Baselworld 2019: The highlights and surprises of the year

It was that time again and the latest novelties, trends, aesthetic creations and technical innovations of the watch market were presented from March 21 to 26 at Baselworld 2019. This year, the most important trade fair in the industry had several impressive highlights to offer from several brands that you absolutely need to know. You didn't have the chance to see the new products on site or to click through articles and videos to find out more yourself? No problem: In the following overview we have already put together everything you need to know about the current developments of your favorite brands so that you are well informed about this year's Baselworld.

Bell & Ross

Bell & Ross is expanding its vintage range in 2019: The BRV-92 Blue Steel with a diameter of 38.5 mm comes with a stainless steel case and a strongly curved dial in sky blue. The intense contrast to the white tone of the luminescent indices, numerals and skeletonized hands makes this timepiece visually appealing and particularly easy to read. The vintage look is completed with a brown leather strap. Inside the watch beats the BR-CAL 302 caliber based on the automatic ETA 2892-A2. Another annual highlight from the Swiss watchmakers known for their "rough edges" is the new Bell & Ross BR 03-92 MA-1, which was inspired by the iconic MA-1 aviator or bomber jacket of the US Air Force from 1958. The details in intense orange, in combination with the khaki-colored background, create a real, high-contrast eye-catcher. What stands out most on the two-story dial are the large indices, digits and hands.

The upper khaki-colored plate at the level of the indices and numerals is open so that the orange Superluminova of the level below can shine through - a great color mix that is also picked up on the two-tone reversible calf leather strap. The characteristic angular case has an edge length of 42 mm and is made of ceramic in a matte khaki tone. The Bell & Ross BR 03-92 MA-1 is limited to 999 pieces. The availability of the next treasure is just as limited: the BR03-92 BI-Compass model from Bell & Ross is a tribute to sophisticated pilot's watches. The qualities of the timepiece speak for themselves, because just like its inspiration, no compromises are made when it comes to ideal readability and total reliability. Like in the cockpit, the BR03-92 BI-Compass comes with a two-level dial that displays hours, minutes and seconds separately. This is also reflected in the color scheme inspired by the US Navy. This means that the time displays can be read quickly and accurately at any time. The typography is also reminiscent of cockpit counters - a true pilot's watch for the wrist.

Breitling

Breitling has completely revised the Superocean diving watch series, which has existed since 1957: the models now come in a wide range of colors and sizes. The prime example here is the Superocean 42 with a case diameter of 42 mm and the chronometer-accurate Caliber 17, which is available with a blue, white, and orange dial. The watch is available with a rubber or steel strap. The Superocean 48 is the XXL counterpart, because with a diameter of 48 mm, the large timepiece certainly looks great. With a DLC-coated titanium case with a ceramic bezel plus a soft iron inner case and a water resistance of up to 300 meters, the watch has much more to offer than just supersize. The safety lock on the rotating bezel protects against adjustment, the expansion curves in the rubber strap ensure a secure fit under water - small but significant details that show that everything has really been considered in the Superocean series. The completely new Premier Norton edition from Breitling pays homage to the collaboration with the British motorcycle brand Norton Motorcycles. The logo of the traditional company is housed on a plaque on the side and the sapphire glass back together with a Norton motorcycle print. The 42mm stainless steel case with the gold hands and numerals, as well as the brown rawhide strap, create an aesthetic, nostalgic image. In return, Norton is offering a limited edition Breitling motorcycle in a café racer look!

