Posts Published byraftmenpiece

First Look – New Silk-Inspired Dials and a 38mm Case Join the Seiko Presage Classic Series

First Look – New Silk-Inspired Dials and a 38mm Case Join the Seiko Presage Classic Series

Few line-ups in Seiko‘s catalogue seem as focused on dials as the Presage Classic Series. While most new releases are quick to talk about case materials, bezels, or mechanics, the conversation here almost always starts with colour and texture. We have seen that through porcelain dials, open-heart references, and more recently, the 36mm “Edo Silk” […]

Few line-ups in Seiko‘s catalogue seem as focused on dials as the Presage Classic Series. While most new releases are quick to talk about case materials, bezels, or mechanics, the conversation here almost always starts with colour and texture. We have seen that through porcelain dials, open-heart references, and more recently, the 36mm “Edo Silk”

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First Look – Certina Doubles Down with the New DS Super PH2000M Sea Turtle Conservancy (Incl. Video)

First Look – Certina Doubles Down with the New DS Super PH2000M Sea Turtle Conservancy (Incl. Video)

Certina has a very long legacy in keeping watches safe from the effects of shocks and water, dating back to the Double Security system introduced in 1959. This has remained a key element in the brand’s watches, which it expanded last year with the DS Concept Extreme Shock Resistance system. Doubling down on this legacy, […]

Certina has a very long legacy in keeping watches safe from the effects of shocks and water, dating back to the Double Security system introduced in 1959. This has remained a key element in the brand’s watches, which it expanded last year with the DS Concept Extreme Shock Resistance system. Doubling down on this legacy,

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Introducing – The Sizzling Hot Colours of the H. Moser & Cie. Pioneer Centre Seconds Sun Berry

Introducing – The Sizzling Hot Colours of the H. Moser & Cie. Pioneer Centre Seconds Sun Berry

Nothing captures the relaxed vibe of summer quite like vibrant colours. Launched in 2015, H. Moser & Cie.’s Pioneer Centre Seconds was conceived as the brand’s everyday, all-purpose watch with a robust, versatile personality. Translating Moser’s minimalist, high-end watchmaking into a more wearable, active format, the Pioneer flaunts a more muscular, water-resistant case construction without […]

Nothing captures the relaxed vibe of summer quite like vibrant colours. Launched in 2015, H. Moser & Cie.’s Pioneer Centre Seconds was conceived as the brand’s everyday, all-purpose watch with a robust, versatile personality. Translating Moser’s minimalist, high-end watchmaking into a more wearable, active format, the Pioneer flaunts a more muscular, water-resistant case construction without

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First Look – The New-Generation Ulysse Nardin Freak X; Smaller, More Versatile and with new Movement

First Look – The New-Generation Ulysse Nardin Freak X; Smaller, More Versatile and with new Movement

In 2019, Ulysse Nardin launched the Freak X. More compact, more accessible and equipped with a conventional crown, it retained the essence of the original Freak (no hands, no dial, and no crown) introduced in 2001 by visionary watchmaker Ludwig Oechslin, while adapting it for everyday wear and a broader clientele. Now, as the manufacture […]

In 2019, Ulysse Nardin launched the Freak X. More compact, more accessible and equipped with a conventional crown, it retained the essence of the original Freak (no hands, no dial, and no crown) introduced in 2001 by visionary watchmaker Ludwig Oechslin, while adapting it for everyday wear and a broader clientele. Now, as the manufacture

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Industry News – The EPHJ 2026, Where the Future of Watchmaking Takes Shape Behind The Scenes

Industry News – The EPHJ 2026, Where the Future of Watchmaking Takes Shape Behind The Scenes

Every June, Geneva becomes the meeting point for the world of high precision. Held annually at Palexpo (June 16 to 19, for the 2026 edition), the EPHJ trade show brings together more than 20,000 visitors and over 800 exhibitors from the watchmaking, jewellery, microtechnology and medical technology sectors, making it the largest high-precision industry exhibition […]

Every June, Geneva becomes the meeting point for the world of high precision. Held annually at Palexpo (June 16 to 19, for the 2026 edition), the EPHJ trade show brings together more than 20,000 visitors and over 800 exhibitors from the watchmaking, jewellery, microtechnology and medical technology sectors, making it the largest high-precision industry exhibition

