Throwback Sundays: Six Recommendations for a World Time Watch, from Our Archives

Travelling is becoming an essential part of our lives, be it either for pleasure or business. This is especially so with globalisation and advancement in transportation technologies, which makes travelling much cheaper and convenient these days. Either way, it paves the path for a new genre of timepieces for the horological enthusiasts: a…

8 years ago

Sound Investments: The Genius of Patek Philippe Minute Repeaters 2.

In Part 1 of Sound Investments: The Genius of Patek Philippe Minute Repeaters, we covered the heritage and innovations perfected by the Genevan manufacture. Today, Part 2 will cover the advancements and mechanical technologies heralded by the birth of the Calibre 89.…

8 years ago

The 8 Most Accurate Moon Phase Wristwatches Today (Archive)

Waxing poetically about moon phases has gotten me excited enough to take a trip through certain “phases” of engineering excellence . Here we bring you the eight most accurate moon phases currently fitted into a wristwatch. Join us on this odyssey through space and time.

8 years ago

Hands-on Review of the 2016 Patek Philippe 5170R Chronograph, now in rose gold (live pics, specs & price)

At Patek Philippe, chronographs are something considered with an almost clerical serious. From the extremely complex split-seconds or perpetual calendar versions – or even both – to the most simple variation, all of them are extremely desirable. One thing to note in the actual collection is a sort of back to basics, with cleaner and more elegant watches, slightly vintage inspired – something we’ve seen with the 5370 or the 5270. Launched in 2010, with a first evolution in 2013, followed by a stronger lifting in 2015, the 5170 undergoes this year its largest cure of youth, becoming the Patek Philippe 5170R Chronograph, with 2 new references in rose gold – and one older reference being discontinued. But don’t expect a revolution. As usual, the devil is in the details.

8 years ago

Sound Investments: The Genius of Patek Philippe Minute Repeaters 1.

When the little known Patek, Czapek & Cie first founded the now eponymous Patek Philippe in 1839, it was with scant knowledge that their humble maison on Quai de Bergues, Geneva would become a purveyor of high horology. After all, the year of their founding was likely reminiscent of our own witnessing of the first iPhones; we had taken…

8 years ago

In-Depth – A Look at Shaped Watches by Vacheron Constantin and Patek Philippe through History

When thinking about the archetype of the round Swiss watch, the first names that come to mind might very well be Patek Philippe or Vacheron Constantin. As the custodians of Geneva’s watchmaking tradition, influenced by the sober protestant spirit, both brands stand for subtle, understated elegance. However, beyond the design conventions dictated by the round wristwatch, Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin have in common a long, rich legacy of shaped watches. After Cartier, Monochrome brings together a (non-exhaustive) selection of shaped watches from Patek Philippe and Vacheron Constantin.

8 years ago

Hands-on – Patek Philippe 5230 World Time, the evolution of an icon (live pics, specs & price)

World Timers are among Patek Philippe’s most popular complications, with a history spanning over almost 80 years (thanks to the collaboration with Cottier). A cult status confirmed at Phillips May 2016 auction, when a rare Patek 2523/1 from 1954 achieved US$ 2.5 million. At Baselworld 2016, Patek Philippe introduced two new models featuring this practical function, the 5930 World Time Chronograph and the 5230, replacing the now iconic reference 5130. Monochrome takes a closer look at this new take on an icon.

8 years ago

Where does the name of your favourite watch model come from?

Ever wonder how watches got their names? A few weeks ago we told you about the brand names and their origin. Today we’re going to look at the watch model names. With hundreds of past and present watches, what has been the inspiration for watchmakers and brands to call them certain names? Some are pretty …

8 years ago

Throwback Sundays: Six Recommendations for a Timeless Watch, from Our Archives

There are many watch designs out there: from different case designs to even varying dial patterns. Aesthetics is a realm littered with the corpses of dated designs with time’s passage, while others remain as classics.  Few are the designs which remain fashionable after decades of existence, and these legends of timeless design…

8 years ago