Category: Novelty

Introducing – Piaget Altiplano 60th Anniversary Pocket Watch

At the SIHH 2017, Piaget celebrated the 60th anniversary of its most emblematic collection, a watch that fully symbolises the brand and immediately makes it recognizable: the Altiplano. Born in 1957, the ultra-thin watch with so many thinness records is now a true icon. Following the celebrations, Piaget puts an unexpected twist on the collection, by presenting the Altiplano 60th Anniversary Pocket Watch… And what an elegant, slightly “out of the box” proposition.

8 years ago

Review – Doxa SUB-300 “Black Lung”, Reissue of a Rare Prototype for Aqua-Lung (With Historical Insights)

The Doxa SUB-300 is regarded as one of the most important watches amongst the diving community. Launched in 1966, it was certainly not the first dive watch (see the 1953 Blancpain Fifty Fathoms or the 1953 Rolex Submariner), however, it was part the first professional dive watches and, for that, it is historically important. This year, Doxa follows up the success of 2016’s sold-out 50th Anniversary SUB 300 Professional with another vintage-reissue, this time bearing the famous Aqua-Lung logo. Here’s the Doxa SUB-300 “Black Lung”, a tribute to an ultra-rare 1967 vintage Doxa prototype.

8 years ago

Oris Supports “Movember” with a Great Vintage-Inspired Edition of the Divers Sixty-Five

Every year, in November, a strange phenomenon appears… Moustaches grow all around. And no, it’s not an invasion of hipsters. It is “Movember”, a Foundation that tackles some of the biggest health issues facing men, including prostate cancer, testicular cancer, mental health and suicide prevention. Oris is proud to announce that it has become an official Movember Partner and to celebrate, the brand presents a special edition of the iconic Divers Sixty-Five, with quite some cool design features and a reinforced vintage inspiration.

8 years ago

Review – Bell & Ross BR-X2 Tourbillon Micro-Rotor, Unusual & Technical

At Baselworld 2017, Bell & Ross unveiled several very cool watches, including the BR03-92 Diver or the new Vintage Collection, all pieces that were completely in the vein of the brand’s DNA. Another watch was (discreetly) showed though, a watch that was quite unexpected and unusual. Fitted with a slim tourbillon movement, wound by a micro-rotor, built around a concept of transparency, mixing a certain elegance with bold elements, with a quite unique construction for the case… This watch is the Bell & Ross BR-X2 Tourbillon Micro-Rotor, and today we take a closer look at it.

8 years ago

First look – Ferdinand Berthoud unveils a Platinum Version of the Chronomètre FB1

When Karl-Friedrich Schefeule (the co-owner of Chopard) embarked on resurrecting Ferdinand Berthoud, one of the greatest horologists of all times, his ambition was obviously not to release a servile replica of past glories. Distilling and recombining this unique legacy into a personal perspective, the contemporary watches bearing this illustrious name are singular. While displaying an obvious respect for the classics, the Ferdinand Berthoud FB1 is a modern take on this heritage. The result is truly exceptional, crafted and designed with exacting attention to details. The GPHG 2016 Aiguille d’Or award, one of the most (if not the most) meaningful industry accolades is no small achievement. After white and pink gold versions, Ferdinand Berthoud is now releasing a stunning platinum limited edition that premiered at Les Ambassadeurs, in Geneva.

8 years ago

Hands-On – Maurice Lacroix Masterpiece Chronograph Skeleton in New Versions

Introduced in the early 1990s, the Masterpiece family is Maurice Lacroix’s top-of-the-range collection, and offers complications at an accessible price point. At Baselworld this year, the brand unveiled new versions of its Masterpiece Chronograph Skeleton – an intricately executed openwork chronograph based on the Valjoux 7750. The 2017 models are presented with a steel case with blue dial and a limited edition blue PVD steel case with matching dial.

8 years ago

Value Proposition – Vario Eclipse, a 1960s-inspired & Singapore-Designed Hand-Wound Watch

Usually, on Monochrome, we’re all about the beauty of high-end watches. We love them and we believe you love them too. However, we’re also fully aware that not all collectors can afford the watches we cover. Sometimes, we have to look at more accessible pieces, however ones that we believe are good enough in terms of style and quality. One of them is the Vario Eclipse, an affordable (properly affordable) hand-wound and dressy watch with some rather cool vintage design features, original straps, and surprisingly designed in Singapore.

8 years ago

Introducing – Ulysse Nardin Marine Chronometer Annual Calendar Monaco Edition

At the SIHH 2017, Ulysse Nardin introduced a watch that perfectly sums up what it stands for: a combination of marine roots with a cleverly designed movement, with simplification in mind. This watch was the Ulysse Nardin Marine Annual Calendar Chronometer. This year, in celebration of 9 years of loyal support for the prestigious Monaco Yacht Show, the brand introduces a dedicated limited edition based on this desirable watch, with a new style – and also a more attractive price.

8 years ago