Here, at MONOCHROME, we adore watches. Mechanical, high-end watches, hand-finished. We’re not really the right platform to write about smartwatches, or even quartz watches – this is our editorial choice, and we’ll stick to that. But last week, Swatch introduced SwatchPAY!, and that is a big innovation. I actually believe that this new introduction could, […]
Believe it or not, somehow there are just 23 short days left until Christmas, and if you haven’t bought your presents yet … you’re in a bit of strife. Thankfully, however, if that special someone in your life is fond of a timepiece or two, then Longines has got you covered with a great many different tool watches for any occasion. With this in mind, we thought we’d take a close look at three distinct wristwatches that each serve a handy and unique purpose, and maybe one of them will be right for you. Longines Legend Diver L3.774.2.50.9 We’re very fortunate Down Under, because unlike a fair chunk of the rest of the world, our Christmases usually have the same thing in common from one year to the next – they’re complete scorchers. Because of this warm weather, it’s fair to say that quite a few of us will be spending time at the beach over the coming holidays. With this in mind, we can’t think of many better watches for the warmer months than this all-black Longines Legend Diver. Apart from the blacked-out PVD treatment making this watch a serious looker, the Legend Diver range is one of our…
The post Santa’s little helpers: 3 Longines tool watches for the festive season appeared first on Time and Tide Watches.
When you’re buying a new car, there’s usually some key criteria that dictate whether or not said automobile will make the cut. You know the sort of things we’re talking about – fuel economy, safety rating, 0-100km/h times … that sort of stuff. Oh, and of course, price. But is this same buying style employed when you want to take the plunge on your next watch? Or do you just go off aesthetics and which brand made the watch? If we did buy our watches like we buy our cars, then the Baume & Mercier Clifton Baumatic ref. 10467 would be an absolute no-brainer. On paper, this watch offers a shedload of technical prowess, features and capability … and exceptional value for money. Take, for example, the movement. Calibre BM13-1975A is made in-house by the Swiss marque, and it benefits from a range of features that would make certain timepieces worth three times as much blush. We’re talking a gargantuan five days (120 hours) of power reserve, chronometer certification (–4/+6 seconds per day), and, according to Baume & Mercier, service intervals of no less than seven years. And, in addition to having two years of international warranty, Clifton Baumatic owners…
The post HANDS-ON: The Baume & Mercier Clifton Baumatic 10467 appeared first on Time and Tide Watches.
When you’re buying a new car, there’s usually some key criteria that dictate whether or not said automobile will make the cut. You know the sort of things we’re talking about – fuel economy, safety rating, 0-100km/h times … that sort of stuff. Oh, and of course, price. But is this same buying style employed when you want to take the plunge on your next watch? Or do you just go off aesthetics and which brand made the watch? If we did buy our watches like we buy our cars, then the Baume & Mercier Clifton Baumatic ref. 10467 would be an absolute no-brainer. On paper, this watch offers a shedload of technical prowess, features and capability … and exceptional value for money. Take, for example, the movement. Calibre BM13-1975A is made in-house by the Swiss marque, and it benefits from a range of features that would make certain timepieces worth three times as much blush. We’re talking a gargantuan five days (120 hours) of power reserve, chronometer certification (–4/+6 seconds per day), and, according to Baume & Mercier, service intervals of no less than seven years. And, in addition to having two years of international warranty, Clifton Baumatic owners…
The post HANDS-ON: Is this Baume & Mercier the best sub-$5K dress watch money can buy? appeared first on Time and Tide Watches.
The incredible story of SEALAB aquanaut Bob Barth and his amazing mission-worn Rolex Submariner.
