Hands-on – Delma Blue Shark II 3000m – A True Diving Instrument

A family-owned company based in Lengnau near Biel, Delma has been manufacturing watches for almost a century now. The brand has also a long tradition of crafting dive watches. Launched in 1969, the Periscope was its first timepiece with increased water-resistance. In 1975, the Shell Star was its first professional diver. Fast forward, the Blue Shark II we are reviewing here is Delma’s most rugged and robust divers’ watch: a high-performance, functional watch able to withstand the pressure exerted at a depth of 3,000m or 9,900ft – just that!

7 years ago

Hands-on – Tutima Saxon One M now in an Elegant 40mm Case with a Midnight Grey Dial

Last year, we’ve been pleasantly surprised by a new watch, coming from Germany: the Saxon One by Tutima Glashütte. While the brand certainly is better known for its pilot chronographs or the high-end Patria collection, they’ve decided to change drastically their philosophy and to jump into the luxury sports watch concept, with an integrated case/bracelet construction. While the first versions were rather robust, Baselworld 2018 was the occasion to launch a more restrained version, which you’ll see here.

7 years ago

Introducing – Anonimo Epurato Safari

Prior to Baselworld 2018, Anonimo, the Italian brand founded on the roots of what was left of Panerai when Richemont took over it, presented a new, more casual watch: the Epurato. As indicated by its name, the brand wanted to go back to the essential, with a cleaner, slightly dressier and easier-on-the-wrist timepiece. Rather successfully received, today two new versions, with DLC-coated cases and sand-coloured accents are introduced, under the name Anonimo Epurato Safari.

7 years ago

Women’s Watch Wednesday – Tudor Black Bay 32 – A Small Diameter But It Packs A Punch

A campaign is underway at Tudor to increase the Black Bay’s area of operation. With a solid corps of models, including the newly released GMT Black Bay Pepsi model and the 39mm Black Bay Fifty Eight, there is no stopping the expansion envisioned by Tudor. With the Black Bay 32, Tudor advances into female territory with a model that packs the technical specifications of a mechanical tool watch with a small, more feminine diameter. With Lady Gaga posing as brand ambassador, Tudor is targeting young, dynamic women who don’t necessarily equate femininity with diamonds, flowers and a quartz movement. Sporty with just a touch of stylish vintage-Sub, the watch is designed as a resilient everyday companion for women who want a watch that can keep up with their active lifestyle.

7 years ago

Review – Seiko Prospex Diver 300m Hi-Beat SLA025 – The Ultimate Collectible Seiko Dive Watch?

While in 2017 Seiko re-issued its first professional dive watch with the SLA017, based on the 62Mas, this year the brand celebrates the 50th anniversary of another icon, the first hi-beat diving instrument ever created, the mighty 1968 Ref. 6159-7001. With this new Seiko Prospex Diver 300m Hi-Beat SLA025, the Japanese brand again brings a watch that no one can question in terms of style (it has been almost unanimously praised), yet at a price of EUR 5,500, some were doubtful about its positioning. So it’s time to go hands-on, to see it in the metal and to understand why this SLA025 is not your usual Seiko Prospex dive watch.

7 years ago

Hands-on – Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Tourbillon Chronograph Openworked Black Ceramic

This year, at the SIHH 2018, Audemars Piguet came with many (really, a lot) novelties. If the Extra-Thin 15202IP in titanium and platinum stole our hearts and if there was a strong focus on ladies watches – see the Double Balance Wheel Openworked 37mm Frosted Gold or the Millenary Frosted Gold Opal Dial – there was clearly more to please us. This includes the Royal Oak Tourbillon Chronograph Openworked reference 26343CE, the first time this complex and powerful watch is encased in black ceramic.

7 years ago

Review – Patek Philippe Nautilus Perpetual Calendar 5740G

When Baselworld 2018 opened its doors, this new watch came as a surprise. We could have expected this one to be launched for the 40th anniversary of this iconic model – which happened two years ago, with the presentation of the Platinum 3-hand 5711/1P and the White Gold Chronograph 5976/1G. Instead, Patek has decided to wait two more years to introduce the first grand complication in the Nautilus collection. After the chronograph, the annual calendar or the travel time, here is the Patek Philippe Nautilus Perpetual Calendar 5740G.

7 years ago

Review – The Rolex GMT-Master II 126711 CHNR – “Root Beer” 2.0

If you love authentic tool watches, then you were probably pretty happy with Rolex this year. With all the hype surrounding the unveiling of the highly anticipated Rolex GMT Master II “Pepsi” 126710 BLRO in steel, however, you may have missed that the company also introduced two other GMT Master II models at Baselworld. Both feature the brand’s proprietary 18ct Everose gold – the first time it’s ever been used in this range – and both channel the spirit of a rather quirky model from the 1960’s, affectionately referred to as the “Root Beer” GMT. Today we’re going hands-on with the two-tone/Rolesor version – the GMT-Master II 126711 CHNR – to see how it matches up against its legendary ancestor.

7 years ago

Value Proposition – The Maen Hudson 38 Automatic – an Affordable, Vintage-Inspired Sub-Like Diver

While here, at MONOCHROME, our main focus is still luxury and high-end watches, Kickstarter doesn’t stop to surprise us. In all honesty, ninety percent (if not more) of the projects are not on par with our expectations. Yet, from time to time, one stands out of the crowd thanks to its originality or its quality-price ratio. The new Maen Hudson 38 Automatic, a nicely designed, affordable, vintage-inspired Sub-like dive watch, is just that: a no-frills sports watch with reassuring style and impressive retail price – and it is now officially launched on Kickstarter.

7 years ago

Hands-on – TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer 02 GMT Chronograph – Travelling in the Fast Lane

The Carrera, a pillar of TAG Heuer’s identity, turns 55 this year and is feted with a rush of Carrera models, including this racy 45mm Carrera Chronograph GMT fitted with the souped-up in-house Heuer 02 movement. Displaying the 3-6-9 chronograph configuration of the original Carrera, TAG Heuer steams ahead and embraces a contemporary skeletonised look to ensure the Carrera stays in the fast lane.

7 years ago