Best Of Baselworld 2019
Choosing the perfect watch is oftentimes quite an exhausting task. It is also equally as exciting. Yes, you need to pick out the right shape. Yes, the right texture, the colour, hand-size…but most importantly, you need to choose the right brand. Rolex? Hublot? Seiko? TAG Heuer? All the way back in 1917 in Basel, Switzerland, they came up with a solution that will assist all those watch enthusiasts out in the world and it’s still going strong.
With 100,000 visitors at this years fair, the Baselworld event is always filled to the brim with horologists, watch enthusiasts and watchmakers giving hour-long meetings and presentations on the art and craft of the watches. Big self-winding movements and elaborate extensions of craft created the magic we wanted to see at the yearly watch fair.
Hublot Classic Fusion Ferrari GT Titanium 45mm
In the life of a grand tourer, one must stay classy at all times. Hublot has been working in collaboration with Ferrari and they’ve shown off three new watches at this year’s Baselworld. To give respect to those grand tourers of the world, they’ve come up with a watch piece that is bound to race away into the horizon. The Classic Fusion Ferrari GT Titanium 45mm is limited to 1,000 pieces. The standard systems of the watch feature the new UNICO manufacturing movement integrated into a 45mm diameter. Protected by four patents, the watch has a microblasted titanium case with a polished black-plated titanium lower bezel. Each watch is kitted with 4Hz of self-winding movement and a three day power reserve.
Rolex Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona 18ct Yellow Gold
Just like the 18 carat Everose Gold watch that was released in 2018, Rolex’s Oyster Perpetual Cosmograph Daytona is laden with one thing. Worth. 36 trapeze-cut diamonds worth of worth. 18 ct yellow gold worth of worth. The green and gold seal to every Superlative Chronometer resonates the brand to world-class status. This model promises precision with its pared-down number of systems to prioritise reliability. It uses a self-winding Calibre 4130 movement with a 72-hour power reserve. The look of the watch is typically Rolex; the middle case is crafted from a solid piece of 18ct yellow gold with an attractive paved black lacquer dial. The sapphires that emblazon the piece are scratch-proof and offer the watch a rainbow of colour.
Grand Seiko Spring Drive SBGY003
Grand Seiko’s first watch to hit the stand was in 1960, with the first Grand Seiko Spring Drive coming about in 2004. The trusted Spring Drive pairs up with self-winding kinetic energy from its quartz oscillator. At this years Baselworld, Grand Seiko debuted the Spring Drive SBGY003, a part electric, part kinetic ‘hybrid’ watch. The SBGY003 is a watch that oozes class, being a limited edition piece with only 700 units available. With a stainless steel casing of 38.5 by 10.2mm dimensions, the dial is designed in a subtle white colour. It has a 9R31 movement and is splash resistant. The Grand Seiko Spring Drive SBGY003 is expected to hit retailers in July.
Seiko Astron The 1969 Quartz Astron 50th Anniversary Limited Edition SSH023J
To celebrate Seiko’s 50 year anniversary, the Limited Edition 1969 Quartz Astron is back, stepping on the toes of the classic model and ready to offer some serious watch-wearing nostalgia. The watch has a super-hard black-coated stainless steel case and a ceramic bezel, with a diameter of 41.4mm. The automatically connects to the GPS system and has a 5X53 dual time caliber powered by light. It also has a wide black-coated stainless steel bracelet that is comfortable to wear.
It will be hitting retailers in September this year and be limited to 1,500 units.
TAG Heuer Autavia
TAG Heuer is a brand that keeps getting better and better. Ever since 1962, TAG Heuer has been infamously popular amongst adventurers – the sort of men who like taking speed and durability to the next level. It has a 42mm diameter casing of fine-brushed and polished steel and sapphire. The face a solid blue colour, making for a sophisticated looking piece with polished ceramic. It also has a power reserve of 38 hours, with fast date correction and stop-second hand. The Autavia comes in another form – that of polished stainless steel nato strap and a dark grey face, with the same mechanics as its predecessor.
TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer 02 Tourbillon Nanograph
TAG Heuer Carrera Calibre Heuer 02T Nanograph offers a sporty and stylish piece with a robust design that uses a COSC-certified chronometer for automated movement. The first thing to notice is its face with a textured hexagonal pattern. It contains a PVD-coated titanium 45mm modular case and carbon bezel, with tachymeter scale and lugs. The tourbillon regulator in the watch is nearly identical to the ones that feature in the 02T models, with the frequency of 4 Hertz.
Hublot Big Bang Scuderia Ferrari 90th Anniversary Sapphire 45mm
To celebrate Hublot’s 90th birthday – with partners, Scuderias Ferrari – the brand has released the Big Bang Scuderia Ferrari 90th Anniversary Sapphire 45mm watch at this year’s Baselworld. The watch reflects the years of hardwork and determination that the iconic racing team is known for and each of the pieces show the innovation of materials used in racing cars over the years.
The watch has a 45mm diameter body that encases the UNICO movement system with a 72 hour power reserve. It beats at a frequency of 4Hz and is also 30 metres water resistant, if you want to take it swimming with you. The instantly recognisable transparent case is made of hard wearing polished sapphire and also comes with a futuristic Kevlar strap, featuring light grey stitching and a titanium deployant buckle.
The Big Bang Scuderia Ferrari 90th Anniversary Sapphire 45mm and is limited to 99 only pieces.
