It’s that time again. For seven days, the horological world had its eyes firmly set upon the complications, tourbillons and jewelled movements of the luxury watch industry.
Black was the new gold or steel, with many manufacturers announcing chunky timepieces in military, or aerospace, specification dull metal - none more so than Hublot with its monster 48mm All Black King. Hamilton’s Belowzero Auto 2826 married the black dial/black strap look with a rose gold case, and it’s been tested to a depth of 1000m.
The Graham Chronofighter Oversize GMT Big Date BRG does what its title says; it’s a very big chronograph with dual time display and a fine British Racing Green (the BRG bit) half bezel. The Chanel J 12 Calibre 3125 is another all-black (with 18 carat gold features) watch, courtesy of its ceramic case and strap. Interestingly, it carries an Audemars Piguet Caliber AP3125 Movement that is visible via the clear crystal back.
We previewed the latest models from Bell & Ross a little while ago on Classic Driver, and its stand was a popular one at Baselworld 2008. Chopard will be a familiar name to Classic Driver readers, producing, as it does, the world famous Mille Miglia chronometers as well as other motoring-related ranges. New for 2008 at Basel was the Chronograph Grand Prix de Monaco Historique 2008, celebrating the Swiss watchmaker’s association with the biennial historic races at the Principalité.
Finally, the most unusual exhibit came courtesy of Chronoswiss. The Wristmaster is a combination of chronometer and wristwatch. Nothing new there, I hear you say. You’d be wrong; for instead of a familiar multi-dialled creation, there are two watches on one strap. Well, you can’t knock them for lack of innovation...
Anyway, choosing a watch is very much down to personal taste, so we can offer the following for your consideration, all new at Baselworld 2008:
Arnold & Son
True Moon
Bell&Ross
BR Instrument Minuteur Tourbillion
Blancplain
Chronograph Speed Command
Breguet
Classique 5247 Complication
Breitling
Breitling for Bentley GMT Chronograph
Bulgari
Diagono Professional Aria
Carl F. Bucherer
Patravi TravelTec FourX
Video Caliber CFB A1000
Chanel
J 12 Claibre 3125
Chopard
Chronograph Grand Prix de Monaco Historique 2008
Chronoswiss
Wristmaster
Corum
Admiral’s Cup Leap Second 48
de Grisogono
Meccanico dG
Eberhard & Co
Chrono4 Grande Taille
Graham
Chronofighter Oversize GMT Big Date BRG
Hamilton
Belowzero Auto 2826
Hermès
Clipper Sport H1
Video Clipper Sport H1
Hublot
All Black King
Omega
Seamaster Diver 300 m „James Bond 007 Collector’s Piece“
Oris
BC4 Flight Timer
Raymond Weil
Nabucco Cuore Caldo
Tag Heuer
Carrera Chronograph Calibre 17 RS Roségold
Ulysse Nardin
Freak Blue Phantom
Zenith
Defy Xtreme Zero-G Tourbillion
Text: Classic Driver
Photos: Uhrenmarken
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