Quill & Pad
Return of the Pool Watch by Tamim Almousa
I love a 5-star hotel. I love dressing up and hanging out in the lobby, serenaded by soft piano music, the murmurs of the crowd, the intermittent chime of the elevator arriving.
Results for Mother of Pearl Dial
34,301 articles · 155 videos found · page 67 of 1149
Quill & Pad
Fratello
A Brief History Of The Seiko Astron GPS Solar - Including Some Of The Best Models Made So Far
Time from space. The light-powered Astron GPS Solar, which Seiko launched 14 years ago — this article is indeed a brief history of the Seiko Astron Solar GPS, not the groundbreaking Astron from 1969 — was the world’s first wristwatch to use satellite signals to set the correct time automatically. A 47 × 16mm case […] Visit A Brief History Of The Seiko Astron GPS Solar — Including Some Of The Best Models Made So Far to read the full article.
Monochrome
In-Depth - The Origins & Evolution Of The Breguet Tradition Collection (Incl. Video)
Steeped in tradition, perfectly in place in the present, and not shy about welcoming the future, the Tradition collection by Breguet is perhaps the finest representation of Abraham-Louis Breguet’s true watchmaking vision. This cornerstone collection was introduced in 2005 and has reshaped the perception of modern watchmaking through something remarkable: the creation of a pocket-watch-style […]
Worn & Wound
Our Favorite Watches of 2026 (So Far)
With the first half of 2026 in the books (seriously, how is already July?) we thought it would be a good time to check in with our writers to see what watches spoke to them this year. It’s been a busy year in terms of new releases, with major new novelties from the big brands dotting the calendar on a weekly basis even well past trade show season. But as always, our team looks to smaller makers (and more obscure references from the big guns) when it comes to considering the very best. As always, we want to know your favorites, so let us know in the comments what new 2026 releases were your favorites in the first six months of the year. Zach Kazan It feels like this has been an exceptional year for watches. As Zach Weiss and I were preparing to record a podcast on this very topic earlier this week, my list of watches to discuss as highlights for the first half of 2026 ballooned to a point that I had to start thinking about what to cut rather than how to scramble for a few more watches to talk about. That’s a position we’ve all been in from time to time with these lists, and having a surplus of good watches to consider is a better situation by far. That said, there’s one watch, to me, that’s a clear favorite, and that’s the collaboration between Baltic and SpaceOne, the Seconde Majeure. This is the best watch either brand has ever made, and a great example of the right way to do a collaboration. It doesn’t feel exactly like either brand, but a little like...
Time+Tide
Chronoswiss brings the warmth of the desert to its latest skeletonised chronograph with the Opus Dakar Sundown
Chronoswiss unveils the Opus Dakar Sundown, pairing a two-tone steel and red gold case with a skeletonised, desert-inspired dial.
Time+Tide
We visit Jaeger-LeCoultre’s “Valley of Inventions” exhibition in Melbourne
Our roving reporter in Melbourne discovered Jaeger-LeCoultre's incredible "Valley of Inventions" exhibition, and here's what he found
Monochrome
Hands-on - Revisiting Maen’s Coolest Integrated Sports Watch, the Manhattan 37 Ultra-Thin with Blue Tuscan Dial
The Maen Manhattan 37 Ultra-Thin is one of the brand‘s signature series. The recent boutique-exclusive Blue Fumé edition sold out almost immediately, while the textured blue model proved equally popular, disappearing from the catalogue for a time. Responding to demand, Maen has now brought it back into production, giving fans another chance to experience what […]
Hodinkee
The Art Of Being A Value-Driven Collector
The industry-wide market fluctuations that took shape in the wake of the pandemic pushed an often-taboo conversation in the collecting community: are we collecting for investment or are we collecting for pleasure? Sure, it's not quite that black-and-white, but certain shifts in the market and collector behavior over the past six years are undeniable. When the value of particular brands and models began to skyrocket, the secondary market showed clear signs that people were capitalizing on the opportunity to profit, and, in turn, the pure notions of "I buy what I like" or "I collect because it's fun" began to come into question. At one end of the spectrum, many collectors were essentially becoming dealers, seizing a moment when there was a massive return on investment to be had. However, even those collectors who didn't get fully swept away in the hype at the height of the market became acutely aware of the value their watches held and how, quite literally, in the blink of an eye, that value could change for better or worse. "Hype moments are not inherently bad or good," suggests Charles Tian, Founder and CEO of WatchCharts. "Some hype is expected for a healthy market—if the market is actually alive and things are happening, that means there are passionate people in the market, and you are inevitably going to get some hype. The question is how you navigate these moments in the context of your own collecting journey." According to WatchCharts and Morgan Stanley's quarterly ...
