Monochrome
In recent years, Audemars Piguet has decisively refined the Code 11.59 collection, transforming it into a serious platform for contemporary haute horlogerie. For 2026, the brand unveils a fresh interpretation of the Code 11.59 by Audemars Piguet Selfwinding Flying Tourbillon, now with an ivory-toned signature dial and a sophisticated mix of white gold and black […]
Monochrome
Audemars Piguet introduced the Code 11.59 in 2019, emerging as a contemporary AP-style expression of classic watchmaking. Over the years, the line has matured, expanded and reviewed its proportions. Introduced in 2023, the 38mm case offered a more compact and versatile interpretation of the Code 11.59 design. In early 2026, the brand presents two new […]
Monochrome
Urwerk’s mechanical ingenuity and sci-fi vessels have propelled the brand into the realm of cosmic watchmaking. Renowned for their wandering hour and satellite indications, founders Martin Frei and Felix Baumgartner captured the three dimensions of time, rotation and orbit with the UR-100 SpaceTime of 2019. An evolution of the UR-100, the UR-100V returns to Earth […]
Monochrome
The trend for stone dials has had a bandwagon effect in the watch industry, with players, small and large, succumbing to the temptation of adorning their models with exotic stones and even slivers of meteorite. However, like Piaget, Audemars Piguet got a head start in the field, with stone dials on its ultra-thin dress watches […]
Monochrome
Vacheron Constantin’s Overseas luxury sports watch family is now in its third generation, but its roots trace back to the 222 model of 1977. A well-represented collection with complications and straightforward time-and-date models, the Overseas is widely acclaimed for its attractive design, high-end finishings, in-house movements and versatility. In 2019, a tourbillon was added to […]
Monochrome
Audemars Piguet’s Royal Oak Offshore, also known as The Beast, muscled its way onto the scene in 1993 as a beefier and bolder version of its famous sibling, the Royal Oak. Drawing its inspiration and name (offshore) from the world of powerboat racing popular in the 1980s, the ROO family expanded, and in 2010 surfaced […]
Monochrome
Since its debut in 1993, the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak Offshore has served as the brand´s most expressive, aggressive, and experimental platform. Bigger, bolder and much more muscular than the original Royal Oak, the Offshore lived up to its “Beast” nickname, while becoming a showcase for material innovation and colour exploration. The 2021 redesign marked […]
Monochrome
We closely and thoroughly examined the Royal Oak “Jumbo” Extra-Thin Openworked in steel (16204ST) when it was introduced for the RO´s 50th anniversary, as the model has become a reference for how Audemars Piguet approaches the skeletonisation of an icon. Since then, it has been followed by precious metal executions in white gold (16204BC) and yellow gold (16204BA). […]
Monochrome
Launched by Audemars Piguet in 2019, the compact Royal Oak Selfwinding Chronograph 38mm was welcomed by men and women alike. Fitted with a modified Frédéric Piguet 1185 ébauche, the big news for the most compact RO chronograph is the introduction of a brand new in-house calibre with a longer power reserve and a 4Hz frequency. […]
Monochrome
For its 150th anniversary, Audemars Piguet has chosen a format that predates the wristwatch yet remains central to the brand’s most ambitious technical expressions: the pocket watch. The new 150e Héritage pocket watch directly references the Manufacture’s historic ultra-complicated pocket watches of 1899 (L’Universelle) and 1921 (La Grosse Pièce). It is also connected to milestones […]
Monochrome
A perpetual calendar is a complication very much dear to Audemars Piguet. Since the mid-20th century, the manufacture in Le Brassus has offered many variations on how this “celestial” mechanism could be presented, displayed and used. From the world’s first leap-year perpetual calendar wristwatch in 1955, to the ultra-thin automatic QPs of the late 1970s, […]
Monochrome
Audemars Piguet continues to refine one of its most emblematic complications with the launch of a new Royal Oak Selfwinding Perpetual Calendar in 41mm, entirely crafted in “Bleu Nuit, Nuage 50” ceramic. More than a new colourway, this release brings together two of the Manufacture’s most significant recent developments: the darker, historically rooted blue ceramic […]
Monochrome
With 3 of its 4 main collections based on the original Royal Oak design, it’s fair to say that Audemars Piguet is a bit conservative in some aspects. But, from time to time, and not without great boldness, the brand releases something unexpected and not octagonally designed. As the best example of what AP can […]
Monochrome
The watch culture in the Netherlands has been steadily growing over a good number of years, and we’re able to show another new and rather neat watch project to the already diverse group of brands and watchmakers stemming from our small country. Founded by two Dutchmen with a deep passion for watches and developed over […]
Monochrome
After several years working closely with Greubel Forsey, Michel Nydegger has now spent a year and a half at the helm of the brand founded by Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey. With a deep, first-hand understanding of the manufacture, its philosophy, and its people, Nydegger offers a thoughtful perspective on leadership and sustainability at one […]
