Novelty Archives - Page 393 of 398

Warm and Bold… Armin Strom introduces its Edge Double Barrel in Rose Gold

While the Armin Strom Edge Double Barrel should not be a stranger to you anymore – as you might have read our extensive review here – it must be admitted that, for the moment, this watch has been mostly playing on black and sporty design clues. The standard edition is indeed entirely black and metallic and the Max Chilton Limited Edition removes a bit of coating on the case and adds some blue accents here and there. But what if you like something more luxurious, warmer, less rugged (and we know that Armin Strom can combines sports and luxury…). The answer is here; the new Armin Strom Edge Double Barrel in rose gold.

Accessible Luxury as defined by the new Frederique Constant Classics Moonphase Automatic

“Accessible Luxury” is, as you might know now, since we explained it to you several times, Frederique Constant’s motto. Well, besides the marketing gimmick behind it, there’s actually much more. At FC, this is not just an idea to print on brochures, but a real way to build watches. The idea is simple: offering a lot for the (little) money you’re about to spend in a watch. And this new Frederique Constant Classics Moonphase Automatic is just about that.

Introducing – Parmigiani Fleurier Kalpa XL Hebdomadaire Anniversaire, a solid gold movement in a steel case

Recently, the high-end brand Parmigiani Fleurier introduced a special piece for its 20th anniversary, the Parmigiani Fleurier Kalpa Hebdomadaire Anniversaire Piece unique. Apart from its nice design, paying tribute to the very first watch designed by Michel Parmigiani, the main interest was in the combination of an almost commoner steel case with a splendid hand-engraved solid gold movement. We thought it would have remained a unique iteration, but in front of the success encountered, Parmigiani decided to introduce a limited edition of 10 pieces, the Parmigiani Fleurier Kalpa XL Hebdomadaire Anniversaire.

Oris & Audi – The Oris Audi Sport III Limited Edition at WEC 6 Hours of Nurburgring

For returning readers it is a known fact most members of team Monochrome are car-guys to some extent. Obviously, both watchmaking and the automotive industry are intertwined extensively, so when Oris gave us the chance to attend the FIA World Endurance Championship 6 Hours of Nürburgring race, I jumped on the occasion! 6 hours of the fastest prototypes and road-car-based racers on the planet, blasting around an historical track sounds like a good way to spend a weekend! Oh, and there was a new watch. Quite a cool, special watch, to be handed to the drivers of Audi Sport: the Oris Audi Sport III Limited Edition.

Speake-Marin introduces a new Edition of the Velsheda Gothic (specs & price)

After the first Velsheda, Speake-Marin’s vision of the mono-aiguille watch (single-hand), a timepiece that was both relatively classical in terms of design and discreetly extravagant, followed later by a Gothic edition, showing a very specific typography for the numerals – something that definitely pushed this watch in the extravagant (in a good way) category – the brand today introduces a new version. What we have here is a model still with gothic inspiration, evolutions on the dial and in a limited edition of 8 pieces. Here is the second iteration of the Speake-Marin Velsheda Gothic.

F.P.Journe Launches “Patrimoine”, a new service to acquire past collections, restored in-house

We, watch collectors, all know how difficult and risky it can be to purchase a used watch. How can I verify the authenticity of the watch? Are all the parts originals? How the desired watch has been serviced or worn? What amount of trust should I give to the seller? Is it a stolen watch? What warranty will it come with? Too many questions that some will never agree with and thus, you will stick to new watches. To counteract this issue, F.P. Journe just launched “Patrimoine”, a new service for collectors to enrich their collection by giving them the opportunity to purchase rare watches that are no longer manufactured (brass movement, unique pieces, limited editions…), entirely serviced, controlled and restored in-house. Interesting, right?

Introducing – Ulysse Nardin Classic Sonata, a Complex Alarm Watch with Cathedral Gong

The concept of the Sonata by Ulysse Nardin is not new, but still, you’ll see later in this article, it’s a really captivating concept. Several watches have been created with the Sonata complication, however, most of them, even if mechanically attractive, were bold, highly sportive and masculine watches. Since a few months, Ulysse Nardin is giving a new identity to its watches, with more subtle and more elegant designs, and it will be the case for this Sonata too. Here is the Ulysse Nardin Classic Sonata, a complex and unique watch, with a melodic cathedral gong for tis alarm complication.

Introducing – Frederique Constant gives an elegant and refined face to the Classic Manufacture

We’re not going to explain in details again and again what we think here, at Monochrome-Watches, of Frédérique Constant. However, we have to say that they create some of the best value for money pieces around, with great classical design and interesting horological content – yes, they really do in-house movements, with watches under 3,000 Euros. That being said, what we’re about to see is another good example of this brand’s production, a watch with superior elegance and manufacture engine. Here are the new Frederique Constant Classic Manufacture watches, with fresh look for 2016.

Several New Vacheron Constantin Harmony Models, Including Complete Calendar Moonphase and New Iterations

When in 2015 Vacheron Constant presented the Harmony, it was already an entire collection, comprising a simple Dual Time, a small size chronograph (women-oriented), a Monopusher Chronograph (the superb 3300), a Tourbillon Chronograph and a stunning ref. 3500 ultra-thin, automatic, split-seconds chronograph. Even if there was no new editions at the 2016 Edition of the SIHH, which was entirely focussed on the Overseas, it’s time now for the Harmony Collection to see evolutions. As a sort of early Pre-SIHH, here are several new Vacheron Constantin Harmony models, including a brand new and elegant Complete Calendar Moonphase and new iterations of existing versions.

Introducing – Patek Philippe Nautilus 40th Anniversary Editions, including Platinum 3-hand 5711/1P and WG Chronograph 5976/1G (with price)

40 years ago, Patek Philippe introduced a watch that has become an icon over the past 4 decades. This watch was designed by the legendary watch-designer Gerald Genta. Inspired by the porthole, legend told it was drawn on a restaurant table in 5 minutes. It was the Nautilus ref. 3700, the first sports watch of the brand, which, in 1976, created the lineage, and which is today celebrating its 40th anniversary. As expected, Patek Philippe is about to offer its collectors dedicated jubilee editions. And there won’t be one but two of these Patek Philippe Nautilus 40th Anniversary Editions, including a platinum 3-hand 5711/1P and a white gold Chronograph 5976/1G. However, we have to say that we were both excited and also a bit disappointed by these two, and here is why…

Watch Dandy

Category: Novelty