Favre-Leuba Raider Sea-Sky – Combining the Best of Both Worlds

Combining a dive watch and a chronograph is always tricky, both visually and technically. It indeed means adding holes in a case that required to be waterproof. Quite a technical nonsense. Visually, it also means combining land and sea, racing and diving, depth and height. Two worlds that are, at first, in complete opposition. Diving chronographs are hard to master, but Favre-Leuba took up the challenge and proposes its vision of such a watch: the Raider Sea-Sky. The best of both worlds? Let’s find out.

7 years ago

Omega Seamaster Olympic Games Collection – Inspired by the Olympic Flag and Vintage Stopwatches

The 2018 Winter Olympics are about to start and Omega is celebrating 86-year as official timekeeper, as well as announcing that it will fulfil this position at least until 2032 – meaning a full 100 years of presence at the Olympics. After the gold collection introduced earlier this week, it is time to look at the other side of the price range, with the Omega Seamaster Olympic Games Collection – some nice, colourful, entry-level sports watches inspired by the Olympic Flag and by vintage stopwatches.

7 years ago

RJ Romain Jerome RJ x Spider-Man – The New “Generational Icon” Model is Daring…

The least we can say about RJ Romain Jérôme watches is that its creations are far from being mild or average… They are bold, creative, rely on pop culture and play with gimmick features. Some will hate, some will love. But no one will remain neutral. Part of its “Generational Icon” collection, which already comprises Batman, Pokemon, Pac-Man or Hello Kitty watches, there’s a new pop icon arriving in town. And here, no Peter Parker but a proudly displayed Spider-Man.

7 years ago

The new Panerai Luminor Due 38mm – That Small but That Good?

In the collective psyche of watch enthusiasts, Panerai is synonymous with large, robust, instrument dive watches. After all, that’s how the brand was conceived back in the 1930s. The brand wasn’t shy about making a 45mm watch its standard offer, and even to introduce 50mm pieces (or more). However, that was the 2000s and demand …

7 years ago

Seiko Prospex Automatic Diver “PADI Samurai” SRPB99J1

Back in 2017, Seiko treated us with a nice surprise, as one of its most iconic watches was back in the collection: the Samurai. Praised by many enthusiasts, tested and certified by most as a reliable dive watch, updated for 2017 with slight evolutions and new colours, there was not much to complain about… Except maybe for the lack of a PADI edition. Well, the honour is safe as the “warrior” can be now ordered in the super-cool blue and red combination dear to PADI editions. Meet the Seiko Prospex Automatic Diver “PADI Samurai” SRPB99J1.

7 years ago

Rolex Baselworld 2018 – Predictions for the Watches that Rolex could Launch in 2018

Baselworld 2018 is fast approaching and an array of new collections will be introduced. Among them will be new Rolex watches, so-to-say the most expected novelties of the year. This also means that it’s that time of the year when MONOCHROME goes creative. Just like we did in 2014, in 2015, in 2016 and in 2017, we have spent quite some time on the drawing board, trying to guess and design what could be the Rolex Baselworld 2018 Collection? And here are the watches that we think Rolex could potentially launch at Baselworld 2018.

7 years ago

Orologi Calamai G50 MKIII Solotempo – an Accessible Pilot Watch with an Aviation-Rooted Past

This review will feature not one, but two watches of a small, Italian brand we recently introduced; Orologi Calamai. When being in touch with the brand, and reviewing their CR42 Chrono earlier this year, I learned a new watch was coming. Being a quintessential Italian brand focusing on watches with an aviation look and feel, the Calamai family were developing the new G50 MKIII Solotempo. A simple, yet effective time only watch. We review it right here and now.

7 years ago

The New Bulgari Octo l’Originale Solotempo in full Titanium

Bulgari made quite an impact last year when they unveiled their record-breaking, ultra-thin Octo Finissimo Automatic. In total, the sand-blasted titanium case measured just 5.15mm thick, an incredible achievement and one that in my opinion, looks absolutely superb on the wrist. Others, however, found it simply too thin, not to mention, also quite expensive. Fortunately for those people, Bulgari’s new Octo L’Originale SoloTempo Titanium offers a very similar aesthetic, in a slightly thicker case and at a more wallet-friendly price point.

7 years ago

Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical 38mm – Super Accessible, Cool and Hand-Wound

Sometimes – yes, it does happen to us, watch snobs – we like to take a look at some watches that could properly be named “value propositions”. By that, we don’t mean only an accessible price but also an outstanding value for the money. What Swiss brand Hamilton will launch soon is just that: cool and historically relevant design, right proportions, mechanical movement (and hand-wound in addition to that) and very, very friendly priced… Meet the new Hamilton Khaki Field Mechanical 38mm.

7 years ago

The Breitling Navitimer 8 Collection, Georges Kern’s First Creation as CEO of Breitling

After he unexpectedly left IWC and joined Breitling as new CEO, Georges Kern was under the radar… We were all waiting for the first novelty to come out of the Grenchen-based manufacture. And today, here THEY come. Indeed, it’s not a watch but a full collection, named the Breitling Navitimer 8 collection, which is today introduced. 5 different models, 5 different displays, 5 different movements, 1 entirely new concept. Let’s have a look at Kern’s first creation.

7 years ago