Press Release and Review – Montblanc 1858 Collection in Bronze

As part of pre-SIHH preview for 2017, Montblanc has released new looks for its 1858 collection, offering a completely different interpretation with a vintage bronze look. The three new bronze releases within the collection includes a Montblanc 1858 Chronometer Tachymeter Limited Edition 100, a Montblanc 1858 Automatic Dual Time and a Montblanc…

9 years ago

Press Release and Review – Montblanc 1858 Collection in Bronze

As part of pre-SIHH preview for 2017, Montblanc has released new looks for its 1858 collection, offering a completely different interpretation with a vintage bronze look. The three new bronze releases within the collection includes a Montblanc 1858 Chronometer Tachymeter Limited Edition 100, a Montblanc 1858 Automatic Dual Time and a Montblanc…

9 years ago

IWC Reintroduces the Portugieser Chronograph Rattrapante Ref. 3712 in Stainless Steel

Just six months after IWC revived the Portugieser Chronograph split-seconds with the Milan boutique edition in red gold, the watchmaker has introduced two more limited editions for its stores in Munich and Paris but this time in stainless steel. The Portugieser Chronograph Rattrapante ref. 3712 (pictured above) was first introduced in 1995 – with the split-seconds mechanism invented […]

9 years ago

#TBT Making a Case for the Breitling Top Time 810

Today’s #TBT takes a look at a chronograph that I’ve been hunting for a long time, a Mark 1 Breitling Top Time 810. It’s a watch – and a watch line that existed for some time – that’s been grossly underrated in vintage watch collector circles for some time, but is finally getting some deserved […]

9 years ago

Montblanc Introduces Bronze Into Its 1858 Collection, Including The Stunning 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter

The Montblanc 1858 Collection certainly is one of our favorites here, at Monochrome. It indeed pays tribute to the military roots of the Villeret manufacture and the 1930s pilot watches produced at that time by Minerva (now part of Montblanc). Large diameters, highly contrasted dials, cathedral hands… all sounds perfectly vintage and faithful to the Minerva heritage. To even reinforce that vintage feel, the brand is about to introduce some new models in the collection, which for the first time will use bronze elements for the case, and this includes the stunning Montblanc 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter, that we already showed you several times.

9 years ago

Fabergé Visionnaire DTZ Watch Hands-On

Even though the historic decorated-egg-maker Fabergé is a “luxury name” most people know, even many well-informed watch lovers have no idea that the brand is alive today and making wrist watches.

9 years ago

INTRODUCING: IWC proves they aren’t afraid of the deep with the Aquatimer Chronograph Edition ‘Sharks’

iwc-chronograph-edition-sharks-1In addition to both festive and jolly, ’tis also the season for SIHH pre-releases. Today’s contribution comes courtesy of IWC, who appear to be following up their Portugieser and Pilot years with a Da Vinci-focused line-up – which is what makes the Aquatimer Chronograph Edition ‘Sharks’ even more intriguing. The clue is in the name, but it’s the hammerhead sharks on the caseback that seal the deal. This monochrome take on the Aquatimer (we genuinely thought the picture was black and white when we first saw it) takes for its inspiration the cool grey colour of these apex predators. IWC has partnered with Hollywood-turned-underwater photographer Michael Muller on this watch, each one coming with a book chronicling his years of experience capturing this dangerous fish. IWC inform us (perhaps with the merest whiff of wry humour) that the book is “presented in a striking iron cage, guaranteed to protect against shark bites.” The watch receives no such protection, but given its 44mm steel sturdiness, we’re not sure it needs it. IWC Aquatimer Chronograph Edition ‘Sharks’ Australian pricing The IWC Aquatimer Chronograph Edition ‘Sharks’, limited to 500 pieces, $16,000

The post INTRODUCING: IWC proves they aren’t afraid of the deep with the Aquatimer Chronograph Edition ‘Sharks’ appeared first on Time and Tide Watches.

9 years ago

ADVENT CALENDAR 2016: December 8 – The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Air-King

2016-Rolex-Air-King-116900-6How’s your Christmas shopping going, folks? Whaddaya mean you haven’t started yet? Chop chop. Unless you’re waiting for inspiration to hit, in which case, maybe this is it. Because talk about causing a stir. The new Rolex Air-King has had people talking ever since it raised its first gasp at Baselworld earlier this year. Why not unleash one on an unsuspecting family member, and watch the debate heat up again over mince pies and sherry. Who should you buy this for? With a lot more heft than ever before, at 40mm, this one definitely needs to go to someone with a big enough stocking. What’s the damage? Under 8k Rolex Oyster Perpetual Air-King Australian pricing Rolex Oyster Perpetual, reference 116900, $7850

The post ADVENT CALENDAR 2016: December 8 – The Rolex Oyster Perpetual Air-King appeared first on Time and Tide Watches.

9 years ago

MY WATCH STORY: Alan’s Oris Carl Brashear

alan-oris-1A little while ago, we ran our annual reader survey, giving entrants the chance to walk away with an Oris timepiece – a choice between the limited edition bronze Carl Brashear Divers Sixty-Five and a Divers Sixty-Five in steel. The lucky winner was Alan from Sydney, who chose the mighty bronze Carl Brashear. (Interestingly enough, an Alan won in 2015 too, but they definitely aren’t the same Alan, and don’t feel that if your name isn’t Alan there’s no point entering our competitions. We love all Alans and non-Alans equally.) After spending the past few weeks weeping tears of sadness and regret that we no longer have the unmitigated joy of this bronze beauty in our life, we thought it appropriate to see how Carl is doing in his new home. Congratulations again, Alan! So, you’ve had the watch for just over a month now. How’s it going? Really great! I try to find as many reasons as possible to wear it, and it’s become my weekender for the most part and a staple for my casual Fridays at work. What were your thoughts when it arrived?  Just WOW! I was very impressed by the box and it was quite the experience from…

The post MY WATCH STORY: Alan’s Oris Carl Brashear appeared first on Time and Tide Watches.

9 years ago

Montblanc 1858 Chronograph Tachymeter Champagne – Limited to 100 pieces

1858 refers to the founding year of Minerva, a watch company that was located in Villeret, Switzerland. A brand that struggled through its last years of existence, but also a brand with a lot of watchmaking history. If you put some effort into it, you will find – for example  – the most beautiful chronograph […]

9 years ago