One of the most iconic watches in the world just got an interesting update. Since the debut of the modern Fifty Fathoms in 2007, date indications have appeared through a window placed at the 4 o’clock position. Now for the first time, Blancpain has brought its signature instant-change large date complication to the Fifty Fathoms, displayed in two windows located at 6 o’clock. The new Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Grande Date or 'Big Date' as most of us are already calling it features a 45 mm satin brushed titanium case and the signature domed rotating bezel with superluminova.
Posts filed under Baselworld
Baselworld 2018: Omega Speedmaster 'Dark Side of the Moon' Apollo 8 Limited Edition. Live Pictures & Pricing.
Without a doubt, one of our favorite watches from Omega at Baselworld 2018 and the only one we would even consider purchasing. The new Omega Speedmaster 'Dark Side of the Moon' Apollo 8 Limited Edition brings back memories of that time when Armin Strom himself used to skeletonize watches for other Swiss watch brands like Omega, a brand whom he collaborated with in several occasions. One particular timepiece that stands out from those collaborations is the 2003 skeletonized platinum Speedmaster Professional.
Baselworld 2018: Hublot Big Bang Unico Red Magic. Live Pictures & Pricing.
Another home run year for Hublot at Baselworld. This Baselworld 2018 Hublot has continued to extend the Big Bang Unico 45 mm collection with four incredible and very unique looking timepieces, one of them and a big favorite for us at WCL this year is the new Hublot Big Bang Unico Red Magic ref. 411.CF.8513.RX. Featuring an ultra glossy polished red ceramic case that is an extremely difficult material to machine, this new Hublot is as sexy as it gets. In a bright red color almost the same hue as the red used by the famous 'red soles' from Christian Louboutin, this is the perfect unisex timepiece and a watch perfectly suited for those that are not shy and live life to the max, because at the end of the day you only live once.
Baselworld 2018: Omega Diver 300M Titanium Tantalum Limited Edition. Live Pictures & Pricing.
To celebrate the 25th anniversary of the Omega Seamaster 300M launched in 1993, this year at Baselworld 2018, Omega decided to present 14 new models that have been released as part of a complete makeover to the watch that includes a larger case size measuring now 42 mm in diameter, a new movement —calibre 8800—, polished ceramic dials, reshaped hands, ceramic bezels and even new materials that go beyond what we are used to see from Omega, amongst other updates.
Baselworld 2018: Breguet Marine Chronograph ref. 5527 and Breguet Marine Self-Winding ref. 5517. Live Pictures & Pricing.
After holding the official title of chronometer maker to the French Royal Navy, Abraham-Louis Breguet tirelessly conceived and developed impressive timepieces that would leave an indelible imprint on watchmaking history. In the wake of this unique heritage and driven by the same constant determination to excel, Breguet unveiled the Marine Équation Marchante —Marine Running Equation ref. 5887— we featured here. This year, Breguet continues to redesign this line through three new creations, that are available in white and rose gold, and in titanium as a first for the brand.
Baselworld 2018: Glashütte Original Sixties Panorama Date Green and Sixties Time Only. Live Pictures & Pricing.
In 1845, Ferdinand Adolphe Lange founded the first watch manufacture in Glashütte, Germany, a place well known for its silver mining industry. At the time, the goal was to turn Glashütte into a German watchmaking central. In the early 1950s, GUB —VEB Glashütter Uhrenbetriebe— was formed through the merger of multiple firms including UROFA, UFAG, VEB Lange –formerly A. Lange & Söhne—, VEB Präzision Glashütte, VEB Messtechnik —formerly R. Mühle & Sohn—, VEB Feintechnik, VEB Estler and the Makarenko trade school.
Baselworld 2018: Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Skelet-One. The First Skeletonized Watch for the Brand. Live Pictures & Pricing.
To celebrate the 280th anniversary of Jaquet Droz, the brand decided to present a new skeletonized watch in a new architectural interpretation of its icon, the Grande Seconde Skelet-One letting light into the heart of its mechanics. The new Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Skelet-One incarnates the essence of the Jaquet Droz watchmaking art. While the brand has oft varied its design, for the first time it proposes a sapphire dial integrated within a skeleton composition. The Grande Seconde Skelet-One marks a true stylistic turning point in the brand’s history, as part of its prestigious 280th anniversary celebrations.
