Posts Published byraftmenpiece

Hands-on – The Pequignet Royale Paris Chronograph (Incl. Video Review)

Hands-on – The Pequignet Royale Paris Chronograph (Incl. Video Review)

Just a stone’s throw north of Neuchâtel, Switzerland and crossing the border into France, you will stumble upon a town called Morteau. Much like Le Locle and the Vallée de Joux are for the Swiss, Morteau is the heart of French mechanical watchmaking. It is here that you will find the Pequignet manufacture, a company […]

Just a stone’s throw north of Neuchâtel, Switzerland and crossing the border into France, you will stumble upon a town called Morteau. Much like Le Locle and the Vallée de Joux are for the Swiss, Morteau is the heart of French mechanical watchmaking. It is here that you will find the Pequignet manufacture, a company

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Industry News – Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier Unveils the VMF 5500, ts Upgraded Micro-Rotor Movement

Industry News – Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier Unveils the VMF 5500, ts Upgraded Micro-Rotor Movement

As the EPHJ Geneva trade fair, the major annual gathering dedicated to precision industries, including watchmaking, medtech and high-tech manufacturing, approaches (from 16 – 19 June), several suppliers exhibiting at the show have started unveiling their latest developments. Among them is Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier, a movement maker well known to regular readers of MONOCHROME Watches, […]

As the EPHJ Geneva trade fair, the major annual gathering dedicated to precision industries, including watchmaking, medtech and high-tech manufacturing, approaches (from 16 – 19 June), several suppliers exhibiting at the show have started unveiling their latest developments. Among them is Vaucher Manufacture Fleurier, a movement maker well known to regular readers of MONOCHROME Watches,

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Introducing – The TAG Heuer Monaco Speed 12, a Spin Time-Powered Racing Machine for the Wrist

Introducing – The TAG Heuer Monaco Speed 12, a Spin Time-Powered Racing Machine for the Wrist

The Heuer Monaco was launched in 1969 as one of the world’s first automatic chronographs and the first square, water-resistant chronograph wristwatch. It became an icon thanks to its unconventional design and its close association with motorsport. Over time, the TAG Heuer Monaco has evolved in multiple directions, from faithful heritage recreations to avant-garde concepts. […]

The Heuer Monaco was launched in 1969 as one of the world’s first automatic chronographs and the first square, water-resistant chronograph wristwatch. It became an icon thanks to its unconventional design and its close association with motorsport. Over time, the TAG Heuer Monaco has evolved in multiple directions, from faithful heritage recreations to avant-garde concepts.

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Introducing – The Electrifying Dial of the Ming x J.N. Shapiro 37.06 Lightning

Introducing – The Electrifying Dial of the Ming x J.N. Shapiro 37.06 Lightning

Indie watch brand Ming was founded by Malaysian photographer, designer and engineer Ming Thein in 2017. Since then, Ming has amassed a devoted following for its contemporary design-led watches distinguished by minimalism, luminescence, layering and colour. The latest 37.06 Lightning, a joint project between Ming and J.N. Shapiro Watches, a Los Angeles-based watchmaker, is the […]

Indie watch brand Ming was founded by Malaysian photographer, designer and engineer Ming Thein in 2017. Since then, Ming has amassed a devoted following for its contemporary design-led watches distinguished by minimalism, luminescence, layering and colour. The latest 37.06 Lightning, a joint project between Ming and J.N. Shapiro Watches, a Los Angeles-based watchmaker, is the

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First Look – The New Laps Studio Arche, A New Direction for the Parisian Brand

First Look – The New Laps Studio Arche, A New Direction for the Parisian Brand

Over the past few years, Paris-based brand Laps has been offering watches built around graphic design and artistic expression. Collections such as Signature Art Print presented affordable quartz-powered references with fun dial designs inspired by architecture, photography, illustration and contemporary culture. The emphasis was always on visual storytelling rather than traditional watchmaking. Now the brand […]

Over the past few years, Paris-based brand Laps has been offering watches built around graphic design and artistic expression. Collections such as Signature Art Print presented affordable quartz-powered references with fun dial designs inspired by architecture, photography, illustration and contemporary culture. The emphasis was always on visual storytelling rather than traditional watchmaking. Now the brand

