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Home / Fashion
Fashion

The Best Watches of Baselworld 2017

By Kareem Rashed on March 29, 2017

Of all the timepieces to debut last week, these are the ones to wait for.

© Courtesy Tag Heuer; Blancpain; Hermès; Omega; Patek Philippe; Bulgari

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This year at Baselworld, the watch industry’s biggest trade show, brands across the board eschewed the tricked out and over-the-top in favor of wearable timepieces in touch with reality. It made for a quieter, tamer show—not at all an unwelcome change. There were still a few brands offering unabashed luxury at the height of horology (Harry Winston debuted a pair of diamond-studded opera glasses with a hidden watch face, displaying an admirable dedication to creating pieces that dazzle). But the overall trend was toward versatility—be it interchangeable straps or a piece that can clock considerable mileage—and value. Here, ten standout watches to look forward to in 2017, each one an investment that’s sure to stand the test of time.

Related: See our picks from Baselworld 2016 »

Related: See our picks for the best watches from SIHH 2017 »

 
Courtesy Chopard

Chopard L.U.C. XP

Chopard embraces the everyday with their L.U.C. XP, a beautifully restrained watch that’s versatile enough to wear from work into the weekend. Its minimal design highlights the details: satin-brushed silver dial, blued numerals and hands, plaid cashmere strap with alligator lining. But it has more than just good looks—at just 7.2mm thick, it contains an exceptional self-winding movement featuring a patented double barrel construction. $9,250; available in September at chopard.com.

See another new version of the watch in Fairmined goal »

Courtesy Chanel

Chanel Première Rock

Thirty years ago, Chanel launched its first watch, the Première. To mark the anniversary, the house is edition of 1,000 pieces. The new model features a triple wrap bracelet in red leather and steel, inspired by the strap on their beloved flap handbag. $4,900; chanel.com.

Courtesy Omega

Omega Speedmaster 38mm

This year marks the 60th anniversary of Omega’s iconic Speedmaster. The brand is celebrating with a slew of variations, one of the best being this 38mm (a size that works for both men and women) with a two-tone steel and yellow gold case, forest green bezel, strap, and chronograph hands. It’s faithful to the original, with a clean, streamlined design. $6,150; available in June at omegawatches.com.

Courtesy Hermès

Hermès Cape Cod Shadow

No one does stealth luxe like Hermès and their latest Cape Cod epitomizes the brand’s understated chic. Called the Shadow, it features a black DLC-treated case, a matte black dial, and rhodium-plated numerals on a black leather strap with subtle red tipping. $4,300; available in May at hermes.com.

See the Cape Cod 25th anniversary watches »

Courtesy Bulgari

Bulgari Octo Finissimo Automatic

The past few years have seen Bulgari breaking records with the world’s thinnest tourbillon (2014) and minute repeater (2016). Now, they’ve applied those innovations to a more everyday automatic watch (again, the thinnest of it’s kind). Just 5.15mm thick and crafted almost entirely out of titanium, the new Octo Finissimo Automatic weighs less than 80 grams. $13,900; bulgari.com.

Courtesy Blancpain

Blancpain Tribute to Fifty Fathoms MIL-SPEC

This year, Blancpain’s classic diving watch, the Fifty Fathoms, goes retro with a limited-edition style based on the original 1953 model. First created for the French navy, the Fifty Fathoms featured a water tightness indicator that reappears on this new iteration. While the look is faithfully vintage, the self-winding movement is thoroughly modern and boasts shock resistance, anti-magnetism, and a four-day power reserve. Limited edition of 500 available summer 2017; $14,100; blancpain.com.

Read our review of the Blancpain Fifty Fathoms Ocean Commitment Bathyscaphe »

Courtesy Patek Philippe

Patek Philippe 5320G

Also taking a cue from archival models, Patek Philippe’s new perpetual calendar revives details from the 1940s and ‘50s: tiered lugs, a cream-colored dial, and lume-coated Arabic numerals. The movement is equally impressive with month, day, date, leap year, and moon phase functions that will run continuously for 122 years. patek.com.

Courtesy Tag Heuer

Tag Heuer Autavia

First released in 1962, Tag Heuer’s motor racing–inspired Autavia is coveted by watch collectors and auto enthusiasts alike. This year it returns with a larger size (42mm) and new chronograph movement, while retaining it’s vintage appeal. This particular style is based on a 1966 model, which was chosen by Tag fans via an online poll Tag Heuer conducted last year. $5,150; tagheuer.com.

Courtesy Rolex

Rolex Cosmograph Daytona

Last year, Rolex debuted an updated Daytona that quickly garnered a cult following. This year, they’re expanding the range to include this Cosmograph Daytona in yellow gold with a high-performance elastomer band (basically, an extremely durable synthetic rubber). It’s a modern update that gives this iconic timepiece a whole new attitude. $27,500; available fall 2017 at rolex.com.

Courtesy Hublot

Hublot Classic Fusion Chronograph Italia Independent Collection

For their latest collaboration with Ferrari scion Lapo Elkann, Hublot brought the esteemed Italian tailoring house of Rubinacci into the fold. The result is a line of Hublot’s Classic Fusion watches created using archival Rubinacci fabrics, like this chronograph in a Prince of Wales check. It’s an elegant statement watch that embodies Elkann’s much-lauded style. Limited edition of 100, $16,100; hublot.com.

Read our full review here »

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