Baselworld 2018: Angelus U50 Diver Tourbillon. Live Pictures & Pricing.
As soon as we heard about the new Angelus U50 Diver Tourbillon being released at Baselworld 2018, we were more than eager to see it in the metal. The brand’s first diver’s watch is simply one of the coolest diving watches out there and one that is unlike any other. But what makes the Angelus U50 Diver Tourbillon more special is the level of skeletonization of its movement allowing for maximum transparency and an incredible view of all the components in the movement including the mainspring barrel.
Baselworld 2018: Patek Philippe Aquanaut Chronograph ref. 5968A-001. Live Pictures & Pricing.
A perfect addition to the Patek Philippe Aquanaut line is the new Aquanaut Chronograph ref. 5968A-001 just released at Baselworld 2018. Endowed with the calibre CH 28-520 C an automatic movement with flyback chronograph, Patek gives the Aquanaut an edgier look and feel. The already sporty model just became bolder and sportier with a stainless steel case measuring 42.2 mm in diameter and a thickness of 11.9 mm and equipped with a black rubber strap or a bright orange rubber strap —sold separately.
Baselworld 2018: Patek Philippe Calatrava Pilot Travel Time ref. 5524R. Live Pictures & Pricing.
First introduced in 18k white gold during Baselworld 2015 and creating as many waves as ever intended amongst the press, watch collectors and the industry, the Patek Philippe Calatrava Pilot Travel Time ref. 5524G-001 was a very controversial watch as many ignored that the watch was based on old Patek DNA from scientific instruments released by the brand in the 1930s and exhibited at the Patek Philippe Museum in Geneva that we featured here. Today, at Baselworld 2018, things got much better with a new iteration of this watch in 18K rose gold with a gorgeous brown dial. The new Patek Philippe Calatrava Pilot Travel Time ref. 5524R is also available for ladies in a matching piece at a smaller size.
Baselworld 2018: Patek Philippe Nautilus Perpetual Calendar ref. 5740/1G-001. Live Pictures & Pricing.
Already another incredible year for Patek Philippe at Baselworld. This time the brand presents less novelties than the previous year but all charged with a punch. To start with our reporting straight from Baselworld 2018, let's focus on one of our favorite pieces so far. Patek presents the first grand complication in the Nautilus line, showcasing an analog perpetual calendar in a unique combination of casual sportiness and technical finesse, robustness and high-end watchmaking artistry, endowed with the discreet elegance of a 40 mm 18K white gold case and the utility of a calendar that automatically recognizes the number of days in each month, including the periodically recurring 29th of February.
Baselworld 2018: Rolex GMT Master II Stainless Steel Pepsi ref. 126710BLRO. Everyone's Dream but on a Jubilee Bracelet.
Just released at Baselworld 2018, finally the stainless steel GMT Master II Pepsi that everyone would've wanted to see in 2014. With the same case size proportions of all other GMTs at 40 mm in diameter, the new Rolex GMT Master II ref. 126710 BLRO in stainless steel is equipped with a jubilee bracelet instead of an Oyster one. For those that took the plunge between 2014 and now and purchased the 18K white gold GMT Master Pepsi...
Baselworld 2018: Rolex GMT Master II White Gold Pepsi ref. 116719BLRO. Now with a Blue Dial, It Replaces the Previous Reference
Just released at Baselworld 2018 and with the same case size proportions at 40 mm in diameter, the new Rolex GMT Master II ref. 116719 BLRO in 18K white gold replaces the previous reference with the same number and letters and is now fitted with a dark blue dial. Additionally, Rolex has just released a new GMT Master II Pepsi in stainless steel with jubilee bracelet, crushing the heart of all owners of the same watch in 18K white gold released in 2014.
Baselworld 2018: Rolex GMT Master II Everose Rolesor ref. 126711CHNR. The New Two-Tone GMT as Close as Possible to the Old Root Beer.
