Introducing the Moritz Grossmann Atum Fired Enamel Limited Edition

The Atum is Moritz Grossmann‘s flagship time-only wristwatch (the fancier model has a power reserve display), simple in function and style, but very, very well made. Now the German watchmaker has given it a white vitreous enamel dial, of the sort that’s painted by hand and then fired in an oven. Traditionally styled with narrow Roman […]

9 years ago

Review – Brellum Duobox, A New Offer With Cool Retro Design & Excellent Value For Money

The Brellum Duobox is a no-nonsense chronograph with retro-inspired design, powered by the robust and reliable Valjoux 7750. Elegant, nicely executed and offering excellent value for money – it is most likely one of the most affordable chronographs powered by a 7750 (and the best is that this movement is COSC certified… and that is almost never true in the below 5k price bracket!). This sounded promising enough to meet Sébastien Muller, founder of the brand, and go hands-on with the Brellum Duobox.

9 years ago

Greubel Forsey Grande Sonnerie – Haute Horlogerie & Innovation At Their Best

The grande sonnerie and petite sonnerie hold a special place in the world of Haute Horlogerie. There are only a handful of watchmakers capable of manufacturing (and proposing in their catalogues) such works of arts, often regarded as the pinnacle of complicated watchmaking. Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey have been contemplating this major endeavor for years, way before embarking on 11 years of research and development to finally present their own interpretation of this complication, a ‘sui generis’ creation that was without doubt one of the highlights of SIHH 2017.

9 years ago

Hands-On with the HYT Skull Pocket Hand-Engraved Pièce Unique

Unveiled just earlier in the year, the HYT Skull Pocket is a hunter pocket watch that indicates the time via fluids in tube, with a tiny dynamo that powers its LED illumination. Using that as a base, the Skull Pocket pièce unique replaces the leather inlay on the hinged lid with an elaborately hand-engraved medallion in 18k white gold. Executed […]

9 years ago

In-Depth – The F.P. Journe Vagabondage III (And The History Of The Vagabondage Series)

François-Paul Journe has always been a bit apart in the watchmaking industry. Yet, most of his watches are easily recognizable and are imbued with a clear, distinctive DNA. However, a specific series of watches does not respect the rule; the Vagabondage watches. Entirely different case, entirely different displays, entirely different philosophy… 2017 marks the arrival of a third tortue-cased watch, the F.P. Journe Vagabondage III (which we already showed to you in video here). A splendid watch and the first-ever mechanical watch with digital jumping-seconds. And today, we take a closer look at it.

9 years ago

Czapek & Cie Unveils A Platinum Limited Edition & The 38.5mm Quai des Bergues

The name Czapek came back on the front of the scene in 2015, with the launch of the Quai des Bergues (Read our story about the re-birth of Patek ex-partner here). The watch has been very well received and was even awarded with the Public Prize at Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève 2016. This stylish 42.5mm timepiece has been offered in different versions and Czapek now unveils a limited edition of 10 pieces in the noblest of metals, platinum and with an engraved case, as well as smaller 38.5mm edition.

9 years ago

Louis Moinet Mobilis – An Hypnotic Double Tourbillon & Kaleidoscope Watch

Mobilis in Mobile – please welcome the Louis Moinet Mobilis – The ‘indie’ watchmaking brand honoring the memory of the great Louis Moinet unveils a sculptural, hyper-active and hypnotic watch. On the dial of this Louis Moinet Mobilis, no less than a double tourbillon powering a mesmerizing kaleidoscope automaton. Let’s take a closer look.

9 years ago

SIHH 2017 Personal Perspectives: Greubel Forsey

Greubel Forsey claimed one of the most complicated watches unveiled at SIHH 2017 with a grande sonnerie wristwatch, but also debuted variants of its two entry-level timepieces, the Signature 1 and Tourbillon 24 Seconde Vision. Boasting an incline tourbillon and automatic winding for the second barrel, the Grande Sonnerie is styled in the typical Greubel Forsey manner – large […]

9 years ago

The Ressence Type 1 Squared – A Subtle and Dressier Take on the “Beyond Hands” Concept (Review)

When just before the SIHH 2017, we, at the Monochrome redaction, received the news about a new Ressence Type 1, I have to admit that I was personally quite curious. From what I could see on the photos, this new “Squared” was clean, more horological, slimmer and with a shape that I love, an elegant cushion. Still, nothing worth a try on the wrist (you can’t imagine how many deceptions I had after strapping on the wrist a watch that I loved on photos). And, oh boys and girls, what a pleasant surprise I had with the Ressence Type 1 Squared…

9 years ago

SIHH 2017 – A Second Look at the Sculptural Christophe Claret Maestro

Christophe Claret had been teasing us for a while, sharing glimpses of this new concept… The watch was revealed just before the SIHH 2017, which made us even more curious to see it in the metal. Well, as we have got the chance to do so when in Geneva, we were not disappointed by what is the smallest and least expensive Claret watch so far. We now share live pictures and have a second look at this stunning piece of watchmaking design: The Christophe Claret Maestro.

9 years ago