Customizable to the Max, Yet Affordable – The Revolo Watches Concept

Having a watch that reflects your personality, that has been crafted to your desires, designed according to your own ideas and to your own taste… Sounds like a dream reserved for the happy few? It was the case until Revolo, a Dutch company founded in 2015, had the brilliant idea to let you design your own watch. Now every watch aficionado has the freedom to create something unique. You can choose from three case types, in three finishings, nine bezels, thirty-two dials, and more, much more. You can even choose between three movements, and create the watch that truly reflects who you are… and all this for a very accessible price!

7 years ago

Value Proposition – Affordable Elegance with the Frederique Constant Classics Index Automatic

Elegance is a concept that usually means a sense of taste and distinction, which can’t really be bought. Yet, in terms of watches, this elegance usually refers to dress watches, and the rather large amount of money that is required to get them strapped on the wrist. This is an idea that is not accepted by Frederique Constant, which strives to offer elegant watches at a very affordable price. Making no exception to the “accessible luxury” rule, the new Classics Index Automatic offers pleasant mechanics, stylish design and elegance for a very (really) reasonable price.

7 years ago

Value Proposition: Balticus Automatic Bronze Watches

If you’re looking for a great looking and very well priced watch, our ‘Value Propositions‘ will give you a lot to choose from. Apart from the usual suspects (the well known brands) these young start-ups often create watches that they would love to see themselves. And since the major brands do not offer the desired watch (either in terms of style/design and/or price) they give it a go themselves. However without funding they won’t make it, so platforms like Kickstarter and Indiegogo are ideal for these young entrepreneurs, who are often watch lovers before business men. So is the Polish based brand Balticus who are now launching two bronze dive watches through Indiegogo. One limited edition named the Big Wave, and one non limited edition named the Grey Seal.

7 years ago

Launching on Kickstarter – The NAM Watch Company Mahameru Project

While the main focus of Monochrome-Watches will clearly remain high-end watches, we also know that some of you, readers, can’t afford these superb yet pricy timepieces. This is why, from time to time, we also take a look at the other side of the range, with affordable options. Kickstarter, the crowdfunding tool, is full of watchmaking projects. Now launching is a new watch by Jakarta-based NAM Watch Company, with their classic-inspired Mahameru Automatic.

7 years ago

Introducing – Frederique Constant Classics Automatic GMT With (Slightly) Updated Dial

When it comes to nice looking, reasonably-priced dress watches with high-quality mechanical movements, it’s hard to go past Frederique Constant. The brand consistently offers excellent value for money timepieces and has recently updated one of its more timeless models, the Classics Automatic GMT. Read on to find out what’s changed and what’s stayed the same.

8 years ago

Launching on Kickstarter – The Bold Aviation-Inspired CJR “Commander Series” Watch

Most of the Kickstarter brands that we cover here on Monochrome tend to have an interesting unique story behind them, even though practically every single one of them is a micro-brand with very little traction in the multi-billion-dollar watch industry. CJR watches, which was founded in 2013, has now come out with the newly released “Commander Series”. A watch with a name that matches perfectly in my opinion, as when you look at it, it will command your attention.

8 years ago

Elegant Yet Accessible – Frederique Constant Classic Manufacture with Black Dial

Sports watches have a certain appeal, a definitive coolness that makes them desirable. Yet, there’s a moment in your life, or simply your environment, where such a timepiece is not relevant anymore. At a certain point, every gentleman needs an elegant and dress watch. If the envy or the need are here, this is not always the case for the money… This is why we wanted to show the Frederique Constant Classic Manufacture with Black Dial. Extremely elegant, refined, mechanically interesting and yet, rather accessible.

8 years ago

Hands-On – Werenbach Earth collection, Made From Real Soyuz Rocket Parts

The world of Kickstarter goes above and beyond to try to lure us out of our hard-earned bucks. Projects left, right and center, get launched every day. But every now and then, a project comes along that is, well, out of this world! Pun intended obviously, as the Werenbach Earth collection is made from parts of a salvaged Soyuz MS-02 and MS-04 rocket! So yes, your dial has actually left this earth, possibly orbited it depending on the model you order, and then plummeted back down to land on your wrist (sort of, eventually). The campaign was hugely successful as it’s the most funded project on Kickstarter from Switzerland yet!

8 years ago

Launching on Kickstarter – LAVENTURE Marine Watch

LAVENTURE has created a project to produce a series of timepieces for explorers and adventurers. The watches will be Swiss made and will be 90% made in Switzerland – beating the 60% requirement to be considered “Swiss”. LAVENTURE represents a word for exploring and journeys and the first creation is called LAVENTURE Marine, which has been inspired by the 1960’s diving watches. Just 18km separates where the watch series has been designed and manufactured, making it a real Swiss made watch.

8 years ago

Value Proposition – Review of the AVI-8 AV-4047, A Pilot Watch Inspired by The Hawker Harrier II

When you think of a pilot’s watch today, you’re likely thinking of a design style, not a purpose-built piece of aviation technology. In the past, a pilot’s watch had several unique features that aided both civilian and military flyers. The watch had to fit over the pilot’s jacket and be large enough to read at a glance, day or night. Some had larger crowns that could be manipulated while wearing gloves. Complications included things like chronographs and slide rules for tracking speed, fuel consumption, and navigation.

8 years ago