Monochrome
Louis Moinet (1768-1853) wanted an accurate instrument to track celestial motions and built the Compteur de Tierces in 1815-1816. Endowed with a start, stop and reset function and a balance wheel beating at an impressive high frequency of 30Hz, his novel stopwatch could time events to the 60th of a second. Considered one of the precursors […]
Monochrome
There are quite a few brands that link themselves to motorsport, but Lorige is one of the few that has gone completely all-in on the idea. Another good example of that is the latest BL-Endurance Evolution Bleu Asphalte Gold Edition. Founded in 2018 by car enthusiasts Clément Etienvre and Emeric Paraud, the young French-Swiss microbrand […]
Monochrome
Independent Japanese watch brand Naoya Hida & Co. usually plays it discreetly, with only a batch of new releases per year and a highly limited production capacity. Last week, the brand released its entire range of models for 2026/2027, a total of 10 new watches and 7 new references, including a spectacular chronograph, a compact […]
Monochrome
Ever since the return of the brand under the umbrella of La Fabrique du Temps Louis Vuitton (alongside Gerald Genta), Daniel Roth has focused on bringing back the emblematic ellipsocurvex design of Monsieur Roth, as well as the refined execution of earlier creations. Following the debut of the Tourbillon model, available in yellow and rose […]
Monochrome
Longines has long been connected to sport. From its long-standing role as official timekeeper of major competitions to its continued involvement with the Commonwealth Games since 1962, the brand has always been there to measure performance with precision. Following earlier celebratory editions, such as the colourful 2022 Birmingham model, Longines now introduces the HydroConquest Commonwealth […]
Monochrome
The Laureato is Girard-Perregaux’s answer to the integrated luxury sports watch. Born in 1975 as a chronometer-certified quartz sports watch, Girard-Perregaux revived the Laureato in 2016 as a limited edition to celebrate the brand’s 225th anniversary, and later as a collection in 2017. Produced three years after Gérald Genta’s landmark Royal Oak but a year […]
Monochrome
Relaunched in 2019, the Seiko 5 Sport range has grown significantly over the years, to the point where it could become a brand in its own right. Based on a concept of affordability and durability dating back to the 1960s, it started with the inaugural SKX-inspired, dive-oriented models and has expanded to include dozens of […]
Monochrome
Aren Bazerkanian, founder and creative director of Havid Nagan, is one of the few new independent watchmakers who have generated much interest in recent years. Coming from an unconventional background and formed by early exposure to high-end horology, Bazerkanian introduced the HN00 as an inaugural statement in 2022, with bold architectural cases, followed by the […]
Monochrome
Founded in 1959 by Charles Von Büren, Squale is a famed name amongst the fans of professional dive instruments; the company produced its own models and made cases for numerous brands during the golden age of underwater exploration. To mark the return to these origins, last year the brand introduced the Squale 2001, a late […]
Monochrome
Seasoned divers, like our own Derek, will all tell you that, in our day and age, a mechanical dive watch isn’t truly relevant anymore, having been replaced by diving computers. And yet, either for safety or emotional reasons, many still use an old-school timepiece during their seasons. In the world of classic car rallies, the […]
Monochrome
Part of the Tata Group, an Indian conglomerate with revenues of over USD 150 billion, Titan Watches has been around for a long time and covers a wide range of watches, from everyday quartz pieces to youth-focused lines like Fastrack. More recently, the Indian brand has also been getting more serious about mechanical watchmaking, something […]
Monochrome
At first, this new version of the Black Bay 58 may seem like a minor update, mostly focused on introducing reworked bracelets and details to remain consistent with the rest of the BB collection. Yet, things can be deceptive. In recent years, as the Black Bay collection is more than well established, Tudor has been […]
Monochrome
Over the past decade, the De Bethune DB27 collection has served as the independent brand’s most restrained yet highly technical expression of its watchmaking credentials. Introduced in 2012 with the Titan Hawk, later refined in V2 form and multiplied through editions such as the JPS or green dial variants, the DB27 has consistently combined lightweight titanium […]
Monochrome
While Panerai strayed on the safe and relatively accessible side of things at Watches and Wonders Geneva 2026, with historically inspired designs, vintage details, and clean displays (see the Luminor PAM01731 and Luminor Destro PAM01732), the brand’s latest release sits clearly on the other end of the spectrum. Big and bold, highly technical, modern looking […]
Monochrome
Time does not need to be dissected into seconds to be meaningful. This distinctive idea has been essential to MeisterSinger for 25 years. The brand’s single-hand watches deliberately slow the reading of time, changing the focus from precision to perception. To mark its anniversary, MeisterSinger looks back at one of its earlier and most important […]
