Australian Watch Authority
Baselworld dates back to 1917, and is the largest watch fair, bringing more than 100,000 visitors to the small town of Basel every year. They come to see the latest and greatest watches from Swiss legends like Rolex, Omega, Patek Philippe, Tudor and even non-Swiss brands such as Seiko. But with a trend of declining attendance in exhibitors and attendees, and industry uncertainty, Baselworld 2018 looks set to be even more interesting than usual.
VIDEO: The TAG Heuer Monaco Gulf 2018 Special Edition – an icon on the wrist
There’s more to a watch than how it feels and looks on the wrist. Some watches carry a weight greater than what you can measure in grams — they also bear the weight of decades of heritage and sociocultural significance. The Monaco — a true icon of the industry — is one such watch. It’s even more true when that Monaco has a Gulf dial. Those stripes, on that dial, add up to a double hit of Steve McQueen iconography…. Read More
LIST: The 3 biggest trends from Baselworld 2018
As the dust settles, we look back at the Baselworld 2018 fair with a more holistic lens. And, as the Time+Tide team saw more than 50 brands between them, we think we’re in a pretty excellent position to pull out a few common themes… Trend 1 – Two-tone First up, two-tone watches. Let me start this by saying — yes, I know two-tone watches have always been a ‘thing’, but lately we feel they’ve picked up momentum (something I put down… Read More
LIST: Top 10 watches from a Baselworld first-timer
Baselworld is over for another year and while we take a deep breath to compose ourselves and remind our respective families we still exist, it’s time to mentally unpack our time in Basel and compose the chaos into a list. Not just any list, but a Baselworld Top 10 List. Here we go. Hublot Classic Fusion Aerofusion Chronograph Orlinski All Black This updated Aerofusion ‘Orlinski’ — named for the French sculptor Richard Orlinski, who collaborated on the design — is all about the… Read More
HANDS-ON: The Bulgari Octo Finissimo Automatic Sandblasted – same Octo, completely new look
Bulgari blew us away last year with their Octo Finissimo Automatic – that mind-boggling thinness; the incredible lightness of being at one with its titanium case and bracelet, feeling it drape around the wrist. For Baselworld 2018, it’s back – this time in full gold. And if you think “solid gold bracelet watch” means 1980s-style bling, think again. Vital statistics In all respects, except the case and bracelet material, the new model is the same watch as before – equipped… Read More
HANDS-ON: The Patek Philippe Aquanaut Chronograph Ref. 5968A — A Patek for the cool kids
One of the more entertaining games to play at Baselworld 2018 is: “Who is Brand X after with this watch?” In some cases the answer can be as clear as mud, but in the case of the new Patek Philippe Aquanaut Chronograph it’s a bit of a no-brainer. Bright orange accents on its dial, and sold with both black and bright orange straps, this is the new king-casual Patek for a new generation. With the steel Nautilus in brutally short… Read More