One of our favorite releases this year came from Hublot with the new Classic Fusion Ferrari GT. With a completely new case construction where the middle is suspended inside an outer caseband structure that holds the strap and the pushers for the chronograph, this new watch has a slight resemblance of the old Porsche Design ref. 3510 by IWC from the mid 80s. And this is not a bad thing. The new Hublot Classic Fusion Ferrari GT has a lot of substance as well as forward thinking design that brings the automotive world into the equation.
Posts filed under Baselworld
Baselworld 2019: Rolex GMT Master II 'Pepsi' Meteorite Dial ref. 126719BLRO. Live Pictures & Price.
Adding to the frenzy caused by the release of the GMT Master II ‘Pepsi’ last year —read about the current pricing bubble here—, a new iteration of the Rolex GMT Master II in 18K white gold was just released sporting a meteorite dial that makes it appear a lot like the rare GMT Master ref. 6542 ‘Albino’. While we are not the biggest fans when it comes to Rolex meteorite dials, we need to admit that in the metal and outside of the showcase, the watch is very nice. Now, would we take this one over the discontinued white gold ‘Pepsi’ with black dial? Absolutely, not.
Baselworld 2019: Bulgari Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT Automatic. Live Pictures & Price.
Setting a fifth world record as the thinnest ever mechanical Chronograph in watchmaking history comes the new Bulgari Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT. Endowed with a case measuring less than 7 mm in thickness, this new chronograph from Bulgari makes things even better by also adding a second complication in the form of a GMT. This integrated movement is another demonstration of Bulgari’s skills in Haute Horlogerie. The Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT Automatic represents the fifth element for the collection. Neither round nor square, Octo has created its own codes since it was first released and, with its Finissimo collection, helped launch the industry trend for ultra-thin watches surpassing someone like Piaget in some ways.
Baselworld 2019: Chopard L.U.C XP Galvanic Blue. Live Pictures & Price.
Without a doubt, the simplicity and clean lines of a 'time-only' watch like the new Chopard L.U.C XP Galvanic Blue are hard to beat by other more complex timepieces. Continuing with the watch industry trend of blue dials, comes this stunner from Chopard in stainless steel. The new Chopard L.U.C XP Galvanic Blue ref. 168592-3002 is an exceptional timepiece with a stunning vertical satin-brushed dial, a virgin wool blue strap, and rose gold hour markers and Arabic numerals at 12, 3, 6 and 9. As stunning in these pictures as it is in the metal.
Baselworld 2019: Zenith DEFY Double Tourbillon. Live Pictures & Price.
One of the nicest watches we’ve seen this year at Baselworld 2019 and a feat of horology thanks to its 1/100th chronograph and its double tourbillon. The new Zenith DEFY Double Tourbillon is not your conventional watch from Zenith. After the revival of the DEFY line with a case design more in line with the historical DEFY watches from the sixties and seventies, the DEFY watches bring a breath of fresh air to a brand that has revolved around the El Primero look for most of his modern history since 1969. While the case of the DEFY might not be everyone’s cup of tea, here at WCL we do like it.
Baselworld 2019: Arnold & Son Time Pyramid Flying Tourbillon in Red Gold and in Stainless Steel. Live Pictures & Price.
The Arnold & Son Time Pyramid was first released in stainless steel in 2014 and now comes back with a skeletonized flying tourbillon. The tourbillon and the two power reserve indicators are superposed by a sapphire crystal dial indicating the hours itself, crowned with a rhodium plated ring for the minutes. This exclusive construction offers a lively-look and three-dimensional face to the timepiece and, to further enhance the balance and symmetry, the crown is positioned at six o’clock.
Baselworld 2019: Angelus U50 Diver Tourbillon Black Edition. Live Pictures & Price.
Originally released in 2018, the Angelus U50 Diver Tourbillon was the brand’s first diver’s watch. With a high level of skeletonization of its movement allowing for maximum transparency and an incredible view of all of its components, the Angelus U50 Diver Tourbillon is now also available in a Black Edition. The new Angelus U50 Diver Tourbillon Black Edition maintains the same proportions at 45 mm as its predecessor, but now in a very stealthy-looking iteration.
Baselworld 2019: Tudor Black Bay Bronze Slate Grey ref. M79250BA-0001. Live Pictures & Price.
