Category: Novelty

Hands-On – Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Chronograph Skeleton in New Versions

Introduced in the early 1990s, the Masterpiece family is Maurice Lacroix’s top-of-the-range collection, and offers complications at an accessible price point. At Baselworld this year, the brand unveiled new versions of its Masterpiece Chronograph Skeleton – an intricately executed openwork chronograph based on the Valjoux 7750. The 2017 models are presented with a steel case with blue dial and a limited edition blue PVD steel case with matching dial.

7 years ago

Value Proposition – Vario Eclipse, a 1960s-inspired & Singapore-Designed Hand-Wound Watch

Usually, on Monochrome, we’re all about the beauty of high-end watches. We love them and we believe you love them too. However, we’re also fully aware that not all collectors can afford the watches we cover. Sometimes, we have to look at more accessible pieces, however ones that we believe are good enough in terms of style and quality. One of them is the Vario Eclipse, an affordable (properly affordable) hand-wound and dressy watch with some rather cool vintage design features, original straps, and surprisingly designed in Singapore.

7 years ago

Introducing – Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer Annual Calendar Monaco Edition

At the SIHH 2017, Ulysse Nardin introduced a watch that perfectly sums up what it stands for: a combination of marine roots with a cleverly designed movement, with simplification in mind. This watch was the Ulysse Nardin Marine Annual Calendar Chronometer. This year, in celebration of 9 years of loyal support for the prestigious Monaco Yacht Show, the brand introduces a dedicated limited edition based on this desirable watch, with a new style – and also a more attractive price.

7 years ago

Introducing Octopod, The Newest, Aquatic-Inspired Table Clock By MB&F and L’Epée

MB&F has always been built around collaborations with other watchmakers/designers/friends. All about the brand turns around collaborations, which led to the creation, over the 11 years of existence of the brand, of some of the boldest watches of modern days. But not only… These joint-ventures also brought some ultra-cool pieces, such as music machines or timekeeping UFOs, a mix between art sculptures and table clocks. After Destination Moon, Balthazar or Melchior, all of them inspired by space and sci-fi, here is Octopod, the newest collab table-clock made with L’Epée 1839 – and this time we move into aquatic themes.

7 years ago

Hands-On – The Bell & Ross Vintage Bellytanker Collection (BR V1-92 and BR V2-94)

In recent years, Bell & Ross enlarged its collections, as no longer only focused on military-inspired pieces like in the past but around several themes, such as Air, Marine or Racing. The latter has been widely used in the past collections, with watches inspired by Formula 1 (B&R is a partner of Renault F1) or specifically designed sports-cars. Today, the Parisian brand creates another speed-inspired piece, with original retro feelings. Here are the Bell & Ross Vintage BR V1-92 and BR V2-94 Bellytanker.

7 years ago

Introducing – MeisterSinger No. 01 City Edition, 45 Different Editions Paying Homage To Your Favorite City

MeisterSinger is a brand apart… Indeed, they are the only watchmaker to offer only watches with a specific display, based on the “single-hand” concept – in various sizes, in various styles, with or without additional features, but always with one hand only to indicate the time. This has become a hallmark for MeisterSinger. Today, if the Mono-Aiguille idea is still perfectly present, the brand is launching a refreshing concept, with no less than 45 different limited editions, the MeisterSinger No. 01 City Edition, each of them as a tribute to the cities where its retailers are based.

7 years ago

Introducing – Blue Dials for the A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 and Saxonia Collections (Live Pics, Pricing & Availability)

Blue dials have been one of the major trends of the watch industry for the 2 to 3 years. As we often read: “blue is the new black“. Yet, the exercise isn’t that simple. Blue is a complex colour and, if some watches with blue dials were noticeable, many failed to bring the right dosage of enthusiasm. A. Lange & Söhne, a brand known not to follow the trends, took its time to jump on the moving train, yet it now comes with such coloured dials on 4 emblematic watches: the Lange 1, the Lange 1 Daymatic, the Saxonia and the Saxonia Automatic – but beware, these won’t be available in large numbers, neither for a long period.

7 years ago

Introducing – A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar Handwerkskunst (Live Pics)

A few days ago, we showed you a new watch introduced by A. Lange & Söhne, the 1815 “Cuvette” Limited Edition. Well, this was not the only novelty the Saxonia-based brand had to show us in this month of September 2017. Be prepared, because what Lange just launched is both impressive, complex, demonstrative, rare and superbly executed. Here is the “Handwerkskunst” edition of the highly respectable A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Rattrapante Perpetual Calendar. And those who are experienced with the brand know what is hidden behind this quite barbarian German word…

7 years ago

Frédérique Constant Updates the Slimline Moonphase Manufacture with New Display and Case

As we already showed you in several articles, Frédérique Constant watches have some impressive qualities. In fact, they allow collectors with a smaller budget accessing to a luxurious and elegant design, classical complications and even manufacture movements (as we showed you in our video report). This is what the brand calls “accessible luxury”. With this in mind, Frédérique Constant has decided to update one of its best-sellers, the discreet and elegant Slimline Moonphase Manufacture, with a new display – all of that being available in a relatively small case.

7 years ago