weekend! Oh, and there was a new watch. Quite a cool, special watch, to be handed to the drivers of Audi Sport: the Oris Audi Sport III Limited Edition.

8 years ago

Speake-Marin introduces a new Edition of the Velsheda Gothic (specs & price)

After the first Velsheda, Speake-Marin’s vision of the mono-aiguille watch (single-hand), a timepiece that was both relatively classical in terms of design and discreetly extravagant, followed later by a Gothic edition, showing a very specific typography for the numerals – something that definitely pushed this watch in the extravagant (in a good way) category – the brand today introduces a new version. What we have here is a model still with gothic inspiration, evolutions on the dial and in a limited edition of 8 pieces. Here is the second iteration of the Speake-Marin Velsheda Gothic.

8 years ago

Inside the Renault F1 Facilities with the Bell & Ross BR-X1 RS16 on the wrist

The Parisian brand Bell & Ross is most known for creating aviation inspired watches in a bold, squared style. Of course the collection consists of much more, including round cased watches, like the Vintage collection or the Aeronavale collection. Although most of these are still highly derived from avionics, Bell & Ross is also embarking into the world of automotive and racing-inspired watches. They have teamed-up with Renault F1 as an official timing partner for this year (more on that later in a dedicated chapter of our Watches and Formula 1 series) and now offer the BR-X1 RS16 and BR-X1 RS16 Tourbillon. We’ve had the chance to go hands-on, inside the Renault F1 facility in Enstone, the birthplace of Formula 1.

8 years ago

Introducing – Frederique Constant gives an elegant and refined face to the Classic Manufacture

We’re not going to explain in details again and again what we think here, at Monochrome-Watches, of Frédérique Constant. However, we have to say that they create some of the best value for money pieces around, with great classical design and interesting horological content – yes, they really do in-house movements, with watches under 3,000 Euros. That being said, what we’re about to see is another good example of this brand’s production, a watch with superior elegance and manufacture engine. Here are the new Frederique Constant Classic Manufacture watches, with fresh look for 2016.

8 years ago

5 Cool Finds – 5 Robust and Bold Sports Luxury Chronographs to consider

To follow with last week’s article, we continue our 5 Cool Finds selections, still with our trustful partner 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. 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 go for something highly masculine: a selection of 5 cool, luxurious and robust sports chronographs that will definitely look great on the beach, on a boat, on a racing track or for your most active passions.

8 years ago