Time for inspiration: the latest watch creations presented at Baselworld 2019 are all about change

 

 

Baselworld 2019 (March 21-26, 2019, Basel, Switzerland) is all about change and renewal: the latest watch creations from Tag Heuer, Chopard, Patek Philippe, Chanel, Hublot, Frederique Constant, Alpina, and more…

 

Baselworld 2019,  the trade show of the international watch and jewellery industry, organized each spring in the city of Basel, Switzerland, has opened its doors with numerous innovations and a panel discussion. Jean-Daniel Pasche, President of the Federation of the Swiss Watch Industry FH, announced the new watch market figures. In 2018, the Swiss watch industry recorded a 6.3% increase in exports with a turnover of CHF 21.2 billion.

In a panel discussion, CEO’s of important brands such as Patek Philippe, Chopard, and Picchiotti discussed the changes and challenges facing the industry.

Michel Loris-Melikoff, Managing Director of Baselworld since July 2018, highlighted the Show Plaza as a new event location and meeting place in Hall 1.2. With the daily fashion shows, jewellery will move into the spotlight. Baselworld 2019 has also expanded its information channels: An app with augmented reality features, the chatbot messenger service Baselwrod Live News, and a relaunched website.

“Baselworld will and must continue to change – initial steps are discernible this year, and next year exhibitors, visitors, and journalists can look forward to a completely renewed show,” added Michel Loris-Melikoff.

Chanel J12 Watch is all in the details

At first glance, the non-new “new” Chanel J12 is unmistakably a J12 watch, notes worldtempus. It has the ceramic case and the monochromatic look. But no fewer than 70% of the components in the luxury watch have been changed.

The new KENISSI-designed calibre 12.1 is COSC chronometer certified and offers 70 hours of power reserve and a five-year warranty. The oscillating mass has been redesigned in tungsten to produce an open-worked perfect circle design, which is a signature of Chanel’s high-end watches. Despite all these changes, added worldtempus, the new J12’s retail price starts at just €5,300 – a €350 increase over the previous model that barely covers the cost of the chronometer certificate.

 

TAG HEUER Autavia

The well-preserved archives serve as the best source for inspiration when it comes to established watch manufacturers. The dashboard timers of the 1960s that were used in racing cars and aircraft are revived by TAG Heuer in a new Autavia watch. The name Autavia is a combination of automobile and aviation. Every TAG Heuer Autavia watch has a propeller and tire etched into the caseback in commemoration of this. The bevelled lugs and the name echo those of the original, but the watch contains a state-of-the-art movement, with an isograph carbon-composite hairspring, and a tough, scratch-resistant ceramic bezel. The brown leather strap is interchangeable, with a stainless steel bracelet option available.

Frederique Constant Slimline Manufacture Power Reserve

The highlights of this new watch by Frederique Constant manufacture is the new in-house automatic calibre FC-723, with a 50-hour power reserve. This new complication represents Frederique Constant’s 28th in-house caliber. The power reserve indicator is displayed prominently at the 10 o’clock position on the dial, including a highlighted red sector that indicates when it is time to either wind or wear the watch.

CHOPARD Happy Sport Oval with galet (pebble) bracelet in 18k rose gold or stainless steel

CHOPARD Happy Sport’s collection is updated with a revival of the original galet (pebble) bracelet that adorned the first watch in the collection back in 1993. In addition to the seven bezel-set diamonds dancing between sapphire crystals over the dial, there are diamonds set into the curved bezel of the stainless steel version.

ALPINA AlpinerX

The AlpinerX smartwatch was launched last year on Kickstarter. For 2019, Alpina came with four models that constitute the most popular designs chosen by Kickstarter community members. ALPINA AlpinerX are a battery-powered outdoor smartwatch packed with a plethora of functions, including environmental sensors for UV, temperature, altitude, pressure and compass. AlpinerX uses a dedicated AlpinerX companion application that tracks your heart rate while exercising, records and analyzes your sleep patterns and notifies you of missed calls and messages.

 

PATEK PHILIPPE Ref. 5212A Calatrava Weekly Calendar

PATEK PHILIPPE Ref. 5212A Calatrava Weekly Calendar is a weekly calendar with a semi-integrated mechanism displaying the current week number, in addition to the day and the date. The 5212-A is the only steel Calatrava in PATEK PHILIPPE’s current collection. Easy-to-set correctors for days and week numbers are placed at 8 o’clock and 10 o’clock on the 40 mm polished stainless steel case, which has two-tier lugs.

 

HUBLOT Classic Fusion Ferrari GT in Carbon 3D fibre

Flavio Manzoni, Head of Design at Ferrari, designed Hublot’s new warhorse called HUBLOT Classic Fusion Ferrari GT – a timepiece inspired by the world of GT racing. The highly resistant Carbon 3D fibre provides unyielding protection for the Manufacture UNICO HUB 1280 movement with column-wheel flyback chronograph. The Classic Fusion Ferrari GT is available with a choice of three cases: Carbon 3D fibre, King Gold (limited to 500 timepieces) or titanium (limited to 1,000 timepieces).