Teddy Baldassarre
New Longines Conquest Heritage Central Power Reserve Features Light Blue Dial And Bracelet
The Longines Conquest Heritage Central Power Reserve is updated for 2026 with a new blue dial and a bracelet option.
Fratello
After Giving Us The Rainbow, Awake Now Gets Us The Pot Of Gold With The New Sơn Mài Frosted Leaf Royal Blue
Have you seen a rainbow anywhere lately? I haven’t, but every time I see one, I think about the pot of gold that’s supposed to be sitting right at the end of it. Independent watch brand Awake also makes me think there’s a connection between the two. Lex recently went hands-on with the Sơn Mài […] Visit After Giving Us The Rainbow, Awake Now Gets Us The Pot Of Gold With The New Sơn Mài Frosted Leaf Royal Blue to read the full article.
SJX Watches
I’ve Seen the Future of American Watchmaking
American watchmaking seems to be on the rebound, though it bears repeating that the number of brands doing substantial work within the 50 states remains low. On the eve of the nation’s 250th birthday, we examine another aspect of the domestic watch industry: the state of its watchmaking training system. To bring this topic into focus, we visited the Watch Technology Institute (WTI) at North Seattle College (NSC) — the last remaining full-time public watchmaking programme in the US capable of granting a major certification. The Watch Technology Institute at North Seattle College. Image – WTI The state of watch education in the United States The United States was once a watchmaking powerhouse that forced a massive shift toward industrialised watchmaking in Switzerland. But the domestic industry faltered as consumer tastes shifted to favour wristwatches, and the nation’s industrialists effectively gave up on watchmaking to focus on other markets. That explains why most American watchmakers today are oriented toward the service and maintenance of Swiss-made watches. There’s been a renewed emphasis in recent years on making complete watches in the US — J.N. Shapiro’s Resurgence is a representative example — but the needs and trends of the broader market help explain America’s increasingly consolidated training landscape. Understanding WTI and SAWTA The history of WTI dates to the post-war era, when a large number of vocational schools were opened in the US to ...
Monochrome
First Look - The New Rado Captain Cook with Shimmering Golden Dial
Since its revival in 2017, the Captain Cook has become one of Rado’s greatest success stories. Originally introduced in 1962, the collection has grown into a very diverse family, ranging from compact vintage-inspired divers to high-tech ceramic models, skeleton watches and chronographs. Rado has also experimented with materials, colours and finishes while preserving the distinctive character […]
Hodinkee
The Business of Watches Podcast: Roy Davidoff (Geneva Vintage Watch Dealer And Collector)
Roy Davidoff has spent a life keeping up with the time. Born into a family of jewelers and a youth spent in Geneva, followed by a move to Miami, watches have been a constant throughout his professional career. Roy Davidoff (Photo Courtesy Cartier). A return to Switzerland saw stints at brands including Bovet and Jacob & Co., before becoming a dealer of vintage and pre-owned with his brother and the launch of their business - Roy & Sacha Davidoff SA - more than a decade ago. The fraternal duo gained prominence as dealers and experts regarding the Omega Speedmaster - a specialized section of the vintage market that has most certainly had its ups and downs. A respected name and authority in the industry, Davidoff most recently served as a jury member for The Cartier Prize For Watchmaking Talents of Tomorrow, where, alongside fellow judges including Kari Voutilainen, were tasked with making selections for creations from European watchmaking students who were chosen for their technical and artistic interpretations reconsidering different ways to tell time. Davidoff's role as a dealer and collector demands deep knowledge and constantly taking the pulse of the secondary market, shifting tastes, and changing demands. At the high-end and elite level, the market has changed, Davidoff says, as many collectors seek assurance and certainty in modern, independent brands and watchmakers. He's candid, enthusiastic, and dedicated to the Swiss industry, where he's found a place amon...
