Introducing – Anonimo Epurato Verde Natura (Live Pics)

Just like every other industry, the watchmaking world is driven by trends. A few years back, blue became a must-have for brands. “Blue is the new black”, they said. Literally every watch brand came on the market with a blue version of one of their bestsellers. Well, trends come and go and it seems that green is slowly becoming a thing. Following this tendency, Anonimo brings a fresh-looking green version of their latest creation, in the name of the Anonimo Epurato Verde Natura.

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

Hands-on – The new TAG Heuer Carrera Senna Editions (Heuer 02 and Heuer 02T)

Brand ambassadors aren’t new. 30 years ago, TAG Heuer already had several of them, as part of the brand’s marketing strategy. One was, however, more important than others: a true idol named Ayrton Senna. He is the one that made TAG Heuer cool again, back in the 1980s and 1990s, by wearing an admittedly not-so-discreet, Steel-and-Gold, Analogue-Digital TAG Heuer S/el. But at that time, it was the watch to have for F1 fans. Times have changed, Senna is long gone and designs of watches too (for better more than for worse) but TAG still relies on Ayrton’s aura to create F1-oriented timepieces – and the recently introduced Carrera Senna Editions with Heuer 02 and Heuer 02T Tourbillon movements still retain the cool-factor of “Magic Senna”.

6 years ago

Introducing – Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Bucherer Blue Edition

Customized, special editions sold only through a single (branch of) boutiques is a common thing, but few do it as regularly as Bucherer. The Swiss watch retail-house has introduced several striking collaborations – no less than 25 in total with 14 different brands. To name just a few, the Tudor Black Bay Bronze, the IWC  Portugieser Chronograph Classic or the H. Moser & Cie Venturer Small Second for instance. All received the “Bucherer Blue” make-over and next in line is the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe Bucherer Blue Edition.

6 years ago

Video – Octo Finissimo, or How Bvlgari Became a Master of Ultra-Thin

Yes, the Italians did it again… Breaking one record after another, Bvlgari’s signature ultra-thin collection, the Octo Finissimo, continues its victorious onward march. Almost every year, the Roman brand comes out with something even more staggering, even thinner and still, highly contemporary in design. Bvlgari has not only managed to become a Master of the ultra-thin complication but it has literally revamped and refreshed a category that was usually quite conservative. And because the Octo Finissimo Automatic Tourbillon was introduced earlier this year as the thinnest automatic watch and the thinnest tourbillon watch, it is high time to understand how the brand became the master of wafer-thin movements.

6 years ago

Value Proposition – The Méraud Bonaire, a Cool, Retro-Inspired Dive Watch from Belgium

Belgium might not be the first country you think of when it comes to watches. Of course, there’s Ressence and its impressively modern watches, but that’s about it. And now there’s a newcomer on the market called Méraud, which has just launched its first watch a few hours ago on Kickstarter. Get used to this new launch pad format because it is the way to go nowadays when you want to start a brand. The first model is named “Bonaire” and it is quite a cool-looking, retro-inspired dive watch with multiple details to catch our attention. Overview.

6 years ago

Hands-on – H. Moser & Cie. Pioneer Tourbillon – Made to be Worn

H. Moser & Cie. unveils its latest take on the flying tourbillon complication housed in a stainless steel Pioneer case ready to battle the elements. This is not Moser’s first tourbillon – it has already appeared in the upmarket Endeavour, Venturer and Swiss Alp Watch collections – nor is it the first complication to reach the Pioneer family, which hosts a QP complication. The novelty here is the combination of a one-minute flying tourbillon and its corresponding automatic movement inside the sportier case of the Pioneer. Forming part of Moser’s SIHH 2019 novelties, the brand that likes to row against the tide of convention has decided to beat the flurry of pre-SIHH teasers and puts the Pioneer Tourbillon for sale on the market today. Shielded by its beefy 42.8mm steel case that is water-resistant to 120m, this is Moser’s concept of an ATV tourbillon that can take on the challenges of everyday wear and tear – and also the brand’s most accessible tourbi ever.

6 years ago

Value Proposition – E.C. Andersson Calypso Arctic Sport

It isn’t the first time that we talk about E.C.Andersson on MONOCHROME – and for valid reasons. Indeed, the Swedish micro-brand has arguments in the “value proposition” category. Good designs, great quality/price ratio, attention to details… This was true with the North Sea II, later followed by the brand’s vision of a sports watch, the Calypso. In order to be even more competitive, E.C.Andersson recently introduced the Calypso Sport (with a Miyota movement in lieu of the ETA calibre). Completing the collection, this watch is now offered with a new dial and an appropriate Arctic look.

6 years ago

Hands-on – Bell & Ross BR-X1 Military

When you think Bell & Ross, you should apparently have “military-inspiration”, “pilot’s watch” and “round-within-a-square-case” in mind. So, with its squared case and round bezel, its chronograph, its military-coloured lightweight and robust material inspired by stealth fighter planes and an overall functional design, it seems that the new Bell & Ross BR-X1 Military ticks all the boxes, right? (spoiler alert: it does, and it even adds the cool technical look of the Experimental collection).

6 years ago

Introducing – Oris Movember 2018 Edition (Oris Big Crown Pointer Date)

For the second time this year, Oris will support “Movember“, a Foundation that tackles some of the biggest health issues facing men, including prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention. After the cool-looking Movember 2017 Divers Sixty-Five, it is time for another great vintage-inspired to be launched. Meet the Oris Movember 2018 Edition, a watch based on the Oris Big Crown Pointer Date launched at Baselworld 2018.

6 years ago