Category: Novelty

The Warrior is Back – The Seiko Prospex Samurai Collection for 2017 (and it’s not limited…)

Few brands can argue to have watches that are so iconic that they are actually known after monikers. Rolex and Omega are amongst them – think “Paul Newman”, “Bart Simpson” or “Deep Blue” – but Seiko is also on par in this “nickname game”. Many of their watches have been granted with funky sobriquets, as for instance the “Turtle” or the “62Mas”. Another one, more modern, is the “Samurai”, known to be a sporty and high quality-to-value ratio. After a discreet comeback with the (sold-out) Lagoon Limited Edition, aficionados will be pleased to see that the Seiko Prospex Samurai is back in the 2017 collection, and now in non-limited editions.

7 years ago

Hands-On – Dutch Brand EZA Watches Introduces a New Pilot Watch, the AirFighter

When you think about the right definition of a pilot watch, you know that the focus will be on resistance, durability, precision and of course, legibility. No need for fancy features and I would even say that the less fanfare you have, the best will be the watch. With this in mind, Dutch brand EZA Watches has conceived a brand new watch that ticks all the boxes mentioned above, the AirFighter. And just like their previous attempt, the Sealander, this new toolish AirFighter is a pretty good value-for-the-money deal.

7 years ago

Oris Launches the Big Crown ProPilot Worldtimer, With a Clever Bezel-Actuated Dual-Time Function

Over the past few years, Oris have wowed us with several practical, innovative timepieces that harness a utilitarian look, feel and features, with competitive prices. Think about the Oris Big Crown ProPilot Altimeter for instance, a highly practical watch with a hard to ignore bang-for-buck attitude, or the 2013 Oris Aquis Depth Gauge, a simple yet clever development. Today, there is a new kid in town, with yet again a cool innovative element (even if its name tends to indicate another type of watch), The Oris Big Crown ProPilot Worldtimer, a very intuitive GMT watch.

7 years ago

Customizable to the Max, Yet Affordable – The Revolo Watches Concept

Having a watch that reflects your personality, that has been crafted to your desires, designed according to your own ideas and to your own taste… Sounds like a dream reserved for the happy few? It was the case until Revolo, a Dutch company founded in 2015, had the brilliant idea to let you design your own watch. Now every watch aficionado has the freedom to create something unique. You can choose from three case types, in three finishings, nine bezels, thirty-two dials, and more, much more. You can even choose between three movements, and create the watch that truly reflects who you are… and all this for a very accessible price!

7 years ago

Omega Goes Complicated with the Seamaster Aqua Terra Worldtimer (Hands-On)

This year marks the 15th anniversary of one of the most discreet yet desirable collections of Omega, the Seamaster Aqua Terra. In order to celebrate, Omega slightly refreshed the classical model (3-hand and date version), by giving it some more modern details, new Master Chronometer movements and new dial variations. Yet, this 2017 collection will also include a more complex and highly luxurious piece, with an unprecedented complication for the Biel-based brand; a Worldtimer – and this Seamaster Aqua Terra Worldtimer debuts in a highly limited solid platinum edition…

7 years ago

Introducing The Ming 17.01, An Affordable Watch Created by Famed Watch Photographer Ming Thein

Today, I have the privilege of introducing a new brand and watch from a man I’m proud to call a friend and fellow watch enthusiast; the Ming 17.01, from photographer extraordinaire Ming Thein. Simple, yet over-engineered and with a painstaking attention to detail, this new watch reflects the attitude and ethos of its designer and namesake. Plus, the price point will really give you something to smile about. Read on for all the details and to find out where you can get your hands on one.

7 years ago

Introducing – Nomos Orion “De Stijl” Limited Edition for Ace Jewelers, Celebrating Neoplasticism and Mondrian

As some of you might know, Monochrome-Watches has been founded by a Dutch man (Frank Geelen), in The Netherlands. Thus, it is with a bit of pride that today we’re celebrating the “Low Countries”, in many different ways, but of course with a watch. Indeed, Ace Jewelers, one of the Netherlands largest watch retailers, has partnered with manufacturer Nomos Glashütte to launch their first limited edition watch celebrating the 100th anniversary of the Dutch art movement De Stijl, with Bauhaus, primary colours and cubism in mind. Here is the Nomos Orion “De Stijl” Limited Edition, with art in mind.

7 years ago

Hands-On with the Meistersinger Circularis Power Reserve (And Its Great Looking Proprietary Movement)

Back in 2014, Meistersinger created the surprise by launching an unexpected watch, the Circularis. While the brand was already known for its quite unique display, based on the mono-aiguille concept, no one was awaiting them on the mechanical side of watchmaking… But they did, and they did well, with their first proprietary movement – and a nice looking one. Based on this, the collection has evolved, by adding an automatic version in 2016, and the Meistersinger Circularis Power Reserve back at Baselworld 2017. Today, we take a closer look at this watch.

7 years ago

Hands-On – Bell & Ross BR-X1 Black Titanium Chronograph

Bell & Ross has been knocking them out of the park lately, with several vintage-inspired watches that really hit the spot, like the new Vintage Collection and some derivatives, such as the Vintage V2-92 & V2-94 Garde-Cotes and the commemorative BR126 Renault Sport 40th Anniversary. Today, however, we’re shifting gears and getting hands on with one of the brand’s more futuristic-looking models; the BR-X1 Black Titanium Chronograph, a softer and more “monochrome” version of the bold chronograph we already tested here.

7 years ago

Value Proposition – Affordable Elegance with the Frederique Constant Classics Index Automatic

Elegance is a concept that usually means a sense of taste and distinction, which can’t really be bought. Yet, in terms of watches, this elegance usually refers to dress watches, and the rather large amount of money that is required to get them strapped on the wrist. This is an idea that is not accepted by Frederique Constant, which strives to offer elegant watches at a very affordable price. Making no exception to the “accessible luxury” rule, the new Classics Index Automatic offers pleasant mechanics, stylish design and elegance for a very (really) reasonable price.

7 years ago