Category: Sports watch

Introducing – Urban Jürgensen First Luxury Sports Watch, the Jürgensen One Collection (live pics)

The Jürgensen name holds a special place in the rarefied world of Haute Horlogerie. This horological dynasty has got a significant influence on watchmaking in Denmark and Switzerland over decades. Today, the brand headquartered in Biel, Switzerland produces distinctive dress watches building upon its time-honoured legacy characterized by expert craftsmanship and an ethic of no-compromise. But with the Jürgensen One, this is about to change.

6 years ago

Just Because – Longines Skin Diver Watch – Vintage and New Face-to-Face

Not many people know that Longines does not consider itself a “manufacture” but a “factory”, and encourages everybody to call it a factory. It is surprising, but it perfectly matches the spirit that commands the Maison these days: high-quality mass production. Despite having a vast collection of movements, Longines only uses ETA calibres (often adjusted […]

6 years ago

Review – Grand Seiko Spring Drive Snowflake SBGA211

Quartz… A word that you don’t often read on MONOCHROME. I’m not afraid to say that and freely admit that we are watch snobs. We love fine mechanics and Haute Horlogerie. However, the watch that we’re about to review has a quartz regulator, but isn’t battery powered – and that already makes things slightly different. Secondly, this watch is made by Grand Seiko – and we’ve already seen that it is committed to doing things in a different (better?) way. And last but not least, this quartz crystal is part of a hybrid movement, mixing old-school mechanics and modernity. This watch is the Grand Seiko Spring Drive Snowflake SBGA211 and no, we’re not afraid to review it in this “online magazine dedicated to fine watches”.

6 years ago

Introducing – Bell & Ross BR 03-92 Blue Steel – The Urban Side of the Square Watch

There’s no need to explain anymore the link between Bell & Ross and aviation. The brand’s iconic watch, the BR, is indeed shaped after dashboard instruments – the typical “circle within a square” case. However, aviation doesn’t necessarily mean pressurised suits and jet fighters. Aviation is also about commercial flights and leisure planes. And what happens when you’re out of your plane? Well, in this context, the new, urbanized Bell & Ross BR 03-92 Blue Steel should be the answer.

6 years ago

Introducing – Oris Aquis Date 39.5mm now with Green Dial

The Oris Aquis Date needs no introduction anymore. It is one of those relatively affordable automatic watches that we often cover, here at MONOCHROME. Performing both at the office or at the beach, the recent facelift operated by Oris gave this watch an even more desirable look, without jeopardising its diving capacities. Usually spotted in […]

6 years ago

Review – Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Quantième Complet Phase de Lune

At first, Blancpain’s Bathyscaphe watches are clearly seen as tool/dive pieces. But in fact, there’s more. The new Fifty Fathoms BathyscapheQuantième Complet Phase de Lune advances the idea of adding civilian-friendly features with both a complete calendar and moon-phase display. Typically found in their luxury Villeret collection, the complications add a classic, dressy vibe to the otherwise tool watch aesthetic. With previous models like the Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Quantième Annuel, it’s not the first time Blancpain has dressed up a Bathyscaphe diver with complications, but this is the boldest model yet. Let’s take a closer look at this interesting tool/dress hybrid.

6 years ago

Hands-on – Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph 38mm – Small is Big News

Although the launch of Code 11.59 and the consequent deluge of reactions pretty much eclipsed other novelties of the brand during the SIHH 2019, Audemars Piguet had some treats up its sleeve, including this 38mm Royal Oak Chronograph. Still the same watch as the existing 41mm Royal Oak Chronograph but 3mm smaller, still powered by the same automatic chronograph movement, the new 38mm Royal Oak Chronograph is out to conquer men and women’s wrists alike. Four versions, two in rose gold and two in stainless steel, were presented at the SIHH 2019 – and judging by the positive reactions so far, this size might well become a regular member of the Royal Oak Chronograph family.

6 years ago

Hands-on – Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Ceramic and Titanium

The Seamaster Diver 300M is one of the most beloved watches of Omega fans, and one of the best-sellers of the company. Part of this success is due to the link with James Bond, to the point that despite the long “Omega Seamaster 300M Professional” name, the watch is very often simply referred to as “the James Bond watch”. After a tasteful facelift done last year on the time-and-date version, we have this year an additional model dressed in black ceramic and titanium – see here – that has more than just different materials to offer. Here’s our early hands-on with the Omega Seamaster Diver 300M Ceramic and Titanium (ref. 210.92.44.20.01.001).

6 years ago

Hands-on – Favre-Leuba Raider Sea King – The Urban Side of the Brand

Over the past few years, Favre-Leuba, one of the oldest names of the Swiss watch industry, made a strong comeback by releasing a series of rough, sturdy mechanical watches with distinctive designs. The Raider collection with, for instance, the Bivouac, the Bathy or the Harpoon offers gargantuan timepieces, with 46mm to 48mm diameters, featuring unique built-in functions designed for active wear – a depth-gauge for the Bathy or an altimeter for the Bivouac. If these heavy-duty tool-watches for “conquering frontiers” work perfectly in everyday life too, Favre-Leuba has also something for those looking for a watch that would be a bit less rugged and on a more ‘elegant’ side with the Sea King (and the Sea Bird for ladies).

6 years ago