Last month, we wrote about an unexpected new timepiece from an unexpected source: the Clifton Baumatic from Baume & Mercier. Officially unveiled at SIHH 2018, we had the chance to spend some time getting hands-on with this all-rounder/dress watch and were quite impressed with what we found. The big news was, of course, the introduction …
For centuries, people have relied on their hands only to manufacture stuff. Everything from raw material to finished products relied on craftsmanship and hard labour. Of course, the industrial revolution changed all of this, with the rise of machine-controlled production – and the same goes for the watchmaking industry. What took the skilled hand of a master craftsman to achieve the goal of precision timing, eventually moved into fully laser-guided, machined watches. Now though, we are perhaps on the brink of a new revolution: 3D-printed watchmaking. We dive into the world and mind of Michiel Holthinrichs, a young Dutch pioneering watchmaker.
If you are a regular reader of MONOCHROME, you will be familiar with the independent watchmaker Czapek. A name with a lot of history (François Czapek was a Geneva-based Polish watchmaker whose 6-year partnership with Antoni Patek gave birth to remarkable watches before the latter founded Patek Philippe with Adrien Philippe), the brand was revived in 2015 with the launch of the Quai des Bergues. The first modern Czapek creation was awarded the Public Prize at the prestigious Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève in 2016. At Baselworld 2017, the brand introduced the Place Vendôme tourbillon featuring a GMT indication.
For a couple of years already, Glashütte Original has been the official partner of the “Berlinale” (the Berlin Film Festival… which led us to create a movie together with the brand). Just a few hours ahead before the opening of the festival, the Saxon brand treats us with a new watch, a dedicated limited edition based on the superb Senator Chronograph Panorama Date. Surprisingly colourful and inspired by the vibrant German capital, please meet the Glashütte Original Senator Chronograph “The Capital Edition”.
The Carrera is turning 50 and it never ceases to evolve… During its long life, the TAG Heuer Carrera has taken various forms and incorporated numerous innovations and movements. Yet, it was born a chronograph and remains mainly a chronograph. For Baselworld 2018, TAG will introduce a new edition of their icon, another technical, sporty and bold version, this time with the newly developed Calibre Heuer 02 inside.
Back in June 2017, we were one of the first media to introduce to you a new brand named Singer Reimagined. The brainchild of Rob Dickinson, founder of Singer Vehicle Design, and Marco Borraccino, watch designer, the first timepiece they presented, the Track 1, was a super-cool, 1970s-inspired chronograph, which reimagined the way a stopwatch could be displayed – thanks to a crazy movement by Agenhor. After we took the time to talk cars and watches with Rob, it was the right moment for us to go back to Geneva and to sit down again with these guys, to talk future of Singer Reimagined with Rob & Marco (video above).
While many Omega fans are enjoying the launch of the men’s Olympic-themed watches, a campaign starring Kaia Gerber is underway to attract millennials to the new De Ville Trésor Ladies Collection. Kaia, daughter of veteran Omega ambassador Cindy Crawford, was recruited in 2017 as the face of the “next generation of watch fans”. Kaia’s Choice: …
With certain brands, it is sometimes hard to define the DNA, the essence of their creations or what is the common theme linking the collections. With Chronoswiss on the other hand, this is rather easy. Indeed, the brand has a clear segmentation, as most of its watches are based on a regulator display. The latest model in the collection doesn’t derogate from the general rule. Please meet the Chronoswiss Flying Regulator Open Gear, a modern take on the brand’s codes.
A brand of recent creation, the name Franck Dubarry may sound familiar. Franck Dubarry is a French entrepreneur and watch designer. Before launching the eponymous brand, he made his reputation in the advertising sector and in the watch industry by creating TechnoMarine in 1997. A fantastic commercial success, TechnoMarine presented truly original concepts; for instance, it was one of the first to combine diamond and rubber. After 10 years and selling over 2.5 million watches, Franck Dubarry sold his brand to a private equity fund.
The A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Chronograph is far from being a new watch. Indeed, even if it was updated in 2015 with a new dial that actually goes back to (almost) the original design of this watch, it is a well-known and well-established member of the collection. New animations were introduced at the SIHH 2018 and the 1815 Chronograph is now available in pink gold. A good enough reason to take a look back at this superb chronograph – and its stunning movement.