Hands-on – Oris Divers Sixty-Five Steel and Bronze (40mm and 36mm)

Oris expands its highly successful retro Divers Sixty-Five family with the incorporation of two models with a bronze ring hugging the rotating bezel. Exuding strong vintage appeal with the two-tone black and warm golden and bronze touches, it is patently clear that Oris has been listening to its customers and has tapped directly into the trend for smaller unisex case sizes (36mm) and the ongoing fascination with bronze. Presented in 40mm and 36mm diameters, the new Oris Divers Sixty-Five models won’t sink you financially and retail for under CHF 2,000 for the models on a leather or NATO strap.

7 years ago

Value Proposition – E.C. Andersson Calypso Sport Available for Pre-Order Now

A few months ago, we told you about the new Calypso Premium timepiece from Swedish micro-brand, E.C. Andersson, which at the time was seeking funding on Kickstarter. After a very successful campaign, the company is back with a new model in the Calypso range, called the Calypso Sport. Pitched as an entry-level model in the Calypso family, it offers many of the same aesthetic touches as its elder sibling but with a few variations to keep the price a little more wallet-friendly. Available now for pre-order on the E.C. Andersson website, we thought we’d take a closer look at what you get for your money.

7 years ago

Introducing – Porsche Design 1919 Datetimer 70Y Sports Car Limited Edition – A Tribute to Porsche’s 70th Anniversary

70 years ago, in 1948, one of the most legendary car brands ever created was born. Its name: Porsche. Its earliest model: the 356, the predecessor of the illustrious 911. Yet, Porsche doesn’t only refer to a carmaker but also to a design centre – and not the worst of them to be honest – under the name Porsche Design. It happens that PD is also involved in the creation of timepieces – in fact already since 1972. THus, it makes sense to join forces between these two worlds and for this exact reason, Porsche Design pays tribute to this important anniversary by introducing the 1919 Datetimer 70Y Sports Car Limited Edition, a special edition limited to 1948 timepieces.

7 years ago

Hands-on – TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 16 Chronograph

The Carrera turns 55 this year and TAG Heuer revisits its famous automotive chronograph with two models emblazoned with colours inspired by the world of auto racing. Available in a 41mm steel case with a vibrant blue or black dial and the distinctive 12-6-9 layout of the counters, the entry-level TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 16 captures the racing spirit of the classic Carrera with a youthful splash of colour and a dose of vintage. Smaller in size than its 43mm predecessors, the Carrera Calibre 16 duo have dispensed with the day window and substituted the prominent numerals on the dial with hour markers treated with faux-aged beige lume.

7 years ago

Hands-on – Bell & Ross BR-01 Laughing Skull (and a video of its unexpected animation…)

Bell & Ross is now well-known for its Skull-inspired watches. Everything started in 2009 with BR-01 Skull, followed by 3 other watches (see some of them here and here). And for those who remain doubtful about the relevance of such watches in the B&R collection, you’ll see that the link with the brand’s military roots isn’t that far. Following this trend for Skull watches, Bell & Ross introduces its fifth iteration, the new BR-01 Laughing Skull – and this one has more than one surprise to show.

7 years ago

Value Proposition – LIV Watches is Back on Kickstarter with “The Breakthrough”, A Series of Sporty Automatic Watches

The folks at LIV Watches already know a bit about creating watches and funding them on Kickstarter. Their new “The Breakthrough” campaign isn’t their first offence. Yet, here it’s not one watch but a series of 3 automatic watches (and one quartz that won’t be covered here… you know us at MONOCHROME) that will be offered. Bold styles, 3 different inspirations – pilot, racing, diving – all of them powered by Swiss mechanical movement and offered, as usual, at great prices. Please meet the LIV Watches GX P-51 Chronograph, the GX Automatic Chrono and the GX Divers – all now available on Kickstarter.

7 years ago

Introducing – Frederique Constant Vintage Rally Healey Chronograph (Live Pics)

Since 2004, Frederique Constant has been sponsoring vintage car rallies worldwide, often being the official timekeeper for events celebrating classic automobiles. Frederique Constant is supporting the European Healey Club again in 2018, which will be celebrated by a new limited edition watch. After a chronograph in 2015 and a 3-hander in 2016, here is the new Frederique Constant Vintage Rally Healey Chronograph, a watch deeply inspired by the world of classic cars.

7 years ago

Women’s Watch Wednesday – The 2018 Rolex Oyster Pereptual Datejust 36: Is This the Perfect “Boyfriend’s Watch”?

Having recovered from the jubilation following the release of the steel GMT Master II Pepsi during Baselworld 2018, we can now turn our attention to another candidate in the classic Oyster Perpetual Datejust 36 line that is out to conquer the hearts of men… and women. Housed in a two-tone Everose Rolesor case (combination of steel and pink gold), Rolex has fitted the watch with its new-generation calibre 3235 and given the case some design tweaks. Handsome and refined with just the right touch of luxurious rose gold, practical for everyday wear and tear, robust and ready for action sports yet with enough style to work as a casual dress watch… what’s not to love about the Datejust 36? So, a word of warning to all you boyfriends out there: do not leave this watch unattended.

7 years ago

Hands-on – Seiko Prospex Turtle “Save The Ocean” SRPC91K1 Special Edition

The comeback of the “Seiko Turtle” was certainly one of the best moves the Japenese brand did recently. Affordable, cool-looking, solid and reliable, it is one of the best dive watches in the sub-1k category. After the inaugural versions, Seiko played on the success of this watches by launching multiple limited/special editions (PADI, Lagoon, Black…). Another one has just been presented, the ref. SRPC91K1, the result of Seiko’s partnership with Jacques-Yves Cousteau’s grandson… And once again, it’s another very cool affordable dive watch.

7 years ago

Hands-on – Porsche Design Monobloc Actuator Chronotimer Flyback Limited Edition (now with proprietary movement)

When Porsche Design makes a watch, it does so according to the “Deutsche Gründlichkeit” philosophy, a way of engineering and constructing everyday objects (with a bit of imagination) with as little fuss and as much efficiency as possible, all focused on the usability of the item. After the Porsche Design 1919 collection, it is now the Porsche Design Monobloc Actuator Chronotimer Flyback Limited Edition’s turn to receive the new flyback movement. Let’s find out more, shall we?

7 years ago