VIDEO: Our top 3 watches of Basel 2019 from $35,000 and up – featuring Patek, De Bethune and Hublot

I don’t know about you, but when the price point of a timepiece starts to creep beyond the realms of the everyday, things like price points start to get a little abstract. And, let’s be real here — for most people (though perhaps not most people reading this), watches with a sticker price north of $35,000 are definitely not an everyday proposition. But Baselworld is something of a fantasy land, so we thought it only right and proper to indulge in some hypothetical high-end watch speculation. Patek Philippe Nautilus 5726/1A In the land of high-end steel sports watches, the Nautilus is king. Baselworld 2019 saw that reign (and corresponding waitlist) grow longer with the release of the complex and symmetrical reference 5726/1A, which added a gradient blue to that famous striped dial. Also, I think Andrew’s a little bit in love. De Bethune DB28 Yellow Tones Speaking of love … It might be a many splendored thing, but in the straight-up splendour stakes, De Bethune’s latest take on their classic, sculptural DB28 has it beat, thanks to a rich yellow gold treatment of the titanium case.  Hublot Spirit of Big Bang Tourbillon And finally, Hublot. One of my metrics for…

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6 years ago

VIDEO: Andrew’s top 3 Basel 2019 watches between $10,000 and $35,000 inc. Zenith, Bulgari and Rolex

I feel that I need to briefly explain when these videos happen, and what’s going on with us at these points in time. They are filmed on our last day at Basel. They are filmed without an autocue (I know, unbelievable!). They are filmed with zero access to any illegal substances. And they ALL contain traces of intense fatigue thanks to the jet lag, the severity of which only Australians in Europe who started working straight off a plane can understand. That said, we’ve come to consider this a magic cocktail. Because, when Marcus says go, we are more ourselves than ever. And in this case, my watch choices are raw and real. Bulgari Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT There are two brilliant things about the Octo Finissimo Chronograph that should be lauded. One, not only did Bulgari achieve the thinnest chronograph in the world with this watch, they did so with an extra complication and, in my opinion, the most useful – a second time zone. And two, they did so while maintaining the almost impossibly svelte on-wrist feel of the time-only original. Zenith Defy Inventor Aside from all the stuff I say about Zenith impressing everyone by actually getting…

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6 years ago

VIDEO: Andrew’s top 3 Basel 2019 watches under $10,000, inc. Breitling, Chanel and bronze

Given the vastly reduced number of brands in Hall 1 at Baselworld 2019 there were vastly fewer choices this year across all price points, but particularly in this one. The Swatch Group excel in sub $10K watches, and their absence was felt when it came time for Felix and I to retreat to our corners and start scratching out our personal favourites. However, after skulking off at somewhere in the process to explore Hall 1.1 and other places, I discovered three cracking options for not just under 10K, but under 5. I thought it was worth giving them their own video. They’re pretty great. Stay tuned for that list coming soon — for now, it’s the three that caught my eye and, boy, did my eye do some unpredictable wandering this year. Bronze, Breitling and big, bad black ceramic. It was an embarrassment of riches. Let’s go. TAG Heuer Autavia in bronze Unexpected doesn’t quite do this drop justice. It was almost unthinkable a year ago that TAG Heuer would wade into such of-the-moment territories as bronze, graduated dials and overall heritage hues. It’s not as if the brand never went there — the Monza and the Autavia were both massive successes — but they…

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6 years ago

VIDEO: Ceramic, tattoos and a sneaky Patek – Felix’s Basel 2019 picks from $10,000 – $35,000

Usually in this sort of video I try to honour the rules. Because you never know, maybe you actually are in the market for a brand new watch somewhere between 10 and 35K. Odd, but not impossible. And if that’s the case, I don’t want to harsh your vibe by sneaking something in that’s out of the parameters. But you know what? That’s what I did here. The Patek is, asides from being pure unobtanium to mere mortals, well about 35K AUD. But it’s so pretty, I just had to bend the rules.  Bulgari Octo Finissimo Automatic As soon as I saw this watch, I knew I was in love. As soon as I strapped it on (ceramic clasp and all), I was working out what organs I had in my body that weren’t strictly necessary. Possibly my favourite Octo Finissimo thus far.  Patek Philippe Aquanaut 5168G I’ve already covered off the bit where I fiddled with the price, but, honestly, do you blame me? One wit in the PP press conference described this as a CEO weekend-wearer. My response: “No, it’s his other weekend-wearer, ’cause they’ve already got it in black.” True fact.  Hublot Big Bang Unico Sang Bleu…

