A. Lange & Söhne Triple Split – The New Mightier Than Mighty Chronograph (SIHH 2018)

Several years ago I had the pleasure of reviewing the A. Lange & Söhne Double Split and called it the über-chrono. To be clear, this has nothing to do with its functions but is entirely due to its spectacularly beautiful movement. Of course, the Double Split is the only mechanical double split-second chronograph, so that certainly demands some respect, but the movement’s architecture and finishing show a breath-taking beauty that no watch lover can ignore. And now there’s a Triple Split! Does that mean that the über-chrono has been surpassed? Yep, it does, and… it’s limited to only 100 pieces!

8 years ago

The Brand New Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris 2018 Collection (SIHH 2018) – Live Photos & Price

Jaeger-LeCoultre is well-known by watch enthusiasts, especially when it comes to dress watches or elegant timepieces – think Reverso or Master Ultra-Thin. Yet, in terms of sports watches, the situation is rather different. JLC never really achieved to create the definitive collection – now more than ever, as the Master Compressor collection is discontinued. For the SIHH however, things are changing with the introduction of the Jaeger-LeCoultre Polaris 2018 Collection… A sports watch collection, which is JLC all the way.<

8 years ago

IWC Portugieser Chronograph Edition 150 Years Ref. 3716 – New Dials/New Movement (SIHH 2018)

Here we are… The SIHH 2018 will open in a few hours, but we already have a few novelties to share. And for the first of the day, we have something that will make quite some noise around the collecting community. Indeed, what you’ll see here is a new, slightly redesigned (just a bit), mechanically upgraded (a lot) version of IWC’s most iconic modern watch, the Portugieser Chronograph. Please meet the IWC Portugieser Chronograph Edition 150 Years Ref. 3716, with new dial, new movement and sadly, in limited edition.

8 years ago

Piaget Altiplano Ultimate Concept – a new Mind-Boggling World Record for Thinness at just 2mm

Now we see quite a few spectacular timepieces every year, sometimes when they’re about to be launched and sometimes when there’s still a lot of work before it’s ready to be launched. But what we got to see at Piaget the other day, was simply unheard of, and properly mind-boggling. Piaget has created a watch with a thickness of just 2.00 millimetre. And I’m not talking about the movement, the entire watch is 2mm thick. That’s thinner than the leather strap on your watch, thinner than a Swiss five Franc coin.

8 years ago

Baume & Mercier Clifton Baumatic 5 Days / Chronometer, With The Brand’s First Proprietary Movement (SIHH 2018)

One of the sleeper hits of this year’s SIHH might just come from an unexpected source. The new Clifton BaumaticTM from Baume & Mercier features a chronometer-certified proprietary movement, with a silicon hairspring and a comfortable 5-day power reserve. Soon to be available at a very competitive price, this could be the beginning of a whole new era for the brand. All the details below.

8 years ago

Oris Carl Brashear Chronograph Limited Edition Bronze Watch

2 years ago, Oris presented the first Carl Brashear Limited Edition, a bronze vintage-inspired dive watch with a lovely contrasting blue dial. No need to say, it was an instant hit. The watch went sold-out quickly and pleased collectors. Today, we have the second edition. Using the same bronze/blue dial combination, still based on the Divers Sixty Five, this time the brand adds an unprecedented complication to this collection. Meet the Oris Carl Brashear Chronograph Limited Edition.

8 years ago

First look at the DeWitt Academia Endless Drive and its Surprising Power Reserve Display

Presenting the DeWitt Academia Endless Drive, a watch with a visually appealing power reserve indicator staged and animated in a unique way. And if the power reserve is the pièce de résistance of this new piece, you’ll see that there is more than meets the eye. Here’s an advance hands-on look at this original design, totally in keeping with the brand’s DNA.

8 years ago

Bulgari Octo Finissimo Automatic vs. the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ref. 5402ST

Now it makes zero sense to compare the very first luxury sports watch to the very latest in this desirable segment, at least not from a consumer’s perspective (the vintage AP RO Jumbo is of course not for sale anymore.) However, it does, when looking at if and how the luxury sports watch segment has developed over the past 4.5 decades. The Audemars Piguet Royal Oak ref. 5402ST was introduced in 1972, and the Bulgari Octo Finissimo Automatic was introduced in 2017. Forty-five years, only a handful of competitors in all those years and only one serious competitor survived: the Patek Philippe Nautilus. But will the new Bulgari become a serious competitor for the uncrowned king of the luxury sports watches? 

8 years ago

Mido Commander Big Date Centennial Celebration Watch

Mido is coming up for its 100th anniversary and celebrates this big date in its history with the release of the Commander Big Date. Given that Mido’s history is not exactly common knowledge, the brand is determined to shine new light on its more veteran models and welcomes a handsome Commander on board.

8 years ago

Glashütte Original Senator Excellence Panorama Date Moon Phase in Full Steel

As you well know, dear reader, we manage to get our hands on an enviable number of incredible timepieces here at MONOCHROME. Some, like the stunning Armin Strom Mirrored Force Resonance with guilloché dial by Kari Voutilainen, make their presence immediately felt, whilst others, like the Tudor Heritage Black Bay steel, are decidedly more understated, although no less appealing. Today, we are getting hands on with a watch that falls decidedly in this latter category, the Glashütte Original Senator Excellence Panorama Date Moon Phase in full steel.

8 years ago