Over the years, Grand Seiko has proven that they can make superb sports watches, which have no problem competing with their Swiss counterparts. An admirable accomplishment that comes forward from their mentality to create something great, and then perfect it some more. This pretty much sums up the way that Grand Seiko has been making watches ever since the birth of the brand in 1960.

Is a tourbillon in a wristwatch truly useful? Ask this question to a group of watch enthusiasts, and most likely you will end up in heated discussions up until the wee hours of the night. Robert Greubel and Stephen Forsey actually wanted to go a step further and prove that the tourbillon had an added value in a wristwatch. With the first innovation that they introduced after founding the company that bears their name in 2004, the Double Tourbillon 30° they did just that.

Last year F.P. Journe launched its Centigraphe and Automatique Réserve in titanium, a material that most certainly suits two of the most sportive watches of the brand. However, precious metals have always played a very important part in the universe of Journe, as gold is even his material of choice to craft movements from. It is, therefore, more than fitting that he now introduces both models in platinum as well as in 18k 6N gold.

After part I, it is time for the second and last instalment of Haute Time's favourite watches from the 2019 edition of Baselworld. Despite that there were fewer brands exhibiting, there were still plenty of interesting watches, like the following four

Sometimes progress is not that obvious. Especially in the world of watches details can make all the difference. Subtle changes have been part of the industry since its conception, and often fuel a constant evolution of excellence. Small varieties in finishing, color, or materials ensure an ever-expanding universe with even more, and better, options for watch enthusiasts to choose from. These watches are also an intricate part of Baselworld and often offer much more then meets the eye!

Gérald Genta is a man to who many brands owe a great debt. As a designer, he gave Audemars Piguet the Royal Oak, Patek Philippe their Nautilus, and he worked on the Pasha for Cartier, as well as many iconic designs for other brands. What not everybody knows is that he was next to a designer also a watch manufacturer and, in fact, a pioneering one. It was already in 1969 that he founded his manufacture and as could be expected it turned out innovative watches. With the 'Gefica' did Genta introduced a bronze case before it was cool, but that was not all.

A Nautilus is by any means a desirable watch, but even among its peers, some rank higher on the scale than others. This also depends on what type of collector you are. Some want the very first version, while others prefer a more recent edition with complications. For those who want something really, really rare, is this platinum Nautilus is right up their alley!

At Grand Seiko, there are no ordinary days, as each day is a strive to perfection. Ever since the brand was founded in 1960, its goal has been simple; create perfection and then perfect it some more. This has resulted over the years not only in extraordinary watches but also in advancements in the fields of mechanics and finishing.

Spoiled by a long summer, most people living in the northern hemisphere now have to deal with lower temperatures, and in some cases even snow. This sets the scenery for the upcoming holidays, and with that also for these watches, which go very well with a bit of winter wonderland!

Among all the metals used in watchmaking, platinum is among the rarest. Even the top brands often only craft very limited numbers of their platinum cased watches, which is part of the answer why they sell with a significant premium when compared to the same watch in 18 karat gold. There was a time when this higher price could also be explained by the more expensive price of platinum itself, but that has for a while not been the case anymore. However, processing platinum, as well as finishing it, requires special craftsmanship, because it is very dense, malleable and ductile. With the few watches made the investment in this cannot be spread out over so many pieces.

In some cuisines, the highest quality of salmon enjoys a cult-status. In watchmaking, this isn't any different as one of the very few watches that could hold its ground against the announcement at this years Baselworld of the Nautilus Perpetual Calendar, was another Patek Philippe; the 5270P with a platinum case and....salmon dial!

Rolex has been active in the world of golf for over half a century. It does so as a sponsor and timekeeper for the most prestigious golf tournaments on some of the most challenging course and, of course, on the wrist of many champions. But it also plays an important role more behind the scenes, where Rolex contributes to getting a new generation of players ready to make a mark of their own in this challenging sport.

There are a lot of very tempting things about this exquisite Patek Philippe, but first and foremost that it is such a very understated watch! With its distinct tonneau case and subtle Roman numerals, it shows that it is a fine watch, yet disguises how technically refined it is!

You got to hand it to them: Hublot has a knack for teaming up with other brands and reach a powerful synergy. In their partnership with Ferrari, they have set the benchmark for how such a collaboration should be shaped, and the same can be said for that with Berluti

When Ferdinand Berthoud was launched as a brand it took the watch world by storm, and its very first model, the FB 1.1, even won “Aiguille d’or” Grand Prix award at the 2016 Grand Prix d’Horlogerie de Genève. The FB 1.3 takes this now even to new heights.

Among the many introductions of new models this year by Patek Philippe, this Ref.5170P chronograph might have escaped you. Time to set that record straight!