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6 years ago

Video – The Watches Introduced by Frederique Constant at Baselworld 2019

Since its creation 30 years ago, Frederique Constant has been a proponent of “accessible luxury”, with well-executed watches at reasonable prices. The brand has also managed to produce multiple in-house movements, which range from the simple automatic to the ultra-complex (yet still accessible) QP Tourbillon. This year, at Baselworld 2019, the brand presented its 28th […]

6 years ago

Video – The new Porsche Design 2019 Watches, Including the 1919 Globetimer UTC

Form follows function… This credo has always been part of Porsche Design’s DNA and this year’s novelties still bear this spirit. While some might think that Porsche Design is more of a fashion brand than a watchmaker, it is time to have a closer look at what the German design studio is producing. Indeed, the […]

6 years ago

Video – The Oris Watches of Baselworld 2019 Explained by Co-CEO Rolf Studer

There’s no denying that Oris is good at creating tool watches. Last year’s theme for the brand was clearly the pilot’s watch, with several very nice introductions, such as the Big Crown Pointer Date. For Baselworld 2019, Oris goes back to another theme it masters – dive watches. And to add another layer of cool […]

6 years ago

VIDEO: Hublot shine at a dull Baselworld 2019 with a brand new model and more

At a Baselworld that failed to excite on many levels, Hublot revved up crowds with an entirely new model, a 90th birthday collaboration that is anything but for the elderly, a totally bonkers tattooist tie-in and a Spirit of Big Bang that is a true blue beauty. Hublot Classic Fusion Ferrari GT Let’s cut the suspense and kick off with that new model – the 45mm Classic Fusion Ferrari GT. Now this has wooed some new fans to the brand for its more subtle stylings. Co-designed by Flavio Manzoni, Senior Vice President of Design at Ferrari, it features a raised, rounded bezel that totally changes the personality of this Hublot. Where the Big Bang shouts power, the Classic Fusion Ferrari GT only needs to whisper it. Some key specs: the movement is the Hublot in-house calibre Unico, a self-winding flyback chronograph with three-day power reserve. The Classic Fusion Ferrari GT Limited Edition is available in three different cases: Titanium, King Gold and 3D Carbon. Hublot Big Bang Scuderia Ferrari 90th Anniversary If you’d prefer a Ferrari-related watch that is more recognisably Hublot, there’s always the Big Bang Scuderia Ferrari 90th Anniversary, which is a symphony of sexy details like the prancing horse…

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6 years ago

VIDEO: Colour, controversy and a streamlined case – Felix’s top Basel 2019 watches under $10,000

Baselworld 2019 was a fairly subdued affair, but that didn’t stop me from ferreting out three (very very different) pieces that reminded me what my love of watches was all about.  Tudor Black Bay P01 Yup, I know. All y’all were very much not into this piece. And you know what, on paper (or Instagram, as the case might be), I was with you. But on the wrist it’s a very different picture, and I’d suggest holding judgement until you see this Tudor IRL. And to be honest, it’s more interesting than another suite of ‘regular’ BB dial variations.  Zenith Defy Classic 41 in white ceramic Sure, it *just* sneaks over the price point, but it’s so nice I just had to include it. Now, believe it or not, I’m not typically a full white ceramic kind of guy, but for this Zenith, with its matt case and intricate details, I’d make an exception. Grand Seiko Spring Drive SBGK005G Grand Seiko marks the 20th anniversary of the special Spring Drive in style, with a brand new, manually wound version that features not only a banging dial, but also a slimmer, more streamlined case. 

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6 years ago

LIST: 3 of the best Bulgari watches from Basel 2019 

Over at Bulgari, the reign of the Octo Finissimo continues to flourish. At Baselworld 2019 the ultra-thin heavyweight collection gained two strong new members. And over on the women’s side, there’s a new golden serpent to adore.  The hero of Bulgari’s set piece is the Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT, a very smart addition (in both the style and engineering sense). It’s a completely new movement, and full of nice engineering details. It also boasts a lot of user-focused details, like that GMT. It’s a really useful combination of complications wrapped up in a wafer-thin package. The yin to the Chronograph’s yang is another, darker take on the Octo Finissimo — in fact, an entirely black take. This new ceramic version once again transforms the feel of the watch. Bonus points for opting for a sleek matt finish, and even a fully ceramic folding clasp. Finally, the Serpenti Seduttori, a woman’s watch that’s intended to be a more everyday alternative to the Serpenti Tubogas. The bracelet on this piece is lovely, and more than lives up to the Serpenti name.  Bulgari Octo Finissimo Chronograph GMT Bulgari Octo Finissimo Automatic Ceramic Bulgari Serpenti Seduttori

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6 years ago