Buying Guide – 5 Automatic Watches from Established Brands Under EUR 1,000

A good watch doesn’t have to break the bank. Thankfully, there are plenty of worthy options if you are looking for something affordable, yet stylish and well-crafted. We have put together 5 respectable watches priced under EUR 1,000. Of course, because you are reading MONOCHROME, these 5 timepieces couldn’t be anything else than automatic. And they all come from well-established brands. Did we hear cool Christmas gifts?

7 years ago

Value Proposition – Hands-On With The Aramar Long Beach Racing Chronograph

Vintage-inspired watches have been one of the hottest trends of 2017 and this looks set to continue in 2018. Automotive-focused watches from the golden era of the 1960’s and 1970’s, such as the Bell & Ross Vintage Bellytanker and the Heuer Autavia, have been particularly popular, no doubt helped along in no small part by the $17m sale of a Rolex Daytona owned by some guy. Not everyone can afford the premium price tags these types of watch command, however, so today we’re getting hands-on with a much more accessible alternative from Netherlands-based watch designer and producer, Aramar Watch Co. Called the Long Beach Racing Chronograph, it’s already exceeded its funding goal on Kickstarter, with just under a month still to go. Read on for all the details.

7 years ago

Introducing – Oris GMT Rega Limited Edition

Last year, Oris introduced their first watch made in partnership with Rega, a private, non-profit air rescue service that provides emergency medical assistance in Switzerland. Based on the powerful and unique Big Crown ProPilot Altimeter, we even tested it right where it should be, in the Swiss mountains. Today, Oris presents the Oris GMT Rega Limited Edition, the second watch made in support of the partnership with Rega – and still a powerful, tool-ish purpose built-watch.

7 years ago

The Speedmaster Chronicles #2 – Robert-Jan Broer, Mister Speedy Tuesday

Today is Tuesday. What else then, except having the one-and-only Mister Speedy Tuesday featured for our second instalment of “The Speedmaster Chronicles“. Yesterday, we started this series of videos with the man that certified the Omega Speedmaster to go to the Moon. Today, we give the floor to fellow watch-journalist Robert-Jan Broer, founder of Fratellowatches. Most importantly, RJ (as we all name him) is one of the top-tier sources for the Speedmaster, the founder of the “Speedy Tuesday” movement and the man responsible for the creation of the highly coveted Speedmaster Speedy Tuesday Limited Edition. Needless to say, he knows quite a bit about the “Moonwatch“.

7 years ago

The Speedmaster Chronicles #1 – James H. Ragan, The Former NASA-Engineer Responsible for the “Moonwatch”

Here it is: Episode 1 of our series of videos dedicated to the one-and-only Omega Speedmaster “Moonwatch“. Certainly one of the most iconic watches ever created, many stories have been written about this stopwatch. Yet, today, we are proud to have a special guest with us for the first episode of “The Speedmaster Chronicles“. Without him, the Speedmaster would have never been named the “Moonwatch” and all the fame and dreams around this watch wouldn’t exist. Here is James H. Ragan, Former NASA Program Manager and Aerospace Engineer – or the man who tested the Speedmaster and who gave it the “Flight Qualified By NASA For All Manned Space Missions” certification, allowing the Speed to finally make it to the Moon.

7 years ago

Pre-SIHH 2018 – Hands-On with the Montblanc TimeWalker Rally Timer Chronograph Now With Reverse-Panda Dial

Last year, at the SIHH 2017, Montblanc introduced an entire collection focused on sports, the new Timewalker. The main source of inspiration for this collection certainly was Motorsport… But that was just a fraction of where these watches came from. In fact, there’s a longer story behind, as the TimeWalker collection is taking its DNA from early stop-watches made by Minerva (now owned by Montblanc) made for gentlemen drivers. On top of the range was a proper tribute piece, the Montblanc TimeWalker Rally Timer Chronograph, and this exact same stop-watch, with superb movement, is now coming with a new, slightly vintage “reverse-panda” style.

7 years ago

Buying Guide – 5 of the Best Luxury-Sports Watches Launched in 2017

All of you here might know the story behind the creation of the “Luxury-Sports Watch”, a long-lasting trend that started back in 1972 when a certain Gerald Genta designed the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak. The idea began with a thin, integrated watch in stainless steel, featuring attributes from haute-Horlogerie and sports-watches, and priced over most of the gold watches at that time… Who could have imagined, back in the 1970s, that these watches could become so popular today? Well, as a demonstration that the Luxury-Sports Watch is fully alive, here are 5 of them, all introduced in 2017.

7 years ago

Introducing – Oris Clipperton Limited Edition, Based on the Famed Aquis Dive-Watch

For a few years now, Oris is mixing its dive-watch production to the protection of oceanic ecosystems that under threat, by sponsoring expeditions and fundraisers. In fact, this makes sense, as if there are no more diving areas to explore, what is the point of manufacturing dive watches? The latest example of such partnerships is linked to the Clipperton Island, the world’s most isolated landmass, which Oris wants to protect. Following this up is the launch of a new charity edition, based on the famed Aquis. Meet the Oris Clipperton Limited Edition.

7 years ago

Pre-SIHH 2018 – Hands-On with the Montblanc TimeWalker Manufacture Chronograph, With New Movement

Last year, at the SIHH 2017, Montblanc introduced their own vision of the sports watch, with a completely redesigned TimeWalker collection – guided by Mister Davide Cerrato, known for being quite good in designing such watches. Shown in several editions, from 3-hand to UTC chronograph, the collection is again evolving, not with new complications, but with an interesting movement and design upgrade. Here is the Montblanc TimeWalker Manufacture Chronograph, which introduces a new movement and a cool Panda-Style.

7 years ago