Category: Novelty

Introducing – Glashütte Original Senator Tourbillon Edition Alfred Helwig

Glashütte Original is not necessarily known for its super-complicated watches, although there are certainly a few notable ones in the collection, such as the Senator Cosmopolite and the PanoLunar Tourbillon. What the German watch-manufacturer is known for, however, is making high-quality, elegantly designed timepieces that meld tradition with modern techniques. The latest example of this comes in the form of the newly announced, Senator Tourbillon – Edition Alfred Helwig. Read on for all the details.

7 years ago

Review – The Piaget Altiplano Ultimate Automatic 910P, The New World’s Thinnest Automatic Watch

Piaget and ultra-thin are two words that go together very well. For over 60 years now, the brand has developed a true expertise in ultra-thin watches and movements (don’t forget that Piaget started its life as a movement manufacturer and not as a jeweller). From the Calibre 9P to the recent 900P, the brand has gone from one world-record to another. Last year, a certain Italian-rooted brand unveiled what was the thinnest automatic movement in current production… Today Piaget comes with their answer. They took one the thinnest hand-wound watches in the world, the Altiplano 900P, and added a peripheral rotor making it an automatic. And not just an automatic but the world’s thinnest automatic wristwatch.

7 years ago

Value Proposition – Hands-On With The Aramar Long Beach Racing Chronograph

Vintage-inspired watches have been one of the hottest trends of 2017 and this looks set to continue in 2018. Automotive-focused watches from the golden era of the 1960’s and 1970’s, such as the Bell & Ross Vintage Bellytanker and the Heuer Autavia, have been particularly popular, no doubt helped along in no small part by the $17m sale of a Rolex Daytona owned by some guy. Not everyone can afford the premium price tags these types of watch command, however, so today we’re getting hands-on with a much more accessible alternative from Netherlands-based watch designer and producer, Aramar Watch Co. Called the Long Beach Racing Chronograph, it’s already exceeded its funding goal on Kickstarter, with just under a month still to go. Read on for all the details.

7 years ago

Introducing – The 3D-Printed Pendulum Clock From Ingénieur du Temps

If you’ve been searching for the perfect gift for that hardcore watch nerd in your life, we may have the answer: a 3D-printed pendulum clock from Ingénieur du Temps. That’s right, a pendulum clock that uses centuries-old traditional techniques, but which is constructed entirely from 3D printed parts. Perfect for a man cave or your living room, the Ingénieur du Temps not only makes for a great talking point but also gives you the opportunity to examine the inner-workings of a mechanical clock up close. All the details after the jump.

7 years ago

Introducing – Oris GMT Rega Limited Edition

Last year, Oris introduced their first watch made in partnership with Rega, a private, non-profit air rescue service that provides emergency medical assistance in Switzerland. Based on the powerful and unique Big Crown ProPilot Altimeter, we even tested it right where it should be, in the Swiss mountains. Today, Oris presents the Oris GMT Rega Limited Edition, the second watch made in support of the partnership with Rega – and still a powerful, tool-ish purpose built-watch.

7 years ago

Introducing – The New Frederique Constant Slimline Moonphase Manufacture With Roman Numerals

The Frederique Constant Slimline Moonphase Manufacture is no stranger to us. It even is a cornerstone of FC’s collection. We’ve already covered it when it has been launched with an elegant ivory dial and we reviewed it in its dark blue dial version. One thing is sure, it’s a watch that we loved. Affordable, well-made, well-powered and elegant. Yet, an evolution is around the corner, as a new version with classical Roman Numerals is about to hit the stores.

7 years ago

Pre-SIHH 2018 – Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute Duoface With Casa Fagliano Strap

The Reverso… A classic among the classics. It is indeed such a watch, however, there’s nothing wrong with a good old classic watch and the Reverso proves it after almost 90 years of existence (its creation dates back 1931). Done in dozens of variations, Jaeger-LeCoultre introduces a new model as part of the Pre-SIHH 2018 collection: a Reverso Tribute Duoface elegantly dressed in pink gold and combined with a superb leather strap done by Argentinian bootmaker Casa Fagliano.

7 years ago

Pre-SIHH 2018 – MB&F Kelys & Chirp (and yes, that’s a mechanical walking turtle with a singing bird)

With MB&F, you’ll never know what’s going to be next. Will it be a new Sci-Fi or Steampunk watch? Will be it be a music-box shaped like a space-vessel? Will it be a robot-like table clock? This is the beauty of this independent “creative-lab” watchmaker. They still continue to surprise us after 11 years of existence. As part of their Pre-SIHH 2018 launch, MB&F, in association with Reuge and Nicolas Court, introduces Kelys & Chirp – and this time, it’s not a watch, it’s not a clock, it’s not a music-box… It is a mechanical walking turtle combined with a singing bird.

7 years ago

Pre-SIHH 2018 – Hands-On with the Montblanc TimeWalker Rally Timer Chronograph Now With Reverse-Panda Dial

Last year, at the SIHH 2017, Montblanc introduced an entire collection focused on sports, the new Timewalker. The main source of inspiration for this collection certainly was Motorsport… But that was just a fraction of where these watches came from. In fact, there’s a longer story behind, as the TimeWalker collection is taking its DNA from early stop-watches made by Minerva (now owned by Montblanc) made for gentlemen drivers. On top of the range was a proper tribute piece, the Montblanc TimeWalker Rally Timer Chronograph, and this exact same stop-watch, with superb movement, is now coming with a new, slightly vintage “reverse-panda” style.

7 years ago

Pre-SIHH 2018 – Hands-On With with the Montblanc Star Legacy Automatic Chronograph

It’s getting towards the end of the year and starting to get very cold (or very hot, depending on which hemisphere you live in). The Christmas decorations have already been up for weeks, and the office parties are about to get in full swing. To a watch lover, all of this can only mean one thing: it’s time for some SIHH 2018 previews! Never one to disappoint, MONOCHROME has everything you need to know about the new models coming out next year, regardless of whether you’ve been naughty or nice. To whet your appetite, here’s a hands-on look at the new and classically-designed Montblanc Star Legacy Automatic Chronograph.

7 years ago