LIST: Top 10 watches from a Baselworld first-timer
Daniel SeniaBaselworld 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 Hublot Aerofusion ‘Orlinski’ — named for the French sculptor Richard Orlinski, who collaborated on the design — is all about the angles; the muted tones of the micro-blasted black ceramic catches all the light. With a self-winding skeleton chronograph movement and limited to 200 pieces, this model will quickly become a collectable.
Rolex GMT-Master II ‘Root Beer”
The early hype at the fair was the release of the first stainless steel GMT-Master II since the ‘Batman’ in 2014. While everyone was in a frenzy to get a glimpse of the ‘Pepsi’ on jubilee bracelet, Rolex had another GMT flying a little lower under the radar. The soft tones of the Everose gold is soft enough in colour to play off the stainless steel, and with the ceramic ‘root beer’ bezel, this one is a winner.
Longines Legend Diver Black
Just when you thought the Legend Diver couldn’t get any better, Longines have done it again. After updating the model with a mesh bracelet in 2017, this year they have upped the ante, making an all black PVD version with black rubber mesh-look strap.
Rolex Cosmograph Daytona Gem-Set Bezel
I spoke about this model, and my journey to loving it, in a video we did during the week. I’m not generally a precious stone fan (or gold, for that matter), but Rolex just know how to turn up the dial without being over the top.
Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde Moon Black Enamel
That black enamel. The balance of the dial. The subtle red gold case and highlights. Possibly one of the finest finishings of the fair.
Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Automatique Grande Date
Depending on who you talk to, this update to the Fifty Fathoms is either a subtle change or the biggest revolution yet. Moving the date window from 4 o’clock to a larger dual window at 6 o’clock has created a symmetry to the dial, but it’s all Fifty Fathoms after that. Available on NATO or sail-canvas strap, and at a solid 45mm case size, there will be no mistaking what’s on your wrist.
Bulgari Octo L’Originale Velocissimo Chronograph
Bulgari are clearly onto a winner with the Octo and Octo Finissimo ranges. While not a new model, this updated Titanium Octo Chronograph is not as thin as the Finissimo – and that’s a good thing. With presence on the wrist, and the option of a leather or rubber strap, it would be just as comfortable in the board room as it would be holidaying on the coast.
Nomos Autobahn Neomatik
Nomos came to Basel with possibly one of the best complete ranges presented in 2018. It wasn’t just a facelift this year for Nomos, they also produced a complex new movement completely under the radar. With a bold design, concave dial and incredible SuperLuminova, the only difficult question is deciding which colourway to buy.
Moser Venturer Small Seconds XL with Rhodium Fumé dial
The Moser tagline is ‘Very Rare’, and very rare they are indeed – with production of each model generally limited to a hundred or less. The brand has a youthful energy, characteristic of CEO Edouard Meylan, but they take their watchmaking very seriously. ‘Sophisticated’, ‘refined’ and ‘unique’ are all characteristics of the Venturer Small Seconds, and with a red gold case and brilliant fumé dial, I never wanted to take this watch off. Ever.
Tudor Black Bay Heritage Fifty-Eight
I think this is a good move by Tudor, and while the smaller diameter is nice, and will please a lot of people, the real reason I love it is because of the slimmer, less slab-like, case profile. A good evolution of the model, and still at the right price.