Monochrome
‘Watches by enthusiasts, for enthusiasts’ is not just a marketing phrase when it comes to ZLTD Watches, but a genuine conviction. It’s about bridging passion, culture and creativity to offer something unique. Singaporean watch nut Z.L. Toh, one half of the brand, started out by spending hours upon hours watching YouTube videos on all things […]
Monochrome
Vyntage Horology is the brand created by the Seddiqi family, long regarded as the most influential retailers in the Gulf; Ahmed Seddiqi has just celebrated 75 years in business. They are also organisers of Dubai Watch Week, which has become the beating heart of independent watchmaking in the region. After decades of promoting Swiss watchmaking […]
Monochrome
While Hublot’s Classic Fusion model might look tame in comparison to the brand’s muscular Big Bang quarterbacks, in 1980 it sent shockwaves through the industry. With its unorthodox combination of a gold 37mm porthole-shaped case with exposed screws in the bezel paired with a black rubber strap, Carlo Crocco’s Hublot (French for porthole) watch was […]
Monochrome
Credor, a high-end division of the Seiko Group, was founded in 1974 with a focus on refined, ultra-thin timepieces that emphasise artistic and artisanal techniques. Originally catering to the Japanese domestic market, Credor has begun to expand internationally only recently (mostly with the Locomotive, based on a Genta design) and will make its debut at […]
Monochrome
It has been a while since we last saw a tonneau-shaped Seiko Presage… The last to surface on MONOCHROME was the Presage Enamel SPB049 from 2017, a quietly unusual model that stood apart from the round, conservative silhouettes that dominate Seiko’s classical offerings, or the 2019 Zen Garden SARY111 (SRPD05/07) series. But here we are […]
Monochrome
Forgive the lyrical tone, but to encounter a Moritz Grossmann watch is to feel time transformed into form and substance. These are timepieces that are great to look at and study in detail with a loupe, but also wonderful to experience through touch, balance, and inner rhythm. Since Christine Hutter revived the storied name in […]
Monochrome
Unveiled on 26 June 2025, a nod to the date Abraham-Louis Breguet secured a patent for his gravity-defying tourbillon (26 June 1801), the Tourbillon Sidéral 7255 takes his groundbreaking regulator on a fascinating ride through time and space. Released for the brand’s 250th anniversary celebrations, the Breguet Classique Tourbillon Sidéral 7255 pays homage to its illustrious […]
Monochrome
Fitting for a brand that harnesses the horsepower of the racetrack in its watches, TAG Heuer releases a Carrera Chronograph to celebrate the Year of the Fire Horse. Representing the seventh animal sign in the Chinese zodiac, the horse will rule the roost of the 12 zodiac animals starting on 17 February 2026. The model […]
Monochrome
After the now-cult-classic MIH Watch of 2005, an overtly minimalist Annual Calendar Chronograph developed by Ludwig Oechslin and Paul Gerber, and the Gaïa Watch series launched in 2019, the 2024 edition continues the museum’s approach to watchmaking. Indeed, before launching his own brand, Ochs und Junior, Oechslin was the curator of the Musée International d’Horologerie […]
Monochrome
On 17 February 2026, the Chinese New Year kicks off with the Year of the Fire Horse, the seventh animal in the Chinese Zodiac and a symbol of power, speed and confidence. Echoing the attributes of the zodiac animal, Oris has equipped this 43mm stainless steel model with its powerful calibre 113, an advanced hand-wound […]
Monochrome
Seiko has influenced and continues to shape modern horology as only a few watchmakers can. From its origins in 1881, when Kintaro Hattori opened a small shop in Tokyo, to becoming a global powerhouse in precision timekeeping, Seiko’s history is a register of constant innovation. Over the decades, the brand has delivered some of watchmaking’s […]
Monochrome
Kurono Tokyo, the accessible brand of independent watchmaker Hajime Asaoka, had quite a run last year, with a lot of impressive new models, most dedicated to celebrating its founder’s 60th anniversary. This includes the handsome Grand Jubilee Calendar Salmon, the Ice Blue 2025 Jubilee Sensu EOL, or the 34mm Star Dial watches. Starting 2026 with […]
Monochrome
One of Johannes Dürrstein’s objectives when he founded Glashütter Uhrenfabrik Union in 1893 was to produce high-quality watches at affordable prices to cater to a broader range of customers. His philosophy of keeping movements simple and cutting down on superlative frills made Dürrstein an early champion of “affordable luxury.” Following the company’s demise in the […]
Monochrome
Among the small constellation of Finnish independent watchmakers, Antti Rönkkö occupies his own mythic orbit. His timepieces, from the Steel Labyrinth to the Minotaur, the Väinämöinen and the Jatulis series, are inspired by ancient myth and crafted in what he calls Finnish silence: a meditative space where time, legend, and mechanics become one. His latest […]
Monochrome
What can we say… The watch industry is predictable. And like many industries linked to the production of luxury items, filled with icons of the past, watch brands love to celebrate milestones and anniversaries. Being emotionally driven products, playing on nostalgia has long proven an efficient strategy for watch brands. And don’t get us wrong, […]
