Category: Seiko

Buying Guide – The 10 Best Watches of 2018 Under 2,000 EUR

Let’s make things clear! When Frank founded MONOCHROME over 12 years ago, the main objective was to create “an online magazine dedicated to fine watches”. That meant the celebration of traditional, high-end watchmaking. However, we are very much aware that most of our readers can’t afford such pieces and we are very much aware that accessible, down-to-earth, good price/quality watches are important. Yet, lower prices often mean lower quality – but not for us.
For this reason, we will publish several price-oriented buying guides until the end of the year, listing our favourite watches of 2018 – thus, each will be able to find the right watch according to his budget. Starting today, here are our 10 best watches of 2018 priced under EUR 2,000 – and well below that for some of these watches! And because you’re reading MONO, they are, of course, all mechanical timepieces. Believe it or not but “enamel dial”, “in-house movement”, “chronometer” or “annual calendar” are even part of this buying guide!

6 years ago

Hands-on – Seiko Prospex “Dawn Grey” Europe-Only Limited Editions, Turtle SRPD01K1 & Samurai SRPD03K1

If you have to name two of the most recognized and acclaimed Seiko watches, chances are you will call out “Turtle” and “Samurai”. While obviously Seiko is known for a lot more than just two divers (Tuna, 62Mas, SKX, Sumo, and many more!), these two divers offer incredible value-for-the-money. Two of the best tool-watches offered by the Japanese manufacturer, Seiko now introduces a limited collection just for Europe; the Seiko Prospex SRPD01KI Turtle and SRPD03K1 Samurai “Dawn Grey”.

6 years ago

Editorial – Microbrands vs. Accessible Established Brands – Are Newcomers Shaking up the Industry or Just Small Fish in a Big Pond?

It’s an interesting time to be a watch enthusiast. Fuelled by sites like Kickstarter, a phenomenon of inexpensive, quality movements and parts is unfolding, available with the immediateness only online media outlets can offer. Small startups (or microbrands) are producing compelling watches with capital raised via crowdfunding and online-only storefronts, minimizing overhead that established brands still […]

6 years ago

Introducing – Seiko Presage Cocktail ”Fuyugeshiki” Limited Editions

In 2017, Seiko created a new series of watches in the Presage collection, inspired by the world of the cocktail bar. While usually quite conservative, here Seiko played on textures and colours to bring fresh and original watches, still with mechanical movements but with affordable prices. Elegant, refined and quite unique, the collection was enlarged […]

6 years ago

Buying Guide – 5 of The Most Iconic Dive Watches You Can Buy in 2018

In the world of watches, there’s a puzzling but immense attraction of men for dive watches. Should it be the adventurous look? The toolish design, the masculine, sporty, robust attributes…? For multiple reasons, various examples of dive watches have become some of the most iconic timepieces ever created – even if nowadays most of them […]

6 years ago

Buying Guide – 5 Cool “Back to Work” Watches, To Make Office Life Easier

Beautiful beaches, barbecues, mojitos and sunshine… We don’t want to bring you down, but let’s face reality: summer is ending and very soon we’ll all be back at work. This doesn’t mean we can’t enjoy the beauty of a watch anymore, however, it’s time to put your colourful dive watch back in the safe and […]

6 years ago

Hands-on – Seiko Prospex Diver 300m SLA019 Limited Edition – the Middle Child of the 1968 Commemorative Collection

Celebrating the 50thanniversary of the 1968 hi-beat diver Ref. 6159-7001, the first diver’s watch with a hi-beat automatic caliber, Seiko introduced three modern divers that pay homage to this horological icon. The limited edition Prospex Diver 300m Hi-Beat SLA025 with caliber 8L55 (36,000vph/5Hz) sits at the top and is a faithful recreation of the original. Retailing for EUR 5,500, it’s unfortunately not for the casual enthusiast. On the other end is the Prospex Diver 200m SPB077, which isn’t a limited edition and retails for as little as EUR 900 (depending on silicon or steel bracelet). It’s more of a reinterpretation as the caliber 6R15 beats at only 21,600vph (3Hz) with a 200m water resistant case. The one I’m looking at sits in the middle, with the caliber 8L35 beating at 28,800vph (4Hz) and a 300m water resistance. Let’s take a closer look at this new limited edition commemorative diver.

6 years ago

Buying Guide – Deep Divers – Dive Watches that go 1000m and beyond

Dive watches are some of the most beloved timepieces. In the 1960s, the military and professional diving requirements, together with the growing popularity of scuba diving, made the importance of trustworthy subaquatic instruments paramount. The first modern dive watches were born to monitor dive time in the briny deep. The hardiest can withstand even the pressure at the bottom of the Marianas Trench (even though we talk concept watches here). Their depth rating by far exceeds your most extreme needs but there is something fascinating about their extreme engineering. And a rugged dive watch has always been a symbol of the adventurer in all of us. Here are 6 dive watches that go 1000m and beyond released in the past few years.

6 years ago

Buying Guide – 5 Watches to Consider for This Summer, from Affordable to High-End

The holiday season is fast approaching and that’s the perfect time of the year when you can take the suit of… and the dress watch that goes along. Summer means seaside, boat rides, cocktails, unexpected jumps in a pool and all kinds of leisure activities. This means sports/dive watches on the wrist and for this reason, here are 5 cool pieces that will follow you from the deck of a boat to that fancy cocktail party, and always with style.

6 years ago

Hands-on – Seiko Prospex Turtle “Save The Ocean” SRPC91K1 Special Edition

The comeback of the “Seiko Turtle” was certainly one of the best moves the Japenese brand did recently. Affordable, cool-looking, solid and reliable, it is one of the best dive watches in the sub-1k category. After the inaugural versions, Seiko played on the success of this watches by launching multiple limited/special editions (PADI, Lagoon, Black…). Another one has just been presented, the ref. SRPC91K1, the result of Seiko’s partnership with Jacques-Yves Cousteau’s grandson… And once again, it’s another very cool affordable dive watch.

6 years ago