10 watches to look out for at Baselworld
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Marie de Pimodan-Bugnon
Freelance journalist
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Classic or extravagant, understated or contemporary, sparkling or colourful? Mechanical or quartz? For men or women? Watches come as multiple combinations, surfing the latest trends to make a statement on the wrist. In the run-up to Baselworld 2016, choose the one for you.
TAG Heuer Carrera Heuer-02T: high-flyer
How to describe this COSC-certified automatic chronograph with flying tourbillon in titanium and carbon? Quality, performance, manufacturing expertise and sheer determination are rolled into one at the heart of this all-black watch. However, the most remarkable thing about this tourbillon chronograph is its price: less than CHF 15,000. What’s not to like?
Hublot Classic Fusion Racing Grey: grey matters
Even with the whole 50 Shades furore behind us, grey is still riding high. Hublot has made it the season’s must-have colour by giving its Classic Fusion a head-to-toe grey makeover. Neutral, universal, elegant in all circumstances, grey can be masculine just as much as feminine, whether for a simple three-hands with date or a more complicated chronograph. No need to tax the grey cells to realise that these understated yet sophisticated watches have star quality.
Breguet Classique Phase de Lune Dame 9088: it's a wonderful life
Like James Stewart who, in a classic scene from Frank Capra’s It’s A Wonderful Life, promises to lasso the moon for Donna Reed, Breguet has captured this loveliest of stars and secured it to the wrist. A 30-mm white gold case, diamonds, grand feu enamel dial, and a self-winding, in-house movement with silicon balance spring make an elegant composition. Wonderful, indeed…
Perrelet Turbine GMT: spin the wheel!
Round and round and round she goes. “She” is the Turbine by Perrelet, now matched with a GMT function that indicates a second time zone by means of a hand that is set quickly and simply by the crown. As the turbine blades are set in motion by the movement of the wrist, they reveal an under-dial with Côtes de Genève decoration and delicately engraved with a map of the world, adding an unsuspected dimension to this stylish, sporting watch.
Harry Winston Midnight Diamond Stalactites Automatic 36mm: Cinderella or Frozen?
A sprinkling of mother-of-pearl, a smattering of diamond stalactites, a dusting of gold and a zest of poetry… Harry Winston wants to know, are you Cinderella or Frozen? One thing is for sure: at the stroke of midnight, in Harry Winston’s magical kingdom, your carriage will never turn into a pumpkin any more than your Midnight Diamond Stalactites Automatic will become just an ordinary watch. Precious it is, and precious it will remain. You too can have your happy ever after!
Bulgari Diva: for the prima donna
Why deny it? This is a watch for the diva in every woman. A little playful, occasionally demanding, always sensual, undeniably dazzling, the Bulgari Diva is all this at once. Its feminine, white gold curves are lit by diamonds. A further twelve round diamonds set the tempo for its original brown dial in natural acetate, a fusion of wood and cotton fibres. Hours and minutes are counted with the remarkable precision of a quartz movement. The one Diva that will always be on time!
Haldimann H1 Flying Central Tourbillon: the heart of the matter
Is it for its beauty, or its utility, or both that Beat Haldimann has made the tourbillon such a central concern? Both literally and figuratively, the tourbillon has a central position in this new timepiece, crafted from gold or platinum. Classicism and sobriety dominate as the eye is drawn into the intricacies of fine watchmaking. A remarkable feat of mechanical dexterity, whichever way you turn.
Chopard L.U.C XP 35 mm Esprit de Fleurier Peony: pink lady
The days when a woman had to borrow her husband’s L.U.C are over! Matching elegance with mechanical art, Chopard has encased the precision and performance of the L.U.C 9623-L calibre with a touch of refinement that leaves no doubt about the resolutely feminine nature of this watch. Adorned with Fleurisanne engraving, mother-of-pearl and diamonds, this delicate peony is proposed as a limited edition of eight. Where mechanical excellence is concerned, women are finally on equal terms with men!
Speake-Marin Resilience Black Dial: Gothic renaissance
Forget the clichés of dark medieval castles and cobwebbed dungeons. At Speake-Marin, gothic is a signature full of style. The English gentleman-watchmaker has lent this Resilience Black Dial an air of dandy elegance. A pink gold Piccadilly case, black dial, and pink gold numerals straight from a Bram Stoker novel… this is pure Gothic chic!
Chanel Boyfriend: falling in love again
Whether single or spoken-for, the new Boyfriend has your best interests at heart, turning masculine/feminine conventions upside down and blurring the boundaries between genders with infinite flourish. With accents of gold or steel, sometimes set with diamonds, its octagonal contours make a bold style statement. Why can’t a woman be more like a man… and vice versa!
