Category: Dress Watches

Review – Grönefeld 1941 Remontoire with Bespoke Dial – Best Men’s Watch at GPHG 2016

My wrist is a lucky one as I get to test a lot of seriously brilliant wrist watches. Whether it’s the understated Galet Square Tourbillon Double Spiral from Laurent Ferrier, the magnificent Datograph from A. Lange & Söhne, the ultra-thin and über-clean Piaget Altiplano in white gold, or even the € 60.000 Euro impressive Grand Seiko Spring Drive 8-Days, I get to test (and enjoy) some of the most spectacular timepieces of our time. When I got the call from my fellow countrymen Bart and Tim Grönefeld, that they finally secured a 1941 Remontoire for me to test, I was delighted and excited. Here are my thoughts on the Grönefeld 1941 Remontoire that now also comes with bespoke dials featuring guilloche and translucent enamel.

8 years ago

Hands-On – Glashütte Original Senator Excellence With Casual Black Dial

Today, we’re taking a closer look at a German-made dress watch that’s not quite a dress watch, the Glashütte Original Senator Excellence with black dial. Modern, stylish and just a little bit quirky, it exudes a sense of casual elegance that is really quite appealing. Comfortable on the wrist and guaranteed to attract more than its fair share of attention, this is definitely an under-the-radar watch that deserves a second look. Read on for all the details.

8 years ago

Introducing – A. Lange & Söhne 1815 “Homage to Walter Lange” with Stoppable Jumping Second Limited Editions in 3 Colours of Gold and a Stainless Steel Unique Piece

In January 2017, one of the greatest and humblest men I had the chance to meet in this industry, Mister Walter Lange (1924-2017), founder of A. Lange & Söhne, sadly passed away. In honour of its company founder, the Saxon manufacture is enlarging its 1815 collection, a range of watches rich of heritage for the brand, with the 1815 “Homage to Walter Lange”. Inside this watch is a surprising and unexpected complication, a stoppable jumping seconds hand that dates back to a 150-year-old invention conceived by Ferdinand Adolph Lange. A future collector’s watch for sure.

8 years ago

Pre-SIHH 2018 – Hands-On with the IWC Da Vinci Automatic Edition 150 Years (With new In-House Calibre)

As you’ve no doubt seen or heard already, IWC Schaffhausen is turning 150 next year and we’re told the Swiss watch manufacturer has some pretty major celebrations planned. These include the unveiling of a special Jubilee collection at SIHH 2018, comprising an astonishing 27 limited-edition models. Among them will be this beautifully refined IWC Da Vinci Automatic Edition 150 Years we’re looking at today.

8 years ago

Women’s Watch Wednesday – Hands-On with the Moritz Grossmann Tefnut Sleeping Beauty, Designed by Michael Koh

For an American watch lover and veteran journalist in the field, I have a particular affinity for German watch brand Moritz Grossmann. With roots dating back to 1854, the Glashütte-based brand was started by Moritz Grossmann, was one of those fine brands expropriated and all-but-lost during World War II, and was re-established in the Saxony region following the reunification of Germany just a short time ago by German watchmaker Christine Hutter. 

8 years ago

Pre-SIHH 2018 – Hands-On with the Montblanc Star Legacy Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph

With the SIHH 2018 only a few weeks away, brands are pre-releasing selected models to whet our appetite. Among them is Montblanc, which has unveiled a new version of their iconic Nicolas Rieussec Monopusher Chronograph. Meet the Montblanc Star Legacy Nicolas Rieussec Chronograph, bringing a classic and elegant take on this watch that has always …

8 years ago

Pre-SIHH 2018 – Hands-On with the IWC Tribute to Pallweber Edition 150 years, With Digital Hours and Minute Display

Today is the opening of the Pre-SIHH season for IWC, meaning that some novelties are to be expected. The theme for this year will be the 150th anniversary of the Schaffhausen-based brand. A very special year indeed, which will be celebrated with no less than 27 limited-edition models. Among the 4 watches to be unveiled prior to the Geneva show is a completely original watch, a vintage reedition, not of a famed 1960s piece but based on one of the most iconic pocket-watches ever manufactured by IWC, the Pallweber. Here is the IWC Tribute to Pallweber Edition 150 years, With Digital Hours and Minute display.

8 years ago

Review – The Patek Philippe 5320g Perpetual Calendar, and The Inspirations Behind This Vintage-Inspired Piece

At Baselworld this year, Patek Philippe introduced again a surprising watch, a piece with a unique look and a clear vintage inspiration – without mentioning a case to die for. For a few years now, Patek has accustomed us with a certain creativity, with watches that go out of the brand’s comfort zone (see for instance the controversial Calatrava Pilot 5524 or the Annual Calendar 5960A in steel). The 5320g Perpetual Calendar is amongst these special watches, even if here, it prompted a unanimously positive response. Today, we take a closer look at this vintage/military-inspired piece and also to the different watches that inspired its creation.

8 years ago

Introducing – Atelier de Chronométrie AdC #5 – 1940s Style and Mechanics Brought Back in Hand-Made Timepieces

If there’s one thing I love about my job is to discover new watch brands. I’m always stunned by the level of creativity infused by independent watchmakers, from the Sci-Fi creations of Urwerk or the ultra-classic propositions of Laurent Ferrier (who can do nice things together…) One brand we recently discovered at MONOCHROME cumulates quite some intriguing specificities. It isn’t Swiss, it makes things in an ultra-traditional way, whether for the design or the manufacturing process, and it’s all about one-off pieces. This brand is Atelier de Chronométrie and their latest creation is the AdC #5, which brings back to present times the superb 1940s design and mechanics

8 years ago