Baselworld is the world’s most important specialized trade show for watches, jewelry, and gemstones.As the hugely successful show comes to an end today after six days, PEAKLIFE gives you a review of some of the most stunning introductions made at Baselworld this year.
1) Breguet Reine de Naples 8908
This year, Breguet presented a new interpretation of its Reine de Naples 8908 model, the first timepiece of the eponymous collection launched in 2002. This new version is distinguished by an association between a rose gold case set with 128 diamonds and a dial partially crafted from Tahitian mother-of-pearl. It effectively enhances the main attributes of the original model, namely the moon phases and the power-reserve indicator at 12 o’clock; along with the offset hours chapter and small seconds at 6 and 7 o’clock respectively. The layout of these functions is inspired by the first ever wristwatch, created by A.-L. Breguet between 1810 and 1812 for Caroline Murat, Queen of Naples. According to the historical records, stored in the Breguet Museum (Place Vendôme, Paris), model No 2639 was an oblong-shaped repeater watch fitted with a dainty wristlet. It featured a detached lever escapement and was equipped with a thermometer and fast/slow indicator off the dial – replaced on reference 8908 by a moon phase and a power-reserve indicator. When delivered on December 21, 1812, it had an engine-tuned silver dial with Arabic numerals.
2) de GRISOGONO New Retro Double Jeu
When envisioning the time, FawazGruosi translates it into both feminine and masculine narratives. Elegantly magnifying traditional watchmaking forms, he remains consistently ahead of his time while honoring the past and creating the future.
The New Retro Double Jeu from de GRISOGONO is a surprising and offbeat model that diverts the primary purpose of the oscillating weight. While this watch is in fact driven by a quartz movement, its audacity lies elsewhere. While the dial provides a dual display – in a rectangular sapphire format and in a circular format – either flinqué or snow set, held by four rhodium-plated anthracite bridges –, the gaze is in fact drawn to the profile-turned outlines of a half-moon oscillating weight. With each flick of the wrist, and when the oscillating weight has performed one rotation, the dial suddenly springs to life. On either side of the dial, the stylised 3 and 9 o’clock Arabic numerals set with 82 diamonds pivot to reveal different colors on the front and back: brown and white diamonds for the pink gold model; and white and black diamonds for white gold. They bring an instinctive smile to the lips, reminding us of the playful spirit of the Maison de GRISOGONO, which finds the fun side in everything in a free and mischievous manner – while maintaining a consistent sense of elegance and distinction. The New Retro Double Jeu comes in a choice of white or pink gold, with its rectangular case either framed by a 1.3-carat row of diamonds or entirely set with diamonds totaling 4.3 carats.
3) Harry Winston Ocean 20th Anniversary Biretrograde Automatic 36mm
The House of Harry Winston celebrates the 20th anniversary of the Ocean Collection. To celebrate the momentous occasion, the House proudly presents the stunning 18-karat white gold Ocean 20th Anniversary Biretrograde Automatic 36mm timepiece. Bearing the hallmark traits of its namesake series – including a bi-retrograde display and centered hours and minutes counter – this timepiece is designed for women who love Harry Winston’s high jewelry aesthetic and appreciate the beauty of a refined mechanical movement. The Ocean 20th Anniversary Biretrograde embarks on her maiden voyage in a sea of bold, blue Paraiba tourmalines, brilliant diamonds, and mother-of-pearl, and explores previously unchartered waters at the House of Harry Winston.
4) Omega Seamaster 1948 Limited Edition
Launched in 1948, the Seamaster line was OMEGA’s first family of watches. A blend of battle-proven technology and beautiful design, they would go on to conquer the watchmaking world. Released to commemorate the 70th Anniversary of the Seamaster, these 1948 Limited Editions pay tribute to OMEGA’s original post-war classics. The dial of the Seamaster 1948 Small Seconds includes a small seconds indication at 6 o’clock, as well as leaf-style hour and domed minute hand. The watch is presented on a brown leather strap with a polished-brushed stainless steel buckle.Graced with the Dauphine-style hour and minute hands filled with white Super-LumiNova, the dial of the Central Second model is clean and classic. A blue-grey leather strap completes the look.
As a further tribute to the many aviators and mariners who have placed their trust in OMEGA, the flat sapphire crystal case back of each watch is laser engraved and lacquered by hand with a 70th Anniversary logo, a Chris-Craft boat and Gloster Meteor aircraft – the first jet plane used by the Royal Air Force.A stainless steel case, polished bezel, opaline silvery domed dial and polished crown, embossed with vintage OMEGA logo are common to both models. The watches are presented in their own special collector’s box made of soft brown leather and kept upright but easily moveable thanks to a magnetic floor. A spare NATO strap, leather strap, and strap changing tool are also included. Each model is limited to 1,948 pieces.
5) TAG Heuer Carrera Chronograph GMT
To celebrate 55 years since the Heuer Carrera was created, TAG Heuer has unveiled a new TAG Heuer Carrera with its Heuer 02 manufacture movement and a GMT function. This exquisite timepiece is an essential tool for today’s younger generations, hungry for travel and adventure.
Epitomising the Avant-Garde from its creation in 1963 right up to the brand new Heuer 02 line, and including innovative pieces such as the ultramodern Connected Modular, the TAG Heuer Carrera collection celebrates its 55th anniversary in 2018.
