Dress Watches Archives - Page 86 of 101

Value Proposition – Vario Eclipse, a 1960s-inspired & Singapore-Designed Hand-Wound Watch

Usually, on Monochrome, we’re all about the beauty of high-end watches. We love them and we believe you love them too. However, we’re also fully aware that not all collectors can afford the watches we cover. Sometimes, we have to look at more accessible pieces, however ones that we believe are good enough in terms of style and quality. One of them is the Vario Eclipse, an affordable (properly affordable) hand-wound and dressy watch with some rather cool vintage design features, original straps, and surprisingly designed in Singapore.

Review – Dissecting the Laurent Ferrier Montre Ecole in Steel to Understand the Meaning of Haute-Horlogerie

This article first started its life as a classical review, as we like to do here, on Monochrome. However, as I was drawing it in my mind, I quickly understood that the Laurent Ferrier Montre Ecole was a perfect piece to do something slightly different, to write an article with a different structure. In fact, we often have questions about how high-end watches can cost such incredibly high prices. Well, today, by properly dissecting this Montre Ecole, I’ll tend to explain why a 3-hand watch in stainless steel can be priced CHF 35,000 – and indeed, it’s all about the smallest details…

Introducing – Blue Dials for the A. Lange & Söhne Lange 1 and Saxonia Collections (Live Pics, Pricing & Availability)

Blue dials have been one of the major trends of the watch industry for the 2 to 3 years. As we often read: “blue is the new black“. Yet, the exercise isn’t that simple. Blue is a complex colour and, if some watches with blue dials were noticeable, many failed to bring the right dosage of enthusiasm. A. Lange & Söhne, a brand known not to follow the trends, took its time to jump on the moving train, yet it now comes with such coloured dials on 4 emblematic watches: the Lange 1, the Lange 1 Daymatic, the Saxonia and the Saxonia Automatic – but beware, these won’t be available in large numbers, neither for a long period.

Frédérique Constant Updates the Slimline Moonphase Manufacture with New Display and Case

As we already showed you in several articles, Frédérique Constant watches have some impressive qualities. In fact, they allow collectors with a smaller budget accessing to a luxurious and elegant design, classical complications and even manufacture movements (as we showed you in our video report). This is what the brand calls “accessible luxury”. With this in mind, Frédérique Constant has decided to update one of its best-sellers, the discreet and elegant Slimline Moonphase Manufacture, with a new display – all of that being available in a relatively small case.

Hands-On – Urban Jürgensen Adds Handsome Grenage Dials to the Reference 1142

While mass-luxury can sometimes be loud and exuberant, proper high-end, exclusive and hand-made watches don’t need such profusion. As we always tend to demonstrate here, at Monochrome-Watches: “the devil is in the details”. A garde-temps can be apparently simple, almost minimalistic, and however, it can reveal splendid, yet almost invisible, details that make it far more precious than a diamond-paved, full gold watch. As we already reported, Urban Jürgensen timepieces are to be placed in such a category, and the new Reference 1142 with Grenage dials might even push the idea one step further.

Hands-On – Chopard L.U.C Heritage Grand Cru

While it is commonly accepted that watches are mainly round – a shape guided by the way time is indicated by hands – exceptions exist. Shaped-watches are not that usual and if some tried, only a few achieved. Mastering shapes is something complex, which requires a bit of talent. This year, Chopard is enlarging its L.U.C Collection (the high-end range of the brand) with a montre de forme or form-watch, based on the barrel idea… And indeed, behind this new Chopard L.U.C Heritage Grand Cru, there’s a certain wine inspiration – and overall a handsome watch.

Introducing – Oris Updates the Classic Date Collection With Slimmer, More Elegant Design

Watches are not always about a fancy design, complex movements and stacking dozens of features in a single piece of wrist-accessory. Don’t forget that most customers are looking for THE watch that will be strapped to their wrist on a daily basis, and not the tenth watch in their collection. Sometimes, it’s also good to look at more essential pieces, with a classical, slightly casual look – and yet, with the right dosage of mechanical pleasure. This is exactly what the Oris Classic Date Collection offers, and this year, this model sees an interesting evolution.

Value Proposition Review – Rumoe Nobel Royal Watch

Every single day we see watches from every corner of the industry and from all areas of watchmaking. Whether it be super-complex avant-garde watches or elegance encased in a dress watch, we see it all. But, in all fairness, this comes at a price which usually runs in the thousands. That is exactly what the new Kickstarter-launching brand Rumoe has in mind to tackle: offering their luxurious-looking timepieces, but at a very affordable price. Their premiere watch is called the Nobel Royal, and we had the chance to experience it hands-on!

Introducing – A. Lange & Söhne 1815 “Cuvette” Limited Edition (For the 10th Anniversary of the first Lange Boutique)

While the brand A. Lange & Söhne was revived in 1994 (with the launch of an entire collection, including the iconic Lange 1), the first boutique of the brand only appeared in September 2007. This means that this Dresden-based store now celebrates its tenth anniversary this year. In order to pay tribute to 10 years of presence in the superb city of Dresden, A. Lange & Söhne introduces a limited edition of the emblematic 1815, with a specifically engraved hinged “Cuvette” – dust cover or officer back – to make it really special.

Celebrating 100 Years Of The Iconic Cartier Tank – Part 2, The Important Early Models

Last week, in celebration of the 100^th anniversary of the Cartier Tank, we brought you part.1 of our in-depth look at this modern-day icon. Our focus was on the Tank Normale, the very first Tank ever created, which made its debut in 1917 (or 1919, depending on who you ask). This early model would lay the foundation for what has gone on to become one of the most recognisable watch designs ever, leading to numerous variations and of course homages from other brands. It also serves as a testament to the idea that well-executed, simple designs can stand the test of time. A bit of luck and a few celebrity endorsements here and there certainly don’t hurt either! What has perhaps been most fascinating about the Tank over the years, however, is its incredible versatility. This was particularly evident in the early Tank models, i.e. those made in the 1920’s and 1930’s, which we will be looking at today. Each is very different in its own way, and yet each is unmistakably a Cartier Tank.

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Category: Dress Watches