With the same case size proportions at 40 mm in diameter, a new two-tone iteration of this watch makes its appearance. Now in Everose Rolesor, the new Rolex GMT Master II ref. 126711CHNR just made its debut at Baselworld 2018. The watch is really nice in person but the bezel is black and brown instead of gold and brown as the previous iterations of the GMT Master Root Beer. Still a gorgeous new GMT for those that love vintage inspired modern watches.
Baselworld 2018: Rolex GMT Master II Everose Gold ref. 126715CHNR. The Root Beer is Back, Sort Of.
Same case size proportions and now in Everose 18K gold, the new Rolex GMT Master II ref. 126715CHNR just made its debut at Baselworld 2018. The watch is really nice in person but the bezel is black and brown instead of gold and brown as the previous iterations of the GMT Master. More images to come up including wristshots.
Baselworld 2018: Patek Philippe Manual Wound Ladies' Chronograph ref. 7150/250R
In 2009, Patek Philippe introduced a chronograph intended exclusively for feminine wrists. It was the exclusive debut of a classic manufacture-made chronograph movement (column wheel, horizontal clutch, manual winding) that had been developed entirely in-house. That was also expressed by the name of the watch: Ladies First Chronograph Ref. 7071, built until 2016. Now, the Genevan manufacture is enriching its collection of complicated wristwatches for ladies and endowing this chronograph —highly coveted by discerning women— with a totally new face.
Baselworld 2018: Patek Philippe World Time Minute Repeater ref. 5531R
Originally released for the very first time on the occasion of the Patek Philippe “The Art of Watches Grand Exhibition New York 2017” with two 5-piece limited edition watches for the U.S., the Patek Philippe World Time Minute Repeater ref. 5531 made its very first appearance. Now, at Baselworld 2018, the micro-mechanical masterpiece has been added to the manufacture’s regular collection. It is a new grand complication with features in a domain that Patek Philippe has dominated for decades: a minute repeater, a World Time mechanism, an enamel arts dial, and a rose-gold case crafted in-house.
Pre-Baselworld 2018: MB&F L'Epée 1839 The Fifth Element. A Limited Edition of 18 Pieces Each in 3 Different Colors.
First they started with wristwatches: Horological and Legacy Machines. Then they found Reuge and created a series of mechanical music boxes —dubbed MusicMachines— and more recently a musical automaton. With Caran d’Ache, they created a rocket pen and then teamed up with L’Epée 1839 to create an entire range of mechanical clocks. Today, pre-Baselworld 2018, MB&F is presented a new range of machines: a thermometer, a barometer, and a hygrometer —all mechanical of course. And since this is once again a co-creation with L’Epée 1839, there is also a mechanical clock part of this new creation.
Pre-Baselworld 2018: Angelus U50 Diver Tourbillon. The World's First Openworked Diver's Watch with Tourbillon.
Pre-Baselworld 2018, Angelus reaches new depths far below sea level with its first diver’s watch, the U50 Diver Tourbillon. Since its earliest days, Angelus has been an integrated manufacture producing exceptional timepieces. Now, Angelus culminates its expertise in producing high-performance haute horlogerie movements into the brand’s first diver’s watch, the U50 Diver Tourbillon. A first for Angelus and also the watch industry, the U50 Diver Tourbillon marks the first time a diver’s watch has ever been made by the brand and a diving watch equipped with a tourbillon.
Pre-Baselworld 2018: Arnold & Son Globetrotter. The First Worldtimer for this Brand with a Three-Dimensional Display at the Center of the Dial.
Pre-Baselworld 2018, Arnold & Son reimagines the worldtime complication in a magnificent, sculptural fashion with the new Globetrotter. Between the 18th and 19th century, Arnold & Son made a name for itself by creating some of the most precise marine chronometers of the epoch, which were used not just to tell the time, but as navigational instruments to determine longitude and sail safely from one location to another. Arnold & Son chronometers have taken part in extraordinary voyages, including James Cook voyages to the Pacific Ocean, as well as Sir John Franklin’s ill-fated third and final expedition to the icy waters north of Canada in 1845.
