Category: Dress Watches

Why the New Vacheron Constantin Historiques American 1921 Mid-Size is More Masculine Than Some Will Tell?

Recently, Vacheron Constantin unveiled a mid-size version of one of its most appealing watches, the desirable and highly original Historiques American 1921. Yet, there’s something tricky with this watch, and it’s all about its name, and the size that is implied by this “mid-size” appellation. Such watches have always been complex in terms of market segmentation… Large feminine watch, smaller masculine timepiece? It often falls between two stools, but in the case of the American 1921 Mid-Size, my decision is now clear… I needed to wear it and here’s what we (a unanimous decision from the Monochrome editorial team) think.

8 years ago

Buying Guide – The Best Dress Watches of 2017 to Prepare the Holiday Season – Part 1

The holiday season is fast approaching, which means it’s nearly time to tackle your gift list (including some to give yourself) and for us to plan our gift guides. We’ll start our series by trying to help to make dressing up easier, so we’ve picked 13 dress watches of 2017 with choices to suit every pocket and taste. And because that would be a lot for one single article, here is part one, with 7 watches priced under CHF / EUR 20,000.

8 years ago

H. Moser & Cie. Returns To Its Origins with the Russian-Inspired Venturer XL Stoletniy Krasniy

Few might know but (the very) Swiss brand H. Moser & Cie, based in Neuhausen-am-Rheinfall near Schaffhausen, was not founded in “chocolate and watch Land“. In fact, its roots go back to another country, which as surprising as it is, is Russia. Indeed, Heinrich Moser founded his eponymous company in Saint Petersburg, in 1828. With these origins in mind, contemporary brand H. Moser & Cie. presents a Swiss-manufactured watch with Russian inspiration, the Venturer XL Stoletniy Krasniy (for Centennial Red, the iconic red of Russia).

8 years ago

Introducing – Breguet Classique 5175 “Ginza Anniversary” No-Date, Blue Enamel Dial (Exclusive To The Japanese Market…)

In 2007, the Breguet Boutique in Ginza, Tokyo, opened its doors for the first time. Situated in one of the world’s most expensive and elegant luxury shopping destinations, it has quickly become a popular destination for Japan’s most discerning watch connoisseurs. Following extensive renovations in 2014, which included a substantial expansion in size, the Breguet Boutique is celebrating its 10th anniversary this year with the unveiling of a stunning blue-dialled watch created exclusively for the Japanese market, aptly named: the Breguet Classique 5175 “Ginza Anniversary” special edition. And there’s a lot to love in this watch!

8 years ago

Women’s Watch Wednesday – The Jaeger-LeCoultre Rendez-Vous Moon Medium Tested

Earlier this year, Swiss watch brand Jaeger-LeCoultre unveiled its newest collection of Rendez-Vous watches, including the Rendez-Vous Moon Medium watch. The 34mm timepiece quickly captured the hearts of women around the world thanks to its chic design, intricate dial, romantic moon-phase complication and technical prowess. Today, we give this watch some wrist-time and see why it has some great appeal.

8 years ago

Hands-On – Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso Tribute to Piet Mondriaan for De Stijl & Steltman 100th Anniversary

The Reverso certainly is the most iconic watch of Jaeger-LeCoultre. Of course, most of us know its long and rich history, with its roots linked to British polo players asking for a protected watch and its subsequent creation in 1931. There’s one thing that this particular construction allowed: personalisation. Today, the back of this classical Jaeger-LeCoultre Reverso is a field of expression to celebrate a double centenary: the birth 100 years ago of Dutch art school De Stijl (think Piet Mondriaan) and of Dutch retailer Steltman. Here is the specifically-adorned Reverso Tribute to Piet Mondriaan.

8 years ago

Introducing – Laurent Ferrier Galet Square Porcelain Limited Edition

Since its inception in 2010, the brand Laurent Ferrier and its signature watch, the Galet, have always been favourites of ours, here at Monochrome. The reasons for that are simple: the design, the elegance, the execution and mainly, the beauty of the movements. Over the years, the collection has seen some evolutions, the most significant …

8 years ago

Review – The Superb Vacheron Constantin Historiques Triple Calendrier 1942 in Steel

In a piece of news that dropped on our computers a couple of weeks ago, Vacheron Constantin announced several new “Historiques” watches. As a reminder, this collection comprises the deliberately “vintage-inspired” models of the brand, including the American 1921 or the Chronograph Cornes de Vaches. With the Vacheron Constantin Historiques Triple Calendrier 1942, saying that we’ve been impressed is quite of a euphemism. Beautifully designed, balanced, with heritage and pedigree, and all of that in an “accessible” (relatively speaking) steel case. It is now time to experience this Triple Calendrier 1942 in the metal.

8 years ago

Introducing – Oris’ In-House 10-Day Artelier Calibre 111 Now with a Blue Dial

When Oris launched its own, in-house developed and produced movement, back in 2014 (at that time the Calibre 110, without date), this sounded like an impressive step for the brand, more used to accessible sports-watches and out-sourced automatic movements. Indeed, with no-less than 10 days of power-reserve and some technically advanced features, it was quite an achievement. This hand-wound in-house Calibre is now fully integrated into the collections and has seen several evolutions (calibre 111, 112 and 113). Today, the Oris Artelier Calibre 111 changes style, by receiving a striking blue dial.

8 years ago