Highlights from the world’s largest jewellery & watch fair
Four days in, here are the key trends and our favourites among the hot releases at Baselworld 2017
COMEBACKS
2017 looks like the year of comebacks and chronographs. Most often we see a nod to the past with a modernised interpretation of an an iconic piece — a homage so to speak. This year sees some desirable reissues, which are near-faithful copies, their inner bits being brought up to speed to meet the demands of the 21st century. Among these are:
MAKING MOVES ON MILLENNIALS
Brands eager to attract new collectors are hoping to create an interest in mechanical watches among a younger audience with more accessible pieces both in price and more 'honest', less ostentatious designs. We’re obsessing over the all-steel update to the Tudor Black Bay. The perfect timepiece for a distinguished gent who’s into the big blue. A trend also for watches appealing to a younger audience who’d like something that is both sporty and dressy. Features their in-house automatic caliber MT5612, the first steel bezel from Tudor since the 90s and a elegant slimmer ‘riveted’ steel bracelet.
FEMALE MARKET
With rapidly growing interest in the mechanical stuff that guys traditionally like, the industry is finally waking up with innovative pieces that speak to the ladies. Beyond the bejeweled, we are seeing more sporty and complicated timepieces focused on these active new collectors. The new women's Carreras are a perfect example, sporting a fresh range of looks and a new modular construction.
ALL-STEEL SPORTS
More masculine and not so flash, luxury watch brands are not only reading the signs but also refocusing on the Western markets again. Bigger, sportier looks for larger wrists. We see bigger dials like the all new Rolex Sea-Dweller 43mm, featuring a cyclops above the date, which is a first for this model.
SMART WATCHES
Although by smart we don't men dressy, the futuristic and elegant Movado Connect with Android Wear 2.0 will certainly have you covered. The others grabbing attention at the fair were: Samsung's cool Gear S3 pocket watch; Michael Kors Access Grayson and Access Sofie; and Fossil Q Venture.
SPECIAL EDITIONS
One for David Bowie fans but alas not enough to go around, Raymond Weil pays homage to the legendary musician with this limited edition Freelancer. Its 42mm case features a dial resembling a vinyl record with the bright red lightning bolt that was painted across Bowie's face on the cover of the Aladdin Sane album in 1973.
CHRONOGRAPHS
Up to date and up to speed, our chronograph fans will love the 21st century update to the Defy El Primero from Zenith, which is all about performance and precision. Remaining true to its legendary roots possibly only through its sizable 44mm dial, this skeletal version is in ceramicised aluminium and on full display is the central chronograph hand, which performs a full turn of the dial in an impressive one second.
CULT FOLLOWING
Japanese brand Grand Seiko is now independent and no longer a sub-brand of Seiko. The other good news for fans of this brand with its huge cult following is that the expanded range of highly collectable, elegant timepieces are now also more accessible outside of Japan. Although the featured pieces are essentially 'comebacks' we thought Grand Seiko deserved its own space. In celebration, Seiko has releasing three limited editions in steel, gold, and platinum. At 38mm, they are slightly bigger than the original 36mm watch from 1960 on which they are based and are powered by the hand-wound Grand Seiko caliber 9S64.