There is also something new in the popular Navitimer line: a 60-year-old, historical and popular model is being reissued. The Navitimer Ref. 806 Re-Edition stays close to the original, as it also has the same case diameter of 40.9 mm, the completely black dial, the acrylic glass, the logo of the American Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) and the bezel surrounded by 94 fine pearls. Only two changes have been made: there is no glass bottom like the original and the water resistance has been increased to 30 meters. In order to be able to give the new model a hand-wound movement, Breitling designed the hand-wound caliber B09, which was used in the new Navitimer, using the automatic manufacture caliber B01 as a basis. In keeping with the year the original was released, this re-edition is limited to 1,959 pieces. And the Navitimers continue: Breitling is paying tribute to airlines that have had a lasting impact on the style of their era with three Airline Editions of the Navitimer 1. The Navitimer series was inspired by aviation when it was introduced in 1952. Now three watches have been developed in honor of the popular airlines PanAm, Swissair and TWA. All are powered by the in-house chronograph caliber B01, which has chronometer accuracy and a 70-hour power reserve. The Airline Editions are particularly recognizable by the dial in the colors of the respective airline, as well as the airplane-shaped tip of the central second hand. The name of the corresponding airline is also printed on the case back. The PanAm model comes with a blue dial and silver subdials, the Swissair in black and red. The version with a silver dial and anthracite gray subdials is again the TWA edition. The three watches are available with vintage and Milanese straps. This collection is also limited.

Chopard

This year there is again a new Mille Miglia Race Edition from Chopard . The automatic chronograph is dedicated to the legendary vintage car race, which will take place again in 2019. From May 15th to 18th, hundreds of participants will once again drive the more than 1,600 kilometers from Brescia to Rome and back. Chopard has been the timekeeper and sponsor of the event for over 30 years. This year's Mille Miglia Race Edition impresses with a ruthenium-colored, gray-blue dial with a date display at three o'clock and chronograph displays at six, nine and twelve o'clock. The indices and hands of the 44 mm timepiece are coated with Superluminova for ideal readability even at night. The Mille Miglia logo is engraved on the back of the case. Like the 2017 edition, the new version is powered by the COSC-certified automatic caliber Eta/Valjoux 7750. The tachymeter scale engraved on the blackened aluminum insert of the bezel allows you to calculate your average speed during the race. The watch is complemented by a perforated strap made of cognac-colored calfskin with matching stitching - the design was inspired by racing gloves. The lining of the strap is also reminiscent of a Dunlop tire relief from the 1960s. This racing watch of a special kind is limited to 1,000 pieces.

Hublot

Hublot's new Classic Fusion Ferrari GT represents a premiere in several respects: It is the first Hublot watch in Ferrari's GT models, the first Ferrari timepiece in a Classic Fusion case and the first watch to feature the in-house Unico manufacture caliber in it. The caliber is a smaller version of the Unico chronograph movement from 2018, but with the same power reserve of 72 hours. Ferrari was actively involved in the design development of the 45mm model. The newly shaped bezel is particularly striking. The watch is available in three different versions: Hublot's special red gold version "King Gold", titanium and extra robust 3D carbon fiber. The chronograph functions are highlighted in typical Ferrari red, only the reset pusher is in classic black. The strap of the Classic Fusion Ferrari GT 3D Carbon is specially made by the Schedoni saddlery in Modena, which has been producing luggage for Ferrari for decades and supplies the seat trim for the Scuderia's Formula 1 cars.

Hublot has now released the second watch in collaboration with tattoo artist Maxime Plescia-Büchi. Three years after the first collaboration, the Big Bang Sang Bleu II follows. The bezel with its atypical hexagonal shape was retained in the artist's second creation, but a rounder shape was achieved by continuing the six facets. Round and square at the same time, a pattern that can also be found on the sapphire crystal - suitable for Plescia-Büchi, who likes to experiment with geometric shapes. This time, the Big Bang Sang Bleu II is a chronograph with a flyback function, which makes it much more interesting than its predecessor. The time is displayed using two large diamond-shaped discs, the tips of which are coated with Superluminova. Only the elapsed stop seconds are displayed on the 45mm timepiece by an actual hand. The "blue blood" is available in titanium or red gold versions and is limited to 100 pieces each.

