Chronographs Archives - Page 117 of 144

In-Depth – The Zenith El Primero – Revisiting One of The Most Iconic Movements Ever

Icons stand the test of time. Born in 1969, El Primero (“the first” in Spanish) is still regarded as one of the best and most accurate chronograph movements ever created. Part of a trilogy of automatic chronograph calibres presented coincidentally in 1969, it is the only one that is still produced to date. As Zenith will celebrate the 50^thanniversary of this legendary calibre next year, MONOCHROME takes a look back at its history and design.

First Look – Omega Reissues Its First Ever, 1913 Wrist-Chronograph and Fits Original Vintage Movements Inside

There’s no doubt that, when talking Omega watches, we all now that the brand has quite a savoir-faire in terms of chronographs. Think Speedmaster, what certainly is one of the most emblematic watches ever created. Well, if you go back a bit earlier in the history (quite a lot earlier in fact), you’ll see that there’s more to discover. In 1913, Omega produced one of the world’s first wrist-chronographs and helped change the way these pieces will be later worn. Today, at the Omega Museum, the brand unveiled an incredible reissue of this antique watch, with equal military roots and, best of all, some historical, refurbished vintage movements inside.

Hands-on – Junghans Meister Chronoscope Terrassenbau Limited Edition

It’s not often that a watch brand can celebrate the centenary of a milestone in their history, but Junghans is doing just that with a pair of watches that commemorate a nine-stepped terrace building in Schramberg, Germany. This industrial building by Philipp Jakob Manz, considered to be an architectural masterpiece, was the centrepiece of the Junghans factory for decades. Junghans was the largest clock manufacturer in the world at the start of the 20^thcentury and the terrace building was erected out of necessity to increase factory space in the crowded valley of Schramberg. Built directly on a slope and resembling a staircase, the building provided direct daylight into the windows of each ascending floor, with the top floor reserved for the painstaking assembly and regulation of chronometers. Today we have two limited edition Meister Chronoscope Terrassenbau timepieces to pay homage to Junghans’ renowned structure.

Hands-on – Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Deep Black “Volvo Ocean Race” Limited Edition Winner’s Watch

Today the most dangerous, intense, and harshest of all sea races, The Volvo Ocean Race, comes to an end in The Hague, Netherlands. After sailing around the globe, spending approx. 9 months at sea, today marks the last in-harbour race, although it does not change anything for the podium positions. By winning the 11th leg, Dongfeng Race Team wins the Volvo Ocean Race in a bold victory and we went hands-on with the official winner’s watch, the Omega Seamaster Planet Ocean Deep Black ‘Volvo Ocean Race’.

Hands-on – Bell & Ross Vintage BR V2-94 R.S.18 for Renault F1

It is no news anymore for most of us. Paris-based watchmaker Bell & Ross is teaming up with French F1 team Renault. This partnership, which started in 2016 (and that we’ve explained here and here), mostly gave birth to squared watches – after all, the shape that made the brand successful. However, not all of us want to sport such a bold watch on the wrist. This is why, in order to celebrate the reopening the French Grand Prix this year, Bell & Ross unveils the Vintage BR V2-94 R.S.18 for Renault F1. And this time, it is a (not so) classic round watch.

Interview – Valtteri Bottas talks Formula 1, (IWC) Watches and what may be Next

Following yesterday’s interview with Lewis Hamilton, it is now time to have some time with his team-mate, also a driver for Mercedes AMG Petronas Motorsport: Valtteri Bottas. As a Finnish, I had the idea that this interview would turn different than with super-star Lewis. And unsurprisingly, it did. Same questions as for Lewis, same focus on racing, style, (IWC) watches – as Valtteri also wears driving gloves with the Big Pilot’s Watch printed on them – and about what may be next for him. Here we are with the second part of this interview where Valtteri Bottas talks to MONOCHROME.

Hands-on – Graham’s Chronofighter Vintage 2018 Collection Flies New Colours

Graham has forged a powerful brand image around its Chronofighter, a watch collection designed to evoke the mood of vintage aviator watches. Revisited time and time again since its launch in 2001, the Chronofighter amplifies its vintage aura with a new squadron of watches. Using colours that are indelibly associated with military aircraft, the trilogy of Chronofighter Vintage watches are a nostalgic flight back in time to the 1940s.

Event – Driving Porsche 911 & 718 Cayman with the Porsche Design 1919 Chronotimer All Titanium on the wrist

Ever since Porsche Design has taken matters more into their own hands, after relying for decades on other watch companies to build watches for them, I’m warming up to the collection even more than before. I’ve always been a bit of a fanboy of what these Germans, related to that eponymous car brand, have been doing in the world of watches. The very first titanium chronograph, the very first black wristwatch, and even a watch with a built-in compass. I love it. When Porsche Design launched the 1919 Chronotimer, this time assembled in-house in Solothurn, Switzerland, we immediately asked to do a review of the 1919 Chronotimer All Titanium on the black rubber strap. Recently I’ve had the good fortune (read on to find out why…) to do another review of that watch, now on the titanium bracelet.

In-Depth – A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Perpetual in White Gold with Grey Dial

In 1999, German watch manufacturer A. Lange & Söhne introduced the genre-defining Datograph, an in-house mechanical chronograph that many still regard as THE best in class. So, how does one improve on the ultimate purist chronograph? Well, if you’re A. Lange & Söhne, you make it even more complicated, which is exactly what it did in 2006 with the introduction of the Datograph Perpetual (this one). To this day, debate still rages among collectors as to which is the more desirable. There seems to be one point that just about everyone can agree on, however; the A. Lange & Söhne Datograph Perpetual is one seriously incredible timepiece. To show you exactly why, we’re going in-depth with the white gold/grey dial version introduced in 2015.

Hands-on – Corum Bubble Shark Mono-Pusher Chronograph

The Corum Bubble is an oversized watch with a playful, radical design boasting an impressive extra-large sapphire crystal dome. It was born in 2000 as Corum was owned and managed by late Severin Wunderman. After a few years of absence, it was back a couple of years ago (Baselworld 2015) with one of the important ingredients that made its success: numerous, bold limited editions! Today, we take a look at one of the most daring models, the Corum Bubble Shark Mono-pusher Chronograph – certainly a hate or love piece.

Watch Dandy

Category: Chronographs