A fantastic occasion for the Swiss watch brand to unveil a new chronograph version equipped with a GMT function. This new model adopts the design codes and DNA of the Heuer Carrera, featuring the original “3-6-9” counter layout from 1963. The chronograph minutes and hours are at 3 and 9 o’clock, with the permanent small second at 6 o’clock and the date window at 4:30, completed by the GMT function. It is the first time that TAG Heuer has added this complication to its prestigious manufacture movement.
The second time zone, an ultra-practical feature that can be adjusted with the crown, is read using the lacquered red hand and the black and blue ceramic bezel, which has a 24-hour GMT scale. To ensure optimum legibility, the GMT hand has been ingeniously mounted in a secondary position — between the hour and minute hands — enabling it to pass over the indexes and skim the GMT scale.
6) Longines Elegant Collection
Blue is featured on the dials and straps of The Longines Elegant Collection, a line of timepieces that is directly inspired by one Longines’ key values: Elegance. Available with a vast selection of dials, this collection combines simplicity with classic style in the purest tradition of the winged hourglass brand. The embodiment of the expertise of the Swiss watchmaker, all of the watches in this collection house a mechanical movement that is exclusive to Longines.
Over the years, Longines has built its reputation on three fundamental values: Tradition, Performance, and Elegance. The latter value was the direct inspiration for The Longines Elegant Collection. In an effort to satisfy every possible interpretation of elegance, this collection, which already offers a vast selection of dials, now comes in a new blue color.
Perfectly in keeping with the slogan that is associated with Longines – “Elegance is an attitude” – The Longines Elegant Collection is the epitome of sophistication and simplicity. The new blue version only adds to the prestige of this expansive collection, which is loved by both men and women.
7) Patek Philippe Golden Ellipse
To celebrate the fiftieth birthday of its enigmatic Golden Ellipse, Patek Philippe enlisted the help of several of its rare handcrafts specialists to create a limited edition series of 100-anniversary sets, each consisting of a platinum watch and matching cufflinks. The manufacturer also extended its regular collection by a new grand-taille model in rose gold with a black dial. This is a truly fitting homage to a sleek, expressive, and essential design concept.
After the Calatrava (1932), the Golden Ellipse is the second oldest watch in the Patek Philippe collection. It also exhibits one of the manufacture’s most symbolic designs as a legendary cult model that has survived five centuries of constantly changing fashion trends and signs of the times. When it was launched in 1968, it was hailed as a unique combination of sleek audacity and harmony. The bold elliptical case – a cross between a circle and a rectangle – featured a blue-gold dial with a mysteriously deep shimmer. Its balanced proportions were inspired by the “golden section” (the so-called divine proportion based on the ratio of 1: 1.6181…). Since it was discovered by mathematicians in ancient Greece, it has been the formula on which numerous architectural and artistic masterpieces have been based.
8) Rolex GMT-Master II
Rolex is extending its GMT-Master II range with a new version in Oyster steel, equipped with a bidirectional rotatable bezel and a 24-hour graduated two-colourCerachrom insert in red and blue ceramic. The lugs and sides of its Oyster case have been redesigned, and the watch is fitted On a five-link Jubilee bracelet.
Two other versions of the GMT-Master II introduce 18 ctEverose gold to the range for the very first time. The first is crafted entirely from this refined, exclusive alloy, and the second is available in an EveroseRolesor version, combining Oyster steel and 18 ct Everose gold. On the dials of both watches, the name “GMT-Master II” is inscribed in powdered rose. The bezels are fitted with two-colourCerachrom inserts in a black and newly developed brown ceramic.
These new versions are equipped with the new-generation calibre 3285, at the forefront of watchmaking technology. With 10 patent applications filed over the course of its development, the movement is equipped with a Chronergyescapement and guarantees a power reserve of approximately 70 hours.Like all Rolex watches, the new versions of the GMT-Master II carry the Superlative Chronometer certification, which ensures excellent performance on the wrist.
9) Hublot Big Bang Referee 2018 Fifa World Cup Russia™
2018 means the FIFA World CupTM! For its 3rd participation as a Branded Licensee, Hublot has created the watch that all football fans and Hublot fans have been waiting for! A smartwatch that will instantly connect you to every decisive second of the matches being played at the 2018 FIFA World Cup™.A much-anticipated innovation that could not have been imagined by any other watch brand, given the extent to which Hublot and Football are as one. Not only is the footballing world going to march to the beat of the watchmaker, but now the pulse of the matches will reach its peak on your wrist! And although you’ll have to wait 85 days for the start of the Competition, you can wear connected football on your wrist in just one month time!Limited to 2018 pieces, available from 1 May 2018 in Hublot sales outlets, this is the football watch, and the Official FIFA Watch!
10) The Breitling Superocean Héritage II
In 2017, Breitling redesigned its SuperoceanHéritage line to celebrate the 60th anniversary of the brand’s legendary diver’s watch. This year, with some remarkable models in a new 44-millimeter case, as well as a 42-millimeter version in gold and stainless steel, the success of this iconic watch family continues to grow.
This year, the SuperoceanHéritage II collection has been extended to include some dazzling 44-millimeter models. The SuperoceanHéritage II B01 Chronograph 44 is undoubtedly the watch family’s flagship model. Equipped with the Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01, it has been crafted in two versions, both with robust stainless-steel cases. One model features a striking black dial and is presented on a black Aero Classic rubber strap; the other has a bold blue dial and an Ocean Classic stainless-steel bracelet. The Breitling Manufacture Caliber 01, which has already established itself as one of the most reliable mechanical watch movements, is visible through a transparent sapphire case back. It boasts an impressive power reserve of more than 70 hours and has contrasting panda subdials at 3, 6, and 9 o’clock.
