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Events • 28 Mar 2016
5 Highlights From Baselworld 2016
With Baselworld having just shut its doors, here are five highlights from the world’s largest watch show.
Patek Philippe World Time ref. 5230
Invented by Swiss engineer Louis Cottier in the early 1930s but synonymous with Patek Philippe, the world time wristwatch is one of the watchmaker’s most popular complications. The latest generation of the world time made its debut at Baselworld 2016, powered by the same automatic movement but bearing a new design heavily influenced by Patek Philippe history. Winglet-style lugs are modelled on the 1950s Patek Philippe world time wristwatch, while the engine-turned dial draws on vintage enamelled pocket watches.
The Patek Philippe World Time Ref 5230 features winglet-style lugs with engine-turned dial.
Rolex Cosmograph Daytona
A watch long anticipated finally arrived at Baselworld when Rolex took the covers off the new Cosmograph Daytona. Essentially the stainless steel Daytona with the addition of a scratch-resistant ceramic bezel and a minor dial facelift, the latest Daytona nonetheless caused tremendous excitement since Rolex models tend to have lifespans of decades so even an incremental improvement is significant. Expect a lengthy waiting list for this one.
The new Rolex Cosmograph Daytona in 904L steel with a monobloc Cerachrom bezel.
Nomos Tetra neomatik
Though the highest profile exhibitors at Baselworld tend to be high-end Swiss watchmakers, the show is international, with something for every budget. German watchmaker Nomos, beloved for its cleanly styled, affordable timepieces, introduced the Tetra neomatik. It’s a larger version of Nomos’ only square watch, making it suitable for men. And the Tetra is equipped with an in-house automatic movement for the first time, with the extra-thin DUW 3001 visible through the sapphire back.
The Nomos Tetra neomatik is a larger verion of Nomos’ only square watch, making it suitable for men.
Omega Speedmaster “CK2998”
A remake of the Speedmaster from 1959, the CK2998 is based on the Speedmaster model before NASA selected the watch for its space programme. A limited edition of 2998-pieces, the CK2998 reproduces the key details of the original, including the lance-shaped “Alpha” hands for the time as well as chronograph registers, and even the “lollipop” seconds hand. The silver and blue colour scheme, however, is entirely modern, as is the scratch-resistant blue ceramic bezel with lettering that glows in the dark.
The Omega Speedmaster CK2998 is a remake of the Speedmaster from 1959 and is limited to 2,998 pieces.
Hublot Classic Fusion Berluti
Hublot recruited Berluti for the latest Classic Fusion limited edition, using the French shoemaker’s signature patinated leather for the dial and strap. The Classic Fusion Berluti is available in black ceramic and grey leather in a limited edition of 500 pieces, or rose gold and tobacco Venezia Scritto leather in a 250-piece limited edition. Both versions are packaged in a leather-covered box and accompanied by a watch pouch and leather polishing tools.
The Hublot Classic Fusion Berluti features the French shoemaker’s signature patinated leather for the dial and strap.