The Best Watches of Baselworld 2017

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 »

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.

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.

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 »

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.

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 »

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.

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.

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.

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 »