Teddy Baldassarre
Hamilton Launches Khaki Field Auto 'The Odyssey' Limited Edition Ahead Of Highly Anticipated Film
The brand reunites with Christopher Nolan to create a watch inspired by the adaptation of the Greek epic.More
Monochrome
First Look - MB&F; Marks the Opening of Its New York Lounge with the LM101 EVO NYC Edition
MB&F; has never been short of reasons to celebrate with a limited edition. This one, though, marks the opening of something new for the brand. After more than two decades of working with retail partners across the United States, the independent brand has finally opened its own New York lounge in Manhattan. To celebrate the […]
Monochrome
Introducing - The Awake Son Mai Frosted Leaf Royal Blue with Gold-Leaf Dial
Timepieces by Awake Watches have clicked with the community mostly because of their dials, if not always for the watches as a whole. You can pretty much count on whatever you pick from their collections looking alive on the wrist. Whether it is the Son Mai Silver Leaf “Atlantis Blue” handcrafted in Vietnam using ancestral […]
Hodinkee
In Partnership - Gatherings: The Porsche Way Of Swiss Watchmaking Comes To Watches Of Switzerland SoHo
Hot on the heels of the opening of Porsche Design's new watch manufacture in Grenchen, Switzerland, Hodinkee and Watches of Switzerland (the exclusive authorized watch retailer of Porsche Design in the U.S.), hosted an evening with the brand here in New York City. The night served as a perfect window for local collectors to explore Porsche Design's approach to watchmaking, including the latest watches and an impressive selection of heritage timepieces from the brand. After some time spent mingling and socializing along a bay of new and vintage Porsche 911s parked on Greene Street, attention turned to the conversation between Hodinkee Editor TanTan Wang and Porsche Design Brand Ambassador (and actor) Orlando Bloom. In a wide-ranging discussion, TanTan and Orlando discussed the history of Porsche Design watches, highlights from their shared visit to the brand's newly opened Swiss Manufacture, and speculation about what's to come from the iconic design house. Housed at the base of the Jura Mountains, in the former home of Eterna Watches, the new headquarters of Porsche Design Timepieces represents a clear example of "The Porsche Way" of watchmaking. Since Professor Ferdinand Alexander Porsche expanded his design philosophy from cars into the large Porsche Design lifestyle brand in the 1970s, the new factory allows the brand to further its extraordinary level of technological innovation and intelligent design. A watchmaker from the newly opened Swiss Manufacture showcased the ...
Worn & Wound
A Majestic Journey Through Clocks & Watches Made for Royalty: The ‘Sun King’ Louis XIV’s Clocks at Versailles and the Rhythm of Absolute Power
From the imposing astronomical clocks of Tudor England to the exquisite pendant watches of Victorian Britain, timekeeping has long been a symbol of power, prestige, and technological marvel within Europe’s royal courts. This new series explores the fascinating evolution of clocks and watches crafted specifically for royalty, tracing how these intricate masterpieces reflected the tastes, ambitions, and innovations of monarchs. Through the lens of craftsmanship, artistry, and historical significance, we reveal how these royal timepieces marked the passage of dynasties and empires. Louis XIV (1638–1715), the ‘Sun King’, was not only a patron of the arts but also an avid collector of scientific instruments, clocks, and watches. His interest reflected both his fascination with astronomy and mechanics, and his desire to project royal magnificence through technological marvels. Louis XIV ascended to the throne of France as a child, inheriting the crown at just four years old after the death of his father, Louis XIII. His early years were shaped by regency under his mother, Anne of Austria, and the powerful guidance of Cardinal Mazarin, who navigated the kingdom through internal rebellions and European conflicts. Emerging from this formative period, Louis assumed full control of the kingdom at the age of 23, determined to consolidate royal authority and establish himself as the embodiment of absolute monarchy. His rise to power was not just a succession of events, but th...
Monochrome
Introducing - The Zenith Chronomaster Original Paris Edition with Verdigris Dial
Paris is the inspiration behind this latest special edition again, but Zenith has done it differently this time. In 2024, the brand took cues from the city’s modern architecture and combined it with the sharp lines of the Defy Skyline Paris Edition. This time, however, Zenith has chosen its vintage-inspired El Primero watch, resulting in […]
Monochrome
First Look - The Impressive Finishings of the Greubel Forsey Balancier QM
Greubel Forsey, the high-end independent brand founded in 2004, has long been associated with multi-axis tourbillons, often staged in enormous, asymmetric cases with protrusions to accommodate the mechanics and offer panoramic views. The first model to appear without a tourbillon was the Balancier, equipped with an enormous 12.6mm dial-side balance wheel. Ever evolving, the latest […]
Monochrome
Buying Guide - Six Of Today’s Finest Integrated Sports Watches Below 10k
It’s long been confirmed that the integrated sports watch segment of the industry is a very crowded place and not easy to enter, and even tougher to make a true big impact. Every new entry is directly compared to some of the blueprint models of the concept, such as the Royal Oak, Nautilus, Overseas and […]
Monochrome
Recap - The 28th Edition of the Cartier Prize for Watchmaking Talents of Tomorrow
Several initiatives exist to promote the development and future of watchmaking, as well as to discover and support the talents of tomorrow. This is crucial to nurture the next generation of watchmakers and protect the art we love and share here on MONOCHROME. Among these initiatives is one that is particularly inspiring, the Cartier Prize […]
Time+Tide
The intelligence of the hand: Inside Vacheron Constantin’s decorative arts legacy
The intelligence of the hand. It comes from ancient Greece, and it holds that manual dexterity isn't some lesser sibling to intellectual thought.