Continuing with the bronze saga, Tudor just launched a grey bronze Black Bay that joins the blue Bucherer and brown bronze Black Bay editions.. The new Tudor Black Bay Bronze Slate Grey ref. M79250BA-0001 comes equipped with the same Bronze/Aluminum alloy case measuring 43 mm as its brown and blue dial siblings. Regardless of the larger case diameter when compared to the Black Bay in stainless steel, the Bronze version doesn't wear that much bigger, to be quite frank.
Baselworld 2019: Patek Philippe Calatrava Weekly Calendar ref. 5212A. Live Pictures & Price.
This year a brand new complication for Patek Philippe as they present the new Calatrava Weekly Calendar ref. 5212A-001 with a semi-integrated mechanism displaying the current week number, in addition to the day and date. A particularly useful feature for the modern businessman. This stainless steel Calatrava Weekly Calendar with a 40 mm case also houses a completely new automatic movement with optimized performance. Patek Philippe has developed a broad spectrum of calendar functions, from the simple aperture date to the extremely complex secular perpetual calendar that is pre-programmed into the 28th century. The patented Annual Calendar, launched in 1996, triggered a small revolution as a full calendar that only needs to be corrected once a year on March 1. In 2013.
Baselworld 2019: Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Regulator ref. 5235/50R. Live Pictures & Price.
The Patek Philippe Annual Calendar Regulator ref. 5235G-001 was the first Patek Philippe regulator watch from this manufacture released in 2012 and discontinued in 2018. Today, at Baselworld 2019 Patek Philippe revisits the unique style of its Annual Calendar Regulator by presenting it in rose gold, paired with a two-tone dial in graphite and ebony-black with a vertical satin finish. This exceptional timepiece fitted with a 40.5 mm white gold case and an in-house movement, is pure perfection at its best. Not one of the most popular references from Patek, nonetheless an amazing piece we are happy to see back.
Baselworld 2019: Patek Philippe Nautilus ref. 5726/1A-014 Blue Dial. Live Pictures & Price.
After the retiring of the Patek Philippe Nautilus ref. 5726/1A with grey and white dial on bracelet, comes a new iteration of one of our favorite Nautilus watches.The Patek Philippe Nautilus was conceived using the universal shape of a porthole found on most maritime vessels and released just four years after the Audemars Piguet Royal Oak was launched in 1972. The Nautilus Annual Calendar with Moon Phase ref. 5726 is now available in stainless steel with a gorgeous blue dial very similar in hue to that of the Nautilus ref. 5711/1A. and on alligator strap with the black grey dial. The new blue dial is a true chameleon that changes in hue depending on lighting conditions —see pics below.
Baselworld 2019: Patek Philippe Aquanaut Khaki Green ref. 5168G-010. Live Pictures & Price.
After the success of the Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5168G with blue dial released in 2017 to celebrate the 20th anniversary of the Aquanaut —full history of this model here—, now comes another Aquanaut in 18K white gold but this time with a khaki green dial and strap under ref. 5168-010. This new reference 5168G fitted with a 42.2 mm case —2.2 mm bigger than reference 5167 and still powered by the same automatic calibre 324 S C powering the Aquanaut ref. 5167 we reviewed here. The watch is simply amazing in person and one that we absolutely loved.
Baselworld 2019: Rolex Novelties. Live Pictures & Prices.
As soon as the doors officially opened for the press at 12pm Basel Time, we headed straight to Rolex to see the novelties for Baselworld 2019. A weak year compared to the incredible lineup presented last year. With novelties across different collections, the main focus centered around the professional models as it is the norm. The new professional models include a White Gold Yach-Master 42 mm ref. 226659 with black dial, black ceramic bezel and Oysterflex strap, a Rolesor —two-tone with yellow gold— Sea-Dweller ref. 126603 equipped with calibre 3235, a new stainless steel GMT Master II ‘Batman’ ref. 126710BLNR now on jubilee bracelet and powered by calibre 3285—oyster bracelet model now officially discontinued…
Baselworld 2019: Breitling Unveils New Superocean Collection. Five Different Sizes for Every Wrist.
With its new Superocean Collection, Breitling has updated and upgraded one of its best-loved and most successful watch families. Breitling Superocean watches have been highly regarded for their diving prowess for more than 60 years. While the members of the new collection reflect the brand’s deep-water DNA, they are certain to appeal to men and women with active lifestyles. With their clean, sporty design and impeccable performance, these new Superoceans will feel at home on any wrist and in any environment. Breitling CEO Georges Kern points out that the watches reflect more than just the brand’s diver’s watch legacy: “Our Surfers Squad and our partnerships with Outerknown and Ocean Conservancy speak volumes about our affection for the seas.
