Tudor Baselworld 2019 Predictions – Is Tudor About to Bring Back the OysterDate Submariner?
Following the publication a few days ago of our Rolex 2019 Predictions, we keep the tradition alive and now take a closer look at sister company Tudor. We’ve done it already in the past, with our predictions in 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017 and in 2018. – some being pretty accurate, some not so much. This year, however, we had (unintentional) help from Tudor itself, thanks to a teaser on their Instagram feed – and, you know us, that gave us some ideas about what is to come for Tudor at Baselworld 2019… Did we hear OysterDate Submariner 79090 revival?
“Living the dream” is how I’d best describe the two co-founders of microbrand watch company Nodus. The pair may be relative new recruits to the micro-watchmaking game, but Cullen Chen and Wesley Kwok have turned their passion for watches into their dream business, releasing their debut model, the Nodus Trieste, in 2017, taking its inspiration from ’60s dive watches. Since then, the young up-and-coming microbrand has gone from strength to strength, building itself an enthusiastic cult following on the forums, and Instagram and the like, as well as releasing brand new models quicker than an elephant running downhill. With each new release continuing the same dive/tool watch trend that kickstarted the brand into existence, before culminating in what is their most impressive offering yet, the Nodus Avalon. To see what makes the Avalon so impressive, you only need to look at the specs and, for that matter, its price. Available in several dial colours and starting at $625 USD, its case is CNC-machined out of a solid block of 316L stainless steel, measuring a goodly 43.5mm across with a lug-to-lug of 48mm and a thickness that measures 12.9mm from its caseback to the top of its double-domed sapphire crystal. It’s…
I don’t want to sound too hyperbolic, but Baselworld 2019 will be make or break. The once grand fair has been navigating turbulent waters for a while now, and last year’s mass exodus by Swatch Group brands ripped a hole in the hull that almost sunk it. This year’s fair will be smaller again, and whether or not the organising body has done enough to keep remaining exhibitors happy remains to be seen. It will also be an interesting year for watch releases. Brands are increasingly favouring a drip-feed of digital drops rather than the Baselworld grand reveal, and we’re also seeing a focus on safe, commercial releases. So, interesting times ahead. With that in mind, here are three things I’m expecting to see, and three things I’m hoping to see at Baselworld 2019, in a few short weeks. Expect to see: More Nanograph action from TAG Heuer Seeing the Nanograph Tourbillon in Geneva in January was one of my highlights. It’s a genuinely cool innovation, and an exciting alternative to silicon. I’m not sure if they’ll be ready (yet) to announce more models packing the tech, but I certainly hope so. Expect to see: More smaller sizes Diameters are…
In the last few years, skeletonised watches have undergone a renaissance. Once overly designed and overwrought, at some point this distinctive genre segued from niche to very nice indeed. And Jaquet Droz’s Skelet-One is a great example of this new breed. Clean and simple, rather than ornate, is the name of the game for this less-is-more take on the classic Jaquet Droz Grande Seconde figure-eight dial layout. Last year we had a look at the Skelet-One in gold, and now they’ve added a dose of ceramic to the mix. And honestly, I think this is the way to go. What better way to accent the modern skeleton aesthetic and that sapphire subdial than with a modern black ceramic case? As far as tech specs go, this new Skelet-One Ceramic is 41.5mm across, which is a decent size, and it must be incredibly light on the wrist. The 2663 SQ movement is automatic, with a fully skeletonised white gold rotor ensuring your clear view isn’t obstructed. Also ensuring optimal viewing of the technical movement is the glass box sapphire sandwich. A blue sailcloth strap completes the contemporary feeling package. This is a cool, minty fresh move from Jaquet Droz, and we…