Category: Novelty

Introducing – Habring² Chrono-Felix (with In-House Monopusher-Chronograph)

Not long ago, we reviewed a watch that many collectors and watch aficionado love (for good reasons), the Habring² Doppel-Felix. Also, we took a closer look at the “simple” 3-hand version named Felix. The common thread running through them? The same pared-down design and the same base movement manufactured in-house (quite an achievement for such a small company). But what if you take these two watches and try to find the one that will stand right in the middle? Well, the answer is the Habring² Chrono-Felix.

7 years ago

Hands-on – MB&F HM9 Flow – The Horological Lab’s New Retro-Futuristic Machine

The big day has arrived for MB&F enthusiasts, or those of you who have been following the Horological Machine series since 2005. The latest opus in the series, the HM9, has just been unveiled… A new, unconventionally good-looking, mechanically complex and design-centric creation inspired by one of Max Busser’s countless dreams and passions… pure MB&F! And today, we have it live for you here, on MONOCHROME.

7 years ago

Value Proposition – The Lorentz by Leyden Watches, An Affordable, Understated Dress Watch now on Kickstarter

Leyden Watches, a one-man operation out of Leiden, The Netherlands, is following up on a successful Kickstarter campaign from 2016 that launched the inaugural Velox Chronograph. That initial piece was a second attempt by the company as their first Kickstarter watch, the Power Reserve, was never funded. The Lorentz dress watch is now the third crowdfunding campaign from Leyden and is named after Hendrik Antoon Lorentz, one of the most renowned physicists from Holland (who later moved to Leiden to teach at Leiden University). It’s a classic, understated dress watch that can fit with a suit or more casual attire. Powered by a hand-wound Swiss movement and with three colour options, this new offering from Leyden is another solid, affordable entry in the microbrand space.

7 years ago

Introducing – The Oris Williams FW41 Limited Edition Full Carbon

For the last 15 years, Oris and Williams F1 have been enjoying a mutually beneficial union. As the world-renowned Formula 1 team’s official watch partner, Oris periodically releases special edition models to celebrate significant milestones for the team. A perfect example is the recently launched Martini Racing Limited Edition Chronograph, commemorating the 50th anniversary of […]

7 years ago

Industry News – Ikepod is Back And Launches a New Affordable Collection on Kickstarter (Hands-On Pics)

Ikepod… A mysterious brand, with a design that most of us can easily recall. Yes, Ikepod was all about that: a great design! Founded in 1994 by Oliver Ike and Marc Newson – who designed the watches, and was later involved in the design of the Apple Watch – the brand was famous for its disc-shaped/pebble-shaped watches – watches that will become modern icons. Yet, the story had its ups and downs, and Ikepod stopped production in 2012 when Newson left the company. Until now… as this cult design is back in 2018, with new investors, new people and mainly a new strategy of affordability. Meet the new face of Ikepod, which collection just launched on Kickstarter.

7 years ago

News – The First Rolex Tourbillon, Created by Customization-Brand Label Noir

Customization to an unprecedented level… We’ve seen hundreds of watch modification programs appearing recently – well, in fact, mostly on Rolex watches. Most of the time, it is limited to a black coating on the case/bracelet or a different dial. Sometimes, customization can go a few steps further, with heritage-inspired watches based on modern models […]

7 years ago

News – The First Rolex Tourbillon, Created by Customization Brand Label Noir

Customization to an unprecedented level… We’ve seen hundreds of watch modification programmes appearing recently – mostly on Rolex watches. Most of the time, it is limited to a black coating on the case/bracelet or a different dial. Sometimes, customization can go a few steps further, with heritage-inspired watches based on modern models – see for […]

7 years ago

Hands-on – Blancpain Villeret Métiers d’Art Binchōtan (and the Manufacturing Process Explained)

With its Métiers d’art collection, Blancpain has been exploring new artistic and expressive horizons, nurturing traditional skills with different expressions. Case in point: recently, the craftsmen of the Metiers d’art workshop in Le Brassus presented Shakudo dials. Of Japanese origin, Shakudo is an alloy principally composed of copper and gold, which acquires a dark patina between blue and black, according to variations in its composition and texture. This year, Japan has once again become an inspiration to Blancpain. One of the manufacture’s latest artistic creations features a Binchōtan dial.

7 years ago