LIST: 5 watches we’d love to see – our Baselworld 2018 predictions

Time+Tide

Last year, Andy and I put together a fun little speculative list on heritage reissues we’d like to see in 2018. It was a fun story, so we thought we’d revisit it — with a Basel twist. We sat down over some cold brew (coffee, not beer) and hashed out our wish list of Basel releases, and then brutally critiqued the plausibility and flaw in each other’s ideas. Like I said, fun.

 

Tudor Green Pelagos

Andy: Somewhere, someone on the interwebs had the idea (and photoshop skills) to turn the Tudor Pelagos green (one of our photos no less!). Now, for obvious reasons, I’m a sucker for green — and let me just say — this works.

In terms of likelihood, I’m 50-50 here: the Pelagos already comes in a pretty bold blue, so green isn’t unreasonable. This release will come down to how close Tudor want to play to Rolex’s Green Submariner. Either way, I think we will see the Pelagos receive a little more attention this year, and Tudor might give the Black Bay collection some time on the backseat.
Likelihood: 5/10

Felix’s take: Cool as it would be, I think it would infringe on Rolex’s rich green turf too much. Having said that, we did see a limited Green Black Bay for Harrods last year …
Likelihood: 3/10

TAG Heuer X Abercrombie & Fitch Seafarer

Felix: Partnerships and collaborations are all the rage these days, and it’s something TAG Heuer excel at. Now, it’s a long shot, but there’s a particularly cool collab that’s been staring us right in the face all along – the Abercrombie & Fitch Seafarer. Back in the ’60s and ’70s, Heuer made a bunch of private label watches for the American menswear icon. Doesn’t it make perfect sense to revisit the partnership?
Likelihood: 2/10

Andy’s take: As much as I think this would be a mutually beneficial rekindling of a partnership, in 2018 A&F is the wrong fashion house for TAG Heuer to be collaborating with — and I think they know that. The Seafarer is one of my favourite vintage Heuers, and we might see one soon, but it’s unlikely to be an Abercrombie & Fitch collab. Vintage chrono reissues are super hot at the moment, and I think this would be a really smart choice and make for a handsome watch.
Likelihood: 1/10

Omega X SpaceX Speedmaster X-33

Felix: Omega have always known space was cool, and with SpaceX’s recent Falcon Heavy launch it seems like the rest of the world is remembering this fact too. Now, if SpaceX were to do a watch collaboration with anyone, it would have to be Omega, surely? I think the X-33 (like the Solar Impulse LE above) is the perfect, next-gen space watch option. Plus, it’s not like Omega is afraid of special editions.
Likelihood: 7/10

Andy’s take: Yes, so much yes. Honestly, I’d be surprised and a little disappointed if this wasn’t already happening behind the scenes. SpaceX are really leading the charge when it comes to pushing the boundaries, and I’m more than confident that they’d have some space age tech to share with Omega.
Likelihood: 8/10

Rolex GMT-Master II Steel Pepsi bezel

 

Andy: I mean, this is the one that Rolex fans wish for every single year, and the forums are buzzing with speculation that this will be the year! The flip side of a GMT-Master II in Steel with a Pepsi bezel would be the discontinuation of the current white gold ‘Pepsi’. Would Rolex discontinue a model in a precious metal AND release the same watch in steel in the same year? I’m not so sure, but that doesn’t mean I’d love to see and own one!
Likelihood: 3/10

Felix’s take: Aww man, I hate guessing what Rolex are up to. Partially because there’s so much rumour and speculation, and partially because I like the surprise. Having said that, a steel Pepsi is a logical, safe bet. But my gut says they’ll keep us waiting a bit longer. As to what the halo piece will be instead – I have no idea.
Likelihood: 4/10

Longines Heritage Chronometer

Felix: If you like watches and don’t follow Eric Ku on Instagram, I honestly question your life choices. That dude posts some incredible stuff, including the above, super-handsome Longines Chronometer. With its comparatively large case, simple looks, blued hands and super oversized sub seconds, this watch is hot. I reckon it’s ripe for re-edition status, especially as Longines is getting into COSC more heavily, and have form when it comes to remaking watches from individual collectors.
Likelihood: 6/10

Andy’s take: Felix is on the money here. Eric’s Longines is delightful and, as he points out, ready to be reissued. I’m a little more confident of this pick after Longines’ 2017 release — the Heritage 1945, which was heavily inspired by a watch owned by Hodinkee’s Ben Clymer. Longines showed us that they pay attention to industry tastemakers, and are nimble when it comes to releasing new timepieces.
Likelihood: 7/10