Category: Sports watch

In-Depth – Favre Leuba Bivouac 9000, A Watch With Mechanical Altimeter Measuring Altitudes Everywhere on Earth

Reaching extremes has always been one of mankind’s challenges. While the watchmaking industry has already provided watches for the exploration of both the top of the world or the deepest trench under the sea, today we have something that goes a few miles further… Seeking a rugged tool watch for hikes and explorations? The Favre Leuba Bivouac 9000 might be the perfect wrist companion, being the first watch capable of measuring altitude everywhere on Earth – and by that, we really mean everywhere, even on top of the Everest. Let’s take an in-depth look.

7 years ago

Hands-On – Tutima Saxon One Chronograph Royal Blue, The German Side of the Luxury Sports Watch

Tutima is a brand that, until recently, was mainly known for two things: being located in Germany’s temple of watches, a.k.a. Glashütte, and for being a provider of quite cool Flieger watches (WWII-inspired pilot chronographs). Yet, things are changing at Tutima, as we’ve seen with the superb Tempostopp and Patria, or with the recently introduced Saxon collection. This watch, the Tutima Saxon One Chronograph is now available with a blue dial, adding to the model’s overall contemporary look. We take a look at this sporty, yet elegant time-stopper.

7 years ago

Audemars Piguet Reissues the 1993 Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph… And We Go Hands-On With This 25th Anniversary Ref. 26237ST

Throughout its long history, Audemars Piguet did quite some bold moves. Of course, we all remember the 1972 Royal Oak, a Genta-designed watch that simply revolutionized the concept of the luxury watch. Another of these bold moves should be reminded. Back in 1993, Audemars Piguet presented an evolution of the Royal Oak, a highly-masculine version named the Offshore – a watch that will again create a trend that will later spread over the rest industry. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of this modern icon, the Le Brassus-based brand presents, as Pre-SIHH 2018 novelties, two new ROO watches, including this retro-inspired Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore Chronograph Re-edition 25th Anniversary Ref. 26237ST. Slightly vintage, highly iconic.

7 years ago

Watches and Formula 1 – Episode 7 – Williams F1 and Oris

40 years, for some this feels like an eternity (I am only 33 years old) and for others it feels like next to nothing. Making it 40 years in life doesn’t require too much effort if you have no serious challenges. But to make it 40 years in the grueling sport of Formula 1 takes skill, determination, luck, good judgment, a lot of money and a clear vision. One of the most illustrious names in the business is celebrating its 40th anniversary this year, so it is only fitting to include it into our Watches & Formula 1 saga; Williams F1 and their long-term watch partner, Oris.

7 years ago

Introducing – The New Formex Element, A Rugged & Accessible Chronograph

Formex has just unveiled the Element; reimagining the brand design DNA into a bold, rugged chronograph offering excellent value for money. Just a few days after the watch premiered at Munich Time, we have visited the Formex team in Biel to go hands-on with their latest stopwatch… and here are the specs, some live pics and the price.

7 years ago

Pre-SIHH 2018 – Ulysse Nardin Marine Torpilleur Military

Earlier this year, Ulysse Nardin launched a new watch that we thought here, at MONOCHROME, best represented the essence of the brand, the Marine Torpilleur. Visually inspired by antique Marine Chronometers, powered by an in-house movement with Silicon parts (UN were the first to equip a watch with that), this piece showed an overall pretty cool look immediately recognizable as UN and a very attractive price tag. Well, as the SIHH 2018 is slowly appearing, Ulysse Nardin unveils a new version of this watch, the Marine Torpilleur Military. And while it is physically and technically (almost) the same watch, the look is something completely different.

7 years ago

Merry Christmas From Graham With a Dedicated Chronofighter Vintage Nose Art

Graham is not shy to create bold watches… If you know them already, you might be aware of the hyper-masculine and completely original Chronofighter watches, some large pilot-chronographs with a unique trigger device to activate the timing sessions. Even less common were the Vintage Nose Art Ltd. watches, showing on their dials some aviation-inspired pinups. And because the end of the year is coming, the brand has decided to bring something quite “à propos”, with the Graham Chronofighter Vintage Nose Art Merry Ltd…

7 years ago

Introducing the Bell & Ross BR-X1 White Hawk Collection

If Bell & Ross is known for their aviation- and military-oriented pieces (which has been demonstrated again several times this year with for instance the Vintage BR V1-92 Military or the BR03-92 Horograph and BR03-92 Horolum), the brand also has different inspirations (racing cars for instance, with the Renault F1 partnership) or experimental watches (such as the surprising BR-X2 Tourbillon). Part of this “experimental” collection is a watch that we’ve seen, reviewed and appreciated here on Monochrome, the BR-X1. For the end of this year, the model is back with a new colour scheme and new materials, with the Bell & Ross BR-X1 White Hawk Collection.

7 years ago

Hands-On – Anonimo Nautilo Bianco, the Dive Watch Dressed in White for Winter

Anonimo might not be the largest watch brand we know, the least we can say is that they had quite a productive year: a complete facelift of the Nautilo, some sailing editions, some colourful versions of their dive watch, some new “bronze” watches and finally, new editions of the signature military chronographs. Why such a profusion of novelties? Simply because the brand is celebrating its 20th anniversary. And because the year isn’t finished yet, here are some new pieces, the “dressed in white” Anonimo Nautilo Bianco.

7 years ago