The Tonda 1950 is one of our favorite time-only watches, here at the Monochrome redaction. Elegant and classic, yet with a modern and slightly Italian twist, it combines affordability with a superbly designed and finished movement. For 2017, Parmigiani has a new black-dialed version of the Tonda 1950 Steel collection, now with moon phase indication.
Laurent Ferrier is first and foremost a watch passionate and watch designer (he has spent 37 years at Patek Philippe, ending his career as creative director). He’s not one to show off or boast about his achievements, preferring instead to let his exceptional work speak for itself. Even then, he likes to keep things understated, at least on the dial side, ensuring the focus remains primarily on functionality and practicality (although the watches are gorgeous to look at too.) This year, however, he has finally bowed to the wishes of some of his passionate collectors and, for the first time ever, created a watch where the tourbillon is visible from the dial side – stocking for some, desired by others… Today, we’re going hands on with this beauty, which still features all the technical hallmarks of a wonderfully elegant Laurent Ferrier timepiece.
Today, we’re not going to do a proper “Monochrome-Style” review, detailing every element of a watch or dissecting every technical feature. Instead, we’re going to do something “for the sake of watchmaking“, for the beauty of an art – because, at a certain point, I think we can move to another level and talk about proper works of art. To illustrate this, we’re going to look at one watch, the Vacheron Constantin Traditionnelle Minute Repeater Tourbillon, by detailing some small but extremely important features, demonstrating what high-end watchmaking is… And you’ll see, it doesn’t need to be loud and demonstrative.
Not only large brands, such as Patek or Tudor, are participating to the Only Watch 2017 auction… There are many more watch companies, including some of the very best independent watchmakers who will also donate one unique, purpose-built timepiece to help research on muscular dystrophy. One of them is a favorite amongst Monochrome team: H. Moser & Cie, and for the 7th edition of the charity auction, they are coming with a one-of-a-kind piece, featuring their now classical “nude” style, and a few details to make it special. Here is the H. Moser & Cie. Venturer Concept Only Watch.
Over the last few years, A. Lange & Söhne has been making its popular 1815 collection more of a focus, introducing several exceptional models, like the insane Tourbograph Perpetual Pour le Merite unveiled at SIHH 2017. While that model may have stolen the spotlight (and with good reason), today we’re giving some much needed hands-on attention to another great watch presented by the brand at the show; the A. Lange & Söhne 1815 Annual Calendar, which is the brand’s most accessible “complication watch”.
While the main focus of Monochrome-Watches will clearly remain high-end watches, we also know that some of you, readers, can’t afford these superb yet pricy timepieces. This is why, from time to time, we also take a look at the other side of the range, with affordable options. Kickstarter, the crowdfunding tool, is full of watchmaking projects. Now launching is a new watch by Jakarta-based NAM Watch Company, with their classic-inspired Mahameru Automatic.
While some brands have decided to go bold and loud for Only Watch 2017, others have chosen discretion, subtlety and elegance. Based on the technically impressive and desirable Carl F. Bucherer Manero Peripheral we reviewed here, the brand introduced a unique version with special dial, nice surprise on the back and an great experience for the future owner. Here is the Carl F. Bucherer Manero Peripheral Only Watch 2017 Unique Piece.
Parmigiani Fleurier celebrates a decade-long partnership with the Montreux Jazz Festival with a Tonda Metrographe limited edition – a watch that we introduced to you a few weeks ago. Today, right during the Festival, we had the chance to go hands-on with this bold, yet elegantly shaped chronograph, with a specific dial for this limited edition.
When it comes to nice looking, reasonably-priced dress watches with high-quality mechanical movements, it’s hard to go past Frederique Constant. The brand consistently offers excellent value for money timepieces and has recently updated one of its more timeless models, the Classics Automatic GMT. Read on to find out what’s changed and what’s stayed the same.
At Baselworld 2017, Seiko came with a very refreshing surprise (among all the superb watches they launched this year…) While we thought that the Seiko Presage 60th Anniversary Chronograph would forever remain an untouchable dream – way too limited in production, sold out way too fast – the Japanese brand came with a full range of watches: the Seiko Presage Enamel Collection. It means not one but four watches with luxurious but friendly priced hand-made enamel dials, all mechanically powered, including the comeback of the superb chronograph… and they are not limited in production!