Monochrome
The Petrolhead Corner - The Ferrari Conciso, The Unlikeliest Ferrari of All
Concept cars are where carmakers and designers go wild and create the craziest, most unhinged experimental vehicles you can imagine. They often showcase never-before-seen technology and ideas, provide a glimpse into design elements for future production cars, or downright do something outrageous for the sake of being outrageous. Most of these are relegated to a […]
Monochrome
First Look - Breguet Releases 3 new Tourbillon Watches for the 225th Anniversary of its Invention
Precisely 225 years ago on this day (on June 26, 1801, or on 7 Messidor An IX, to use the French Republican calendar in force at the time), Abraham-Louis Breguet was granted the patent for what is, without a doubt, its most famous invention: the tourbillon. Designed to counter the problem of gravity affecting the […]
Fratello
Fratello Talks: Breguet’s CEO On The Latest Tradition 7047, 225 Years Of The Tourbillon, And The Brand’s Future
On the 225th anniversary of the tourbillon patent, we sit down with Breguet CEO Gregory Kissling to discuss the latest version of the Tourbillon 7047, the brand’s enduring appeal, and the future of one of watchmaking’s most historic names. Before taking the helm at Breguet on October 1st, 2024, Kissling served as Vice President of […] Visit Fratello Talks: Breguet’s CEO On The Latest Tradition 7047, 225 Years Of The Tourbillon, And The Brand’s Future to read the full article.
Fratello
225 Years After The Tourbillon’s Invention, The Breguet Tradition Tourbillon 7047 Spins In The Best Of Traditions
The year after Breguet turned 250, the brand celebrates another big milestone, the 225th anniversary of the tourbillon. It does so with several gravity-defying watches, and we had the chance to experience the newest Breguet Tradition Tourbillon 7047, a platinum 25-piece limited edition outfitted with a spinning one-minute tourbillon and a fascinating fusée-and-chain mechanism. The […] Visit 225 Years After The Tourbillon’s Invention, The Breguet Tradition Tourbillon 7047 Spins In The Best Of Traditions to read the full article.
Hodinkee
Introducing: Breguet Celebrates the 225th Anniversary of the Tourbillon with Four New Releases, And the Return of a Collector Favorite (Live Pics)
The year was 7 Messidor Year IX—or for those who don't follow the French Republican Calendar, June 26, 1801. After years of intense study and experimentation and some correspondence with his friend John Arnold (who similarly experimented with the concept before his death in 1799), Abraham-Louis Breguet was granted a 10-year patent for the "tourbillon." By 1829, Breguet and his workshop would only make 40 watches with the regulating organ, which was designed to eliminate positional errors and distribute oil (which often thickened in place), thereby lubricating parts more evenly. A Breguet four-minute tourbillon watch with échappement naturel, which sold at Sotheby's last year for CHF 1,880,000. Photo courtesy Sotheby's. Well, Abraham-Louis Breguet (and John Arnold) would be proud of how far the concept of the tourbillon has come—he may even be spinning himself if he saw some of the things that have happened with the tourbillon, like Alfred Helwig's invention of the flying tourbillon, let alone the first tourbillon wristwatch—and how many of those concepts have been integrated into watches made under his name. Add to that the fact that Breguet annually makes multiple times the number of his lifetime production, and it's just pretty cool how far things have come in 225 years. The Breguet Experimentale 1, which was launched late last year. The 10Hz, 1-minute tourbillon was one of the most extreme tourbillons ever made. Exposition out of the way, Breguet is celebrating t...
Teddy Baldassarre Videos
The Watches of a Lawyer (Seiko, Vacheron, Glashütte, & More)
Teddy Baldassarre is an authorized luxury watch retailer of brands like TUDOR, OMEGA, IWC, Grand Seiko, Breitling, Blancpain, Glashütte Original, Zenith, Longines, ORIS, MIDO, Tissot, Hamilton, NOMOS Glashütte, Baume & Mercier, and more.
Worn & Wound
The Ultimate Fourth of July Gift Guide with Bremont’s Terra Nova Jumping Hour 1776
For many Americans, the Fourth of July means fireworks, backyard barbecues, and the one day a year that a stars-and-stripes t-shirt somehow feels perfectly acceptable. Yet beyond the spectacle and celebration, Independence Day is ultimately about something much simpler: coming together with friends and family to celebrate the history and ideals that continue to define […]