Hands-on – The New, Improved and (Slightly) Less Expensive Garrick Portsmouth MK2

New hand-turned dials, improved case finishes and the same proprietary mechanical movement, all assembled by hand in England – there’s a lot to like about the new Portsmouth MK2 by Garrick. The fact that the brand has also been able to reduce the price while simultaneously increasing the quality is also a big selling point. …

8 years ago

Pre-Baselworld 2018 – H. Moser & Cie. Endeavour Perpetual Calendar Purity Cosmic Green

Moser & Cie. revisits its winning Perpetual Calendar complication in a Cosmic Green fumé dial. Like its 2017 predecessor, the new 42mm white gold Endeavour Perpetual Calendar Purity applies a radically minimalist approach to one of the most revered complications in watchmaking. A triumph of simplicity and elegance, Moser’s Perpetual Calendar Purity belies the machinations of its complex hand-wound movement. Belonging to H. Moser’s Purity line and released in a limited edition of just 50 pieces, this perpetual calendar pushes the envelope of minimalism one step further dispensing with any sign of branding on the dial, in the same spirit as Moser’s Concept watches.

8 years ago

Introducing – The X-ONE H1 – A Pioneering Swiss-Made Mechanical Smartwatch, now Funding on Kickstarter

Over the last few months, and even years, we’ve covered some pretty interesting start-up watch projects here on MONOCHROME. Advances in modern technology, combined with ready access to start-up capital via decentralised crowd-funding, have helped unlock the floodgates of innovation across multiple industries, injecting fresh blood and ideas. Today, we are pleased to bring you yet another one; the intriguing X-ONE H1 from Conex Watches, a Swiss-made mechanical smartwatch that packs some impressive functionality. Read on to learn more about this bold new timekeeper, including how you can get your hands on one for 50% off retail (for a limited time only, of course).

8 years ago

MB&F Legacy Machine Perpetual Ti (and Ti means Titanium…)

The MB&F Legacy Machine Perpetual (or LM Perpetual) is one of those watches that can’t fail to impress. The most complicated watch in the MB&F collection to date, it relies on a surprisingly classical complication – the perpetual calendar.  Somewhat unexpected in the line-up of MB&F’s habitual watches, it still managed to feel like a Büsser …

8 years ago

Hands-on – MB&F Legacy Machine Perpetual Ti (and Ti means Titanium…)

The MB&F Legacy Machine Perpetual (or LM Perpetual) is one of those watches that can’t fail to impress. The most complicated watch in the MB&F collection to date, it relies on a surprisingly classical complication – the perpetual calendar.  Somewhat unexpected in the line-up of MB&F’s habitual watches, it still managed to feel like a Büsser …

8 years ago

A Closer Look At the Ultra-Detailed Romain Gauthier Logical One

Visiting the Romain Gauthier manufacture is an eye-opening experience. One of the best representatives of the Vallée-de-Joux expertise, the independent watchmaker crafts just over 50 pieces a year with an exceptional level of finishing and uncompromising watchmaking ethos. To demonstrate this, we take a look at the ultra-detailed and complex Romain Gauthier Logical One.

8 years ago

Hands-on – A Closer Look At the Ultra-Detailed Romain Gauthier Logical One

Visiting the Romain Gauthier manufacture is an eye-opening experience. One of the best representatives of the Vallée-de-Joux expertise, the independent watchmaker crafts just over 50 pieces a year with an exceptional level of finishing and uncompromising watchmaking ethos. To demonstrate this, we take a look at the ultra-detailed and complex Romain Gauthier Logical One.

8 years ago

Jacob & Co. Opera Godfather Edition – Mechanically (and musically) Intriguing

Music exists in time. Uniting two traditional Swiss crafts, the Jacob & Co. Opera is a highly complicated timepiece and a wearable music box at the same time… Moreover, it is a spectacular show on the wrist that is pretty hard to depict. The ballet of its triple-axis tourbillon and its musical mechanism in action is surprising and captivating. Technically, the combination of these two rare complications is impressive. There is indeed a lot happening and if a picture is worth a 1,000 words, a video is worth a million… It is even a must to present a timepiece that defies traditional labels by playing the Godfather theme and by featuring a miniature Don Vito Corleone in its center!

8 years ago

The 3D Printed Watches of Dutch Watchmaker Michiel Holthinrichs – Part 2, Up Close with the Ornament 1

After introducing Michiel Holthinirichs as a watchmaker and brand yesterday, it is time for the in-depth review of the Holthinrichs Ornament 1. I already explained some elements of the 3D printing used to create Michiel’s first watch but feel it is important that this is not a gimmicky watch. It is not a watch that leans on the concept of 3D printing, this is a watch that incorporates 3D printing into its design and architecture. It’s not the first time we investigate 3D-printing, but this is 3D-printing on a whole other level; the Holthinrichs Ornament 1.

8 years ago

The 3D Printed Watches of Dutch Watchmaker Michiel Holthinrichs – Part 1, The Concept

For centuries, people have relied on their hands only to manufacture stuff. Everything from raw material to finished products relied on craftsmanship and hard labour. Of course, the industrial revolution changed all of this, with the rise of machine-controlled production – and the same goes for the watchmaking industry. What took the skilled hand of a master craftsman to achieve the goal of precision timing, eventually moved into fully laser-guided, machined watches. Now though, we are perhaps on the brink of a new revolution: 3D-printed watchmaking. We dive into the world and mind of Michiel Holthinrichs, a young Dutch pioneering watchmaker.

8 years ago