Monochrome
Let’s be honest, virtually no one who buys a Rolex Submariner or any 300m dive watch actually dives below 50 metres. In fact, the majority of dive watch owners today rarely, if ever, engage in diving. Most serious scuba divers use wrist computers, so traditional dive watches are often fashion statements as watch enthusiasts like […]
Monochrome
Like in watches, I look forward to news on pretty much a daily basis when it comes to cars. My timelines on any of the social media platforms are dominated by a mix of brands, collectors and enthusiasts, media outlets, industry insiders and anything in between on three topics: watches (duh!), cars (duh again!) and […]
Monochrome
New year, new resolution, new price rises… Some things never change. This article shouldn’t come as a surprise. For some years now, on the first days of the year, we publish the complete list of updated prices for Rolex. Indeed, new year means new price policies and new price lists for watch brands, and the […]
Monochrome
Independent Finnish master watchmaker Kari Voutilainen is regarded as one of the best in his field. Working from his atelier in Motiers, which he founded in 2002, Voutilainen is known for his high-end watches with in-house movements and hand-guilloché dials. His latest watch, the 216TMZ Worldtime, features a movement with a direct-impulse double escapement, first […]
Monochrome
While many brands bowed to the prevailing trends of 2025 with downsized case sizes, expressive dial colours, a newfound taste for shaped watches, and a deluge of stone dials, the art of high-end horology was, thankfully, not forsaken. A particularly prolific year, we’ve seen some impressive horological innovations from wafer-thin or high-speed tourbillons to an […]
Monochrome
In 2025, the indie watchmaking scene reached new heights, once again demonstrating that innovation and artistry continue to flourish outside the big groups, captivating us with daring mechanics, refined finishes, and pure creative freedom. Whether you’re looking for the best indie watches of 2025 or want to see how far independent brands can push modern […]
Monochrome
Perpetual calendar watches are extraordinary mechanisms capable of compressing the idiosyncrasies of our Gregorian calendar, tricky leap years included, into a remarkably small area. Luckily, calendar watches of all denominations have been well represented this year, and we’ve put together a list of six watches that made an impression. Ranging from an unusual yet super-legible […]
Monochrome
While we tend to cover a lot of very expensive watches on a regular basis, and prices generally seem to be on the up-and-up year after year, it’s comforting to know some brands still excel at good, honest, value-for-money watchmaking. This year, established names are joined by a few new ones to offer a rather […]
Monochrome
Ever since the creation of MONOCHROME, the idea of Frank Geelen, our Founder, has been to educate readers about the world of watches at large, whether by explaining some of the most complex technical features (let me quote him) “in a way your mother could understand it”, by bringing attention to independent watchmakers that mainstream […]
Monochrome
If 2024 showed that vintage design is still popular, 2025 proves it can still surprise us. While watchmakers continue to explore new materials and bold designs, vintage inspiration remains a significant creative influence. From Art Deco digital revivals to post-war classics, this year brought many exciting re-editions. Here are our picks for the six best […]
Monochrome
Last year was already our most productive year when it comes to video content, but this year we did it all over again, plus a bit more! We published almost 100 videos and generated close to 6 million views with our channel, which is just amazing. We did tons of video reviews throughout the years, […]
Monochrome
For about six years now, we have been entertaining you, hopefully, with our Petrolhead Corner stories. The idea came from the fact that at least three of us (Frank, Brice and I) are absolute car-nuts, as much as we are watch-nuts. We also felt it offered something of a break from the onslaught of news […]
Monochrome
Watches with integrated bracelets and elegant-sports designs remain popular. While the hype seems to have cooled slightly, the category continues to be very competitive, but also creative. From big watchmaking brands refining icons to young independents challenging the rules, 2025 has produced a stellar mix of timepieces that combine innovation, design, and craftsmanship. We’ve selected […]
Monochrome
The unabating appeal of pilot and military watches stems from several factors. The nostalgic, historical association of this genre with WWI and WWII pilots and soldiers is one factor, but so is the robust, utilitarian build of these watches, paired with uncluttered, high-contrast dials that prize legibility. 2025 has seen its fair share of cockpit […]
Monochrome
Year after year, the popularity of the dive watch category shows no signs of decreasing. A classic for most brands and a must-have in any serious collection, owning a dive watch is always a great option for summer or weekends, even though most of us won’t even take it deeper than the bottom of a […]
Question, suggestion, or just want to say hi? Drop a note.
Comments
No comments yet, be the first to weigh in.