Charles Vermot, The Man Who Saved The El Primero (And Possibly Zenith)

A local lad, born just about five miles away from Zenith’s manufacture in Le Locle, Charles Vermot spent the majority of his career working for Zenith’s main chronograph supplier, Martel Watch Company, before finally joining Zenith in 1959 when it acquired his then-employer. Though no one could have known it then, Vermot would go on to play a seriously important part in Zenith’s ongoing history, saving the vaunted El Primero movement from extinction.

9 years ago

Introducing the Blancpain Bathyscaphe Flyback Chronograph BOC II Entirely in Blue Ceramic

The Bathyscaphe Flyback Chronograph Blancpain Ocean Commitment II (BOC II) is entirely in blue ceramic, with the case, bezel, back, crown and pushers made of the scratch-resistant material. Part of the Fifty Fathoms Bathyscaphe range introduced as Blancpain’s entry-level dive watch, the BOC II chronograph is 43.6mm in diameter. A first for Blancpain, the ceramic case is a […]

9 years ago

Eternity In A Box: The Blancpain Rolls Starring Léon Hatot Made Watchmaking History

Léon Hatot and Blancpain met in 1929 and Hatot revealed his prototype of a revolutionary movement with automatic winding: the inside of the Rolls case included a rail on which the whole movement moved up and down on ball bearings, powered by the motion of its owner and providing the name for this unique timepiece right out of the history books.

9 years ago

Hands-On: The Arnold & Son UTTE Skeleton Tourbillon,

Arnold & Son introduced the UTTE Tourbillon just three years ago, at which time it was one of the thinnest hand-wound tourbillons in the world. Although there are other extra-flat/ultra-thin tourbillons out there that are slimmer, Arnold & Son says this is the thinnest skeletonized tourbillon currently in production – and as far as I can tell, that’s absolutely right.

9 years ago

Frederique Constant Classic Manufacture Watch

Generally speaking, when it comes to affordable in-house-manufactured movements, there’s a marked dearth of options between the most obvious players, like Seiko and Rolex – both of whom largely exist far apart on the budget spectrum. But for those in the know, Frederique Constant is an notable option.

9 years ago

Wristwatch Review: Glashutte Original Senator Chronometer

By Roberta Naas
Just recently, I spent just about two weeks wearing the Glashütte Original Senator Chronometer watch that was unveiled earlier this year and is in stores now. Inspired by marine chronometers, the new piece is a bold extension of the Senator chronometers the brand first released in 2009. The new version is a slimmer and more elegant timepiece. Crafted in 18-karat white gold with a stunning finely grained blue dial, the

9 years ago

Oris & Audi – The Oris Audi Sport III Limited Edition at WEC 6 Hours of Nurburgring

For returning readers it is a known fact most members of team Monochrome are car-guys to some extent. Obviously, both watchmaking and the automotive industry are intertwined extensively, so when Oris gave us the chance to attend the FIA World Endurance Championship 6 Hours of Nürburgring race, I jumped on the occasion! 6 hours of the fastest prototypes and road-car-based racers on the planet, blasting around an historical track sounds like a good way to spend a weekend! Oh, and there was a new watch. Quite a cool, special watch, to be handed to the drivers of Audi Sport: the Oris Audi Sport III Limited Edition.

9 years ago

Hands-On: The Latest (And Greatest) Version Of The Frederique Constant Classic Manufacture

It was just last week that we got the news Frederique Constant had launched a new version of one of the most affordable in-house-movement, Swiss-manufactured watches out there, the Classic Manufacture. And it offers just what it says on the tin, as the saying goes – a classically-styled watch with a manufacture automatic movement. As we all know though, in-house is as in-house does. Our curiosity aroused, we got our hands on the watch itself for a closer look.

9 years ago