Baselworld’s Superstars

Baselworld’s Superstars

Adrienne Faurote
By Adrienne Faurote May 25, 2017

At this year’s Baselworld, ‘The Big Dance’ of all watch fairs, a select few novelties stood out as favorites. But rather than one trend dominating, the belles of the ball represented a wide variety of styles. So whether you prefer large sports watches, diminutive ladies timepieces, or cutting- edge tourbillons, you will soon find one of these exciting new watches at a Westime boutique in Southern California.

Breguet Reine de Naples
Breguet Reine de Naples Mini
Breguet’s famously dainty ladies timepiece, the 33mm Reine de Naples, expands with new editions featuring Arabic Breguet numerals on the mother-of-pearl dial. The highly legible artistic numbers, at various sizes, complement the automatic timepiece’s ball-type lug, winding crown at 4 o’clock, and elegant egg-shaped case. Brilliant- cut diamonds and a single briolette diamond add glamour to this classic watch.

Harry Winston Histoire de Tourbillon 8
Harry Winston Histoire de Tourbillon 8
Harry Winston continues to explore all of the possibilities of the tourbillon movement with its eighth exceptional HDT model. Histoire de Tourbillon 8, limited to ten pieces in red and ten pieces in anthracite, is imposing in its 51mm 18k white gold case, yet comfortable, thanks to its curving lugs and use of lightweight movement materials. The left side of the dial bears two mirroring large tourbillons, while the right side features two cones for visual balance. A power reserve indicator at 6 o’clock serves as a focal point.

Bulgari Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Skeleton
Bvlgari Octo Finissimo Tourbillon Skeleton
The world’s thinnest tourbillon watch reveals everything this year, as Bulgari presents the famous manual-winding flying tourbillon movement without the visual interference of a dial. The ultra-thin and entirely openworked piece consists of 253 parts, powering the minute and hour hands. The award- winning watch is also housed in a 40mm platinum case.

Colors keep the various functions of this Breitling Navitimer 01 apart and easier to read
Breitling Navitimer Rattrapante
Breitling adds to its in-house manufactured movements this year with the unveiling of its first automatic split-seconds chronograph B03 caliber—debuting in the famous Navitimer watch. The 45mm steel timepiece features a bronze- colored dial, rotating bezel with circular slide rule, Breitling’s B-Anchor logo divided to sit atop both the chronograph and split-seconds hands, and a pusher at 3 o’clock.

Hublot Ferrari 70th anniversary
Hublot Techframe Ferrari 70 Years Tourbillon Chronograph
It was Italy-based supercar marque Ferrari who took the reins to design Hublot’s new line of timepieces. Ferrari’s head of design approached the watch like he would a new car: starting with the engine (in this case, the hand-wound movement) and designing a lattice chassis around it. The result is a thin, aerodynamic and ergonomic watch suitable for use when driving. The limited edition 45mm timepiece is available in King Gold, PEEK Carbon or titanium.

Tudor Heritage Black Bay Chrono
Tudor Heritage Black Bay Chrono
Tudor collaborated with Breitling on the creation of its first manufacture automatic column wheel chronograph, presented
in its beloved Black Bay line of timepieces. With its 41mm steel case with fixed bezel, button pushers, snowflake hands, domed matt black dial and hollowed sub-counters, the new chronograph reflects the design codes that have made Tudor a favorite sports watch for decades.
AQUARACER 300M_CAMO (1)TAG Heuer Aquaracer Camouflage
TAG Heuer’s line of sports watches, Aquaracer, adapts to the practical and fashionable trend of camouflage—this time, in a very wearable blue. With its 43mm black PVD titanium case, the lightweight watch is ready for action, as far below the surface as 300 meters. This automatic watch features a date with magnifier window at 3 o’clock; a black ceramic rotating bezel with minute track; and an Arctic blue woven NATO camouflage strap.

Zenith pilot Pilot Extra Special Chronograph
Zenith Pilot Extra Special Chronograph
Zenith’s famous, bar-setting chronograph movement, El Primero, takes up residence this year in the watch manufacturer’s neo- vintage Pilot Extra Special line of watches. The 45mm bronze case frames an oversized sandblasted black dial with large numerals made from blocks of white SuperLumiNova. The movement powers a small seconds counter at 9 o’clock, a central chronograph hand, and a 30-minute counter at 3 o’clock. Finally, an oiled green nubuck leather strap with rubber lining adds retro style.