Following up on the 37mm Captain Cook vintage diver collection from 2017 (along with a contemporary 45mm version), Rado has released a 2019 limited edition that pushes the retro vibe even further. Most of what made the 2017 models so appealing returns, but the brand found inspiration from a vintage Captain Cook piece that had […]
Your weekly round-up of watches from around the ‘net.
If you’re not already familiar with the name MING Watch, it seems you soon will be. The brand, launched in 2017 by celebrated watch photographer and all-around virtuoso, Ming Thein, has quickly built a global following. I was fortunate enough to catch up with him in Singapore recently, and I can tell you he has […]
Thin, crisp, and not a hint of “fauxtina.”
Like all good stories filled with plot and intrigue, this one involves acquiring a pressure testing machine, and the decision to design a dive watch with it. Just like that, the Ming 18.01 Abyss Concept was born. In case you’re not familiar with Ming, they’re a relatively young brand that’s been making a lot of noise thanks to their attractive and distinctive designs. After taking possession of the pressure testing machine, the team at Ming put their heads together on what this watch was going to look like. They started work on an experimental prototype for a watch that could be used for diving, but did not rely on existing historical designs for dive watch construction. This is a bold undertaking, and one that causes you to pause and realise that the majority of dive watches on the market rely on waterproofing designs from the middle of last century. The result of this ambitious project is a series of 10 watches whose maximum depth rating is unknown, as every piece surpassed the limit of the pressure testing machine at 1250m (4100ft, 125 ATM). It’s safe to say that unless you’re planning a trip to the bottom of the Mariana Trench…
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It isn’t the first time we take a look at watchmaker Urban Jürgensen. If you’re frequent readers of MONOCHROME, you know how special the watches made by this manufacture of Haute Horlogerie are. On a collector’s side, there is a lot to love here, from the superbly elegant designs, the insane attention to details (those […]
When you look at Jaeger-LeCoultre’s core offerings from their Reverso and Master Collection lines it’s easy to see why the brand has something of a reputation for straight, sober watchmaking. But don’t forget that Jaeger-LeCoultre is also capable of absolute top-shelf high-complication, high-jewellery pieces like this (frankly astonishing) Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Grande Tradition Tourbillon Zodiaque. So what are we looking at here? Well, first of all, you’re looking at a 42mm white gold case, not that you can see too much of it under all those baguette-cut diamonds gracing the bezel, lugs and even the crown. Under normal circumstances these diamonds would be enough to steal the show, but on this JLC they merely serve to frame the truly exceptional dial. The first thing you’ll notice is the tourbillon, which in addition to whirling in its cage, will make a slow march around the dial. And then, in addition to all this drama, there’s the astronomic calendar display, complementing the regular date, highlighted by means of a bright golden sun at the outer section of the dial. The aventurine dial base provides the perfect setting for this celestial action. The view from the rear is quite fine, too; the big bridges of…
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When Montblanc’s 1858 collection burst onto the scene back in 2015 it heralded a bold new direction for the brand, adding a no-nonsense, outdoorsy sensibility to what had, until that point, been a fairly buttoned-up collection of watches. Since that initial drop, the 1858 has gone from strength to strength, and their 2019 slate of releases was particularly cohesive, and attractive. For me, the core collection can be summed up in three, thematically linked watches, all limited editions, that have taken the brand back to nature, with their earthy bronze cases and lush, dark green dials. There’s the 1858 Automatic LE, the 1858 Chronograph LE and the 1858 Geosphere LE. For all that these watches have different functions, they’re all bound by a strong, and 100 per cent on-trend look of bronze cases with dark green dials. Montblanc 1858 Geosphere LE Visually, this is the watch out of the three with the most going on, dial-wise. Fundamentally, it’s a dual time watch — the second zone is shown at nine, and there are big, dynamic maps of both hemispheres, which function as day/night indicators and even — if your geography is strong — a world time readout. It’s a big,…
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Editor’s note: The other day we posted a bonkers video from @jackwongyf on our Instagram. It was a super ratty Rolex GMT-Master 1675 that had, underneath the grime and scratches, one heck of a surprise. Check it out. And then we remembered that Andy interviewed banker and self-described vintage watch hoarder Jack Wong a little while ago. So, we thought you might enjoy a perspective from the Jack Wong lyf. Hi Jack, what’s your daily watch and why? To be honest, I don’t have a daily watch, I usually pick something to go with the day’s mood. So then, what is in your collection and have you got a favourite? I do not focus on one brand, or one particular era, as I believe every brand and period has their best. Having said that, I am particularly fond of Longines, Omega, Seiko, Rolex and pieces from the ’30s, ’40s and ’60s. As for my favourite, that’s a tough question. Aesthetically, I love all my sector dial watches. Mechanically, I am still in awe of my FPJ tourbillon. In regards to finishing and innovation, I’d go for my Grand Seiko Spring Drive. Rarity wise, my Longines (Mushroom Pusher) 13ZN. You can probably…
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Crosshairs in photos, that dot over 90, and the posterior of a great American hero.