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Introducing – The Glashütte Original Seventies Chronograph XV Limited Edition

Introducing – The Glashütte Original Seventies Chronograph XV Limited Edition

Quite a radical departure from the usual classic German style of the Pano and Senator collection by Glashütte Original, the Seventies range, now exclusively available as a chronograph, is characterised by its TV-shaped case and integrated bracelet, but also by a great audacity in colours – which reflects the era after which the watch is […]

Quite a radical departure from the usual classic German style of the Pano and Senator collection by Glashütte Original, the Seventies range, now exclusively available as a chronograph, is characterised by its TV-shaped case and integrated bracelet, but also by a great audacity in colours – which reflects the era after which the watch is

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Introducing – The 2026 Chopard Mille Miglia GTS Power Control Grigio-Blu Racing Edition

Introducing – The 2026 Chopard Mille Miglia GTS Power Control Grigio-Blu Racing Edition

As the official sponsor and timekeeper of the historic Mille Miglia since 1988, Chopard enjoys one of the longest-running partnerships between a watch brand and a car event. The brand’s Mille Miglia collection is the watchmaking extension of co-president Karl-Friedrich Scheufele’s lifelong passion for the classic Italian road race. With the 44th edition taking place […]

As the official sponsor and timekeeper of the historic Mille Miglia since 1988, Chopard enjoys one of the longest-running partnerships between a watch brand and a car event. The brand’s Mille Miglia collection is the watchmaking extension of co-president Karl-Friedrich Scheufele’s lifelong passion for the classic Italian road race. With the 44th edition taking place

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First Look – The Girard-Perregaux Laureato Fifty Collection Expands with 39mm and 36mm Steel Models

First Look – The Girard-Perregaux Laureato Fifty Collection Expands with 39mm and 36mm Steel Models

Only a few integrated-bracelet luxury sports watches can claim the same continuity as the Girard-Perregaux Laureato. Introduced in 1975, at the height of the quartz era, the model combined the brand’s technical expertise with a distinctive design defined by an octagonal bezel set on a circular plinth, a tonneau-shaped case and an integrated bracelet. Over […]

Only a few integrated-bracelet luxury sports watches can claim the same continuity as the Girard-Perregaux Laureato. Introduced in 1975, at the height of the quartz era, the model combined the brand’s technical expertise with a distinctive design defined by an octagonal bezel set on a circular plinth, a tonneau-shaped case and an integrated bracelet. Over

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First Look – The Seiko Prospex Diver’s Watch PADI 60th Anniversary HBB002 Limited

First Look – The Seiko Prospex Diver’s Watch PADI 60th Anniversary HBB002 Limited

Over the past decade, Seiko and the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) have given us a steady stream of collaborative dive watches. We have recently seen the Prospex PADI SPB501 and Prospex PADI SRPL51 with their amazing emerald green wave-like dials. Earlier years also brought special editions based on platforms such as the Samurai […]

Over the past decade, Seiko and the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI) have given us a steady stream of collaborative dive watches. We have recently seen the Prospex PADI SPB501 and Prospex PADI SRPL51 with their amazing emerald green wave-like dials. Earlier years also brought special editions based on platforms such as the Samurai

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First Look – The Trilobe Trente-Deux with New Colours, Gold Cases and Straps

First Look – The Trilobe Trente-Deux with New Colours, Gold Cases and Straps

One of the pleasant surprises of 2025 and a game-changer for the very young, Paris-based independent brand, the Trilobe Trente-Deux entered the competitive integrated-bracelet sports watch segment. More importantly, however, it debuted the Calibre X-Nihilo, Trilobe’s first in-house movement, developed, produced, and assembled in Paris. Less than a year later, Trilobe expanded the collection with […]

One of the pleasant surprises of 2025 and a game-changer for the very young, Paris-based independent brand, the Trilobe Trente-Deux entered the competitive integrated-bracelet sports watch segment. More importantly, however, it debuted the Calibre X-Nihilo, Trilobe’s first in-house movement, developed, produced, and assembled in Paris. Less than a year later, Trilobe expanded the collection with

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