Baselworld 2019: Jacob & Co. Unveils Long-Term Partnership with Bugatti
Jacob & Co. is pleased to announce a long-term partnership with Bugatti, the world’s most celebrated high performance sports car manufacturer, to collaborate on a series of exclusive co-branded products. This partnership brings together two companies that share a passion for cutting-edge design, pushing the limits of what seems mechanically possible. Stephan Winkelmann and Jacob Arabo, the Presidents of Bugatti and Jacob & Co., had just made this partnership official at Baselworld 2019.
Baselworld 2019: Breitling Navitimer ref. 806 1959 Re-Edition. A First for the Brand and a Tribute to a Legend.
For Baselworld 2019, Breitling has just announced the re-edition of the legendary Breitling Navitimer ref. 806 from 1959. In 1952, Breitling developed the Navitimer, a revolutionary wristwatch chronograph that instantly became a mainstay of every cockpit. It was worn by pilots for some of aviation’s most impressive developments, thanks to an innovative slide rule that enabled them to make all critical flight calculations. The new Navitimer ref. 806 1959 Re-Edition, celebrates one of the most iconic early designs of the Navitimer, released exactly 60 years ago. A first for the brand, the re-edition of the ref. 806 marks the subsequent launches also planned for the future.
Breaking News: SIHH and Baselworld to Coordinate Their Dates for 2020. Good or Bad? We'll Wait and See.
As of 2020, the Salon International de la Haute Horlogerie Genève —SIHH— and Baselworld, the two major events in the watch industry, will synchronise their calendars to take place back to back. Starting 2020, the SIHH will be held from April 26th thru the 29th in Geneva, followed immediately by Baselworld from April 30th to May 5th in Basel. Until 2019, the SIHH will continue to take place in mid-January while Baselworld will take place at the end of March. Due to this, professionals, press, and clients shared by large watchmaking brands would have to travel to Switzerland twice in the space of just a couple of months. With the new calendar synchronized until 2024, one trip will now be required.
From the Editor: Swatch Group Pulls Out of Baselworld. Is this the End of the Show as We Know It?
Earlier this year on my 'Letter from the Editor' published in the third issue of Watch Collecting Lifestyle print magazine, I talked about Baselworld 2018 and its future. Back on March 22, 2018, Swatch Group was already sending alarming signals about pulling out of Baselworld and so did Breitling. Right after Baselworld 2018 was over, Georges Kern CEO of Breitling sent out a statement confirming their participation in Baselworld's 2019 edition; however, Swatch Group didn't confirm participating or not, until this weekend Nick Hayek CEO of the Swatch Group announced on a statement via the Swiss newspaper Neue Zürcher Zeitung that his group of watch and jewelry companies would no longer be at Baselworld from 2019 onwards.
Baselworld 2018: Greubel Forsey Quadruple Tourbillon Blue. The Pinnacle of Independent Watchmaking.
In what we can only describe as the pinnacle of independent watchmaking, Greubel Forsey once again takes the center stage at Baselworld 2018. Highlighting their expertise in 'black polishing', the brand released four new watches that capitalize on the art of 'black polishing'. One of these four watches is the new Greubel Forsey Quadruple Tourbillon Blue available in platinum or 5N red gold. In an analogy with the sunset's 'green flash', the extremely rare optical phenomenon that occurs on the horizon of an ocean or a lake at sunset and where just for an instant, one last flash of green light appears on the horizon..
Baselworld 2018: H. Moser & Cie. Pioneer Center Seconds Cosmic Green. Hands-on, Live Pictures & Pricing.
he H. Moser & Cie. Pioneer collection was launched in 2015 and since then it has been the bold, modern interpretation of the classy spirit of this manufacture. With a strong design which makes reference to the industrial world, models in this collection are both elegant and sporty, tailored for daily wear. The new H. Moser & Cie. Pioneer Center Seconds Cosmic Green is equipped with a steel case and is the first watch in this collection to feature a cosmic green dial, reminiscent of the jewel tones of the Northern Lights, producing a look that is both elegant and resolutely contemporary.
