Category: Skeleton Watches

In-Depth – Zenith DEFY LAB, 3 Centuries of Regulation & Chronometry Revolutionized with a Radically New Oscillator (Technical Insights & Video)

It’s now time to lift the veil on the big and truly exciting news we had anticipated further to Jean-Claude Biver’s (President of the LVMH watch division) and Julien Tornare’s (CEO of Zenith) press conference last May: a groundbreaking development in the field of chronometry, exploring unchartered territories and challenging the basic operating principle of the mechanical watch regulation, invented in 1675 by Christiaan Huygens – a principle that has remained basically unchanged since its creation. The name of this watch is the Zenith DEFY LAB, and it comes with a revolutionary, yet technically quite simple, type of oscillator.

7 years ago

Introducing the Hautlence Vortex Gamma, With Exclusive Vibrant Case Material That Can Take On Any Color

Hautlence’s creations are bold… Very bold! They play on the shapes, on the display, on the mechanics, on the style and they can even create objects to be worn on the wrist that are not meant to be timepieces, simply because they don’t indicate the time (think Labyrinth or Pinball pieces). That’s just a different state of mind! And while we knew they could go quite mad with colours, they are now pushing boundaries even further, with the new Hautlence Vortex Gamma, featuring a vibrant case material that can take on any colour or shade and that can be bespoken to the delight of its clients.

7 years ago

Hands-On – Bell & Ross BR-X1 Black Titanium Chronograph

Bell & Ross has been knocking them out of the park lately, with several vintage-inspired watches that really hit the spot, like the new Vintage Collection and some derivatives, such as the Vintage V2-92 & V2-94 Garde-Cotes and the commemorative BR126 Renault Sport 40th Anniversary. Today, however, we’re shifting gears and getting hands on with one of the brand’s more futuristic-looking models; the BR-X1 Black Titanium Chronograph, a softer and more “monochrome” version of the bold chronograph we already tested here.

7 years ago

What is it to wear a unique and configured watch by Armin Strom?

Recently, at Baselworld 2017, Armin Strom surprised the world of collectors (and certainly some of the industry participants…) by launching something that, besides being ultra-cool, felt like a natural development, knowing upcoming changes in customers behavior. What they created is an online configurator, in order to imagine, choose, create and order your watch just like you want it. Not a single element can’t be personalized, making sure that your future watch represents exactly your own wishes and personality. Today, we go one step further by playing with one Armin Strom watch that has been entirely configured, to show you how far you can actually go.

7 years ago

In-Depth Review – RJ-Romain Jerome Skylab 44 Red – Bold & Architectural

You cannot accuse RJ-Romain Jerome of being boring, even though you might not be a fan of the brand like I am. Fact of the matter is, the Geneva based brand does unorthodox things but every now and then hits a sweet spot that should entice even the doubters! The need for a Pièce Unique Pokemon watch is debatable of course, but any doubt can be swayed with the simple question of: why not? Well, that is the question we will hope to have answered by extensively reviewing the RJ-Romain Jerome Skylab 44 Red. We already covered it as it was first released back in december 2013 but we now give you the full rundown.

7 years ago

Launching on Kickstarter – The Bold Aviation-Inspired CJR “Commander Series” Watch

Most of the Kickstarter brands that we cover here on Monochrome tend to have an interesting unique story behind them, even though practically every single one of them is a micro-brand with very little traction in the multi-billion-dollar watch industry. CJR watches, which was founded in 2013, has now come out with the newly released “Commander Series”. A watch with a name that matches perfectly in my opinion, as when you look at it, it will command your attention.

7 years ago

Visiting The Red Bull Racing Factory and the TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer 01 Red Bull Racing Special Edition (Photos, Specs and Price)

For as long as I can remember, watch brands, and a few in particular, have been involved in Formula 1 motor sport. This is not surprising of course, in the fast-paced world of Formula 1, timing is everything. In recent times, one relationship has proven particularly fruitful: Red Bull Racing and Tag Heuer. Last month we were invited to visit the Red Bull Racing factory in Milton Keynes, UK to see first-hand how a Formula 1 team operates and learn just how important its timing partner can really be.

7 years ago

Hands-On – Bell & Ross BR03-94 AeroGT Orange Skeleton Chronograph (Live Pics, Specs & Price)

Finding new sources of inspiration and design is, for a watch brand, both necessary and dangerous. A certain, Italian-born brand creating dive watches might be the best example of the non-success of “staying true to its roots“. Evolution is a mandatory evil. It is also the raison d’être of the AeroGT collection by Bell & Ross, a necessary move in a different direction, away from its military roots, and instead shifting the focus to super-cars. Based on the chronograph model launched in 2016, a second version, the Bell & Ross BR03-94 AeroGT Orange Skeleton Chronograph, has now been unveiled.

7 years ago

LIVE FROM MONACO – TAG Heuer unveils Carrera Heuer01 SENNA 2017 edition in tribute to the legendary Brazilian driver (live pics, specs and pricing)

TAG Heuer celebrates the 30th anniversary of Ayrton Senna first win at the Monaco Grand Prix releasing three special editions watches in tribute to the legendary Brazilian driver. In his brilliant, too-brief career, Ayrton Senna roared to three world championships, 41 victories and 65 pole positions and he is regarded as one of the best -if not the best ever- drivers in F1! The watches were unveiled this week-end in Monaco in presence of Bianca Senna, the champion’s niece.

7 years ago