Monochrome
A category defined during the 1970s by a handful of models that all became proper icons of the industry – AP Royal Oak, PP Nautilus, VC 222, IWC Ingenieur, GP Laureato, to name a few – the luxury sports watch or integrated bracelet trend made a strong comeback about 10 years ago. Not only did […]
Monochrome
The latest evolution of the Union Glashütte Belisar Chronograph Moon Phase moves from classical to a more technical, contemporary appearance. One of the brand‘s most recognisable models, this new version introduces an openworked dial and a fresh “Steel Blue” colour, bringing modern dynamism and versatility to an otherwise familiar watch. The Belisar line has always […]
Monochrome
When Mido released the Ocean Star GMT in 2020, it quickly became a sought-after GMT watch. One of the main reasons was its true GMT feature, offering easy entry into the world of jumping local hour watches, all for around EUR 1,200. Unlike an office GMT, where you adjust the 24-hour hand, a true GMT […]
Monochrome
Independent watchmaking has always been a crucible of creativity and doing things off the beaten path, and that’s exactly the reason why we love the genre so much. From industry legends and trailblazers such as Daniel Roth, Urwerk and MB&F;, to the newest generation of stars, the indie watchmaking scene is truly unique. And while […]
Monochrome
It’s happening again! For the third time, Adriaan and I join forces (and passion) to organise and host the one and only watch event in the Netherlands, where Independent Watchmakers are in the spotlight. This time it will be held in a new location, bigger, better and easier to reach. And more brands are participating, […]
Monochrome
Enzo Ferrari allegedly called the Jaguar E-Type “the most beautiful car ever made”, and decades later, one Jeremy Clarkson proclaimed the Eagle Speedster as “the most beautiful thing he has ever seen”, cementing the E-Type specialists as the Singer of Jaguar cars. And truth be told, the cars coming out of the Eagle workshop in […]
Monochrome
Haute-Rive is a young, independent watchmaking brand rooted in a long family tradition. Founded by Stéphane von Gunten, an engineer and watchmaker with experience at Patek Philippe and Ulysse Nardin, the brand takes its name from the historic workshop of his ancestor Irénée Aubry, established in 1888 on the shores of Lake Neuchâtel. Aubry was […]
Monochrome
We’ve long come to understand that, during Watches and Wonders (where it releases almost its entire collection for the year), Rolex communicates only on certain of its novelties. What the brand considers the most important, the most relevant and the deepest updates. But, there’s very often more to the story than just what’s been presented […]
Monochrome
In 2026, Moritz Grossmann marks the 200th Anniversary of its founder, one of the key figures behind the rise of Glashütte as a watchmaking centre. Not looking backwards with literal recreations, the manufacture continues with its vision of evolution, respecting traditional Saxon watchmaking but expressing it through contemporary design and execution. The new Tefnut Silver-Plated […]
Monochrome
After a series of small-batch releases, Anoma introduces its first permanent models with the A1 Core Collection. Until now, the brand has focused on short runs such as the original A1, the Slate edition, and Optical Art. With the A1 Abyss and A1 Stone, Anoma is now offering watches that will remain in the catalogue. […]
Monochrome
Some watches impress instantly, while others reveal themselves slowly. The Tsunami by Japanese independent watchmaker Hajime Asaoka looks disarmingly simple, especially at first glance: a compact, time-only watch with classical proportions, a sort of high-end Japanese Calatrava, as sleek and discreet as it can be. Spend time with it, and it opens up, becoming a […]
Monochrome
Our search for the most intriguing artisanal, independent watchmakers takes us to the far corners of the world. While the majority is still in or around Switzerland, we regularly take virtual excursions to Japan, Scandinavia, the Netherlands, and beyond. Back in 2021, we introduced you to Bradley Taylor, an upcoming, talented watchmaker based in Vancouver, […]
Monochrome
In 2024, Tudor announced its partnership with Visa Cash App Racing Bulls Formula One Team, which first resulted in the Black Bay Ceramic Blue, and most importantly, the Black Bay Chrono Carbon 25, a powerful chronograph in a lightweight attire inspired by the distinct livery of the 2025 Visa Cash App Racing Bulls car. We […]
Monochrome
With summer just around the corner, many of us switch our more formal dress watches for something more suitable for warmer temperatures, travelling and outdoor activities. The ideal summer wrist companion combines water-resistance with robustness and, why not, a splash of colour. The Certina DS Action Diver fits the bill to a tee, and the […]
Monochrome
It is no secret that Japan is becoming one of the most productive hubs for high-end independent watchmaking, with names such as Hajime Asaoka (also behind Kurono Tokyo and Takano), Jiro Katayama (Otsuka Lotec), Daizoh Makihara, and Norifumi Seki (Quiet Club) gaining incredible traction in recent years. Another name that cannot be forgotten is Naoya […]
Question, suggestion, or just want to say hi? Drop a note.
Comments
No comments yet, be the first to weigh in.