Hands-on – TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 16 Chronograph

The Carrera turns 55 this year and TAG Heuer revisits its famous automotive chronograph with two models emblazoned with colours inspired by the world of auto racing. Available in a 41mm steel case with a vibrant blue or black dial and the distinctive 12-6-9 layout of the counters, the entry-level TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre 16 captures the racing spirit of the classic Carrera with a youthful splash of colour and a dose of vintage. Smaller in size than its 43mm predecessors, the Carrera Calibre 16 duo have dispensed with the day window and substituted the prominent numerals on the dial with hour markers treated with faux-aged beige lume.

8 years ago

Hands-on – Schwarz Etienne Roma GMT – Clean Lines and Fine Mechanics

It is not the first time we talk about Schwarz Etienne on MONOCHROME. This independent brand, based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, shows an impressive level of integration – especially given its rather modest size. It is one of the few brands to develop and manufacture its in-house movements and parts, including the hairspring. Today, we take a look at one of the classic yet highly pleasant watches of the Roma collection, the Schwarz Etienne Roma GMT.

8 years ago

Introducing – Montblanc Heritage Chronométrie Collection 2018 with New Openworked Movements and Slimmer Cases

When Lambert took over Montblanc, the idea was simple: bringing a lot for less money. This didn’t mean that all watches had to be affordable, but rather that watches were priced lower than expected, even with a true horological content. This gave birth to a Sub-10k Perpetual Calendar, the 4810 ExoTourbillon Slim or a sub-7k annual calendar. Following the same idea, Montblanc introduces 3 new watches in the Heritage Chronométrie collection, still complex but with new, contemporary design codes.

8 years ago

Introducing – IWC Portugieser Perpetual Calendar in Platinum and Portugieser Automatic in Steel (which might cause a small riot)

This year, 2018, International Watch Company or short IWC celebrates their 150th anniversary and for that reason, they launched a host of anniversary models (see here in our IWC section) and in the meantime there’s been a new Pilot’s Watch Chronograph with creme-coloured (vintage style) markers and hands and a “Laureus Edition” black ceramic Pilot’s Watch Mark XVIII. And while the entire year will be all about the 150th anniversary, the Schaffhausen-based brand still adds some other novelties to the collection. There’s a new version of the Portugieser Perpetual Calendar in platinum and a steel Portugieser Automatic, that looks exactly like the older platinum version of this watch.

8 years ago

Buying Guide – Yellow gold Is Warming Up Again

When thinking of yellow gold, the first thing that may come to your mind is your parents’ or grandparents’ watch. Well, if you feel yellow gold is outdated, it might be time for a change. The status symbol of the 1960s to 1980s is making a comeback. As trends come and go, it fits perfectly in the current vintage craze – just like the unexpected comeback of the 1980s spirit in fashion and music. And interestingly, the way watchmakers use it today makes it look super chic and trendy. Here are 6 of the most notable yellow gold watches introduced recently.

8 years ago

Hands-on – Bell & Ross BR-01 Laughing Skull (and a video of its unexpected animation…)

Bell & Ross is now well-known for its Skull-inspired watches. Everything started in 2009 with BR-01 Skull, followed by 3 other watches (see some of them here and here). And for those who remain doubtful about the relevance of such watches in the B&R collection, you’ll see that the link with the brand’s military roots isn’t that far. Following this trend for Skull watches, Bell & Ross introduces its fifth iteration, the new BR-01 Laughing Skull – and this one has more than one surprise to show.

8 years ago

Introducing – Frederique Constant Vintage Rally Healey Chronograph (Live Pics)

Since 2004, Frederique Constant has been sponsoring vintage car rallies worldwide, often being the official timekeeper for events celebrating classic automobiles. Frederique Constant is supporting the European Healey Club again in 2018, which will be celebrated by a new limited edition watch. After a chronograph in 2015 and a 3-hander in 2016, here is the new Frederique Constant Vintage Rally Healey Chronograph, a watch deeply inspired by the world of classic cars.

8 years ago

Review – Habring2 Doppel-Felix (by the man who created the IWC Doppelchronograph)

In 2012 Habring² introduced the Doppel 2.0, an affordable split-seconds chronograph based on a Valjoux 7750 chronograph. This was the same recipe that Richard Habring once developed for IWC Schaffhausen, who used this movement first in the Pilot Doppel Chronograph and later in other watches. When the patent expired, in 2012, Richard Habring was free to use this complication in watches with the Habring² name on the dial, and that led to the Habring² Doppel 2.0. In 2013 they introduced the Doppel 3.0 and last year Habring² introduced the new Doppel-Felix that comes with an in-house split-seconds chronograph from Austria. Here’s the Habring² Doppel-Felix!

8 years ago

Women’s Watch Wednesday – The 2018 Rolex Oyster Pereptual Datejust 36: Is This the Perfect “Boyfriend’s Watch”?

Having recovered from the jubilation following the release of the steel GMT Master II Pepsi during Baselworld 2018, we can now turn our attention to another candidate in the classic Oyster Perpetual Datejust 36 line that is out to conquer the hearts of men… and women. Housed in a two-tone Everose Rolesor case (combination of steel and pink gold), Rolex has fitted the watch with its new-generation calibre 3235 and given the case some design tweaks. Handsome and refined with just the right touch of luxurious rose gold, practical for everyday wear and tear, robust and ready for action sports yet with enough style to work as a casual dress watch… what’s not to love about the Datejust 36? So, a word of warning to all you boyfriends out there: do not leave this watch unattended.

8 years ago

Hands-on – The Redesigned Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Retrograde Calendar

For more than 25 years, Maurice Lacroix has offered to watch enthusiasts nicely executed watches with unusual displays – mainly retrograde indications – yet with friendly prices. This collection, named “Masterpiece”, allows access to complications and manufacture movements without breaking your piggy bank. In 1999, ML launched its first retrograde watch, the Masterpiece Retrograde Calendar. 19 years later, this signature watch comes back fully redesigned. Let’s have a look at the 2018 Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Retrograde Calendar.

8 years ago