Category: Novelty

Women’s Watch Wednesday – Patek Philippe Calatrava Pilot Travel Time 7234R Lady

The turbulence generated by Patek Philippe’s Calatrava Pilot Travel Time Ref.5524 seems to have abated and the model has landed as a stable member of the Calatrava family. In addition to a fresh iteration of the Calatrava Pilot Travel Time for men in warm rose gold, Patek unveiled its first self-winding Travel Time model for women just ahead of Baselworld in an unprecedented move for the brand via an Instagram campaign. There have been choice pickings in the complications arena for women at Patek Philippe in 2018 with the launch of the manual-winding ladies’ chronograph in a round case and this pilot’s watch for women. Equipped with a useful dual time function, Ref. 7234R is housed in refined 37.5mm rose gold case with a glossy chocolate-brown dial decorated with vintage touches. The tasteful combination of rose gold and brown is quintessential Patek making this an excellent choice for globetrotting women, while the sporty, slightly manly charisma of a pilot’s watch will appeal to all those Amelia Earhart out there with a taste for high-flying adventures.

8 years ago

Hands-on – Omega Speedmaster Dark Side of the Moon Apollo 8

Fifty years ago, on Christmas Eve 1968, Apollo 8 became the first manned spacecraft to orbit the Moon and the three astronauts on board the first men to witness the far, or dark side, of our celestial neighbour. To celebrate this encounter, in 2013 Omega dedicated an entire collection of black-themed Speedmasters known as the Dark Side of the Moon. During Baselworld 2018, Omega presented the latest crew member of this collection, the new Apollo 8. A hybrid of sorts, the Apollo 8 shares the black ceramic case of the Dark Side of the Moon collection but has jettisoned its automatic co-axial engine in favour of Omega’s legendary calibre 1861, the manual-wound movement of the classic Moonwatch.

8 years ago

Hands-on – Carl F. Bucherer Expands its Manero Peripheral Collection with Larger 43mm Versions

The Manero Peripheral certainly represents Carl F. Bucherer at its best. Not the most technical watch in the collection (the Tourbillon Double Peripheral holds the title) yet probably the most balanced one. Elegant, sophisticated, technically interesting and well-priced, it is a watch we’ve been regularly praising, here on MONOCHROME. Aware of the demand for larger watches in certain regions (the US market first, and since Bucherer acquired Tourneau, new opportunities opened to Carl F. Bucherer on this market), the brand introduces a larger version of its Manero Peripheral, now with a 43mm case.

8 years ago

Hands-on – Seiko Prospex Diver 200m SPB077 – Half Modern, Half Vintage, Totally Cool

If you’re familiar with Seiko, then you already know the Japanese company debuted a vintage re-issue of its 1968 Automatic Diver 300m Reference 6159-7001 this year in the form of the Seiko Prospex Diver 300m Hi-Beat SLA025. That model, however, is limited to just 1,500 pieces worldwide and is priced at EUR 5,500, so not exactly a watch for everybody (Read all the details here.) This is the second highly sought-after vintage re-issue dive watch from the brand, following the Prospex Diver SLA017 last year. As with that model, the company is once again offering two modern and accessibly-priced versions for the wider market, the Prospex Diver 200m SPB077 & SPB079, which we’re getting hands-on with today.

8 years ago

Hands-on – H. Moser & Cie Pioneer Centre Seconds Cosmic Green

Moser is probably not the first brand you would turn to for a sports watch, but there was a gap in the collection for something more robust, more masculine, more casual and more suitable for everyday wear and tear. Moser’s answer is the stainless steel 3-hand Pioneer Centre Seconds, the brand’s entry-level ‘sports’ watch, which is revisited with a cool Cosmic Green fumé dial. At 42.8mm in diameter and 15mm thick, it is the largest Moser on the block and features luminescence, 120m water-resistance and an efficient automatic movement with a 3-day power reserve.

8 years ago

Introducing – Bell & Ross Vintage BRV2-93 GMT (With Live Pics)

Unlike the hallmark circle-within-a-square BR01 or BR03 models, the recently updated Vintage collection by Bell & Ross remains first and foremost a pilot’s watch. Apart from the chronograph, what could be the next most relevant complication to have on such a watch? Well, the answer is a GMT function, of course. Aware of that, Bell & Ross presents the Vintage BRV2-93 GMT with a 24-hour central hand and a rotating bezel – the perfect watch for travellers and pilots crossing time zones.

8 years ago

Hands-on – Carl F. Bucherer Updates the Manero Flyback With a Cool Retro-Style

The difference a dial colour and a strap can make… Yes, such details can drastically change a watch, or at least this can add another (thick) layer of coolness. Alongside the technically desirable Manero Peripheral, the Carl F. Bucherer Manero Flyback has always been one of our favourites amongst this collection. Yet, it was before the addition of cool retro-inspired details, as this watch now becomes even more pleasant. Meet the new rally-oriented version of the Carl F. Bucherer Manero Flyback.

8 years ago

Hands-on – Chronoswiss Flying Regulator Open Gear

Headquartered in Lucerne, Chronoswiss was founded in 1983 by Gerd R. Lang. In 1987, the brand presented its first wristwatch with a regulator dial. Since then, regulators have been a Chronoswiss trademark. To the point that this distinctive display has become the essence of the brand. And if the present Chronoswiss Flying Regulator Open Gear (introduced here) is much more modern in its execution, it bears all the attributes of the brand.

8 years ago

Introducing – Chopard Mille Miglia GTS Power Control Grigio Speciale

To celebrate 30 years of partnership between Chopard and the Mille Miglia – the famous open-road endurance race which took place in Italy twenty-four times from 1927 to 1957, which then in 1977 became a regularity race for classic and vintage cars, and which 2018 edition is starting today – the Geneva-based manufacturer is presenting today its latest version of the watch dedicated to this race, of course from the Mille Miglia collection. And you’ll see that this new Chopard Mille Miglia GTS Power Control Grigio Speciale is racing-inspired all the way.

8 years ago