Interview – Jiro Katayama, Founder of Otsuka Lotec, on the Creation and Future of Japan’s Coolest Indie Watch Brand If you’ve been reading MONOCHROME regularly or have been following the evolution of indie watchmaking in recent years, the name Otsuka Lotec should be familiar to you. In only a few years, the steampunk-inspired, industrially-designed collection has reached impressive worldwide recognition, while still being extremely difficult to buy overseas – a classic case of JDM-only […] If you’ve been reading MONOCHROME regularly or have been following the evolution of indie watchmaking in recent years, the name Otsuka Lotec should be familiar to you. In only a few years, the steampunk-inspired, industrially-designed collection has reached impressive worldwide recognition, while still being extremely difficult to buy overseas – a classic case of JDM-only
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Introducing – Maurice Lacroix Refines the Aikon Automatic Chronograph for its Tenth Anniversary
Introducing – Maurice Lacroix Refines the Aikon Automatic Chronograph for its Tenth Anniversary Introduced in 2016, the Aikon collection has become a cornerstone of Maurice Lacroix’s catalogue, combining an integrated design with sporty details and accessible Swiss mechanics. Initially available with quartz movements, the collection added automatic versions in 2018, including the Automatic Chronograph. Now, ten years after the Aikon’s debut, Maurice Lacroix revisits its automatic chronograph with […] Introduced in 2016, the Aikon collection has become a cornerstone of Maurice Lacroix’s catalogue, combining an integrated design with sporty details and accessible Swiss mechanics. Initially available with quartz movements, the collection added automatic versions in 2018, including the Automatic Chronograph. Now, ten years after the Aikon’s debut, Maurice Lacroix revisits its automatic chronograph with
Introducing – The New Doxa SUB 200T Afterglow Brings Us Sunset in Naples
Introducing – The New Doxa SUB 200T Afterglow Brings Us Sunset in Naples Doxa has long used colour to distinguish its dive watches, with bright orange, turquoise, yellow and deep blue among the signature shades of its SUB collection. The new SUB 200T Afterglow adds a new one: a pink sunray dial inspired by the brief period after sunset when the sky above Naples, Florida, takes on shades […] Doxa has long used colour to distinguish its dive watches, with bright orange, turquoise, yellow and deep blue among the signature shades of its SUB collection. The new SUB 200T Afterglow adds a new one: a pink sunray dial inspired by the brief period after sunset when the sky above Naples, Florida, takes on shades
Introducing – Ochs und Junior Releases its Perpetual Calendar Holiday Edition 2026
Introducing – Ochs und Junior Releases its Perpetual Calendar Holiday Edition 2026 Most high-end perpetual calendars are fragile creatures composed of hundreds of components, delicate levers and springs. The problem with many is that they are susceptible to damage, especially if the crown or pushers are manipulated during the watch’s date-change cycle. Master watchmaker Ludwig Oechslin tackled the problem with the Perpetual Ludwig, developed for Ulysse Nardin […] Most high-end perpetual calendars are fragile creatures composed of hundreds of components, delicate levers and springs. The problem with many is that they are susceptible to damage, especially if the crown or pushers are manipulated during the watch’s date-change cycle. Master watchmaker Ludwig Oechslin tackled the problem with the Perpetual Ludwig, developed for Ulysse Nardin
First Look – Tissot Pumps Up and Opens Up the PRX for Damian Lillard
First Look – Tissot Pumps Up and Opens Up the PRX for Damian Lillard The PRX is one of Tissot’s defining collections, offering an accessible take on the integrated design inspired by the 1970s watches, with contemporary proportions and mechanics. The popular concept takes on a different form with the new PRX Skeleton Damian Lillard Special Edition. Created with the NBA player known as “Dame Time”, this second PRX […] The PRX is one of Tissot’s defining collections, offering an accessible take on the integrated design inspired by the 1970s watches, with contemporary proportions and mechanics. The popular concept takes on a different form with the new PRX Skeleton Damian Lillard Special Edition. Created with the NBA player known as “Dame Time”, this second PRX
First Look – The Goddess Returns to Villeret on the Minerva Exo Tourbillon Skeleton Limited Edition
