Introducing – Bell & Ross BR01 Burning Skull “Tattoo” (hands-on)

A skull in a pilot / instrument watch? Seems like a weird combination. However, it’s something that Bell & Ross have done for quite some years now. And in fact, this motif is somewhat linked to the world of aviation (and no, this BR01 is not a pirate watch). Yes, these Skull B&R (the first one was introduced in 2009) pay tribute to legendary parachutists of the Second World War, who’s logo was a skull with “Death from Above” written inside. The new Bell & Ross BR01 Burning Skull uses this same DNA and even tattooed it directly onto its case.

8 years ago

“Dutch Pride” embodied by the new TAG Heuer Formula 1 Max Verstappen Special Edition

Dutch citizens and their pride, all wrapped in orange… That’s something few can understand but I have to say, I do. Indeed, I am surrounded with Dutch guys, as two of our contributors are Dutch and even our dear founder Frank is. While the Netherlands aren’t known to be the greatest country for sports, they have one man to rely on, one man that is known to be the youngest Formula One Grand Prix winner of all time. To celebrate “Dutch Pride” and this great champion, TAG Heuer unveiled yesterday night in Amsterdam the new Max Verstappen Special Edition, a watch only available for his fans and co-citizens in the Netherlands.

8 years ago

Hands-on with the Hyper-Technical Angelus U30 Tourbillon Rattrapante (and how can it be, relatively speaking, so affordable)

Listen to that: double column-wheel, flyback, split-seconds, automatic chronograph skeletonized with tourbillon… Sounds like something we’re all dreaming off. It’s like the Lamborghini you had on your walls when teenager. Something too good to be true, or just way too expensive to be accessible, even for someone in a good professional position. Well, it seems that Angelus Watches does not agree with that, as they have such a watch in their catalogue. It is named the Angelus U30 Tourbillon Rattrapante and we’re going to look closely at it – and try to understand how it can be, relatively speaking, so affordable.

8 years ago

Introducing – Giuliano Mazzuoli Manometro with green and blue dials and still the same super-cool design

If you think about Giuliano Mazzuoli – in case you know it, and if not, now you know – you might have in mind a minimalistic but recognizable design as well as the use of fancy materials, rarely to never seen in watchmaking, like for instance marble or cement – yes, the case is made with these materials! Well if you think this is going a bot too far for, there might a solution in-between these and a traditional black or white dial, with the new Giuliano Mazzuoli Manometro with green and blue dials.

8 years ago

2016 TAG Heuer Mikrograph 100th Anniversary – The TAG that goes vintage and fast

You thought that TAG Heuer was only about to do normal watches, with a more entry-level objective – and we thought that too, especially after what we told you here. Well, it seems that it’s not going to be the case and that concept watches, even if rare, are still part of the new strategy implemented by Mister Biver. As a proof, TAG Heuer will launch a new limited and exclusive watch, to celebrate the 100th anniversary of the Mikrograph, the first stopwatch able to time events to the 1/100th of a second. Here is the highly desirable 2016 TAG Heuer Mikrograph 100th Anniversary, the TAG that goes vintage and fast, as still to the 1/100th of a second.

8 years ago

Hands-On with the very Monochrome Hublot Big Bang Unico Sapphire All Black

Monochrome and exposing intricate mechanics”… definitely sounds like something we love here, at Monochrome-Watches! Living up to the promise and presented at Baselworld 2016, the Hublot Big Bang Unico Sapphire All Black features a smoked transparent case crafted out of sapphire, based on the already introduced clear version. Time to go hands-on with a time-stopper not to be left in the dark.

8 years ago

Hands-on – 2016 Cartier Santos 100 ADLC, now back fully black and in-house (live pics, specs & price)

With no fanfare or fireworks, quietly, in the middle of the rush of the SIHH 2016, in the luxurious salons of the Cartier booth, nearly forgotten because pushed into the background by the introduction of the Drive, Cartier introduced this year a new version of an icon, the Santos 100. Well, if the design remains the same as the previous editions, some new colors are available. No big deal… However, it was until we’ve been told this watch came for the first time with a manufacture movement. Here is the 2016 Cartier Santos 100 ADLC, the icon back in full black and in-house.

8 years ago

Introducing – Oris El Hierro Limited Edition (live photos, specs & price)

If there’s one thing Oris is good at, it’s to create interesting and nicely designed limited editions, especially of dive watches. Well, it’s not that difficult when your base for these editions is the reliable, rugged, efficient but pretty affordable Aquis Date. We’ve seen for instance the Great Barrier Reef edition or the Carlos Coste version. This time, Oris teams up with the Spanish Institute of Oceanography, to create a volcano-inspired version, the (of-course) black and red Oris El Hierro Limited Edition.

8 years ago

Hands-on Review: Vacheron Constantin Overseas World Time – Live Photos, Specs and Price

There’s something about luxury sports watches. For me this category of watches -if we can call it a category at all- is the most versatile, comfortable, and useful around, and these are probably the best every-day watches that you can find. Wear ’em under the shower, in the swimming pool or sea, they are good when playing with the kids, or when you’re working out in the gym. They even look great with suit & tie behind your desk or in the board room. From my perspective this category of watches could use some more competition, so I was happy to see Vacheron Constantin launch a completely redesigned Overseas collection earlier this year. During a recent event I had a lot of time to see and wear the new Overseas, Overseas Chronograph and the Overseas World Time. Today we’re going to show you the latter, a comfortable worldtimer, that’s as versatile as it gets. Here’s the Vacheron Constantin Overseas World Time.

8 years ago