Loading...Baselworld 2017 is said to have had lesser visitors than in 2016, the palace has been torn down, and even in the halls there were 200 letter exhibitors. But does all that mean that Baselworld was less interesting and had less to offer? Not in my book.
While I read that SIHH is soon going to establish as true competition to Baselworld, I do not see that yet. SIHH is run by Richemont Group and invites a few other watchcompanies. But the sheer size of Baselworld exceedes SIHH by many multiples. And as Ulysse Nardin did not attend Baselworld this year but SIHH, this was for sure a huge loss, but still Baselworld gives a home to the other huge groups such as Swatch Group, Rolex with Tudor, Patek Philippe, and many many smaller and oftentimes completely unknown watchmakers. So for me Baselworld still remains the number 1 not only in size, but also in my personal interest. I am not diminishing Richement watchmakers that way, just trying to put things into perspective. And yes, it is my subjective opinion. And noone can predict the future.
I read so many artices of the top 5 and top 10 watches of Baselworld. My list is comprised of 8 timepieces which I view to be exceptionally different, unique or pleasant. A very subjective list based solely on my personal tastes. Some eclectic, some pretty basic pieces. All of them are exceptional one way or the other. So here it goes, the list is not meant to be in a particular order, just the 8 nicest watches as I perceive them. And I know I am missing some here which I would love to mention.
Kari Voutilainen Aki-No-Kure
This is a real piece of art, made of many tiny laquered pieces of mother of pearl. Made in Japan. A unique and rare artistry. This watch is a unique piece and will stay that way. Making it takes way too long. Over half a year.
Based on a 1968 vintage chronograph Hamilton presented a new retro chronograph which they call the “Intramatic68” this Baselworld. I was lucky enough to have the new chronograph in my hands just before Baselworld and wrote about it.
So the first pictures shows you the vintage original. The second the new chronograph.
The Breguet 5147 is a very thin threehander made in either a rosegold or whitegold case. I prefer the rosegold case. The case is still very thin despite its automatic movement. The dial is made of enamel. Breguet has created a classy and timeless piece, in its own tradition, but with a bit of a different dial. For me, this was one of my personal favorites.
Akrivia 06
Within 5 years, the team around Rexhep Rexhepi, a young Patek Philippe trained watchmaker, has created 6 own calibers. They created watches the old way, with a lot of manual labor and with beautifully handfinished movements. This is their latest creation, the Akrivia06. The dial is what? AMAZING… 😉
Patek Philippe Perpetual Calendar ref. 5320G
This is the latest Perpetual Calendar of Patek Philippe. Vintage inspired dial, vintage style hands, raised indices. Just look at the picture.
Rolex Skydweller in steel with white gold fluted bezel ref. 326934
While at Baselworld, all the buzz was about the new Seadweller with red writing. And that is why I did not notice that Rolex broke with an unwritten rule. Complicated Rolexes were never really made in steel. And least not in the past couple decades. Now they introduced the Skydweller with its annual calendar in steel with either silver, black or blue dial. And I have a faible for blue dials…
The joker was the joker of Baselworld. In a positive sense. It makes you smile. Made in steel in a limited edition of 99 pieces only. With hours, minutes and moonphase indication. A real eyecatcher, a talking piece. A controversial piece maybe? I love it.
Daniel of Nord Zeitmaschine is a great talking partner. He is so spirited and his creations are far from anybody else is making in Switzerland. His watches move. They move you and the dials move. Great piece, the blue dial “Freesdial” is my favorite. I am planning to visit him soon in his manufacture. He cannot make many watches, but all of his watches are mechanical marvels. I would like to take a look inside of his brain…
Well, this makes it 9 favorites now. Like last year, I was again impressed by the work of Jaquet Droz who truly deserves mentioning here. They make watches with small automatons inside like the singing birds. And this year, they again made beautiful watches with complications like barely anyone else makes. Their timepieces are exceptionally beautiful and amazing. So I did not want to forget to mention them. My list is not able to cover everything I saw, nor everything I liked and loved. You have to know that there are way over 1000 exhibitors at the Baselworld fair, and when you run from one “date” to the next, you cannot cover everything. Time is limited. You try to chose what interests you and may be interesting for readers. And I try to bring you some watches which you will never see at an authorized dealer. Yet they are exceptional watches.
The butterfly is exceptionally cool as he flaps his wings. That is what is called an automaton. An old artistry which is rare to find in Switzerland.
Light conditions were quite tough at Jaquet Droz, the rooms were very dark yet had some very bright artificial light. Yet, it shows you the true beauty and artisanal ability of the manufacture.