Editor’s note:Benvenuto Cellini was an Italian goldsmith and sculptor born in the last year of the 15th century, who would go on to become one of the most important precious metal workers of his time, finding employment with the royal families of Europe and the Vatican. It is this talented artisan who was the inspiration for the Rolex Cellini collection we know today, with clear links between the Mediterranean metalworker and the timeless designs seen throughout the family of watches. While the “W” word has persistently dominated almost all mention of Rolex in recent times, it is worthwhile to take the time to step back from the global obsession with steel, and take a closer look at the Cellini collection, which is every bit as compelling as its Professional sibling, and reminds us that Rolex continue to make exquisite dress watches. When the Rolex Cellini range was relaunched by Rolex in 2014 – including the Cellini Time – the General Manager of Rolex Australia, Patrick Boutellier, chose a line of poetry to announce the news: “The sleeping Prince has been awoken,” he said, or words to that effect, as Felix and I pored over the new range, not quite sure what…
The post Italian influence in the Rolex Cellini collection appeared first on Time and Tide Watches.
There is a plethora of watches out there with an equally large amount of claims. First watch with a date complication. First watch with a GMT complication. First waterproof watch. However, of all the watches on sale today, the coolest claim surely has to be: “The first watch worn on the moon.” I’m sure that you will already know a fair chunk of Omega’s history with NASA and the fabled Speedmaster. But what you may not know is that the Speedmaster was actually one of four watches vying for NASA’s business. As former NASA engineer Jim Ragan describes in this great video made by Omega, the Speedmaster had to jump through a great many hoops in order to qualify for NASA’s storied space program.
The post RECOMMENDED WATCHING: How NASA tested the Omega Speedmaster appeared first on Time and Tide Watches.
As 2019 is coming to an end, this is the perfect moment of the year to look back at what were the best models introduced. After a look at our 5 favourite chronograph watches (well, 6 in fact…), it is now time to look at what certainly is the most prolific category these days, with […]
Last time I covered a Sotheby’s Australia auction, it was my first time attending a watch auction, and while there were a number of highlights, the sale was heavily weighted towards jewellery. In December, however, Hamish Sharma, the Head of Jewels at Sotheby’s Australia, and his hardworking team have produced a sale that not only has more watches but includes a number of very rare pieces that may have never hit the public market in Australia before. A standout among the highlights is the sale of a yellow gold Omega Speedmaster Apollo XI from 1969 ref. 145.022-69, which is an exceptional watch in its own right, but made even more special by the fact it is being sold on the 50th anniversary of man landing on the moon. I spoke to Hamish Sharma about how the sale was coming together, and he was delighted with its “phenomenal” offerings. “We put the catalogue online last week, and have been inundated with condition reports ever since,” he said. “Everyone is excited, and we have received a lot of support from sellers who are offering some very nice pieces.” While discussing the gold Omega Flightmaster and Speedmaster, he was able to say that…
The post 7 exceptional watches at the next Sotheby’s Australia auction appeared first on Time and Tide Watches.
The Les Cabinotiers experience in Singapore, which combined lots of quality time in the company of Vacheron Constantin’s Style and Heritage Director, Christian Selmoni, with a stunning tropical plantation style residence as a setting for the big watch reveals, really brought home one of the ‘Holy Trinity’ brand’s key points of difference. It is exclusive to the highest degree. Vacheron Constantin is not increasing production, despite wait lists and shortages for key models Vacheron Constantin embodies the notion of less watches, better watches. Even if they wanted to – and perhaps in the process reduce the wait time for those on the list for blue dial Overseas 3 models! – they are unable to meaningfully exceed their yearly quota of 30-50,000 watches. And they’re cool with that. Several conversations with the Vacheron Constantin team – the CEO and new Managing Director of South-East Asia and Australia were present — reinforced the fact that exclusivity is alive and well here. One might ruefully add, ‘whether Vacheron Constantin like it or not’. The Les Cabinotiers department reflects the essence of Vacheron Constantin On a similar note, the Les Cabinotiers department embodies the notion that haute horology is an exclusive field by its very…
The post 3 highlights from the Vacheron Constantin Les Cabinotiers 2019 exhibition in Singapore appeared first on Time and Tide Watches.