Patek Philippe

In 2019, Patek Philippe is presenting another pilot-style timepiece with the new addition Alarm Travel Time Ref. 5520P-001. The well-known function of the second time zone in 12h format and the two day and night displays are now joined by an easy-to-use alarm that, like the date, is adjusted to the respective local time. This can be switched on or off using the pusher at two o'clock and set in 24h format using the crown at four o'clock. Patek Philippe has registered four patents for the specially designed alarm mechanism. Thanks to the transparent case back, you have a clear view of the impressive AL 30-660 SC FUS manufacture caliber with a total of 574 components. For the first time, the case of a striking watch from Patek Philippe is now waterproof - but that also comes at a price: the special watch with sophisticated mechanics and a platinum case costs a whopping 204,050 euros.

Rolex

The anniversary model of the Rolex Sea-Dweller was extremely well received by fans of the brand in 2017. The date magnifier and the red lettering on the timepiece caused a stir - so it is hardly surprising that a new version of the diving watch icon is coming in 2019. This time it is an edition with a case made of "Rolesor yellow", i.e. a bicolor version made of stainless steel and yellow gold. Rolex used gold for the unidirectional rotating, scratch-resistant bezel and the Oyster bracelet. Even the numbers on the bezel are covered in gold. The gold tone is also taken up again on the black dial of the Rolex Oyster Perpetual Sea-Dweller: the gold-colored Sea-Dweller lettering makes this timepiece look really classy. Just like on the 2017 model, a date magnifier arches over the date display at three o'clock. The size and water resistance are also unchanged at 43mm and 1,220 meters. Indices and hands are coated with luminous material for best readability. The watch also has a helium valve and, thanks to the in-house automatic caliber 3235, has an impressive power reserve of 70 hours.

Tag Heuer

TAG Heuer has developed a new Autavia . The three-hand watch comes with a blue dial and matching rotating bezel and represents the start of a whole new Autavia collection. Compared to the Autavia Chronograph launched in 2017, it's not just the color that has changed: the bezel is now narrower and has minute numerals instead of hour numerals, and the hours are shown using Arabic numerals. The hands are also shaped differently and the usual logo has been reused. The most striking thing, however, is the development of the crown: it is much larger on the new Autavia and has a groove in the middle. This is a tribute to the brand's historic on-board clocks, which were installed in cars and airplanes from the 1930s to the 1950s. Inside the 42mm watch is the chronometer-certified Calibre 5 automatic movement, which is based on the Eta 2824 but is equipped with the new, in-house produced graphene hairspring. The name "Isograph" on the dial also refers to the in-house hairspring. The new Autavia comes with a strap made of fine brown calfskin.

Tudor

For the new Black Bay P01 diving watch, Tudor took inspiration from a prototype from the 1960s that was designed for a US Navy research series. The stainless steel watch has a bidirectional rotating bezel with 12-hour divisions. To prevent this from being accidentally adjusted, Tudor has equipped the 42mm timepiece with a special locking system for the bezel between the moving lugs. Once adjusted, the bezel is secured by a folding stainless steel element at twelve o'clock and can then no longer be turned - a mechanism that a prototype from 1968 already had. The P01 in the name stands for "Prototype 1". The protected winding crown at four o'clock and the locking system stretch the shape of the case asymmetrically. The Black Bay P01 features the collection's signature snowflake hands on its black, domed dial, which have been typical of Tudor diving watches since 1969. The heart of the watch is the in-house COSC-certified MT5612 automatic movement.

But the Black Bay line is surprisingly growing even further this year: the Black Bay Chrono S&G is Tudor's second coup. The bicolor model has pushers, crown, bezel, tachymeter scale, indices, hands and middle links in yellow gold. The chronograph's totalizers also use the tone of the precious metal in a more subdued form. The case with a diameter of 41mm is made of stainless steel and contains the automatic caliber MT5813, which is also COSC-certified and is based on the Breitling caliber B01. The watch in its two-tone design comes with the typical characteristics of the Tudor models: the domed sapphire crystal and the domed dial in matt black are reminiscent of the first Tudor diving watch from 1954. The famous snowflake hands are also present. The watch is water resistant up to 200 meters and comes with a stainless steel-yellow gold mix strap, brown leather with removable cuff or black textile.

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