Monochrome
Here’s the third of the five collaboration watches done by Louis Vuitton with some of the most revered independent watchmakers. Indeed, following the LVRR-01 Chronographe à Sonnerie made with Rexhep Rexhepi, founder of Atelier Akrivia, and the LVKV-02 GMR 6 made with Finnish-born watchmaker Kari Voutilainen, it’s time now for LV to unveil its project […]
Monochrome
Sellita has introduced a new evolution of its most ubiquitous automatic movement: the SW200-2 Power+. This new calibre is designed to sit alongside the well-known and widespread SW200-1 during a transition phase, before progressively replacing it across collections. At first glance, nothing seems to have changed. The SW200-2 Power+ shares the same dimensions, architecture, and […]
Monochrome
Style, preferably paired with a good dose of proverbial substance, doens’t have to cost an arm and a leg. Sure, we can all get head-over-heels with ultra-complex and astronomically priced watches, but that’s not where the majority of collectors and enthusiasts shop. So, for those looking for a stylish yet affordable sporty-chic option in what […]
Monochrome
Norqain‘s relationship with ice hockey is quite natural. From the very beginning, part of the brand’s image has been shaped by the sport through the involvement of former NHL All-Star and Stanley Cup winner Mark Streit, Norqain co-founder. What started with close ties to players and the NHLPA is now taking a decisive step forward, […]
Monochrome
The first mechanical clocks were actually bell towers without dials or hands. Bells would simply ring to mark the hours or special events, starting in the late 13th century in Europe (Italy and Germany to be specific). The name “clock” even comes from the Latin word for bell, clocca. Among the most famous of these […]
Monochrome
It seems like a trend that endurance races are won with only seconds between the podium finishers. We’ve seen it in this year’s Dakar, where Luciano Benavides won the Bikes class with just two seconds difference over second-place man Ricky Brabec. We’ve seen it in last year’s Rolex 24 at Daytona, where the entire podium […]
Monochrome
Although some might argue it has never lost its touch, it must be said that the independent watchmaking scene feels rejuvenated and stronger than ever. Just a couple of years ago, creative souls looking to make a name for themselves struggled to find traction and lure collectors to make their dream come true. Established names […]
Monochrome
Since Chopard‘s and Zagato‘s first collaboration in 2013 with the Mille Miglia Zagato Chronograph, followed by the 2019 Mille Miglia Classic Chronograph Zagato 100th Anniversary Edition, the two family-run brands have used watchmaking to express automotive culture. With the Zagato Lab One Concept, Chopard takes that collaboration further, delivering a true concept watch focused on structure, […]
Monochrome
A Certified Pre-Owned (CPO) programme can be an excellent source of long-sought-after vintage watches that are inspected and verified by the manufacturer. We’ve seen it from mainstream brands like Rolex, but even independent brands such as Urwerk offer CPO programmes. The idea is to offer past models to collectors looking to add that one special piece to their collection. […]
Monochrome
It’s the time of year when businesses announce their financial performance. Following Richemont and LVMH, Swatch Group has just released its 2025 results. In a challenging environment for the watch industry, the sales of Swatch Group – the Swiss powerhouse and owner of Omega, Longines, and Tissot – were CHF 6,280 million, down 1.3% at constant exchange rates […]
Monochrome
Think we’ve seen everything a tourbillon can do? Think again. After decades of silence, an illustrious name returns to the world of watchmaking. Henri Grandjean is back with a brand aimed at reminding enthusiasts that some names never lose their magic. And it comes back with a new twist up his sleeve – a mechanical […]
Monochrome
After the successful sale of our fourth Montre de Souscription, we are launching our fifth MdS edition. This time, the collaboration is with Angelus, with a timepiece based on a monopoussoir chronograph with a superb movement. The new Montre de Souscription 5 ticks all the boxes of what we love most at MONOCHROME: vintage inspiration, […]
Monochrome
The Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry (FHS) has just released its export statistics for 2025. December ended the year on a positive note with exports up 3.3% after four consecutive months of sharp decline. For the entire year 2025, the Swiss watch industry exports recorded a decrease of 1.7% compared to 2024. Following several years […]
Monochrome
Created in 2015, the Slim d’Hermès is a watch that combines a certain rigour with elegance, slenderness and the usual design touch of the brand, in particular its typography. First released in a time-only version powered by a micro-rotor movement, it is defined by its clean lines and angular, airy lugs that give the Slim […]
Monochrome
Founded in 2021, Bianchet is a young independent brand based in La Chaux-de-Fonds, Switzerland, specialising in contemporary tonneau-shaped timepieces that merge advanced materials with architectural mechanics. The brand’s designs are rooted in the Golden Ratio (1.618), which influences the proportions of its cases, bridges, and even its rotors. Last year’s model B 1.618 UltraFino Carbon […]
Question, suggestion, or just want to say hi? Drop a note.