Kees Engelbarts might not a household name for most people. Readers of MONOCHROME, however, have been introduced to the watches of this most original Dutch engraver whom Frank has been following since 2009. Engelbarts is an independent watchmaker, a free spirit with a lively fantasy and a talent for engraving that situate his watches closer […]
As a purveyor to royal clients around the globe of the most exquisitely decorated clocks, repeaters and automata, Pierre Jaquet Droz understood the importance of making a spectacular first impression, both mechanically and aesthetically. Moving forward 300 years in time, the brand still places enormous emphasis on artisanal skills and has its very own Ateliers […]
The distinctive oval-shaped Reine de Naples watch is one of the best-selling ladies’ watches at Breguet. Now presented with a white Grand Feu enamel dial with sky-blue enamel numerals, this delightful white gold model combines yesteryear artistic techniques with a sprinkling of diamonds and an automatic movement for carefree everyday wear. Royal Commissions As the […]
While Czapek & Cie. usually relies on minimalist designs, today it presents a highly decorated, commemorative piece with impressive métiers d’art displayed on its dial. The new Quai des Bergues “Sursum Corda” is a unique piece created to celebrate the 175th anniversary of the Czapek name (the company Czapek & Cie. was created in 1845) […]
Jaquet Droz releases another interpretation of its automaton, “Loving Butterfly,” this time with a dial made from a rare form of prehistoric petrified wood, a warm autumnal stage for the fascinating performance that takes place under the sapphire crystal. Honouring Jaquet Droz’s spellbinding automata of the past, a mechanism allows the wings of the butterfly […]
Grand Seiko celebrates its 60th anniversary with the release of this 39mm, manual-winding, platinum Elegance model with a hand-engraved dial decorated with symbols related to the legend of Shizukuishi. A second model in rose gold, also from the Elegance Collection, features a green machine-engraved dial that evokes the radiant green white birch trees located near […]
Switzerland is usually the country that comes to mind when you think about luxury watches decorated with artistic crafts. However, decorative techniques applied in watchmaking aren’t just reserved for Swiss makers. Japan is a land of watchmaking and of exquisite traditional craftsmanship. So, it is no surprise for a brand like Minase to display superb […]
Bovet’s classic Virtuoso V model, with jumping hours and retrograde seconds on one face and hours, minutes, seconds and power reserve indicator on the reverse, gets a makeover in 2020 with a blue guilloché sub-dial and lavish hand-engraved Fleurisanne motifs. In the same spirit, Bovet’s more contemporary Récital 26 Brainstorm Chapter One, with its sloping […]
Denis Flageollet, the mastermind behind De Bethune is, without doubt, one of the most talented watchmakers of the industry. His creations have placed the brand outside mainstream watchmaking, in a class of its own. De Bethune watches stand out with their technological singularity as well as their space-age design. And the new De Bethune Maestri’Art […]
The watches produced by Ferdinand Berthoud (Chopard’s sister, high-end brand) are fascinating and depict impressive mechanics and finishings. At the SIHH 2019, the brand introduced an exclusive limited edition watch, named the Chronomètre FB1 “Oeuvre d’Or”. As part of Mexico City SIAR 2019 Salon, the brand introduces a new version of this watch with a […]