Category: Value Proposition

First Look – Ophion Introduce Their New OPH 786 (And What A Cool Watch It Is)

The story of the brand Ophion shouldn’t be new to you, in case you’re a frequent reader of Monochrome. Indeed, we introduced it to you, and we even gave away one of their first watches, the OPH 960. However, don’t be fooled by the youngness of the brand, as less than 2 years after their first iteration, a new watch is coming – and we have it for you here, quite exclusively. Here is the Ophion OPH 786. It’s cool, it’s superbly done, the content is simply impressive for the price, there’s a new movement… Everything to fall in love.

8 years ago

Introducing Makina, watches with a personal touch

We’d like to introduce you to a new watch brand that you’ll want to keep your eye on. The name is Makina, and it’s a Filipino company, is as new as they come, but we’re already excited about what they have to offer. In a few weeks they’ll launch their first Kickstarter campaign, and we had the chance to get an early look at their new watches (and we liked it!)

8 years ago

Value Proposition – The 1950s Motoring-Inspired Don Kylne & Co. Time Master (Review)

Cars, it seems an everlasting inspiration for watches. Many of the big brands feel the need to join forces with racing teams, car manufacturers or “people of the industry” to create a bond or dedicated watches. And, in all fairness, some of these become highly desirable! Smaller brands tend to follow this line too, with a wide range of automotive-inspired designs spurring every year. Entire brands are created with the automotive soul in mind. With Don Kylne & Co, this is also the case. Not the entire brand, but at least with the newest Kickstarter-project: The Time Master.

8 years ago

A Rapid Increase of Young Watch Start-Ups – Featuring the New “Bronson” by Collins

In the watch industry, there are a number of big players, most of whom work in a way that is almost as fluid as the mechanisms of a watch. Whereas the small brands are worth watching for a different reason, they are driven strictly by their passion for watchmaking and their desire to create new and intuitive products. Young watch start-ups all share a similar goal, and that is to be successful.

8 years ago

Kickstarter – Get Back To Basics With Vintage Inspired Watches From Baltic

It seems there is no shortage of watch projects on Kickstarter these days. Whilst some elicit a yawn at best, others genuinely try to do something cool and unique and have gone on to become real success stories, like REC Watches. Today we’re showing you a highly anticipated project that has just launched from newcomer Baltic Watches, featuring two seriously cool, neo-vintage style watches with step-cases inspired by the minimalist designs of the 1940’s.

9 years ago

Hands-On – Junghans Form A (Defining Bauhaus and Minimalism)

If looking for “the total package” in terms of heritage, well designed, mechanical watches at an affordable sticker price, you simply shouldn’t overlook Junghans. We’ve seen in the past that the brand is capable of offering watches with a very strong design following its own identity to the letter, with basic but reliable movements that won’t cost you an arm and a leg. Always leaning on automotive inspiration or following the Bauhaus movement, Junghans brings the Form A (for Automatic) to Baselworld 2017.

9 years ago

Value Proposition – Vario Retro Eclipse Watch

Kickstarter has brought us many watches in every possible design, but having an authentic retro style watch available for watch collectors, is something we look at with interest, here at Monochrome. Vario has developed the VH31 Eclipse, and 6T33 Eclipse watches, and the attention to retro detailing is rather pleasing. From the fibers of the strap to the simplicity of the dial, Vario is bringing the 1970’s back with a vengeance. The first NATO Eclipse Watch has been reinvented for watch lovers everywhere, and although the NATO strap is still available for an additional fee, the new design packs a punch if you are a fan of retro style and design.

9 years ago

Baselworld 2017 – Alpina Startimer Pilot Automatic, An Affordable Offer For a Bold Pilot Watch

While we are mainly focussing on the major watches introduced during this 2017 edition of Baselworld, with our usual focus on high-end watches, one watch in a much more accessible price range pleasantly surprised us: the Alpina Startimer Pilot Automatic. Nothing too fancy, nothing to renew the concept of a pilot watch, yet, what we have here is a highly qualitative automatic offer, with a very competitive price… Alpina obliges. Here’s Alpina’s new take on its best seller, the Startimer Pilot, and it comes for less than Euro 900.

9 years ago

Value Proposition – Time to rebel with LIV Watches

LIV watches does things differently, with an unconventional watch offered at stunning value for money. Bold design, bright colors, unusual shape… Still with what we love here, a mechanical heart. Introducing the LIV Watches Rebel Automatic & Automatic Chronograph, now on Kickstarter.

9 years ago

Pre-Baselworld 2017 – The Very Cool Hamilton Intra-Matic 68 Chronograph

Hamilton is usually not a brand we cover much on Monochrome, maybe because they are positioned a bit on the lower side of the range, with various quartz offers. Yet, from time to time, the previously American brand, now under the umbrella of the Swatch Group, can surprise us, especially when look at their rich history. This year, for the upcoming 2017 edition of Baselworld, the brand will have something simply cool, a nice, vintage-inspired and affordable automatic chronograph., with iconic roots. Here is the Hamilton Intra-Matic 68.

9 years ago