Much to our satisfaction, we have seen smaller watches re-emerged over the past few years. Even Panerai, known to be on the large side, has been downsizing its iconic design, with its 42mm Luminor Due, which is now offered for the first time in a handsome, light-weight titanium version. We go hands-on with the slender PAM00728 or Panerai Luminor Due 3 Days Titanio 42mm.
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.
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.
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.
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…
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.
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.
American Minutemen earned their nickname by being so well-prepared and ready to fight that they could assemble at a minute’s notice. I hate to admit, but it took me a while to realize just what a good name “Minuteman” is for a watch company, as it brings to mind both time and the military. Let’s go into a bit of Minuteman’s background for those unfamiliar with the company, and then dig into the details of the RWB DLC we are reviewing today.
This year, Jack Heuer, Honorary President of Tag Heuer and watch industry royalty, is celebrating his 85th birthday. To mark the occasion, Tag Heuer will unveil a limited edition of the iconic Heuer chronograph – the Autavia – specially designed by Mr. Heuer himself. In total 1,932 pieces will be produced – in reference to Mr. Heuer’s birth year – with piece number 1 to be offered as part of the exceptional timepieces at the auction “Heuer Parade” organised by Phillips on the 11th of November in Geneva. Read on for all the details.
Recently, we introduced to you an interesting concept: Revolo. The idea behind this brand was to offer a complete customization program in order to create your very own watch. Dials, case shape and coating, hands, crown, straps and bracelets, and more importantly, movement type. After having created over 1,000 customized 3-hand watches, Revolo now moves to another type of timepiece, the chronograph… But still with the same personalization idea. Now launching on Kickstarter.