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Introducing – The Hanhart Thermosphere Limited Edition, a Purpose-Built Watch Inspired by Firefighting Operations

Introducing – The Hanhart Thermosphere Limited Edition, a Purpose-Built Watch Inspired by Firefighting Operations

German watchmaker Hanhart presents the new Thermosphere Limited Edition, a model created in partnership with the Baden-Württemberg State Firefighters Association. Based on the robust Aquasphere diving watch, the Thermosphere adapts the concept to an entirely different environment, replacing underwater timing with a system inspired by breathing apparatus monitors used in firefighting operations. Limited to 112 […]

German watchmaker Hanhart presents the new Thermosphere Limited Edition, a model created in partnership with the Baden-Württemberg State Firefighters Association. Based on the robust Aquasphere diving watch, the Thermosphere adapts the concept to an entirely different environment, replacing underwater timing with a system inspired by breathing apparatus monitors used in firefighting operations. Limited to 112

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Introducing – The J.N. Shapiro Infinity Series Radiant Tantalum Monopusher Chronograph

Introducing – The J.N. Shapiro Infinity Series Radiant Tantalum Monopusher Chronograph

In just a few years, J.N. Shapiro, initially a niche American independent focused on exceptional guilloché dials, has become one of the most ambitious names in contemporary American watchmaking.  Founder Josh Shapiro’s Resurgence project demonstrated that high-end mechanical horology can once again be produced in the United States, and the Infinity Series has allowed him […]

In just a few years, J.N. Shapiro, initially a niche American independent focused on exceptional guilloché dials, has become one of the most ambitious names in contemporary American watchmaking.  Founder Josh Shapiro’s Resurgence project demonstrated that high-end mechanical horology can once again be produced in the United States, and the Infinity Series has allowed him

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First Look – A Smaller Case and Fresh Colours for the Powerful Tissot Seastar 2000 Professional

First Look – A Smaller Case and Fresh Colours for the Powerful Tissot Seastar 2000 Professional

Since its launch in 2021, the Seastar 2000 Professional has occupied an interesting spot in Tissot’s catalogue. For around EUR 1,000, it delivers a specification sheet that normally comes with more expensive dive watches: a helium escape valve, a ceramic insert bezel, 600m water-resistance, ISO 6425 certification, and a robust Swiss movement. In short, this […]

Since its launch in 2021, the Seastar 2000 Professional has occupied an interesting spot in Tissot’s catalogue. For around EUR 1,000, it delivers a specification sheet that normally comes with more expensive dive watches: a helium escape valve, a ceramic insert bezel, 600m water-resistance, ISO 6425 certification, and a robust Swiss movement. In short, this

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First Look – Vacheron Constantin Injects Even More Power into its Traditionnelle Twin Beat Perpetual Calendar

First Look – Vacheron Constantin Injects Even More Power into its Traditionnelle Twin Beat Perpetual Calendar

First released in 2019, Vacheron Constantin’s Traditionnelle Twin Beat Perpetual Calendar marked a before and after in the sophisticated realm of QPs. While not the first watchmaker to feature dual frequencies, Vacheron’s Twin Beat broke new ground as the first movement allowing you to switch between the two regulating mechanisms, converting a gas guzzling complication […]

First released in 2019, Vacheron Constantin’s Traditionnelle Twin Beat Perpetual Calendar marked a before and after in the sophisticated realm of QPs. While not the first watchmaker to feature dual frequencies, Vacheron’s Twin Beat broke new ground as the first movement allowing you to switch between the two regulating mechanisms, converting a gas guzzling complication

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Hands-on – The De Rijke & Co. Capri, a Confident New Chapter for the Dutch Independent Watchmaker

Hands-on – The De Rijke & Co. Capri, a Confident New Chapter for the Dutch Independent Watchmaker

Long-time MONOCHROME readers might remember that we were among the very first to cover the work of Dutch designer and watchmaker Laurens de Rijke. Back then, the focus was on the ingenious Amalfi Series I, a watch with a rotating inner case inspired by driving and travel. Since those early days, De Rijke & Co. […]

Long-time MONOCHROME readers might remember that we were among the very first to cover the work of Dutch designer and watchmaker Laurens de Rijke. Back then, the focus was on the ingenious Amalfi Series I, a watch with a rotating inner case inspired by driving and travel. Since those early days, De Rijke & Co.

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