Category: Novelty

First Look – The new Grönefeld 1941 Principia – Simpler, Automatic, Still Superbly Finished

It took Tim and Bart Grönefeld, the charismatic “Horological Brothers”, almost three years to reveal a new watch. Certainly, they are not the most prolific watchmakers when it comes to novelties – meaning that when something new is coming to the market, we’re quite enthusiastic. While all of their previous creations feature a complication (a tourbillon, an oversized dead-beat second or a remontoire), their new watch is a simple automatic 3-hander. But we prefer to avoid the word “entry-level” here as, clearly, the new Grönefeld 1941 Principia is all about (very) fine watchmaking.

7 years ago

Hands-on – Ferdinand Berthoud FB1 Malaspina Edition (Unique Piece)

With the Malaspina Edition, Ferdinand Berthoud further explores the theme of the “Age of Discovery” in relation to marine chronometers. Alessandro Malaspina was an Italian born navigator, who spent most of his life at the service of the Spanish Marine. In particular, he led the Malaspina Expedition (1789-1794) exploring and mapping the west coast of the Americas throughout the Pacific Ocean. To guide him in this scientific-political expedition, Malaspina navigated with two Berthoud marine chronometers, N°10 and N°13.

7 years ago

Hands-on – H. Moser & Cie. Pioneer Tourbillon – Made to be Worn

H. Moser & Cie. unveils its latest take on the flying tourbillon complication housed in a stainless steel Pioneer case ready to battle the elements. This is not Moser’s first tourbillon – it has already appeared in the upmarket Endeavour, Venturer and Swiss Alp Watch collections – nor is it the first complication to reach the Pioneer family, which hosts a QP complication. The novelty here is the combination of a one-minute flying tourbillon and its corresponding automatic movement inside the sportier case of the Pioneer. Forming part of Moser’s SIHH 2019 novelties, the brand that likes to row against the tide of convention has decided to beat the flurry of pre-SIHH teasers and puts the Pioneer Tourbillon for sale on the market today. Shielded by its beefy 42.8mm steel case that is water-resistant to 120m, this is Moser’s concept of an ATV tourbillon that can take on the challenges of everyday wear and tear – and also the brand’s most accessible tourbi ever.

7 years ago

Hands-on – Jaquet Droz Grande Heure Minute – Minimalism to the Max

When it comes to Jaquet Droz, most of us might have the Grande Seconde collection in mind – a collection designed around the emblematic 8-figure display, with off-centred hours-minutes and an oversized second counter. This specific display is somehow iconic and has been the brand’s signature for close to 300 years (JD celebrates its 280th anniversary this year). So how to depart from this 8-shaped dial without losing the brand’s DNA? That’s what the Astrale collection tends to do – and here’s the latest creation, the Jaquet Droz Grande Heure Minute, a case-study of minimalism.

7 years ago

Hands-on – The Impressive Armin Strom Masterpiece 1 Dual Time Resonance

In 2016, Armin Strom impressed us with a brand-new watch featuring a stunning complication. Armin Strom is a watch brand that was known mainly for its bold skeletonized movements, however mostly time-only watches. But with the Mirrored Force Resonance, the brand showed unprecedented horological skills. This year, the brand pushes the concept even further, not only by using the concept of Resonance but by using the double-balance construction to create a Dual Time watch. Two movements in one watch… Meet the Armin Strom Masterpiece 1 Dual Time Resonance.

7 years ago

Value Proposition – E.C. Andersson Calypso Arctic Sport

It isn’t the first time that we talk about E.C.Andersson on MONOCHROME – and for valid reasons. Indeed, the Swedish micro-brand has arguments in the “value proposition” category. Good designs, great quality/price ratio, attention to details… This was true with the North Sea II, later followed by the brand’s vision of a sports watch, the Calypso. In order to be even more competitive, E.C.Andersson recently introduced the Calypso Sport (with a Miyota movement in lieu of the ETA calibre). Completing the collection, this watch is now offered with a new dial and an appropriate Arctic look.

7 years ago

Hands-on – Bell & Ross BR-X1 Military

When you think Bell & Ross, you should apparently have “military-inspiration”, “pilot’s watch” and “round-within-a-square-case” in mind. So, with its squared case and round bezel, its chronograph, its military-coloured lightweight and robust material inspired by stealth fighter planes and an overall functional design, it seems that the new Bell & Ross BR-X1 Military ticks all the boxes, right? (spoiler alert: it does, and it even adds the cool technical look of the Experimental collection).

7 years ago

Introducing – The New Patek Philippe Twenty-4 Automatic Ref. 7300

Since its release in 1999, the Twenty-4 has been Patek Philippe’s entry-level watch (all genders) and certainly its female’s best-selling collection. Shaped like a bracelet, with a rectangular case seamlessly integrated into a metallic bracelet, it was unfortunately powered by a quartz movement (an in-house quartz movement for sure, but still battery-powered). So-to-say, a watch that never really made it as a true Patek in our books. Yet, there’s a new version of the Patek Philippe Twenty-4. It is round, it is more casual and sportier and it is powered by an automatic movement.

7 years ago

Introducing – Oris Movember 2018 Edition (Oris Big Crown Pointer Date)

For the second time this year, Oris will support “Movember“, a Foundation that tackles some of the biggest health issues facing men, including prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention. After the cool-looking Movember 2017 Divers Sixty-Five, it is time for another great vintage-inspired to be launched. Meet the Oris Movember 2018 Edition, a watch based on the Oris Big Crown Pointer Date launched at Baselworld 2018.

7 years ago

Hands-on – The 2018 Ulysse Nardin Diver Chronometer – Redesigned, Cleaner, Tastier

Certainly, most of you might have the Marine Chronometer in mind when the name “Ulysse Nardin” is mentioned – and rightfully so, as this watch is the brand’s cornerstone. However, there’s more in the collection, a watch that is still linked to the nautical world: the Ulysse Nardin Diver. Previously not the most discreet watch available on the market – think this one for instance or that one as a more classical offer – it has just been relaunched in a more contemporary, cleaner and tastier package – following the trend initiated by the Torpilleur. Meet the 2018 Ulysse Nardin Diver Chronometer.

7 years ago