First Look – The Goddess Returns to Villeret on the Minerva Exo Tourbillon Skeleton Limited Edition The Minerva Exo Tourbillon Skeleton marks the manufacture’s transition to a standalone brand structure, dropping the previous dual Montblanc branding to focus entirely on its own heritage. Limited to just 18 pieces in rose gold, the watch reveals incredible details of the hand-finished, skeletonised calibre M18.69, combined with classical design elements like the agate cameo […] The Minerva Exo Tourbillon Skeleton marks the manufacture’s transition to a standalone brand structure, dropping the previous dual Montblanc branding to focus entirely on its own heritage. Limited to just 18 pieces in rose gold, the watch reveals incredible details of the hand-finished, skeletonised calibre M18.69, combined with classical design elements like the agate cameo
Introducing – The Mexican-Themed Chopard L.U.C Full Strike Día de los Muertos Edition 13
Introducing – The Mexican-Themed Chopard L.U.C Full Strike Día de los Muertos Edition 13 Chopard continues its tribute to Mexican culture with the thirteenth interpretation of its L.U.C Full Strike. This latest one-of-a-kind “Día de los Muertos” creation pairs one of the manufacture’s most technically accomplished watches with an elaborate dial depicting a calavera, the stylised skull associated with the celebration of life and remembrance. The 2021 version of […] Chopard continues its tribute to Mexican culture with the thirteenth interpretation of its L.U.C Full Strike. This latest one-of-a-kind “Día de los Muertos” creation pairs one of the manufacture’s most technically accomplished watches with an elaborate dial depicting a calavera, the stylised skull associated with the celebration of life and remembrance. The 2021 version of
Introducing – Yema’s Ambitious new Spacegraf Heure Siderale Tourbillon Volant Limited Edition
Introducing – Yema’s Ambitious new Spacegraf Heure Siderale Tourbillon Volant Limited Edition Yema’s Millésime series represents the most elaborate example of its watchmaking ambitions, offering French manufacturing and complications rarely encountered at this price level, in limited production series. Following last year’s Superman Tourbillon Millésime CMM.31, the brand introduces a very different creation for 2026, potentially its most ambitious to date: the Spacegraf Heure Sidérale Tourbillon Volant. […] Yema’s Millésime series represents the most elaborate example of its watchmaking ambitions, offering French manufacturing and complications rarely encountered at this price level, in limited production series. Following last year’s Superman Tourbillon Millésime CMM.31, the brand introduces a very different creation for 2026, potentially its most ambitious to date: the Spacegraf Heure Sidérale Tourbillon Volant.
Introducing – Oris Aquis Date Kelp Forest Limited Edition
Introducing – Oris Aquis Date Kelp Forest Limited Edition Oris supports environmental causes through its watches, like the Aquis Date Yangtze Jiangtun or the New York Harbour limited editions, participating in projects dedicated to protecting marine ecosystems and bringing attention to issues beyond watchmaking. The new Aquis Date Kelp Forest Limited Edition is made with Francis Pérez, the award-winning underwater photographer and long-time Oris […] Oris supports environmental causes through its watches, like the Aquis Date Yangtze Jiangtun or the New York Harbour limited editions, participating in projects dedicated to protecting marine ecosystems and bringing attention to issues beyond watchmaking. The new Aquis Date Kelp Forest Limited Edition is made with Francis Pérez, the award-winning underwater photographer and long-time Oris
Introducing – The Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Moon, now in an Elegant 36mm Pink Gold Case
Introducing – The Jaeger-LeCoultre Master Ultra Thin Moon, now in an Elegant 36mm Pink Gold Case When thinking about the most emblematic watches produced by Jaeger-LeCoultre, some might, of course, mention the Reverso or the Memovox immediately. That said, the Master collection must be included in the list, whether we’re talking about the Master Control collection that debuted in 1992, or the more recent, more elegant and more slender Master Ultra […] When thinking about the most emblematic watches produced by Jaeger-LeCoultre, some might, of course, mention the Reverso or the Memovox immediately. That said, the Master collection must be included in the list, whether we’re talking about the Master Control collection that debuted in 1992, or the more recent, more elegant and more slender Master Ultra