INSIGHT: Predicting the Rolex Basel 2018 releases, using the last 7 years as a guide
With Baselworld 2018 just around the corner, fevers around the Time+Tide office are running hot, contemplating what Rolex is likely to drop in Basel in a few days time. Looking back at Rolex releases in Basel over the past seven years, we assess some of the mic-dropping releases in the Rolex line-up and the likelihood of seeing updates to those models in 2018. 2017 – Rolex Sea-Dweller 126600 Boom. Probably the most talked about watch of Basel 2017, Rolex launched the new Sea-Dweller a mere three years after its previous incarnation, with a 43mm case (to some controversy), cyclops date window (to even more controversy) and red ‘Sea Dweller’ text on the dial (to no controversy at all). Chances of seeing a new Sea-Dweller at Basel 2018? Somewhere between ‘never’ and ‘impossible’. 2017 – Rolex Sky-Dweller in Rolesor Rolex made the Sky-Dweller available in stainless steel (with a white gold bezel) for the first time ever, with new dial variants and an accessible price (albeit not availability). The blue-on-blue and black-on-black dials simply stole the show. Chances of seeing a new Rolex Sky-Dweller at Basel 2018? Too soon. 2016 – Rolex Oyster Perpetual Air-King 116900 2016 saw Rolex put a steroid…
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The Time+Tide contingent on the ground at Baselworld 2018 is bigger, badder and more Basel-y than ever before. What this means, aside from unlocking #squadgoals achievements left, right and centre is more watches, coming at you in more ways than ever before. At the fundamental level the best way to stay up to speed is the site (that you’re currently reading), our YouTube channel, Facebook page and Instagram account. If you’ve bookmarked, subscribed, liked and followed them you’re already going to get a pretty thorough overview of Basel’s latest and greatest. But if you want to go backstage you can always follow the team’s individual accounts, that offer a slightly more personal take on the biggest watch fair of the year. Go on, you know you want to. Andy Green (@andygreenlive) What sort of stuff can we expect to see on your feed? Lots of watches, especially that I spot around the fair on the wrists of attendees. You can also expect quite a few wristrolls – you’ve been warned. What are you most anticipating/hoping to see at the fair? Generally speaking, I’m really hoping to see some of the big brands bust out new collections, and break away from…
TAG Heuer have, much like Marty McFly and Doc Brown, gone back to the future with their latest partnership, with Gulf Oil International. If you’re not familiar with the world of historic Heuer, the pairing of the Swiss watchmaker and venerable oil company is perhaps surprising, but one larger-than-life character pulls it all together: Steve McQueen. In 1971, during the film Le Mans, McQueen wore a Heuer Monaco while driving a Porsche 917 emblazoned with Gulf’s distinctive blue and orange stripes. Vital statistics Now, it’s not just the car that has the livery, it’s also the special edition Monaco Gulf, a regular calibre 11-powered Monaco (much like this one), with a blue sunburst base, and bold powder blue and orange stripes on the right-hand side of the dial, and a Gulf Oil logo above the date at six. The strap is a nice blue perforated calf, with contrasting orange stitch. First thoughts Now, this isn’t the first Gulf-striped Monaco TAG Heuer have produced, not by a long shot, but this is a particularly nice interpretation, thanks largely to the choice of the classic calibre 11 Monaco as a base. And while the big bold stripes aren’t to everyone’s tastes, if…
Last year, Andy and I put together a fun little speculative list on heritage reissues we’d like to see in 2018. It was a fun story, so we thought we’d revisit it — with a Basel twist. We sat down over some cold brew (coffee, not beer) and hashed out our wish list of Basel releases, and then brutally critiqued the plausibility and flaw in each other’s ideas. Like I said, fun. Tudor Green Pelagos Andy: Somewhere, someone on the interwebs had the idea (and photoshop skills) to turn the Tudor Pelagos green (one of our photos no less!). Now, for obvious reasons, I’m a sucker for green — and let me just say — this works. In terms of likelihood, I’m 50-50 here: the Pelagos already comes in a pretty bold blue, so green isn’t unreasonable. This release will come down to how close Tudor want to play to Rolex’s Green Submariner. Either way, I think we will see the Pelagos receive a little more attention this year, and Tudor might give the Black Bay collection some time on the backseat. Likelihood: 5/10 Felix’s take: Cool as it would be, I think it would infringe on Rolex’s rich green turf too…
If you’re a regular reader, I’m willing to bet that your views around quartz timekeeping will be pretty negative. After all, this is a technology that was (almost) responsible for the downfall of mechanical watches. But, as you’re about to find out, not all quartz watches were created equal. Sure, there’s the cheap and cheerful plastic contraptions that consist of battery, circuit board and a very big spacer. And then there’s the 9F. Seiko pioneered quartz technology with the release of the Astron back in 1969, and they’ve innovated ever since. Of all their many achievements in the field, one of the most impressive is the 9F, introduced in 1993 as part of Grand Seiko’s quartz line. Simply put, it’s a true, high-end quartz movement, treated with the same level of care and precision as a traditional mechanical movement. Hand-assembled, with 133 parts, an aged quartz crystal, which is paired with a specifically programmed integrated circuit, for optimal accuracy. Not to mention the sealed, finely aligned coil block. The date wheel shifts in 1/2000th of a second, and the whole thing can go for 50 years without needing lubrication. And on the accuracy front, it’s good for +/- 10 seconds…
Last year, I went hands-on with the sleek three-handed TAG Heuer Link, which saw itself revived into the men’s collection after letting the ladies Link have the first turn in 2016. While the makeover leaned more towards the elegant side of the Link’s sporting elegance roots, this year sees a sportier return to the collection, with the introduction of a tri-compax chronograph. Vital statistics Featuring a sunray dial of either black or blue, there’s an angled date window at 4:30, accompanied by a small seconds subdial at 3 o’clock, a chronograph minute counter at 9 o’clock, and an hour counter at 6 o’clock. With all three cross-hair-centre subdials finished in a light-reflecting snailed pattern. However, regardless of the extra information, surrounding the open dial is the same 41mm stainless-steel case that sits somewhere between round and cushion-shaped with a water resistance of 100 metres. Its two-part bezel, made up of four subtle corners that are contrasted by a satin-brushed circle on the inside, and soft curves that gently transition into the famously ergonomic (and silky smooth) S-shaped linked bracelet, foregoing the need for lugs. Only now, flanking either side of the guarded crown are two elongated pushers that control the Calibre…